The economy sucks and many school districts need to hire teachers but also need to “hire cheap” which means those without 4 years experience and without a Master’s degree. It seems that in this educational environment where the focus is on highly-qualified individuals that it means not too highly qualified. I am very highly qualified. I hold both a BA and MA in English and my certification.
Public schools here and across the country for the most part have set payscales based on education and years of experience. Well, my MA makes me more expensive and pretty soon I will be an MA+15 which makes me even more expensive. It sucks because there are some districts with lot of openings but many of them have “hire cheap” policies and that leaves me out cold. It frickin’ sucks. Because I feel confident saying that if you put me in a room with 10 other candidates, I am the best choice. I am not bashful to say that I am a kick ass teacher.
I want to get back in the classroom more than anything. But the fact that I have a subject area advanced degree and teach at the college level–I am pricing myself out of my choosen job market and it sucks.
Embracing Imperfection 
That sucks! The U.S. is never going to catch up (education wise) to the rest of the developed world if it continues such hiring policies and continues to do what is happening here…laying off teachers and increasing class sizes again. What about one of those private schools?…bet you could get an awesome tuition discount by working at Noah’s new school!
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You are a kick ass teacher!!!
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I agree with Ginger on the private school thing–I know they don’t usually pay as well, but if you could teach where you are sending the kids, they could go for free 🙂
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Our children are worth the best. Its a shame the way our public school system is set up, funded, etc. I know you must be a very good teacher — hang in there.
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that was my problem precisely. i,too, have a MA+15 yrs and had to take a job that only reflected my 9yrs (their maximum step entrance). i went back to a district where i worked from 1998-2000 (after 5yrs in cali) and had a glowing rec from my former principal and all my evaluations but they didn’t care. they refused to pay me over a step 9 which was a $20,000 pay cut. i needed a job so i took it. the system makes no sense!!
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I did the same thing and then couldn’t find a position anywhere in Indiana. I left K-6 at that point for early intervention–a huge pay cut but really, the only thing out there at the time.
Hang tough–you’ll find something soon!
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