Teachers: When did you get hired

Question

I've applied to nearly 30 teaching positions all over Michigan. Yes, I know Michigan is really hurting right now because of the automobile industry but I'm not giving up hope!

When you were hired when did you get hired in? Early Summer, late Summer? Any advice? And if you got hired in late how did you get everything organized in your classroom and lesson plans in such little time???

Answer 1

I was lucky and hired before I had even graduated.

Good luck.

Answer 2

G/f, if you only asked me sooner!  This is my sad story, but I hope you'll do better.

First, MI has the 1st & 3rd largest teaching schools in the country + many more schools pouring out candidates by the thousand every graduation.  75 per cent of these grads do NOT find work as an educator.  If you have Special Ed with EI or MI endorsements & possibly LD, you'll have a much better chance.  Or if you're secondary certified with science, math, or foreign language, you'll have a better shot.

It used to be if you were willing to work in the ghetto, you'd be hired with no trouble  But most of the large cities are having to cut back on teachers due to declining enrollments.

I recently watched an HBO special on Frederick Douglass High in Baltimore, MD.  It's is so bad there that two thirds of those teaching are not certified.  Because there are few who want to work or stay in that environment.  They lost three 9th grade English teachers in one year alone.

Back to me>> so, not finding suitable employment as a K-8 teacher, I accepted substitute teaching until something opened up at the princely pay of $40 a day & no benefits.

But what I found out was, there is no preference given to those who toil under the most adverse conditions.  If there were any openings, only those with full time teaching experience were hired.  

And then, the coup de gras, I find out that substitute janitors are making more than me, & getting benefits to boot.

If this is to be your fate, know that you should never turn your back on some of your classes, especially in middle school.  You should also have a seating chart & lesson plans prepared for you.  And find anything you can on Lee Kanters Assertive Discipline methods.  You're going to need it.

It would also help if you're good at entertaining students, as many of them have little motivation when they see a sub walk through the door.

My sympathies if you can't find anything.

Answer 3

I am a teacher in Michigan (20 years).  For my first job I was hired in mid-June, shortly after I graduated from college.  For my second job (6 years later) I was hired July 5.

It's HARD to get a teaching job in Michigan right now.  If you are willing to sub that can be one way to get your foot in the door.  Inner city schools are often hiring.  Check into charter schools as well.  

Make sure you are making use of the placement office at your college/university.  They can be extremely helpful in finding open positions.

If you're willing to move, it's often easier to get into districts in other states.  If not, I would apply at schools even if they're not posting open positions right now.  I did that with my second job (that I'm still at) and was lucky enough that a job opened up after I send in my resume.  

If you do manage to get an interview, send a thank you card right away to whomever you interviewed with.  This helps make a good impression and help them remember your name a little better.  I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 4

I was hired the week before school started and I was behind all year long. I teach fourth grade - seven subjects everyday.  Usually I was a day to a week ahead of my students.

I'd definitely consider subbing, although some school hire after school starts due to increased enrollment.

Answer 5

I have worked for 3 districts and I was hired Very late summer twice and Early may the third (because I was recruited). Don't lose hope. Many people don't get hired until 1-2 months into the school year. Try being a sub and getting your name out there. Principals will pull strings to hire a good sub as a permanent teacher.

Answer 6

I hear you! I've applied to almost as much teaching positions in my area in Maine. A lot of schools actually say when they want applications by and when school starts--this is what you should look for when wondering when you'll get hired. As for the other questions, I don't have my own classroom yet, so I can't answer that one!

Good luck!  

Answer 7

My first teaching job I got hired in February to start 2 days later!  Going in to a classroom in the middle of the year is tough and I imagine it would be going in late in the summer, too.

I got hired in March for the following school year.  However, the school I work for just hired a teacher this week and hired 2 last week. It just depends on when the need arises.  

Depend on your co-teachers.  They have all been the 'new teacher' before and will probably remember what you're going through.  I'm sure they will be willing to help you organize and share lesson plans.  Good luck!

Answer 8

I had graduated from my MA in special education last January and was hired in the middle of the school year an hour after my interview in Colorado. I'm sure I'm an exception because this state is struggling to find SPED teachers and the position had been open for 9 weeks.

Starting in the middle of the year (at a high school) was hard- you really have to catch on quick and ask a lot of questions and be ready to deal with whatever c**p is in place and make it work (i.e. odd policies made by a past teacher, unruly class who's seen 5 teachers already in that class) but it's a great learning experience and now my first official school year will be better for it.

Lesson plans- I used some old ones and made new ones a least a week in advance, when possible.

good luck!

Answer 9

I was really concerned that nobody would hire me or even interview me when May rolled around.  School districts really very on this.  Some get all the hiring out of the way early (Mar-Apr) so they don't have to worry so much if a a teacher surprises them by not returning.  Other districts wait until what feel like the last second.  I was hired in July (school starts mid August in Missouri) so you can imagine my angst.  I'd say if you're not being considered for a full time position now, it's time to get your name on a sub list.  Get your foot in several districts around where you want to teach.  If they like what they see as a sub, it will be much easier to find a full time position!

Answer 10

I got hired a week before school started.  I didn't worry about my classroom until after school had started.  I just made sure I had a syllabus for each of my classes and the first week of lesson plans.  For my second year, I didn't even know what class I was teaching until the day before.  I wouldn't worry.  

Answer 11

I was hired on the first day and started teaching October 9th.