Future Special Ed. teacher. Your honest opinions please. (San Diego, San Jose: find a job, school districts)

[Nedely]

In 18 months, I will be ready to move out of New Mexico. I don't know whether to go to Dallas, or back to CA.

First of all, I will be moving and going into student teaching. A few months later, I'll be done and able to take a full time teaching position. I'll have a degree in special ed., but will also have licenser in elementary ed. I will have had 3 years of special ed. paraprofessional work under my belt. I'm fluent in Spanish, know a considerable amount of sign language, and by that time, will know some braille. A special ed. classroom is where I want to be, and I'm willing to move to almost anywhere in CA, and also commute.

Do you think I have a chance? I'm afraid that if I take a gamble and move back to CA, I'll be up against a "wall" of pink-slipped teachers. I know special ed. is in high demand in CA, but I also personally know some people (current teachers and soon-to-be-teachers) who are licensing in special ed. to pretty much be more marketable. Would I be better off just working a few years in Texas and possibly getting my Masters, and then look into move back to my beloved CA?

Thanks.

[Charles]

(besides posting on city data)

Make some phone calls.
Call a few school districts and ask them what their expectations are for hiring people with your skill set.
Sounds like you are significantly more qualified than that standard elementary school teacher but all we read these days are about budget cuts in education in California.

What does "almost anywhere in California" mean?

[eureka1]

Special ed and bilingual? You've got a good chance. You might want to check out the Monterey-Watsonville-Salinas area. Welcome back!

[Sassberto]

My wife is a special ed teacher who is bilingual, she constantly gets job offers straight from prinicipals. You will find a job with those skills.

[Nedely]

Originally Posted by Charles

(besides posting on city data)

Make some phone calls.
Call a few school districts and ask them what their expectations are for hiring people with your skill set.
Sounds like you are significantly more qualified than that standard elementary school teacher but all we read these days are about budget cuts in education in California.

What does "almost anywhere in California" mean?

Well, I'm from Greater LA. As much as I love LA, I'd rather not move back to SoCal. Certain parts of San Diego are OK. I'd prefer to move to the Ventura, SLO, or Santa Barbara counties. But I can also last a few years in the hot Fresno area. Frisco. And Sacromento are fine. And I'm ok moving north of their too. But not Oakland, and maybe not certain areas of San Jose. Also, no Barstow, Baker, Twentynine Palms, California City. Palm Springs would be acceptable for the right pay. In case you can't tell, I hate desert.

Up closer to the Oregon border? Sure. Salinas Valley? Yes. Piru? I'd have to look for work in other parts of Ventura Co. or Santa Clarita, so maybe. Inland Empire... Well, maybe. Not San Bernadino. No Palmdale or Lancaster either. Never did like those areas.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by Nedely

In 18 months, I will be ready to move out of New Mexico. I don't know whether to go to Dallas, or back to CA.

First of all, I will be moving and going into student teaching. A few months later, I'll be done and able to take a full time teaching position. I'll have a degree in special ed., but will also have licenser in elementary ed. I will have had 3 years of special ed. paraprofessional work under my belt. I'm fluent in Spanish, know a considerable amount of sign language, and by that time, will know some braille. A special ed. classroom is where I want to be, and I'm willing to move to almost anywhere in CA, and also commute.

Do you think I have a chance? I'm afraid that if I take a gamble and move back to CA, I'll be up against a "wall" of pink-slipped teachers. I know special ed. is in high demand in CA, but I also personally know some people (current teachers and soon-to-be-teachers) who are licensing in special ed. to pretty much be more marketable. Would I be better off just working a few years in Texas and possibly getting my Masters, and then look into move back to my beloved CA?

Thanks.

Nedely,

I think you are a prime example of someone coming to CA with in demand skills. You have positioned yourself professionally to be hired even in the midst of a recession and budget cuts. The fact that you are bilingual and willing to live almost anywhere speaks to your personal drive and passion. I think you will do fine here. These are the qualities that ppl doing the hiring look for - not just the minimum to get a job, but someone who shows initiative that sets one apart form the rest. And thats what you have done and are continuing to do. Way to go! Now come home.

Derek

[asielen]

I used to work as an Aid in the workability program in Long Beach CA, (basically we taught basic work skills to special ed kids and found them jobs). A lot of special-ed funding is through grants which haven't/can't be cut. So the budget problems aren't affecting special education as much, although their may be a hiring freeze. But, with your skills you should have no problem finding a position.

[Snort]

Trust me, you'll have no problem finding a job, even in this economy.

[Macintosh Sauce]

Just do it! :-)