10 yrs as h.s. teacher in CA wants Twin Cities (Minneapolis: find a job, transfer)

[auramoongreig]

Hey all,
Moving from California this June because my fiance already has a job in Minneapolis with a newspaper. Wondering if anyone can give me some insight about how to "get in" to the high school teaching jobs after I transfer my CA credential to MN.
I prefer to work in schools with a diverse student body.
From what I've heard it is quite difficult to find a job there due to tons of applicants from Minnesota teachers for just one lone English position.

[golfgal]

Have you researched what you will need to get a license in MN yet? You might need to take some classes, etc. just so you know. MN doesn't offer reciprocity with other states for teacher licensure.

You MIGHT be able to sub in a district while you are obtaining your MN license. That is the best way to get into a district. Where is your fiance working? That would give us some ideas of where you would want to live and start looking for jobs.

[Camden Northsider]

I just read in North News today (I couldn't find the article on their website, but here's the link anyway: NorthNews*Daily Briefing) that Edison (and Washburn High as well?) in South Minneapolis will be implementing a "fresh start" for all teaching positions - e.g. "all edison teaching positions for next year are open. This spring, interviews will be conducted. Edison teachers are allowed to interview for their current positions, but the district is not required to hire them back to teach at Edison. The district can hire any teacher for any position, regardless of seniority." The article states that the district is seeking to increase the rigor of courses, make AP courses available to all students, increase arts programs, strengthen school leadership/ focus on quality instruction, and introduce IB programs to their curriculum.

[ashcali]

where in california are you moving from? i moved here last january from san diego and i hope you know what you're moving into!!

[auramoongreig]

What are you referring to? The cold weather? I'm coming from the Bay Area. What have you noticed as being the negatives regarding living in Minneapolis/St. Paul?

[mrkool]

Originally Posted by auramoongreig

Hey all,
I prefer to work in schools with a diverse student body.
.

Of course you do.
And coming from Calif., you will be prepared for all the joys that the "diverse" classroom brings... attendance problems, discipline problems, and underperformance in schoolwork and standardized testing.
But hey.. some folks are more compelled to seek challenge (headaches?) than others. Good luck in any case.
Since this is Minnesota we're talking here, would there be a *problem* with a nice, all-white, non-diverse suburban or semi-rural school??

[Camden Northsider]

Originally Posted by mrkool

Of course you do.
And coming from Calif., you will be prepared for all the joys that the "diverse" classroom brings... attendance problems, discipline problems, and underperformance in schoolwork and standardized testing.
But hey.. some folks are more compelled to seek challenge (headaches?) than others. Good luck in any case.
Since this is Minnesota we're talking here, would there be a *problem* with a nice, all-white, non-diverse suburban or semi-rural school??

Some of the top schools in the nation (in all senses of the word) are extremely ethnically diverse IB schools. Maybe your own personal experience in whichever part of Minnesota is different, but does that make it apply universally to all situations (in other words, the definition of a "stereotype")?

For me personally, as a Minnesotan and native Midwesterner, the answer to your last question would be "yes" - as a matter of personal preference, I would prefer to work in a more diverse area than the non-diverse settings you mentioned, and I don't think that answer needs a justification.

[auramoongreig]

I thank Camden for the more gentle response in regards to diversity. It saddens me to know there is someone (hopefully not an educator) who equates diversity with negatives as the other posting shows. For me, and those who appreciate diversity, this means we like being around different religions, different cultures, different colors. Too much of the same breeds, well..., too much of the boring. Diversity, especially as a teacher from inner city Oakland, CA schools, means incredibly smart kids with an incredible ability to adapt to new situations with a humane and compassionate lens. I'm grateful for every moment I get to be around such kids. In regards to the negatives the poster associated with these kids--they are usually true in the classes where the teacher assumes they are superior and can't relate to the fact that such kids deal with a daily barrage of ignorance from the privileged class. For the negative poster, please...yawn...keep yourself sequestered in the boring boonies in MN. You are obviously the true minority based on all the others I've met from MN.
Oh, your "mrkool" profile explains everything: Under "ethnicity" you answered "blue-eyed Caucasian", under "favorite music" you answered "country western", and your job is a "factory worker" meaning less than the nine years of college I've had, maybe even a high school dropout? I, and my own light blue eyes and blond-haired Anglo-Saxon self, will do the stereotyping now...not so "kool" after all.

[mrkool]

Originally Posted by auramoongreig

I thank Camden for the more gentle response in regards to diversity. It saddens me to know there is someone (hopefully not an educator) who equates diversity with negatives as the other posting shows. For me, and those who appreciate diversity, this means we like being around different religions, different cultures, different colors. Too much of the same breeds, well..., too much of the boring. Diversity, especially as a teacher from inner city Oakland, CA schools, means incredibly smart kids with an incredible ability to adapt to new situations with a humane and compassionate lens. I'm grateful for every moment I get to be around such kids. In regards to the negatives the poster associated with these kids--they are usually true in the classes where the teacher assumes they are superior and can't relate to the fact that such kids deal with a daily barrage of ignorance from the privileged class. For the negative poster, please...yawn...keep yourself sequestered in the boring boonies in MN. You are obviously the true minority based on all the others I've met from MN.
Oh, your "mrkool" profile explains everything: Under "ethnicity" you answered "blue-eyed Caucasian", under "favorite music" you answered "country western", and your job is a "factory worker" meaning less than the nine years of college I've had, maybe even a high school dropout? I, and my own light blue eyes and blond-haired Anglo-Saxon self, will do the stereotyping now...not so "kool" after all.

Hey... glad you took such an interest in me that you checked out my profile.
Where do I begin in addressing your comments??
You are a small person making snide commentary, and doing quite a bit of stereotyping of your own. You jump to conclusions because I work in a factory (skilled trades, by the way) and like country western music. I not only have college under my belt but also 12 years in the military where I lived many places and did many things. But in your elitist little world, I suppose the military, or blue collar work are bad things, huh?
My posts clearly show my location as being in Milwaukee Wisconsin, yet you state that I should "stay sequestered in the boring boonies of Minnesota." So much for your attention to detail. And your *nine* years of college.
Look, you didn't like my real world take on the whole "diversity" boondoggle, so you posted a reply of petty insults, innuendo, and liberal cliches. Pretty much what I expected. A "tolerant" person showing their own intolerance. Nothing new there.

[dmskb2000]

Yikes, your query has been hijacked and mud slinging has begun!

Use this link
[url]http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/Teacher_Support/Minnesota_Teacher_Recruitment_Center/Interested_in_Teaching/index.html[/url]

I was just searching about teaching in MN. You will need to get a new license, and post your info so that schools can search for you. Jobs are posted online, it seems so maybe that will help you.

Good luck!