Teaching in CO (Denver, Arvada, Westminster: fingerprinting, find a job, school districts)

[davidpm]

I've already posted this in the Education forum, but I figured there are many people who are citizens of Denver but not necessarily visiting that forum. (I didn't even know an education forum existed before today) I apologize for the double post.

I'm considering a move to Denver and I've read some teacher boards that talk about how competitive it is to get a teaching job in the Denver-Boulder area. Some are saying that there are several hundred applicants per position. Does anyone have info to confirm this?

I teach high school and all levels of math, which are two areas of shortage, so I thought I'd be OK finding a job but now I'm a little worried.

Also, are there any major unions that operate in and around Denver that represent teachers?

Anyone have any feedback on the ProComp system in DPS?

Is there a small school initiative in Denver like there are in other big cities?

Any info or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

PS I know that there are many teaching threads and I've perused them all. I didn't see anything about these specific topics.

[Katarina Witt]

I did hear a member of the Boulder Valley SD say there are hundreds of applicants for every job.

There are a number of teaching threads on this and the Colorado forum.

[Bill343]

I recently did a fair amount of research into teaching careers in Denver. I spoke with some local school districts in my area of Broomfield/Westminster/Arvada and attended some introductory sessions for the teacher education department at Metropolitan State. My impression was that if you have a math or science specialization you should be fine and will be able to find a job. The persons that should worry, and Metro State was very emphatic about this, are those with English or Social Studies specializations.

[Katarina Witt]

My daughter has a friend who is a math teacher who has a job teaching in HS. However, he applied for a similar job in another metro district, and after three interviews, was not offered the job. It's a jungle out there.

[HighlandsGal]

I currently teach in DPS, after teaching in Douglas County. Douglas Co. is definitely harder to get in to.......and the schools in DPS can be hit or miss. But I work at a "good" high school and enjoy it.

DPS has all sorts of small-school-like programs going on. And all new teachers are hired into ProComp, although I haven't experienced much of it yet to have an opinion.

Definitely start your job search early -- apply for a CO license starting in Jan. if you need to get one. And start applying to individual districts in March-April.

Good luck!

[davidpm]

Thanks so much for the info! I already requested the fingerprinting card to send to CBI so I can get my application for my certification in by December. I'm hoping to have a job secured by the time I move out there this summer. I actually did see a listing on DPS website for a high school math teacher, so that at least gives me hope that there's some need.

[Jester76]

It truly matters on your personal background and how desirable you make yourself look. My wife (we are still out of stater). Had a few job offers in the Denver area, one was to the Denver School of Science and Technology. And a few to the local schools. But she has worked hard at it. She got her bachelors at Dayton in Ohio and received her Masters UNO here. Did a ton of special projects while she was teaching for 6 years. She started a new program on how to teach BD kids. My wife focus is in English and reading.

But now she has stepped out of the teaching world, to pursue the business world.

Good luck to you, and please be almost annoying when it comes to a job... show them that you are over interested in it, make them remember you and stand out!