Becoming a History teacher in NC- how hard is it to land a job in the Triad? (Earl: 2013, find a job)

[arstal]

My situation: My job is in peril due to government cutbacks, but I am in a pretty good position if the hammer does fall. I took care of myself, and I have some GI Bill, so I'm in a position to do something I want to do, but I need to find a job. I estimate $30k/yr is easily enough for me to live on and enjoy life.
I did get an econ degree seven years ago, but took another career path (which paid the same with less stress) due to the 2008 crisis, but that career may be ending, and I don't see the skillset applying to many other jobs.

Questions:
How many years is it to get a pension? That would probably determine my retirement age in the long run, and is early retirement possible?

How hard is it to get a job in the area? I know NC is considered the worst state for teachers, but the area is pretty good and I want to stay here.

Is it much easier for teachers in other disciplines? Teaching is not something I'm dead set on, but it's something I'd want to try, an I am petified of ending up in retail.

[LLN]

I would discourage you from entering the teaching field, anywhere, but especially in NC. The low pay is just the start. But That is all I will say.

Unfortunately, in K-8, there is no End of Grade history test. There is something they have concocted, MSL, or something like that, but History is clearly the less equal of equals, thus less critical. May be different in high school.

Even so, I suspect based on the departure or a large number of teachers from the profession or from NC, finding a job may not be all that difficult, but then you have to ask yourself, "Why was there an opening?"

Having said that, I would put your prospects at 0 if you are not licensed, certified, or whatever. Just entering teaching from another field, in the real world, without student teaching and a certificate seldom if ever happens. No matter how qualified you are in your current field. The district faces too much liability hiring you. And there are plenty of others with the credentials.

If you are still interested, I suggest going to the NC DPI web site, where you can find a listing of all districts and then searching them, one by one, to see which one has openings in history. An hour spent getting a specific answer, will be worth much more than a few minutes spent getting a general one.

I would sleep on this another night, then go look for something else! Go to community college and get a med tech degree or something like that. Dental Hygenists get great pay, much more than teachers, and work four days a week!

[booney56]

Teach Math, high school or middle school...if you want to work...almost anywhere in the state. There are a number of lateral entry programs that may let you start teaching while you are working. There are some programs where you work towards a masters degree in education (with any undergraduate degree). Others where you just earn a teaching certificate. The lateral entry programs in NC vary from district to district. In 15 minutes using google you can find a lot of information. They also are starting to pay science and Math teachers more (I think?)

IF you would teach Math, I'm pretty sure you could find a credential program that lets you start teaching immediately, while you take either night classes or on-line classes.

Also...Charter schools are booming in NC (cap was recently lifted), and certification is not required...

Retirement..
State Retirement System

There are various options...it's pretty generous. Early retirement is possible with partial benefits. Of course people are critical of teacher salaries...but consider a college graduate...starts working at 22...can retire with full benefits at 52...not bad. Take a year off...and you can start working again...double dipping...

You are starting late...you can retire with partial benefits after age 50 with 20 years service...

Also...when you are getting closer to retirement...take some night classes to get a masters in administration...work as a principal for three years....nice boost in salary...and retirement income....

[jaynarie]

Nation wide, social studies is by far the most saturated secondary certification. Many of those jobs are tied to coaching positions, for some reason.

There is no pension in NC. (Or most states for that matter.)

The positives- the NC market is easier than most. It will probably get even easier if this exodus keeps happening.

FWIW- I moved to NC in 2007 specifically for a teaching job. (Elementary) I left in June of 2013. I had to work 25-30 hours a week retail to make ends meet. I reached a point where I was tired of pulling 80-90 hour work weeks with nothing to show for it. Here in Michigan, where I live near my family, is a really tough market. 5000+ applicants per position is normal here. NC gets 50-200ish.

[October_Pumpkin]

It doesn't sound like you have a passion for teaching. To be a successful teacher, you have to really care about the kids and really love what you teach, because you'll spend countless hours looking for resources to teach it in the most interesting way possible. You'll also have a host of children with challenges in your classroom: some can't speak a word of English, some are just learning English, some have ADD, some have learning disabilities, and you have to teach them all. You need a passion for the kids to be able to teach them all.

It sounds like you're just falling into the job because hey, it sounds better than retail. I promise you will not last without passion for it. I was passionate about teaching, but even so it was snuffed out of me after 5 years (it's a profession with a 50% turnover in 5 years).

Find something you're passionate about.

[October_Pumpkin]

Originally Posted by jaynarie

There is no pension in NC. (Or most states for that matter.)

Huh? There is a pension in every state I've heard of.

[roadpony]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jaynarie

There is no pension in NC. (Or most states for that matter.)

Originally Posted by October_Pumpkin

Huh? There is a pension in every state I've heard of.

I think you're dealing with semantics. Teachers come under the State of NC retirement system, but it's not a pension per se.

See this thread where one of the posters provides information about NC's state employees' retirement system. See post #79.


BTW, I agree that the OP doesn't appear to have a passion for teaching, which IMO, is critical for success in that profession.

[jaynarie]

Originally Posted by October_Pumpkin

Huh? There is a pension in every state I've heard of.

Many (maybe most) have gotten rid of their pension system. People have been grandfathered in, but many teachers hired in the last 10 or so years are not eligible for a pension.

Sure, they have retirement plans. But pensions are a thing of the past.

[October_Pumpkin]

Yeah, semantics. To me, money until you die is a pension. I don't know about most states dropping pensions/whatever they're called. FL recently upped their vesting requirements from 6 to 8 years of service (knowing darn well most people don't stick around that long). They're certainly making it tougher.

[booney56]

NC state employees have a defined benefit pension plan.

They contribute 6% of salary. Benefit is based on years of service, and last 4 years of salary.