Looking for a Wisconsin teaching job (Milwaukee, Madison: job market, school districts, license)

[chris0681]

My girlfriend and I may relocate to Wisconsin if she gets hired over the phone, whats the job market like for vocal music teachers in Wisconsin? With areas of Wisconsin having good unemployment, I figure more teachers are needed and I have a business admin degree, I figure I could land a position there as well. I realize some areas are higher competition then others in Wisconsin, but overall if she has a license there and really does a good job of looking, I figure she could get interviewed a few times and she has experience, that may really help.

[RedJacket]

Originally Posted by chris0681

My girlfriend and I may relocate to Wisconsin if she gets hired over the phone, whats the job market like for vocal music teachers in Wisconsin? With areas of Wisconsin having good unemployment, I figure more teachers are needed and I have a business admin degree, I figure I could land a position there as well. I realize some areas are higher competition then others in Wisconsin, but overall if she has a license there and really does a good job of looking, I figure she could get interviewed a few times and she has experience, that may really help.

You figure too much.

[Stone1]

Chris,

I'm not a teacher and I've never technically been employed by a school but my work had me working in both public and private schools for 8 years. The economy in WI is not good and I expect and have heard schools talking about the jobs they will be cutting, this would lead me to think it could be difficult to get a job. I would also be nervous if I was a new hire as the job may be gone by next year. I don't want to discourage you but be cautious especially if you currently have a paying job..

[nanannie]

I can speak for areas surrounding Madison. My daughter had a very tough time getting a foot in the door. Certainly coming in from out of state though she had stellar credentials. She grabbed the opportunity to work as a sub and after 2 years had a full time position but with a 45-50 minute commute.
There have been alot of lay offs and she has been holding her breath.

[chris0681]

I guess it doesnt hurt to apply for a certificate in a few states, and then mass apply, hoping experience, refrences, and good grades in school turn into an interview somewhere. Im not saying its easy to get a teaching job in Wisconsin, especially music, but its one state that is doing better finanacially and growing more then Michigan over the past years and could, not saying it will, but could give an opportunity.
As for myself, I have a business admin degree, and experience also, and I plan on mass applying as well, not being too picky about a position or company but trying to get my foot in the door at another company and apply in various states not just Wisconsin, and hopefully something will work out for me as well.

[Stone1]

With a business degree, one place you may look at is Kwik Trip in LaCrosse, WI. I say that as I just saw an article that they were expanding and plan to hire 400 people over the next 3 years. There are several school districts with in a half hour as well. If you want to go south, I know the Chattanooga, TN is seeing some growth with VW's new plant, Amazon is doing 2 huge expansions down there, Whirlpool just expanded and Whacker Chem, a German company is starting something new for solar technology as they expect the US to take the lead in solar technology.

[chris0681]

As far as in Wisconsin, are you saying the best area for a teacher would be LaCrosse? How about Madison and Milwaukee areas? Ideally we would like to be closer to Chicago for weekend trips.

[Megan1967]

Originally Posted by chris0681

As far as in Wisconsin, are you saying the best area for a teacher would be LaCrosse? How about Madison and Milwaukee areas? Ideally we would like to be closer to Chicago for weekend trips.

It is *really* hard to get a teaching job in Madison and the surrounding 30 mile radius. I mean *really* hard. Especially in areas like art and music. They have drastically cut the number of "specials" teachers in Madison Metro SD and one music teacher might have to cover 2 schools.

[Stone1]

LaCrosse may be a tough school district to get in as there have been articles in the news about the cuts that will need to be made. There are several other districts within a short drive of LaCrosse and t may be easier to get a job with them.

Since you mentioned the business degree it made me think of the Kwik Trip chain as they are expanding which seems to be rare around Wisconsin.