June 2010 Weddings
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Calling all teachers!
Just curious as to how many education nesties are out there, and how many of you have jobs in the field or are actively looking. I've sent out close to 20 applications within the past month and haven't heard a thing. I don't know if it's just me or if I'm doing something wrong, but it's getting so hard to stay positive. I've applied for all types of jobs across the board and I never hear anything...is anyone else in the same boat?
Re: Calling all teachers!
I have my elementary teaching degree. Last year was my first year teaching and I taught part-time Kindergarten. It was an overflow classroom so I don't have that job anymore.
I got a job a few weeks ago that starts in September teaching pre-K and pre-school. But I really want a job with benefits and full-time (the pre-school job isn't quite full-time.) I just got called for an interview on Monday for a job in the district so I'm keeping my fingers crossed majorly.
It's really hard to get in the districts... Here it's really about who you know. The only reason I got the job last year was because it was at the school I student taught at and the teachers there really stood up and pushed for me to be hired. Could you maybe start volunteering in the schools? Or subbing? Just so people start to put a face with your name. Keep positive! Something will come around for you!
Married
Taking Control:Updated 1/7
I am not certified, yet but am in the process of getting my license/certificate. I have an undergraduate degree, but not in education. I taught preschool before I moved out of state to be with H and knew that would be good experience since my certification will eventually be PreK-3.
This year I am teaching again (thank God) in a part day preschool program, which I am just happy to be back in the field. I know it is just preschool, but I started subbing last year when I could and the director told me she had some teachers leaving and she would definitely ask me. Sure enough, she did and I have a job this year.
I know teaching jobs are hard to come by with the budget cuts and all. But I think barrelbabe pretty much summed it up. It is all about who you know and experience. Get your name out there. Do you know a lot of people in your area or have been in the area a while? I know back home a lot of the districts like to hire their graduates.
I would definitely start subbing (a way to get your foot in the door and get to know people), and you never know something could happen in the middle of the year and they would need a long term sub that could lead to a permanent position. What about teaching preschool? I know the pay may not be that great, but at least it keeps you in the field. A lot of the local preschool directors may have contacts at some of your local schools as well that you could pick their brains for. You never know, a lot of people in education know people that could help you on your way.
Hang in there girl. It will happen.
I am actively looking for an elementary teaching position. I am certified and graduated May 2009. It's not just you...I have applied to over 100 jobs in about 50 school districts around Massachusetts. I have not heard anything from anyone either, and I have not gotten an interview. I spent last school year subbing, I ended up staying the whole year as a permanent sub as a preschool paraprofessional, which I am very grateful for, the lady is supposed to be coming back this year, so I think it will be back to subbing, and hoping the same thing happens again this year! But I want my own classroom so bad!! I am going back to school to get my master's in special education. I am really hoping once I get that license it will be easier, but right now it is so frustrating and I don't understand what I'm doing wrong, but it is very hard to stay positive.
I teach/coach at the seconday level. Going into my fifth year now, but even when I was in college, we were told the jobs were hard to come by as well. They were, and probably still are, promoting the math, science, and spec ed fields as the high needs. Your best bet is probably to sub and hoepfully teachers will gain confidence in you and will recommend you to their department head or principal - depending on the level. I'm sure it it very discouraging, but keep pressing on! It will be worth it. Good luck!
My situation is a little bit different. I am a special education teacher so my certification is K-12. I am teaching at a charter school this year. I worked in a school district last year, but not teaching, I was student teaching and working as an aide. I wanted to stay in that district, but when I got offered a full time job with them paying all of my benefits I couldn't turn it down. Since I accepted that job, I have received TONS of interview calls for half time positions. Before I got the job I currently have I had gone on around 6 or 7 interviews and was offered 2 positions. I think it really depends on need and who you know. Experience is great, but lots of time districts don't want to pay for it. It sucks, but it is the truth. Get really good letters of rec, lots of work with and around kids, and practice your interview skills. That's about all we can do!
I am a kindergarten teacher at one of 8 elementary schools in our area. This is my 3rd year teaching kindergarten there. I def. got into the district at the right time as they really stopped hiring new teachers the year after I got in. I am also the head cheerleading coach at our high school so that keeps me busy! My husband just got transfered though so I will be looking for a new job in my new town...I have a feeling it will be tough though!
Last year was my first year teaching. I was technically a substitute but I ended up having my own second grade class for the whole year. I was first a long term sub for the semester and then the teacher decided not to come back at all, so I got a temporary contract for the rest of the year.
I'm signed on to sub again this year. I'm hoping to get a contract position though. We have a large school district here and they fill positions internally all summer and don't hire new teachers until right before school starts. I've also applied at some smaller outlying districts but haven't heard anything back there
So I guess it's kind of wait and see right now!
I have an elementary ed degree with a pre-primary specialty. I graduated in 2007 and now work at the Y in a pre-k and kinder room (as a head teacher). I don't make the money I would like, or even have the job I want, but I am happy because the Y is such a great company to work for. Be patient. The job outlook sucks in Minnesota (where our lovely governor cuts the budget even more..He sucks at life), so there are NO jobs here.
My H has a degree in physical education teaching, but is working full time as a general manager at Arby's. It's a great job, he makes good money with great benefits, but I think deep down he'd rather teach.
Good luck. Don't get yourself down. Job hunting sucks.
This will be my 6th year teaching. My school closed last year, but being tenured, I didn't lose my job thankfully. Like PPs, I would suggest for you to sub as much as you can and be really friendly with the teachers. Chat them up, give them your phone number, leave detailed notes about how their class did with you, and offer to come back to cover for them in the future. Also, since the market is so hard right now, I think it would help to seek additional qualifications in a hard-to-hire area: middle school math or science, special ed., ESL, etc.
Good luck to you! Like others said, I know many hires are made in the first few weeks of the school year as numbers shake out, so don't lose hope. Hang in there!
Don't give up. First years are hired last. I also suggest making some follow up phone calls when you turn in resumes, if you're not already doing so. I got the interview for my current job by calling the HR department for the district. They led me in the direction of schools that were actually actively hiring.
If you know anyone in a school or district, call. Even if you know anyone that knows anyone, call them, too. Start subbing. Try to get in with the teachers at a specific school... be their "go-to" sub. That has gotten several teachers a job at my school.
Also- take anything. Call the schools with the worst rep that other teachers are often "scared" of. Try to get your foot in at places that have higher turn-over rates. In Texas, the school stats and teacher stats are available online... it's probably the same where you are.
I am fortunate enough to be old. When I graduated, it wasn't as big as a problem as it is now (but that was in 2002). Good luck to you!
Carter born 5/28/11
BFP 9/27/12 EDD 6/11/13, MC 9wks, no HB
Is there anyway once school starts that you could contact a couple schools and volunteer a day or two a week? If you can't sub (I totally understand, that's why I took my pre-K job instead of trying to just sub) then volunteering would be a way to just get your name out there. The more people that know you, the better off you are.
Married
Taking Control:Updated 1/7
What's the window on your husband's insurance? Can he add you to his for the time being? Then you CAN sub and get your foot in the door.
If not, then take a day or two off and show up at some schools you've applied to that you know have open postions (call or go to HR to get this info... that's what I did).
Did you student teach? Email your mentor teachers and liasons (even college professors from the field that you were close to). Ask for help, letters, ask them to point you in the right direction and put in a good word for you. Even if you haven't talked to them in years. I'm FB friends with the girls I've mentored, and they've all contacted me at one time or another for a reference or direction. If you really want it, you have to do more than drop off an application and pray. It's tough, I know, but don't give up.
Carter born 5/28/11
BFP 9/27/12 EDD 6/11/13, MC 9wks, no HB
Are you a member of Teachers-teachers.com? That is how I got the job I have. Also, are you open to working in charter or private schools? I know the pay isn't as great, but it would be a job and a foot in the door! Go to your state's charter school site and see if they have openings.
So those are my two cents.... teachers-teachers.com is great!!!! It puts all of your resources in one place. Highly recommended!