Submitted by hamdenlocal t3_zq816p in massachusetts
Looking for advice from any teachers in the sub. Is anyone familiar with reciprocity in terms of MA licensure? Also, how is it generally teaching in state. TIA
Comments
Lobstaman t1_j0x8ya9 wrote
Bring your own supply of Taylor Ham/Pork Roll. You’ll be hard pressed to find any up here.
alidub36 t1_j0xns63 wrote
Wegmans in Medford used to be my spot for that
kborer22 t1_j0ys3zq wrote
Spot in Norwood will even put it on a bagel sandwich for you
xSaRgED t1_j0zxh3d wrote
Spot is such a classic tho.
AtmosphereNo4389 t1_j0zn4qi wrote
Wegman’s in Natick has it, and I buy it all the time.
Thisbymaster t1_j0wwq4w wrote
I suggest looking at teaching positions first. The new year should have a bunch ready to open up. The places that pay well are also rather expensive so expect a commute.
Live-Breath9799 t1_j0x2zse wrote
What subject do you teach? Some jobs have very few and competitive openings.
Technical_Hair_4383 t1_j0wy2tl wrote
I find the licensure folks in MA difficult to work with, mainly because they are understaffed. Massachusetts schools offer varied working conditions and salaries. SPED teachers are in short supply.
TheGrandExquisitor t1_j109m3q wrote
They are notoriously hard to work with. Allow a ton of lead time. I know people who have waited months to get their licenses.
SirSkelton t1_j0x6tba wrote
I teach HS math, husband teaches middle school special ed. In general in Mass, teachers get paid well (compared to most of the rest of the country) and most districts have strong unions. Because of this, it’s not as easy to find a job as it would be in other parts of the country. Not that it’s very difficult, it’s just a little competitive. That of course depends on the grade level/content you teach.
Is there any particular part of the state you’re thinking of moving to?
hamdenlocal OP t1_j0xas6a wrote
I’d hope to work somewhere around the Boston suburbs. I’m also certain that is likely one of the more expensive spots in the state. I’d imagine it’s similar in terms of getting a job in NJ.
cowghost t1_j0zlhvx wrote
Look at lynn.
SirSkelton t1_j10izgv wrote
I live in southern MA (much closer to Providence than Boston) so I can’t tell you much about that area, but if it’s anything like near me the larger urban districts are pretty much always in need. You may even be able to find open positions right now in them. The smaller/wealthier districts are a bit more competitive.
Every district’s current contract should be at the site below. Obviously a lot to read through but when I was job hunting I skimmed them for salary, class size, prep load, etc.
https://profiles.doe.mass.edu/statereport/educatorcontracts.aspx
mullethunter111 t1_j0x7cvx wrote
Coming from a family of educators, don't. Change careers while you can.
FuzzAldrin36 t1_j108g4p wrote
This is the answer.
As a former educator who is licensed in CT, I ended up leaving teaching when I moved to MA.
The difficulty of the (lack of) reciprocity to be licensed here gave me just enough pause to really see how horrible the conditions of this profession I love so much really are. They don't improve from state to state.
It's absolutely heartbreaking how freeing it is to leave that career.
(To be clear, this comment applies to the career of public teaching in the US, not any specific conditions of teaching in this state.)
poprof t1_j11971y wrote
What did you transition to?
Maybe more importantly - what was/felt different in the new job? I’m 15 years into teaching and not sure I can do 20 more.
cymru3 t1_j0xb8g7 wrote
What grade/subject?
You can take a look on Schoolspring.com to get an idea of what jobs are out there. Traditionally, hiring season begins late March and ramps up from there, but it’s been all over the place the last few years for obvious reasons.
Siollear t1_j0zf0ag wrote
I dated a teacher once, it seemed horrible. She hated it and was always working late into the night for honestly meager pay. This was in Concord, one of the wealthiest most educated areas in MA with some of the most high tech schools (e.g. digital blackboards, every kid is issued an iPad, the school buses actually had seat belts).
pab_guy t1_j1125el wrote
A middle school music teacher I know was pulling in like 120K in one of the wealthier communities...
alidub36 t1_j0xo1kr wrote
I had a PA license and just had to submit proof of completing a comparable licensure program and then take the MTEL (our version of the Praxis/state licensure test).
ETA: not sure if Jersey does this but everyone has to pass the ESL MTEL no matter what your certification.
Visible-Education-98 t1_j0yz2rz wrote
You're welcome.
Mindless_Arachnid_74 t1_j0xovm7 wrote
[deleted] t1_j0yzyna wrote
[deleted]
Eaglebloo t1_j0yzzr1 wrote
Go to your local pizzeria and get 6 month supply and freeze them. Even with freezer burn they'll be better then anything you can buy up here.
Moved about 4 years and love it a lot but nj pizza is missed.
TheGrandExquisitor t1_j10a3wd wrote
Avoid Salem. Find teachers in the state you can talk to. They know the good and bad towns. Again, avoid Salem. Their schools are always lower tier, and they don't pay teachers well at all. They are insanely admin heavy and all the money goes there. They pay a ton for people to do something. Nobody knows.
Let me put it this way, the soon to be former mayor, sent her kids out of town to private school.
In Salem the mayor is the head of the school board and literally writes the agenda.
Yeah.
massahoochie t1_j10b964 wrote
There aren’t any schools here
dlovestoski t1_j10tkwn wrote
But... that's our whole thing?
massahoochie t1_j10xqm2 wrote
Nope. NO.
Coonhound420 t1_j10eut8 wrote
I teach at a small Montessori nonprofit but was a public school teacher before moving up here from Virginia.
It was a very hard process for me to try and find a job and transfer my license. Most places want you to transfer your license or take the ma test before they’ll look at your application. You also have the get your masters within five years.
lotusblossom60 t1_j10lvic wrote
The pay really varies by district. The town I live in pays $15,000 less a year than the one I work in.
Twocann t1_j0ww3ns wrote
Since the pandemic we’ve had a massive and I mean massive influx of Jersey and New York natives move here. Please for the love of god stop moving here
chickadeedadee2185 t1_j0x42a5 wrote
Wow.
Twocann t1_j0x6464 wrote
What, they’re incredibly rude arrogant and self centered people
chickadeedadee2185 t1_j0x893k wrote
That was pretty rude, too.
Twocann t1_j0x8chl wrote
They wear on you
hamdenlocal OP t1_j0x9zob wrote
What a nice thing to say!
Twocann t1_j0xchhp wrote
It’s not supposed to be nice. Why would you say nice things about rude people?
hamdenlocal OP t1_j0xgx1x wrote
Buddy you sound like a piece of shit 😂
Twocann t1_j0xi3sr wrote
Spoken like a true scumbag
BlaineTog t1_j0zcs2a wrote
Mainly so that you don't look even ruder than they are, making yourself seem like a hypocrite...
billyrayvalentine1 t1_j0x2i8o wrote
Teaching here varies widely by district. Rural? Urban? Suburban? Eastern MA? Western MA? Pay and job satisfaction vary widely as well.