Teaching market in Madison Area...is it worth moving? (Middleton: 2015, home)

[AustinTXTeachr]

What is the teaching job market like in the Madison area? I am currently a teacher in Austin TX, and have been teaching 10 years at a good school teaching grade 4 and 5 science, social studies, and math. My Texas certification is generalist 4-8, Science 4-8, and ESL.

My husband and I are considering moving up to Madison, Wisconsin as my husband is currently interviewing at a larger company in the area. We are originally from Wisconsin and have some family living in Wisconsin and nearby states. Currently we have 2 small kids, the oldest will be starting kindergarten in a few weeks.

Is the job market impossible to find a teaching job in the Madison area? Our plan was that I would take off this school year and stay home with my son, and then apply for teaching positions for the 2015-2016 school year. I am having a hard time finding out any information on job availability, benefits, etc. for teaching in WI.

I would hate for us to uproot our family from Austin to Madison area if in the end we are worse off than where we started. What are your thoughts on the teaching market in the Madison Area?

[Megan1967]

Your ESL certification will be very helpful. That said, it is a tough market to break into. Most people end up subbing for the first couple of years here. The University produces a new crop of education majors each year, the majority of whom don't want to leave the area and the spouses of many of the UW faculty are often Elem., Middle and Secondary teachers.

Ten years experience is a good number. You won't lose too much by switching districts, but you've proven you can do the job.

MMSD has a strict window of time when they accept applications for each new school year. Be sure to find out when the deadline is because if you miss it, you probably won't get to interview for any jobs for the upcoming year.

I'm sure you already know this, but check with the DPI to find out how you get certified to teach in WI. We have different breakdowns than the ones you listed. You may very well have to take some classes before you get a WI licence.

[AustinTXTeachr]

This is great advice. Thank you so much for your helpful tips.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by AustinTXTeachr

This is great advice. Thank you so much for your helpful tips.

I agree with what Megan said above. You may also wish to look into the school districts surrounding Madison, including Middleton/Cross Plains, Verona, Oregon, Waunakee, etc. These districts will have the same licensure requirements and competition for positions as Madison, but they may give you more options than just targeting Madison proper.