Teaching Jobs in Atlanta: How to Find, Qualify For, and Succeed in Education Careers

Atlanta is one of the Southeast’s biggest education hubs, with large public school systems, private and charter schools, and dozens of colleges and universities. If you’re searching for teaching jobs in Atlanta, you’ll find opportunities at almost every level—from preschool to graduate school—plus options in tutoring, test prep, and adult education.

This guide breaks down how teaching jobs work in Atlanta, what qualifications you need, where to look, and how to navigate local hiring processes.

The Education Landscape in Atlanta

When people say “Atlanta,” they often mean both the City of Atlanta and the broader metro area, which includes several major school districts and many independent schools.

Key employers for teachers include:

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS) – Serves the City of Atlanta.
• Surrounding public school districts, such as:
  • Fulton County Schools
  • DeKalb County School District
  • Cobb County School District
  • Gwinnett County Public Schools
• Charter schools – Both state-chartered and locally approved charter networks.
• Private and independent schools – Secular and faith-based.
• Colleges and universities – For faculty, adjunct, and instructor roles.
• Early childhood centers – Preschools, daycares, and Pre-K programs.
• Supplemental education – Tutoring centers, after-school programs, adult education.

Knowing which type of employer fits your skills and goals will shape your job search.

Types of Teaching Jobs in Atlanta

Public K–12 Teaching Jobs

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and nearby districts regularly hire:

• Elementary school teachers (K–5)
• Middle school teachers (6–8)
• High school teachers (9–12)
• Special education teachers
• ESOL/ESL teachers
• Subject specialists (math, science, English, social studies, world languages, arts, CTE)

Public school positions typically offer:

• A structured salary schedule
• Benefits (health insurance, retirement plans)
• Paid time off aligned with the school calendar
• Professional development opportunities

Charter School Teaching Jobs

Atlanta has a growing number of charter schools, including stand-alone schools and networks. They often:

• Have more flexibility in curriculum and schedule
• Expect strong buy-in to a specific mission or model
• May offer longer school days or years

Compensation and benefits can vary, so review each school’s details carefully.

Private and Independent School Teaching Jobs

Private schools in Atlanta range from small religious schools to large, well-established independent schools. Roles may include:

• Lower, middle, and upper school teaching positions
• Specialty roles (fine arts, STEM, language immersion)
• Teaching plus coaching or advising duties

Private schools may:

• Not require state certification in every case
• Emphasize advanced degrees in the subject area
• Expect participation in extracurriculars and school events

Early Childhood & Pre-K Teaching Jobs

For early educators, Atlanta offers:

• Georgia Pre-K classrooms (often in public schools and private centers)
• Daycare centers and early learning academies
• Church-based preschools

Roles may include:

• Lead teacher
• Assistant teacher
• Infant/toddler teacher
• Pre-K and kindergarten prep

Georgia Pre-K lead teachers usually must meet state credential requirements, while requirements for private centers vary.

College, University & Adult Education Roles

Atlanta’s higher education options include:

• Georgia State University
• Georgia Tech
• Emory University
• Atlanta University Center institutions (Clark Atlanta, Spelman, Morehouse, etc.)
• Local community and technical colleges

Common teaching roles:

• Full-time faculty (often requiring a doctorate)
• Adjunct instructors (often requiring at least a master’s degree)
• Lecturers and instructional staff
• Adult education instructors (ESL, GED, workforce training)

Basic Requirements to Teach in Atlanta

Requirements depend on the setting, but for public K–12 teaching jobs, there are clear standards.

Georgia Teacher Certification

To teach in APS or other public districts, you generally need a Georgia Teaching Certificate issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).

Typical routes include:

• Traditional route:
  • Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field
  • Completion of a state-approved educator preparation program
  • Passing required Georgia exams (for content and pedagogy)
• Alternative route (for career changers):
  • Bachelor’s degree (often in the subject you’ll teach)
  • Employment with a school system that sponsors your certification pathway
  • Participation in a GaPSC-approved alternative program while you teach

GaPSC main office (mailing and general contact):
Georgia Professional Standards Commission
2 Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Always confirm your exact requirements with GaPSC or the district’s human resources office.

Background Checks & Fingerprinting

Most school settings in Atlanta require:

• Criminal background check
• Fingerprinting
• Reference checks

Public schools and many private schools will not finalize a hire until these clearances are complete.

Education and Degree Requirements

Common expectations:

• Public K–12: At least a bachelor’s degree plus certification.
• Private K–12: Often a bachelor’s degree; some prefer or require a master’s, especially in upper grades.
• Colleges/Universities: Usually a master’s or doctorate in the field you’ll teach.
• Early Childhood: Varies—a mix of CDA credentials, associate degrees, or bachelor’s degrees depending on the role and program type.

Where to Find Teaching Jobs in Atlanta

You’ll improve your chances by checking multiple sources regularly. Here are some of the most commonly used pathways.

Public School District Job Portals

Most metro Atlanta districts post positions on their district career pages. These often include:

• Classroom teachers
• Support staff (paras, interventionists)
• Specialist roles (media, counselors)

For Atlanta Public Schools, central office and school-based positions are typically listed on the APS careers page and updated throughout the year as openings arise.

Nearby large districts (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton, etc.) maintain similar online job boards.

Charter School & Network Postings

Charter schools may:

• Post on their own school websites
• Use district or statewide job boards
• Advertise through well-known education job boards

Many charter roles are filled quickly, especially in high-need subjects like math, science, and special education.

Private & Independent Schools

Private schools use a mix of:

• Individual school websites with employment pages
• Independent school associations’ job boards
• General job boards with education filters

If you’re targeting specific schools, visiting their websites and checking “Employment” or “Careers” sections is often the most direct approach.

Colleges, Universities & Technical Colleges

Higher-ed institutions in Atlanta typically:

• List faculty and adjunct openings on their HR/careers pages
• Post part-time instructor roles close to each semester

Look for titles like:

• Instructor
• Lecturer
• Assistant Professor
• Adjunct Faculty
• Part-Time Instructor

Other Local Opportunities

Beyond formal school systems, you may find teaching or teaching-adjacent roles at:

• Tutoring centers and learning labs
• After-school and summer programs (often run by nonprofits or recreation departments)
• Adult literacy and ESL programs
• Test prep companies
• Religious organizations with educational programs

These roles may not require full certification but often value teaching experience and strong communication skills.

Typical Pay and Work Conditions (Overview)

Exact pay depends on the employer, your experience, and credentials, but some patterns are common in the Atlanta area.

Public K–12:

• Salaries follow a step schedule based on years of experience and degree level.
• You may receive supplements for coaching, department leadership, or hard-to-fill subjects.
• Standard work year roughly follows the school calendar, with additional days for pre-planning and post-planning.

Charter & Private Schools:

• Pay scales can differ from public district schedules.
• Benefits and retirement options vary; review each school’s policies.
• Workload may include evening events, clubs, or coaching expectations.

Higher Education:

• Full-time roles often include benefits but may be competitive.
• Adjuncts are typically paid per course, with variable loads and less job security.

Early Childhood & Pre-K:

• Pay can be lower than K–12 public schools in many cases.
• Georgia Pre-K classrooms often follow a structured pay system distinct from private daycare pay scales.

Step-by-Step: How to Get a Teaching Job in Atlanta

1. Clarify What and Where You Want to Teach

Ask yourself:

• Age group: Early childhood, elementary, middle, high school, or adult learners?
• Type of school: Public, charter, private, college, or community program?
• Subject area: Generalist (elementary), content-specific (math, science, English, etc.), or special education?

This helps you target the correct employers and certification requirements.

2. Confirm Your Certification Status (or Path)

If you plan to work in public schools:

• Check whether you already hold a valid Georgia certificate or need to transfer one from another state.
• If you’re a career changer:
  • Identify GaPSC-approved alternative certification programs.
  • Contact districts that accept and support alternative route candidates.

If you’re interested primarily in private, charter, or higher-ed roles, certification may not always be required, but it is often preferred.

3. Prepare Your Application Materials

Have these ready:

• Resume tailored to education roles
• Cover letter specific to each school or district
• Teaching certificate details (if applicable)
• Transcripts (official or unofficial, as required)
• Professional references who can speak to your teaching or work with students
• Portfolio items (optional but helpful), such as:
  • Sample lesson plans
  • Classroom management strategies
  • Student work samples (with identifying details removed)

4. Search and Apply Strategically

To stay organized:

• Create a list of target districts and schools in the Atlanta area.
• Check their job boards regularly, especially from late winter through summer when many K–12 jobs open.
• Prioritize high-need areas (math, science, special education, ESOL) if you are qualified, as these often have more openings.

📌 Tip: Many Atlanta-area districts hold job fairs and recruitment events, especially in the spring. Watching district announcements can give you a chance to meet principals and HR staff directly.

5. Prepare for Interviews and Demonstration Lessons

Atlanta-area schools commonly use:

• Panel interviews (administrators + teachers)
• Scenario questions about classroom management, differentiation, and collaboration
• Occasionally, a demo lesson or teaching sample

Be ready to discuss:

• How you support diverse learners, including English learners and students with IEPs
• Your approach to classroom management in an urban or suburban setting
• How you collaborate with families and colleagues

6. Complete Onboarding Requirements

Once you receive an offer, you’ll likely need to:

• Complete employment paperwork and HR onboarding
• Undergo a background check and fingerprinting
• Provide official transcripts and certification documents
• Attend new teacher orientation and pre-planning days

Some districts centralize onboarding at a central office building or administration center; details will be provided by HR.

Atlanta-Specific Considerations for Teaching Jobs

Urban vs. Suburban School Environments

Within the metro area, teaching conditions can vary:

• Urban schools (like many in APS) may emphasize:
  • Community partnerships
  • Culturally responsive teaching
  • Intensive support for students with varying needs
• Suburban schools in the broader metro may have:
  • Larger campuses
  • Different demographic mixes
  • Different community expectations and resources

When applying, consider the student population, commute, and school culture that fit you best.

Commuting and School Location

Atlanta traffic is a real factor. When evaluating offers, think about:

• Your daily commute time, especially during rush hour.
• Access to MARTA if you prefer public transportation (some schools are near rail or bus lines, many are not).
• Parking availability and neighborhood safety at early or late hours.

Choosing a school on your side of town can significantly affect your quality of life.

Professional Development and Support

Many Atlanta-area districts and larger schools invest in:

• New teacher induction or mentoring programs
• Ongoing professional learning communities (PLCs)
• Coaching in areas like literacy, math, or classroom management

If you’re early in your career, ask about:

• Mentor assignment for new teachers
• Release time for PD
• Expectations for after-school meetings and trainings

Quick Reference: Teaching Job Options in Atlanta

Local Offices and Contacts Worth Knowing

While most job applications are now online, these official offices can be useful if you need to verify licensure details or reach out to district HR.

Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC)
For licensing and certification questions
2 Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Atlanta Public Schools – Central Office
130 Trinity Ave SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Surrounding districts (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton) maintain central administrative offices within the metro region; if you’re applying widely, it helps to note each district’s HR contact and office address from their official websites.

If you know the age group and subject you want to teach, your next step is to confirm your certification pathway, prepare a strong resume and cover letter, and start monitoring the main Atlanta-area school systems and institutions for openings. With the city’s mix of public, private, and higher-education opportunities, there are multiple ways to build a teaching career in Atlanta.