Is it hard to find a teaching job in December?

Question

I am currently working on my alternative certification for grades 4-8 in Texas. I am wanting to start work as soon as possible, and was wondering if there would be any job openings for teachers in December. If so, would it be extra challenging to come into a school year that has already started....and should I just wait for summer to roll around before I begin applying? Thanks in advance for the answers!

Answer 1

you may find one...but it is not going to be a good one...when i moved to nyc about 8 yrs ago i found a job in april as a science teacher, only to find out i was the 5th or 6th one that year, the school and classes were so bad they could not keep anyone in the position...however, i toughed it out and got a much better position in the same school for the next year and have been here since...

Answer 2

If you are working on your alternative certification and you already have a degree, you might be able to find a school that will hire you for the full school year.  They can get you on an emergency certification with the provision that you have to pass the texes by the end of the year.  Talk to the person running your certification program about the possibility.

If you do try to find a job in December, it will probably not be a good first teaching experience.  There are not many reasons a teacher will leave in the middle of the year, so you would probably be going into a class that is not well-behaved and/or far behind where they are supposed to be academically.  I would suggest substituting at several schools in your area so you can see where you would prefer to work and so they get to know you.  That way you will have an edge when you apply for a job the next year.

Answer 3

There are hardly any openings in December. I got my teaching degree in December 06 and it was the end of July 07 before I found a job. I ended up subbing from Jan-May. It is the best way to get experience while you wait for a job offer.  I would still put my applications in right now for the districts/schools you want to teach in so that when openings become available your name will be in the hat. I would also check with the district websites regularly for openings then call that school and talk with principal. Thats how I got my job. I saw that the school had an opening on the district website and called the school and spoke with principal directly about the opening and she set me up for an interview. So I would definitely put all my applications in now and keep checking for openings. They usually become available around May and through the summer months, unless a teacher takes a leave of absence then you may get lucky before then.

Answer 4

To be truthful, VERY. Unless something catastrophic happens, you aren't going to find one.

I'd SUB at schools that interest me. The bigger the school, the more likely you are to get asked

I 'graduated' in december and i regretted it. PERSONAL OPINION is I'd go one more semester just to get a better  rounding. If you can get another degree with just a few hours, I'd do it. Its only going to make YOU more marketable.

that's just me.