Teachers/CA Residents/Both - How do you do it?

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Memnoch

Lt. Vulture
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Ok, so in a year and a half I will be PA Certified to teach. This is after a BA in History from Penn State. Now my questions is, to all the teachers out there, how hard is it really to get a job? Next question is to CA residents, myself and two friends are looking at moving out there once I get my certificate so I can try and get a job, so can 3 people pulling resources together actually make it in CA or am I out of my mind? :lol Lastly for CA residents who are teachers, same basic questions, how do you do it and am I insane? :lol It's something I've been kicking around for a while and figured no time like the present to do some research and get some opinions.
 
Ok, so in a year and a half I will be PA Certified to teach. This is after a BA in History from Penn State.

Congratulations.

Now my questions is, to all the teachers out there, how hard is it really to get a job?

In my experience its difficult to get a job if you are being picky. There is at least in CA a severe shortage of teachers so anyone who wants to work can but it just may not be in the ideal situation. The statistic for teachers in the Bay Area at least are that 43% will move schools at least 5 times before finding that right fit. I live and grew up in the area I now teach, I told everyone I knew that I'd never teach in Pittsburg, the city that I now teach in because of its bad reputation and its lagging district scores, now I teach there because it was the only place that had a job and love it. I wouldn't move despite being able to make about $10,000 more a year by driving about 20 miles west and getting a job in another district.

Next question is to CA residents, myself and two friends are looking at moving out there once I get my certificate so I can try and get a job, so can 3 people pulling resources together actually make it in CA or am I out of my mind? :lol

Here is the thing, you have to issued a Credential in CA to teach whether you were issued one in another state or not. What happens is you get a preliminary pass and don't have to go through the two year classes that CA teachers do a program called BTSA. You do though have to attend meetings and be observed and jump through a couple of hoops with BTSA Mentors before they sign off on your credential. If you do not do this within 5 years of when you begin working in a school in CA the state will not allow you to teach until you get one. Some districts give "credits" for work done in other states but it sounds like you are coming right out of college.

Can you live here and teach yes, but its an honorable position not a cash machine. I make good money about $53,000 a year after four years of service but you have factor in that I have a Masters Degree in Education and teach an extra section each day. Together my wife and I make over $100,000 a year but we both put in about 6 years of college before getting there. My brother on the other hand with just a High School Diploma took a job with Hertz and within two years is making $56,000 to put it all into perspective. Your raises are decided in yearly increases depending on contractual agreements, which means if you kick ass every year but the teacher next to you just phones it in everyday, you both make the same amount of increase each year. Its not performance based....one of the major arguments against Teacher Unions and the Tenure system but that's for another discussion.

Just make sure depending on where you live that you have reliable roommates. In certain areas the living expenses are much higher with teacher's cost of living adjustments (COLA) not rising to counterbalance.

Lastly for CA residents who are teachers, same basic questions, how do you do it and am I insane? :lol It's something I've been kicking around for a while and figured no time like the present to do some research and get some opinions.

I love it. Each and every day I come to school and its brand new, plus there is something about knowing that you emparted knowledge on someone that makes it worthwhile but realize that its about 30% babysitting, especially for new teachers. If you don't have a presence in the room the kids will tear you alive. Statistically 30% of teachers don't make it past year five. We've had about 8 new teachers like clockwork each year with classroom management being the reason they were muscled out. You'd be surprised at how many teachers are literally scared of their students and I work in Junior High. I've seen 40 year old men scared of 11 year old kids with Spongebob backpacks. Its not for everyone but if you can find your nitche its worth it. Not only that but I get every holiday off, a week for Thanksgiving, two weeks at Christmas, a week for Easter and two and a half months paid vacation in the Summer so that sweetens the pot. Not to mention that with the Tenure system after two years of service in the same district you are given a job for life, meaning even in budget cuts the school must fire those under the two years of service and place you if there are openings no questions asked. If you move districts you lose this but its an interesting perspective to know that both my salary and my job are recession proof especially in this economy.
 
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Thanks for the incredibly thorough answer Mike. Gotta say it DOES reassure me a bit and at least now I know what I need to do. I have to say though about the classroom management, I observed in a Vo-Tech school and it was interesting but was never "scared" of the students and it was a 10th grade class so I cannot imagine being scared of an 11 year old. I eventually do plan on getting my masters and possibly even moving on to the college level but I am totally ready to teach :lol Probably not many people can say that.
 
California is broke right now.. Most districts arent hiring now unless you teach secondary Math or Science.
My wife was recently hired for 5th Grade and her school is looking to hire at least two more teachers when they start back up later this month, so there are jobs out there.
 
Ok, so in a year and a half I will be PA Certified to teach. This is after a BA in History from Penn State. Now my questions is, to all the teachers out there, how hard is it really to get a job? Next question is to CA residents, myself and two friends are looking at moving out there once I get my certificate so I can try and get a job, so can 3 people pulling resources together actually make it in CA or am I out of my mind? :lol Lastly for CA residents who are teachers, same basic questions, how do you do it and am I insane? :lol It's something I've been kicking around for a while and figured no time like the present to do some research and get some opinions.

Congrats! Like Mike said it all depends on how picky you are. I did sit out a year and a half till I landed a job that I wanted. Lost out on a few to more "experienced" teachers but also a few that I wasn't willing to drive an hour away to teach. Just from what I've seen on papers talking about teaching jobs I know Cali is in dire need of teachers. So I would think getting a job out there would be fairly easy. You obviously want to teach by going into it but understand its a stressful job and demands lots of hours. Going to classes to continue education, meetings, hours after school to make sure you have your lessons in order, etc. Thats just if you don't coach or do extra programs like with me I have an after/before school club and coach basketball. I love it all but it does wear ya down some.
 
California is broke right now.. Most districts arent hiring now unless you teach secondary Math or Science.

Going off of what I've seen in the district we will definitely be hiring as well. Three teachers at my site don't look like they'll make it.
 
There are plenty of teaching jobs out there! Our school district hires new ones every school year.
 
Are you in the trenches too Ween? I know we have a couple of teachers on these boards but the only one I know off hand is Josh.
 
Well I wouldn't be able to comment on the teaching job situation, but as far as living in California if you share resources with a couple other people, yes it's entirely possible. There are plenty of people doing that, but I guess it comes down to how much teaching jobs pay, which I don't know. All I know is I'm making due, and I'm not exactly rolling around in money, so I think it's possible for sure. I've been in California my whole life, and I really wouldn't want to live anywhere else, so maybe I'm a bit biased. :lol
 
Are you in the trenches too Ween? I know we have a couple of teachers on these boards but the only one I know off hand is Josh.

I'm a teacher's aide for K and 1st grade.

That's why my brain is mush most of the time. I can't spell anything over 5 letters anymore. :lol
 
If I didn't have to live in SoCal for the industry I'd definitely get out - it's very expensive to live here. Although San Fran is more. I make a decent living, but have no hope of ever buying a house (that I could tolerate) in this area, despite the depressed market.
 
San Francisco is ridiculous. I remember in college I was considering going to SF State because I grew up there and wanted to "go home". The cheapest apartment I could get was $1445 per month for a one bedroom and that was back in 2000 so obviously a college student working full time at The Gap I couldn't afford it. I'd hate to see it now. Although in reality the majority of folks who are in the city, out and about aren't living there.
 
I used to teach in CA and made about $55K, I have since left that career choice and moved to Vegas and about doubled my salary .... it wasn't worth it anymore.

:eek:
 
Sorry. CA is all full. Nothing personal. No more room.

Just kidding. So long as you pay your state taxes -- we need all the help we can get -- there's room for everyone. Just no parking.
 
If I didn't have to live in SoCal for the industry I'd definitely get out - it's very expensive to live here. Although San Fran is more. I make a decent living, but have no hope of ever buying a house (that I could tolerate) in this area, despite the depressed market.

Find a hot chick with a good job...and marry her.
 
mennoch, do not move to california. Let me say that again, do not move to california. We are in a state of collapsing. there is no state budget. The governator is asking to cut a week off the school year.
I teach in the southern calif area all probationary teachers are being layoff. In the next couple of years even tenured teacher will probably be layoff. I have either friends or family in one district or another in So. Cal and no one is hiring. Teachers are looking at 30 to 1 classrooms. I know upper grades that's no biggie, but imagine 30 first, second graders. Now is not the time to move here.
 
:lol 30 to 1. No biggie for upper graders....spoken like a person who hasn't spent much time with them or someone who forgets.... I teach 8th graders, the years where their hormones are just beginning in the throws of puberty. Where they'll be a raging ^^^^^ one day and then a punching bag the next. Not to mention that this is the first year my classes haven't averaged 38 to 1....we are at 32 right now.....way over contractual capacity but what are we going to do? Not teach them? PE teachers are dealing with 50 to 1. The tenure system requires school districts to place those teachers, if there is room at a school where they could teach and they aren't placed thats a wrongful termination lawsuit that is a slam dunk since the Human Resources department already signed off on it. Not to mention that if you teach Special Ed for example in some districts you'll make as much as Vice Principals. Its all about where you wanna work and what you're willing to do for a job.

Go here: www.edjoin.org

Most teachers start here looking for a job. Like I said before, if you are picky and want to work within walking distance for example it'll be a tough find especially since you'll be at the bottom of the totem pole. If you just want to work you'll find a job. I commute 45 minutes to work each way everyday because of simple traffic. Without traffic it'd only take about 12. I wouldn't change it for a second. :D
 
Mike, sorry you misinterpreted what I meant. I meant that it wasn't that uncommon. Not that it isn't difficult.
 
Yep, you can live here easily with a roomate or two (as long as they're responsible of course). I started out with 5 roomates, and now I'm down to 1 wife - lol!

Don't know much about the education industry, but it's true the state is in deep financial trouble right now. Our company builds tons of schools in SoCal, and I can tell you that LAUSD seems almost completely incompetent and totally wasteful with OUR money.

Congratulations on your certification!
 


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