Physical science & the MSDE staffing report (Towson: teaching jobs, high schools)

[racerx65]

New staffing report is out and mathematics was almost removed from the critical need list! I am an Ed student and everyone told me to go with math bec we will never come close to meeting the need!
Actually, I'm interested in science. I see on the report that Physical Science is a high need area, followed by Earth Science and Physics. Is there really a physical science cert area? I can't find ne offered by Towson or UMBC. P/S seems to have the largest number of expected vacancies with Earth/Space second and Physica third.
Any suggestions relating to job availability after certification? I'm leaning towards physics.

[rewardgal]

Having worked in a high school in Montgomery County for the past few years I have seen a severe shortage in all Science areas. Every year high schools here scramble desperately for ANY mathematics and science teacher. We still have an uncertified Science teacher finishing ed coursework so they will meet the NCLB deadlines etc.

I'm always amazed when I hear the official proclamation that we have plenty of qualified applications for all our teaching jobs and then walk in during the summer to my school and find out that we still have 2 or 3 math jobs unfilled and 1 or 2 science jobs open. And we're in a beautiful community, a relatively new school with good resources etc. so it's not our location or reputation keeping teachers away! And we're not unusual! Several other schools are always in the same boat with us!

JMO - Math and Science will be a critical need for high schools in our county for a long, long time!!!!!!!