Teacher moving to Phoenix

[Finger Laker]

although there is nothing wrong with working in Deer Valley or Litchfield Park.............

I will agree that you do not need to know spanish - unless it is a specific, transitional program in certain schools the use of spanish in the classroom for instructional purposes is illegal .... AZ is an english immersion state

I would definitely recommend getting highly qualified in math and really anything else that you can - this will open the door for not only HS opportunities, but also middle school positions

job climate isn't great right now - but it's still a lot better than some other places for teaching

[adolpho]

It's going to be very difficult to get a teaching job here. The biggest tax increase in State history is likely to fail (with good reason), and they are going to be scereaming bloody murder.

[houruh1]

I appreciate the insight on teaching in Phoenix. I will work towards becoming highly qualified in math as it seems this will help in the coming years.

[shadow91]

my brother taught at a school, won't say where, but it was 3rd-5th graders, terrible, he couldn't wait for his contract to be up. Be careful where you go.

[sidrah]

You can sub anywhere, but most districts will not hire you unless you are fully certified and highly qualified in your area. It is not true anymore that just having a piece of paper with the degree on it is enough. My district just riffed 33 people some with 1 year experience and others with almost 10.

I know Maricopa District is hiring and I have gotten many job offers from Phoenix to Casa Grande area but I have 10 plus years in special ed and am HS and SPed certified, so that is not the norm. Usually at the very end of the hiring term districts are allotted X amount of emergency certs, but for the last 2 years, that hasn't been happening.

[ibarrio]

Originally Posted by Ajpos

I am a veteran of the Phoenix Teaching Fellows and could probably answer your questions. First, I'll spend a few minutes clarifying some things that others have said.

1.) You don't need to know Spanish to be a teacher here. It's illegal for you to teach in Spanish anyway. Even if you taught a class full of students who spoke NO ENGLISH AT ALL, you would not be allowed to teach them in any language other than English.

2.) Schools are looking to do whatever they can to cut costs right now, and making new hires isn't on the list. HOWEVER, despite what everyone in this thread is saying, I know that my school will have one position open next year for a sixth grade math/science teacher. That position will only be available if ELD programs do not get cut.

3.) Don't worry about neighborhoods/school districts. If teaching jobs become available, the PTF will set you up with what you need to know. (And trust me, you wouldn't be working in Deer Valley or Litchfield Park.)

You forgot to clarify that all teachers still need to have SEI training.

[sidrah]

Pretty much the only deficiency you will be allowed is AZ and/or US Consitution class. I came from out of state so I had to take classes, which were no big deal, but yeah, it is true about the SEI. Contracts won't be returned on some districts until June, so some won't even know of openings until then.

[Ajpos]

Originally Posted by ibarrio

You forgot to clarify that all teachers still need to have SEI training.

It's provided to all Phoenix Teaching Fellows during their first year teaching.