Physical Education (cost, best, salaries, easiest)

[SouperStar34]

I graduate next year with a undergraduate in physical education and a double minor in health and coaching. I have four regions in mind where I would like to live. Where do you think would be the easiest to get a teaching job in physical education? Where would be the hardest out of the four?

Grand Rapids, MI
Chicago Suburbs
Raliegh, NC
San Diego, CA

[golfgal]

I would rule out San Diego because you could never afford to live there on a teacher's salary and to get to an affordable place to live you would have to drive a considerable way and with gas prices being what they are, not a good idea.

Honestly, getting a job in PE ANYWHERE is hard. Sorry but PE majors are a dime a dozen. Also, check with each state to see if they will accept your certification. You might be required to do additional coursework to get your license. Your best option is to find a place to live, where ever you want, get your name on the sub lists and sub all you can so you are known to the administration. That is pretty much the only way to get a PE job.

[Rachael84]

My friend couldn't find a PE job on Long Island and had to sub for a year. He ended up moving to Virginia to get a job. It's in the Alexandria area, right outside DC. When I graduated college, I heard that the general metro DC area in Virginia needs teachers. I know some others from my college who went down there too for teaching.

[SouperStar34]

In Michigan, I know someone that applied for a PE job with 177 applicants! She made it to the top five and they gave the job to a sub. So good idea about subbing.

In IL, PE is required k-12 and economically better shape than MI (Let's just hope MI is not a glimpse what is coming to the whole country).

Can anyone add anything about the states?

What about North Carolina?

[Rachael84]

the pay is horribly low in NC and there's no union. I'd stay away from there.

[SouperStar34]

Originally Posted by Rachael84

the pay is horribly low in NC and there's no union. I'd stay away from there.

Thanks for the info.

Is North Carolina cheaper to live? I have been living in Honolulu the past month... luckily I have been living for free ; )

Are unions a must for a teacher?

[Rachael84]

It's cheaper to live, but I hear teachers there aren't treated so nicely. A big reason is because there's no union. Unions protect the working conditions and the salaries. Without any strong union, your salary won't increase with the increased cost of living. You see that a lot in many areas of the country. Also, if something ever happened against you (like a parent claiming you hit a kid, which happens all over), the union should support you in a case like that against you. They're meant to protect you and your job.

[toobusytoday]

Have you seen this article about teaching in NC ? Charlotte Opinion | Charlotte Observer It's pretty interesting, especially the comments at the end.

[SouperStar34]

No I have not... I will check it out.

Does anyone have information about teaching in the Chicago Suburbs?

[CraveCase]

Don't come to Michigan...all of us new grads are moving on out. Teachers with 7+ years experience are getting pink slipped and IF there is ever a position opening those teachers definitely get first dibs. I am going to NC in less than a week. There are local unions, but they are no where near as strong as the ones in Michigan. I was advised from more senior teachers not to worry about unions in your younger years. They eat away at your paycheck and until you get your tenure you are pretty much at the mercy of everyone anyway. Cost of living in bigger areas like Raleigh and Durham are similar to Michigan, however as soon as you step foot in the more rural areas (which can be 20 minutes from downtown Raleigh) the COL is significantly lower. Good Luck!