Relocating to Idaho to teach (Idaho Falls: student loans, home, teaching jobs)

[dioofthesky]

I am looking to relocate to Idaho in order to facilitate a career change and am requesting input from anyone who either lives here or has information about the state.

According to information that I have gathered, Idaho has a high demand for high school mathematics teachers; if I were to go to a state like Idaho it would take less than a year for me to be in a classroom through a program sponsored by the federal government (ABCTE). (I currently live in the Chicago suburbs and in order to change careers into the education field in Illinois I would need 2+ years of school and have to spend over $20,000).

I've driven through Idaho once, and love its beauty but beyond that I don't know much about what it is like to live there. i just want to be a teacher, and from all the information I have acquired, I think this state has a high demand for teachers (especially secondary mathematics) and the best chance for myself who has a bachelor's degree in a non-educational field to quickly change careers. Is my information correct? Is Idaho right for me?

[katiewa]

Don't know if you've found these two websites: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/ and http://idla.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp, but they should provide some information and contacts. Best of luck.

Kathleen

[newflowers]

Most every state, Idaho included, has a high demand for math and science teachers. I suggest that you check with the state credentialing office. They will be able to give you the information you need to obtain your clear credential including what mandatory exams you need to take. As I recall, in Idaho, that would be the Praxis. Some states will accept a passing score on the exam as proof of meeting subject matter competency - some do not. Therefore, you may have subject courses to take - or maybe not. Additionally, as each state has its own teacher education coursework requirements, you should check the local university website - the information, or least a pdf of the catalogue should be available online. Generally, state schools as less expensive than private ones - unless you are paying nonresident tuition. All of this information is available online and by speaking to the state credential office.

I am a teacher planning to move to NID in a couple of years. I suggest you check many options before paying such a high price to get your credential. If you work in a Title I school and/or teach math, science or special ed in a shortage area, you should be able to apply to have your student loans assumed/forgiven in increments over a period of a few years. If you do not teach a shortage content area subject, you may not qualify. This is important because the teacher salaries in Idaho are not as high as other states - certainly significantly lower than California where I am and probably where you are too. This is just the facts of life for teachers, but you may not want to carry large debt if the salary is not what you expect. If possible, you should consider going to a state university where you are currently a resident, paying the tuition in cash, and finishing the program. After you do that, you and your prelimilary credential can move. You'll still have to take an exam or two and a few more classes, but it won't cost nearly as much - maybe a couple thousand dollars instead of 20k.

Good luck.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by dioofthesky

I am looking to relocate to Idaho in order to facilitate a career change and am requesting input from anyone who either lives here or has information about the state.

According to information that I have gathered, Idaho has a high demand for high school mathematics teachers; if I were to go to a state like Idaho it would take less than a year for me to be in a classroom through a program sponsored by the federal government (ABCTE). (I currently live in the Chicago suburbs and in order to change careers into the education field in Illinois I would need 2+ years of school and have to spend over $20,000).

I've driven through Idaho once, and love its beauty but beyond that I don't know much about what it is like to live there. i just want to be a teacher, and from all the information I have acquired, I think this state has a high demand for teachers (especially secondary mathematics) and the best chance for myself who has a bachelor's degree in a non-educational field to quickly change careers. Is my information correct? Is Idaho right for me?

Hi dioofthesky,

Yes, there is a high demand for teachers in ID and WY. Secondary mathematics is an ongoing demand as the population increases and other schooling options (private, charter, home school etc.) are spreading the pool of teachers thinner than before.

I'm not an educator, so I don't have as specific as information as has already been posted. However, I do know that District #91 in Idaho Falls has an educator who recruits for elementary schools and a different person who recruits for Jr. and Sr. High Schools. Other districts may as well, I am only familiar with the work of D #91, as a neighbor teachs math at Idaho Falls High School.

This is the link: Idaho Falls District 91. Then click on employment and follow whatever links you want from there. I believe they have Idaho requirements and certification info posted, but am not positive.

I hope this is useful. Good luck in your work to become an educator!

MSR

I'd encourage you

[dioofthesky]

I appreciate all the help that everyone has given me. I am pretty dead set on moving to Idaho because from the research I have done, it would provide the easiest transition from restaurant manager to high school mathematics teacher. Obviously, I don't know what it is like to live there (and I won't know until I actually am there) or which area of the state to reside but this state has a need for teachers unlike Illinois and I am planning on going there based on a great opportunity.

Any further advice I would greatly appreciate. I will definitely have further questions in the future.

Thanks,

Kevin

[IdahoEagle]

You might visit the Idaho teaching jobs website at Default PLESK Page


and the state site for certification at Idaho State Department of Education - Teacher Certification

specifically the page at Idaho State Department of Education - Teacher Certification - Alternative Routes to Teaching

which talks about Alternative Routes to Certification in Idaho