If There is a Teacher Shortage, Where Are the Jobs?
Don't Believe Everything You Hear in College
Principal after principal told me and the other new teachers that there just weren't any positions available. We finally had to ask ourselves where in the world is the teacher shortage? I even tried applying in several different states, assuming my state happened to be an exception to this country wide teacher shortage. Every state I tried had many more teachers applying than they had openings. There was no sign of a teacher shortage anywhere. I also noticed that the further north I went, the less of a teacher shortage they had. In fact, many education graduates from the North were moving south just to get a job.
So, why did we constantly hear from our professors and other people that there was a teacher shortage? Were they just trying to trick us into going into the teaching field? That part remains a mystery.
There is indeed a great teacher shortage, but school boards won't (or can't) open up any new positions. States just don't have enough money to hire more teachers. In fact, many teaching jobs are being cut because there aren't enough funds to pay them. So, we end up with overcrowded classrooms and stressed out teachers, resulting in lower test scores and less educated children.
I ended up having to settle for a teaching position at a private school where the pay is unbelievable low and there are absolutely no benefits. Until I can break my way into the public school system, this is where I'll have to stay. It's ashame that I spent all of those years in college getting my teaching degree and wound up making less than I made before.
If you plan to go into teaching only because you hear there is a teacher shortage, don't do it. Only do it if you have your heart set on teaching. I can tell you from experience that the "teacher shortage" is a myth. If I didn't enjoy teaching as much as I do, I would definitely change careers.
Published by ebeth
I'm a middle school teacher and a writer on the side. I also enjoy traveling and scrapbooking. View profile
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6 Comments
Post a CommentAs a veteran teacher of 20+ years experience teaching in the public schools, I can vouch for the fact that finding that first teaching position is difficult if not impossible. Quite frankly, as with all professions, it's WHO you know, not WHAT you know. A quarter century ago I heard the same mantra-- that there existed "a great teacher shortage," and so I began taking education classes. As is the case today, sad fact was that once I graduated, no one would hire me!
Here I was, eager, smart, young, and dedicated, and yet I could not find a job!
Naturally, I began to think that there was something wrong with me.
To my credit, I refused to give up. I kept abreast of all job postings through The University Placement Service, searched through pages of job openings, religiously called each districts' job-line, until finally I came upon a teaching position.
I'm still there twenty-three years later, while many of my classmates who "knew someone," have long left the profession.
It is so sad. Without the proper amount of teachers and the proper tools, many of our kids aren't getting the proper education. They need this education to make a better life for themselves. Sad.
This definately needs to be heard....Great job!
It is such a shame that we cannot afford to set a budget for education either................
Great topic and very thought provoking!
I know it is bad all over, here in Maryland the state is offering to pay the tuition for students who promise to be teachers for the Sta