Job Search for Educators

Career Services & Internship Program Office recognizes the unique job search needs of our education students.  There are different timelines, complex testing requirements and unique supporting materials that are required.  As a result, we have dedicated this page to help those in the education field navigate the process.

The Education Job Market 2020 – 2030
​​​​​​​According to the U.S. Department of Labor, job opportunities for teachers will grow as fast as the average for all occupations but may vary by geographic region, grade level, and subject taught.  Most job openings will result from the increase of student enrollment and teacher retirements. Math, science (especially chemistry and physics), English as a second language, and special education teachers are in short supply making those licensed in these areas or those with multiple licenses more marketable for jobs.  Additionally, teachers of color and those from diverse backgrounds are underrepresented in the field compared to the student population.  Many states are looking to increase their recruitment of these teachers to better reflect the student demographics within the classroom.  There are several initiatives to increase the number of teachers of color such as the Massachusetts’ InSPIRED Fellowship.

Educator’s Job Search Checklist

• ​Schedule a job search appointment to discuss your post-graduation plans
• Create an account with SchoolSpring; the top education job search engine
• Create a Handshake account to view job opportunities specifically for BSU students and alumni
• Develop a resume and cover letter and have them critiqued by Career Services
• Create a list of (3-5) potential references for letters of recommendation
• Develop a target list of schools and organizations of interest
• Talk to your faculty and site supervisors about developing a Teaching Philosophy and Teacher Portfolio
• Begin networking for possible job openings with faculty, site supervisor, professional association and on LinkedIn 
• Collect recommendation letters from references
• Collect transcripts from current and previous institutions
• At the beginning of your final semester, start monitoring SchoolSpring, school district websites and the MA Dept. of Education
• Attend the Job Search for Educators Employer Panel
• Register for and attend the MERC Education Career Fair (Massachusetts Education Recruiting Consortium) in Boston during April school vacation week
• Register for and attend BSU’s Education Career Fair
• Continue applying to job openings, follow-up with phone calls and thank you letters and continue networking
• If you are not getting any results, consider applying to substitute teacher and paraprofessional positions to get your foot in the door.  Anything relevant to teaching will help you start your career in education

NOTE: You should start your job search at the beginning of your last semester (September for fall grads and January for spring grads). However, please note that many school districts are under restricted budgets and may not finalize their budget until late spring or early summer. Therefore, many job openings will not be posted until this time. Keep track throughout the summer!  School systems continue to hire into the beginning of the school year.  

Researching School Systems
When applying and interviewing for jobs in education, it’s important to gather information on the school or district. The websites below will provide directories, reviews, and detailed information such as MCAS scores and school rankings for your review. 

• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
• U.S. Department of Education
• National Center for Education Statistics
• National Education Association
• National Charter School Resources Center
• Private School Review
• American Montessori Society  
• Salary.com

Educator Job Listings
Spring is the time when many schools recruit teachers for the next academic year.  Here are some of our favorite job search websites that post teacher and education related positions.  
                 

Alternative Teaching Opportunities
​​​​​​​Beyond the traditional classrooms, there are many opportunities to teach. Check out this sampling of programs that provide wonderful experience for new teachers. Many offer stipends, living arrangements, and may give you an educational award to help pay for grad school.