Tri-Cities, Washington teaching positions -- Age difficulty?
March 14, 2016 5:59 AM   Subscribe

How hard is it going to be to find a new teaching position when I am pushing 60 with 25 years of elementary experience under my belt.

I know there is a shortage of teachers in our state and have read that the districts around Kennewick/Pasco/Richand area are scrambling for qualified teachers. Am I going to have a hard time finding a position with only five-six years left in my career? What do other teachers think about my chances? I am GLAD trained, but will need to bone up on the latest buzz words that will probably come up in interviews. I am at the top of the state's pay scale as well, which I do believe will add to the difficulty as well.

What does the hive mind think? I am so excited about this move!
posted by anonymous to Education (1 answer total)
 
If you widen your search a little bit, then last year the Yakima school district began the school year with more than 60 open teaching positions. The first week of school they literally hired anyone with a teaching certificate and a background check. It might not be that bad this year, but it will probably be similar. Also, if you are willing to commute an hour in a vanpool, then you can live in the Tri-cities but teach in Mattawa at the Wahluke School District. Around 80 teachers live in Tri-Cities and commute to Mattawa every day. (The other 70 teachers live in the Ellensburg area and commute an hour to the east.) Mattawa is a high poverty area, 98% Hispanic, and 95% first generation migrant families. Not many people want to work there, so they hire often. You can work there for a year or two until something in Tri-Cities comes up. I mention Wahluke because they need teachers, the kids there are great, and everyone knows it is a "flow-through" district for teachers who work there a few years and then move on. Because of these factors, age might not be as much a consideration for hiring as in other districts.
posted by seasparrow at 8:27 AM on March 14, 2016


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