What Are the Opportunities for Advancement for a Teacher?

Opportunities for career advancement are important for many reasons.

For example, the Society for Human Resource Management notes that people pursue career advancement to achieve goals such as:

Job satisfaction

More meaningful work

Better work-life balance

Higher earnings

Great teachers never stop growing. Advanced education degrees give you the expertise to lead, not just in the classroom, but throughout your entire career.

Individuals considering online undergraduate and graduate education degrees can benefit from exploring advancement opportunities for teachers, along with the specific degrees that can help them pursue their goals.

Understanding Teacher Advancement Opportunities

Many teachers find great satisfaction in a lifelong career in the classroom. However, others may find that their interests and goals change over time, leading them to consider new ways to apply their skills. For those teachers, knowing what the opportunities for advancement for a teacher are can help guide their career paths.

How Education Allows Teachers to Advance in Their Careers

Teachers need to recognize that the education degrees they earn provide wide-ranging expertise that they can use to advance in their careers. Depending on the undergraduate and graduate degree programs they complete, teachers can achieve educational outcomes such as:

An advanced understanding of student assessment, classroom management and curriculum development

The ability to create effective learning environments

Expertise in educational leadership

Knowledge of key trends in education

The skills to design strong educational programs

These outcomes allow teachers to pursue career advancement both inside and outside of the classroom. For example, general outcomes for teachers seeking career advancement include:

Working in specialized roles that focus on teaching specific student populations

Moving into school or district administration

Coordinating instruction and curriculum

Filling positions in educational technology

Offering educational consulting services

The information below highlights careers in each area and the types of degree programs that could prepare teachers to enter them.

Earning Certifications to Transition Into Specialized Roles

Completing an advanced degree program, such as a Master of Arts (MA) in Exceptional Child Education or an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), can prepare individuals to earn various types of teacher certifications and pursue the related advancement opportunities for teachers.

Special Education Certification

By earning an MA in Exceptional Child Education, teachers can develop expertise in supporting children with special needs and strengthen their knowledge in areas such as mild-to-moderate cross-categorical disabilities, autism, and early childhood special education. This preparation can lead to the state certification necessary to work as a special education teacher. It also helps hone skills that are important in special education, such as:

Communication

Behavior management

Critical thinking

Special education teachers work with students who face physical, learning, emotional, and developmental disabilities. They carry out responsibilities such as:

Assessing students and identifying their needs

Creating individualized education programs

Developing activities that parallel students’ abilities

Offering instruction to and mentoring students

Preparing students for the next grade or for life after they complete their education

The requirements to become a special education teacher vary by state but typically include the following:

Earn a bachelor’s degree in a discipline such as education or special education or a master’s degree in a discipline such as special education or exceptional child education.

Comply with state teacher preparation requirements and obtain a state teaching license.

Pass an exam to obtain the state certification — which can also be referred to as a license endorsement — required to teach special education.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), special education teachers earned a median annual salary of $64,270 as of May 2024.

The BLS forecasts that the U.S. will have an average of 37,800 job openings for special education teachers each year through 2034.

TESOL Certification

Another path for teacher advancement is through TESOL. By earning a degree such as an MA in TESOL, a teacher can gain expertise in linguistics, first- and second-language acquisition, and literacy acquisition in a second or additional language. This expertise can prepare individuals for TESOL certification and helps them build critical skills in areas such as:

Demonstrating cultural sensitivity

Working with students who have differing abilities

Keeping students engaged

TESOL teachers perform duties such as:

Teaching students how to speak, read and write in English

Assessing student progress and offering feedback for language improvement

Creating supportive learning environments and using teaching strategies and materials that promote English language learning

Working with other teachers and school administrators to support English language learners

As with special education, the requirements to become a TESOL teacher vary by state but usually include the following:

Earn a relevant undergraduate degree or graduate degree in a discipline such as education or elementary education or earn a master’s degree in a discipline such as TESOL.

Meet state teacher preparation requirements and obtain a state teaching license.

Pass an exam to obtain the state certification required to work as a TESOL teacher.

The BLS reported that teachers of adult basic and secondary education and English as a second language earned a median annual salary of $59,950 as of May 2024. Additionally, the BLS estimates that the U.S. will have an average of 3,900 job openings in the field each year from 2024 to 2034.

TESOL teachers may also find opportunities abroad! For example, a 2025 report from TESOL International Association, a professional organization for English language teachers, highlighted significant growth in demand for English language teachers in Asia.

Becoming a School Principal

When considering career progression for teachers, it’s important to remember that teachers who earn advanced degrees can consider becoming a school principal.

Through this type of program, a teacher can obtain advanced knowledge and skills in subjects such as school supervision, school law, principalship, and school leadership. This preparation equips aspiring principals to work in elementary, middle, or high schools. It also helps them strengthen their skills in areas such as:

Conflict management

Communication

Problem-solving

The Career of a School Principal

Responsible for overseeing all aspects of a school’s operations, a principal has duties such as:

Monitoring all school staff, activities and security

Disciplining students

Evaluating teachers’ performance

Communicating with parents regarding student behavior and progress

Assessing overall student achievement and creating related reports

Managing budgets, supplies and maintenance

State requirements for school principals vary but typically include the following:

Earn a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field.

Obtain a state teaching license and gain several years of teaching experience.

Earn a master’s degree in a field such as educational leadership or educational administration.

Pass an exam to obtain the state certification required to work in an administrator role in education.

As of May 2024, elementary, middle and high school principals earned a median annual salary of $104,070, according to the BLS. The BLS also anticipates that the U.S. will have an average of 20,800 job openings for principals each year through 2034.

Transitioning Into School District Administration

Another opportunity for teacher advancement exists at the school district level. With a Specialist Degree in Educational Administration, for example, teachers who want to devote their talents to an entire school district can consider moving into school administration and working their way up to school superintendent positions.

This type of degree offers teachers the opportunity to acquire advanced expertise in key subjects such as personnel management, leadership and communication, school plant planning and operations, financial management, and continuous improvement in education. This expertise is invaluable to school superintendents and helps build skills in areas such as:

Collaboration

Problem-solving

Financial planning

The Career of a School Superintendent

School superintendents oversee entire school districts and implement school board policies, with duties including the following:

Establishing school district goals and priorities

Ensuring that schools comply with state and federal requirements

Managing budgets and operations

Monitoring the efficiency of facilities and transportation

Communicating with school board members, school principals and members of the community

Responding to emergencies involving schools

The requirements to work as a school superintendent can vary but typically include the following:

Earn a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field.

Gain 2-5 years of teaching experience, as well as experience working in administration, for example, as a principal or in an administrator position with a school district.

Earn at least a master’s or specialist degree in a field such as educational administration; in some cases, aspiring superintendents will need to complete a doctoral degree in education.

Pass an exam to obtain the state certification required to work in an administrator role in education.

The BLS reported that top executives, including school superintendents, earned a median annual salary of $105,350 as of May 2024. It also projects 4 percent employment growth for top executives through 2034, with an average of 331,000 job openings each year.

School districts nationwide are struggling to fill superintendent positions with qualified candidates permanently. In 2025, District Administration, an education trade publication, reported that, because of this challenge, interim superintendents were overseeing almost 22 percent of school districts across the country.

Coordinating Instruction as a Career Path

Teachers who earn degrees such as a MA in Curriculum and Instruction degree can consider working in roles such as instructional coordinator. This advanced role for teachers allows them to pursue their passion for curriculum development.

Through this program, teachers can build expertise in subjects such as school curriculum, research, special education, diversity and equity, and school supervision. This knowledge can be particularly useful when working as an instructional coordinator. The degree will strengthen skills in areas such as:

Collaboration

Communication

Adaptability

The Career of an Instructional Coordinator

Instructional coordinators carry out responsibilities such as:

Creating and implementing school curricula and related standards

Organizing and conducting teacher training on curricula

Analyzing and recommending educational materials for schools

Suggesting specific teaching techniques

Mentoring teachers to strengthen their skills

Different states have varying requirements for their instructional coordinators, but they usually include the following:

Earn a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field.

Gain a few years of teaching experience.

Earn a master’s degree in teacher leadership, curriculum and instruction, secondary education, or a related field such as instructional design.

Pass an exam to obtain the state certification required to work as an instructional coordinator.

According to the BLS, instructional coordinators earned a median annual salary of $74,720 as of May 2024. The BLS also projects 1 percent employment growth for this role through 2034, with an average of 21,900 instructional coordinator job openings each year.

Focusing on Education and Technology

If you’re a teacher with a passion for technology, another great opportunity for teacher advancement is becoming an educational technology specialist, also referred to as an instructional technology specialist. Equipped with advanced expertise from a degree such as a master’s degree in educational technology, teachers can help integrate technology into instruction.

This program helps teachers gain essential knowledge in instructional technology, performing assessments using technology, and planning for technology in schools. Teachers can apply this knowledge when they transition into roles such as educational technology specialists. Earning this type of graduate degree can build skills in areas such as:

Project management

Communication

Troubleshooting

The Career of an Educational Technology Specialist

Educational technology specialists are responsible for integrating technology into learning and supporting teachers as they use technology in instruction. Those in this career have responsibilities such as:

Collaborating with teachers to blend technology into curricula

Reviewing and selecting instructional technology resources

Training teachers on how to use technology

Troubleshooting technology issues in classrooms

Supporting online learning programs

The requirements for educational technology specialists can differ by state but typically include the following:

Earn a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in secondary education, technology, or a related discipline.

Gain a few years of experience in instruction, instructional design, or technology.

Satisfy any state or school district requirements for working in the position.

While the BLS doesn’t provide salary information specifically for educational technology specialists, the salary for a related field offers a guide to earnings. According to the BLS, training and development specialists earned a median annual salary of $65,850 as of May 2024.

In addition, the BLS projects that employment of training and development specialists will grow 11 percent through 2034. This aligns with trends in educational technology, Grand View Research, a market research firm, has projected that the global educational technology market will grow nearly 11 percent through 2033. It cited increased use of educational technology in K-12 classrooms as a key growth driver.

Transitioning Into Educational Consulting

Options for teacher advancement also include consulting positions. Earning graduate degrees in areas such as educational leadership, elementary education, secondary education, teacher leadership or educational administration can help teachers strengthen their expertise and build their credentials to transition into a consulting role. Graduate degree programs in education can help aspiring educational consultants build key skills in areas such as:

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

The Career of an Educational Consultant

Working as an educational consultant allows teachers to use their experience and expertise to help improve teaching practices and student outcomes. Educational consultants perform duties such as:

Advising schools and districts on curriculum and teacher professional development

Recommending best practices to improve educational outcomes

Supporting financial and strategic planning efforts

Helping schools recruit and retain teachers

Assisting with the development of educational policies

The requirements for becoming an educational consultant typically include the following:

Earn a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in education.

Gain several years of experience working in education, preferably in teaching or administration.

Consider focusing on a specialization, such as policy or strategic planning.

The BLS reported that management analysts and consultants earned a median annual salary of $101,190 as of May 2024. It also projects 9 percent employment growth in the field through 2034, with an average of 98,100 job openings each year.

Advancing Your Teaching Career

Exploring advancement opportunities for teachers highlights the many paths teachers can take to expand their expertise and apply their knowledge in new ways.

If you would like to enhance your expertise in the field of education, find out how SEMO Online’s undergraduate and graduate education degree programs can help you reach your career goals. Offering flexible online learning and the chance to earn associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, these programs can help prepare you for long-term success in education. Or if you prefer in-person learning, there are plenty of on-campus education degree programs available to explore. SEMO is committed to developing your educational expertise.

Start following your passion and take the first step toward a fulfilling career in education today.

Recommended Readings

Types of Leadership Styles in Education

How to Become a Special Education Teacher: In Missouri and Beyond

Sources:

District Administration, “Crisis in the Making: Superintendent Shortage Is Real—and Getting Worse”

Every Special Child, How to Become a Special Education Teacher: Education, Skills, and Certification

Grand View Research, “Education Technology Market (2026 - 2033)”

Indeed, “How Much Does a School Superintendent Make? (Plus How to Become One)”

Indeed, “How to Become an Educational Consultant (Plus Salary Info)”

Indeed, “Learn About Being a Principal”

Indeed, “Top 10 Skills to Include on Your Teacher Resume”