With state budgets groaning around the country, it's good to know there are some places always looking for teachers. These recruiters were at the CEC National Convention (and Expo) in Nashville, April 21-15, 2010
1. Matanuska - Sustina Borough School District
Jerry Webster
I met Carmel Dehm from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District in Alaska. Just North of Anchorage, they are looking for teachers in all specialties.
Salaries range from $42,583 for new teachers with bachelor degrees, to $78,089 for a master degree with 13 years of experience. The district has excellent benefits, and you would participate in the state retirement plan, which provides retirement benefits based on a defined contribution rather than a defined benefit. You get what your investments have earned.
The cost of living in Alaska is not too different from the lower 48. Carmel had a real estate magazine with lots of lovely three bedroom homes in the mid to low $200,000's.
2. Dekalb County School System
Dekalb County, just east of Atlanta, is looking for all special education teachers, but especially teachers for low incident groups as well as occupational and speech language therapists.
The salaries range from $41,626 with a bachelor degree, to $82,104 with a doctoral degree. The cost of living, especially housing, is lower than much of the east coast, and the county is an hour and a half from the Atlantic and less from downtown Atlanta.
To learn more about certification, check Georgia Certification. The state issues certificates in Special Education, as well as endorsements for specific areas. Although the endorsements are not required for specialities, the endorsements or experience are valued by the director.
3. Muskogee County Public Schools
Jerry Webster
Muskogee County Public Schools, centered around Columbia, Georgia, was also at the CEC looking for special education teachers.
Salaries begin at $36,331 for bachelor degrees to $76,954 with a doctorate and 21 or more yars of teaching. This includes a special education supplement.
Columbia is a beautiful semi-rural community near both the ocean and the metropolis of Atlanta. See Georgia Certification to apply for your certificate.
4. Arizona
Arizona needs teachers all over the state. Check out the second site to learn about an upcoming jobs fair which will include fingerprinting and folks ready to offer contracts. Arizona has a state wide system where you can check specific jobs at Arizona Education Jobs.
Arizona has a single certification for special education, which you can apply for at the Arizona Department of Education.
5. Utah
Utah has great need for special education teachers across the state.
6. Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools
Nashville Public Schools are looking for teachers in all areas, but especially low incidence areas such as Emotional Support and Autistic Support.
Salaries range from $34,059 with a bachelor degree to $66,676 with a doctorate and 25 years experience. You can apply online at http://hr.mnps.org, and your can call Kay Stafford at 259-8614.
Check the Office of Teacher Licensure for information about applying for a Tennessee certificate. You will need to take a Praxis test in order to qualify.
7. Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester, Minnesota, the home of the Mayo Clinic and a large IBM manufacturing facility, continues to look for special educaiton teachers, occupationa and physical therapists along with speech and language pathologists.You can apply online at Rochester Schools Application. Refer to Job ID #3819.
Teacher salaries range from $33,722 for starting teachers to $69,658 for a PHD with 24 or more years.
For certification, check the Teacher Licensure page at the Department of Education.
Other Minnesota jobs can be found here: Minnesota Jobs.
8. District of Columbia Public Schools
Our nation's capital is in need of teachers. They are part of a serious reform effort, led by School District CEO Michelle Rhee.
Teacher's salaries start at $42,370 and range to $87,583. The cost of living is very high in the District of Columbia and suburban districts around the city, so a teacher has to weigh the excitement of being in a World Capital with the fact that rent, food and transportation will be expensive.
For certification, you can apply at the OSSE online. DC is also hiring people to teach who do not have certificates but are in certification programs, giving them emergency certification.
If you have more questions, try Morgan Gieseke at morgan.gieseke@dc.gov.
9. Charlston County, South Carolina
Picturesque Charlston, South Carolina, was at the CEC looking for special education teachers.
Salaries range from $34,040 for new teachers with bachelor degrees, to $69, 295 for a doctorate with 25 to 29 years of experience. The district offers 4 options for health care.
See the South Carolina Department of Education for teacher certification.
10. Clover Park School District
Clover Park is south of Seattle, and offers competitive salaries for certified Special Education teachers.
Salaries range from $39,439 for bachelor degrees without experience to $74,335 for 16 years or more with a master degree with 90 credits.The district pays above the state average.
The schools have "site based management" which means the building principal and perhaps parents will be involved in your hiring. Check the Office of the Superintendent of Public Education for certification information.
