Teaching jobs in Washington compared to Oregon (Vancouver, Camas: high schools, college)

[JukieF]

Although my whole family lived in Oregon for many years (my stepdaughter was raised there), we are now strewn all over the country, with my husband and I being farthest away in New Hampshire. When we retire in a few years, we want to move back to the PNW and would like our three kids, all of whom live in Colorado right now, to be able to join us there at some point. My stepdaughter will have her teaching certificate after this coming fall semester. She's passed the math and science Praxis exams and can also teach music (she's a piano teacher by profession and has worked as an accompanist in local Colorado junior and high schools). We would really like to be back in Oregon, but everything I read about teaching jobs in Oregon is terribly depressing. It sounds like no one--even someone who can teach math and science at the high school level--can get hired. Is the situation the same in Washington? I know that teaching is a tough profession to enter almost everywhere in the country, but I'm hoping that Washington's situation isn't as extreme as Oregon's.

Thanks for your feedback.

[SageCats]

What about the climate in Vancouver, WA just across the river? Is it different from teaching in the Portland/Beaverton area?

[StealthRabbit]

Live and work (teach) in WA, visit Oregon. (5 minutes away from many nice border communities)

If any kids will be in High School... Can't beat WA Running Start program (Free college instead of High School)

There are 9 decent districts in the Vancouver / Camas area. 3 great districts

Oregon has pretty terrible funding / legislation for schools.

[Brett]

Portland has Gateway Program (like running start).

I have heard that oregon has been on a hiring trend lately with teachers, and a lot of teachers who delayed retiring due to the recession are getting ready to retire soon, but I would investigate those claims before making any decisions.