elementary position,....

im just curious how many people are certified elem ed teachers and cant find a job? everyday people are telling me how hard/impossible it is to find a job i feel like giving up with this major

Re: elementary position,....

it can be hard, I mean I work in a crappy school, but i settled for it since it was 2 days b4 school began (im paying the price now)

You have a better chance with a high demand masters, or if you have an "in", and sometimes if you sub somehwere

I think a lot of it has to do with the right place and the right time, as long as your qualifed...because if your apply for just a elementary ed job you are one of hundereds who are looking as well

Sorry that this probably doesnt make you feel better but the best advice i can give you is to be proactive about finding a school that you know youll be happy in

Re: elementary position,....

I'm an Early childhood major & this is my 6th year in a private school. I tried to go the public route a few times, sent out over 200 resumes, did the online application thing, hand delivered resumes, etc. & there is just such competition. To be honest I'm happy in a private school & truly enjoy it, but the pay is at least 30-50k lower than what teachers in public school are making.

Re: elementary position,....

I've been subbing for 2 years. Nothing.

Re: elementary position,....

honestly, it all depends. . . . i have an elem. ed. license, but also a special ed. license. all my interviews were fpr special ed. but then the girl i work with went on ONE interview for an elem. ed. job and got it. that was it!

some of it is luck, some of it is if they REALLY like you or you have something diferent to offer. sometimes it's just being in the right place at the right time.

Also, LI jobs are hard to come by whatever the vertification. Don't give up! there are always jobs in the city. i would recomend a dual certification thoguh--that will help a lot.

Re: elementary position,....

I am not elem ed, but I have worked in elem ed schools (I'm special area K-12) - it does seem really hard! We have a teacher who has been going from leave replacement to leave replacement for THREE YEARS! and he's a man to boot!

I think the best way is to meet and greet everyone during student teaching. Be a friend to everyone and an enemy to no one. If you hear someone ask a question - jump to find the answer (even if it's the next day, it will be memorable that you helped). If you don't have a job, sub sub sub, hopefully in that school/district. Kiss up to the secretary and make sure she puts you in for all the upcoming sub days (bring a little something for the holidays, secretaries day, end of the year - they have TREMENDOUS power).

Student teaching is one big job interview!

Re: elementary position,....

I can't. I sugget getting dually certified and/or getting the bilingual extension in Spanish.

Re: elementary position,....

I would definitely get a dual certification. Elementary alone is going to put you in a pool with thousands of other teachers. You have to make yourself stand out.

Re: elementary position,

i graduated with BA in 2002 and MS in Spec Ed in 2004 and finally got a job in NOV 2006

Message edited 2/14/2008 7:56:38 PM.

Re: elementary position,....

Not impossible BUT can be hard...there are so many teachers and not enough jobs. Also people are not retiring as early as they used to AND also there are women who are having babies and returning to work ASAP due to the cost of living on LI...it $ucks all around