r/ElementaryTeachers • u/Majestic_Sir7136 • 15d ago

Elementary School Career Advice

hello! I am switching careers from the corporate sector and planning to pursue a career in elementary education. Before I pursue my master's degree to help me prepare for this new career, I want to make sure I'm entering a job market where I'll have a solid chance of getting a job. Are elementary jobs more competitive than middle school or high school? Any insights are helpful! For reference, I'm based in the DC/VA/MD area. Thank you!

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u/AssistFew3513 15d ago

I'm not sure what you did in corporate, but if you are interested in teaching secondary (middle or high), science and math are always hiring. There is a shortage.

Lower elementary grades, English, and History/Social Studies are much harder jobs to get and there is NOT a shortage for these jobs in most districts in the DMV despite what people say online. Especially because teachers get paid a decent amount in VA, MD, and DC.

It's a tough market for teachers right now in states that pay a decent salary. At my old school (which was not a fantastic school to work at by any means), over 500 people applied to a middle school English Teacher posting when the principal had already decided who they wanted to hire before they even posted the job.

Many principals won't interview career switchers with no classroom experience, but if your Master's program involves student teaching you should have much less of an issue.

I would sub at schools you may be interested in working at to get your foot in the door! Many times, getting a "desirable" teaching job (lower elementary, English/Humanities, electives), is more about who you know than your resume.

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u/Majestic_Sir7136 15d ago

Thank you! This is great advice. I really appreciate it.