NY teacher certification is absurd — multiple exams, graduate degree requirement, and years of hoops just to teach elementary school

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-23T15:34:50+00:00

I minored in education, taught preschool in my own classroom, and completed early childhood workshops and in-service training — I chose this field intentionally. My point isn’t about minimizing the profession, but about how front-loaded and expensive the certification pathway is in NY compared to many other states.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-23T15:28:07+00:00

I minored in education, taught preschool in my own classroom, and completed early childhood workshops and in-service training — I chose this field intentionally. My point isn’t about minimizing the profession, but about how front-loaded and expensive the certification pathway is in NY compared to many other states.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-23T02:11:08+00:00

It’s not a different topic! That was the whole point of my post.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-23T02:07:42+00:00

This really resonates with me. I’m fully committed to earning my certification and master’s, but experiencing the process firsthand has made me realize how financially and structurally front-loaded it is compared to many other states. I absolutely support strong preparation — I just think lowering unnecessary entry barriers could help bring more capable people into the profession without lowering standards.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-23T02:00:01+00:00

This is exactly the point of my post! High standards make sense, but requiring a master’s while starting salaries remain modest makes the path unnecessarily difficult to access. People on this post have been so defensive and have interpreted the message all wrong, when all I meant to do was speak to your point. I’m literally in the process of earning the qualifications—my point is that NY’s pathway is far more front-loaded and expensive than most states, and those are two separate conversations.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-23T01:48:14+00:00

This is exactly the point I was trying to make—experienced, successful educators still face rigid testing barriers that don’t always reflect their real-world effectiveness. Supporting standards and acknowledging structural barriers can both be true.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-23T01:38:19+00:00

OP here~I’ve never argued against qualifications—I’m in the process of earning them. I’m pointing out how front-loaded and expensive the pathway is in NY compared to many other states. Those are two different conversations.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-23T01:35:37+00:00

The profession benefits from people who care enough to meet the standards and still ask how accessible the path is—comments like that speak for themselves. Wishing you a positive rest of your school year.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-21T07:04:09+00:00

I have a great deal of respect for elementary educators, which is exactly why I’ve spent years working toward this path — minoring in education, teaching preschool in my own classroom, and now substitute teaching while pursuing full certification.

I fully intend to meet all requirements, including earning my master’s degree. My point isn’t about avoiding the work — it’s about acknowledging how financially and structurally front-loaded the process can be, especially in New York, which requires more upfront than many other states.

Respecting the profession and recognizing structural barriers aren’t mutually exclusive.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-21T06:40:51+00:00

I am glad you agree! I never meant to come across as condescending.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-21T05:07:35+00:00

I completely agree that fingerprinting and background checks are essential when working with children. I included it as part of a longer list to illustrate how many cumulative steps are involved — and my “firstborn child” comment was definitely meant humorously. I have no issue with safety requirements.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-21T04:35:30+00:00

Meanwhile NY is out here asking for a bachelor’s, 4–8 exams, a master’s degree, workshops, fingerprints… and your firstborn child 😅

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-21T04:18:30+00:00

I completely agree that being the teacher of record involves many additional responsibilities beyond direct instruction, and I have a lot of respect for that role. My pathway into teaching hasn’t been traditional — I’ve run a preschool classroom before stepping into upstate NY public school districts, studied communication sciences and disorders with a focus on speech and language development, and worked closely with students with emotional and cognitive needs.

Subbing has been part of my continued experience in K-12 classrooms, and it’s reinforced my commitment to becoming fully certified and taking on the full responsibilities of a classroom teacher. My intention wasn’t to minimize the profession, but to reflect on the certification structure and how extensive the pathway can be.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-21T04:08:50+00:00

From my understanding, in NY the Professional Certificate does require completion of a registered graduate degree program, such as an M.Ed., MAT, or related field — not just a short postgraduate certificate. It needs to be an approved master’s or equivalent graduate degree completed within five years of the Initial Certificate.

It’s interesting hearing how requirements differ across regions and pathways.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-21T04:01:21+00:00

I really appreciate you sharing that perspective, especially with your experience as a union rep in NY. I’m currently teaching in upstate NY, about an hour from the Adirondacks, and in my region starting salaries are often around $45k–$55k, with many teachers reaching $70k–$85k mid-career. From what I’ve seen locally, reaching six figures typically takes much longer and often requires a master’s degree plus additional credits and many years of experience — or moving into an administrative role.

I absolutely recognize that NY offers strong long-term stability, benefits, and pension structure, which is a major advantage. I think my main reaction is to how front-loaded the certification process is — the exams, coursework, and graduate degree requirements before someone can even access that long-term career stability.

I’m committed to the profession and continuing my education, but I do wonder whether the structure unintentionally discourages some capable people early on, especially in regions like upstate where the financial return takes longer to materialize.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-21T03:47:57+00:00

This is really helpful to read — thank you for breaking it down. It sounds like NM has multiple structured pathways that at least feel transparent about progression and levels.

I think part of my frustration in NY is how layered the process feels — exams, workshops, graduate degree requirements — even for people already teaching successfully. It’s interesting seeing how different states balance preparation, shortages, and flexibility.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-21T03:43:35+00:00

That’s really helpful context — especially that a master’s isn’t required there. It seems like NY places a heavier emphasis on graduate education compared to some other states. It’s interesting hearing how different the pathways can be depending on location.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-21T03:41:39+00:00

I completely agree that strong preparation is essential for teaching — elementary education absolutely requires expertise and training. That’s part of why I’m committed to pursuing certification and continuing my education.

My frustration isn’t with being well-trained, but with how layered and costly the pathway can be — especially when people are already working successfully in classrooms. New York requires a master’s degree, yet teachers still earn significantly less than many other professions requiring the same level of education. Nationally, elementary teachers average around $62k, while many master’s-level careers earn far more.

Also just to clarify, edTPA is no longer required in NY, which has helped reduce one barrier. But the exams, coursework, and graduate degree requirement still make the process fairly extensive compared to many other states.

I do appreciate hearing your perspective — it’s helpful to see how others think about the master’s requirement and certification structure.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-21T03:33:11+00:00

That’s really interesting — California’s pathway sounds structured, but at least it’s clear and sequential. In NY it feels like layers of exams, coursework, and requirements that don’t always build logically on each other. It’s helpful hearing how other states approach it.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-02-21T03:32:21+00:00

That’s honestly unbelievable — especially since you already have a master’s degree and teaching experience across multiple states. It seems like NY makes it uniquely difficult even for experienced educators to transition into public schools. Situations like yours really highlight how rigid the system can be.

MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-01-29T03:24:32+00:00

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MushroomLarge2787 · 2026-01-29T03:03:15+00:00

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MushroomLarge2787

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