Austin teachers with tips for getting a job (Houston, San Antonio: house, look for a job)

[CATXTransplant]

My sister is a first year Kindergarten teacher in FL and is planning to move here at the end of the school year and look for a job in Austin. Ideally, she'd like to work in the Leander school district so she can live/work close to us. However, she is open to Round Rock, Austin ISD, Lake Travis, or Eanes. She's currently planning to come in March for Leander's Job Fair and is researching the job fairs for the other districts. I was just wondering if any current teachers had any advice for her. It's always hard to know the inside scoop when you're living in another state. Thanks in advance for any helpful input.

Also, just to clarify, I've read the other posts. I'm or suggestions other than "go to the websites, etc..."

[Trainwreck20]

Those are all 'preferred' school districts. I do not know specifically about any of their hiring situations, those types of districts are typically harder to get a job in compared to AISD, HISD, etc. My sister had taught for some years in the Houston area and wanted to move to a preferred school district near San Antonio. It took her almost two years of applications, knocking on doors, trips to visit (harass?) the principle, etc. before she got the job. She was also very qualified with years of experience, recognition, and historically had taken on unwanted roles (curriculum director, etc). They had file cabinets full of qualified applicants most of the time. It may be that your sister will have to settle for AISD if she is in a particular hurry, and try to 'jump' to a new district when her contract runs out at AISD. Or, she may find she likes where she is in AISD .

Anyway, when the economy goes south, there tend to be quite a few returning teachers (spouse got laid off, so the other one goes back to teaching) or new teachers (got laid off/realtor job is not so lucrative/etc) that enter the teaching application pool. Not trying to be negative, but to get exactly what you want may be harder than you think.

[woodinvilleguy]

LISD is having an open house for hiring in March. "LISD Teacher Job Fair Set for March 7, 2009" see leanderisd.org for details. They are in the middle of building a bunch of new schools so they will be hiring. I've heard that the job fairs draw a huge crowd.

[CATXTransplant]

Thanks woodinvilleguy. She just booked her flight yesterday to come for that job fair. I guess I was just hoping someone would have tips for getting a "leg up" on the competition. I've put her in touch with some local teachers I know. Maybe they will have some good suggestions.

[ohio2texas]

I hate to say this, as it will be cutting it close for your sister... but don't let her get too discouraged too soon. Many times, jobs are first filled with transfers from within the district, people who know people, etc. A lot of teaching jobs are filled at the end of July and early August when people start making last minute decisions and held out until they knew "for sure" of another job. Best of luck to your sister. Feel free to PM me if she has questions concerning getting certified in Texas. I went through all of that almost three years ago moving here from Ohio.

[fauve]

Is it any easier for a high school math teacher - alg2, pre-cal, cal, etc.?

[Trainwreck20]

Generically speaking, secondary and especially science teachers tend to be in higher demand. Don't know about Austin or any of the surrounding school districts in particular, though.

[fauve]

Thanks...

[chickenfry]

Leander ISD opened a new hs fall 2008 with freshman only, next year it will fresh/soph. Rouse HS In the fall they will open an additional hs with fresh/soph. Vandergrift HS. Stands to reason they would be hiring hs math teachers in the leander district

[fauve]

Good to know chickenfry!