Advice needed

[groovy_wizard]

Hi All,
I am currently a Science Teacher in Australia. I teach general science to years 7-10 and senior biology. I would love to work in Colorado and am currently aiming for the start of the next school year (autumn 2008). At this point, I will have been teaching for 3 years. My current principal is originally from California and was a principal there for many years before moving to Australia seven years ago. She has been very supportive of my wanting to teach in the US, however doesnt feel that she is up to date with current hiring procedures.

What I am unsure about, is how to actually go about getting a job. As an Australian, I can get an E3 visa- which I need to apply for from Australia, but must already have a job offer. I also know that I need to become certified in Colorado, so I will need to have my qualifications assessed etc. I think I can at least start this process here in Australia, but I am unsure as to what exams I will need to take.

My biggest question however is to how to actually get a position. I am flexible in terms of the district I would work in. I have previously lived in Summit County and would love to return to this area, however I imagine jobs there are limited. So I am more than happy to look elsewhere. I am wondering whether it will be possible to apply for jobs over the internet, by sending in a resume/cover letter and responses to selection criteria (if that happens in the US). I am happy to send references and phone interview, but I feel that principals may feel that is easier to hire someone who is there and that they can meet in person. In my research so far, I have found that there are also job fairs in March/April. Is it worthwhile attending these? If it is needed, I am happy to fly over to the US to attend interviews, however realistically, I can only do this once. It is quite a long and expensive trip to make and I will need to take additional leave from my school to do so.

I know my thoughts in this post are a little scattered, but if you have any insights to offer - I would be very grateful.

[Unregistered]

This is so interesting. I NEVER get on message boards, but I clicked on this one (not long after you posted this) and I, too, happen to be from Colorado--originally--Rio Grande County. We were practically neighbors--if my memory serves me right there is only Mineral County between. (It has been a LONG time, so that might not be right).

Now I live in Georgia--but I think I may be able to help you--a little anyhow. I can sympathize with the desire to go "home".

Just e-mail the Colorado Department of Education and tell them what you want to do. "Google" Colorado Department of Education and it gives you all kinds of options--including jobs available.


In case you cannot "Google", I have included some of the websites listed.

Educator Licensing/Services - www.cde.state.co.us/index_license.htm
Standards/Assessment - www.cde.state.co.us/index_stnd-access.htm
Jobs at Colorado School Districts - tic.cde.state.co.us/
School/District Statistics - www.cde.state.co.us/index_stats.htm
More results from www.cde.state.co.us »

I hope this helps. Good Luck!!

[groovy_wizard]

Sorry to bump this up the thread list, just wondering if anyone has any further insights?

Thankyou for those links in the reply message.

[Unregistered]

Hi,
I have just recently moved from Aurora, CO where I taught for the last two years. Prior to that I worked at the CDE. The addresses that you received earlier are good places to start. You will need to take the PLACE test in your content area. CDE will require a records check to make sure you are not a criminal nor have ever had a conviction of any sort. They do that through you fingerprints. Aurora is not anywhere close to Summit County but I thought I would respond to you just the same. You can contact districts directly. I might add that great science teachers are difficult to find. Colorado is a standards based state and test science at 8th and 10th grade through their state assessment system called CSAP (Colorado Student Assessment Program).

Jefferson County (www.JEFFCO.k12.co.us) is a large district west of Denver towards the mountains.
Ft Collins is north of Denver and is known as the Poudre School District (the Poudre River is near) www.psd.k12.co.us This is a college town and a good district to work in.

There are also little districts along Interstate 70 as you go into the mountains. I think you might find a state map in the CDE directory. The bigger districts have on line applications I am sure. I might consider putting together a video of yourself as an introduction and a video and lesson plan of yourself teaching.
Good luck!

[Unregistered]

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Hi All,
I am currently a Science Teacher in Australia. I teach general science to years 7-10 and senior biology. I would love to work in Colorado and am currently aiming for the start of the next school year (autumn 2008). At this point, I will have been teaching for 3 years. My current principal is originally from California and was a principal there for many years before moving to Australia seven years ago. She has been very supportive of my wanting to teach in the US, however doesnt feel that she is up to date with current hiring procedures.

What I am unsure about, is how to actually go about getting a job. As an Australian, I can get an E3 visa- which I need to apply for from Australia, but must already have a job offer. I also know that I need to become certified in Colorado, so I will need to have my qualifications assessed etc. I think I can at least start this process here in Australia, but I am unsure as to what exams I will need to take.

My biggest question however is to how to actually get a position. I am flexible in terms of the district I would work in. I have previously lived in Summit County and would love to return to this area, however I imagine jobs there are limited. So I am more than happy to look elsewhere. I am wondering whether it will be possible to apply for jobs over the internet, by sending in a resume/cover letter and responses to selection criteria (if that happens in the US). I am happy to send references and phone interview, but I feel that principals may feel that is easier to hire someone who is there and that they can meet in person. In my research so far, I have found that there are also job fairs in March/April. Is it worthwhile attending these? If it is needed, I am happy to fly over to the US to attend interviews, however realistically, I can only do this once. It is quite a long and expensive trip to make and I will need to take additional leave from my school to do so.

I know my thoughts in this post are a little scattered, but if you have any insights to offer - I would be very grateful.

[groovy_wizard]

Thanks for the feedback. So I will need to take the PLACE test even though I will have been teaching for 3 years? I find the concept of taking a test to prove you know your stuff quite strange, maybe we are too trusting here in Australia.

I will definately get someone to video me whilst teaching - I think that will be a great idea. I was going to put together a portfolio, even though we don't do that here in Australia. I will probably put it online so that I can send people the web address.

When will districts start advertising positions for the following school year?

[chase550]

HA! I am a Sr. In College and just getting ready to begin my student teaching! In Colorado, you must have a bachelor's degree or higher to obtain licensure. You will need to take either the Praxis II or PLACE test in Biology or any other science to become endorsed. You'll also have to get a background check and fingerprint screening.

Since you are in science, you shouldn't have much toruble finding a job. Science , math and SPED are in high demand here in COLO.

[Unregistered]

I disagree with the previous post. No matter what the colleges tell you, there are not enough jobs for everyone in math and science. I have been teaching in CO for 15 years and our district always has about 100 applicants for every math and science job, even those offered mid-year.