All you Teacher's out there

[Peji911]

In June-ish I will finish my Masters of Teaching-Secondary from Griffith University in Australia (I completed one year in Aus, wrote my thesis in Canada).

All I know is I cannot live in Canada all my life because it gets waaaay too cold and I have a VERY LOW immune system, and combined with Ulcerative Colitis, I simply cannot live here. As such, I'd love to go to a warm State such as Cali, New Mexico, Arizona, etc -- I am speaking out my azz cause Ive never been to any so I dont know how the culture is, but simply that it's warm.

My girlfriend is getting into teaching too, so at the same time I'll be applying to teach, she'll be applying to Teacher's Colleges.

I am just curious what the standards for teaching in these states are, and what sites to look for for teaching positions.

So if you could, please put your state and city, and website or necessary info to look for teaching. Also, write if your city/neighbouring city or state is general needs teachers and how much it usually pays in comparison to standard of living.

Thanks Guys

[Scottdau]

Re: All you Teacher's out there

If you come to Cali. Get ready for the C SET that is a bitch of a test. If you want to teach here you have to be highly qualified to teach the subjects. So because of this BS law we passed called no child left behind, you have to take this monster of a test. If you are a single subject teacher you have to take a single subject C SET Test. If you are a multiple subject teacher you have to take the multiple subject test. And this test is no joke. I am working on my credential and it took me a while to pass this test!

[Peji911]

Re: All you Teacher's out there

Wow, only one teacher out there?

[Boucher]

Re: All you Teacher's out there

Im just throwin this out there, your probably not gunna wanna teach in florida

[Pink Mist]

Re: All you Teacher's out there

Tough it out in Canada

[Salhus]

Re: All you Teacher's out there

California's budget is a little screwed up. It's really tough for teachers. There are major layoffs being proposed. Good luck with that. I'd try Arizona or any other warm state

[daflyboys]

Re: All you Teacher's out there

Every English instructor just cringed reading the post heading ..... Master's degree ..... yikes! :wink:

[Fetter21]

Re: All you Teacher's out there

Unfortunately now isn't a good time. I had to leave CA two years ago because all the places around where I lived were firing not hiring. So I moved out to Arizona where teachers were in big demand. Now most of the districts out here are going to be firing teachers, I'll probably have to move schools, but I feel very lucky that I'll still have a job.

I believe this school district said they are hiring in AZ.

http://ww2.chandler.k12.az.us/

I think they said they're looking for about 250 teachers, or at least that's what I heard on the news unfortuntatley other districts around the area are firing way more than that, so competition for the jobs will be tough. That's the only one I know of right now.

As far as tests go, the ones in CA are pretty tough, there are some in AZ you'd have to take, but CA's were a little tougher. Nothing I've ever taken in my life was as difficult as the RICA in CA that shows you know how to teach kids how to read, it was like a four or five hour test that I finished litterally the moment the lady said put your pencils down, and I was testing the whole time. Normally they don't take that long, but that was brrrrruuuuuuttttaalllll.

anyway, best of luck, and if I can help with any other info let me know.

[Jonesy]

Re: All you Teacher's out there

Move back to Australia permanently and bring your girlfriend. Teachers have no trouble finding work here and the conditions are improving constantly (17% pay rise over the next 3 years).

[Scottdau]

Re: All you Teacher's out there

Wow, only one teacher out there?

What do you mean one?

[Scottdau]

Re: All you Teacher's out there

Every English instructor just cringed reading the post heading ..... Master's degree ..... yikes! :wink:

What do you mean?

[longshadow11]

Re: All you Teacher's out there

Parts of Texas are always hiring teachers, but don't try West Texas. Our pay is pretty low and the schools are shrinking. To teach in Texas you have to pass the TEXES teachers' test. I passed it, so it can't be that hard.

[Scottdau]

Re: All you Teacher's out there

Parts of Texas are always hiring teachers, but don't try West Texas. Our pay is pretty low and the schools are shrinking. To teach in Texas you have to pass the TEXES teachers' test. I passed it, so it can't be that hard.

I bet I don't have to take that test. Having a Cali Cred is pretty impressive. At least when it comes to other State. Though that Test sounds a lot like our BS C Set! Man, I hate that mother. Still can't believe I passed that bay boy.

[HiJumpr111]

Re: All you Teacher's out there

While it is true that certain areas of the U.S. are having to RIF teachers, there are pockets of communities that are in dire need.

I would say for the most part, urban areas will be the toughest places to find positions. Here in Indianapolis, 300 teachers (all of which have 1, 2 or 3 years experience) are being relieved of their positions within the Indianapolis Public School district. I live just outside of Indianapolis (12 miles west) and we have built 3 new elementary schools, 1 additional middle school and have undergone two expansion projects to our high school (which is less than 10 years old) just within the past three years. Needless to say, we are hiring like crazy.

It is no secret that California's tests are tough; Indiana is actually among the top 10 or so states in terms of stringent requirements for entering the profession.

One other possiblility for you would be to pursue National Board Certification which would essentially give you licensure in any of the 50 states. It's a little costly and I believe much of the work can be done online if I'm not mistaken.

Also, in this country particularly, you are much more marketable if you have either a Special Education endorsement or if you are fluent in Spanish.

[Qb]

Re: All you Teachers out there

Every English instructor just cringed reading the post heading ..... Master's degree ..... yikes! :wink:

I was going to go there, but I digress... As someone who doesn't have 'public school certification' (in live in PA), don't discount private schools or adult education. I know in PA you can get a private certification with a degree in a "core subject" (math, english, history, science, etc) and a limited amount of education credits (it was six about five years ago). This may have changed and/or it may very well not be this way in other states, but PA generally has relatively high standards for teaching certs compared to some other states that have a great need for teachers due to rising populations.

As for adult ed, I starting working in the field last summer and I really do enjoy it. Most of the positions would be family literacy or GED-related, unless you have some sort of qualification to teach at a trade/vocational school. Many of these schools have general education classes, especially if they offer associate degree programs. The drawback is that many of these agencies are non-profit and rely on gov't appropriations, so the you won't have the benefits or sliding payscale of a public school job... or summer vacation. But if those are the main reasons that someone is going into teaching, they'll likely be unhappy teaching anyways or at the least, be a lousy teacher.

Finally, don't be afraid to take the plunge and teach at a school for "bad kids". For two years I taught adjudicated youth at a placement facility and not much that happens in a classroom can phase me now -- I know Scottdau will back me up on this. I've had several employers since that were very impressed with that experience, stating it was a major reason that I was hired.