Question for MCPS teachers: Hiring season for external teaching candidates?

[Anonymous]

You should worry if you think MCPS is strong. Lots of cuts as we have continued decreased enrollment in all grades except 10 and 11. Every career switcher gets a social studies cert so they have a lot of candidates to choose from (esp when you count the teachers that have pressure been surplussed).

I’m in a different content area and already lived in MoCo but it took me 9 years to actually get hired! Most jobs in my area were filled super early by December college grads or posted after school started. The one time I actually got an interview I got a form rejection saying they chose a candidate with more experience yet it was someone fresh out of college and I had almost 20 years experience at the time.

Pandemic was my way in and I HATE it! Hate it as a teacher and a parent. I also hate that I have over 20 years teaching experience but MCpS will only pay me for 12 (similar at most other districts in Md). So I would make more money in private schools and have smaller class sizes plus actual instructional materials and support.

You’re better off trying to get hired at a private school. Utilize the free head hunters, Carney Sandoe, as many openings aren’t posted openly. Then keep an eye on the NAIS, AIMS and AISGW sites. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Also try reaching out to principals directly via email. May generate interest that way.

[Anonymous]

Here is the staffing calendar.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/departments/personnel/transfers/teacher-staffing-calendar-attachment-b--11.pdf

There is an open/closed list for transfers and new hires. They have to fill all of the MCPS teachers who were involuntarily transferred before they can hire others. Once all of those MCPS teachers have found jobs, they will open it up. Right now, Social Studies is closed. So they can't hire you now.
Here is the doc.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iDT1PY28aoX2gshZy5jvKvS8iPPWFX2os8NTi_JioQ4/edit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t get hired until late July/early August when I was an external candidate and I am an STEM teacher. Internal candidates go first and then they look at external. More positions will open after this week but you might see most openings are for special education or science/tech.

Good to know, thank you! The idea of sitting on my hands and waiting is a scary proposition, especially if positions become available elsewhere in the DMV, but time will tell I suppose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should worry if you think MCPS is strong. Lots of cuts as we have continued decreased enrollment in all grades except 10 and 11. Every career switcher gets a social studies cert so they have a lot of candidates to choose from (esp when you count the teachers that have pressure been surplussed).

I’m in a different content area and already lived in MoCo but it took me 9 years to actually get hired! Most jobs in my area were filled super early by December college grads or posted after school started. The one time I actually got an interview I got a form rejection saying they chose a candidate with more experience yet it was someone fresh out of college and I had almost 20 years experience at the time.

Pandemic was my way in and I HATE it! Hate it as a teacher and a parent. I also hate that I have over 20 years teaching experience but MCpS will only pay me for 12 (similar at most other districts in Md). So I would make more money in private schools and have smaller class sizes plus actual instructional materials and support.

You’re better off trying to get hired at a private school. Utilize the free head hunters, Carney Sandoe, as many openings aren’t posted openly. Then keep an eye on the NAIS, AIMS and AISGW sites. Good luck!

Thank you for the input. I don't intend to go private as I am a believer in public education no matter the obstacles. Plus, we're not in a financial position where I can really afford to go private (long term). The lack of years credit is frustrating but I'd be lucky to enter early enough where I should be able to start on step 9 with 9 years under my belt. Just gotta find something first. And I do wonder if several years beyond the pandemic, we are closer to the time where people had to wait years to get in. I'm hopeful that isn't the case but I'm not holding my breath.

What is it that you "hate" about it from a teacher's perspective? Lack of support? Student issues? I have a hard time imagining I'll encounter anything shocking after 9 years in NYC middle schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is the staffing calendar.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/departments/personnel/transfers/teacher-staffing-calendar-attachment-b--11.pdf

There is an open/closed list for transfers and new hires. They have to fill all of the MCPS teachers who were involuntarily transferred before they can hire others. Once all of those MCPS teachers have found jobs, they will open it up. Right now, Social Studies is closed. So they can't hire you now.
Here is the doc.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iDT1PY28aoX2gshZy5jvKvS8iPPWFX2os8NTi_JioQ4/edit

Thank you for this -- I'll be keeping a diligent eye on it to see if things shift! Hopefully it won't closed for the length of hiring season.

[Anonymous]

I realize it's super stressful to wait but this is way early in the process of filling vacancies. Hang in there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I realize it's super stressful to wait but this is way early in the process of filling vacancies. Hang in there.

The waiting is how I ended up in private school. I didn’t have time to rely on MCPS to determine my commute when our family did an out of state move. I knew June 15 where I would be working and what I was going to be paid. Nothing is guaranteed in MCPS. If you’re willing to wait months and months then go ahead bit be prepared for fighting over scraps, having a terrible commute, and teaching outside your content area. Secondary full time jobs in one content area seem to be hard thing to find in MCPS right now. If you’re willing to teach one chorus class in addition to SS, for example, principals would bend over backwards to try to push you through the system faster.

[Anonymous]

OP, I don't know if you've heard of the recent cuts being implemented in MCPS, but I wouldn't be too optimistic about finding something for next year, especially for a social studies teacher.

[Anonymous]

Are you only looking in MCPS. You should broaden your search to other neighboring school districts including DCPS. DCPS pays better than MCPS

[Anonymous]

Prince William county schools has the highest step salary amounts. No pension, but has retirement match. Not sure about other benefits.