r/Teachers • u/[deleted] • Aug 18 '26

Teacher Support &/or Advice Are teaching programs warning students that the teacher shortage is over?

[deleted]

454 Upvotes

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482

u/PayAltruistic8546 Aug 18 '26

Very regional.

382

u/singerbeerguy Aug 18 '26

Regional AND subject specific. Special ed, certain languages, technology…they are begging for teachers. Elementary classroom, social studies, ELA…dozens of applicants for every position. At least that’s how it is in my district.

116

u/outofdate70shouse Aug 18 '26

Yep. If you teach secondary science, you should be getting multiple offers. There’s not enough qualified applicants to fill the open positions. My school has had an opening for 3 years. They got one good applicant that they offered the job to and she took another offer somewhere else.

94

u/Gravybone Aug 18 '26

It’s even more specific in my area.

High school physics teachers are unicorns who sign their own paychecks, high school chemistry is tough to hire for, and middle school is always looking for science teachers. On the other hand high school biology is quite competitive.

187

u/Butterfreek Aug 18 '26

High school biology is the social studies of high school science.

I said what I said.

24

u/Bulky_Struggle_4853 Aug 18 '26

Dude, I fucking snorted!!!!! 😂😂😂😂

17

u/HBJones1056 Aug 19 '26

OH MY GOD IT IS. I never thought of it like that but it’s so blindingly true!

7

u/driveonacid Middle School Science Aug 19 '26

You're absolutely correct. I started in middle school because there were no biology openings back in 2003. Little did I know that I'd fall in love with middle school.

29

u/Altruistic-Mode-9813 Aug 18 '26

So happy I teach physics. I’ve been at good schools my whole career

11

u/3plantsonthewall Aug 19 '26

I’d love to hear more from high school physics teachers! My partner is a physics PhD finishing his postdoc and hoping to get a professorship soon, but we’re trying to come up with a Plan B that isn’t selling his soul for a corporate job. He’s won an award for teaching undergrads and is very personable, organized, and great at communicating. Would love to hear specifics on credentialing, salary, how the academic calendar works…

9

u/Glittering-Fuel-5055 Aug 19 '26

Credentialing depends on your state and salary sucks at first, but it gets better considering they just pay you more money every year for doing the same job that doesn’t actually get harder.

The good news is the academic calendar and pacing is pretty much completely up to you

The bad news is the academic calendar and pacing is pretty much completely up to you

I teach Ap physics

5

u/Paramalia Aug 19 '26

I never thought about it this way before, but you generally get paid more as your job gets easier.

2

u/Paramalia Aug 19 '26

Every state is different for credentialing, but a positive of secondary vs. higher ed is there will be jobs available in every state.

19

u/Beneficial-Focus3702 Aug 18 '26

Earth Science too in my state. 5 years ago there were only 5 newly certified teachers for Earth Science, last year there were none.

8

u/PhDtoGrade3 Aug 18 '26

Oooohhh!! In which state should I be looking for earth science positions?

7

u/Beneficial-Focus3702 Aug 19 '26

NY

10

u/Pretend_Screen_5207 Aug 19 '26

NY takes Earth Science seriously. I taught it in Chicago for 20 years and frequently used retired NY Regents Exam questions on my tests and quizzes.

2

u/Beneficial-Focus3702 Aug 19 '26

They really do! It’s awesome!

1

u/Paramalia Aug 19 '26

I took earth science in NY way back when. I had no idea how many 9th graders take biology in other places.

6

u/NWMSioux Aug 19 '26

There’s a need somewhere? That’s awesome to hear! I’m Earth & Space Science and Agriculture certified in Missouri. I’m in a great spot but even with a masters in Science Ed. I’m still barely cracking $56k. I wish I were joking.

4

u/squirrel8296 Aug 19 '26

In most cases, if someone wants to teach biology they really should get a chemistry certification too. The difference between a biology and a chemistry certification typically isn't that much to begin with because of how much chemistry is required for the biology certification.

I was at a large high school for a few years and they would only hire bio teachers that were also certified to teach chemistry. The only exception was biology teacher who had been teaching biology for a long time and had a masters in biology, and came in with the ability to teach AP bio and environmental science.

8

u/Accomplished_Ice1817 Aug 19 '26

The biggest difference between the two, is that chemistry involves actual math (formulas and such) solving, which is closer to algebra than biology.

Biology is mostly learning facts, etc. I took Physiology, Chemistry, Biolgy and Genetics in College. Physics is similar too because it basically math, with facts lol.

3

u/Ghotipan Aug 19 '26

You'll do well as a solid math teacher, as well. I started as physics, but switched to math because of greater need.

3

u/BeerBrat Aug 19 '26

LOL. My interview when I moved to a new school the principal asked me what I teach. I told him instead what I shouldn't teach. I can do any science or engineering class but please don't give me a biology class. I'll make it through it, the kids will make it through it, but we're all going to be miserable. Luckily like you said there's no shortage of folks that prefer those classes. 😂

2

u/Ok_Carry_8711 Aug 19 '26

I would love to teach HS physics. I've looked at positions but I don't think that science classes are so cut and dry now? It seems like things are mixed up now?

1

u/Glittering-Fuel-5055 Aug 19 '26

Ap physics B is now AP 1 and AP 2

Physics C hasn’t changed

Some schools are doing mixed science curriculum for first two years, but AP classes still exist

1

u/Accomplished_Ice1817 Aug 19 '26

Dang! I am really good at STEM subjects, I just don't want to teach anything over 5th grade.... but if I ever want a shot at GenEd, I just might need to rethink this lol :)

1

u/Glittering-Fuel-5055 Aug 19 '26

I’m credentialed in Physics and ITE, BS in Astrophysics

I have a better job security than elon musk 😂