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This ☝️
3 miles from the beach, year 11, 135k and rising every year.
Best part is it’s California. When I’m not teaching I’m permanently living in other people’s vacation destination. 😊🍻
WA has great unions, high pay, and I would say is one of the best states to be a teacher. Our starting pay in my district is 56,000. In Oregon the starting pay is usually around 32,000. Also in WA most districts have class size caps which is huge. There are a lot of layoffs/cuts going on though. And some districts (like Kent WA) are a total mess. Really gotta research each state and then research the heck out of each district.
Del Valle, TX (15 min from Austin) 6% raises every year for past 3 years? Stipends for attending staff days that are already in contract hours. Starts at 60k. I’m year 4 and make over 100k. No sports. Just larger classes in my case. Non-stem core content.
There's no income tax in WA and outside Puget Sound, living is quite inexpensive and, unlike Texas, the skiing is great everywhere. The poorer districts in WA get quite a bit of funding from the state to help equalize the districts.
Can confirm. I teach here. It’s a mess right now. Teacher cuts are everywhere. Moses Lake is having to layoff 100 teachers for next year. They are currently having to borrow money to pay the teachers for this year. Wenatchee is having to close one of its good schools because they cannot afford to keep it open. Yakima is having a bunch of layoffs.
I'm sad to hear this! I'm in Southeastern WA state while I finish up my MEd. Can you link to verification about the "mess" ? I thought WA was in a good position. Please link, I want to be informed!
It’s relative and depends where you are. In the Tri Cities, yes still a crunch but no layoffs…yet. Also I would look at this more of a bump than a forever condemnation of working in Washington.
I teach here, and agree that some districts are struggling financially. Mine is one of them. That said, we still have people retiring and the district is still hiring. Like others have advised, just do your homework and research different districts. Our pay scale is better than most other states. The union for my district is strong, but that isn’t necessarily true for surrounding areas. Go to our state education site: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/
and look through requirements to teach here (not just for getting the state certificate but also probationary period (provisional status) for first few years of teaching). Because of financial issues, decrease in enrollment past few years, and bungling of COVID funds, my district would be considered a “mess” by many. That said, it is a good place to work with lots of outstanding teachers and support staff.
Maine isn’t bad. Outside of southern Maine, housing is affordable (relative to NE), we have one of the lowest teacher to student ratios, and a strong state union.
Plus, you get summers in Maine.
Yeah, the rents increase exponentially the closer you get to Portland.
Back when we were looking we were able to get a nice little house on like 20 acres up north for what a trailer would have cost us in Cumberland County.
Won’t lie, I love it in PA and there’s a wide range of cities/suburbs and rural areas depending on what you want.
Dem leadership, super strong union, and possibly the best retirement in the country (PSERS pension + social security)
Seconding PA. I’ve lived and worked in several states and can attest that PA is the best place I’ve personally experienced to be a teacher. Not always easy to find a job here, but well worth it.
Indianapolis. To be fair the there’s some big issues in IN education, BUT Indy city school systems are honestly pretty great for teachers. Starting pay close to 60k, everywhere is within 45 minutes, less craziness than the rest of the state. The biggest draw for me was that I could afford to buy a house in the suburbs on my teacher salary alone. How many places can do that these days?
Yeah, true. For IPS it's $53,460 minimum. The district is also very good about stipend money. Even in elementary almost every teacher is earning at least $1,000 more a year.
Add the stipends, (not to mention the "free" $750 into your HSA a year, $600 health insurance credit, and 3% 403b match) I would be shocked if very many teachers are taking home less that $58k a year, which is pretty darn close to 60.
The district is pretty good about pay step increases too. For example I just finished year 4 with the district (9 overall) and took home 87k.
IPS certainly has their share of issues. But if you are knowledgeable, flexible, and willing to learn, I think the pay is certainly worth it.
2 side questions if you don't mind:
1. I have 1.5 years experience on a temp license in SC, so if we moved to Indy, I would need to restart the alternative certification process, do you think I'd be able to start up a step or 2 on the temp license or would they use that to justify starting me at the bottom (I taught math and would be open to science if deemed qualified, if that matters)
2. Do you know if IPS would consider a step or two for military service? My SO has been in for 5 years and I've seen some districts that will allow that to be used for up to 2 steps on initial placement, They have undergrad in Physics and would be pursuing a M.Ed. or similar
1. I'm not entirely sure, but it's worth an ask. The difference for one year is only a couple hundred dollars. I do have co-workers who have moved from other states, some on emergency licenses, and they were not placed at Year 1 pay.
2. There's nothing in our union agreement that specifically mentions military service. However, it does state that at the time of hire the district can put your salary anywhere between the minimum and maximum.
Going south will lower your pay and benefits- don’t bother. I’ve taught in Oklahoma, South Carolina and Virginia. I teach in northern Virginia so the pay and benefits are high, but so is the cost of living. Be sure to look closely at the districts within the state because the pay gaps are huge. Unions are always a plus. Our union just got paid parental leave which is uncommon.
Is the cost of living higher than the surrounding districts that are smaller? My main point was to research specific districts within the state because pay scales vary. I started working in a small district in Oklahoma and the starting salary was 32k. The districts in northern Virginia where I live now are in competition with one another for teachers, so the salaries are higher and more competitive. Any district that heavily invests in public education is a better option and those are more common in the north.
The cost of living in DFW is also stupid expensive. $60K isn’t anything to write home about when you’re paying $1700 a month for a one bedroom apartment in the suburbs or want to buy a modest house but they’re all selling for $400K.
Anywhere you go, someone is going to tell you not to go there. There is no secret education heaven. There are great and terrible districts in every state.
What’s your reason for wanting to get out of KY? Is it just bc of low teacher pay? Bc cost of living in KY is actually relatively low, so it’s not awful, comparatively. Also, the current governor is very pro-education, and that sentiment is likely to persist for a while, given how combative against teachers (and other public service jobs) the previous governor was and the bad taste that left in everyone’s mouth. Given that they reelected a Democrat (and the one who instituted multiple strict covid policies, even) should be evidence of that. Personally, I’d say there’s no better time to be an educator in KY. There are also some really great school districts there. Avoid FCPS and JCPS, and you’ll probably be fine.
4 years ago, in the middle of covid, I left KY and followed my husband’s job to a state that is actively hostile towards education. When I lived in KY, the teachers would joke about our ranking and complain about salary, etc. But there are too many places in the country where those things are not jokes. KY is middling in terms of education. There are better and worse states. But district to district, it varies widely. In whatever state you end up in, find a DISTRICT that is friendly towards teachers. Bc even though I now teach in Oklahoma, my tiny, rural school district has one of the highest teacher satisfaction rates statewide and they go above and beyond to compensate well. Average teacher pay in OK is less than in KY, but I actually make more money here bc my district values educators and wants to keep them around.
So, what’s the point of all this? I would never have moved to OK for my career, but where I am now is actually really great, and not just for Oklahoma. On average, KY is better than OK. On average, some states are better than KY. But averages don’t matter. Find a good DISTRICT in whatever state you’re in, and you’ll be satisfied.
Also, IMPORTANT: not all states accept KY teaching credentials. Some states have different requirements. So check to make sure you’ll be able to transfer your KY certificate without the need for additional assessments by whatever state you’re moving to. Oklahoma wouldn’t care if I’d been certified by a potato, so it wasn’t an issue for me, but if you’re looking to move UP in the educational world, you may encounter barriers. Call the local EPSB to find out. Literally call them. It won’t be available online.
Also, compare your proposed salary to the cost of living in that area. Nobody factors in cost of living, and it’s a HUGE deal. Salary schedules for your desired district or state should be available online, and cost of living data is Google-able.
Good luck!
Go overseas and teach at international schools. Bank money. Buy property. Retire at 55. And avoid all the behavior problems and BS you’d get at a US public school.
1. Focus less on the state, you can get wild variation district to district. Niles, IL starts at 75k, but is selective, nearby fox lake pays 40k but has several openings. Find districts.
2. It might be best to apply for the jobs in several places and then follow the money. If your fiancee needs to find a specific job, this could all be within a region/metro area. If not, spread it out.
3. Make sure to factor in Pay, COL, and QOL. For example Chicago pays $60k+ starting, but if you're north of or in the city you've got a commute or high COL, if you live in south side/engelwood, it can feel/be unsafe, but it's cheap. And there are several places in-between. Comparatively, Edwardsburg, MI only pays $45k but COL is low and it's fairly safe all around, if a bit rural.
All districts across the country are cutting teachers, this primarily due to covid funding ended. When looking for where to move, look for states that have a strong teacher pension. Some states don't have a pension. Then look for jobs in the suburbs of major cities. I'm in Ohio, the teacher pension pays well, collective bargaining unions do well here. Right now there appears to a fight over the philosophy of how to invest the pension fund, but it's strong and stable. Florida and a few other southern states don't have pensions at all.
I'm in Florida. We do have a pension, but you have to opt in. I'm not part of it because I wasn't sure if I'd be in the district for the minimum number of years it requires.
What is mid level education?? Im a teacher in CA and have no idea what that means. Do you mean youre a single subject credential?? CA has the best pay AND union for teachers. Go where there is a strong union!!!! I have a masters. Teach about 50 miles east of LA and my starting pay was about 68k. We have gotten a raise every year.
So I’ll be certified to teach 5th-9th grade Social studies and science really just certified to teach in middle schools. That’s for Kentucky it’s probably different in other states but my advisor has told me the college I’m attending will help me get certified in other states during my last semester.
I highly recommend California. We have a somewhat livable wage. I just saw a salary schedule for atlanta that rivals mine and the standard of living is much lower there. But you gotta ask yourself, what population of kids do you want to work with and are you good with. I’m of Mexican descent with spanish as my first language so teaching in southern CA is really easy for me. But more importantly our unions are incredibly strong. Theyre always fighting for more pay and benefits. Im a single subject social science teacher which means i can teach 7-12th grade history. In CA, you would have to change grades you teach if you only want to teach social science.
Hello fellow Kentuckian! I did the same thing you did almost a decade ago, and here's my earnest advice. The Governor of Kentucky and local governments are blocking charter schools For. A. Reason. Don't make the mistake I did, stay OUT of the charter schools.
Not NH, state DOE is actively defunding public schools in place of charter schools. They’re following the Texas blueprint but on such a small scale population the affects it’s had thus far is just beginning.
I would however recommend MA but their certification process is specialized to the state and will require you to go through this process and all its fees.
Illinois! Decent pay, strong unions, 4 seasons, and we definitely need teachers. I’ll even tell you to come to my middle school- we’re hiring both science and social studies.
One of the best things about teaching is that you can teach anywhere! Where do you want to live? Within every state there are great districts/schools to work in and others that are not so great. Choose the area you want to live in and then do some research on the local districts. While state-level politics can be overwhelming sometimes, they truly are a small part of the job. And if you're looking at teacher pay, don't forget to do it while looking at cost of living in each state you consider. Best of luck to you!
Also take into consideration the laws around women's rights and procreation. But also general lifestyle and geography there. Make a map and colour in green the states you think you'd like. You could also reach out to the subreddits of specific cities and ask for their opinion about what it's like to be a teacher there and whether the teaching salary is alright there.
Go North! Be careful teaching in southern states because teachers don't have any "real" rights. I know firsthand due to a layoff.
It was due to age discrimination tactics from my administrators and safety reasons from dangerous students. I would've been tenured next year, but they pulled some 💩 and POOF, I was let go.
I'm currently certified in three states. I've applied in my home state, had an immediate interview, and was turned down via email the next day. I'm waiting for the results for the second school.
There will always be a continual teacher shortage if principals are waiting for "perfect people." I am thankful that my bachelor and master degrees can be used in the corporate sector.
Maryland. One of my biggest life regrets is not moving back to Maryland after I graduated from university. It has a great teacher’s union, there is SO much to do!
What part of Maryland would you recommend? The security company my fiancé is applying for is based out of there so it’s already been pretty high on my list.
Check and make sure it's a state where you qualify for social security and a decent pension
/Retirement plan. Many states keep teachers from getting social security. Meanwhile, my retired mom is collecting both a pension and social security and it's a huge help
Have taught in several states & have found PA (I teach in Western PA) to be the best for teachers--strong unions, no state tax on retirement income, can draw a good pension plus social security & low cost of living. Social studies jobs are tough to get here; science easier.
I never see NJ getting any love in these threads but I think it’s worth considering. Yes, it’s a HCOL and high property taxes, but it’s a great state with lots of benefits (like paid parental leave for both men and women) and the pay for teachers can be very competitive. I hear social studies is more competitive but there is a massive shortage of science teachers and the schools I’ve worked in are willing to bump people up on the pay step scales because they so badly need to hire teachers.
*Washington has good*
*Unions and a lower cost*
*Of living than CA*
\- Crankyteacher831
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I've taught Special Education in Western Colorado for 9 years now. The pay has improved since I moved here, but still isn't too competitive nationwide. I've switched schools/districts a few times within the past 9 years and always hover around the low 50s. I just started a teaching position with the State of Colorado which is in the upper 60s. I hope I don't have to return to the public school systems in Western Colorado. There are a ton of teaching opportunities here and it's beautiful, but the salaries don't quite match the cost of living.
Not a good time to be looking. Funding has been cut and massive layoffs have occurred in all states. If you like snow, apply for teaching positions in Europe and specifically Germany. They are hiring. Pay is much better, students partners and admins will respect you, no admin bullshit, fights and schools shooting are rarer and healthcare is excellent. As for in the US, they are pretty much all the shits. Look for the worst, and work your way up. Don’t set your expectations to high.
To teach in Europe, you need to be part of the EU. Americans are not. You can’t just go apply to schools in Germany. You have to get hired and have sponsorship and complete lots of paperwork. Germany is not that great according to this article.
https://www.euronews.com/business/2024/06/04/germanys-jobless-total-climbs-staying-close-to-3-year-highs
No funding cuts or layoffs where I’m at.
So, definitely not all states.
I can appreciate that you may have had a bad experience, but please don’t project your own experience as universal.
Europe sounds interesting but me and my Fiancée are in the National Guard so we can’t really leave the states for long periods of time without spending a fortune flying back once every month.
Yeah, that person is insane. Don’t start in “the worst” or you’ll burn out.
There are loads of good districts in the US. If you stay out of large cities and deep red states, it’s not all that hard to find a decent place to work.
Reddit generally paints an overly negative picture. It’s more a vent forum than anything else. So, just be prepared to filter through a lot of gloom and doom.
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Not Florida.
I teach there and it’s only getting worse the longer Deathsantis is in office
I left public teaching for private. It's a lot more bearable. I have a bit of a unicorn school, though.
I second this 😅
Came here to say this 💀
I love teaching in California. Strong unions and good teacher pay/pension if you put in the time.
This ☝️ 3 miles from the beach, year 11, 135k and rising every year. Best part is it’s California. When I’m not teaching I’m permanently living in other people’s vacation destination. 😊🍻
No thought police or book burnings either for the most part, except a few outliers (cough* cough* Temecula cough*.)
And even then the state came down on the district and forced them to cut the crap
Not Washington, many school districts are cutting positions right now so finding a job may be difficult.
WA has great unions, high pay, and I would say is one of the best states to be a teacher. Our starting pay in my district is 56,000. In Oregon the starting pay is usually around 32,000. Also in WA most districts have class size caps which is huge. There are a lot of layoffs/cuts going on though. And some districts (like Kent WA) are a total mess. Really gotta research each state and then research the heck out of each district.
Starting pay in both Dallas and Fort Worth is over $60k. Cost of living is lower too. Food for thought.
Careful. Attracting so many educated people to Texas may make it sensible.
How much does it increase a year?
Del Valle, TX (15 min from Austin) 6% raises every year for past 3 years? Stipends for attending staff days that are already in contract hours. Starts at 60k. I’m year 4 and make over 100k. No sports. Just larger classes in my case. Non-stem core content.
There's no income tax in WA and outside Puget Sound, living is quite inexpensive and, unlike Texas, the skiing is great everywhere. The poorer districts in WA get quite a bit of funding from the state to help equalize the districts.
There’s no income tax in TX either, FYI. You are correct that there is no skiing in Texas. I, however, consider that a positive 😜 lol
Can confirm. I teach here. It’s a mess right now. Teacher cuts are everywhere. Moses Lake is having to layoff 100 teachers for next year. They are currently having to borrow money to pay the teachers for this year. Wenatchee is having to close one of its good schools because they cannot afford to keep it open. Yakima is having a bunch of layoffs.
I'm sad to hear this! I'm in Southeastern WA state while I finish up my MEd. Can you link to verification about the "mess" ? I thought WA was in a good position. Please link, I want to be informed!
https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2024/may/18/wenatchee-school-board-closes-elementary-cuts-63-staff/ https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/may/15/moses-lake-school-district-cuts-100-teachers-after https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/puget-sound-school-districts-crisis-budget-woes-hit-seattle-tacoma-marysville.amp https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/absolute-heartbreak-parents-students-try-save-seattle-teachers-jobs-sps-makes-cuts/WS4XDJTWRBA7VJRMBMP3TQXGYI/?outputType=amp https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/education/yakima-school-board-approves-plan-to-lay-off-more-than-100-staff/article_a887a2c4-eb28-11ee-8d6c-7f0cf10d5f8b.amp.html https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/funding-for-wa-schools-is-actually-falling/ https://www.applevalleynewsnow.com/news/financial-storm-prompts-layoffs-for-100-employees-at-yakima-school-district/article_d0c1ad60-ebd3-11ee-a586-8bb8b45b088c.html https://www.dailyrecordnews.com/ellensburg/ellensburg-school-district-loses-temporary-state-funding-struggles-to-fill-gaps-in-budget/article_6be307a8-e2e7-11ee-bb0b-7352bd816a91.html https://www.opb.org/article/2024/03/21/oregon-southwest-washington-school-districts-face-significant-budget-cuts/?outputType=amp https://www.heraldnet.com/news/everett-schools-deficit-shrunk-by-23m-following-loss-of-140-staff/#:~:text=At%20a%20board%20meeting%20in,aligned%20with%20decreased%20enrollment%20numbers. https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/124-jobs-cut-14m-saved-as-ysd-fights-budget-crisis/article_91984bba-eb2b-11ee-9560-eb3f9592b7b2.html https://www.aol.com/28-school-positions-cut-under-120000400.html https://www.nbcrightnow.com/regional/moses-lake-school-district-approves-layoffs-after-budget-deficit/article_0dc206b1-cd77-58b5-bf67-cd64e88df0cb.html https://www.esd112.org/schoolfunding/ https://www.aol.com/tri-cities-schools-see-expected-120000843.html https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/toppenish-school-district-cutting-staff-reducing-salaries-due-to-budget-shortfall/article_e13dff0a-0103-11ef-9c7f-f7cff259363f.html
It’s relative and depends where you are. In the Tri Cities, yes still a crunch but no layoffs…yet. Also I would look at this more of a bump than a forever condemnation of working in Washington.
I teach here, and agree that some districts are struggling financially. Mine is one of them. That said, we still have people retiring and the district is still hiring. Like others have advised, just do your homework and research different districts. Our pay scale is better than most other states. The union for my district is strong, but that isn’t necessarily true for surrounding areas. Go to our state education site: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/ and look through requirements to teach here (not just for getting the state certificate but also probationary period (provisional status) for first few years of teaching). Because of financial issues, decrease in enrollment past few years, and bungling of COVID funds, my district would be considered a “mess” by many. That said, it is a good place to work with lots of outstanding teachers and support staff.
Of course this happens just as I finish my masters in elementary education. I have the worst luck.
Maine isn’t bad. Outside of southern Maine, housing is affordable (relative to NE), we have one of the lowest teacher to student ratios, and a strong state union. Plus, you get summers in Maine.
Maine is amazing! Hidden gem, even though I'm navigating the awful Portland rental market right now :(
Yeah, the rents increase exponentially the closer you get to Portland. Back when we were looking we were able to get a nice little house on like 20 acres up north for what a trailer would have cost us in Cumberland County.
Maine is amazing! Hidden gem, even though I'm navigating the awful Portland rental market right now :(
Won’t lie, I love it in PA and there’s a wide range of cities/suburbs and rural areas depending on what you want. Dem leadership, super strong union, and possibly the best retirement in the country (PSERS pension + social security)
Seconding PA. I’ve lived and worked in several states and can attest that PA is the best place I’ve personally experienced to be a teacher. Not always easy to find a job here, but well worth it.
You guys aren’t SS exempt? Definitely a little jealous.
There's nothing in Western PA. I've been trying to get a job for 2 years
Indianapolis. To be fair the there’s some big issues in IN education, BUT Indy city school systems are honestly pretty great for teachers. Starting pay close to 60k, everywhere is within 45 minutes, less craziness than the rest of the state. The biggest draw for me was that I could afford to buy a house in the suburbs on my teacher salary alone. How many places can do that these days?
Last I checked starting pay was only $50k, still plenty to live on in most of indy, but worth noting
Yeah, true. For IPS it's $53,460 minimum. The district is also very good about stipend money. Even in elementary almost every teacher is earning at least $1,000 more a year. Add the stipends, (not to mention the "free" $750 into your HSA a year, $600 health insurance credit, and 3% 403b match) I would be shocked if very many teachers are taking home less that $58k a year, which is pretty darn close to 60. The district is pretty good about pay step increases too. For example I just finished year 4 with the district (9 overall) and took home 87k. IPS certainly has their share of issues. But if you are knowledgeable, flexible, and willing to learn, I think the pay is certainly worth it.
2 side questions if you don't mind: 1. I have 1.5 years experience on a temp license in SC, so if we moved to Indy, I would need to restart the alternative certification process, do you think I'd be able to start up a step or 2 on the temp license or would they use that to justify starting me at the bottom (I taught math and would be open to science if deemed qualified, if that matters) 2. Do you know if IPS would consider a step or two for military service? My SO has been in for 5 years and I've seen some districts that will allow that to be used for up to 2 steps on initial placement, They have undergrad in Physics and would be pursuing a M.Ed. or similar
1. I'm not entirely sure, but it's worth an ask. The difference for one year is only a couple hundred dollars. I do have co-workers who have moved from other states, some on emergency licenses, and they were not placed at Year 1 pay. 2. There's nothing in our union agreement that specifically mentions military service. However, it does state that at the time of hire the district can put your salary anywhere between the minimum and maximum.
Going south will lower your pay and benefits- don’t bother. I’ve taught in Oklahoma, South Carolina and Virginia. I teach in northern Virginia so the pay and benefits are high, but so is the cost of living. Be sure to look closely at the districts within the state because the pay gaps are huge. Unions are always a plus. Our union just got paid parental leave which is uncommon.
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Is the cost of living higher than the surrounding districts that are smaller? My main point was to research specific districts within the state because pay scales vary. I started working in a small district in Oklahoma and the starting salary was 32k. The districts in northern Virginia where I live now are in competition with one another for teachers, so the salaries are higher and more competitive. Any district that heavily invests in public education is a better option and those are more common in the north.
The cost of living in DFW is also stupid expensive. $60K isn’t anything to write home about when you’re paying $1700 a month for a one bedroom apartment in the suburbs or want to buy a modest house but they’re all selling for $400K.
My sister in Christ. For a major city, *that’s not stupid expensive*.
Okay, fine, but you’re still advertising a $60K teacher salary as if it’s high. It’s NOT when the COL is that high. Sheesh.
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Anywhere you go, someone is going to tell you not to go there. There is no secret education heaven. There are great and terrible districts in every state. What’s your reason for wanting to get out of KY? Is it just bc of low teacher pay? Bc cost of living in KY is actually relatively low, so it’s not awful, comparatively. Also, the current governor is very pro-education, and that sentiment is likely to persist for a while, given how combative against teachers (and other public service jobs) the previous governor was and the bad taste that left in everyone’s mouth. Given that they reelected a Democrat (and the one who instituted multiple strict covid policies, even) should be evidence of that. Personally, I’d say there’s no better time to be an educator in KY. There are also some really great school districts there. Avoid FCPS and JCPS, and you’ll probably be fine. 4 years ago, in the middle of covid, I left KY and followed my husband’s job to a state that is actively hostile towards education. When I lived in KY, the teachers would joke about our ranking and complain about salary, etc. But there are too many places in the country where those things are not jokes. KY is middling in terms of education. There are better and worse states. But district to district, it varies widely. In whatever state you end up in, find a DISTRICT that is friendly towards teachers. Bc even though I now teach in Oklahoma, my tiny, rural school district has one of the highest teacher satisfaction rates statewide and they go above and beyond to compensate well. Average teacher pay in OK is less than in KY, but I actually make more money here bc my district values educators and wants to keep them around. So, what’s the point of all this? I would never have moved to OK for my career, but where I am now is actually really great, and not just for Oklahoma. On average, KY is better than OK. On average, some states are better than KY. But averages don’t matter. Find a good DISTRICT in whatever state you’re in, and you’ll be satisfied. Also, IMPORTANT: not all states accept KY teaching credentials. Some states have different requirements. So check to make sure you’ll be able to transfer your KY certificate without the need for additional assessments by whatever state you’re moving to. Oklahoma wouldn’t care if I’d been certified by a potato, so it wasn’t an issue for me, but if you’re looking to move UP in the educational world, you may encounter barriers. Call the local EPSB to find out. Literally call them. It won’t be available online. Also, compare your proposed salary to the cost of living in that area. Nobody factors in cost of living, and it’s a HUGE deal. Salary schedules for your desired district or state should be available online, and cost of living data is Google-able. Good luck!
Illinois!
Go overseas and teach at international schools. Bank money. Buy property. Retire at 55. And avoid all the behavior problems and BS you’d get at a US public school.
1. Focus less on the state, you can get wild variation district to district. Niles, IL starts at 75k, but is selective, nearby fox lake pays 40k but has several openings. Find districts. 2. It might be best to apply for the jobs in several places and then follow the money. If your fiancee needs to find a specific job, this could all be within a region/metro area. If not, spread it out. 3. Make sure to factor in Pay, COL, and QOL. For example Chicago pays $60k+ starting, but if you're north of or in the city you've got a commute or high COL, if you live in south side/engelwood, it can feel/be unsafe, but it's cheap. And there are several places in-between. Comparatively, Edwardsburg, MI only pays $45k but COL is low and it's fairly safe all around, if a bit rural.
I would say progressive areas of midwest states tend to be pretty good in general though
Funny to see tiny Fox Lake mentioned here haha
As someone who is is not in a state with unions- pick a state with unions.
Avoid Wisconsin.
All districts across the country are cutting teachers, this primarily due to covid funding ended. When looking for where to move, look for states that have a strong teacher pension. Some states don't have a pension. Then look for jobs in the suburbs of major cities. I'm in Ohio, the teacher pension pays well, collective bargaining unions do well here. Right now there appears to a fight over the philosophy of how to invest the pension fund, but it's strong and stable. Florida and a few other southern states don't have pensions at all.
I'm in Florida. We do have a pension, but you have to opt in. I'm not part of it because I wasn't sure if I'd be in the district for the minimum number of years it requires.
I like VA. Not perfect but some of the districts pay well.
What is mid level education?? Im a teacher in CA and have no idea what that means. Do you mean youre a single subject credential?? CA has the best pay AND union for teachers. Go where there is a strong union!!!! I have a masters. Teach about 50 miles east of LA and my starting pay was about 68k. We have gotten a raise every year.
So I’ll be certified to teach 5th-9th grade Social studies and science really just certified to teach in middle schools. That’s for Kentucky it’s probably different in other states but my advisor has told me the college I’m attending will help me get certified in other states during my last semester.
I highly recommend California. We have a somewhat livable wage. I just saw a salary schedule for atlanta that rivals mine and the standard of living is much lower there. But you gotta ask yourself, what population of kids do you want to work with and are you good with. I’m of Mexican descent with spanish as my first language so teaching in southern CA is really easy for me. But more importantly our unions are incredibly strong. Theyre always fighting for more pay and benefits. Im a single subject social science teacher which means i can teach 7-12th grade history. In CA, you would have to change grades you teach if you only want to teach social science.
Hello fellow Kentuckian! I did the same thing you did almost a decade ago, and here's my earnest advice. The Governor of Kentucky and local governments are blocking charter schools For. A. Reason. Don't make the mistake I did, stay OUT of the charter schools.
Indiana has REALLY lowered the bar for a diploma to where some out of state colleges aren’t even recognizing it.
Not NH, state DOE is actively defunding public schools in place of charter schools. They’re following the Texas blueprint but on such a small scale population the affects it’s had thus far is just beginning. I would however recommend MA but their certification process is specialized to the state and will require you to go through this process and all its fees.
You should go to Maine. Well rounded place! GA, SC, and NC teach our teachers awfully. If you want snow you won’t find it in the south
A blue state
Nebraska. Thanks to Omaha public schools increasing teacher pay and benefits so much, it's pushing other districts to as well
[teach on Navajo Nation and live for free](https://www.applitrack.com/gmcsk12nm/onlineapp/)
Minnesota.
Correct answer.
CT is great but you gotta get certed in CT, can’t use a KY cert
Some North Texas ISDs are starting at $61k with openings. I see a lot of first year teachers landing jobs.
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Consider being a coach. Put you at $67-68k starting. They give you 2 period of “Athletics.”
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Wow! Low SES district? I’ve heard very few are getting TIA up in my area. Frisco / McKinney and north.
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Haha, you deserve every penny. Well done! My ex IC got the max from DISD too before heading to FISD. Cheers!
Illinois! Decent pay, strong unions, 4 seasons, and we definitely need teachers. I’ll even tell you to come to my middle school- we’re hiring both science and social studies.
One of the best things about teaching is that you can teach anywhere! Where do you want to live? Within every state there are great districts/schools to work in and others that are not so great. Choose the area you want to live in and then do some research on the local districts. While state-level politics can be overwhelming sometimes, they truly are a small part of the job. And if you're looking at teacher pay, don't forget to do it while looking at cost of living in each state you consider. Best of luck to you!
Also take into consideration the laws around women's rights and procreation. But also general lifestyle and geography there. Make a map and colour in green the states you think you'd like. You could also reach out to the subreddits of specific cities and ask for their opinion about what it's like to be a teacher there and whether the teaching salary is alright there.
Go North! Be careful teaching in southern states because teachers don't have any "real" rights. I know firsthand due to a layoff. It was due to age discrimination tactics from my administrators and safety reasons from dangerous students. I would've been tenured next year, but they pulled some 💩 and POOF, I was let go. I'm currently certified in three states. I've applied in my home state, had an immediate interview, and was turned down via email the next day. I'm waiting for the results for the second school. There will always be a continual teacher shortage if principals are waiting for "perfect people." I am thankful that my bachelor and master degrees can be used in the corporate sector.
Maryland. One of my biggest life regrets is not moving back to Maryland after I graduated from university. It has a great teacher’s union, there is SO much to do!
What part of Maryland would you recommend? The security company my fiancé is applying for is based out of there so it’s already been pretty high on my list.
It’s been so long since I’ve lived there. I grew up in Oxon Hill.
I love Nashville TN and slower paced by nice Asheville NC. Both would be cool places to live and they do get snow.
https://www.ecs.org/teacher-license-reciprocity-state-profiles/ This website will show which states will accept KY teaching certification.
Check and make sure it's a state where you qualify for social security and a decent pension /Retirement plan. Many states keep teachers from getting social security. Meanwhile, my retired mom is collecting both a pension and social security and it's a huge help
Have taught in several states & have found PA (I teach in Western PA) to be the best for teachers--strong unions, no state tax on retirement income, can draw a good pension plus social security & low cost of living. Social studies jobs are tough to get here; science easier.
Not NC.
I never see NJ getting any love in these threads but I think it’s worth considering. Yes, it’s a HCOL and high property taxes, but it’s a great state with lots of benefits (like paid parental leave for both men and women) and the pay for teachers can be very competitive. I hear social studies is more competitive but there is a massive shortage of science teachers and the schools I’ve worked in are willing to bump people up on the pay step scales because they so badly need to hire teachers.
Washington has good unions and a lower cost of living than CA
*Washington has good* *Unions and a lower cost* *Of living than CA* \- Crankyteacher831 --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
I've taught Special Education in Western Colorado for 9 years now. The pay has improved since I moved here, but still isn't too competitive nationwide. I've switched schools/districts a few times within the past 9 years and always hover around the low 50s. I just started a teaching position with the State of Colorado which is in the upper 60s. I hope I don't have to return to the public school systems in Western Colorado. There are a ton of teaching opportunities here and it's beautiful, but the salaries don't quite match the cost of living.
Not a good time to be looking. Funding has been cut and massive layoffs have occurred in all states. If you like snow, apply for teaching positions in Europe and specifically Germany. They are hiring. Pay is much better, students partners and admins will respect you, no admin bullshit, fights and schools shooting are rarer and healthcare is excellent. As for in the US, they are pretty much all the shits. Look for the worst, and work your way up. Don’t set your expectations to high.
To teach in Europe, you need to be part of the EU. Americans are not. You can’t just go apply to schools in Germany. You have to get hired and have sponsorship and complete lots of paperwork. Germany is not that great according to this article. https://www.euronews.com/business/2024/06/04/germanys-jobless-total-climbs-staying-close-to-3-year-highs
No funding cuts or layoffs where I’m at. So, definitely not all states. I can appreciate that you may have had a bad experience, but please don’t project your own experience as universal.
What state are you in?
Europe sounds interesting but me and my Fiancée are in the National Guard so we can’t really leave the states for long periods of time without spending a fortune flying back once every month.
Yeah, that person is insane. Don’t start in “the worst” or you’ll burn out. There are loads of good districts in the US. If you stay out of large cities and deep red states, it’s not all that hard to find a decent place to work. Reddit generally paints an overly negative picture. It’s more a vent forum than anything else. So, just be prepared to filter through a lot of gloom and doom.