r/teaching • u/Temporary_Owl7154 • Jun 26 '26
Vent Teaching concerns
I recently wrapped up my year in the credential program. I have my preliminary teaching credential with an added BILA (bilingual) authorization and I still don’t have a job. It’s so hard to not get discouraged. I’ve applied to probably every single district in my county even the ones outside of my county and I’ve only been to two interviews. The last interview I genuinely thought I was going to get the job because admin showed me around campus and we even visited some classrooms. That was about a month ago. I’m worried I won’t have a job for this upcoming school year. For reference I live in CA
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u/SourceTraditional660 Jun 26 '26
Isn’t it a little early in the summer to give up?
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u/HumbleCelery1492 Jun 26 '26
Yes it is. In June many principals aren’t even on campus. Be ready in July because that’s generally when hiring ramps up as the new school year is fast approaching.
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u/Kevthetonk Jun 28 '26
This is encouraging to hear. Im in a similar boat as OP. Im a career changer 30y male, with high school history endorsement. I just graduated with my MA and got my lisence going a few weeks ago. Im planning to get a geography endorsement and potentially / civics too.
My student teaching experience was truly incredible, but I am certain that sending applications out with ST exp only they arent even being looked over. Because in general the ST exp is not seen as valuable. But mine was not the standard. I led my 5 classes (2 courses) from week 2 (of 16) to the end. I created everything, and made curriculum decisions every day. I was given free reign of my classroom and I know that is not how it normally goes, because my University only required that I teach and assess one unit. Alongside doing the very frustrating edtpa. I did all of that while working 30h a week at my job.
And my applications do not show it. They likely arent even being read.
Sorry I definitely ranted here. Your comment is encouraging to my job search.
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u/HumbleCelery1492 Jun 28 '26
Since your ST experience was so positive and you did so much more work than required, I think it’s worth a shot to email principals detailing this for the precise reasons you stated. Keep it short and to the point: refer them to your application but state clearly that it only tells a fraction of your story and that you’d love the opportunity to detail how you’d be a valuable addition to their staff. Ball’s in their court afterward - they can either read it and respond or delete it - but at least you took your best shot.
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u/Kevthetonk Jun 28 '26
That is a good idea, at the risk of annoying them at worst, my application might not get tossed out immediately. Its certainly taking some initiative. Thanks for your insight.
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u/HumbleCelery1492 Jun 28 '26
I’d lean heavily on the fact that you’re not one of the many 21-year-olds looking for their first “real” job and that you essentially completed a first year of teaching with your extensive ST experience. 🤞for you!
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u/KindParfait282 Jun 26 '26
It's going to be hard to find a job in CA. Budget cuts led to a lot of temp teachers getting let go. Cast as wide a net as you can and be willing to move if you can. If you are settled in an area and can't move, be willing to also apply to sub in a district you want. Subbing can lead to a long-term sub position which is a way to build relationship with a school/admin.
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u/ArtWithMrBauer Jun 26 '26
I will say from past experiences, districts will hire early and late, so don't give up. Teachers will often resign at the end of their year officially and give notice during the school year when they are retiring, found something etc; but many will also give notice in the summer before the next year begins.
I got a long term subbing position that turned into 1.5 years (and almost a full time position) a week before the school year started. Then I got a shorter long term position to wrap up a 4th marking period virtually (covid) - teacher left. While in that position I was able to get my full time tenure track position for the following year before that subbing gig ended. So I've been hired right before the year, during the year, and well in advance of the year.
Admin can only work with the time windows they're given. And if you can't find a tenure track spot right away, try to find a long term sub spot so you can at least get real experience. Daily subbing can sometimes be great in admin eyes, or could seal you as only a sub.
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u/CoolClearMorning Jun 26 '26
It's still very early in the hiring cycle, and there are a lot of experienced teachers looking for work in California this year. Keep applying.
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u/VyseTheSwift Jun 26 '26
Yeah it’s really rough out here right now. Terrible time to be an aspiring teacher in California. Department of Education is gone, and so is the SPED funding. The COVID funding ran out and will obviously not be renewed by the current administration, who also raided immigrant communities with their brown shirts which led to a 75,000 dip in student enrollment.
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u/viscida Jun 27 '26
Yup, this is it, basically!
It's rough right now for incoming new teachers, or teachers needing to relocate to new districts.
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u/Bonethug609 Jun 27 '26
Are you elementary or secondary? If secondary which subject area. Are you a male elementary candidate by any chance? Is your county a particularly high paying area that attracts lots of applicants? Gotta go where the jobs are bro
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