Teachers....has anyone not been hired

[SpecialK]

Ok, I am just going to ask this. I hesitated because this is a public board where people can just say whatever they want as experts on the subject, but here is it:

How do you KNOW that people aren't getting jobs because of their MAs? How do you KNOW that the preference is to hire BAs right out of college so they can pay them less.

Yes, I have read of early retirement offerings, but for new hires, in my dealings with hiring new teachers, the fact that one costs less to hire does not come into the equation. What DOES come up is that principals are supposed to have a balance.....some on the high end, some in the middle, and some on the low end. Schools are typically budgeted for a balance.

My point is that unless you have been told strait out that you are not being hired because you cost more, how do you KNOW that is actually the reason?

Dawn

I haven't been looking for a job, but I have been thinking about putting my resume out there. In conversations with friends who are working teachers, and one who's a principal, I've been told that my masters and experience are going to work against me at this point.

Principals are being encouraged to consider the budget for new hires in quite a few districts in my area.

 

[abdmom]

Ok, I am just going to ask this. I hesitated because this is a public board where people can just say whatever they want as experts on the subject, but here is it:

How do you KNOW that people aren't getting jobs because of their MAs? How do you KNOW that the preference is to hire BAs right out of college so they can pay them less.

Yes, I have read of early retirement offerings, but for new hires, in my dealings with hiring new teachers, the fact that one costs less to hire does not come into the equation. What DOES come up is that principals are supposed to have a balance.....some on the high end, some in the middle, and some on the low end. Schools are typically budgeted for a balance.

My point is that unless you have been told strait out that you are not being hired because you cost more, how do you KNOW that is actually the reason?

Dawn

Right after I got my MN licensure, I was doing a long term sub in my local school district. It was one day less than a long term sub, so they paid me the daily rate which is much lower than long term sub rate. I also had my resume in for a permanent position. When I attended a staff meeting during my subbing, the dept head announced that they had hired someone for a permanent position in my field. This person had just graduated with a non-relevant degree out of state. I had a Ph.D., multiple years of experience and excellent references from teachers in that school. I hadn't even got an interview.

 

[DawnM]

Yeah, I think a PhD often puts you in the overqualified area!

Dawn

Right after I got my MN licensure, I was doing a long term sub in my local school district. It was one day less than a long term sub, so they paid me the daily rate which is much lower than long term sub rate. I also had my resume in for a permanent position. When I attended a staff meeting during my subbing, the dept head announced that they had hired someone for a permanent position in my field. This person had just graduated with a non-relevant degree out of state. I had a Ph.D., multiple years of experience and excellent references from teachers in that school. I hadn't even got an interview.

 

[DawnM]

I was told this too when I came to NC. DH said it too as his job DOES work more this way.

But, I was indeed offered a job with two MAs and 16 years of experience. When I left (due to some family health issues) I was told by the principal to give him a call if I wished to come back.

I just don't think anyone should stop looking just because they may be in the higher pay category.

Now, I will say that locally there just aren't jobs period and there have been lay offs galore.

I read recently that class size this year is expected to get up to 40.

Dawn

I haven't been looking for a job, but I have been thinking about putting my resume out there. In conversations with friends who are working teachers, and one who's a principal, I've been told that my masters and experience are going to work against me at this point.

Principals are being encouraged to consider the budget for new hires in quite a few districts in my area.

 

[anna_chronistic]

I just started going back to school to get my teaching certificate, and I sought advice from various administrators before deciding what to do. I was advised by 3 principals and 2 different school boards in the area NOT to get my master's/teacher certification at the same time (which is an option at the university I'm attending, and I initially wanted to do that, since I do plan on getting my master's degree). They all, without exception, said that if there were two comparable candidates, and one had a master's and the other only a bachelor's, they would hire the candidate with the bachelor's degree. Currently, every school I know of in the area is tightening the budget (although my local district is doing extremely well -- hometown pride!), in large part because of state payments that have not come through. My district alone was shorted more than $600,000 in FY10, and our budget is about $14 million, so more than half a million is pretty significant, actually (then again, when is half a million NOT significant, unless you're a politician?). So, yes, although it would seem to be better to hire people who have more education rather than less, sometimes it appears districts tend to take the short-term view and hire those with only a bachelor's degree.

It sounds like this is very much a regional thing, though, based on what others have said.

 

[DawnM]

It may very well be regional, but there is nothing I can do to take away my MAs or my 16 years of experience! Thankfully it has not been a problem yet.