How difficult is it to get a teaching job in San Diego and surrounding area? (August: elementary school, college)

[mklepper82]

I think that hardest thing for you is that you have zero connections. However, Special Ed seems to always be in demand thanks to all of the ADA and equality requirements in CA.

I know many teachers that went straight from college to full time positions so I think the outlook is better than most believe. Having said that, I hope that you stay in NY because we have too many transplants as it is.

[houstonview]

15 San Diego School Districts Looking to Hire Teachers Amid 10-Year Shortage in Supply | NBC 7 San Diego

^^^ accords if this article it's a HUGE shortag, I'm confused after seeing these responses just last year.

I'm in special education in TEXAS 7 years of experience, I can teach special education, (SPED)adaptive P.E, (SPED) behavior emotional disorders

can I get a job in L.A San Diego area ?

[NJ Brazen_3133]

What are the chances of them laid off and unemployed teachers forming their own private school?

They can advertise, smaller classes, more attention, no peer pressure, no bullying.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by houstonview

can I get a job in L.A San Diego area ?

Yes.

[houstonview]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Yes.

Thank you any insight or tips ? I have an edjoin account I just apply on there as of now, working on sending out all my Texas certification information to get it approve out there, found the website that had all the information about the process. It was a lot of fees however.

I also have a masters in education administration working on passing the principal test.

But I just want a solid teaching job in southern Cali

[moved]

You'll have lots of competition, but you never know what will happen when you apply, but you'll probably have to work as a sub for a while, because you're not the only one that wants a solid teaching job in Southern California (not Cali!)

[houstonview]

Originally Posted by moved

You'll have lots of competition, but you never know what will happen when you apply, but you'll probably have to work as a sub for a while, because you're not the only one that wants a solid teaching job in Southern California (not Cali!)

I can't afford to only work as a sub for a year and not have steady income, so it's a full time spot or a no-go

[moved]

Originally Posted by houstonview

I can't afford to only work as a sub for a year and not have steady income, so it's a full time spot or a no-go

Don't count on getting a job right away, it can take a while or not happen at all. Like I said, even with the best qualifications, there's lots of competition. And it helps to "know" someone." I worked for www.sandi.net for 3 1/2 years, and saw lots of principals make very sure that the teacher(s) that they wanted were on the cert list, so that they could just "select" them without going through the interview process.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by houstonview

Thank you any insight or tips ? I have an edjoin account I just apply on there as of now, working on sending out all my Texas certification information to get it approve out there, found the website that had all the information about the process. It was a lot of fees however.

I also have a masters in education administration working on passing the principal test.

But I just want a solid teaching job in southern Cali

If you've looked for a teaching job before, you already know the drill: you'll have to pound the pavement and be proactive.

Since it sounds like you already have teaching experience, you probably already know the tips on this site as it is geared at newer teachers, but it is a good starting point: Find Teaching Jobs | TEACH California

Don't rely just on Edjoin.org. While it is true that most teaching positions are advertised there, it also is a good idea to get a list of all of the school districts and go to their individual websites to see what jobs might not have made it to EdJoin. Sometimes, sending out resumes directly to the district will also work. The Calif. Dept of Ed's DataQuest tool (link is on the TeachCalifornia site above) lets you research the projected teacher hiring for districts within different counties. While the data is put together in October of the previous year, it will at least give you an idea of which districts are likely to be the ones doing the most hiring, which can help you tailor your job search a bit.

If you just want a list of all of the districts in the county, the San Diego County Dept of Education has a list of all school districts in the county here: http://www.sdcoe.net/about-sdcoe/Pag...Districts.aspx I'm sure other counties have something similar.

Be open minded about location. If you're willing to work in urban and/or rural areas, you will find a bit less competition than in some of the suburban districts. Also, don't just look in San Diego County and Los Angeles County; include Ventura County, San Bernadino County, Riverside County, Orange County. Other parts of California also need teachers, and may have less people applying for openings.

Consider attending some of the regional teacher recruiting fairs in person. Some counties hold their own recruiting fairs. Here are a few examples:

http://www.teachincal.org/
http://www.sccoe.org/newsandfacts/TR...s/default.aspx
http://www.cccoe.k12.ca.us/supe/hr/jobfair_general.html
https://careers.usc.edu/eventcalenda...x.php?eID=2373

(I'd contact the sponsoring county to inquire about these events before flying out to them. Some of them will be just geared towards newer professionals. But, perhaps they could be a way to network to some extent).

Be open minded about type of school -- private and religious schools need teachers too. Try: http://www.calwesteducators.com/page/2251_Home.asp# (I don't have experience with this firm, just offering it as a sample).

Also, the Charter School movement is big here. Get familiar with the charter schools (if you google California Charter School list, you'll find a list). There are also some charter schools that specialize in homeschooling and/or distance education; they do hire teachers, although the pay isn't always great. But another option to consider.

Make sure you have your California teaching credential paperwork out of the way before you start applying. California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Most public schools want California EL certification. If you have the Texas equivalent, stress that on your resume/applications, and get your Calif. EL certification ASAP.

Finally: weigh carefully whether you can realistically live comfortably on a teacher's salary in high cost-of-living areas like San Diego County, Los Angeles, the Bay area, or Orange County. If you have a second income to rely on - say from your spouse's job - this may not be as much of an issue, but if you are relying only on your teaching salary, you may suffer a bit of a lifestyle adjustment moving from Texas to Southern California, even if you are earning a little more money than you are in Texas. The big challenge for the teachers I know is the cost of housing.

Anything is do-able with determination, of course, but do your research on this and think about it before deciding.

Good luck!

P.S., as moved mentioned, the two official abbreviations for California are either Calif. or CA, not Cali. Cali is just slang and actually not used by most people who live here. And, of course, the correct pronunciation of California is CaLUHfornia, not CaLEEEfornia, so even as slang 'Cali' is not quite correct. So, as a teacher, you might want to avoid using Cali

[houstonview]

Wow thanks for all the infomation ROSIESD !!!!

OK here's some more info, answers to your questions, & questions

As I stated my wife is a nurse in the (operating room) so yes we would live off 2 salaries, she has travel nurse recruiters connections that have already offered her positions in Southern California however I need to have job also when we make the move. We've saved for awhile for a new build home Downpayment in Texas but recently got cold feet. My wife really loves California and just wants to live a different lifestyle even if it's not forever, were born and raised in Texas. Even though I have a nice savings, I still don't want to move without income coming in, I don't want to go backwards only up : )


We've visited L.A twice and San Diego once. L.A recently for 3 days in January when she surprised me for my 30th birthday with tickets to Lakers/Rockets game. I am open to staying in areas not too far inland also if that's what it takes to get my foot in the door, I'm down for whatever. I make $60k teaching emotionally disturbed students currently at an elementary school, another $4k coming for summer school this summer. It's good money for out here with 2 salaries. However I see out there a lot of districts pay more for credentials, masters, etc... If you could give me more info on 7 years experince, masters, principal certification PENDING that's would be great !! For instance out here having a masters is only $1k jump, and like $300 extra every year you teach, it seems larger out there in California. But I may be wrong. Wife makes $30hr here, most jobs she see in her speciality are $40+ base or $50+ for contract jobs. She wants to contract as long as possible to use the free housing WIN/WIN. We also have a online startup business that's almost complete. (Another story)

I'm studying for my principal certification currently Ive already have approval to take the test due to my masters and principal internship I did for a semester while I taught at my school. I know that's a LONG shot or won't happen just moving out there landing an assistant principal job with no experince so I'm not even going to bother with that right now.

ROSISD also have you heard of a company called DirectED educational services ? They contract special education teachers and specialist wth charter schools on 1 year contracts in the L.A area.