[goblue1231]

He Guys,

As far as the pay down there its not great but it isn't as bad as it once was. I will be starting at 32,500 in Greenville County which is upstate. I know that Michigan starts off at a better rate but I think in Northern Michigan they start off in low 30's as well. It is sad to see so many people have to leave their home for work. I was orginally going to school for wildlife management but switched to teaching because I was told how easily I could get a job (well that didn't work out to well).
Also I don't think the benifets are all that bad down there, they are probably a little less then here but atleast they are hiring. You can find a teaching job in any state down south and because of all the people moving there the pay is catching up to other areas.

[spedteach]

I have a job at one of the districts in SE Michigan for the past six years. What I have noticed is that when a person retires or leaves for whatever reason, the position is usually not replaced. Even though our district is growing and we actually need more teachers, the admin. is trying to get away with less. The result is higher class sizes too.

Good luck to everyone looking for jobs. I know it can be tough.

[Ivorytickler]

I'm sad. No call back on my interview today. It went really well but I'm a math minor not a major. My major is chemistry. And they had 17 candidates to interveiw. 6 were called back today to present lessons for three openings. I wasn't one of the six. Bummer.

17 candidates for three openings is telling. There are a lot of teachers looking for jobs. And this was a math position. Math teachers are supposed to be one the the ones in short supply compared to others. If it had been an English posting they probably would have had 30 candidates.

What state did you say you were headed for? I may be joining you. Let me know if they need someone to teach chemistry/physics or math.

[Rapunzll]

It's very hard to get teaching jobs here in TC. You might have better luck in one of the smaller school districts.

[Ivorytickler]

Originally Posted by spedteach

I have a job at one of the districts in SE Michigan for the past six years. What I have noticed is that when a person retires or leaves for whatever reason, the position is usually not replaced. Even though our district is growing and we actually need more teachers, the admin. is trying to get away with less. The result is higher class sizes too.

Good luck to everyone looking for jobs. I know it can be tough.

The district I just did my student teaching with is switching to trimesters so they can avoid hiring new teachers and expanding buildings. Instead of teachers teaching 10 sections in two semseters, they will now teach 12 in three trimesters. So the need for new teachers has to grow by more than 20% before they actually have to hire.

Unfortunately, I see more and more districts doing things like this to make budget. If you can work in 20% more students (and their 20% more dollars coming into the school) without increasing the number of teachers or the length of the year, you're in better financial position. From a business standpoint, it makes sense but how do you teach one year worth of material in 2/3 the number of days when the 15 or so extra minutes you get for class each day doesn't make up half of the lost time due to fewer days?

[goblue1231]

Hey Ivorytickler

My sister had 7 interviews in North Carolina for Math and got hired at 6 of them. The school where she accepted actually hires her boyfriend as well. They are both certified in math and will be teaching in the same hall.

I took a position in South Carolina (Greenville), its nice but its not Michigan. I am suppose to move in 2 weeks so if nothing good opens up in a week or so I guess me and the family are moving down south.
Sorry to hear about no call back its a bummer when you go to school and bust your but and cant find a job. It doesn't seem right, Michigan is losing so many good young teachers that I think it will come back to haunt it.

Good Luck

[windfarmer]

can anyone tell me what the job prospects are like for teaching special ed in Michigan?

My wife has a couple of years left (of school) and wants to become an elementary special ed teacher. i don't know that I'm going to be excited about having to leave western Michigan.

[spedteach]

Originally Posted by windfarmer

can anyone tell me what the job prospects are like for teaching special ed in Michigan?

My wife has a couple of years left (of school) and wants to become an elementary special ed teacher. i don't know that I'm going to be excited about having to leave western Michigan.

I teach special ed. in SE Michigan. About six years ago, I changed districts and had many interviews. Now, the field is a lot harder to break into. My district has only hired about two sp. ed. teachers since me, but we also are a smaller district.

I do not know how things are on the west side of the state. I wish you and your family the best of luck.

[Ivorytickler]

Originally Posted by goblue1231

Hey Ivorytickler

My sister had 7 interviews in North Carolina for Math and got hired at 6 of them. The school where she accepted actually hires her boyfriend as well. They are both certified in math and will be teaching in the same hall.

I took a position in South Carolina (Greenville), its nice but its not Michigan. I am suppose to move in 2 weeks so if nothing good opens up in a week or so I guess me and the family are moving down south.
Sorry to hear about no call back its a bummer when you go to school and bust your but and cant find a job. It doesn't seem right, Michigan is losing so many good young teachers that I think it will come back to haunt it.

Good Luck

No it's not right. With certs in high school math, chemistry and physics in a state that's crying we have to raise the bar in math and science, you'd think I'd be able to find work.

I have to teach a lesson on Monday. If I don't get this job, I'm going back to looking for something in engineering. Isn't relevence the new buzz word? With 18 years of engineering experience, I bring a lot of relevence with me. There just are no teaching jobs. 5 years ago they were screaming there would be a shortage of math and science teachers so I decided to change careers. Maybe I shouldn't have.