Hello! I am Tom Mitchell, Founder and Education Job Coach for
Teacher Express.
As you know, the job market right now in education is tight.
There are many more applicants than teaching vacancies. It is
a perfect example for use in Economics lessons (the supply is
greater than the demand). However this is not an academic matter, and for applicants who
have recently earned (or soon expect to earn) teaching credentials,
it is discouraging. Graduates search high and low for job openings
only to learn (they hard way) that the HR office has been flooded
with applications! Competition has never been greater. But then,
you already know that. I am pleased to suggest some better news, however. I believe
- and this is my personal and professional opinion - the worst
of the current economic "crunch" is behind us. In Pennsylvania
the past few years, funding has been reduced for many districts,
creating budget shortfalls that local school boards had to plan
for. In many districts, the number of teaching positions were
decreased to reduce expenditures, largely by not replacing retiring
teachers, but also by elimination of non-essential programs and
staff furloughs. This past year seemed to offer a bit of hope. Most districts
received level funding and the size of their work force remained
fairly constant. Districts actually have been posting many position
vacancies in order to replace teachers who will be leaving the
classroom, due to retirements or other leaves of absence. It appears
that most districts believe they have already eliminated as many
positions as they can and seem reluctant to cut any more. People generally prefer what is "known" over what is
"unknown," and the uncertainty of the first two factors
names above are of much importance to older teachers. Therefore,
I predict that more teachers who are in the "retirement red
zone" (those who can retire or retire early) will retire
than ever before. Although in the past teachers often remained
in the job until the maximum retirement benefit was reached, my
prediction is that most teachers who can retire, in present times,
will retire, especially in years when their teacher contract will
expire. The risk of any "changes" to language in a new
contract will cause many teachers to retire under the current
"known" conditions rather than face that uncertainty
in the future. My prediction is favorable for younger teacher applicants! I
suggest that they get ready and do their homework. This would
be a good time to plan to "Pre-Apply" in selected districts
so their applications receive as much attention as they deserve. For more details or to plan a strategy that works for you, please
call the Coach and be sure to purchase your copy of Pathway
to Teaching. I
want to share an additional thought with you, however, that may
be even better news. If school districts will continue to replace
as many retiring teachers as they can, this becomes a glimmer
of hope for applicants. I am quite optimistic because I predict
that teacher retirements over the next several years will increase
due to three factors: uncertain futures regarding the cost of
health care, uncertain futures regarding pensions, and the expiration
of existing teacher contracts.