| New teachers invigorate the field of education, inspire | | | | programs to attract qualified science and math |
| students, and make a lasting difference. | | | | teachers. Tuition reimbursement, strong mentor |
| Unfortunately, it can be difficult for young teachers | | | | programs, and other financial incentives are being |
| to find a teaching job. Some areas of the country | | | | offered, especially in high-needs school districts. There |
| are facing hiring freezes, layoffs, and dwindling | | | | is also a push to employ more women educators in |
| student enrollments. While there are some high-needs | | | | the fields of science and math, which have historically |
| school districts that are desperate for teachers in all | | | | been male-dominated areas of education. |
| fields, many areas have a surplus of elementary, | | | | Special Education |
| social studies, and physical education teachers. In a | | | | More and more students are identified as needed |
| tough job market, one way to help ensure you land | | | | special education services. This need creates a high |
| a teaching job is to enter a high-demand field in | | | | demand for teachers in the field of special education. |
| education. | | | | One option is to add special education certification to |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) and Bilingual | | | | a teaching degree in another field. For example, you |
| Teachers | | | | really want to teach elementary education, but know |
| The number of students who do not speak English | | | | the market is flooded in that area. If you take a few |
| as a first language is rapidly increasing. Over two | | | | extra courses to add special education certification to |
| million US students need help learning the English | | | | your degree, you have greatly increased your job |
| language. This makes high demand for ESL teachers. | | | | prospects. Also, don't hesitate to apply for a special |
| According to the National Center for Education | | | | education job even if you aren't highly qualified. Some |
| Statistics, schools have more difficulty filling positions | | | | districts are so desperate for special education |
| in ESL than any other field. While it isn't necessary to | | | | teachers that they will hire teachers who aren't fully |
| be bilingual, it can come in handy - especially if you | | | | qualified. Bonus--then they'll help pay for the teachers |
| can speak Spanish. There is also a growing need for | | | | to become certified in special education! Many |
| bilingual teachers. Many schools with a high population | | | | teachers work in the area of special education until a |
| of Spanish speaking students will have a teacher | | | | job opens in their first-choice field. However, many |
| instruct in both English and Spanish. If you live near an | | | | others find a lasting and rewarding career in special |
| area with a diverse population, bilingual or ESL skills will | | | | education. |
| greatly enhance your job prospects. Furthermore, | | | | Education Administrators |
| you'll be rewarded by giving students the skills | | | | Many principals, superintendents, and other education |
| needed to successfully communicate in English. | | | | administrators are reaching retirement age. Couple |
| Science and Math | | | | that with the fact that administrators face a growing |
| The college courses necessary to become a | | | | amount of job responsibilities, and you have a field |
| secondary science or math teacher are difficult. | | | | with ample job prospects. Typically, school districts |
| Calculus 4, organic chemistry, and physics are tough | | | | look for administrators that have a strong |
| courses. Basically, there are more education majors in | | | | background of teaching experience. A master's |
| the area of elementary education than secondary | | | | degree in education is required. This field is a great |
| science or math. Those who do major in these | | | | option for those who want a change from the |
| subjects usually have plenty of lucrative job | | | | traditional classroom experience but are still dedicated |
| prospects besides teaching, which makes for a lot of | | | | to the field of education. In addition, education |
| teaching openings in the fields of science and math. | | | | administrators enjoy higher salaries than most |
| Some desperate districts are offering incentive | | | | teachers. |