If certified and well educated is it difficult for a New Yorker to get a teaching job in Texas?

Question

I am a 25yr old male with a degree in Education looking at a teaching job in Texas. I have heard that there are many teaching jobs available and that teaching is a hot profession in Texas right now. However, I have heard that it is difficult for New Yorkers to get jobs in Texas. Not sure if this is true. I understand that our "accent" is recognizable and that we have a reputation for being loud, impatient, and rude. So it wouldn't surprise me if a New Yorker runs into problems getting jobs anywhere out side of New York. How is Texas about this? Thanks

Answer 1

I considered going to teach in Texas--- as I understand it they need teachers hardcore.  Contact ACT Houston -- I was corresponding with them last summer and after two emails they wanted to fly me out.

Answer 2

iT IS NOT REALLY THAT HARD TO BECOME CERTAFIED IN A SUBJECT IN HIGH SCHOOL, BUT YOU NEED TO BE OPEN MINDED ABOUT THINGS IN TEACHING BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME TOPICS YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE TO GET YOUR CERTIFICATION ,

Answer 3

I seriously doubt it is because you are from New York.  The problem may be with your certification.  You may need a Texas certification - we seem to have to do everything our own way down here.  For any certification, you must take the appropriate TExES tests.  I have heard that there are tests outside of Texas that will cover many states, just not Texas.  You will have to check to see if your out of state license is compatible, if not, you may have to take some tests and get a temporary certificate.  Try the Texas Education Agency at www.tea.state.tx.us

These tests will cost you about $85 each, and then you will have to pay for a certificate.  They may even make you go through the whole FBI fingerprinting process too.  If you don't have to do it when you get a state license, you will most likely have to do it within the next year or two.

ACT Houston is an alternative certification program - you already are a certified teacher, so you most likely do not need them.

Answer 4

Since Texas has a high need for teachers, I would imagine that being from New York is not what will be the determining factor in you getting a job there. Now, if an individual administrator has a negative association with teachers from New York, then there's not much that you can do about that.  

Of course, that can be said about administrators anywhere.  For that matter, any administrator could be biased against you because of your first name, the color of your hair, or your shoes size.  Generally speaking, though, where your from (or any of those other examples) should NOT be what prevents you from getting a job.  Even in a high-need area, not everyone who applies will get offered every job they apply for.

Just keep presenting your best self in interviews and keep applying.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Texas (as will most all states) will give you temporary certification while you complete some requirements that they may have you do.  (tests,etc.)

Answer 6

Houston,we have a problem;the Texas public education system is indeed need of repair.