Teaching Jobs (Portland, Bangor, Lebanon: home, job market, school districts)

[sslvc19]

Hello,

I am a 2005 grad. of Lebanon Valley College with a B.S. in elementary and special education. I am currently PA Certified in both el. ed (k-6) and special ed. (k-12). I am currently looking at moving north from my home in PA and was just looking to see what advice I could get from anyone about teaching in/moving to Maine, Vermont, or New Hampshire. I have sent my information to a number of schools in the past few weeks and am playing the waiting game now.

The job I have for this school year (2006-2007 school year) is not a full-time possition, but has allowed me to save some money for a move. The area in which I live is a hotbed of teachers, making a full-time salary job hard to come by. Plus, being a young guy who loves the outdoors and winter months, the Northeast is very attractive. Any answers/input on the following questions would be a huge help.

1. How is the job market for teachers in these states?
2. What parts of the states should I be looking for jobs?
3. I have been looking some at home prices and some parts are high, while others are low by central PA standards. Any good places for a kid just starting out?

I have been reviewing school websites as well as SchoolSprings, and Serving Schools.com to get information. I will also be attending a Maine Job fair in late April. I'm hoping that with my special ed. certification I will at least be able to get my foot in the door.

I greatly appreciate any and all of your thoughts on this topic.

[Coaster]

If the ads I see in the Maine Sunday Telegram and Bangor Daily News are any indication, there's certainly a demand for teachers. Most of them, however, seem to be needed in the more rural parts of the state and, truth be told, the lower-paying school districts. Home prices in northern Maine are much less than those in the Portland region, particualrly once you get into Aroostook County. Realtor.com would be your best guide to that.

Good luck in your search. We need all the good teachers we can find.

[sslvc19]

Thanks for the information. I will take a look at the Bangor newspaper. I have heard some great things about that northern area and would consider a move there. What can you tell me about the more rural areas? I enjoy nature and cold weather, especially hiking, running, ice hockey, skiing, fishing, ect. so I assume there are many opportunities for this. Again, thanks for the response.

[sslvc19]

I am hoping that my special ed. certification will at least help me to get my foot in the door for an interview. What are your opinions on the need for teachers in the state? Does the state normally have a surplus of teachers, or do they look for out-of-state teachers?