Hi all! I am from California but have been teaching down in Mexico since 2009. I might be looking to return to California in a couple of years. When I first came down here, it was verrrrrry difficult to find teaching jobs in California. I'm curious about what the situation is like now. Is it still difficult? TIA!
It depends on where you're willing to go. Still lots of opportunities in the urban and rural districts, I think.
You can pick your district if you're a math or special education teacher. The salaries look wonderful, but the high cost of housing, mandatory CalSTRS contribution, state income tax, required union dues, and required ObamaCare wipe it all out.
California does have opportunities as there is a shortage nationwide. However, I feel CA still is pretty competitive and there are many good high quality educators there. This makes advancement more difficult as you are competing with a larger more qualified pool of people. If you go to some other states which are in need of good educators, you could advance much more quickly if that is your end goal. I feel a person, regardless of career, should seek places to work where they will be in that 70% and up category of qualification and skill so you have more opportunities to advance and can have more choice. When you work in a highly competitive climate with limited experience, you settle for the lower end positions with less advancement opportunities and you are of less value to that organization because you can be replaced more easily. I seek out places where I am a valuable asset to the organization not easily expendable.
I know nothing about the central coast, but I do know that it's basically the first time since I started teaching (2012) that it's possible to be the least bit picky about where you teach because jobs ACTUALLY EXIST!
Sorry, I'm not sure I understand why the assumption is that I am less qualified. When I return to California, I will have 10 years teaching experience. I have two teaching credentials and a master's in teaching. I'm teaching at an American school with US curriculum, and we use Common Core standards. I feel I can offer something that other teachers might not: a bicultural teaching experience.
Lovely! It was very difficult at the time I left California. I was only able to find subbing, and short term teaching contracts.
Yes, I am well aware of the differences. I did student teaching, tutoring and volunteer work in schools such as those.
I was going to say that you might have a good chance since you have a lot of teaching experience (even though there is some competition).
It's nice to hear that the teaching market there is in much better shape than it was when I left. It was almost impossible to find a teaching job when I left California. I'm going to be working on my digital portfolio and really highlighting my unique experiences and skills obtained during my years of teaching in Mexico.
If you have any interest in moving to northern California or the Central Valley we have job opportunity here
I'm curious as to how honest one can be about the teaching climate in one's state at these forums. The privacy statement I read offers little comfort.
Hmm..since income taxes are a big part of what pays for public schools including teacher's salaries, abolishing income taxes wouldn't be a good thing for teachers.
A good deal of public school funding in California, and in most other jurisdictions, comes from property taxes, not income taxes.
California's unfunded liabilities in all those pensions is the most pathetic thing I've ever seen when it comes to government and running a budget.
In California, a big part does come from state income taxes. Even if it might not be the largest part--see article below. The point being that cutting taxes that even partially go to schools is not a beneficial thing when you are a teacher. https://ed100.org/lessons/whopays
