could my fiance find a job? (teaching) (Phoenix, Chandler: school districts, move to)

[patrad]

i may be forced to move to phoenix for work soon. my significant other who is currently a 2nd grade teacher. she is just finishing her masters degree in education (reading specialist) and she has been consistently employed as a 1st/2nd grade teacher for nearly 7 years. she is just about to get tenured at her current school which is kind of a bummer. she currently teaches in the chicago suburbs where the school is relativley safe.

if we moved to phoenix, how tough would it be for her to find work in a good school system as a 2nd/1st grade educator?

I've received mixed signals. i hear that becasue of budget cuts in AZ, many education jobs are being cut. but then in the NYT times the other day I read that education jobs would be in high demand due to te amount of baby boom teachers nearing retirement.

second question, i would be willing to move anywhere in the valley (my job would be near the airport) but if she wanted to work in a good school system, what would be some good areas?

[observer53]

The larger school districts are announcing good sized layoffs right now, because they have to give such notices by 4/15. If and when the eco stimulus money comes in, the part of it channeled to education MAY save some of those jobs, but the people laid off are the first called back. I don't think there are going to be a lot of openings, and I'd certainly wait a while to see what happens over the next few months.

[shiphead]

I think it will be difficult, but her having her masters degree and a specialty already gives her that much more of an edge over the many that are not certified. There are 2 job fairs a year for teachers of Phoenix. One in the middle of the school season and a large one at the end. I would HIGHLY recommend she attend the large one.

[ibarrio]

The Chandler district is hiring...

[awf82]

She will struggle. I've seen stories on the news almost every night this week about the layoffs of hundreds of teachers in valley school districts. There will be stiff competition and significantly more applicants than openings in districts that will be hiring.

[LayLin]

There are a few jobs here and there, but it will be competitive. She should look into charter schools which are anticipating a few more open positions.

[shiphead]

Originally Posted by LayLin

There are a few jobs here and there, but it will be competitive. She should look into charter schools which are anticipating a few more open positions.

Yes, but don't expect to feel wanted as a new teacher with experience and a certification.

Been in the district for 5 years, your set. Who needs a state certification or experience?

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by ibarrio

The Chandler district is hiring...

And they expect to have 2000 applicants for the few openings they have. 5000 teachers were laid off yesterday in Arizona. It's bad for teachers. It's bad for everything.

[Runemaster]

I do literary programs at local elementary schools. The last one I did (a week ago) ended with the teachers telling me all their jobs were on the line, and the market was flooded with out of work teachers looking for jobs.

That being said, if your SO is a great teacher, she'll probably land on her feet.

[ibarrio]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

And they expect to have 2000 applicants for the few openings they have. 5000 teachers were laid off yesterday in Arizona. It's bad for teachers. It's bad for everything.

How many of these teacher are going to be rehired once the money starts flowing in? Not all 5000 will be without jobs...