Being a Master Teacher

Salary & Benefits

Average salaries for New Orleans public school teachers have increased since Hurricane Katrina. For the 2009-2010 school year, the average teacher salary ranged from $38,000 to $50,000.

Recovery School District
To view the RSD's complete salary schedule click here.

RSD teachers receive healthcare coverage under Louisiana's Group Benefits Program. For more information about available medical insurance, click here.

You can also find information about retirement benefits by visiting the site for the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana.

Charter Schools

Due to the semi-autonomous nature of charter schools in New Orleans, salary and benefits vary from school to school, depending on the operator. However, most schools have established a salary and benefits structure that is competitive both within New Orleans and Louisiana.

Candidates should not be hesitant to ask about salary and benefits at their individual school interviews. The schools realize the importance of this and should be able to provide satisfactory answers to any questions that individuals may have during the school interview process.

National Board Certification

teachNOLA Master Teachers who hold National Board Certification are eligible for a $5,000 salary supplement for the ten-year life of the certificate from the Louisiana Department of Education. More information on the supplement, including how to verify your employment, will be available from the Recovery School District or your employing charter school in fall 2009. Additional information on National Board Certification is available online here.

Loan Forgiveness
Master Teachers may be eligible for loan cancellation or deferment of Perkins and Stafford student loans. For details about eligibility, please contact your loan provider directly to confirm whether programs are available for individuals who make a commitment to teach full-time in under-resourced schools. For additional information on loan forgiveness programs, please click here.