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Re: Alabama Teacher's Test ?? To: Sarah A
Posted by Sarah on 7/17/08

I do know that many principals recommend subbing. I wish that I could
afford to do that! It's not that I am "unwilling" to sub, I am "unable"
to sub! I will definitely have to leave the education field while in
Huntsville b/c 50 a day just doesn't pay the bills!
I do have experience (5 years in another state) and still have not
received any calls from principals. Most positions I have called about
are being filled from within or they have already made a
recommendation. Honestly there have been very few elementary positions
open in the Huntsville area this summer.
I have great references from past principals and was a "model" teacher
back at home. This means other teachers were sent in to observe me so
they could improve their teaching. With the glowing references that I
have along with the positive experience I'm just baffled as to why I
haven't even got an interview!
I am just really confused with the system here. I don't want to sound
negative, I guess I am just really frustrated. School starts in a
couple of weeks and I don't have a job. It's just been a real change to
live in a place where teachers don't have work.
Thanks for the advice about Jan. I will look for her on here! I need
any and all help I can get!

On 7/17/08, Ronda wrote:
> On 7/17/08, Sarah A wrote:
>> I often hear people saying that to get your foot in the door you
>> need to sub here first. To be frank, I did not go to school and
>> get my Master's degree to be a substitute. I realize that there
>> is a lot of competition for jobs here in the Huntsville area.
>> That's not necessarily a bad thing. That means that the students
>> here should be getting instruction from the best of the best!
>> That's awesome!
>
> Sarah, you can have a Master's but you will need to prove yourself
> to a perspective principal. In order to do that, subbing is one
> route. Once you get your "foot in the door", the principal can
> assess you and the staff get to know your talents or lack thereof.
> I am sure you would prefer not to sub, but that is a good way to
> show off your talents. Many people have a Master's and have little
> or no experience. I prefer to have a teacher with some good
> experience. An unwillingness to do what it takes to acquire a job
> through whatever means is necessary will not net one a job. A
> Master's is not the only consideration. As a principal myself, I
> look for much more than that. And this is not the only area that
> subbing is recommended. If you get on the regular chatboard you
> will see that many, principals/teachers recommend subbing. If that
> is not what you are willing to do, you may have to settle for
> something different. One thing you may want to do is chat with Jan
> on the regular board. She trains teachers and has some excellent
> tips for acquiring a teaching job and much, much more. She is a
> gold mine of information!
>
>> I just think that saying that the job outlook for teachers is
>> good in this area is misleading. If you have to sub to be
>> considered for a position then maybe this isn't the best town for
>> a teaching career. I don't know about you all but I can't afford
>> to sub for a year for $50 a day.
>> I got offered a job at a private school for $10 an hour. Again, I
>> can't afford to work for pay like that. If you can, that's
>> great!I just think that people moving to the area should know
>> that finding a position is difficult and if you are forced to sub
>> you may not be able to feed your family! I don't want anyone to
>> go through the difficulty that I have!
>
> I am sorry you are having such a tough time finding something but
> you may need to compromise a bit. I think the one who is hurting
> in this situation is you, therefore, you can't afford not to take a
> job if the ultimate goal is to work in the system. If you
> negotiate your salary in a good private school, you may be able to
> make about $15.00 an hour or so but if you have little experience,
> you probably won't be able to get that much. One thing I would
> recommend is starting at a good private school. It has been my
> experience that teachers who work at a local private school with a
> good reputation and put that on their resume often are able to move
> into the system after a year or two. I know that this has happened
> in many cases with people who have come into the area. Also,
> getting experience by whatever means you can will help. Keep in
> mind that there are many people from this area that are Certified,
> Highly Qualified teachers and they are seeking jobs just as you
> are. Good Luck on your job search and though I know you don't feel
> you went to school to get your Master's just to sub for low pay,
> you are not doing it just to sub for low pay, you are doing it to
> obtain a permanent teaching job. It is a means to an end. Just not
> the one you want. I do understand that and you will get what you
> want eventually. We all had to start somewhere and we all had to
> work our way up. If I hear of anything that you might be
> interested in I will try to chat with you on this board. What
> grades do you teach? Can you share a little about yourself. I will
> put my email up so you can email me should you decide to. Much luck
> to you in your job pursuits. Ronda
>
>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 7/12/08, Ronda. wrote:
>>
>>> Wendy, Huntsville is a very nice city - not too large and
>>> not too small. The people here are very friendly overall.
>>> I am glad you are excited about coming! People are always
>>> coming here and then deciding to stay because they fall in
>>> love with the area! The city is constantly growing as
>>> people move here. Sometimes we would like to send a few
>>> of them back! LOL! Let me see if I can remember your
>>> questions. I think the sub pay is low. It seems to me it
>>> is about $60.00 a day. I don't know many subs so I am not
>>> sure but the last time I heard the pay was low. Private
>>> school pay is sometimes comparable to city school pay but
>>> so much depends on the size of the school. Randolph school
>>> here is a good option and we have a nice Catholic High
>>> School and Grace Luthern is another good school. The
>>> salaries in this schools should be pretty comparable to
>>> city school salary. It can be difficult to get into the
>>> city and county school system but there are some ways to
>>> assist you in doing it. One of course is to sub, another
>>> is to work for a good private school with a good reputation
>>> first and then move into the system. I teach at a private
>>> school and also work as principal/administrator. I love my
>>> job! It is a tiny private school, however, and does not pay
>>> enormously well. I work because of the love of the children
>>> and the work itself. You can't get wealthy in the school
>>> system! LOL My school isn't hiring now but I don't know
>>> what will happen once school commences. We are a very
>>> close knit group and we are very good friends. I will talk
>>> with you more if we email each other. I hope you find
>>> something you will enjoy! There are many areas you can
>>> consider so I feel you will find something. I interviewed
>>> last year and before I could call teachers back, they had
>>> already found jobs so I am not sure what the other poster
>>> was talking about but I do know you have to be willing to
>>> work into the system and sometimes that means taking a
>>> lower paying job in the private sector and then working
>>> into the system however, I do know teachers who have moved
>>> here and gotten a job in the system immediately. Take care
>>> and let me hear from you. You can click on my email and
>>> email me if you want. Ronda
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>


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Posts on this thread, including this one


• Alabama Teacher's Test ??, 7/03/08, by Wendy Oliver.
• Re: Alabama Teacher's Test ??, 7/04/08, by 1st grade teacher.
• Re: oops! let's try that again, 7/04/08, by 1st grade teacher.
• Re: Alabama Teacher's Test ??, 7/04/08, by Wendy Oliver.
• Re: Alabama Teacher's Test ??, 7/04/08, by 1st grade teacher.
• Re: Alabama Teacher's Test ??, 7/04/08, by Wendy Oliver.
• Re: Alabama Teacher's Test ?? To: Wendy, 7/08/08, by Ronda, a native Huntsvillian.
• Re: Alabama Teacher's Test ?? To: Wendy, 7/08/08, by Ronda, a native Huntsvillian.
• Re: Alabama Teacher's Test ?? To: Wendy, 7/10/08, by Wendy Oliver.
• Re: Alabama Teacher's Test ?? To: Wendy, 7/11/08, by Sarah A..
• Re: Alabama Teacher's Test ?? To: Wendy, 7/12/08, by Ronda..
• Re: Alabama Teacher's Test ?? To: Wendy, 7/13/08, by Wendy Oliver.
• Re: Alabama Teacher's Test ?? To: Wendy, 7/17/08, by Sarah A.
• Re: Alabama Teacher's Test ?? To: Sarah A, 7/17/08, by Ronda.
• Re: Alabama Teacher's Test ?? To: Sarah A, 7/17/08, by Sarah.
• Re: Alabama Teacher's Test ?? To: Wendy, 7/19/08, by Wendy Oliver.
• Re: Alabama Teacher's Test ?? To: Wendy, 7/19/08, by Wendy, I emailed you! Ronda.