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Are you elementry ed? Unfortuantely elemetry ed teachers are a dime a dozen. My mom (teacher and school counseller) doesn't recommend anybody go into elementry ed without at the very least getting a specialization such as speech therapy, etc.
A lot of schools are having budget crisises right now, so that's another thing that will make it harder to find a job. A lot of schools are closing or consolidating.
One good thing is, though, is that currently you will be "cheap" to hire since you're still pretty fresh out of college, so that does put you in a better position than some teachers that will be higher on the pay scale with years experience that are trying to find jobs.
Keep substitute teaching, that's how my SIL landed her teaching job, they loved her when she subbed.
Except for the nannying job, your situation sounds just like mine. Although I did great academically and in my student teaching, I haven't even been in for an interview since my position was cut last year. One problem I think is because I haven't finished my Master's yet and a lot of districts in the area like the presitge that come with having several teachers in their district with the title. I am taking courses towards a Master's and a second endoresement (English as a Second Language). The more you are qualified to teach, the better the chances. You mentioned debt, but maybe you could take a few classes to make yourself a more attractive candidate (reading specilaist, high ability learner, another subject area, etc...) . Hang in there and good luck to the both of us!
Special Education is an area that there is a need, Have you considered getting into that? but as PP said there are many teachers and not so many teacher jobs- especially in certain areas regionally as well as specialization (IE PE vs. Math).
Also, I would ask some people to really closely examine your resume and portfolio. Those really make the first impression and get you the interview. Almost everyone's resumes can get better. I would also ask the people you interviewed with, but didnt get the job to give you feedback on the resume and your interview. People often are willing to help out when it comes to this sort of thing. They even feel honored.
Yes :( I originally intended to go onto grad school & add a special education certification but realized how much debt I already had and couldn't stomach taking on more without a guarenteed scholarship or work study...
@xokaleneox: That may be one of the issues. Many teachers (and many states require it) have graduate degrees which means they may be favored over you from the outset. They have a competative edge.
Yeah, trying to find a job in elementary education is bloody difficult! Have you looked into the charter school networks? They are sometimes more willing to hire brand new teachers. Whilst the hours are longer and the pay generally less, they tend to be quite supportive environments and will provide excellent experience for you to build up your resume. Good luck!
ETA: Keep up with the substitute teaching - I know several people who ended up getting hired in school districts where they had been subbing. They were really good subs, always coming in with extra plans and ideas of things to do, etc, so when a vacancy opened up in the district, they were already a known entity.
I teach in New Jersey but was lucky enough to get in JUST before the job market tanked. Massive budget cuts from our lovely governor (just my opinion!) have most districts working bare bones with very few extra staff members. It is EXTREMELY difficult to get a job in the state. I don't know how attached you are to NJ but you might want to expand your job search to other states.
I also would not recommend getting your master's degree before getting a job. A first year teacher is a first year teacher regardless of the degree. Without experience, you tend to be looked at as simply a more expensive first year teacher.
I would also recommend looking for jobs as an instructional assistant or maternity leave positions. This can help you get your foot in the door and build a reputation for yourself in a district. With the job market the way it is, some districts are hiring from within for teaching positions from their leave replacement or assistant pools.
I know it's tough but good luck and don't give up!
@xokaleneox: There are no jobs in my state either. You may have to look around the country and be willing to move- are you already doing that?
Its a really tough economy in many fields, but especially education and social work... Have you considered becoming a substitute or an assistant teacher? As the staff get to know you and your work, they will want to invite you to apply for a position. Also, consider a private school or a school affiliated with a church.... hang in there!
@calypso0712: That depends where you are looking for a job as well. In CT you are required to have a masters to teach (or be working towards one) My mom is a principal and with all the candidates out there she says she generally does not interview anyone without a masters because so many people have one.
I feel your pain! I have been subbing for 2 years. They say the wait time on the supply list is about 6 years before getting a permanent position. Hang in there!
I feel your pain! I have been subbing for 2 years. They say the wait time on the supply list is about 6 years before getting a permanent position. Hang in there!
@xokaleneox: I'm sorry it has been so stressful. You do write something that is key and that perhaps you should see in a different light -- that the reason you got that interview was due to someone you know setting it up. Continue to explore your connections and network, network, network. Personal recommendations, word of mouth, is a powerful thing. And yes, look at private schools, country day schools, Montessori etc. Keep looking, persevere, reassess your game plan, talk to everyone you know, and keep believing in yourself.
The job market is horrible here. Teachers are waiting about 4-5 years just to get a semi-permanent contract.
@lefeymw: I agree... it totally depends on where you are! I can only speak to my experience in NJ but I made that comment simply because the OP is also located in NJ. You are completely right that necessary qualifications are different everywhere =)
@lefeymw: I agree... it totally depends on where you are! I can only speak to my experience in NJ but I made that comment simply because the OP is also located in NJ. You are completely right that necessary qualifications are different everywhere =)
Thanks girls!
@lefeymw I have also asked the people who interviewed me this week for feedback & construstive criticism (phone conference with the one person on Monday) The principal who set it up followed up on his own accord and apparently they said I was very positive and full of vitality, but they didn't even give the job to someone who worked in their school system who applied so I guess they are pretty picky (plus I lack experience, clearly)
@Ree723 I have looked into charter schools, the first job I applied to was actually a local charter school that was supposed to open but didn't end up getting enough students- I am open to ANYTHING at this point haha :) I will keep up with the subbing though, thanks for the advice!
@calypso0712 Yes, I am not a fan of Governor Christie, hater of all things Education, especially teachers. Thank GOD he's not going to run for President so he can't ruin education for the entire country :) I have heard this advice from many of the teachers I do know, I intended to get a job and have them pay for some or all of my masters, maybe one day it'll still happen.. I am primarily for the maternity leave positions but not getting those interviews unfortunately, I have started applying for the paraprofessional jobs now although that wasn't originally the plan I now realize it's do that or do nothing I guess and perhaps that'll be my way in... It will just stink to not plan my own stuff :(
@Keisha In Love I am currently subbing & definitely will consider any type of school that will have me- thanks for the tips!
@Cornflakegirl Yes unfortunately I know it's very much about networking- the principal my FH knows is the only connection I really have (and I didn't know I had it until just recently) I get so jealous when the girls from my sorority (don't judge haha) who are younger than me get jobs because they have good connections :( I haven't given up yet! I just hope it turns around soon
@cbee I am willing to move (NJ is way too expensive anyway), but I have to wait until after the wedding (May 2013) not going without FH and we'll need to go somewhere he'll be able to transfer his job to (he has a decent paying job now which we def can't give up with me not having one) so I guess it's babysitting and subbing until then
I feel your pain! I finished my credential in June of '09. I literally applied for 21 jobs. Out of the 21, I had 2 interviews... I finally got hired in September of '10- this is the same school I did my student teaching at (they remembered me and liked me, I was very lucky). However, I'm on a temporary contract (it's renewed every year) and probably will not be permanant for another couple of years- I'm on my second year teaching now.
It's hard for Elementary teachers! I teach High School. I actually switched from a multiple subject cred to single subject because of the lack of elementary jobs available. Continue subbing and job searching... something will be bound to open up. Remember you're not alone right now. So many teachers are in the same position :/ It totally blows but keep your head up hun and keep up your connections.
Though I'm not a teacher, I am a speech therapist in a school. I would definitely recommend going back and getting your Master's degree in something. In fact, you can do a lot of them while working, though it might take a little longer. I know that for a Speech Master's, it is 3 years, while doing it in school full time is two. You will never have to worry about finding a job. Look into your state's loan terms. I live in South Carolina, and if you work in a school with low-income, or you are in a field that is in high demand, such as Speech, Occupational Therapy, or Physical Therapy, you could get money back for your loans if you give a certain amount of time. They also have grants that you can receive if you promise to work in a school for X amount of years. Good luck!!
So u want to teach? Can't find a job, but desperately want to teach. Have u thought about teaching overseas for a year? You could get heaps of experience that way. Jobs overseas even find a place for u, all u have to do is pay the bills. It's on my list to teach overseas.
So u want to teach? Can't find a job, but desperately want to teach. Have u thought about teaching overseas for a year? You could get heaps of experience that way. Jobs overseas even find a place for u, all u have to do is pay the bills. It's on my list to teach overseas.
I did not get a state credential as I knew I wanted to teach adults. So I had to get my master's and could not work while getting it. I also did not do spectacularly in grad school, but I got the job done.
I taught at private English language schools up until my graduation, applied for jobs in the colleges, and was lucky enough to get a few hits after maybe 8 months.
However, my job requires me to commute to several different colleges and teach one or two courses. It can get stressful. I took up a part-time position 60 miles away for my first semester, just so that I could get experience at a community college.
I realized that my saving grace was my active participation in professional organizations and networking. I got my name out there, I was published, and soon it was easier to secure positions. I was also very persistent. Any school within a 60 mile radius had gotten my CV, emails, and phone calls at least once. Aggression is vital when you're competing for teaching jobs. Because many of my colleagues who did better in terms of grades aren't juggling as much as I am, and I'm not content with just being known in one district. I want my name known in all.
@xokaleneox: I feel for you :( I graduated college almost 5 yrs ago. I am certified to teach elementary ed, special ed K-12th grade, and literacy, K-12. I have done multiple leave replacements and taught in the same district for 3 yrs (not as a tenure-track position), and they just had/still having massive lay offs! I am going back to school in September for my 2nd Masters, and I'm leaving teaching. Here in NY, no matter the area or subject, it's an overly populated field, no one is retiring, and NY Gov Cuomo cut billions and billions of $$ in education funds. I grew up playing teacher, for my entire life, I wanted to be a teacher. I've protected kids from sexually abusive step parents, made lifetime bonds with parents and families, and now I have to move on. It's incredibly heartbreaking when what you KNOW you were born to do, isn't possible. I don't know about the teaching job market where you are, but here, the way to go was to sub as much as possible in your home school district. Many districts here show favoritism toward their own graduates. Good luck!
ETA: While I too had a 3.8 in grad school, and made Dean's List, etc, I've never had anyone notice or care about my grades for a teaching interview
I'm banging my head against the wall in New Jersey too. I graduated last May with Elementary Ed & Middle School Specialization in Math & Science. While some might say, wow two great subject to specialize in, there are still a ton of people looking for jobs in those positions too! I keep being told that people are retiring because of all that Christie has done to make things uncomfortable but I have yet to see those positions open up! I'm starting to wonder what I got myself into... It's like you need to be high school math to get hired or special education. I know I don't have the patience or dedication for special education... call me unfeeling but at least I'm honest.
We keep avoiding setting a wedding date because neither of us has a good job. (I can't even find a decent office job with benefits right now!) So how can we say we're going to drop money on a wedding? I came out with $40k in loan debt and barely make the payments (+ other bills) each month living at home. New Jersey is the worst for living expenses too but I'm not finding things to be that great in other states either unfortunately. I have heard the same thing as calypso0712 too... don't get your master's until you have your degree. A lot of districts will help you with the tuition and the school board will be able to approve a Step 1 teacher more easily than someone who needs to get paid more because they have their master's already.
Good luck! It's tough out there...
I get you. I have 2 degrees and a diploma in French law. I went to Cambridge uni and it took me 2.5 years to find a teaching job. It's the current situation. You can't take it too personally. Something will happen eventually.
I second many of the bees on here about getting a specialization such as special ed, english language learners, etc. Spending the money now will mean more money in the future.
On another note, look at informal education. There are many museums, zoos, nature centers, etc. that have education departments. Working in informal education will allow you to build your resume and teaching skills in a way many teachers do not get the chance to. The pay normally isn't great (they are non-profits afterall) but it's in the industry.
As knight.keira mentioned, have you considered teaching overseas? I taught for 7 overseas, and loved it! It's a good chance to travel and gain valuable experience. I just recently moved back to the States, but because of the job situation, I am considering going back abroad!
@knight.keira: I have looked into that, but my FH has a job (pretty decent paying) that he can't give up to move overseas with me- and I wouldn't go alone... Also, I am very close to my family so ideally I don't want to be more than 9 hours driving distance away and that's pushing it haha
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I finished my student teaching 2 year ago this winter... I graduated Magna cum Laude from college (3.84 GPA), was very involved in extra curriculars, president of multiple honor societies, got an A student teaching, I substitute teach, I nanny, I've worked at day cares, I have good recommendation letters- yet still I've been on just ONE interview (this week) for a maternity leave which I didn't get and the only reason I got that interview was because my FH's father had a principal friend who set it up..... Is it really that hard to get an interview? I'm applying all over the state for every job I see.... Any advice is welcome..... I'm getting so discouraged and depressed about it.... :( I have $20,000 of student loans that I can't pay off being a professional babysitter. I didn't go to college for this and did not expect to be no further in my career than I was two years ago... I'm beginning to feel like choosing to become a teacher was a mistake, even though I love children and know it's where I belong...