The job outlook on...Teaching?

I am starting to really doubt so called career advice and information. Especially online, but also in all forms of media.

I am also starting to suspect that it's not the journalists fault, or the writers fault. Rather, it's like a well repeated meme that doesn't keep up with reality.

Here's an example:

Teachers are poor and don't make enough money.

I suppose this depends on what you define as "don't make enough money" and "poor" but, I really don't consider $40,000 to $50,000 and over to be "poor". $18,000 is poor, $20,000 is poor, but not $50,000.

Sure it depends on the state you are living in. I am quoting salaries of teachers from New York. still, a starting salary of $40,000 in New York for a teacher with only an undergrad is not bad. $35,000 (for salaries in other states) isn't as good but I wouldn't call it poor either.

So, where is this "teachers are poor" meme coming from? Why doesn't anyone challenge it?

The thing that really gets me, though, is the "teaching is a good, safe, recession proof career." Tell that to the newly minted grads all over the country who can't find a job.

How about the articles on "teaching" websites that tell you about "the best cities for teachers to live in?" New York City is on there. Did you know that there is a highering freeze for all public New York City Teachers? And I am talking about the ENTIRE city of New york. With only a few exceptions, new teachers cannot find jobs.

At least the New York Times got it right with their article on new grads who can't find teaching jobs due to the hiring freeze, but thats the only article I have read anywhere that hints at the problem.

So apparently teaching is a good, safe career? Has anyone actually talked to teachers? I have. I am one of those newly minted grads with a nice shiny Ms.Ed. I haven't talked to a single teacher, adminstrater, or anyone currently working in the education sector that can give good news about the job market for teachers. One exception is special ed teachers (do you mind emotionally disturbed kids who may bite, kick and beat you? Sure some of them may be sweet and wonderful to work with, but you don't really get to choose). The other exception are the fellows. Its a strange strange thing when people who suddenly decide one year "I want to teach" can apply for the fellows teaching program and get a job without any preperation, yet people who spend years preparing to be teachers can't get a job.

So, what about substtute teaching? Oh guess what, that's not so easy either. It used to be that you could just apply to be a substitute teacher, then you'd get a sub teaching license. After that you can look around to see which schools need subsitute teaching.


Now, you need to be nominated by the principal of a school. You may say "so what?" because after all, maybe it works that way in the business world. The place that you work at is the place you get hired at. However, principals are not too comfortable with this. I've seen them pull art teachers and music teachers to cover for sick teachers rather than spend the money on a substitute teacher. I've seen them excess then rehire a teacher for lower pay as a "full time substitute" so that they can meet their ever decreasing budgets. Ah yes, why would a princpal do all the paperwork to nominate a new, untested potential teacher as a substitute when they can just use people who already have substitute teacher numbers? I.e. teachers who were excessed and are looking for a school to call home? (These numbers, may I add, are magical numbers that you need to teach with the DOE).

Oh did I mention that? New York city has managed to avoid massive layoffs, but that doesn't mean teachers are working. I think you, dear reader, already know that though, thanks to the great articles on excesses teachers by various papers. These are teachers who aren't working (often through no fault of their own- the school just can't afford them!) and yet they are still getting paid. Meanwhile, new grads are being forced into other careers. Maybe for some of us, that's a good thing. Teaching is not for everyone. Yet how many talented, potential teachers will never set foot in the classroom because of this economy? So do not assume that what you are hearing is true: Right now, not even teachers are safe. Teaching is not a recession proof career.