Job Vacancies For Qualified Teachers In Detroit On The Rise
Just a few short years ago, finding employment as a teacher in the Detroit area, let alone within the state of Michigan, was nearly impossible. The economy was brutal and relentless, and few were spared from its wrath--especially in our region's school districts.
But, alas! The economic revival and an end to the recent devastating recession have brought about a new day, and once more, educators are in high demand--especially in southeast Michigan.
According to the United States Department of Labor, kindergarten and elementary school teaching positions are expected to rise 17 percent overall on a national scale between 2010 and 2020. Growth in this area has been attributed to both declines in student-to-teacher ratios and increases in enrollment. Likewise, middle school teachers can also expect to see a rise of about 17 percent in the workforce. A growth of seven percent is expected for high school-level educators within the same timeframe. Though that number is projected to be smaller than other areas for teaching positions, rates are affected differently throughout a number of regions.
A simple online career search at the Detroit Public Schools website reveals what is available in the area. With money returning to the local precincts, additional roles will likely be developed in the near future as well.
Also offering a new promise upon the horizon for job-seeking teachers is the relatively new phenomenon of charter schools within the city limits of Detroit. These schools, which have begun emerging in prominence over the last decade, are like any other public school: They never charge for tuition, the institutions always accept whomever wishes to enroll, and they are always considered open to the public. Charter schools, like all other public institutions, must meet the state and federal academic requirements that apply to all public schools.
Between the budding needs of the Detroit Public School system and the increasing number of charter schools in the region, the Motor City can expect to see many new opportunities arise for careers of all types in the education industry.
Detroit schools are starting to perform better
There has been good news across the board for those among the teaching profession here in Michigan as of late. According to a recent report published by The Detroit News, the state of Michigan ranked sixth on a national level in the new "StudentsFirst" report card evaluation system. Andy Salon, Michigan director at StudentsFirst and the editorial's author, provides additional details pertaining to the revolutionary grading system:
"StudentsFirst released our inaugural state policy report cards this week that provide a snapshot of where each state stands on important education reform issues that put the needs of students first. Each state was awarded a letter grade based on a unique methodology developed by our policy experts that allows for side-by-side analysis of each state's policies and the areas in which they can improve."
So while it hasn't always been the case in the past, Michigan and many of its Metro Detroit school districts have begun to flourish on a nationwide level thanks in part to some of the exciting new opportunities arising within the education industry.
At some of the hardest points in the recent economic decline, Michigan saw so many of its talented, young graduates fleeing the state to find more prosperous opportunities elsewhere in the country. Now, with the current economy growing with each passing day and reports released like those by StudentsFirst, individuals can feel confident in the fact that the opportunities for teachers and a career in the education industry in Michigan can not only be a viable, sustainable one, but a rewarding and fulfilling opportunity as well. Salon reaffirms these prospects concerning the future:
"The StudentsFirst report card for Michigan illustrates that we've made significant gains in improving education policies in recent years. State legislators have approved legislation to create portable retirement choices for teachers, increase the number of school options and elevate the teaching profession by reforming tenure and banning seniority-based layoffs."
Michael Ferro is freelance writer and a graduate of Michigan State University where he majored in Creative Writing and received the Jim Cash Creative Writing Award. Born and bred in Detroit, he currently resides in Ypsilanti Township. Additional writing can be found at Examiner.com.
