I am in desperation and am freaking out, because I am trying to find a Special Ed. position and feel like it's too late. I just now started applying because I was waiting on my CTEL scores to know whether or not I could get my preliminary credential or not. I just found out a week or so ago. I know most schools have started or start next week, and I feel like there is no hope. I was originally told that since I teach Special Ed. I would have no problem because they are always looking for SPED teachers. I taught for 6 years on an emergency/intern credential, then left teaching for 2 years to work with my dad at his small business and finish school. I am 2 classes away from my Masters in Special Ed. and have finished all my credential stuff and have experience. I am a qualified candidate, but feel like all the jobs are gone and now I don't know what I am going to do! Any advice or thoughts on this from those who know or have similar experience would be greatly appreciated. I just don't know if these postings on Edjoin are reliable. I've applied to about 20 total and heard nothing. I would think they would be hurrying to fill what they do have left and just feel so unsure. Sorry for the long post and again, thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice. K
My former professor said there should be more openings in the next several weeks as people are still moving around and you never know what enrollment will bring.
I would also look into the requirements for subbing in districts around you, so that if it comes down to that, you have a source of income, as well as your foot in the door in more than one school.
Ditto to all of the above! I would say that since so many parents wait until the last minute... wait...isn't this bizarre? You walk around with a child for 5-6 years and then it dawns on you, hey... I think we need to put him in school. Well that's what happens. So the schools end up shifting kids, rooms, teachers, entire buildings become overcrowded overnight. Parents move in August. Live next door to a school, and the realtor swears up and down this is a great school, and then these parents can't believe it when the secretary says this is not their district. It's way across town! So to make a long story short...the fruit basket is upset, and they may have more rooms to fill. but, especially in your case. What makes matters worse (or better ..for you) is that many sp. ed. parents can be in denial. they move across town, and try to sneak their kids into reg. ed classes. When secretary asks for paperwork, they claim it was lost, burned, or the other school is 'gonna send it soon' So this poor kid spends 3 days or 3 weeks driving everyone ...well...you know, and the teacher knew from day one... oh my...she should be in sp. ed. And when she goes to the office to check the file, there is none! So, when the papers finally come, the parents think the school won't pull the child out...but they do! And if you get enough of these kids pulled out, TA-DA... we need a new cross cat classroom! And you know the average size is 10. I could see 10 kids being pulled out of reg. ed within the first three weeks of school. Go online to all the school districts you are near. Apply for whatever is out there. A foot in the door is what you want.
Thank you to all who responded. I have applied to all that is out there, but have heard nothing. I find it strange as I would think they would be hurrying to fill the open positions soon, before school starts next week. I am very qualified and haven't even been called for an interview. It is very frustrating...I am going to look into subbing as a last resort, but I NEED a regular job with benefits. I never imagined I would be in this position and always listened to what I heard others say about Special Ed. teachers never having to worry about finding a job and how desperately districts needed them. Guess not here where I am! I am praying to find something or hear from somebody in the next day or so. Thanks again for the feedback!
NO! It is not too late to get a job. I just got a job yesterday!! Keep applying, even after the first days of school. You can and will get something. Dont give up. Good Luck to you.
have you looked into alternative programs? some high schools and middle schools have an offsite campus for kids. social service agencies have positions also. and independent, private pay-for-fee service schools also have need for sp. ed. have you considered working with seniors? should be plenty of opportunities in senior day care/park district programs. Might not be what you had in mind, but believe me...when I am at the nursing home with my parents...I feel that's what I am experiencing. Cross cat classroom...nursing home...not much difference.. You can help with fine motor, read to them, let them read to you.. and you will always have an aide so you don't have to move them or worry about toileting... just a thought
Thanks for the thoughts. I have looked into alternative programs and applied for a few postings. Again, haven't heard a thing. I really do not want to work with seniors or do anything like that. My heart is in teaching kids and special needs and I am actually not comfortable at all working with the elderly. Plus, I did not go to school and get into major debt in grad school to not do what I was trained and have experience in! The most frustrating part is not even getting called for an interview. I went onto the job boards again this morning and the majority of the ones I've applied to are still listed. If they are not filled, why would I not even get a call for an interview?? It makes no sense to me. I even called and left two messages at two districts, to check on the status of my application, etc. The HR people never got back to me. That seems so unprofessional. I don't understand... Anybody have any thoughts on this and what could be going on or what else I need to do? Thanks!
I know how you feel I applied to over 30 job postings in the last two weeks through e-mail and heard from 3. One telling me the position was filled, another telling me Thanks! (That was all she wrote) and the last thanking me for applying. I used to work in an alternative school several years ago and by Nov. teachers were burnt out. I ended up quitting the next month. I wasn't teaching then but the teacher I worked with stayed until a few weeks after the holidays and then she quit. I'm not saying you'll have to wait until Jan. but I'm just pointing out that some teachers just don't like where they're at and they leave. I would either take a trip down to HR if you can or continue to call, don't waste time leaving messages. Just keep calling someone is bound to pick up. You could also try e-mailing them. One of the school districts I'm trying to work in suggests e-mailing the staff. As for positions being still listed there are three reasons, I can think of: First, they were filled but the position was never removed from the list. Second, Its likely they are waiting to have a more accurate count as to how many students will need SPED services. Thirdly, the school wants to fill the position but due to budget issues or a hiring freeze they can not hire at this time. However, they want to continue to gather resumes Either way you will find something. Try and call everyone you know who might know anything about the school district and if they don't ask if they know someone who does. Contact the principals yourself. Whatever you do not give up! Tough times just means you have to get tougher.
Have they started school yet? I know that I had applied for a part time reading clinician job through edjoin. AFter the deadline passed, I check every now and then to see if they had reviewed my application, but after two weeks of the same status, I finally emailed the HR person. Well, the HR person told me that they were very busy with school starting up and everything. HR ended up hiring me for another position (temp), but I'm pretty sure that they still haven't begun interviewing for the original position. Some districts like to wait and see what the numbers are before they begin the next step. When they originally asked me if I would be interested in this other position, I said yes. But then I didn't hear from them for a while. I found out from a friend who works in the district that they were waiting to see what the numbers were, even though they asked if I wanted the position. So.... some districts just like to wait and see what the numbers are. I would keep calling and emailing every now and then.
Have you been calling back to ensure they got it? or rather..putting your file on the top b/c they go and dig it out to see if they got it? I was hired the day before school started last year! So there is hope!
SO Frustrated! Yes, today I called 3 districts to check. 2 told me that the positions were already filled. Yet, they still had the postings up. I wasted my time applying for jobs that I never even had a chance for! The other told me that there were others "more qualified" than me, so they "removed" my application. WTF??!!! I still have not heard from the others and really don't want to call to check because I fear I will hear much of the same. I have never heard of such a thing. I am ready to move almost anywhere for a position! Tomorrow is the Friday before the long holiday weekend, and school starts on Tuesday. So, I am out of luck to have something before school starts. I am so depressed and have no clue what to do. I honestly never imagined this and figured that as somebody who is done with all tests and coursework and is 2 classes away from my Masters in Special Ed., I would have NO problem. Wow, how wrong I was... I know that there are often late enrollments, etc. but in my area and the district I used to teach in, when they added more Special Ed. kids, they just gave the current teachers more students and gave them an additional aide to make up for it. They rarely hire more teachers after school has started. I am still hoping and praying to hear something, but am beginning to lose hope. Anybody have stories or hope for me or know of anybody who needs a Special ed. teacher?? Thanks again!
spedteach-I'm sorry that you are having to go through this. There have been positions that have been posted on district websites around here that have been filled when I have called about them as well. It doesn't make it feel any better. I'm so frustrated with the system now, that my hubby and I have decided to try to relocate to NC in the hopes of finding a job. I emailed a principal about a job on Tuesday, within an hour I had gotten a response wanting to do a phone interview for today, which seems like it went really well. I find out Tuesday whether or not we'll be moving!
Wow, good for you. Has school started there in NC already? Are they in need of teachers in all areas? Is it rural or urban NC? At this point, I feel like I will go almost anywhere! However, I have no money to relocate that far away. Lucky for you that NC is not too far from TX. The whole thing is just so frustrating and it makes you wonder why you hear how desperate they are for teachers when people like us find ourselves in positions like this. I hope you get the job and good luck to you! I know nothing about NC, but if they are still hiring, great! BTW, are you in a high demand field (Math, Science or Special Ed.)? I was told as a Special Ed. teacher that I would have no trouble finding things, but so far that is not true!
We haven't moved out there yet, and will only move out there if I get this job. They have a lot of special ed openings from what I've seen in both rural and urban NC. And no I am not in a high demand field. I'm certified EC-4 and 4-8 English/Reading/Social Studies. The county I interviewed with has a sign on bonus that they say can be used for relocation assistance. Some counties have a sign on bonus in addition to relocation assistance, depending on the county. I've heard nothing but good things about NC, and I know the cost of living is a lot lower than Cali.
In the district in which I teach, even today we had internal postings. When these are not filled, they will go external and will probably happen after the start of school.
there are 5 positions posted now alone for SPED(Appleton School District) and I know they are not filled, but will be asap. The cost of living here is super-cheap (think, nice 3 bedroom home for a bit over $100,000).
