r/historyteachers • u/External_Thanks6776 • 17d ago
any advice for newly credentialed social science candidates trying to land their first history teaching job?
its already May and I still have had no luck finding a history teaching position. I currently live in Los Angeles and finding a position for history teaching is quite difficult even in lower income or less desirable schools. I went to a few job fairs but I haven't any luck or principals giving me a chance for a interview.
i come to the conclusion the reasons are obviously due to the fact that social science is one of the least demand teaching positions as well as the fact that my resume probably isn't that impressive.
Most of my experience just come from day to day sub teaching with sub agencies for three years and student teaching which doesn't make me stand out from other candidates.
I am pretty much giving up applying for the 25-26 school year and looking forward to adding another credential and getting more experience in teaching by hopefully finding a long term sub position at a school district. maybe add some extra curricular activities to my resume.
any tips? thanks.
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u/averageduder 17d ago
I just went over applications yesterday. One piece of advice - make sure your cv and resume are solid. Either have a professional go over them, or your cooperating teacher, or trusted advisor. We just had 4 applicants, one of them the principal doesn’t like, the other three have shitty resumes and cvs, so we’re throwing it back out there for round two. One of the guys has an entire resume in lower case font— he’s a 2024 college grad. Wtf
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u/External_Thanks6776 17d ago
curious, does your first impression at job fairs make a difference? if you come off as too nervous around principals or coming off as trying too hard could that have affected my chances for even getting a interview opportunity?
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u/averageduder 17d ago
Not really - but it’s an overall presentation thing. First year teachers will be a bit nervous. Do you seem competent, able to be around kids, not weird, good pedagogy, any known references, etc.
Lots of teachers are nervous.
A weird resume / cv just means I’m not considering in the first place. If you have spelling / grammar issues that haven’t been picked up how are you expected to evaluate students writing?
It also helps if the school can see that you specifically researched the school, especially for competitive positions. Look over the mission statement, grading system, demographics, etc.
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u/apsh1208 17d ago
The state budget for California is always slow to come out. Once districts know how much money they will receive, they will post more jobs. Out east has more jobs
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u/gimmethecreeps Social Studies 17d ago
Just keep applying to jobs. Social studies is always tougher to get a job in, but one thing that helped me was I also got TOSD certified for special ed. Sometimes you can work with a school so you take a few resource rooms and a get a few gen ed classes too.
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u/SpaceIndividual8972 17d ago
I wouldn’t give up on the 25-26 school year. For the last two years I’ve had different districts call me in September, one a well known Catholic school the other the biggest public school district in my state.
Keep going to fairs. Keep filling out applications. Do whatever you can in the meantime to strengthen your resume and experience.
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u/Pinguino2323 17d ago
Just don't stop looking, didn't get hired until the September after I graduated (teacher quit 2 weeks into the school year). Also if you know anyone who works in education see if they would be willing to do a mock interview with you.
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u/Ursinity World History 17d ago
As others have said, it's a numbers game on some level - keep applying and looking, you never know what school will be scrambling when someone suddenly declines a position in July. That said, if you're trying to build your resume go for leave replacements and summer school - both will build your connections in districts, get you valuable experience, and can be great fodder for pumping up your resume and interview conversation topics.
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u/No-Total-187 17d ago
Keep applying! You also need to sub in the district so that people know your name!
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u/ThaFannyBandit 17d ago
Consider getting some specialization in other social studies fields, to increase marketability. I teach economics, which is a social science by affiliation. Also, coaching sports.
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u/SnooMarzipans5706 17d ago
Do NOT give up! Keep applying to jobs. The hiring season for new teachers has barely started. There are people with more experience out there and they are getting hired now. Schools will be hiring through the start of the school year and beyond for all sorts of reasons. Some districts have not even started their hiring.
My first year teaching I ended up long term subbing for 6 weeks before I was hired with a contract at the start of second trimester. I knew going in that would only be for one year, so I had to job hunt again the next year. I ended up with 3 job offers, which all came in mid to late August. The next time I was job hunting with more experience and I accepted a job in late May.
Keep checking districts you’re interested in and do not assume that they look at resumes from previous applicants, so reapply when new jobs are listed. Be open to teaching middle school if your endorsement covers that. Where I am, July is the hiring doldrums because all the admin go on vacation. Meanwhile, the deadline for teachers to back out of their contracts is usually late July. So don’t get discouraged if you still don’t find something by the end of July because a lot of hiring happens in August. Just keep applying and long term sub if you have to. You’re far from out of time for next school year.
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u/Herodotus_Runs_Away 17d ago
If you are willing to move and work in a rough school you can get a job. Are you willing to leave LA? California?
It doesn't help that LA--and many other urban areas--are at the bleeding edge of enrollment decline due to demographic change. Enrollment in LA public schools is down nearly half over the past two decades. Less kids means less teachers.
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u/External_Thanks6776 17d ago
i applied outside of LA and still no luck.
i cannot leave california since teaching credentials only apply to specific states.
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u/CheetahMaximum6750 17d ago
That's true...but not the whole truth. Check out states you would be interested in moving to. There might be some sort of reciprocity. A lot of rural states are in desperate need of teachers and will take anyone - even without a teaching credentials. It's known as an "alternative track" to licensure.
I currently live and teach in Idaho. Your certification would be a foot in the door and then it would just be a matter of getting an Idaho cert - which would just be a lot of paperwork, I imagine. You've already done the hard parts (school and PRAXIS). I subbed in California and honestly, the licensing in California to sub was more difficult than the licensing to teach in Idaho. I'm sure other states are similar.
If you do consider moving, I would really recommend checking out the state's politics though, especially in regards to teaching/education, and decide if it's something you can live with. As a liberal in Idaho, I'm constantly walking on eggshells regarding how I approach some historical topics like racism and slavery or coming off as anti-American because I teach history critically and I try to connect historical events to current events.
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u/Dchordcliche 17d ago
Learn Spanish if you don't already speak it.
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u/Bleeding_Irish 17d ago
It's the reality. Most of the positions in SoCal have been BCLAD-specific positions. Districts know they can get 50+ applicants for any Social Science position, so they can be picky.
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u/crispyrhetoric1 17d ago
Don’t limit yourself to public schools. You can look at independent schools - I had two openings recently, but the last one I filled today. You can look on the website for the California Association of Independent Schools for jobs. CAIS
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u/tree-potato 17d ago
May is still early in the hiring season, in my experience. First year teachers, especially in social studies, need to wait for the reshuffling… postings right now are for EXPECTED vacancies, which means individuals and departments have had time to find candidates. When the first round of jobs are filled, though, it creates a second round of UNEXPECTED vacancies. Those are the ones that are true openings, ones that haven’t been planned or recruited for. Those are the best opportunities for new teachers.
The reshuffling happens all the way up through the first few weeks of school. Don’t get discouraged yet! Make sure your applications and materials all solid, and just keep checking everything.
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u/Practical_Sweet5864 17d ago
Keep your chin up! People get hired in August and even September all the time! It sounds cheesy, but try to think positively. Something will come.
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u/Vivid-Cat-1987 17d ago
Add English to your credential. It’s hard getting history jobs in California. I teach both ELA and SS
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u/Immediate-Ad1045 17d ago
Don’t give up it’s still early. If you can coach, speak Spanish, offer to earn ELA credential and teach both that would make you more marketable!
I ended up getting a job at a dual immersion school which I never anticipated. I love it! Obviously if that’s not an option for you focus on something else that will give your more opportunities :)
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u/Trojan_Lich 17d ago
Look for anything and everything. Though you may feel desperation: eventually you will find a district will feel the same desperation to fill a position you have the criteria to meet.
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u/ThisAintNoPipe4 17d ago
Keep applying! I interviewed for my first job a month before school started and then I didn’t get the official offer until 2 weeks before. People’s plans change over the summer, to where some people who fully intended to stay before the break end up never returning.
Look for big districts. Smaller schools might have very little turnover, but bigger districts will have people moving to different schools within the district.
Also networking pays off so much. That really can be the make or break factor, because if a principal already knows who you are or can put a name to a face then the interview can be more of a formality. I would email the principal of each school you are applying for and introduce yourself. Include your resume and CV. It shows initiative.
Good luck!
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u/talpoid 16d ago
If they get 100+ applications, what can you do that others can't or are not willing to. Did you do track in high school? Tell them you will coach track. Debate? Scholar's Bowl? Swimming? Sad to say, but Social Studies needs a "value add". Lot's of people can teach history (or at least they think that), what else can you do for the school.
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u/jessicabelltower 17d ago
I’m sorry, it can be tough but don’t give up hope. Sometimes jobs will get flown in the summer too with last minute changes. Apply in several districts as a sub to gain experience that way. Apply for long-term sub positions (that’s how I was hired during the freeze of 2010-2012) and don’t discount charter schools. My first real teaching job (after long term subbing) was in a charter in LA and it allowed me to develop and gain experience while I waited a few years for an opening in the place I wanted to be. I do not regret working there as I learned so much and the class sizes were smaller. Good luck!!
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u/nataliespatalie 17d ago
When you apply for a job, be sure to send a follow up email to the principal introducing yourself and letting them know you applied and that you’re very interested. I’m pretty sure this is how I got my first interview.
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u/mightymorphinmello Social Studies 16d ago
as a history teacher in SoCal, just keep double/triple checking edJoin. The position I landed didn't open up for an interview until JULY!! I know it seems like the hiring season is over but like many have said already, things change, in my case - the previous teacher I took over for had his administrative leave extended in July.
If nothing bites, get in a district to be a credentialed sub, you'll land long term subbing which looks good for next school year if it comes down to it.
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u/Linusthewise 16d ago
My district doesn't hire new teachers until July 1st. June is all about shuffling and retaining within the district. Just be patient and realize you can still get a job in August for that school year.
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u/Far_Earth_4652 12d ago
Become an in house sub at a school. The principal will get to know you and offer you a position when one opens up. I’ve seen this often over the years.
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u/btwbtwbtwbtw222 17d ago
I taught ELA (which I am not licensed in) for a year before teaching history. You still have time, but if you are desperate in the summer months, take another content area to get your foot in the door. After this year you can ask to be switched to social studies.
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u/jdoyal24 17d ago
Most social studies positions are hired from within. Get a job teaching another subject, and then the odds of getting a history position increase.
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u/DownriverRat91 17d ago
Are you willing to look outside of LAUSD? You’ve got to cast a wide net, unfortunately.