What is a good way to become a teacher?

Question

My husband has taken every exam possible to become highly certified in teaching. He has already gotten his certification to teach but now they want him to be highly certified. Ok so he goes and takes the social studies exam and has passed that , no problem . But he also wants to teach science . Well he tried to take that test to become highly certified and the first one he had some problems with but just missed by two points. Then he took it again, and they changed the test on him and it was harder than the first one but he took it anyway and only missed by five points. He has been substitute teaching now for over five years , has plugged away at filling out all kinds of applications for all kinds of schools in our surrounding area, to get somewhere that is reasonable  to drive to . And yet, after five years no one has given him one single interview, half of the time , they do not even give him a follow up call. He has always been attempting to make a personal appearance with the principals at the schools but either they are out of office, or gone for the day .Do the secretaries even give the principal the message that a man came in wanting to set up an interview for a posted position? OR do they just blow him off once they get him off of the phone? What are these schools looking for? I thought teachers were in high demand , so if that is true, then why isn't anyone giving this man with good moral values and good grades and has passed all the tests a honest chance? Are they all looking for that certain color of the skin or gender or what? what is a good way to become a teacher in Texas?

Precious Gem · Accepted Answer

Timing is key. It is still in the middle of the school year.
There may not be any jobs opened. Plus most schools
have to cut back in their budget. The best time to apply
for a job is closer to the end of the school year. Every
school district has a web site that posts openings. Log
on to the school districts home web site and follow the
postings. It won't hurt to leave a resume and then periodically leave an update. Meanwhile continue working
as a substitute teacher. This way he can get an inside
scoop on potential openings.

Secretary B · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your husband's troubles. 

Both you and he are correct in attempting to contact the principals directly. Why not have your husband "pop in" on the principal on his conference period for a day he is substituting at the school? 

Don't take this personally, but is your husband in "business attire"? Perhaps he doesn't dress professionally. Believe it or not, in California there are far too many substitute teachers walking in wearing torn shorts, faded old shirts, flip flops with socks and tattered hair. If he truly looks like he is ready to work in a business environment, he is in the right.

Don't count on a secretary to pass the message along. Principals like face-to-face contact. I'm really serious about a surprise encounter when your husband is already on campus. Perhaps he is not leaving a detailed note for the teacher that he substituted for? If he has been substituting for 5 years, surely he has developed some form of reputation among the school district? It's up to you two to figure out what kind of reputation he is setting forth for himself. Is he the type of substitute that brings a newspaper, writes the day's instructions on the board, kicks back in the teacher's chair with his feet up, and never speaks to the class? Or, is he actively involved in trying to help the students learn? 

Perhaps try a new district? How far would he have to commute to have a fresh start?

There is always California. I tell you, in Los Angeles the substitutes get paid over $200 a day.

Without giving myself away, I CAN tell you that all too often we hire QUALIFIED substitute teachers as permanent teachers for science because there are not enough CERTIFIED science teachers here in our area.

Look elsewhere if you're having no success where you're at.

Good luck to you both!

Annie1889 · Answer

Did you husband major in education in college? Or does he have no training whatsoever?

8-Ball · Answer

college

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What is a good way to become a teacher?

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