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Illinois Teachers Chatboard

by Ms. Ada

Jul 6, 2015

I have a MA in teaching but cant find a classroom position in Chicago. I have no idea what else I can do with this degree. I am beginning to feel hopeless as I continue to apply for teacher positions. Has anyone else been in this position? What did you do?

view previous comments

sped It is difficult to say if you're doing anything wrong or not, but general, English-speaking Elementary Ed is still a very saturated field. There are many applicants for every job posting and it will probably always be that way in suburban Chicago. Some suburban districts gets many hundreds of applications per job opening. It certainly has been that...See MoreIt is difficult to say if you're doing anything wrong or not, but general, English-speaking Elementary Ed is still a very saturated field. There are many applicants for every job posting and it will probably always be that way in suburban Chicago. Some suburban districts gets many hundreds of applications per job opening. It certainly has been that way for all of my career. Even elementary sped is harder because that is the level most sped majors want to work in. Most sped majors are women who pictured themselves working with cute 7-year-olds with disabilities, not a 17-year-old who is prone to outbursts.

That said, you sound like you're doing everything right. Continue to apply to every district you can, even if they don't have openings. Hopefully, you have gotten in CPS's "Teacher Quality Pool" and are continuing to apply for openings there. They are notorious for last minute, and even mid-year openings, because new teachers freak out and decide they don't want to work on the South Side in a rough school.

If you don't get a job, look at subbing at nearby districts or become an aid and try to make connections with decision makers. Many times, elem ed jobs go to people the district already knows. With so many applications, especially for general ed elementary jobs, they need something to filter through them. Knowing you as an aid or sub can help.

That said, if you want to increase your employment chances, you should look at adding endorsements or moving to somewhere they are hiring elem ed teachers like Las Vegas (one of the only places in the country where elem ed is a shortage field). You would have a plethora of job offers if you could speak and read Spanish... Even if you can't, an ESL/ELL endorsement is probably the biggest shortage field to add right now. Sped..., not so much anymore. A lot of people figured out that you can add the LBS 1 endorsement with only 4 classes to your existing license. Special ed is still a much better job market than most, but it is not the guaranteed job it used to be.

The middle school endorsement should be added, but honestly if you would just be endorsed in Language Arts or Social Stuides, then you can push that off. Those job markets aren't that much better. Middle school math and science would be better...

On 8/05/15, Ms. Ada wrote: > I am certified to teach Elem Ed. I would consider any area of > Chicago. I have looked at Charter Schools and I am willing to > commute at least 45-60 minutes. I have no idea what I am doing > wrong. I am thinking maybe I need to look into endorsements > although I really don't want to spend any additional money. > Thanks SPED. > > On 7/13/15, sped wrote: >> To get good advice, you need to provide more information. >> What are you certified to teach? When you say "Chicago," >> exactly what area are you talking about? Are you only looking >> at CPS in a certain part of the city? Are you looking inthe >> suburbs, if so, how long of a commute are you willing to >> accept? Are you willing to consider Charters/private schools? >> >> Getting a job at CPS is a different situation entirely from >> getting a job in the 'burbs, so it is very different advice. >> It also depends greatly on what you are certified to teach... >> >> On 7/06/15, Ms. Ada wrote: >>> I have a MA in teaching but cant find a classroom position >>> in Chicago. I have no idea what else I can do with this >>> degree. I am beginning to feel hopeless as I continue to >>> apply for teacher positions. Has anyone else been in this >>> position? What did you do?

Aug 5, 2015

A CPS Teacher Hi Ms. Ada,

CPS is supposed to host a Job Fair on August 14, 2015. You can register using the following link:

[link removed]

It will be a tough market this year because of the fiscal crisis. The best advice that I can give you is keep an open mind and be flexible.Positions sometimes open up unexpectedly for one reason or ...See MoreHi Ms. Ada,

CPS is supposed to host a Job Fair on August 14, 2015. You can register using the following link:

[link removed]

It will be a tough market this year because of the fiscal crisis. The best advice that I can give you is keep an open mind and be flexible.Positions sometimes open up unexpectedly for one reason or another throughout the course of the school year.

Although you have been given this advice before, it bears repeating. You should get an additional endorsement in a high needs area like Math, Science or Bilingual/ESL. Before this school year, I would have encouraged you to get an LBS I endorsement if you were looking to transition to special education. You could still do so but with the understanding that CPS restructed special ed services which has resulted in layoffs of hundres of teachers and support staff.

If you are looking at suburban school districts, you have to keep in mind that competition can be fierce depending on the pay scale and desirability of the district. When looking at the suburbs, keep the population growth of the area in mind as well. For example, the plainfield school district seems to have alot of job openings because of the number of families with school-aged kids that relocated to the area.

I wish you the best of luck and hope that something will turn up.

On 8/05/15, Ms. Ada wrote: > I am certified to teach Elem Ed. I would consider any area of > Chicago. I have looked at Charter Schools and I am willing to > commute at least 45-60 minutes. I have no idea what I am doing > wrong. I am thinking maybe I need to look into endorsements > although I really don't want to spend any additional money. > Thanks SPED. > > On 7/13/15, sped wrote: >> To get good advice, you need to provide more information. >> What are you certified to teach? When you say "Chicago," >> exactly what area are you talking about? Are you only looking >> at CPS in a certain part of the city? Are you looking inthe >> suburbs, if so, how long of a commute are you willing to >> accept? Are you willing to consider Charters/private schools? >> >> Getting a job at CPS is a different situation entirely from >> getting a job in the 'burbs, so it is very different advice. >> It also depends greatly on what you are certified to teach... >> >> On 7/06/15, Ms. Ada wrote: >>> I have a MA in teaching but cant find a classroom position >>> in Chicago. I have no idea what else I can do with this >>> degree. I am beginning to feel hopeless as I continue to >>> apply for teacher positions. Has anyone else been in this >>> position? What did you do?

Aug 12, 2015

3 Ways to Build a Relationship with Your New Students

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Aug 3, 2015

There are three specific ways to build a relationship with your students...

These students are "Way More Than Grease Monkeys"

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Jul 2, 2015

In this class, the kids are way more than "grease monkeys."

No wonder teachers don't speak up for themselves

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Jun 24, 2015

.

by Cheryl

May 14, 2013

Well, I took and passed the test to obtain the Transitional Bilingual Certificate 29. I have it already, but now wha? ISBE just sent the certificate and not even a simple letter or note to explain what is next...I have been calling and writing them and no answer.....any advise on what is next please?

view previous comments

sped On 10/09/14, Luis wrote:

> > Does any one know if a Type 29 Certificate is transferable > in the state of Texas??

That's really a question for the State of Texas' teacher certification authority. However, my guess would be no. The Transitional Bilingual Certificate is designed to be a temporary measure to fill a shortfall...See More

Oct 12, 2014

Jorge On 5/14/13, Cheryl wrote: > Well, I took and passed the test to obtain the Transitional > Bilingual Certificate 29. I have it already, but now wha? > ISBE just sent the certificate and not even a simple letter > or note to explain what is next...I have been calling and > writing them and no answer.....any advise on what is next > ...See More

Jun 18, 2015

Bullying and harassment

by Nobody'svictim

May 7, 2015

I was bullied and harassed at work. I told the principal about it but nothing was done so I went over her head and reported it. After that I was denied medical insurance, then I was let go. Do I have legal recourse? I never had any write ups or complaints about my work. I also was able to collect unemployment.

T I'm not a lawyer, but I'd recommend getting legal advice. My wife was in a situation that sounds similar, where a coworker harassed her for over a year. In a classic CYA move, the principal did nothing, tried to hide everything under the rug. When the situation got to the superintendent level - they tried to blame her for being upset. Mind boggling...See More

May 12, 2015

taco You can always sue anyone for any reason. Whether you win or not depends upon the details... No one is going to give you sound, comprehensive legal advice on an internet forum. If you're talking about going to court, you're gonna need a lawyer.

I don't know what medical insurance has to do with anything, unless you mean having medical ins...See More

May 17, 2015

Spanish Proficiency Exam

by Emily P

Apr 29, 2015

Hello! I am taking the Transitional Bilingual Spanish Proficiency exam this weekend and was wondering if anyone on here has taken it and can give me some insight. I have a fairly strong grasp on the spanish language but it has been a while since I have used it. I am very worried about the oral part. Anyone have any tips or things I should be prepar...See More

Employment for Experienced Teacher

by Matt J.

Mar 27, 2015

Hello all,

My wife has recently been offered a job in the Chicago area. I am a teacher from Michigan with 9 years of public school experience. I am certified social studies and English in grades 6-12. I am extremely nervous about the job outlook. I am wondering what the chances of me finding a teaching job in the Chicago area by next schoo...See More

view previous comments

Matt J. I should have specified... She is not a teacher, I am.

On 3/30/15, sped wrote: > First off, it apparently now takes a few months to get your > license when applying from out of state to ISBE and they have > pushed many more requirements on out-of-staters than when I > applied way-back-when. You may have to take classes before y...See MoreI should have specified... She is not a teacher, I am.

On 3/30/15, sped wrote: > First off, it apparently now takes a few months to get your > license when applying from out of state to ISBE and they have > pushed many more requirements on out-of-staters than when I > applied way-back-when. You may have to take classes before you > can teach..., it just depends on your evaluation from the State. > If you're going to do it: apply ASAP for your license. > > That said: I would not bet on you getting a job. English and > Social Studies are very heavily glutted. The NW Burbs are some > of the nicest school districts in the area. Everyone wants to > teach for District 211, District 214, Maine, New Trier, > Stevenson, Niles, Glenbard, Hinsdale, District 99, etc. You may > not know it, but all of those West-Northwest suburban districts > are incredibly difficult to get into, even for sped, bilingual, > and STEM teachers. They've graduated a LOT of college graduates > over the years with connections and roots in the area.. and many > of them want to teach in the communities they're from. And, why > wouldn't they? They're the highest paying, best performing > districts, with high performing students. > > Thinking of going to one of the other suburban districts that > aren't so good like U-46 or District 300? Eh, that's not much > better for an English/Social Studies teacher. There are a lot > of them out there. Chicago Public Schools? Maybe, but expect > the worse of the worst schools on the South or West sides and > you would have to live in the city of Chicago due to a residency > rule. Even then..., they have more applicants than they need > and CPS is cutting staff. Maybe you could get a job at an inner > city Charter, but expect a long commute and all the crap that > goes with a Charter. > > I'm an out-of-stater who came from Michigan way back when there > was a legitimate Special Ed teacher shortage. I got into a good > district and now am an administrator. Now, many of our new > hires are alumni, and those that aren't have other connections. > Even in special ed, I have enough applications that I have to > weed through some of them by giving preference to alumni... If > you said you spoke Spanish, I would be bullish on you getting a > job. As it is, I don't think it's going to happen. > > Then, to sum up, I wouldn't advise anyone with tenure in another > state to come to Illinois. I haven't kept touch with the people > I went to Wayne State with, at least those who were ed majors, > and don't know what is going on in Michigan. In Illinois, > tenure has been eviscerated. It now only takes two bad > evaluations to get rid of someone with 20 years experience. > Illinois has adopted a backwards eval system..., and remember > that I'm an administrator! We're so "data driven" we're ruining > public education in this State which I think might have been the > point of "reform." > > Your wife will NOT get tenure. In Illinois, you're tenured > after 4 full years. Look at seniority lists! You have a lot of > people with 10+ years, and a lot of people with 3 and under. > While it's easier to fire someone with tenure now, many > districts aren't willing to do that. They just keep dismissing > teachers before they get it. I've had to fight for a couple of > teachers to get them a 4th year..., which isn't even tenured, > and then they've been clipped. Absolutely disgusting. > Honestly, I'm looking to maybe move into higher ed because I > feel like we have destroyed our profession in IL over the last > few years. Why leave a good job in Michigan to let your wife > teach for 3 years max before she is RIF'ed? All the while, you > work at a restaurant waiting tables. Stay where you are! > > On 3/27/15, IL SpEd wrote: >> Familiarize yourself with the Danielson model for evaluations, >> discuss SPED/coteaching experience, Common Core and PARCC. >> >> >> >> On 3/27/15, Matt J. wrote: >>> Hello all, >>> >>> My wife has recently been offered a job in the Chicago area. >>> I am a teacher from Michigan with 9 years of public school >>> experience. I am certified social studies and English in >>> grades 6-12. I am extremely nervous about the job outlook. >>> I am wondering what the chances of me finding a teaching >>> job in the Chicago area by next school year are. Also, are >>> there any helpful hints you can give me in searching for >>> employment? I would be looking in Northwest Chicago, >>> Dupage/Will Counties. Any insights I could get would be >>> appreciated! Thank you!

Mar 31, 2015

sped Fair enough, that was an unfair assumption that she was a
teacher, but everything else remains the same. If your
wife is getting a very good job with very good money and
you're looking to get out of teaching, then this might be
an opportunity for you. If you're expecting to do anything
in education other than sub, then it is a bad mo...See More

Mar 31, 2015

Application requesting past evaluation ratings

by IsItLegal

Mar 25, 2015

I am applying for a teaching position in an Illinois school district that asks what my past summative evaluation score ratings were in my previous teaching position. Can they legally ask that?

Ed Computer Activities

by Trion Davis

Feb 16, 2015

I stumbled across a K-5 site that offers some nice reinforcement for math, reading, & spelling type of games. Here's a bitly link to it: [link removed].

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