On 10/21/08, Dan Grajek wrote:
> I'm a midlife career-changer going back to school to earn
> my teacher certificate in Michigan. I plan to major in
> English and High or Middle High School (possibly special
> ed). My studies should be complete in about two years.
>
> Though I prefer to stay in Michigan, I'm open to relocate.
> Where would one suppose the best opportunities would be?
> Which states have the highest salaries and demand? All the
> studies I've seen show teachers in demand in general
> nationwide, although Math and Science are more in demand
> than English teachers. Any advice?
Give it to you straight... OK.
As you know, Michigan has been in the economic pooper much
longer than the rest of the nation. REally things have been
crap in MI since 2002, maybe a bit earlier. Things are
getting worse, and they're not getting better there.
That said, there isn't going to be any options in MI for a
long time. Even sped teachers have issues getting jobs there.
I did, and I moved away. You probably know this.
As far as the rest of the country, its a mixed bag for
English. The places with good salaries don't have need. The
places with crap salaries and tenure laws do have a need. Its
not rocket science. New York or Illinois have no teaching
shortage because they pay a decent wage. Arkansas and
Louisianna have a shortage because they pay crap and have
little tenure protection. If you want to go to a high need
state, thats up to you, but its high need for a reason.
In Illinois, we have a need for special ed, math, and some
science, along with ESL and Billingual. There is practically
NO need for English, social science, or general elementary.
You really have to know someone to get a job doing that. If
you want to get into teaching, make sure you go into a field
that is employable.
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