Teaching Jobs (Annapolis, North East: home, job market, school)

[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 Maryland. I am familiar with the area being from Lancaster County, PA.
The job I have for this school year (2006-2007 school year) is not a full-time position, 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 running, the area is very attractive. Any answers/input on the following questions would be a huge help.

1. How is the job market for teachers in the state?
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 greatly appreciate any and all of your thoughts on this topic.

[Evlevo]

I am a prospective teacher, and I would also like to know if it is worth looking into teaching in Maryland. I have visited the DC a few times (summer and winter) and enjoyed the weather. Apart from that, I really don't know a lot about the state. I am interested in something in the North East, but I am not too particular about the state. This is what I am interested in...

1) Decient teacher pay (I have been able to research that one already) Retirement info would be helpful though.

2) A nice place to live that is affordable to a teacher and is not a 1 horse town.
3)A decient teaching environment (Unions, students, etc)

Thanks!

[kirstie707]

I have taught in both PA (Central Bucks outside of Philly) and MD (Anne Arundel Co.). I have to say PA school systems are better by far. We moved to MD bc of my husband's job and I took a 15,000 pay cut. While I love the people I work with here, I feel the school system I worked in PA was more progressive. I am pretty sure that the retirement system here is one of the worst in the country. My numbers might be wrong, but I think that PA puts in 75% and MD only in the 35% range. I know teachers in MD have been fighting for a better retirement plan, but since I will soon be moving out of state I am not sure. If you really want to be in MD (Annapolis is truly a really wonderful area and I will miss it) I would apply for jobs in Howard Co. hands down. It is a strong school system with better pay, I just never wanted to deal with the commute. Good luck with everything!!!

[sslvc19]

Thanks Kirstie707 for the information. I would love to be able to stay in Pennsylvania, but as I'm sure you know, there is a great surplus of teachers in this area. I guess I am looking at Maryland as sort of a "Plan B," or a place to start a full-time teaching job. Again, thanks for the information.

[mbieber1029]

Hello. I am also an LVC grad, only I'm from 2006. I also have a BS in EL ED. I have spent my 1st year in PG County and would not reccommend it except as a last resort. AVOID REGION 1 OF PG AT ALL COSTS!!!!! I would reccommend Anne Arundel since they also need a good amount of teachers. Howard would be great but harder to get into. I was also from PA but moved to MD for a teaching job. If you have any questions you can contact me personally Moderator cut: keep personal contact info in profile, please I would be happy to give you any information. I am also very curious who you are. haha.

[Eastern Shore]

Teachers have not changed. They get no help from school officials or from parents. That is why teachers leave PG. Parents are the problem. PG is pro parent even when the children suffer for it.

[sslvc19]

Wow, I was away for a few days- this tread really took off! I really appreciate the dialogue that is taking place. To my fellow teachers out there I thank you for the input. no one really knows all the hard work all of you are putting in including your students, their parents, and the community. The main thing I think we are all looking for is a safe place to teach. Just this past year I've had two students spent over a month each in a mental health hospital, one student loose her home, one get abandoned by her mom, one watch as her mom died slowly of cancer, and one get placed in an alternate education system due to "extreme behavior."

The district I am in now is a typical middle class central PA district. Even though my kids have been through this, I've always felt safe in my class, and always have had a great support system in my co-workers and administration. I've always had people around me who have experience and help out in any way they can.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm looking for a place to teach were I don't have to worry about going for a run by myself when the sun is setting, and where I don't always have to be looking over my shoulder when I'm in the classroom to see whats coming in the door. I've talked with teachers in Lancaster City, Philadelphia, and other urban areas and this is a real problem for too many teachers. There seems to be this misconception that only poor districts have students who need help but the fact is there are students like this in every school.

Again, thank you all who have posted on this thread. I have learned a great deal.