Comments about ‘Struggling economy makes teaching jobs more competitive’

The funny thing about the shortage of jobs is that we still need more teachers. Our class sizes are still huge. When I read this article I wonder if people who are applying for education, especially secondary, take into consideration that there is a higher demand for teachers in math, science, and Special Education then areas such as English or history. Getting an ESL Endorsement would be wise. It would be wise to go in with your eyes open and make yourself marketable with the areas available.

Ashlie I'm getting out this year, you can have my job...

Schools hire all the way up to the first weeks of September, so there is still hope. Good luck, Ashlie!

Another article talked about the shortage of science teachers with training in math and science. It seems the problem is that certain fields within teaching aren't in demand. Like english and social studies.

Kristine

You have that right, TFish. The neglect of math and science instruction in our schools is about to come back to bite us. A former executive from Microsoft stated only a few years ago that by 2010--that's next year--95% of the Phd's in math and science will be in Aisa.

America's competitive edge has moved from manufacturing to services to technology over the years. Each change has led to greater prosperity, but if we do not continue to develop people skilled in math and science, where do we go from here? I guess many of us will find out as there seems to be little being done to fill the gap in math and science training in our schools. Perhaps Nanes could render a greater service if she becomes qualified to teach math or science and, as you suggest, and solve her career problem in the bargain.

North and South Dakota have teacher openings, and no smog. Look it up applicants. Pay is about the same too. Smaller class sizes. Friendlier people.

whoa nellie......... the Dakotas win hands down.

this means the Indian monies must be respected in the district down south that recieves a large amount. Without those funds jobs are on the line and so the weak ones will be eventually weeded out so it is about performance not name or the game anymore.

maybe the howlers will quit complaining about their jobs

And maybe those that don't know the value of education will stay in their rocking chairs and off these blogs.

What are you worried about, all we have to do is bring those smart Asians over here and make them American citizens, problem solved.

There isn't a renewed interest in making education a career as the misguided State Office of Education claims. Who in their right mind would want to teach in this state and the bad attitudes they have towards anything academic? This is just a matter of mothers dusting off their old teaching teaching credentials to get a job for long enough to get their families through a recession. As soon as the economy turns around, they will be quitting, and we will once again be looking at a teacher shortage. These are not the kinds of people that school districts need to be hiring. It isn't good for the kids to have fair-weather teachers. Districts need to look at hiring those who want to make education a career from the start. That means hiring recent college graduates or those career teachers who have been fleeing chaotic states such as California.

Oldman, most teachers don't complain about their jobs. The most complaining that I hear is from people like you who complain about teachers complaining about their jobs.

wheat from the chaff. In our district there are several teachers that should not be teaching. My children have suffered through it. Thankfully a charter school is opening up nearby to give us a an option for our kids.

While I feel for the unemployed new teachers. You are now experiencing the new competitive global economy. We need better prepared teachers who can better prepare our students for the global economy.

The future is now. Not ten years from now. We need better quality education now. The USA is losing its competitive advantage everyday.

Science, math and computer literacy based educations can be a start.

Good luck to the job seekers.

We should get rid of all the ineffectual teachers and administrators in a time like this. Our kids have suffered enough already. There are better people to choose from when you have so many candidates.

It is time to get teachers who actually know there stuff in the classrooms instead of glorified baby sitters.

Too bad it's not this competitive in northern AZ. I know a woman who has no business being a teacher that actually has contract there. Someone much better than her should have that job. It's just sick that someone who is totally qualified and would do a much better job, doesn't have the job, while the one who should be working in a coffee shop or worse, is the one with the contract. There has got to be a better way to evaluate these teachers, than presently set in place.

English, History, Sociology, etc., these graduates are a dime a dozen. A teaching credential in math and/or science is a whole different story.

Yeah run off to the charters.

You know who teaches there much of the time? Teachers that didn't get hired by the public schools...

There is a position available as Principle of a Seminary.

Where do you get your information that there is not a renewed interest in making education a career? Please cite source to support your claims.

I admire anyone in the teaching (and medical) profession - difference makers in our society.

Well I guess this means the end of the 2007 governor's H1-B Visa program. In 2007 Huntsman sent teacher recruiters to Mexico with HB-1 visas in hand looking for Mexican elementary teachers. I wonder if these visas have been re-newed?

They're there their, Ashlie. Hang tight! Reading previous comments tells me that good English teachers are still needed.

Perhaps obtaining a building substitute position could help you get your foot in a door.

I was schooled in Utah from pre-K through my undergraduate English degree. As I explored becoming a teacher, Utah's poor funding and pay and massive classes prompted me to consider teaching elsewhere. I recently finished my English student teaching in Fairbanks, Alaska. I attended a job fair, interviewed with six school sites throughout the state, and was offered a job by four of them. I was lucky to land the job on which I had my sights set.

It's a completely different environment up here (teaching and otherwise), one that has provided me many valuable professional opportunities. It's been a wonderful challenge. I hope to be an effective teacher here.

My advice: Don't wait for Utah. Pack your bags and ditch that lagging state. You ought to be gaining experience and refining your practice while you can still freshly reflect on the theories, etc. you learned in your teacher education program. There's no better time to start than now.