[msbuff]

My boyfriend and I are teachers in NC and looking to relocate to an urban area in Michigan. We both have master's degrees and 8+ years of experience. I am certified in many areas (K-12 language arts, social studies, math, and science) and he is certified PE/Health and has extensive experience as an assistant football and head baseball coach. What are our chances of getting teaching jobs? We both have an interest and some experience with special education and have considered trying to add this to our certification. What areas are affordable and fun for young professionals? We are ready for a move and would appreciate any advice you can offer!
Thanks!!

[zthatzmanz28]

Finding a teaching job in MI ? Might have more luck with a Mega-Million ticket. To be certified in MI for subjects, you need to have course work. If your certs from NC are just passing the PRAXIS, it will not get you a MI cert in that area.

[msbuff]

Thanks for the info! From what I have read, I have enough course work to be considered highly qualified in middle school math and any elementary subject. My other certifications are from the HOUSSE process. My boyfriend has enough coursework in both physical education and health to meet these standards. We are not dead set on Michigan, I just happened to have family near Detroit. We just need to get out of NC. Teachers here haven't seen a pay increase in 3 years and won't for at least 3 more.

[danielj72]

Originally Posted by msbuff

Thanks for the info! From what I have read, I have enough course work to be considered highly qualified in middle school math and any elementary subject. My other certifications are from the HOUSSE process. My boyfriend has enough coursework in both physical education and health to meet these standards. We are not dead set on Michigan, I just happened to have family near Detroit. We just need to get out of NC. Teachers here haven't seen a pay increase in 3 years and won't for at least 3 more.

Teaching jobs are very tough here. There are alot of people looking for regular ed elementary positions, the middle school math is your best chance. Your boyfriend has an even tougher prospect here with physical education. Really the best bet in Michigan right now is special education, or high school math and science.

[zthatzmanz28]

Originally Posted by msbuff

Thanks for the info! From what I have read, I have enough course work to be considered highly qualified in middle school math and any elementary subject. My other certifications are from the HOUSSE process. My boyfriend has enough coursework in both physical education and health to meet these standards. We are not dead set on Michigan, I just happened to have family near Detroit. We just need to get out of NC. Teachers here haven't seen a pay increase in 3 years and won't for at least 3 more.

And it's killing us. But even if I could get a SpEd position in MI I do not think I would return. All things considered, COL is better when the utilities are not over $300 a month and the snow isn't waist deep. Michigan has some benefits like higher salaries but the teaching conditions have been declining in recent years.
Yu might look at NoVA or TN? I believe you need 20 or 30 hours to be HQ in MI. I had to take an elementary test to meet HQ in high school resource room just before I moved to NC.
You might also look at western MI around Grand Rapids or Kzoo. The Detroit suburbs have lots of districts. Not like NC where it is the entire county right? I would probably look south of I 96 -- Lansing, Ann Arbor, Detroit Metro, Grand Rapids / Kzoo if you wanrt to be in a more urban setting. Some MI districts use the REAP system and Teachers-Teachers site. Others like Wayne county and Oakland County have a site where most districts list openings..Search Wayne RESA or Oakland County Schools for employment sites...

[MI-Roger]

Originally Posted by msbuff

We just need to get out of NC. Teachers here haven't seen a pay increase in 3 years and won't for at least 3 more.

My wife works in Education here in Michigan and would love to be able to say her pay has not changed for the past three years. Her pay has decreased each year for the past three years due to State wide budget woes and the Recession, with no end in sight for the annual reductions!

[Bhaalspawn]

Wait a second. I thought unemployed and underemployed Michigan teachers were fleeing to North Carolina. Is the North Carolina teachers' market also glutted?

[MI-Roger]

Originally Posted by Bhaalspawn

Wait a second. I thought unemployed and underemployed Michigan teachers were fleeing to North Carolina. Is the North Carolina teachers' market also glutted?

North Carolina did have a hiring freeze for educators for a while but it has since been rescinded. There are tremendous differences between MI and NC regarding how schools operate and are funded.

• In NC nearly all school districts are county districts.
• Funding for school construction and/or major repairs (bond money in MI) is approved by the County Commissioners who then increase local taxes if necessary to cover the cost.
• All pay scales and benefit packages are determined by the State rather than individual districts. There is some adjustment for higher cost counties, but otherwise pay and benefits are equal across the State.
• School operating costs are paid by the State's higher income tax and sales tax as compared to MI. Property taxes are paid on the full market value of the home but typically are much lower than Michigan's SEV calculated taxes.
• Per pupil funding is also equal across the State. No protected wealthy enclaves like in Michigan which receive 50% to 100% more funding than other districts.
• Local school boards exist and are elected just like MI. Significant controvery can also happen, just like MI. See Wake County's (Raleigh area) recent elections and current educational turmoil as an example of this.

[dragon_fly_12]

Originally Posted by Bhaalspawn

Wait a second. I thought unemployed and underemployed Michigan teachers were fleeing to North Carolina. Is the North Carolina teachers' market also glutted?

To answer, speaking from the Charlotte, NC area ... the main Char-Meck school system is in dire financial straights and is constantly laying off teachers. Several years ago a teacher could walk onto a job down here, but now existing teachers are struggling to keep jobs. It is not as bad across the states, but there are major areas that finding a teaching job is tough.

[zthatzmanz28]

Originally Posted by Bhaalspawn

Wait a second. I thought unemployed and underemployed Michigan teachers were fleeing to North Carolina. Is the North Carolina teachers' market also glutted?

Between the budget cuts and migration of teachers, teaching positions are being squeezed..