Where to find a teaching jon in Texas?
May 6, 2010 5:41 AM Subscribe
Elementary teaching in Texas: where is the most likely place to find a job?
My wife and I are moving back home to Texas, but we are flexible about exactly where within the state we live--we have friends and connections all over. She's a elementary teacher. What cities are in need of teachers? From what we can tell, odds of getting a job in the Metroplex are tiny, and it's pretty slim in San Antonio, but the Houston area looks more promising. Beyond that, I don't have a clue. She has a reading endorsement, but no special credentials beyond that.
My wife and I are moving back home to Texas, but we are flexible about exactly where within the state we live--we have friends and connections all over. She's a elementary teacher. What cities are in need of teachers? From what we can tell, odds of getting a job in the Metroplex are tiny, and it's pretty slim in San Antonio, but the Houston area looks more promising. Beyond that, I don't have a clue. She has a reading endorsement, but no special credentials beyond that.
(Maybe your wife could spend the next school year getting more certifications, to increase the number of courses/grades she can teach, and then jump into a job when things get better?)
posted by Houstonian at 5:56 AM on May 6, 2010
posted by Houstonian at 5:56 AM on May 6, 2010
Despite what you heard about the Metroplex, you might try Fort Worth ISD & Mansfield ISD. It may be like Houstonian said though- too many teachers for not enough positions. With funding cuts it's just not the best time to try to find a teaching job anywhere in the country.
posted by Doohickie at 6:01 AM on May 6, 2010
posted by Doohickie at 6:01 AM on May 6, 2010
8 of the top ten paying districts in the state are in that triangle north of fort worth. You need to look there before giving up. There is only one district in houston that pays better than average and it's small, same with san antonio. After that the districts start racing to the bottom. I know cause I had a similar situation.
posted by ExitPursuedByBear at 6:19 AM on May 6, 2010
posted by ExitPursuedByBear at 6:19 AM on May 6, 2010
Response by poster: I should have mentioned: she already has applications in all over the Metroplex and San Antonio. She's starting to apply in Houston and the growing areas nearby, like Katy. She has a master's a seven years' good experience, so I think she's a good candidate for a job if there's one to be had. If anyone can fill in the picture for other cities outside the big three, that would be really helpful. A good paying job would be swell, but a poorly-paid job is better than no job at all.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 6:31 AM on May 6, 2010
posted by Pater Aletheias at 6:31 AM on May 6, 2010
Best answer: Go to the career fairs! Those online applications (individual ISDs and consortiums) got me nowhere, but I got a few interviews from talking to people at teaching career fairs.
She should also consider charter schools. Generally, there are disadvantages to charter schools compared to ISDs, (jobs there aren't as "cushy" as ISDs, to put it nicely) but a charter school job better than no job at all. Also, try parochial schools.
posted by Neekee at 6:55 AM on May 6, 2010
She should also consider charter schools. Generally, there are disadvantages to charter schools compared to ISDs, (jobs there aren't as "cushy" as ISDs, to put it nicely) but a charter school job better than no job at all. Also, try parochial schools.
posted by Neekee at 6:55 AM on May 6, 2010
Response by poster: Re: job fairs. Unfortunately, she'll be wrapping up her current job in Raleigh, NC until June 11th, but she'll fly to Texas just in time to hit the big job fair in Houston on 6/14 and San Antonio on 6/15. (And wow, won't that be a busy week!) We'll look at charters, too--good idea.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 7:09 AM on May 6, 2010
posted by Pater Aletheias at 7:09 AM on May 6, 2010
Best answer: Not sure how far you want to be from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, but El Paso, "usually" has quite a few openings during the summer.
Advantage: Many big school districts in the area, Military growth is exploding!!
Dis-advantage: El Paso is basically in New Mexico, and far from the rest of Texas.
El Paso has its plusses though: One hour from all the winter sports, great weather, golfing nearly year round. White Sands, Gila Forest, Carlsbad Caverns national parks all within short driving distances. I might be a little swayed since I live here...
Please Memail me if I can answer any other questions.
Good Luck!!
posted by snoelle at 7:10 AM on May 6, 2010
Advantage: Many big school districts in the area, Military growth is exploding!!
Dis-advantage: El Paso is basically in New Mexico, and far from the rest of Texas.
El Paso has its plusses though: One hour from all the winter sports, great weather, golfing nearly year round. White Sands, Gila Forest, Carlsbad Caverns national parks all within short driving distances. I might be a little swayed since I live here...
Please Memail me if I can answer any other questions.
Good Luck!!
posted by snoelle at 7:10 AM on May 6, 2010
Best answer: The Alvin ISD in south suburban Houston is expanding rapidly due to population growth. Two elementary schools in our in western Pearland development are overcrowded. A third one is under construction here, due to open in 2011. A lot of young families have moved to the Pearland/Manvel area in the last few years, and their children are reaching school age.
posted by Robert Angelo at 7:26 AM on May 6, 2010
posted by Robert Angelo at 7:26 AM on May 6, 2010
Rio Grande Valley (Brownsville, etc)? I have a friend who did TFA down there.
posted by anniecat at 7:28 AM on May 6, 2010
posted by anniecat at 7:28 AM on May 6, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks, snoelle. Really, any place in Texas would do in a pinch. (In addition to moving closer to family, I want to re-establish Texas residency for potential future college plans.) Even El Paso isn't too far afield--we used to live in Las Cruces, so we know the city well.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 7:43 AM on May 6, 2010
posted by Pater Aletheias at 7:43 AM on May 6, 2010
I probably should have mentioned charter schools as well. Mrs. Doohickie started there in 2005 and worked in one for a year before getting into the Fort Worth ISD. The less cushy referred to above can also mean less BS and fewer rules which is actually an advantage. In Mrs. Doohickie's case, the school kind of imploded on itself at the end of the year. She had a great year, but then the school's fiances collapsed and she had to move on. It did give her the year of experience that helped her land her current job where her career has really taken off.
posted by Doohickie at 10:04 AM on May 6, 2010
posted by Doohickie at 10:04 AM on May 6, 2010
Follow-up: Alvin ISD posted a list of elementary school openings yesterday.
posted by Robert Angelo at 6:00 AM on May 7, 2010
posted by Robert Angelo at 6:00 AM on May 7, 2010
Austin is one of the fastest growing places in the country.
posted by jefficator at 2:00 PM on May 11, 2010
posted by jefficator at 2:00 PM on May 11, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Houstonian at 5:55 AM on May 6, 2010