NWR: searching teaching positions... And the outlook is bleak

ZiggyZos · March 2013

I finally got word that I passed my final state exam for my teaching licensure (yay!) and student teaching is going super well (double yay!), so it is time for me to start applying for jobs. I'll be certified K-12 for special education, but most of my experience is in high school and that is where my preference is.

There is currently ONE high school opening for a special educator in my entire county. I've explored a bunch of the middle school and elementary school districts as well and have only found a handful of other postings (three so far).

I know the economy is still crappy and the job market is tough. I guess it is just hitting me now that the market is THIS tough.

For those of you in teaching (or anyone, I suppose): obviously working will be better than not working, especially when student loans start kicking in. But knowing that my preference, experience, and comfort-level are all founded in high school, would you recommend applying for high school aide/assistant positions and hoping to be promoted to a lead teaching position in the future? Or would I be better off applying for middle/elementary school lead teacher positions for the experience and then keeping an eye on high school vacancies?

Side note: I will likely be applying for any/all teaching jobs I come across that I qualify for, but I'm wondering if I should concentrate on one or the other.

kmbryant2413 · March 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_nwr-searching-teaching-positions-and-the-outlook-is-bleak?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:9eb17fdb-1a77-44e0-b113-bfd21e562870Post:55aa8bdc-428b-4f46-8d33-e60bc69074ae">NWR: searching teaching positions... And the outlook is bleak</a>:
[QUOTE]I finally got word that I passed my final state exam for my teaching licensure (yay!) and student teaching is going super well (double yay!), so it is time for me to start applying for jobs. I'll be certified K-12 for special education, but most of my experience is in high school and that is where my preference is. There is currently ONE high school opening for a special educator in my entire county. I've explored a bunch of the middle school and elementary school districts as well and have only found a handful of other postings (three so far). I know the economy is still crappy and the job market is tough. I guess it is just hitting me now that the market is THIS tough. For those of you in teaching (or anyone, I suppose): obviously working will be better than not working, especially when student loans start kicking in. But knowing that my preference, experience, and comfort-level are all founded in high school, <strong>would you recommend applying for high school aide/assistant positions and hoping to be promoted to a lead teaching position in the future?</strong> Or would I be better off a<strong>pplying for middle/elementary school lead teacher positions for the experience</strong> and then keeping an eye on high school vacancies? Side note: I will likely be applying for any/all teaching jobs I come across that I qualify for, but I'm wondering if I should concentrate on one or the other.
Posted by ZiggyZos[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Why not do both, and see which opportunities firm up? IMO, it can't hurt to see what is offered to you, and if they offer you an interview and whatnot you can tour the school, talk to them, and see what will truly be a good match for you. Plus, if you get an interview/offered for an aide position, it's the perfect time to at least mention that you're interested in a permanent position, while still having a job. Special education is absolutely not easy, so finding a place where you are happy with the staff and the way the curriculum is taught there seems pretty paramount to me! </div><div>
</div><div>Congratulations on passing your test, and thank you for dedicating yourself to special needs children! :)

</div><div>ETA: Do not be afraid of calling your loan holders if you fear you may get in over your head! They can reduce your payments, or may be able to put you on a hardship deferment for up to a year until you can get settled into a position you love, that is permanent, and bringing in the pay you need not to get your head underwater with loan repayments. Trust me, I've had to do it (Sallie Mae, ACS, and a smaller company called TG Loans by Web all did it for me)</div>

Peledreamsofrain · March 2013

Our renter is in pretty much the exact same situation. He finally got through all the hoops and found out that there just weren't any jobs. At all.

He ended up working for Direct TV as a class trainer for new hires. It's not the best job in the entire world, but it's still teaching, and doesn't let his career stifle.

MrsGandthebeag · March 2013

I definitely would not recommend applying to aide or assistant positions. You'll get paid much less and there's no gaurentee that someone is going to leave or retire. Go for the full time teacher positions even if they're not at the high school level. I work in education and I know how hard it is to get your foot in the door.

HobokensFury · March 2013

Here's the thing. A low paying job is better than no job. Apply for every single position that you can- elementary school, middle school, high school, full time, part time, aide etc. The thing is to get your foot in the door with a good district. I'm a member of a teaching forum called atozteacherstuff.com They are a great resources and will tell you the same thing.

ZiggyZos · March 2013

Thank you everyone! I'm certainly going to apply for everything I can. My fear is getting "stuck" as an aide or assistant (though again, it is better than not working at all) when I am qualified for and wanting a lead teacher position. Kmbryant - thanks for the info on the loans! Most of mine are through Fannie Mae, so I'm glad to know I can go that route. I was afraid of them kicking in and suddenly having four loans at $100+ each per month! H makes decent money, but not enough to cover all of that

monkeysip · March 2013

Just wanted to say that I feel your pain!

I'm looking for a teaching job too, and so many schools don't want to hire first-year teachers. And not many schools in general are hiring for my subject (social studies).

Most of the jobs I see are actually for special education. Maybe it's just my area.

I'm not setting my sights super high because I know a first year teacher can't be picky and needs to take any job. At the same time, however, I don't want to take a job at a school that I know I'll be absolutely miserable at. Fortunately, I can also teach at community colleges, so I may just take an adjunct job there (doesn't pay much, but better than nothing).

Hope you find something soon! (And me too!)

allychase · March 2013

My friend is also a special ed teacher and for her first year worked as a teachers aid. It got her foot in the door and they gave her a position as a full time teacher this year making like 3x what she made as an aide. I'm going to school for nursing so don't know much about the teaching jobs outlook but figured I'd share a friends personal experience. Seems worth it to me to bite the dirt for one year making crappy money if it means showing how valuable you are to a school and possibly getting a full time job out of it.

QueerFemme · March 2013

I have a handlful of friends that are teachers. Every one of them had to move out of their region to find jobs initially. I'm not sure if that is an option for you, but some areas of the country are more actively looking for teachers.

Angelface225 · March 2013

Good luck Ziggy!

I am also a certified teacher, but there are NO jobs here at all and a huge surplus of teachers. People are supply teaching for 6+ years and not getting permanent positions.

My specialty is also special education, so i ended up focussing on the Applied Behavioral Analysis field. I supervise therapy programs for children with Autism and am pursuing certification as a behaviour analyst. My field is (unfortunately) growing rapidly so you may want to look at that, even just part time while trying to find a teaching job.

FruitSnack84 · March 2013

Don't stress yet! My FI is a high school math teacher and he's changed schools twice, both times the jobs were posted in May-June. Again this year we're looking to move after our wedding and all of the jobs we've seen posted now are for teachers to fill in for a maternity leave during this current school year! We haven't seen any posted for next year. From his experience, very few teaching jobs were posted as early as March.

Good luck!

Summer2011Bride · March 2013

Good luck! I know how frustrating it can be. I'm a teacher and H has his teaching degree but has never been able to get a job in his field so he hasn't worked in education since he graduated 5 years ago. It sucks.

I would apply for anything and everything. While full-time is better than an aide, if you WOULD get a job as an aide, it gets your foot in the door at a job you would really like. If and when a teaching position opened up, you would have an advantage over an outsider applying for the same position.

HobokensFury · March 2013

Just to add.

PP are right. It's really tough to get a teaching job out there. I was really lucky and have found 3 teaching jobs in my 7 year career but I am double certified in chemistry and biology so that's a bug help. I have been in my current position for 5 years. DH has not been as lucky. He started hunting 4 years ago for an art and or computer position. It took him a year and a half to find a part time job. Then he got 2 part time jobs at 2 different schools. At one of the schools he was teaching computers at the art position opened up and he was finally offered a full time job last January. It meant leaving 1 school in the middle of the year but in teaching it's every man for him/herself. Only problem is it's at a low paying Catholic school but it's better than nothing. He is still trying to get into a public school. Try applying to local private, religious and charter schools.

ZiggyZos · March 2013

Thanks everyone! I think I just begin searching at an inopportune time for me, as I am super stressed trying to make it to spring break. Seeing that there is almost nothing available given the work I'm putting in right now just isn't very encouraging. I also think part of the problem is that my CT is really freaking me out that I need to get my applications in right.this.minute!!! because schools will be pulling applications to review over spring break next week. I was honestly planning to complete them during spring break, but now am trying to get them done in time to submit them on Friday. Unfortunately moving to another region that may have more/better vacancies is not an option at the moment, as we bought our house FHA and are contracted to keep it as our primary residence for at least another three years. Plus, H has an AMAZING job that includes continuing trade education. His pay is slated to increase almost 50% when he completes his current training in May, and will increase significantly twice more in the next two years (with two more training programs that will put him in a very specialized and highly desired group of workers for his field). Angel - I was actually considering looking into special education consultation and advocacy or social work, as there seems to be more of a market for both of those. However, on a totally selfish note, the idea of spending more money and more time after 6 years and $20,000+ in loans makes me want to cry. I just don't think I can take anymore school immediately after getting my BA.

libby2483 · March 2013

Both H and I are teachers, so I know how incredibly limited the job field it. Both of us were fortunate enough to find full time positions in our content areas in schools that are 40 minutes away from each other. We live in the middle and each commute 20 minutes to work.

I remember how stressful it was applying for jobs. Applying for jobs is very time consuming, and paired with student teaching, it is an extremely daunting task. I remember actually having panic attacks and throwing up because I was so nervous about finding a job. I promise that it will get better!

My advice is to apply for jobs at all grade levels, including aide positions. Forming connections and establishing relationships within a district is what really helps you to get a job. Also focus on doing an outstanding job of student teaching and getting strong referenes from people that you work with there. My current employer told me that my strong referenes were one thing that helped me to get the job. I had one letter of recommendation from the principal at one school where I student taught because I specifically asked her to come in the classroom and observe my teaching. Before I got my current job, I was a long-term sub for one semester. When they called the school for a reference, the principal was out of the building, but the special education teacher got on the phone and gave me a great reference. And my husband's current job, which is now full-time, is my old long-term subbing job. My connections with the district helped him to get his foot in the door. The phrase, "It's not what you know, it's who you know" really rings true, so do the best you can to establish relationships with people.

In addition, don't be afraid to be a substitute teacher. The district which I work in pays over $100 a day for subbing (which is pretty decent for the cost of living here) and we are ALWAYS looking for subs. There are some people who sub in our district almost everyday because we can't find enough subs. So, if you are willing to commute to smaller, more rural districts, you will likely find lots of subbing opportunities. This is another great way to establish connections within a district.

Keep your head up and work on establishing relationships with people!

krichards0527 · March 2013

I know others have said this, but I definitely recommend applying for assistant teacher positions or long-term sub positions. They aren't the best pay-wise, but will certainly help. I was a long term sub in one district and I got paid pretty well and full benefits for the whole school year. You are more likely to get a full time teaching position if one comes up because they know your face and you will have proven your skills. More often than not, long-term sub positions magically morph into a permanent position when teachers decide not to come back from maternity leave, etc.

Good luck! I have a degree in elementary ed and special ed. With how things are in NJ, I was the new, non-tenured teacher and was always the first to be let go when cuts were made bc I was the last one hired. I now work for a state advocacy agency instead that assists individuals with disabilities. Wayyy different than teaching, but I love it just the same. I still miss my kiddos though!

Angelface225 · March 2013

Ziggy, feel free to PM me, you may be able to get work as an Instructor Therapist with your background currently. Which may be a good option for a couple of years, before deciding to go back to school.

winelover123 · March 2013

I feel your pain with the job market. I'm starting to apply for jobs too (not teaching) and I've just realized how under qualified I am for most private sector jobs.

That being said, my friend went to school for teaching too but couldn't find a permanent position in the area or the surrounding areas so she subs. She's pretty busy with subbing actually, so if you can't find a permanent position check that out maybe. GL!

NWR: searching teaching positions... And the outlook is bleak

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