Off Topic--any teachers here? Need help

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Off Topic--any teachers here? Need help
5
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 2:24pm

Hi friends...I know this is off topic but I need some advice and am not sure where to turn. I have some big things weighing on my mind these days. First problem: I am a recent college grad certified to teach elementary school, middle school math and middle school english in PA. So far I have been unable to get even a single interview in my area although I sent to all the area school districts (although that is only about 12 or so...each district spans a wide area since I live in a low population area). I am a member of honor societies for both my major and my minor areas of study as well as having a 3.4 GPA upon graduation, strong references, etc. I am currently substitute teaching in 2 of the local school districts where I would love to get teaching jobs. So, all that being said, I received a phone call the other day from our local head start program. They left a message on my machine and told me that they got my name from one of the districts I am subbing in and they would like to know if I wanted to interview for an open teaching position that they have. I tried to call back but nobody was there. I am torn about this because ultimately, and like most teachers, I want to get into a public school because of the better pay and benefits. Knowing nothing about head start programs, my first impulse is that it is basically educational day care and I would be working with really little kids, and that the pay would be crappy. My mom said go ahead and call them back and see what I can find out and maybe even set up an interview to get practice interviewing. I guess I'm afraid that if this leads to a job offer with them I won't know what to do because in my area it seems the only way to get a teaching job in a public school is to "pay your dues" substituting as long as it takes, which can be up to 5 years or so. I know however that many teachers in my area are retiring within the next five years so I will probably get a job within that time. However, I am worried about walking away from subbing to take a job with head start because I may lose my chance with the public schools due to not subbing with them. That's a big risk to take in my opinion. If anyone knows anything about the politics involved in getting a teaching job please advise me! (In PA it's all about substituting and who you know! I have a few ins but nothing has happened for me this first year.)

I am also having trouble with making a decision about graduate school which I am already attending but I am feeling depressed enough thinking about this other thing so I will hold off on telling you all about that problem. Any advice would be appreciated.

                          

             

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 8:14pm
Hi there! Sorry your are having so many problems, but realistically it is hard for many recent college graduates to find jobs.
I know in NY and NJ they are begging people to teach and implementing programs to train and educate people to become teachers.
Personally - and as an employer - I think you should get some experience under your belt. Education is great, but I have a lot of people apply for jobs with me that have PhD's, no real work experience and have a hard time adjusting to the realities of the work environment.
In smaller communities it will be harder to get into the district. They don't need as many teachers and probably do not have many openings.
I would try working with head start. It is smaller kids, pre-K, I think. Around here, head start is to give lower income (usually) kids a foundation to go to kindergarten. It gives them a "head start" on their education. It could be a great opportunity to make a difference in someone's life.
Also, my dd is in pre school. The kindergarten teacher from last year was just recruited into a very presitigious private school. Don't knock daycare/preschool. Experience and practice will help you develop a portfolio and lesson plans that make you a better teacher and better candidate.
Good luck. Don't give up.
Sandra
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2005
Sat, 12-17-2005 - 12:38pm
Hi -
I understand the decision problem -- but if you are thinking at all of teaching kindergarten or primary grades having experience in head start will be a plus in any interview. You probably would be working with "disadvantaged" children which would give you lots of experience in early reading skills etc -- also lots of school districts, affluent or not, appreciate the skills it takes to work with kids who do not have many resources at home.
Also, they'd probably like to have some glowing references from people who see you work with the kids day after day. Personally, I'd take the Head Start job -- you are not likely to be hired at mid year by any school district, but this would give you a history of working consistently with kids (and not giving up).
It may not be the substituting jobs itself that gives cuts in line -- it may be they are looking for people in your districts who have proven they can handle a class ( the teachers give feed back to the principal on subs) -- I think you could get the same effect with glowing letters from the head start director.
Good luck!
Megan
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Sat, 12-17-2005 - 3:32pm

Good luck with whatever decision you make!

But I think you should at least get ahold of Head Start and get details on exactly what they are interested in having you do - position, hours, pay, age of students, etc. And an interview would be fabulous experience, as your mother said.

This will give you a couple days, or a couple weeks (depending on how quickly this all goes) for you to ponder your options. Then, if you are offered a job you can feel confident that you have made the best decision!

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!

~Aravis~

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2004
Sun, 12-18-2005 - 11:31am
It doesn't sound like you'd be happy teaching Head Start, which is mostly 3 and 4 year olds. Public schools do offer the better benefits, but have you considered teaching at a private school for awhile? The pay is lower, but the teachers I know who have taught both public and private say they would never go back to public. There are quite a number of advantages, like smaller class sizes, stricter discipline, and big tuition discounts if you have children who will attend there. Just a suggestion, it might satisfy you more until a public school opportunity arises.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2005
Sun, 12-18-2005 - 2:24pm
Hi again,
Is there a particular grade you are interested in teaching? If you plan on primary, then probably head start would be a good idea -- to get experience handling a class by yourself, and wonderful recommendations -- otherwise I agree that looking in the private sector would be a great idea -- again, you would get great experience handling a class plus great recommendations if you decide to leave to get a higher salary and higher eventual retirement. Good luck in your search. Either way tho, I think hiring people really like folks with a proven track record over time. So if you decide to stick with subbing, try to get always assigned to the same one or two schools so that the principal can write glowing recommendations about how you are always prepared and how well you manage the classes.
Megan