Teachers (or people who know about the teaching profession) of LA and SD, I am in need of your advice (Pasadena: job outlook, school district)

[d_vader123]

I live in NJ, and I may have job offers in LA and SD. Moving to either location will depend on my wife's job outlook. She's a highly qualified and experienced high school math teacher in NJ (over a decade of teaching). But if she can't get a job out west, then my extra salary won't mean too much. Initially, I didn't want to think about this until I was hired, but I also think it's a good idea to plan ahead whenever possible.

My questions are:

1. How easy is it to find a job as a high school math teacher in the Pasadena and surrounding area?
2. What kind of salary should she expect?
3. How does LA and SD teaching compare? Specifically, do teachers find that LA teaching is more enjoyable than in SD, or vice versa? (I know that last question requires someone who taught at both places, but I threw that in there just in case someone can answer it.)
4. Are there websites that she can use to find a math teaching job at public or private schools? In NJ, you just have look through every school's employment website. Is there a single website that gathers teaching specific job ads for people to look through?
4. Any other info I should know or consider when it comes to finding a teaching job in math in Pasadena area and SD?

I'll be posting the same message in the SD forum, but just curious to know your thoughts. TIA.

[harhar]

edjoin.org

I only know OC, but salaries in the general metro are usually comparable.

Private schools generally pay less than public schools.

Starting teacher salary at a public school (depending on education) are around 50-60k.

You may have to renew your credential...if teaching at a public school.

I don't know about the demand currently.

(not a teacher, but have worked at a school district for 10+ years)

[d_vader123]

Originally Posted by harhar

edjoin.org

I only know OC, but salaries in the general metro are usually comparable.

Private schools generally pay less than public schools.

Starting teacher salary at a public school (depending on education) are around 50-60k.

You may have to renew your credential...if teaching at a public school.

I don't know about the demand currently.

(not a teacher, but have worked at a school district for 10+ years)

Thank you for that. When you say that private schools pay less, I am wondering if that's still true at the most prestigious private schools.

I know this would be your opinion, but I would like to know.

[harhar]

AFAIK, private schools just pay less across the board, no matter where, around 10-15k less per year. Benefits seem to be worse as well.

The trade offs are, not having to have a credential, less restrictions in what and how you teach, and usually better students/student behavior.

In the public schools at least here in CA and at least in the district where I work, you get great benefits, guaranteed time off, a decent salary and great retirement....but you're dealing with more student problems, bureaucracy and must be credentialed.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by d_vader123

When you say that private schools pay less, I am wondering if that's still true at the most prestigious private schools.

The best private schools in Pasadena are Poly and Westridge, so you could check there.

Polytechnic School | A K-12, coed day school in Pasadena, CA
Westridge School for Girls: Job Opportunities

You could also check on Harvard Westlake: http://www.hw.com/

[d_vader123]

One last question. Even though the salaries are lower, are your kids guaranteed to attend these expensive school for free? That would offset the low salaries, right?

[NJ Brazen_3133]

Private schools pay less? Isnt it usually the other way around?

[harhar]

Originally Posted by d_vader123

One last question. Even though the salaries are lower, are your kids guaranteed to attend these expensive school for free? That would offset the low salaries, right?

I think some do offer either tuition assistance or let staff's children attend for free.

[harhar]

Originally Posted by NJ Brazen_3133

Private schools pay less? Isnt it usually the other way around?

In other private sector jobs definitely. Teaching is just different. Probably something to do with the huge CTA/union lobbies. But it's like that in most states, I think.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by harhar

I think some do offer either tuition assistance or let staff's children attend for free.

Gosh, $34,800 for the upper school now @ Poly. That's quite a tuition check...