Starting teacher-moving (San Diego, San Jose, Empire: apartment, to rent, new home)

[hanewahr]

Hi...I am currently living in Eau Claire, WI where I am going to graduate in May with an English and Spanish teaching degree. The San Jose area sounds like a place I want to go but I know there will be some hoops to jump through to get a job since I am from WI and not CA.

1. Teaching advice: Any advice on teaching jobs in the area (high school)? Schools to look at, how to get credentials, if it will be hard for me to find a job, how the budget/job security/benefits are...etc.

2. Living advice: Living in WI is obviously a cheaper. Will I be able to find a decent apartment and do ok with my starter-teacher salary there? Any advice on where to look for places to live on a lower income?

I would appreciate any info anyone can give. Thanks!!

[CityGirl72]

As long as you are renting you'll be fine. You won't be able to buy a home - but renting you will have no problem

[cdb73]

If you haven't already, http://www.ctc.ca.gov/ for CA state licensing requirements. CBEST, CSET, and Praxis/SSAT are the ones I know of.

Also check out the Cal State TEACH program (not sure what the residency requirements are) but it's a 4 term teacher prep program that has coursework that can be done mostly online, with some super seminars, and an in-classroom element. A friend of mine is in the program right now and really recommends it.

Edjoin.org has been a useful resource to check for education jobs.

Can't speak to rent in San Jose. I know it was too high for me in So Cal to change careers and pursue teaching, so I'm looking to move elsewhere

Good luck to you!

[grisandole]

www.edjoin.org has all the CA teaching jobs Apply for your cert now, as it takes an average of six months for them to process it. There are some districts that won't consider you until you have your CA cert, and others that are more accomadating. Email or call human resources at any district you are interested in and ask them about this (sometimes the job ads state that you must have it, but really, you don't).

Good luck!

[hanewahr]

I really appreciate all the advice! Thank you all so much. I have been looking on edjoin and will continue keeping my eye out.

[Team Mom]

Your Spanish is a plus. Shouldn't be a problem finding a job once you get through the credentialing hoops.

[Nanseev]

I don't know much about the area you're looking at as I'm in the Inland Empire area (northeast of San Diego), but keep in mind that if you only have your undergraduate degree, you may want to think about being around an area that has upper graduate degree opportunities.

My husband also went through the credentialing process (was a Massachusetts teacher), but it was a bit more "taxing" for him because his degree was in education, not a specific language...and I think there was an issue because his degree was from 5 or 10 years ago....

Try to look in areas that have new home construction. More houses = more families = more schools = need for teachers.

Good luck with your search!

[hanewahr]

THank you all again. I do appreciate the advice. I was thinking about graduate school opportunities as well.... are there good ones near San Jose?

[it's all good]

You'll have to pass the CSET (subject matter exam) to get a preliminary credential here. (Unless CA accepts your WI subject-matter test) With that, you can be hired as an intern. In CA, there is a 5th year requirement for a credential (and my Professional Clear CLAD credential was actually a year-and-a-half), but many out-of-state teachers come here and are hired as interns. They are also changing the requirements right now, so you should check out the cctc website for up-to-date information. As to your last question, there are great universities all over California.

[urbandeco]

What about NBPTS (National Board Certified Teachers) I believe if you are nationally board certified then you automatically get a certificate.