Teaching jobs in Philadelphia... still easy to get? (Penn: find a job, school district)

[QuartB]

After graduating with a degree in elementary education in Pennsylvania, I moved out of state. When I lived there about 5 years ago, teaching in the Philadelphia school district was not in high demand.

I plan to move back to the area in the summer and will be looking for a teaching job in or close to Philadelphia. I know it's a terrible time to find a teaching job, especially in elementary education, but was wondering if anyone knows much about the Philadelphia school district and how difficult it would be to get a job there.

I heard they recently held one big interview with 750 teaching candidates that came from all different areas looking for a job. Sounds like it might be more difficult to get a job there than it was 5 years ago!

I would appreciate any information you have on the district or other districts in the area. Are they hiring? Are there any better schools than most in the district? When do they start listing their available jobs for the 2011-2012 school year, etc. Thanks!

[nkosiek]

You'll be hard pressed to find a job in the SDP this year with the restructuring and hiring freeze. There are massive changes in the District in how it runs and operates some of its schools so there will be lots of staff changes in the different buildings and across the District. As for districts outside the city, I would check PAReap for openings as well as the individual districts' websites. Another option will be to look into some of the charter schools, but again, I have no knowledge of their hiring procedures.

I'm not going to lie and tell you that you'll find a job no problem. You may want to be prepared to do subbing.

[nar69]

the above poster is correct. my wife went through the "mass interview" last year only to find out the following week there was a freeze on hiring and the district currently had 250+ teachers employed without a classroom to teach. it is a mess.

look around at charter schools. times are tough no doubt.....good luck

[nkosiek]

Phila. schools face painful cuts | Philadelphia Inquirer | 02/10/2011 (http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20110210_Phila__schools_face_painful_cuts.html - broken link)

Forget getting anything in the city.

[maf763]

There are more charter schools now than there were 5 years ago - you can try that outlet.

[bluemonday]

You may want to look into teaching at a cyber school - it is really gaining popularity.