OVERVIEW
What is a Private Learning Center Instructor?
Most education jobs in the United States are in the public sector. But those certainly aren’t the only education jobs out there—a PLCI is a teacher who works for a private learning center or another private education institute.
Some teachers in this field are like tutors—they work one-on-one with individual students to help them make progress. Other PLCI might teach small-sized or even large-sized classrooms full of students.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Private Learning Center Instructor Do?
PLCI have job duties that are quite similar to the job duties of a public school teacher. Here are some of the things that you can expect to do as a private learning center instructor:
- Teach students one-on-one or in groups. Of course, a lot of your work is going to be focused on teaching. You may be expected to work with students one-on-one; tailoring your lessons to suit each student’s individual needs and progress. If you’re not teaching one-on-one lessons, you’ll have to focus on the classroom dynamics among the students.
- Write and adjust your lesson plans. A good teacher is always prepared; you never want to set foot in a classroom without having first planned out the day’s lesson. You’ll be expected to spend part of your working day planning your lessons, preparing the necessary learning materials, and tweaking your ideas to suit the needs of specific classes and individual students.
- Track and assess student progress. How do you know if your lessons are getting through to your students? Well, a big part of a teacher’s job is to make sure that students are learning effectively and making progress. This can be done in a number of ways, whether it be goal-setting, student reflection, or quizzes and tests.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Private Learning Center Instructor?
The requirements for a PLCI are similar to those of most education jobs, but some private learning centers may expect you to have some more specific experience for one-on-one tutoring. Here are some of the steps that will help you get on your way to your dream job:
Step One: Bachelor’s degree
Consider getting a bachelor’s degree in an education-related field. A good bachelor’s degree program in education will give you the knowledge that you need for the subject area(s) that you specialize in, as well as knowledge on pedagogy, lesson planning, and student psychology. A forward-thinking program will also prepare you for the latest research on teaching practices and the latest technological developments that are driving the classrooms of the future. With that foundation, you’ll be ready to meet the challenges of the classroom and help your students thrive.
Step Two: Get certified
No matter what, it’s still a good idea to get certified to teach in your state. Even if the private teaching job that you’re applying for doesn’t specifically require a teaching license, having that license will show that you’re a serious, professional teacher. Different states have different requirements for teaching certification, but you’ll usually need: (1) a bachelor’s degree; (2) completion of a student-teaching program; (3) a passing grade on both a general teaching certification test (Praxis) and a teaching certification test focused on your chosen subject; and (4) completion of a criminal and professional background check.
Step Three: Get a master’s degree
If you’re serious about pursuing your dream, you’ll probably want to make yourself stand out by pursuing further education. A master’s degree, especially one in curriculum and instruction, will show any prospective employers that you’re serious about a career in education. A good master’s in education program will also more deeply familiarize you with pedagogy, education research, and learning theory.
Step Four: Apply for jobs
After getting your teaching certifications and education background squared away, the most important thing for you to do is to go out there and get some teaching experience. If you manage to land a great job at a private learning center right away, great! Well done.
If you’re struggling to find a job at a private learning center that suits your interests and specialization, make sure you find a way to get some teaching experience, so that you’ll be experienced and ready to go when that perfect job opportunity does show up.
Best Degrees for a Private Learning Center Instructor
You should absolutely get a degree if you want to become a PLCI. Good, stable work in education is hard to find if you haven’t taken the time to get yourself an education first. For most jobs in education, a bachelor’s degree is required, and a teaching certification might also be expected. To improve your job resume and further prepare yourself for the challenges of the classroom, a master’s degree in education can give you a big leg up on the competition. Any education degree will prepare you for a job as a private learning center instructor. For your undergraduate degree, it’s smart to choose the specialization that plays to your strengths. A master’s degree, perhaps geared toward curriculum design, will be a huge help in securing that job.
Education
Curriculum and Instruction – M.S.
An online master's degree for those who have educational experience and...
An online master's degree for those who have educational experience and are looking to further their careers with a graduate program focused on curriculum development and design.
- Time: 62% of students earn this degree within 12 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Differentiated Instruction
- Curriculum and Instruction Design
- Educational Research
- Assessment
Help schools create engaging, meaningful, and memorable learning experiences to improve learning outcomes for all students with this M.S. degree.
How Much Does a Private Learning Center Instructor Make?
$52,380
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $52,380 in 2020 for all education, training, and library jobs in the U.S. This is significantly higher than the median annual wage for all jobs in 2020, which was reported at $41,950
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
5%
The education field is expected to see 5% growth from 2019 to 2029, which is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. That translates to about 441,000 new jobs in the United States. That means that now is a great time to be in the education field.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Private Learning Center Instructor Need?
You’ll want to develop all of the usual skills that teachers are expected to have. This includes a strong background in at least one specific subject. You’ll also want to have strong social and interpersonal skills since so much of the job involves interacting directly with your students.
- Teaching skills
- Deep background knowledge of at least one school subject
- One-on-one tutoring skills
- Communication skills
- Public speaking skills
- Critical and analytical thinking skills
- Organizational skills
Our Online University Degree Programs Start on the First of Every Month, All Year Long
No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!
Next Start Date
{{startdate}}
Interested in Becoming a Private Learning Center Instructor?
Learn more about degree programs that can prepare you for this meaningful career.
