Advice for Future NYC Teacher? (New York, York: student loan, public school, live) - City-Data Forum

Pumpkin_82 · 12-13-2008, 07:58 PM

Hi everyone,

I recently earned my Master's degree in Elementary
Education and am seriously considered the move from
Chicago to New York for the 2009-2010 school year.

With that being said, what is the process really like in
order to obtain a teaching job? I am aware of the steps
involved (i.e. application, making sure my cert
requirements are met, demo lessons, etc.). But, do you
think that I will have a chance of becoming an elementary
teacher in a relatively good area of NYC?

How has everyone's experience been their first year of
teaching? Where do you teachers live?
Any and all advice would be most helpful. Thanks!!

Stac2007 · 12-13-2008, 08:04 PM

I earned my master's degree in education and have been working as a substitute teacher for the city of New York for about a year now. Right now the city is not hiring anyone within the department of education. In fact I have been told by a number of principals that the department will begin to reduce the number of employees within its ranks. Sorry to give you bad news. What can I say but blame the economy.

Green Irish Eyes · 12-13-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stac2007

I earned my master's degree in education and have been working as a substitute teacher for the city of New York for about a year now. Right now the city is not hiring anyone within the department of education. In fact I have been told by a number of principals that the department will begin to reduce the number of employees within its ranks. Sorry to give you bad news. What can I say but blame the economy.

Also, there simply aren't a lot of elementary positions available, unless (perhaps) you're in a high-needs area such as Special Ed, ESL/Bilingual -- and even those positions are difficult to come by. Your chances of starting out in a "good school" are pretty slim, as those jobs tend to go to teachers who've been in the NYC system for a while.

Unfortunately, it's just not the best time to be looking for a teaching job in the city .....

Moderate Guy · 12-13-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_82

Hi everyone,

I recently earned my Master's degree in Elementary
Education and am seriously considered the move from
Chicago to New York for the 2009-2010 school year.

With that being said, what is the process really like in
order to obtain a teaching job? I am aware of the steps
involved (i.e. application, making sure my cert
requirements are met, demo lessons, etc.). But, do you
think that I will have a chance of becoming an elementary
teacher in a relatively good area of NYC?

How has everyone's experience been their first year of
teaching? Where do you teachers live?
Any and all advice would be most helpful. Thanks!!

Hi Pumpkin, I see you got some sagacious advice already - including from squeezebox, who I believe is also a teacher. There are two other NYC teachers - including one who teaches at the elementary level - who I'm sure will rspond soon.

I do teach but only adult education courses. I do however agree from what I've heard through the grapevine that now is not a great time for securing a job in the public school system and it's even tough in the private and parochial areas.

Best wishes whatever you decide to do.

Stac2007 · 12-13-2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squeezeboxgal

Also, there simply aren't a lot of elementary positions available, unless (perhaps) you're in a high-needs area such as Special Ed, ESL/Bilingual -- and even those positions are difficult to come by. Your chances of starting out in a "good school" are pretty slim, as those jobs tend to go to teachers who've been in the NYC system for a while.

Unfortunately, it's just not the best time to be looking for a teaching job in the city .....

Nor is it the best of time to have to pay back a student loan which financed your education degree. I am worried for the future. Perhaps I can build bridges but I have no idea how to.

Moderate Guy · 12-13-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stac2007

Nor is it the best of time to have to pay back a student loan which financed your education degree. I am worried for the future. Perhaps I can build bridges but I have no idea how to.

Stac, I'm hoping Congress will pass some measure that gives at least a temporary relief to graduates facing student loan repayment schedules in this dire economy.

xian791 · 12-13-2008, 10:27 PM

this reminds me of lunch forms that our school "forces" us to give in. If not we cannot participate in senior activities, joins clubs, sports, etc.....The school get money if they students gives em in and i heard if there are not enough, they might have to fire a couple of teachers whose been teaching for less than 5 years.

Moderate Guy · 12-13-2008, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xian791

this reminds me of lunch forms that our school "forces" us to give in. If not we cannot participate in senior activities, joins clubs, sports, etc.....The school get money if they students gives em in and i heard if there are not enough, they might have to fire a couple of teachers whose been teaching for less than 5 years.

xian, can you elaborate on these "lunch" forms?

Green Irish Eyes · 12-14-2008, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miles

xian, can you elaborate on these "lunch" forms?

Applications for free/reduced lunch -- schools want all students to turn them in, whether or not they're eligible. I don't know all the details, but there is some kind of funding attached to them .....

Moderate Guy · 12-14-2008, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squeezeboxgal

Applications for free/reduced lunch -- schools want all students to turn them in, whether or not they're eligible. I don't know all the details, but there is some kind of funding attached to them .....

Thanks for clarifying. I now understand xian's post better.