A question for the teachers here

[daughtersrus]

My DD graduated last Saturday with a degree is Special Education (LBS1). She's put out several applications. Some for teaching positions, some for assistant positions and some some permanent teachings sub positions. So far, she's only had one call back and had a "pre-interview" yesterday. She had thought that it was for an assistant position that she had applied for in that district. While speaking with the principal, she was told that they saw that she had her degree and that they would like to consider her for a part time teaching position in a resource setting. This is a job that DD didn't apply for since it just opened up and wasn't even on the district website.

DD is excited about the possibility of getting this job (she was told that they only had one other person to interview and have already set up a second interview for next week) but is also unsure about it since the pay will actually be less than the aid position since one if part time and the other is full time.

I told her that I think that it's more important right now to get some teaching experience than the money. I know that she agrees but at the same time, it's hard for her to turn down the money. DD lives at home rent-free but still has a cell phone bill, car payment and insurance as well as a small credit card bill.

We thought that insurance was going to be the deciding factor (the aid job has insurance but the teaching job does not) but we found out yesterday that DD has had health insurance through the university (we had no idea as it was lumped into her tuition) so we can continue that coverage for about $150.00 until May9th.

There's also a few other permanent subs jobs (all special ed) that just posted today in the surrounding school districts that require LBS1 certification.

With all of that said, I guess that I'm just looking for opinions. If you were just starting out, would you take a teaching position that was part time over a full time aid position? Would you take the first offer even if it wasn't ideal?

 

[mom2grace]

I teach elementary education majors at a major university.

TAKE ANY JOB YOU CAN GET! Aide, maternity leave, part-time, whatever!

There is such a glut of teachers across the country. It's most important to get your foot in the door, it's who you know, not what you know, sadly. (I am sure there are areas that need teachers, but that is the exception)

 

[creativeamanda]

If it's like our school districts, even a part-time teacher position would pay more than a full-time paraprofessional's position. Plus, she also may be able to pick up homebound students (girls on maternity leave, injured athletes, etc.) and that help her out, too.

 

[comicguy]

As a special education teacher myself, I would go for the part-time teaching over the full time para position. That will allow her to get a foot in the door and also to make some contacts. I had to sub for 3 years before a position opened up in the districts around me.

 

[ilovefh]

I'd go for the part time teaching position as well if she can swing it financially. If it is like our building...once you are an aide they don't see you as anything else. In our building it is actually harder to get a teaching position if you are an aide in the school then it is if you don't work there. I'm not sure why!

 

[stashbin]

Go for the teaching position. Part time or not...it's a teaching position. Since she has such a supportive family, this is the best option for sure! Kudos to you for being such a wonderful mom!

 

[HsvTeacher]

I'd go for the part time teaching position as well if she can swing it financially. If it is like our building...once you are an aide they don't see you as anything else. In our building it is actually harder to get a teaching position if you are an aide in the school then it is if you don't work there. I'm not sure why!

I have to agree. She needs to take the teaching position if at all possible. She will be able to get her foot in the door, and she won't get the "aide stigma." I worked as a teacher's assistant while I was in college and found it impossible to get hired in that district after I earned my degree. I ended up taking a job in a neighboring city.

 

[wdwgirl03]

There is such a glut of teachers across the country. It's most important to get your foot in the door, it's who you know, not what you know, sadly. (I am sure there are areas that need teachers, but that is the exception)

Ain't that the truth. My sister is student teaching right now and came home one day from school saying that one of her classmates already has a job for when she is done. Apparently her dad is dating the principal.

I also had a long-term subbing job last year (I've been out of school for a couple years now) and the principal always told me what a good job I was doing and she'd talk to me for an interview. There was another girl, same age as me who also had a long-term job at the same school...we both ended up subbing there pretty much the whole year. There was a lot of turnover at that school and NEITHER of us was even called for an interview. They ended up giving one of the positions to a girl who just graduated but apparently went to that school when she was a kid. UGH it is so frustrating!

OK, now that my vent is over, I'd agree...she should take anything she can get!

 

[schmitty]

The county I am in has 2 openings currently for ESE and has had about that many consistantely for different schools and classrooms the entire year. You don't want to be working to close to where your students live anyways.

 

[disykat]

My advice would be that if one of them is a continuing contract take it above others that are temporary.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I'd take the teaching position in the resource room. - I would think it would be less likely to be cut next year than an aide, if there are budget problems.

 

[swanmom]

Another thing to consider, you are looked at differently if you enter the district and the particular building as a professional teacher rather than as an assistant or aide. Maybe a little harsh or unfair but true.

 

[golfgal]

Ain't that the truth. My sister is student teaching right now and came home one day from school saying that one of her classmates already has a job for when she is done. Apparently her dad is dating the principal.

!

Well at least she learned early on that often you need to know someone to get in.

OP, have her take the job if it is offered. She will be able to pick up a lot of 1/2 day sub opportunities at the school to help with the income. She can buy an individual health plan from many different places when her school plan runs out. She can also be like most 1st-2nd year teachers and pick up a job waitressing on the weekends . If she takes the para job it will be hard for the school to see her as the "teacher". She will also most likely get first crack at any full time openings next year.

 

[flowerboy]

my friends daughter has been looking for a job for two years. Can't even get a job in the bad school districts.

 

[tae1218]

Teaching jobs are very difficult to find. I would take the part time teaching position to get my foot in the door at the district and gain some teaching experience.

 

[daughtersrus]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. The principal called yesterday to schedule a second interview with her (the first one was with the assistant principal) for the teaching position the first week in Jan when they return from winter break. Today, she got a call from another elementary school in that same district to schedule an interview for tomorrow for a full time assistant position.

She's going to go to the interview tomorrow. If they offer the job to her, since both jobs are in the same school district, hopefully they will understand that she will need to wait until after the interview for the teaching position to commit.

We're REALLY hoping that they offer her the teaching position.