English teacher?

Question

Is it hard to gain a permanent position teaching highschool english, Iam a 19 year old and sub teach at the moment.

Answer 1

You will, of course, need to get certified, and you will have to have a bachelor's degree--possibly in English, preferably in English education. If education is not included in your major, you will most likely be taking courses after you get the position to ensure that it STAYS permanent--which it can't without those courses for certification.

The substitute experience will make you more attractive once you have met those sticky NCLB requirements (sometimes involving testing in addition to the courses), and as long as you keep your nose clean and your grades up, you should have a pretty good shot.

The only caveat I offer is that you might not find a permanent position exactly where you want it. You can find the jobs--just not necessarily in the school, city, or even region that you want most. Some areas, especially higher paying areas, are saturated, and especially saturated with English teachers.

Answer 2

Huerter0 has some great information. Here are some other tips for getting hired:
1) Be sure the district you are in knows that you are interested in a full-time position by finding the AP or Department Head, and let all the English Teachers you sub for know it too. If you do a good job covering their classes, they will definitely put in a good word for you. Don't tell them jokingly, "...oh, I'd really like to teach here someday..." ; instead make it well known that you mean business.
2) If you don't mind going out West, districts in Nevada (Las Vegas specifically) and Arizona are growing so fast that they are hiring people on emergency certification as long as they are within a year of getting NCLB certified.
3) Become fluent in Spanish. I know many people are crying about how our identity is being lost, but the reality is that many districts need people who can work as ESL teachers as well. You may not want to do it, but it gives you a hiring advantage and gets you in the door.
4) Work summer school in a district that needs help. Again; it's a foot in the door. If you do a good job, word will get out.
5) Advertise yourself. No one will toot your horn for you, so brag a little. Go into offices where you are interested in teaching and introduce yourself to the principal or department head - even if they are not hiring. Try to schedule an appointment "just to talk" and take something with you that you can leave behind. (I always had a "resume brochure" that highlighted my interests, work experience, and educational goals/beliefs). Yes, the personnel offices post jobs and call for interviews, but the reality is that it is the principal who makes the final call.

Make as many connections as you can, and pull strings.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I teach English. . .and, while English teachers are not as much in demand as math, special education, or science teachers, it is possible to get an English teaching job.

Follow the advice of the previous answerers. Get your degree and your certification. I would strongly suggest minoring in something else and getting certified in that as well (in most states, certification involves having a major or minor in a subject and passing an exam given by the state). Try to get as many well-rounded experiences as possible while in college.

Then apply everywhere. Apply in districts that aren't hiring for your position. This is successful, because sometimes districts have posted a position in-house, and not yet to the general public. By applying for it, you get your resume in early. This is also helpful because sometimes the district is looking for someone with specific skills. Theater or coaching experience can get you into a school district in a different job--say as an emergency hire drama coach--and then when an English position opens up you have the seniority to step in.

Hope that helps!