Teaching in DC (teaching jobs, school districts, college)

[kctx25]

My husband and I are considering making the move to DC. I just finished my teacher certification in TX and I am wondering how difficult is it to obtain certification in DC? Also, how is the market in the teaching field right now?

[colonialsfan]

I'm actually applying for teaching jobs in Virginia, but the market is always pretty good for teachers, especially in math/science/special ed.

[kctx25]

I am elementary education, but I have contemplated testing for a science 4-8 certification. Is it hard to get a position in Virginia or Maryland near DC?

[lokahi]

I would do a search of this site and the Maryland / Northern VA sites in citydata. DC Schools are really awful, but Arlington County and City of Alexandria are two of the better school districts. They are both in VA. I would check out the Northern VA forum on this site as well. Good luck

[kctx25]

Thank You!! I will definitely check out both! I have heard about DC schools and the politics (ofcourse) involved in the schools.

[lokahi]

Also, there are alot of great private schools that are always looking for teachers. You can google all of the different private schools in the DC / NOVA / MD area...

Stay positive and hang in there. DC Public Schools still have a long way to go before I would teach in them. Michelle Rhee is doing a lot to change them, but it's still not a great situation. Several of my friends taught at DC Public Schools and they swore that they would never return!

[Emma_Laya]

I teach in a DC public school. Ahem. I actually really like my job. But that may have something to do with the fact that I have *always* wanted a job teaching in DC.

Don't get me wrong, it's not easy. It's tough. It's hard. It's scary. The pay is horrible. But if you really want to, I say go for it. It's a really good experience.

Although, my old school was much a piece of cake compared to the one I'm teaching in now.

Check out this site: Be the Difference: TeachDC

It's a great source.

[kctx25]

Thanks! I actually worked for an inner city high school in Houston and that was no cake walk! I have my certification in EC-4 and I have been wanting to add 9-12 Social Studies since my major in college was political science (my real passion, politics). Should I go ahead and do it in TX first or wait to do it whereve I end up? All I have to do here is take the test and apply to add it to my certificate. It appears that MD's certification process for out-of-state candidates with less than 2 years of experience is easier than DC or VA. Do you think that only have one year of teaching experience will make it difficult to obtain certification in DC or VA?

[lokahi]

I would take whichever cert will give you as much reciprocity with another state. In FL, they have one of the toughest certs and it gives reciprocity with alot of other states.