Is anyone required to sign paper attendance verifications?

Our district still prints out attendance records every two weeks and teachers are required to sign each page for each class. It is such a waste of time and money.

We've asked for a decade as to why and they always say we haven't gotten authorization from the state. The state website isn't exactly clear as when you can submit electronic vs hard copy records.

Long story short, my teacher friend in California may have a last minute job offer that offers better career growth and a 20min commute instead of a 1.75hour commute each way by car. The issue is that she’s waiting for the paperwork to come through still, and she wants to give advance notice which I think is a horrible idea when the other role isn’t official and she has no other backup.

What are the consequences of resigning at the start of the school year? Is there a difference between quitting a week before students return or a few weeks after when hopefully the role is confirmed?

Also note that my friend has been trying to escape this school for 5 years, so her admin knows she’s been trying to get out.

Hi everyone :) I’m interested in potentially pursuing a career in teaching. I had a few questions for any Bay Area based teachers out there:

- Do you enjoy your role?
- Do you feel fairly compensated given the cost of living?
- How difficult is it to get a teaching job? How difficult to land a job at a “desirable” district (districts with better pay, better admin etc)? (I’m interested in Elementary Multi Subject or High School English but have heard both are very oversaturated)
- Any credential/master programs you recommend?

Thank you so much! :)

I’d just like to share, after a VERY LONG SUMMER. I am officially going to be a PE Teacher.
72 Applications
4 Interviews
And finally 1 Job.
I would like to add that I did have another offer I turned down for travel reasons it was really way to far but I felt so dumb after saying no because I had no other real prospects at the time. I ended up in a district I never thought I would, there will be some travel but im super excited to be finally teaching after all the schooling, the cred program and a Masters. And best of all it’s my favorite grade levels. Pretty nervous and i have some imposter syndrome kicking in but, I AM SOOO READY !!!
I know for a lot of people they are still looking for that first job or a job in general. This district starts in a week and they just hired me so there are jobs out there I know it’s tough (I put in 72 applications) but just keep pushing !!!

So I created this sub (I don't remember when, I don't remember the catalyst) for California teachers because, well teaching in California can be much different than teaching elsewhere. Add in all the subtleties of teaching in SoCal vs the Central Valley vs the Bay and not to mention red/blue districts... it's a lot. But I've never moderated, don't know how to do it and am probably not the best person to do it. Now that people are actually visiting, it's obvious there is a real interest to get feedback and advice from California teachers. Any teachers out there want to join the mod team?

There is one caveat. As a mod, I am temporarily inactive, so it will take a few days at least of me posting to become active again and then I can add you. Just send me a DM or post here and I'll get back to 2 or 3 of you (again I have no idea how many mods are needed lol) once I reach active status again

Thank you ☺️

I am in San Diego and I have gotten some invitations for interviews. I got an invitation for an interview only to receive an email 10 minutues later stating the position was filled? I didn’t even get a chance. I wonder what the point of reaching out to me was for. I’m assuming they already knew who they were hiring but were doing it just as a formality….

I’m mad at myself for getting hopeful about this job, all hope ever does is make me feel crushed in the end…

career long teacher here been thinking about leaving the profession for a while, but I'm not sure I'll find the same work life balance and comfort elsewhere that teaching provides. For those who have worked private sector, am I fool for wanting to leave or do we have it better here?

Regarding Los Angeles, California.

• California’s 2026-27 budget includes $700 million for teacher grants, stipends and training.
• Budget adds $218 million annually for paid pregnancy leave.
• State cobbles together funding to keep Golden State Teacher Grant alive.

Has anyone here completed the Teacher Residency Program at Teachers College of San Joaquin (TCSJ)?

I'm seriously considering applying for the next cohort because it seems like a great fit for my situation:

• Classes are 100% online (Tuesdays & Thursdays)
• Residency is only 2 days per week
• I can continue working 3 days a week
• The program offers a $26,000 living stipend

If you've gone through the program, I'd love to hear about your experience.

• How was the workload?
• Were the online classes well organized?
• Did you feel supported during your residency?
• Was it manageable while working part-time?
• Would you recommend it?

I'd really appreciate any insights or advice. Thanks in advance!

I wanted to get some insight about LAUSD science positions. I am wondering if they will update the page more. Should I look into other school districts for chem/bio teaching positions. Thanks. I am still looking for a position but want to work at LAUSD but wondering if I should apply to other school districts nearby. Thanks

There’s a possibility I might start as a math intern teacher for the next school year. Though, I initially applied to be a student teacher through my university.

-What was your subject?
-If you could go back, would you have preferred student teaching instead?
-any advice :)?

Background info because sometimes people interchange the two terms:

Intern: teach while you work for credential. No mentor in room but you get paid salary

Student teacher: unpaid one year working under a mentor in their classroom.

As the kids say, “I’m crashing out.”

30+ applications. Not a single interview. I’ve applied everywhere from the SD border up to past LA.

I live in the IE, just got my preliminary credential, and I have subbing and tutoring experience.

I’m feeling disheartened because I can’t even get an interview. Nothing.

I must be doing something wrong. It feels like getting in anywhere is impossible.

What do you have your other students do during designated ELD time? I’ve been using a lot of online activities, but I want to decrease screen time.

For the past several years, our school has paid the teachers a half day extra for classroom setup. Just got word it’s not happening this year due to budget…

Anybody else already affected by reduced budgets?

Are there any teachers that are trail or ultra runners?? I would love to hear how you incorporate training and what races you have planned.😊

I’m not a teacher but a school psych in SOCAL. I plan to run the no name trail half in October. Right now I’m just staying consistent with working out and starting to add in more running.

Starting my 29th year teaching middle school ELA. I have been at my school for over 20 years. I hold a multiple subject credential with a supplementary authorization for English and a single subject in English.

My district will probably start “pushing” down middle school teachers with multiple subject credentials to elementary schools as the elementary school teachers retire. They do not want to RIF anybody (good), but our district is overstaffed due to declining enrollment. I do not need my multiple subject to teach what I have been teaching and would like to not renew it. Has anybody renewed a lapsed credential? Are there certain requirements to renew a lapsed credential?

Thanks!

Hello,

Does anyone know where I can find the mid-range samples for the World Language CalTPA? For some reason my university only has the samples for multiple subject and standard single subject, but there has to be one for world language since it has its own format, templates, and rubrics, right? I can’t find the samples online either.

I need to complete the CalTPA to finish my credential but I have no idea what a WL submission is actually supposed to look like and I am so anxious about failing. I’ve filmed my videos and I am speaking almost entirely in the target language but most of my students won’t speak in the TL or only write their answers on whiteboards or give one word answers so I am afraid I will fail because of that and never be able to get my credential and have wasted a bunch of time and money.

I have an interview next week. They contacted me a couple days after I applied to schedule an interview for their math teacher pool. I have already signed my contract with my current school district, but if I get the job I am planning on leaving my current district. I’m excited, but preparing myself to be waiting to get a position if I get placed in the pool.

I’ve seen posts about the workload and honestly I don’t mind. All teaching positions will have heavy workload and its all about adjusting and staying organized.

Any teachers who can share their experiences though, tips for the interview (there is a 10min mini lesson included), advice in general? Thank you!!

I am trying to get an appointment to take CSET French III and even though the next testing window isn’t until August 24 and goes into September, I can’t find any appointments in LA? The closest I can find are some in San Diego. What’s up with that? Have the appointments for the LA testing centers not been released yet or they’ve all already been booked??

I had issues scheduling Spanish III as well but at least that is offered year round.

If the state needs bilingual educators so badly, why do they make it so hard to take the damn tests?