Need advice about school science teaching jobs (Houston, St. Jo: how much, best schools)

[annals]

A friend of mine is looking at a career change. Since he has a Ph.D. in physics and lots of teaching experience, I thought maybe he could teach physics and math at a good prep or private school. I have no idea about what the best schools for STEM are in Houston, how much they pay and where to find these job postings. Can anyone please advise?


Thanks!

[Cousin A]

You can find many of the private schools in the area on the Houston Area Independent Schools web site. Schools often list position openings on their web sites.

A Ph.D. with no high school teaching experience or teacher education may find an uphill battle in looking for a teaching job. That said, some of the top private schools such as Kinkaid and St. John's both have STEM strengths and like to tout the advanced educational credentials of their faculty. If your has a lot of college-level teaching experience it can't hurt to apply. But if your friend is serious about a career switch to high school teaching, he might give some thought to continuing education coursework through Rice or UH. A head of school may look more favorably on someone who has demonstrated a real investment in a career shift, as opposed to someone whose funding has dried up and is looking for a new gig. (Not saying that is your friend's situation, but it's not uncommon to see this.)

Pay in private schools is typically in step with the Houston school district pay scale. The perks may be better at some of the more elite schools (low ratios, fringe benefits, free food, etc.) but as far as I know, no schools have teacher salaries well above the school district's rates.

[annals]

Thanks for your great reply! Yes, you've hit it on the head -- his funding is running out and there are few chances of getting it from other sources. He does have lots of college teaching experience, though, and really enjoys it. I'll pass this advice on.

Originally Posted by Cousin A

You can find many of the private schools in the area on the Houston Area Independent Schools web site. Schools often list position openings on their web sites.

A Ph.D. with no high school teaching experience or teacher education may find an uphill battle in looking for a teaching job. That said, some of the top private schools such as Kinkaid and St. John's both have STEM strengths and like to tout the advanced educational credentials of their faculty. If your has a lot of college-level teaching experience it can't hurt to apply. But if your friend is serious about a career switch to high school teaching, he might give some thought to continuing education coursework through Rice or UH. A head of school may look more favorably on someone who has demonstrated a real investment in a career shift, as opposed to someone whose funding has dried up and is looking for a new gig. (Not saying that is your friend's situation, but it's not uncommon to see this.)

Pay in private schools is typically in step with the Houston school district pay scale. The perks may be better at some of the more elite schools (low ratios, fringe benefits, free food, etc.) but as far as I know, no schools have teacher salaries well above the school district's rates.