Guatemala

Like the United States and most other progressive countries, Guatemala recognizes the importance of preparing good teachers for the classroom. However, because teachers' salaries in the country are not good, and since teaching conditions are often difficult due to lack of physical resources, the teaching profession does not always attract enough well qualified educators. This problem is also exacerbated by the linguistic differences found in the far northern and southern areas of the country.

All prospective teachers must obtain the bacherilloto, with an emphasis on teaching, to enter the classroom. Teachers in Guatemala are referred to as profesors.