[jaida]

Hi, everyone. I'm desperately seeking a teaching job (prefer 1st grade, but can teach K-5). I could less whether it's in a public, private, or charter school. I live in the greater Detroit area right now, but would like to move elsewhere in Michigan (somewhere less populated and cleaner for my kids). And besides, I've already applied for over a hundred teaching jobs in the Tri-County area (Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb) with no luck.

I was fortunate to get a couple of job interviews. They both went well, but I am ultimately turned down because of my limited experience teaching in a public school. I did 15 weeks of student teaching in a 1st grade public school classroom (LOVED it!!!), but the only other major experience I have is teaching enrichment classes at a private school. I created a curriculum from scratch and managed the students well (I have a glowing recommendation from the principal), but that amounts to diddly squat when there are so many unemployed teachers looking for work.

The competition is so fierce in the Detroit area; does anyone here know of a Michigan school in need of a certified elementary teacher (and they don't mind limited teaching experience)? I am ready to relocate!

[Tricia819]

No there aren't. I've been looking for three years all over the state.

[jaida]

Why is it not surprising that this would be my first response? Phooey on this rotten job market!

Tricia, sorry to hear it's been three years of looking. If it's not too personal, may I ask what line of work you've taken on during this job slump? My husband and I are both seeking work, so I need to find something to get our family by.

I signed up with PESG for substitute teaching (still have to get fingerprinted and attend the orientation meeting), but I hear even that is iffy, with assignments being sporadic. I've been looking at opportunities in other job fields, but I'm either not qualified or the pay is not enough to live on. I'm stumped for a solution.

[Tricia819]

Yeah, I'm pretty much in the same boat. I've signed up with PESG, and you're right it is sporatic at best. I've heard stories of people who pay others to continually check the website for them to grab jobs while they are working.

I've registered to sub at a couple charter schools, and the work is a bit more reliable, but still, you can work everyday one week and then not work again for three months.

Sadly, even with charter schools this doesn't guarantee you a foot in the door. For example, the main school I was subbing at hired five new teachers last year. None of them had ever subbed in the building before, and one of the parapros who is a certified teacher was even passed over. There's no rhyme or reason to it that I've been able to figure out. I've heard some won't hire their subs full time because they have a sub shortage.

I wish I could offer you a solution. I've been applying EVERYWHERE! I figure I can work a second job and still sub to keep myself relevant, but I can't even get an interview at McDonalds.

[Coldjensens]

My wife signed up with one of those substitute teacher things and she got called pretty steadily after the first few months. Tehy seemd to really like her becuase she did not treat it as just babysitting. Some schools would call her on Sunday to get her before the any other school could call. There were some weeks though with no assignments and those weeks were tough becuase we came to rely on the extra income. The pay is terrible. She turned down some assignments because of the distance. It simply was not worth it after paying for the gas. I think that they pay $65 or $75 per day.

One school asked her if she was credentialed and when she said no, they said that they would offer her a job if she went and got a teaching credential. That was a magnet school I think.

Some schools are getting rid of their older and more expensive teachers through early retirement programs, and hiring younger cheaper teachers in order to save money. However the competition is fierce. I heard that one district near us that advertised for a postion got 1200 resumes. You had better shine in some manner if you want to compete in that morass. However advanced degrees will not help you becuase districts are looking for cheaper teachers. You need to shine in some other way.

[zthatzmanz28]

Originally Posted by Tricia819

No there aren't. I've been looking for three years all over the state.

I have been waiting for almost 24 months to hear from ANYONE (except a charter school... )

I have a SpEd endorsement (K--12) and language arts..

Still in exile...

[Tricia819]

Originally Posted by zthatzmanz28

I have been waiting for almost 24 months to hear from ANYONE (except a charter school... )

I have a SpEd endorsement (K--12) and language arts..

Still in exile...

Really? All the openings I've seen were for SpED!

Yeah "shining" is really hard for me. I really suck at interviews, but I think I'm getting better.

The funny thing is about getting an advanced degree is that teachers must by Michigan law have 6 semester hours before they can renew their certification, and 12 to get their professional certificate then we can switch to continuing education credits, but even then you don't get a raise unless you get that advanced degree. So by letting teachers with a masters degree go, they are basically discouraging teachers from improving themselves beyond what is required to keep our certification current. How is that good for students? And I can honestly say, I did not feel completely prepared to teach until I started my graduate program. I've only taken one class, but I learned so much that will make me a better teacher.

I think they really LOVE candidates with coaching ability. So if you can coach anything really sell that point!

[michiganmom72]

Try garden city schools. Seems they are always looking for people. At least in my experience.

[Tricia819]

Thanks for the tip!

[sunshineann]

Traverse City School District has openings i seen on their website...im not sure as to full or part.