Teaching jobs (Chicago: find a job, neighborhoods, school districts)

[SFBorn]

My wife and I want to live in Chicago. I am a teacher at the high school level and I'm looking for any information about the best way to find and secure a job in Chicago or directly outside.

I've heard a few conflicting ideas.

1. It is nearly impossible to find a good teaching job in Chicago because it is very competitive.

2. There are jobs that go unfilled every year.

I can't seem to reconcile these two opposing view points. On the CPS site there are jobs posted right now. When I contact the schools directly, the jobs do not exist. Sometimes I see teaching jobs on schoolspring.com, or other sites, but when I check the ISBE site there are few if any.

I am looking for the real picture.

Thanks in advance for any information. It is our dream to live in a city we both love and we're looking real hard for any way to make it happen.


We know where we want to live since my wife is originally from Chicago. The most important piece missing is the job. I teach high school English.

[ahava]

It's nearly impossible to find a job in the Chicago SUBURBS because it is very competitive, and I'd imagine that it's the same at the top city schools. However, I've always heard that it's easy to get a job in the schools in the poorer neighborhoods of Chicago. I've never tried, so I don't know if that's true or not. If teaching in the suburbs is at all an option for you, you definitely need to go to the NWPA job fair in February (Northwest Personnel Administration). That's pretty much the only way to get a job in any of the major suburban high school districts unless you already teach at one of the NWPA schools or are related to someone who does.

[lynnie81]

So, I know you already have tried contacting schools while getting less-than-ideal responses. But the only way to get hired is to do exactly that. Often times the CPS HR website posts jobs that appear vacant, but are indeed old position numbers linked to previous jobs that were supported by funding that no longer exists. But SOME of those jobs are really open, and the only way to find out is to send an email or faxed resume and cover letter to principals. You can also just send resumes to any school you can think of, since you never know when a position will open. Most places will know in August (or sometimes after school starts, in September, if you are willing to be that patient). You can get all information for school leaders here: CPS School Directory

You can also go to one or more of the job fairs. Those seem to be a waste of time. I got my current HS English job by contacting all kinds of schools all over the city. I would sometimes follow-up. Other times I would try to use my undergrad and grad connections to find people that currently teach in a school and then stalk them until they tried to help! I use the term stalk very loosely, of course. Good luck!

[Avengerfire]

Go to a job fair. That is the easiest way. Sadly the last one I have known about that was scheduled was today.

Chicago Public Schools Department of Human Resources

[ApolloGod]

English/History are typically more competitive than math/science/special ed. But, you are certified secondary, so that should help a bit (as opposed to being elementary).

Also, Avengefire is correct. CPS job fairs are extremely important opportunities. Even if you don't get a job, you'll most likely get interviews through job fairs. And networking with principals is a must, so the job fairs help you build contacts.

Yes, there was a fair today a McCormick place. BUT...there is another one July 31 at McCormick Place (West) from 12pm-3:30pm. You'll need to RSVP through cps. CPS job fairs are historically very busy and chaotic, so be prepared!

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by ApolloGod

...Yes, there was a fair today a McCormick place. BUT...there is another one July 31 at McCormick Place (West) from 12pm-3:30pm. You'll need to RSVP through cps. CPS job fairs are historically very busy and chaotic, so be prepared!

Yes. I did not know about that one. The OP really should get to that one if they are still around. Anyone else that wants a teaching job in the city should also.