Help for an aspiring Massachusetts Teacher.?

Question

I am an experienced Illinois educator (4yrs) with glowing recommendations from all of my supervisors. Now, my fiancee and I are now trying to relocate to Massachusetts. Despite all of my applications (30+) I have not heard anything back from the schools. Outside of the "normal" job application process, is there any advice I could get from any MA teachers? Anything I should know about the process?

Also, I've been looking at the following websites: Schoolspring.com, monster.com, NAIS.org, and Careny Sandoe Online. Any other good places to look?

Finally, I've heard that the schools look for people with Master's Degree, I have mine in Educational Leadership, so I thought this would help.. I guess not. Have any of you found this to be true? Or am I too expensive for some schools?

Answer 1

google boston teachers union website. also if you go to the city-data forum for massachusetts, you will be inquiring to MA teachers specifically. good luck.

Answer 2

I think the too expensive part might be the problem.  What subject do you teach?  If you are a math, science, special ed, or perhaps a foreign language teacher, you might be okay.  Most other subjects, including elementary, and they would rather hire a first year teacher.  

Try hitting some wealthy towns.  Those would be Andover, Lexington, and Concord.  There are probably others, but I know these have some good money, and may be willing to spend for quality.  

Many schools hire late.  I was hired two days before school began at one place.  I don't know if you've worked in the inner city before.  Lawrence is always looking for people.  I used to work there, but got out as quick as I could (two years).  We would have bets on who would quit in the middle school first.  We always had someone quit in the first week.  But there are some decent schools there, but I just happened into the worst.  

I'm quite familiar with the Greater Lowell area and teach in a town just outside of the city of Lowell.  Feel free to email me if I can help any more.