Jobs in Private Schools

If you're currently teaching at a private school and considering a move, you might have an advantage, but why? Let’s break it down.

Employer Bias: The "Already Employed" Advantage

Private schools often prefer candidates who are already working in education. Why?

• Proven Track Record: Hiring committees feel more confident in someone actively teaching.
• Less Risk: An employed candidate is seen as a "safe bet" compared to someone who has been out of the classroom for a while.
• Perceived Competence: Schools assume that if another institution values you, you must be good at what you do.

This video from Resumes and Careers explains the advantage of job-hunting while employed.

Networking: Your Secret Weapon

Being employed means you’re already inside the private school ecosystem, and that’s a huge advantage.

• Word-of-Mouth Recommendations: Private schools rely heavily on referrals. A colleague’s endorsement can carry more weight than a resume.
• Industry Events & Conferences: Attending private school networking events keeps you visible to hiring decision-makers.
• Recruiters & Headmasters: Many private schools hire discreetly. If you're already in the system, you might hear about openings before they’re publicly posted.

Negotiation Leverage: More Power When You’re Employed

If you’re currently employed, you’re negotiating from a position of strength.

• You Can Walk Away: Schools know you have options, making them more likely to offer competitive salaries.
• Better Benefits & Perks: You can negotiate for professional development, housing stipends, or tuition discounts for your children.
• Timing Flexibility: You

When you apply for a teaching position, the technical and soft skills you offer are high on the list of prerequisites. We'll cover technical skills in another article. But first, let's look at soft skills and learn why they are the backdrop against which you will be assessed both as a teacher and an individual. Listing your soft skills on your resume identifies you as a candidate who will be a good fit in the classroom and the larger school community.

The Importance of Soft Skills

Soft skills are crucial in an interview because they are the traits that can set you apart from others with similar technical abilities. After all, you will not be the only applicant for the position you have applied for. Your soft skills can and should drive you to the top of the list. Why? Because schools want to know that a potential teacher has the following soft skills:

• Work well with others
• Communicate effectively
• Adapt to new situations

Soft skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership can make you stand out in an interview. These skills can also demonstrate your ability to handle stress, work under pressure, and think critically. In many cases, your soft skills can be just as essential as your technical skills regarding hiring decisions.

In 2026, these qualities are more important than ever as private schools increasingly seek educators who can combine strong interpersonal skills with technology-enhanced instruction. According to the U.S. Department of Education, today's teachers are expected

In all the years I have written about private schools, I have never written anything about what a teacher does. This year after the pandemic, I feel that it is even more critical than ever to encourage and attract people to the profession. Let me preface my remarks by noting that teaching in a private school is somewhat different from teaching in a public school. The only exception to that statement that I can think of would be teaching in rural schools or other places where the school district is very small. Private schools are free-standing entities. There's no such thing as a district of private schools. As a result, a small PK-6 private school could have twelve teachers or less and a correspondingly tiny administrative staff. So, if small-sized schools appeal to you and prefer being in a situation where your voice can be heard, I recommend that you explore teaching in a small school. Of course, there are large PK-13 private schools with 1,000 or more students. Explore working in one of those if that's your thing.

Something which may appeal to those of you thinking about becoming a teacher later in life is that most private schools will accept your credentials without a teaching certificate. They will generally insist that you earn your teaching certification within a fixed period of a year or so. Most private schools focus on the quality of your tertiary education. So, if you did a bachelor of science

In this fictional conversation, a job seeker and I chat about looking for employment in a private school.

Credentials

Q. Do I need to have a teaching certificate to teach in a private school?

A. Not necessarily. It depends on the school. Some schools will employ you without a teaching certificate with the requirement that you obtain one within a stated time frame, typically a year.

Q. Do I need an education degree to teach in a private school?

A. Most private schools value degrees in a subject. For example, if you are presenting yourself as an English teacher, they will look for a bachelor's degree with a major in American or English Language and Literature. The teaching skills and methodology which you could learn if you did an education degree will be useful; however, most private schools will require you to teach in their own proprietary way. After all, that's why parents are sending their children to private school.

Q. Do I need to have a master's degree or a doctorate?

A. Your resume will stand out from the others when you offer a master's degree or terminal degree. Once again, schools understand that a highly-credentialed faculty is a powerful asset when it comes to marketing what they do. If you have started work on your master's or doctorate, be sure to indicate that on your resume. Discuss your further education plans at the interview.

Q. Will schools ask for a curriculum vitae?

A. Some will. Some

The questions which you will encounter in your job interview for a private school teaching job depend on the experience and skill of your interviewer. Most of the time the interviewer will be well-trained and experienced. She will ask questions which are legal. However, you should be aware that even the most experienced interviews can and do slip up occasionally and ask questions which are illegal according to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Civil Rights Act of l964 “prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.” Put another way, you have rights and it is very important that you know and understand them.

Read Daniel Bortz' article on Monster.com, Illegal interview questions that employers shouldn't ask you. That will give you an overview of how things work in the corporate world as well as in small businesses like private schools. The problem with small organizations is that they don't always have the human resources professionals on staff to remind them of legalities such as what you can and cannot ask at a job interview.

Illegal Questions

Here are some of the things which are considered illegal for the interviewer to ask about. Incidentally, both federal and state laws consider questions about these issues illegal.

• Race, Color, or National Origin
• Religion
• Sex, Gender Identity, or Sexual Orientation
• Pregnancy status
• Disability
• Age or Genetic Information
• Citizenship
• Marital Status or Number of Children

So, what do you do when an interviewer asks about any of these things? Don't