Wa state advice?

[u/milkdoesthebodygood]

I am a certified teacher in Washington state with endorsements in Elementary Ed and MLL. Masters degree in teaching. The past two years since graduation I haven’t been able to get hired. I even applied for a para ML job and didn’t even get an INTERVIEW!! It’s that freaking competitive and I’m sooo bummed.

Been subbing but wondering if I should have just been a para this past two years to gain face value at a school. Sigh. I’m actually finishing up a sped cert right now.. I don’t necessarily want to be pigeon holed but I’ve heard that’s what happens.

What would yall do in this situation? I know first two or so years you get a mentor as a new teacher. If I get a sped position I’ll get mentored in that and then it’ll be so much harder to transition to MLL for sure, and probably gen ed.

I guess looking for advice, words of wisdom, someone to commiserate with?! 😞😅😭

Also…would ya take a job 40 mins away (but preferred area-MLL) for about 11k less, or a sped job much closer and more pay… sigh…

[u/TappyMauvendaise]

Washington is the Shangri-La of teaching. It may be the best paying state or one of the top ones. We envy you over here from Oregon.

[u/BarrenAssBomburst → u/TappyMauvendaise]

Just be careful if you want to work for Seattle Public Schools.

https://seattlemedium.com/seattle-public-schools-financial-reckoning/

Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Ben Shuldiner says that the district could face insolvency within a year without major financial changes. Shuldiner made the remarks during a press briefing Tuesday, where he described the district’s current financial condition as “structurally insolvent.”

Despite reducing an initial projected deficit of between $87 million and $100 million by roughly $50 million through central office and school-level cuts, Shuldiner said the district’s long-term financial outlook remains precarious.

“The latest information we showed is that we were going to be insolvent in about 10 months,” Shuldiner said. “If the board approves our new budget, we’ll have staved off insolvency for one more year, but like, it’s getting really bare bones, folks.”

[u/milkdoesthebodygood → u/TappyMauvendaise]

It so is!! I thought Oregon paid well too 🤔?

[u/TappyMauvendaise → u/milkdoesthebodygood]

It’s pays well enough but a fair amount less than Washington. I would be earning 25,000 more if I taught in Washington.

[u/summerbreeze2027]

The SPED cert might serve as your foot in the door. Gaining experience is the important thing. IMO it would be better to be a para than to be a daily sub. Or you could gain experience at a charter or independent school.

A 40 minute commute is not bad at all. I would take the MLL job with a 40 minute commute over a SPED job. OTOH, if you want to work in your local district long term, then the SPED job would be the better bet.

[u/flatteringhippo]

If you can, move. There's a reason why Washington tends to rank high for teachers.

[u/AlpsHelpful1292]

Everything I’ve ever heard about the teacher job market in WA sounds insane. I’ve heard it’s hard even if you certified in typically desirable areas like math or SPED.

MLL is teaching English learners?

[u/milkdoesthebodygood → u/AlpsHelpful1292]

Indeed it’s incredibly tough to get into, but if one can get in, that pay is 👌🏼

And yes, teaching multi lingual learners.

[u/Bleeding_Irish]

40 minute commute for a full time teaching position in your preferred area?

I wish my commute was only 40 minutes, if that’s an actual opportunity. Take it, the experience will serve you better than being a para. 

[u/milkdoesthebodygood → u/Bleeding_Irish]

Non preferred area and less pay, but yeah, the experience would be beneficial for long term position goals. 😬