Help! How Am I Jobless During a Teacher Shortage?

Dear We Are Teachers,

I know we’re in a national teacher shortage, but in my area, it feels close to impossible to get a teaching job. I’ve been rejected for 12 positions now. My supervising teacher, professors, and other references are all stunned! I really don’t want to have to move, have a long commute, or teach at schools with reputations for bad leadership. What do I do?

—Unlovable

Dear U.,

Being jobless in a teacher shortage would be an easy situation to take personally. But please remember that while we do have a national teacher shortage, there are plenty of areas of the country where teachers are very happy—and staying put—thus not leaving many positions open. It sounds like you might be in a place like that.

If you don’t want to move, have a long commute, or teach in a less desirable school, here’s what I’d recommend:

Ask your interviewing principals for feedback, even if you get a no.

It would be good to know from those interviewing you why they chose to go with a different candidate. It might be experience (which you can’t help), or it might be an interview skill you can improve independently (or with AI).

Sub for a year in the schools where you want to work to get your foot in the door.

I know this is not the option you want. But one of the best ways to be considered for a spot in a school is to establish yourself as a stellar sub there. A fabulous sub is attractive for principals because they’ve wowed fellow teachers, are familiar with school cultures and routines, and have proven themselves with kids.

Get a part-time job and wait for a midyear opening to pop up somewhere.

Principals will be at their most desperate when they have a teacher who needs to leave midyear. It’s rare, but it happens!

Finally, don’t give up hope until school starts. Things move around more than you might think! (And if all else fails, I think the long commute is totally doable for a year. Let those podcasts and audiobooks roll, baby!)

Dear We Are Teachers,

I just found out that I’ll be teaching in a portable classroom this year. What do I need to know?

—Just Call Me Portable Patty

Dear J.C.M.P.P.,

I’ve never taught in a portable, BUT I have scoured the Internet for advice from teachers who have. The good news is there’s a strong contingent of people who think teaching in a portable is no different from teaching in any other classroom (yay!).

For those teachers who noted important differences, here’s what they said:

The temperature situation can be tricky.

Teachers in portables mentioned that with the lack of insulation, the temperature can fluctuate more significantly than a classroom that’s a part of the building. Wear lots of layers and have a blanket on hand!

Be conscious of water and bathroom breaks.

Often, portable buildings will be a relatively long walk from bathrooms and water fountains. Consider getting a water cooler for your classroom and scheduling your bathroom breaks strategically!

Find storage solutions that work.

Often, portables won’t have significant storage options for classrooms, so be ready to create your own. Here are some fabulous ideas using milk crates, roller carts, and other materials!

Embrace the advantages!

Many teachers said they prefer the portable life! Being so far out of the way, they typically stay off administration’s radar. They have the flexibility to open a window, take kids on a walk when they get squirrelly, or be extra noisy during class.

Only time will tell how you feel about teaching in a portable—but don’t knock it till you try it!

Dear We Are Teachers,

I’m headed back to the classroom as a special education teacher. I want to have a welcome/information center in my classroom as well as a space for the paraprofessional educators. I want to make sure the space feels welcoming to them as much as the students. Every search for classroom setup focuses on teacher and student spaces. But how do I make other adults feel welcome?

—Pull Up a Chair

Dear P.U.A.C.,

I love this question! If you’re going to be having adults in your room on a regular basis, it’s so thoughtful to consider what would make them feel comfortable relaxing and collaborating.

Here are some things to consider:

• Flexible seating options. Look for comfy seating—sofas, armchairs, floor cushions, etc.—that you can arrange in a circular setting for easy collaboration. Garage sales and neighborhood groups are good places to start!
• Find ways to make the space feel homey. Ditch the overhead lighting for lamps. Find a funky rug to brighten up the space. Get some classroom plants that will add a pop of green and clear the air (literally!).
• Think of how you can meet their needs. A Keurig or teakettle will have teachers flocking to your room, and a basket of snacks will definitely keep them there.

These things aren’t cheap, so don’t feel pressure to do it all—or do it all right away! Having a warm and welcoming personality will go a long way.

Do you have a burning question? Email us at askweareteachers@weareteachers.com.

Dear We Are Teachers,

I finished my 15th year of teaching in June and finally decided to leave the toxic school I’ve been working at my whole career. I interviewed at a school that seems like my literal dream school, but it would be a huge pay cut to teach there—about $20K. It would make our finances tighter, certainly, but wouldn’t put us in poverty. What would you do?

—Which Road?