[lotus123]

What is the teacher job market like in Washington, Seattle Area? I moved from N. California and feel like I had more districts to apply at without commuting too far. I feel options are limited here because the school districts are too large. Does anyone else feel the same way?

[Jennalia]

I work in a large district about 45 minutes south of Seattle, and we’re constantly hiring - gentrification and the insane housing prices it brings are pushing people further south in our state, so our district keeps growing. It’s like that for a number of other districts in the area. Many are building new schools (ours included).

Honestly, anything in the Puget Sound is going to be a commute of some sort, though, unless you’re REALLY lucky. Not just because the districts are large (although you’re right, many are), but because traffic is a freaking mess and our public infrastructure is a joke. Even if I taught in my home district, my commute could be up to a half hour.

[GraceKrispy]

I'm confused- are you currently IN the Seattle area and feel that the school district are too large and thus limit your options? Or were those comments about California?

[lotus123]

Thank you for responding! Yes, I am in the Seattle area now.

[GraceKrispy]

I came from a district where the entire state was one district, so I find these districts in the Seattle and surrounding areas to not be that large at all! Seattle Public Schools is obviously large, but there are many smaller districts in the surrounding communities. If you live in the heart of Seattle, however, I can see why getting a job in another district might seem like a long commute. Where I live, I could drive 20 minutes in various directions and be within the limits of about 6 different districts.