Moving to Kalamazoo. I need a teaching job (Holly, Paw Paw: jobs, college)

[Voleto]

My wife and I are moving to Kalamazoo and I am looking for a job teaching in the area. I am a social studies/ history teacher. Does anyone know what the need is for teachers in this area? Can anyone tell me where I should start looking for jobs? I looked online and I couldn't find much. Thanks for your help.

David

[5kingsinvegas]

David,
Sorry to tell you this, but good luck. Michigan teaching jobs are few and far between. Those that are available have stiff competition. One opening averages 2,000 applicants. Your field is saturated, even Science and Math teachers have a difficult time of it in Michigan. I moved to Vegas to get a teaching job. If you have a masters degree, forget it!! There are so many new college grads that they can hire on the bottom step that they won't even look at you. I am not sure why you are moving to Michigan for teaching, but if you have a choice I strongly urge you to reconsider.

[jeeg]

If you need to teach, I would reconsider moving to Michigan. I personally know of at least 12 people with teaching degrees who've left the state due to lack of positions (many states come here to recruit their teachers)

[michiganmoon]

Originally Posted by Voleto

My wife and I are moving to Kalamazoo and I am looking for a job teaching in the area. I am a social studies/ history teacher. Does anyone know what the need is for teachers in this area? Can anyone tell me where I should start looking for jobs? I looked online and I couldn't find much. Thanks for your help.

David

Try:

www.reap.net

www.greatschooljobs.com

and your alumni career webpage

[missy3681]

I know you posted in 2006, so I do not know if this is valid for you. I have graduated with a social studies/biology degree in Sec Edu. I recieved two contracts, many offers out of state, and two in state that will be setting up interviews with me. It was not for my social studies, but my biology. Overall, many school districts told me they would hire me for my split degree because I would be able to teach many areas.

I am seriously considering moving to Kansas or Kentucky, who both offered me positions. If I was you, and are still interested in teaching, go into biology or earth science. I was shocked by how much of both of these subjects I could tie to my social studies degree. When I took classes on geology and the time periods or learning about Darwin and his theories. It was great to be able to give that kind of a perspective in my social studies classes.

I am deciding to move from Michigan due to the fact that I do not want my position to possibly get cut when there are many States near Michigan needing teachers badly.

Good Luck!
Missy

[James9283]

Same boat here, I feel you pain! I graduated last semester with a secondary social studies degree and after sending out almost eighty applications and only getting two interviews, in school districts at the bottom of my list, I have decided to leave the state. Good luck to you but be realistic about the competition your facing, one recent opening at high school near me recieved 2100 applications!

[patrick farrell]

In my personal experience, Kalamazoo is a crappy place. It is known as the Hollywood of Michigan because everyone there is extremely fake and arrogant. The saddest thing is that there really isn't anything special about the area. Odd.

Teaching jobs are hard to come by in Michigan and with the state of the General Fund the way that it is, many new teachers are being sacraficed so that senior level teachers can get more benefits. Kind of sad, but the 800K deficit that Michigan faces right now directly will effect the school systems. It is estimated that by the start of next school year 1 in 5 districts will have to merge or close down.

[LoriGrear]

Paw Paw Middle School (about 15 minutes or so Southwest of Kzoo) has 2 social studies teachers retiring this year I hear. Good Luck.

[roselover772]

Paw Paw is a very nice small town. I am considering moving there myself...from FLORIDA.

[SALteacher]

No question about it. I recently attended a teacher job fair at EMU. ALL OF THE LONGEST LINES WERE FOR MICHIGAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS. The sad part is that many of those people waiting in those long lines likely won't get a job in Michigan. I have heard many times from fellow classmates who say they won't leave the state because of a boyfriend or family are in Michigan. But reality is reality. I will be done school and ready to teach elementary hopefully in less than two years and I have already concluded that my family and I will be leaving Michigan. I don't want to, but I want a full time job when I'm done. I'll be going on 45 and I'm not waiting for a full time gig to open up here. If you want to find a job outside of Michigan you have plenty of options, depending on your qualifications.