No luck in Oregon - Please help (Portland, Salem: credit, budget)

[jpgripp]

I'm a second career teacher (44 years old, three years exp. as a 5th -8th grade teacher ) who moved to Portland last fall with a full CA CLAD MS credential. It took me until early spring to obtain a basic OR license and become comfortable using EDZAPP. I'm willing to accept a job all but the Southernmost counties and I've sent out electronic apps and zapps to approximately forty districts with just one interview request so far. Four years ago when I was transmitting the same essential data throughout CA (via EDJOIN), I was averaging three to five interviews a week! What am I missing? I have added experience, glowing references from my three year tenure at my former school, BTSA and COMP certification to my "package" - shouldn't I be getting some bites? One thing, I felt like I was getting the brushoff from the district booth gatekeepers when I attended the Portland job fair. Later in the day, while washing up in the restroom, I caught a look at my own, lived in, 44 year old image and suddenly felt a bit out of place amongst the vast throngs of fresh, youthful faces around me. I'm trying to quell the demoralizing impulse to start "shadowboxing" and would like to recieve some objective, professional input from a person or a service with the eyes and the inside knowledge, specific to Oregon's public education system, that might see what I'm missing. I'm a damn good teacher! However, this whole experience is starting to get to me. Please help!

Jeremy

[Nell Plotts]

Contact one of the med sized districts and ask for an informational interview. Ask about teacher openings state-wide, credentials for a start. You need to start networking.

[slaz]

Not being an insider and not even in the business of education but a former OR resident think that the market may be flooded with apps. When I lived there most people couldn't keep up with rising housing costs caused by the large influx of folks moving in from out of state.

Network, network, network!

[Leisesturm]

... and stop subscribing to the defeatist groupthink. If you are feeling old and tired looking at 44 then I at 50's front porch should just shoot myself. Not going to happen. "Just For Men" and a three mile run 3x/wk is going to keep me in the game as against all advice I moved here with around 3 mo. living expenses. I am going to make it, you will also if you keep the "I'm a damn good teacher!" energy going.

H

[Pickerind]

Hello there! I'm 22 yo and I just finished my masters in teaching. I was also at the Portland job fair, and I know what you mean about getting the "brushoff". It's funny that you mention your age though because I feel my youth is a liability. Also my thoughts on EdZapp... I think it's crapp. Honestly, do Zaps do anything??
Anyway, there's still time... and, although it's scary, I've heard that some people don't get jobs until August. So hang in there

[MtnSurfer]

What about the WA side? I know you have been working hard to find something in OR but would you consider widening your net and looking across the river?

The reason I ask is that we have relatives in the Fisher's Landing area who love it there. Camas is also supposed to be very good in terms of high a quality education system. Plus there is no state income tax in WA so that is another plus in working there.

Lastly how about other areas of the state such as Salem, Corvallis, or the coast?

[esya]

Hair dye aside, women's faces age faster and women are thought to be older sooner. I get high profile top three interviews frequently enough to know it isn't anything but the "fit" when someone else gets it--and women past their mating years somehow don't have that extra je ne sais whatever. Since it isn't interview skills (I am in the HR biz AND I used to get anything I interviewed for) there is only one thing left. Most people believe that women have more health problems, complain more, and don't have the same leadership qualities as men even if they are not aware their bias.

Come on, don't you think Hillary would have had a slightly better result if she'd gone for a face lift before the campaign? I did, and I am directly in her demographic. Don't blame yourself--but it wouldn't hurt to follow other advice, especially the one about networking and also to find out where they need you the most--which may well be southern Oregon.

[scone]

Your age might be a factor, but maybe not quite the way you might think. The housing and credit meltdown is starting to impact school budgets, and the schools are looking to cut costs any way they can. My county is almost bankrupt. An older teacher might be perceived as too expensive, or perhaps costing more in benefits. In any case, hiring has slowed way down in Oregon across the board, and this recession will get worse before it gets better. IIWY I'd cast the widest net possible, even out of state, or stick to your current employment until things get better.

[sidhesadie]

I have several clients who are teachers, some new some with experience and all are still looking after over a year.
There is NOT a teacher shortage in Oregon for the most part (possibly in rural eastern oregon, but that'd be it.)
There are a surplus of teachers for a limited number of positions here, it's not you it's the market.

I went 2 years ago to the college and met with an advisor in the teaching Master's program and was told that I shouldn't bother unless I wanted to leave the state.

[Summertime]

Willamette ESD Human Resources

It lists several good education jobs
in the Salem area.