Teaching jobs in Spokane? (West Valley, Cheney: transfer, best school, moving to)

[ktraylo]

My fiance and I are moving to Liberty Lake (a Spokane suburb) in few weeks. I'm looking for work as an Elementary school teacher. I know there are jobs posted on the Spokane School Districts website, but the same was true when I moved to Sacramento last year, and I didn't get so much as an interview.

So what is the situation really like?

California is in really bad shape, mostly making cuts rather than hiring anyone new. Is the same true in Washington/Spokane? Have there been a lot of teachers laid off who would have first dibs on any opening?

And what about substitute teaching? Should someone new to town with no connections expect any jobs? Any input on this would be much appreciated.


Thanks!
~Katie

[kena]

Elementary education jobs will be difficult to find. Even in better budget times, teachers in the Spokane area tend to stay in their jobs for a long time. The area also produces a large number of teachers with masters degrees from GU, Eastern, Whitworth and, I think, WSU. Be sure to look beyond district 81, including Central Valley, Mead, Cheney, Medical Lake, West Valley, etc. It certainly is not impossible but finding a full time position will likely take some time.

[SoliK]

It is tough to break into the Spokane school districts. I was lucky enough to get a job in Central Valley and then budget cuts hit and my contract was not renewed. I got great recommendations from the principal, team teachers..etc but I have yet been able to get an interview with CV or any district in the Spokane area since. It's frustrating and had to sub last year. My friend subbed for Mead for five years before finally landing a job there. There was an article in the local paper talking about all these teachers who retired this year, yet they are very few job postings right now. So I don't know what is going on. Liberty Lake Elementary rarely ever posts positions. It's one of the best school out there and fairly new so a lot of teachers who are already in the district request to be transfered there.. I've subbed there a few times and I don't blame them..It's a jewel of a school. I would be prepare to sub and make connections that way.