Educators Struggle with Job Search & Credentials

HS social studies? What’dya coach?

“Just want to point out that math in California should be considered as a competitive position now. Sciences and SPED remain a need.”

“Find a large city with a decent Vietnamese and Cambodian population. Take community college courses to get your teaching credentials. Substitute teacher during the day and take courses at night. Take the teacher licensing test ASAP. SPED and Bi-Lingual SPED are high needs almost everywhere. GiFTED, MATH, and READ are perennially high needs.”

“I’m 25, in the middle of getting my schools diploma (30/46 Credits), I’d most likely be moving north mid summer next year, but not completely done with getting my diploma. As well as wondering has anyone ever done this and if classes were transferable, but what has your general experience been in the north? (Especially if you moved there) any big details i should pay attention to, unions etc? This is coming from the south where no access to a union really. submitted by /u/Hot-Pea-604”

“What state are you in, if you don’t mind sharing? They’re all different. In Texas, you can get an alt cert which does involve a test at the end of your first year.”

“I moved from North Carolina to Florida last fall. Shortly after, I applied to teach piano at a nationwide music store. I had already taught for this same company for seven years in North Carolina, so I assumed it would be an automatic hire. After hearing nothing for a while, I went into the store in person. I introduced myself, explained that I had seven years of experience with the company, and mentioned that I have a master’s degree in piano pedagogy. The lesson coordinator seemed enthusiastic”

“Hi! I am a first year elementary teacher and I am still waiting on a position. I applied to two counties. First day of school for one is 8/12 and the other starts 8/24. I could hear back from any of them last minute, even the day before. I’ve also been a substitute for the past 2 years so if I don’t get a full time position I’ll continue that, most likely a long-term position. What worries me is that I can’t do anything right now. I could end up anywhere from first to fifth grade so I’m stuck. I”

“Thinking of being a (preferably high school) theatre arts teacher. Almost done with my bachelors that is not in teaching. I’ve looked online and it seems like Praxis is the thing people that want to teach but don’t have credentials do. The thing is, I was never really good at standardized tests at school. I’m thinking if that’s best from other people. submitted by /u/Argonauticalius [link] [comments]”

“Hiiiyaaaa! I wanted to give an update since my last post about my ESE K-12 exam last week! I do have a question about my current job situation. I accepted a position as a paraprofessional in a Florida public school, but I recently noticed that it is listed as a replacement position. From what I understand, it may only be for one school year. I accepted the position before passing my ESE exam because I was looking for a job with good benefits and a chance to gain experience in the public school s”

“Hi. I am in MA and graduated with a masters in moderate support needs this past May. I also have my undergraduate degree in elementary education and have passed all my MTELS. I have applied to 20+ schools and have gotten nothing. I have had 3 interviews, 1 told me no the next day, 2 ghosted me. No one else has reached out. I have watched my friends from school all easily get jobs and start planning for the school year. Is this normal? I have had mentor teachers tell me it is, but it’s hard to st”

“I am a recent college graduate (2025) looking to become an early childhood / elementary educator, My goal is to work with students from underserved populations in inner cities specifically, and I would like to get some knowledge into a young child’s mind and how they develop! Nobody in my family has any experience with education graduate programs, so I’m at a bit of a loss. What would you all recommend in terms of the best early childhood development / education masters programs in the US?”

“Anyone have experience remote teaching part-time at Michigan Vietual? Particularly during the school year as a side hustle while working full time in a school. Even better if you can speak as a math teacher. What’s the work load and pay like? How was/ is your experience? submitted by /u/MrEbenezerScrooge [link] [comments]”

“So i have been looking for a history job for 2 years, and i finally got one in February this year. It was hell, i inherited a class with zero structure and 0 time to prep or really create anything before the first day. I taught world and u.s. with my lunch as my prep basically. LONG story short, it was the worst i had ever felt as a new professional. I felt usure of myself and had to make lesson plans daily cause of the lack of prep time. My weekends were more prep time and i basically had zero”

“My first reaction is that this will take longer than 15-20 mins, but I do think the lesson idea is generally pretty sound. Also, perhaps consider how you will support English learners with the academic vocabulary for this activity, how you will determine if they are getting it, and what you will do if they do/don’t get it.”

“Hi there! Art teacher of 11 years here. 15-20 minutes is not a lot of time. With an elementary demo, the structure will need to be fast paced. Your observers will be looking for behavior management especially. I would personally identify the shapes in real world pictures as a class (thumbs up if you agree/thumbs down if you disagree- then have them explain why) and then move them into their applied learning drawing (this could also be fun to give them the option of partner drawing). Between you”

“non-credentialed teachers have to be issued a STSP BEFORE being considered for a position. Are you sure there's a hiring freeze? Why hasn't anyone at LAUSD told me? They made it seems as if they're interested in hiring me... they're just moving verrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyy slowly.”

“.... I dont have a job???? A STSP is a permit allowing non-credential teachers to teach. It just means I am ELIGIBLE to teach for LAUSD.”

“This might not be the right community to post in so if it gets removed I understand. But I’m applying at an elementary school to be an instructional technical support assistant. I have to take the district administered technology skills test (every level). Everyone’s saying it’s not hard so I’m not crazy nervous, but I would still like to go in having knowledge of everything. If there are any former technical support assistants that can guide me or give me an idea of what to study or what you us”

“I have a Single subject Math preliminary credential. I’ve applied for 60 school districts and only got a few interviews. Getting rejected by many districts make me feel unconfident. I saw some post said that new teachers get hired in August. But it feels overwhelmed to relocate at the very last minute. And it will be difficult to find a place to live. I don’t even know what I’m writing. I’m just feeling stressed.💀 submitted by /u/littlelightbulu [link] [comments]”

“I am beyond frustrated with NYSED. For context I am certified to teach chemistry. I applied for my professional certification in June. I was told today that I'm still deficient in my core content area requirement despite already completing my MSEd last year in an approved degree program that counts for my professional certification! Granted, I did forget to send a transcript from my prior university, but I sent that over today. This should hopefully count for 9 of my 12 required semester hou”

Have you considered working for Bureau of Indian Education?

“This might not be the right community to post in so if it gets removed I understand. But I’m applying at an elementary school to be an instructional technical support assistant. I have to take the district administered technology skills test (every level). Everyone’s saying it’s not hard so I’m not crazy nervous, but I would still like to go in having knowledge of everything. If there are any former technical support assistants that can guide me or give me an idea of what to study or what you us”

You still have time. Most of my district hires happen in early August.

“If I am offered a job at a school and decide not to accept it… Will that affect my chances of getting hired in the district later on? I’m debating if I want to start teaching this year or wait another year (My son is 3 and I’m going back and forth if I want to stay home with him another year). I’m worried if I’m offered a job and refuse the district will talk and not offer me future positions? Am I being paranoid? submitted by /u/beccalicious11 [link] [comments]”

“Hello all who see this! I’m curious if anyone has been interviewed for a food and textiles technician or a home economics assistant position? Can you tell me what type of questions you were asked, how it went with the panel and if it was easy? I’m stressing out about my interview next week and need some pointers. Thank you! 🙏 submitted by /u/Fart-Mushroom1118 [link] [comments]”

“I have an interview tomorrow for a public school district for a Special Services Secretary. Would anyone know if there would be a long board approved wait for this position?”

“I did iTeach. Very streamlined if you have a bachelors and your state participates.”

“consider being a teacher assistant! i have a degree in graphic design and was an elementary TA at a private school. private schools for the most part only care if you have any degree and a passion for teaching.”

“Hi everyone! I’ve never been in this position before so I am not sure what to do. Long story short: School A is a charter school that has only interviewed me for an Interventionist. This is not the position I had wanted, they said I need two years of experience, yet when they gave me an offer today, they said it’s because I have two years of experience. The offer was almost offensive (I have a masters). School B is an actual district school and what I really want. I had a second interview today”

“Hi everybody, I've got an interview coming up for a technology education/industrial tech job at a school. What questions should I expect to get during the interview, and are there any questions where it is easy to get tripped up on? New to the process and not completely sure what to expect. Thanks! submitted by /u/Competitive-Drag1004 [link] [comments]”

“I applied to Vineland a few months ago I didn’t see Atlantic City had something. My exact certs are TSD and social studies I can do 6-12 ss and then the TSD covers 5-12”

“Honestly, in terms of job satisfaction it's the luck of the draw as to where you get hired and where you end up. Given your background and desire to teach, I would give it a try. Just have a "Plan B" if it doesn't work out for you.”

“Ive been a sub for the last year and my district only pays $15:( I really cant afford to do another year of subbing. I did get an interview for a VPK position tomorrow so we’ll see!”

“Could you explain a little more about how you qualify to teach? Is this like a A) " emergency hire" where -due to extreme need - they are willing to wave certain requirements temporarily… with the understanding that you will go back to school to become fully licensed B) literally your coursework is able to count as a license”

“Can you be a sub? You can find openings if you are in the buildings…also see if you like the school.”

“That's not shocking. The hiring process for teaching positions is extremely fast. I wish you luck, but do realize that public schools generally have to interview at least a few candidates for each position (in my district, the minimum is three), and the other candidates probably have more qualifications. If it's a charter or private school you have a better shot, but still not great.”

“If you still don’t find a position for the coming school year, sign up as a sub for any district you’re interested in. Once they realize how capable you are, they will likely find you a position.”

“I would expect questions about your certification status and if you intend to pursue certification and by what means. Every state is different (and public/private/charter are all likewise different too), and sometimes there are provisions for this so that you don't have to be certified to be hired. But you should be prepared for those questions and have ready answers. Other common questions will assess your approach to classroom management, your experience with kids of this age range, your f”

“You say "first year teacher". Given that you write in July I'm going to assume (and I could be wrong) you're going into your first job, not that you've recently completed your first year. First, have you seen your room yet? I've taught in rooms that had plenty of space and in rooms where you could barely fit in enough conventional desks for the students. I wouldn't even think about this until I knew exactly what my room looked like and I could put my ideas into a so”

“First off I know how ridiculous that sounds and I completely understand how important in person experience is for getting certified. I don't know if it's relevant but I've had 5 yrs teaching experience in dance and elementary programs (I'm a junior in college doing biology and I've just decided to pursue teaching as a career so bear with my I don't know much about the processes yet!) Just to keep it short, after college I would like to move abroad but still get a US teach”

“In a recent HR training of mine, people that apply almost instantly are often seen as red flags because it shows that they didn’t research or are just blasting applications everywhere.”

Southern Maryland!! Plz!!!! We desperate out here

“I moved from K to middle after a few fun, but challenging, years. Does your second interview involve a demo? What’s the variable between the first interview and the second? Does the format move from one on one to group? Lock in on whatever is different about the second interview and reassess.”

“I (31, tall and bearded) just finished student teaching in 5th grade last year. I subbed in every grade, and had positive experiences, but when it comes to job places I was only really considered for 4-5th and behavioral. Even talking to other schools there was a general consensus that having a male teacher in the early grades makes people uncomfortable. But I also got the sense that the admin assumed that I would be uncomfortable because children are affectionate and often find men scarier at f”

“Asking as someone in SoCal with a credential in Mathematics who understands you're most easily noticed if you're one of the first to apply. submitted by /u/jfish3222 [link] [comments]”

“I just accepted a job offer in MO as I’m close to the St. Louis border and live on the IL side - I’ve had my PTA license in IL for over a year. So of course I need to do the whole reciprocity thing from IL to MO (I’ve done this before with a cosmetology license but like 10 years ago,) to start my new job, however for some odd reason I absolutely can not access the MO state boards website 🤨 my browser basically says “ay yo, this site isn’t safe, so I’m not loading it,” even though the link looks”

“I originally applied to a position but was not considered because of my graduate work. They’re still looking for a teacher for this position, I still don’t have a position for this school year, so would it be wrong if I reapply but don’t mention my graduate work? I’m fine not being paid on the scale for my grad work as long as I can get a job. submitted by /u/Economy-Resource-262 [link] [comments]”

“Hello! I’m looking for advice on options for advancing my career in Canada. I currently have an undergraduate degree in early childhood education, a graduate diploma in education and have been working as a registered early childhood educator coming up on 3 years in a licensed childcare centre. I am currently on maternity leave with my first baby, returning to work late next year. My question is for anyone familiar with the field of ECEC and education, what can I study to advance my career? I hav”

“Depends a lot on the state. Here in NJ, real estate is expensive and there is a lot of competition to get into a good school, so there are very strict residency laws for school districts, and they absolutely check.”

Thank you!

So your major doesn’t really matter? As long as you get the bachelors

Did you go back to school for a teaching degree?

“What do you mean by the university is accredited?”

“Yeah... I applied a charter school and ask them about work life balance and what steps they took to prevent teacher burn out. The principal of the charter school told me that since teachers were salary, they were expected to work until everything was done..... even if that was until 9 pm at night. I didnt get the job but I was glad the principal was upfront with me.”

“I already am a substitute in the district actually. The way my student teaching program worked they had all student teachers required to be hired as subs by the district they student teach in so they can be used as subs when needed.”

“I’m already a sub in the district, but LTSing was my plan B especially as I’ve heard many teachers currently in the district got hired by being a LTS first.”

“It sounds like charters may be quite different in different states. I worked in an excellent charter under a director who operated a very tight ship (as well as two non-charter public schools that didn’t compare), and my kids attended two different top ranked schools in our state, both charters. I have friends whose kids have attended 6 other charters across our state, all with great reputations. Charters here have long wait lists to get in because they rank so high, with students scoring much h”

“Option 3. This is likely the best paid/stable option and will look the best for future job applications.”

“I am in the process of transitioning careers- museum professional to teaching- and am looking mostly for advice. First question, do school systems really hire late/last minute? I have seen so many things about how schools and the school system hire for positions last minute or towards the end of the summer, super close to the start of the school year. Is that true? How are new teachers meant to prepare if they get maybe a couple of weeks to get things set up and organized? Secondly, I am based i”