[blackandgold1]

I am a teacher from a more rural region of the country with a few years of successful experience under my built and am qualified to teach high school social studies and business education in Connecticut and a few other states in this neck of the woods. I have no personal connections to anyone in the state to speak of and know that hiring in schools across the country and particularly in the Northeast can sometimes become quite political. The quality of the schools, pay, and working conditions outside of the Northeast and Midwest for teachers are generally poor compared to the quality of the schools in these regions. However, I know that teachers in my content areas are not in high demand.

What do you all think? Do I have a prayer in Hades of edging my way in to a CT/Northeast district or had I better just accept my fate as a not-well-paid teacher in a not-great state for education in a not-desirable place to live and like it?

[JayCT]

You could start out teaching in a private or Catholic school here first. Do everything you can to network and gain experience. Then after a couple of years transfer to a good public school. I know a couple of teachers that did this. Jay

[parentologist]

It's a very tight market for teachers here. That being said, sometimes if you are in the right place at the right time, you get the job. First, get certified or in the process of getting certified. Contact Charter Oak State College. They can help you to arrange to transfer your certification, which is not an easy process, even if your state has a reciprocity agreement with CT. Then, visit every high school in which you would like to teach. Meet the principal. Make nice. Repeat, over and over all summer. Sometimes, in mid August, someone decides not to come back. Principal is desperate to fill the position. You are qualified, available, and he knows you now. You get called in for the interview and get the job.

If you're thinking of applying from out of state and moving here after you nail down a teaching position in a public high school, think again. It's not gonna happen.

[Johnboy71]

You have a pretty good shot if you had different certifications. However, the vocational system I work in does use business teachers. Do a Google of the CT Vocational high school system and check out the job openings. In 2015 our No-layoff contract ends and there may be lots of retirements including myself.

[Stylo]

Do a lot of proactive networking. My sister has always found the teacher situation in CT difficult to break into it. She had to get new certifications and ultimately a masters in special education to have a shot at it.

[TobinJ]

Are you on LinkedIn? Find your old school friends, join groups, etc and you might realize you have some connections in CT after all.