Why do some many people want to Teach on LI (Islip: rent, credit)

[CEO 2B]

I am not sure if I am missing something. But I have to ask, why do so many people want to teach on Long Island? Or stay and go through the run around year after year trying to land a job.
It is truly pathetic and disturbing at the same time how political this field has gotten over the years. I am tired of hearing its all about the students when its all about giving people jobs who have absolutely no business in the classroom. Being a teacher involves a little more than holding a degree from an accredited school.
I just finished my first year of being a Substitute in a district, and observing all the nonsense that actually goes on, I don't know what’s worse, the teachers that don't care or the administrators making deals with the students so everyone graduates or moves to the nest grade.
Between the cost of living, is it worth it to stay here? Teacher’s salaries step up a lot when compared to out of state salaries.

To other teachers in my position:
Do you think it is worth trying to wait? Do you think it would be beneficial to move out of state and come back? I considered the city, but train fair is almost the same as say rent in NC or SC.
Would you not want to work in a nice brand new school? I am just missing the whole Long Island thing I guess.

[Rachael84]

I teach in NYC. My fiance lives in West Islip and teaches in central Queens. Sometimes you have to have a longer commute. It's better than not having a job though. A friend of mine couldn't get a teaching job on LI and moved to Virginia. He was so dumb to do that. He didn't want to get a job in the city because he was afraid of the kids and the long commute. This year, he's desperately looking for a job in the city since he wants to be home. People need to suck it up and teach in the city if they can't find anything in the suburbs. It isn't as bad as people make it out to be.

[CEO 2B]

I have no problem teaching in the city, I entered my application over 3 week ago, and haven't herd anything back. Is out of state experience no good?
I am certified in Math 7-12.

[Rachael84]

That's a shortage area, so you shouldn't have much trouble. That's good you're open to working in the city. Tons of people I know on LI are afraid of teaching in the city. It may take a little while to hear back. I've heard others say they still haven't heard anything. The best thing is to send your cover letter/resume to individual schools.

[CEO 2B]

Whats your take on out of State experience? I know other states education system does not even compare to NY's. I see it as this is the experience that everyones looking for.
I went this entire spring with 0 interviews, not only applying on OLAS, but walking my resume in at every district that had an opening, attending the BOCES Job Fair, district online applications, going to the post office, people I know in the district walking my resume in, it never ends. I am not a complainer by a long shot but I think I spent more time and effort in this then I did getting my Masters while Coaching and working full time.

[llama8]

Teaching on Long Island is the ideal and ultimate goal of many teachers. I am very lucky to have a job in a great district on Long Island, but many of good friends were not as fortunate.

Some went to teach in private schools and others went to teach in the city. I have heard a few horror stories from my friends teaching in the city, but nothing too bad that made them leave. They are evetnually hoping to get a job on Long Island. The problems that I have heard about the city have to do with uncaring teachers, severe discipline problems with kids and administrative bearocracy. It also depends on where you are in the city schools. Certain areas of Queens are great while others are war zones.

Long Island is the ideal for many teachers because of much higher pay than the city, usually better kids with less discipline problems, and better teacher unions. (It's probably the pay that is the driving factor). I wish you luck.

[Pootnami]

Sorry to say, but most of the new teachers (elementary) on LI are young girls you went to Dowling or some other cookie cutter university. These schools are pumping out so many "so called" teachers and 90 percent of them are never going to get a job because they offer nothing different. That's what a principal wants. These schools should share some of the blame due to the fact that they don't tell people that they're not cut out for it. The student teachers I have had in the past five years have been terrible.

[ShouldIMoveOrStayPut...?]

Originally Posted by Pootnami

Sorry to say, but most of the new teachers (elementary) on LI are young girls you went to Dowling or some other cookie cutter university. These schools are pumping out so many "so called" teachers and 90 percent of them are never going to get a job because they offer nothing different. That's what a principal wants. These schools should share some of the blame due to the fact that they don't tell people that they're not cut out for it. The student teachers I have had in the past five years have been terrible.

IMO....too many people are attracted to the profession for the pay (at least on Long Island) job security (tenure) and summers off over a true calling to teach.

Also, highly creative self actualising people cannot tolerate the repetition and monotony of absorbing and regurgitating a state mandated curriculum year in and year out...principlals want different, but still well within guidelines....a "boring creativity" if you will....

This can lead to that army of people the Universities are pumping out.

And wherein they are probably not morons, "Boring Creativity" is an Oxymoron.

[llama8]

Originally Posted by Pootnami

Sorry to say, but most of the new teachers (elementary) on LI are young girls you went to Dowling or some other cookie cutter university. These schools are pumping out so many "so called" teachers and 90 percent of them are never going to get a job because they offer nothing different. That's what a principal wants. These schools should share some of the blame due to the fact that they don't tell people that they're not cut out for it. The student teachers I have had in the past five years have been terrible.

I do have to agree with you to a degree. Many teaching candidates do not offer anything above average on their resumes. Most are generic, and with such competition, generic will not get you noticed. (Not to sound like I am bragging, but only to make a point) I had many above average things on my resume and I had 3 job offers on LI without any connections. Some of my friends that were great students and are great people had nothing beyond average on their resumes and none of them got jobs on LI.

In a stack of 500-1000 resumes, you do need to stand out.

Also, many people go into teaching for the wrong reasons and schools can sniff those people out. I absolutely love teaching. I get up excited every morning, I love my students and my subject material. I almost can't believe I get paid for the fun and enjoyment that I have (and I have been teaching for 5 years, I started at age 22). People who go into teaching because they think it is easy or want summers off need to really reevaluate why they are doing it.

[CEO 2B]

llama8 - Could you take a look at my resume, I changed it over and over, and thought it was good to go. But I haven't had any interviews, at this point I am willing to try anything. It would be greatly appreciated.