Teaching Shortage

[Kelley]

Anyone else think the teaching shortage is a bunch of BS from the media? I say that because i have two friends that are certified to teach, have gotten EXTRA certifications, live in a metro area, and still can not find anything except subbing.

 

[bucki]

agree

I've found the same to be true. I know many very qualified people who can't find jobs. There are some areas of the country and I mean specific areas that do have a shortage but mostly because nobody wants to teach there.

 

[Mrs. G]

Come South!

Growth down in FL is crazy. We can't build schools fast enough in the county I live in. Our county invested in a computer program to recruit teachers from the North. I think it depends on the area of the country you live in.

 

[Jenifer]

Teaching shortage

Yes, I think that it is part BS and part the districts looking for "experienced teachers". My husband's school needs to cut down on teachers yet they continue to post for new teachers. They only want highly qualified and experienced teachers yet they won't tell us what the criteria is. I think that I will end up subbing until I am hired also.

 

[MelissaJ]

I agree!

Here in MI...there aren't any jobs. I have friends going on 3 years of subbing. Personally..I can't handle subbing anymore. It's too much stress for too little pay. Schools don't have enough money to hire more teachers. It's just crazy...and misleading that the media portrays such a shortage.

 

[Tanya]

I agree

I live in SoCal and in the particular area that I live in, there are no jobs unless you are "in" with a district and even then it's difficult. I have friends ask me all the time about the teacher shortages. I could try L.A. but the areas where they need teachers are not the greatest. I am thinking of giving up on public and going into private.

 

[Teresa]

Yes Yes and Yes

You are right - I have been looking for a teaching job for 15 years - did the subbing, EA, recess monitor, before and after school care, migrant worker school daycare, private daycare, volunteering - and still no real teaching job - and yes I applied to Florida - which only wants to get people to come down there and sub too. I suspect there are many unemployed licensed teachers in Florida too. I am trying to go back to school to study something in healthcare - which I will have to pay for since I no longer qualify for financial assistance since I already have a BS and partial Masters in EL. ED.. The school systems want people to study teaching - so they will have a steady pool of new graduates to sub. The colleges aren't going to tell people the truth - because they make major money off of teaching programs. Unless you are related to someone who can get you a teaching job or dating someone who can get you a teaching job - your chances of actually getting a teaching job is slim to none. It doesn't matter how great your grades are or your experience or love of teaching - it is all politics.

 

[Michelec]

Florida

Come to South Florida! We have jobs here! On second thought don't come to South Florida we have tooooooooooooo many people already!=)

 

[Katherine]

We hear all the time about the "teacher shortage" in Texas, but in all honesty it's really just for bilingual/ESL trained teachers. Obviously there's always a need for GOOD math and science teachers too.

There's an obvious over-saturation of elementary teachers EVERYWHERE, I think.

 

[Lynda]

Where are the jobs?

It was refreshing reading all of the replies about the teaching shortages. I've live here in Washington (Seattle area) for 10 years. I've substitute taught for a few years in several districts, but was not able to make any connections due to the fact that I needed the money to "survive" so I could not sub just at one school since there was a lack of work. After some time, I had to give up subbing completely because I had no medical benefits plus I was broke. I've heard that if you are a "good" sub, you'll remain there forever!

After substitute teaching, I received a Masters degree in Education with an endorsement in Reading and Literacy. I've had some interviews, but have not landed a job. The competition in Washington is high. It's frustrating. I know some people; even some principals and nothing has worked yet. I am not one to give up. Keep plugging along. Try a new area? Maybe that is the answer? I wish that I knew!!!

 

[pandy]

Go to the jobs

My mother was a teacher. In her days, she would easily get a job in whatever city my dad worked in (we moved around a little). It used to be that the wife would go where the husband's job was, and be able to get a teaching job.

NOT any more. Now the teachers have to go to where the jobs are. Maybe it's time for the husbands to start getting jobs in the cities where their wife can get a teaching job. (Sorry, male teachers, about using the female stereotype for teachers.)

My husband is self employed. He makes more money than I do, but he works out of the home, through his computer and phone. He can do that anywhere. So if I can't get a job, we will move to where I CAN get a job. All those years you have spent on your education (not to mention the money!!!!) should not be squandered in a substitute job with little pay and no benefits.

All the balony about the "teacher shortage media blitz" as a ploy to generate overqualified, poor substitutes gets me. Remember I said my mom was a teacher? She's been retired for 8 years and is a highly sought sub. She works the days she wants and the schools she wants. The retired teachers are the true "substitute generator". These are experienced people who can handle that rowdy class.

 

[TEACHERLVNV]

There's an obvious over-saturation of teacher

There's an obvious over-saturation of elementary teachers EVERYWHERE, I think.


Not everywhere but in cities where the need is low or the pay is good I think so.

 

[Bollingg]

So stop playing victim

Even though there are no elementary teaching jobs anywhere teachers still are willing to give up 25% of the salary on buying supplies for their students when they do get a job. Wake up teachers and start making the parents pay for educating their (not yours) children.