Comments on: Finding Teaching Jobs in this Economy

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 23:21:25 +0000

I am also a teacher from CA for 6 years, but recently got laid off. We would like to relocate where teaching jobs are plentiful. Are CA and TX credentials aligned? Did you have to do something to get it?

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 10:41:17 +0000

It is comforting to hear that there are still schools hiring. I am currently pursuing my career as a teacher. I am unsure if I would rather be an elementary or high school English teacher. Are there any recommendations to make myself more hirable than other applicants?

By: Jim Buck

Jim Buck — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:45:39 +0000

As Jenie notes in her post, in this economy it may be important to relocate to where the jobs are and gain experience. Relocating even out of state should be viewed as an opportunity. At times it can afford new cultural experiences that serve you well in the future as I learned in my early teaching experience on an Indian reservation. People, both helpful and challenging, are the common denominator wherever you go. You can find joy and professional satisfaction wherever you live and work.
Life’s turns can be surprising and at times cyclic; perhaps one day Oregon will be fortunate to reclaim your enhanced talents.

Jim

Jim Buck
OPEF Coordinator

By: Jenie

Jenie — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:23:31 +0000

Yes…I agree. get out of Oregon..be willing to relocate…Texas has a need for teachers and we were recruited last spring from Portland at the job fair. Hired on the spot. OUr district pays really well and we are in Exemplary schools. We gave up on Oregon. It’s almost impossible to find a teaching job there, and forget about elementary jobs.

By: Jenie

Jenie — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:20:44 +0000

My husband and I had to leave our beloved Oregon for Texas last summer because we could not find a teaching job in Oregon for 4 years!! We gave up. He is secondary math/science and Ag. and I am just elementary. We took jobs in Sugar Land , Texas near Houston just to get back into teaching! We were recruited from the Oregon Professional Educator’s Fair in April of 09. Hired on the spot!! Our advice to y’all trying and can’t get a job in Oregon? Get out!!! Try Texas. They are looking for teachers and our district pays better than Oregon! It’s a shame, but there are too many teachers and not enough jobs in Oregon. We miss our state, but had no choice.

By: Kristna

Kristna — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:15:57 +0000

I have been subbing for over 2 years now. It seems hopeless to find a job….

By: Margie Bird-Buendia

Margie Bird-Buendia — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:14:01 +0000

My advice, as someone who became certified as an Oregon elementary school teacher in June but has not yet found a teaching job: become a secondary (6-12) teacher! You’ll probably have better luck in your job search!

By: Ashley

Ashley — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:01:33 +0000

By: TJ

TJ — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:24:53 +0000

Good point, Lacey.
Especially in metro and suburban districts, it is crazy-competitive. Elementary has the greatest over-supply of applicants (it usually does), along with English and Social Studies/Humanities at the middle and upper-levels. At the same time, however, Special Ed positions, Speech Pathologist positions, advanced science and math, and specialized language skills are always in high-demand, even now.

Here are some more tips:

Remember that districts are searching a database, so be sure to enter all of the skills and experience that you can to ensure that you are not overlooked in their queries.

Consider expanding your field of expertise into more “high demand” areas, if you can…especially if you are still in your prep program.

Be willing to relocate and/or serve in a more challenging environment (rural or urban).

Use the “Save Search” feature after you’ve run a search in the “Jobs” section of EdZapp: you can get an updated list of jobs matching your criteria at any time with a single click (rather than having to fill out the search form every time).

Thanks for the comments, and good luck!

By: Lacey

Lacey — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 06:25:43 +0000

Here is something for everyone that reads this…if you think that 130 applicants is bad for a middle school teaching position in Oregon, try 340+ applicants for ONE elementary position in Oregon. Yep, 340+ applicants… sort of hard to shine on EdZapp when there are this many people looking for jobs! For those of you wanting to become teachers in Oregon, get out now while you can. There are too many teachers and too few jobs!