Teachers: Help!

[AKteacher 104]

There are jobs in Alaska: alaskateacher.org for info. I teach 4th grade here, it's really rewarding!

[GitmeOuttaHere 0]

i can only give you help in the State of Texas... if you want to relocate..

Omg I am so glad I found this thread.

My wife, who is the USC is going thru the certification stuff to get her credentials recognized to get a Tx license

[Peter_Pan 661]

How long does that usually take?

[GitmeOuttaHere 0]

How long does that usually take?

No Idea, Even though she is the USC, all her teaching credentials (primary/junior) are Canadian, more specifically Ontario.

We are just now starting the process so that hopefully by fall of 2012 she will be able to teach in TX.

[cmoore25 4]

Also, tell him to consider signing up to be a substitute teacher in his district. It's a good way to get his foot in the door as well as get experience.

Lack of experience is the #1 thing he has going against him right now. There are many experienced teachers that are out of jobs due to the economy. However, if he's as great as you say, then if he can get some experience behind him - then he can make it work.

Also - he might want to consider teaching in inner cities. It's high burn out, low pay and often not what one would pick - however - it offers experience AND is amazingly rewarding. Charter schools are another option. Tell him to think outside of the box....

IF he's willing to relocate, and that means even to a town where there is a gas station, a McDonalds and possibly a grocery store (i.e. middle of nowhere) then he can get experience - and have a choice of jobs later on. I have relocated twice for teaching jobs - I am finally at a school I love and would've been a "first choice" right out of school - however, without the experience from the other schools - I would have NEVER been offered the job right!!

Good luck!

[Peter_Pan 661]

Has anyone tried teaching at a higher level (college)?

[Golden Gate 530]

Has anyone tried teaching at a higher level (college)?

More likely, than not, you need to have a master's degree.

[Golden Gate 530]

Has anyone tried teaching at a higher level (college)?

More likely, than not, you need to have a master's degree to teach at community college or a finite degree at university (like I would need an MFA, not MA, to teach art at university).

[J and S 38]

There's a lot of factors to consider.

Science and math teachers are needed. Specifically chemistry and physics teacher. Those positions are open, it may not seem like it, but they are. Elementary is less stable, especially in California.

Despite how dire the situation is, it always seem we are scrambling for teachers. Best way to get a job is to go the schools and literally talk to the Principals. That's how I got my foot into the current district I'm in. I heard about the opening, went to the Principal, gave her my resume, etc etc. She admired the tenacity, and that's the only way I got the job.

Working in the inner city is a great idea that another poster suggested. I've been working Inner City Schools in San Diego for 5 years now. It can be tough, it can also be extremely rewarding. It's also NOT as scary as the movies portray it. It's not for everyone, but it is a foot in the door. And a person can always attempt to switch to a different school within a district if they don't like it.

Another option are charter schools. I often find that they do not post as often on Edjoin for california. Some charter schools have a huge turn over rate of staff as well. So it's a matter of "school shopping" at the right time.

Good luck!

[Ihavequestions 419]

More likely, than not, you need to have a master's degree.

Not necessarily, particularly at community colleges where a Bachelor's is just fine if the need is there.

As you're looking for work, consider tutoring (community colleges, put an ad on craigslist, signs in local schools). This has been very lucrative for me and, in fact, I prefer it to a classroom.

Teachers could also design and teach their own courses! I did one for canning/freezing and extreme couponing. That type of teaching has also been financially rewarding. Not only that, there's contract work for curriculum development and if a person can cross learning levels (i.e., from elementary age to adult), they're more marketable.

[Golden Gate 530]

Not necessarily, particularly at community colleges where a Bachelor's is just fine if the need is there.

As you're looking for work, consider tutoring (community colleges, put an ad on craigslist, signs in local schools). This has been very lucrative for me and, in fact, I prefer it to a classroom.

Teachers could also design and teach their own courses! I did one for canning/freezing and extreme couponing. That type of teaching has also been financially rewarding. Not only that, there's contract work for curriculum development and if a person can cross learning levels (i.e., from elementary age to adult), they're more marketable.

Sounds great. I might check some of these ideas out. I would like to create my own online photography course.

[dukeandduchess 141]

My fiance applied for a bunch of jobs all over the country but no response yet. A lot of the places got in touch with his references, who all gave him glowing reviews. He told me that is usually standard practice though. His local districts were not hiring substitutes until recently and he is taking in his application tomorrow.

A bit discouraging but hopefully if he persists he will find something. I told him I wouldn't move until he gets more stable income and so far that hasn't seemed to motivate him too much (from my point of view) although he says he's doing everything he can.

Sigh!

[Peter_Pan 661]

More likely, than not, you need to have a master's degree to teach at community college or a finite degree at university (like I would need an MFA, not MA, to teach art at university).

By the time I'm in the States I would have finished my PhD. The only issue, other than a rough labour market, is that I don't have American degrees.

[Golden Gate 530]

By the time I'm in the States I would have finished my PhD. The only issue, other than a rough labour market, is that I don't have American degrees.

Well, I have seen that there are some professors who started out with advanced degrees in other countries (Master's Degree) and finished with PhDs in the U.S. It might just be a matter of inquiring with universities, and it may depend on your subject. I know someone who obtained her PhD in Spain and is now a biology professor here in the U.S. She did spend some time as a research associate first in Virginia, before becoming a research assistant professor. Her husband currently teaches Basque at UNC, but I am not sure of his degrees.

[mike411 15]

Any jobs that eat off the state or city is bad right now. Federal is a bit better. I think moving to states in the middle of the U.S. will help! There are many Right to Work states that are taking all the relocating jobs from union states. California is the worse.. I too may have to move in the future.