teaching jobs in PA (Allentown, Bethlehem: 2009, home, schools)

[mm_mary73]

Originally Posted by mm_mary73

Go South, young man!!!!!!!!

NC is crying for experienced teachers, especially science and math. We have more to our state than Raleigh or Charlotte!! Plus - relocation bonuses....

I take it back - no teachers here that I know make 70K - "Stay North, young man!!!"

[shcoop]

I moved to PA after three years teaching in FLA. I earned my Masters degree with honors in PA, I have worked in public High schools for over 13 years. I am certified in PA in two areas. I have been here six months and can't find a job. I have had several good interviews but can't understand why I havn't been hired yet.
There is really tough competition here for every teaching job. Unless you are certified in Special Ed or a Reading specialist forget it. Maybe if you are certified in some science like physics or chemisty . . .
Your coaching experience will NOT help they don't care they have plenty of coaches. If you are willing to teach in the worst school in the city of Philly maybe, BUT there are NO jobs in the subburban schools.
I know the pay is poor in FLA by compairison but stay in the sunshine state if you want to work as a teacher.

[shcoop]

Real figures: I was at a job interview last week and interviewer passed me a contract to see for myself. This "Mid-state" district started new teachers with BA and NO experience at 36K. The scale went up to 78K, but that was with a PHD and over 25 years experience.
People need to stop with the pay rumors and get real facts. The only way for teachers to get fair pay is for everyone to know the TRUTH and stop the secret salery rumors.

[Oldiebutgoodie26]

^ AMEN! Well said!
And may I add, about the "if you just wait a couple of years, every teacher in PA will retire, and there will be tons of jobs" idea? I heard that in '93 when everyone who was enrolled in college graduated with an el. ed degree. It did not happen then, and it's not happening now. You will be wasting your precious time, waiting for that job opening, and your life will pass you by. I have seen it too many times. It's not that you are subpar teachers. This state is simply glutted with applicants. And the promise of "$70,000 a year salary rumors" keeps some people here, hoping that an elusive job will happen. Take it from people who know- this is not a state that needs teachers. Unless you are a high school science/higher math teacher, I would recommend you look elsewhere. Yes, it can be done, but most of the people I know who have secured a job in the past (and this is not a rumor) have gotten it by another teacher falling ill, or moving b/c of a spouse & their job. I've known three who snuck in after a retirement, but that's it. And none of them make anywhere near $70,000.

Oh, again with the negativity! Sorry! I just have not seen openings for new teachers. Go move where you can work. There ARE actually places where they are hiring- just not in PA. And I know that years ago you could sub and let them "get to know how wonderful you are"- and they would hire you. That doesn't happen much, either. There's not a need, and they will keep you as a sub. Many districts will not hire their subs- if you are willing to wait for that 5:30 AM call- they are going to keep you on the sub list. I see it as a no-win situation.

[soulsurv]

Originally Posted by shcoop

I.
There is really tough competition here for every teaching job. Unless you are certified in Special Ed or a Reading specialist forget it. Maybe if you are certified in some science like physics or chemisty . . .
(

I'm a part-time (by choice) teacher of Secondary English. Because I want a flexible schedule, I teach Homebound students ranging from $26.00 to $30.00 per hour, no benes. You are correct. As I peruse the various school districts websites, I see a great need for reading and spec. ed. Interestingly, the target for special ed is not so much the mentally challenged but the emotionally challenged. "Alternative Ed" for youth-at-risk is multiplying. I teach one class of that per week as well. I'm talking about the burbs, now; not the city. I got the alternative ed job simply by calling the "Pupil Services" divisions of each district until I found one who needed an English teacher. It was pretty easy.

If one is really serious about teaching, it may not be a bad idea to look into special ed certification. If I were younger I'd do that in a moment. That way, you can market yourself for administering the program, teaching your specialty and also offering coaching/sports as part of the program. EDUCATION IS SHIFTING to this population very quickly.

[snapline]

There are salaries of this caliber available in Pennsylvania, BUT these are on the top level of salary schedules, usually thirty [30+] years of experience PLUS many credits beyond the typical Master's Degree. Graduate credits are very expensive and are now required to maintain certification with Pennsylvania. An individual must continue to obtain graduate credits on a continual basis throughout one's career, if he or she is to maintain certification. How many professions require that from within their ranks?
Educators in general are very underpaid for what is expected of them!

I can tell you, that the salary for the 'beginning teacher' is moving upward rapidly!.There are districts now, that are offering $40,000.00 to new college grads, 1st year out from school!
Not bad when one when one considers my starting pay as an educator was $6,300. my first year!

Many positions becoming available very soon in PA., as the retirements start to take effect.
Hang in there!
Snapline

[ginalouisediprospero]

i student taught in the UCFSD and starting salaries for UG w. Bach degress is upper $30's. To make $90 you need Masters and all the extra credits up to 60The co-op I had makes in the $90 but he has been teaching 30 years and he has completed all the credits possible to attain that salary. Its a great district but tough to get into.

[toobusytoday]

This thread is a year old. Any reason to bump it up? But as long as it's here..... Allentown school district had a bumper crop of retirees this year and I understand there are still openings.

[wordzgirl]

This is an old post, but still so true. My husband is a recent el ed grad and we're currently planning a move to SC so he can teach. Pittsburgh is as bad as the rest of the state as far as openings. The old "lots of retirees" thing is an urban myth, too.

[toobusytoday]

This is from the July 26 edition of the Morning Call, "Allentown struggles with teacher shortage" Allentown struggles with teacher shortage -- themorningcall.com. I personally know some of the recent hires for our school district. One of the things the ones I know have in common is that they were long term subs and/or they are from this area.