Private School Employment Networks and Placement Agencies

Teaching Opportunities

for Undergraduates and Recent Graduates

The Rice Education Club

Compiled by Daniel Heller, 4/2000.

Teacher Certification - Info about getting certified to teach

Public Schools - Job banks and other info about public schools

Private Schools - Private school job opportunities and info

Miscellaneous Job Information - For both private and public schools, international schools and special programs

Summer Programs - Current undergraduates may apply to these programs to teach during the summer

For more information, contact the Rice Education Certification Office:

Elizabeth Heckelman (heckel@rice.edu) 713-348-4727
Olga Trejo(olgatrej@rice.edu) 713-348-4826
or a member of the Rice Education Club

Teacher Certification

States normally require certification to teach in their public schools. Most universities offer certification programs. Certification requirements vary from state-to-state, but one may transfer certification to another state relatively easily once it is obtained. Other options to get into the classroom more quickly include alternative certification programs and deficiency plans. For more information, contact any member of the Rice University Education Certification faculty.

Rice University Education Certification Department: One may be certified in Texas schools through the Rice Education Certificaion Program. As well as offering a program to undergraduates, there is also a Master of Arts in Teaching program which requires one year of coursework. Also, one may be certified at Rice through a non-degree program.
Rice Education Program for Undergraduates: Rice students may earn a teaching certificate while pursuing an undergraduate degree. Students take education courses during the semester and do student teaching in the summer.
Deficiency Plans and Emergency Certification: Allow you to begin teaching immediately. A special plan is drawn up for you to begin teaching with the expectation that you will get certified within 3 years. See the Deficiency plan info from U of H as an example.
Teach For America: National program trains you to teach during the summer. Places you into a disadvantaged public school for two years. You earn teacher certification by taking classes in the evenings while you are teaching.
Links to State Departments of Education for all 50 States: Provides certification information, job banks, and other information about public education in each state.
Certification Requirements for Each State: Find out what one must do to get certified in the state of your choice.
Alternative Certification Program at Houston ISD: The Alternative Certification program allows you to become certified while teaching in an HISD school.
Region IV Education Service Center (Houston Area): This center offers alternative certification and other education resources.
More Tips on Becoming a Teacher: Tips and links about becoming a teacher including certification and additional links.

Teaching in Public Schools

Public schools normally require state teacher certification for employment, though you may teach without certification in some districts by obtaining a deficiency plan. Public schools are funded by the state, local, and federal governments. Below, find information about education departments, job banks, and charter schools.

Links to State Departments of Education for all 50 States: Provide information about public education in your state including teacher certification and job vacancies.
Project Connect Job Bank c/o University of Wisconsin, Madison: Teaching job vacancies in K-12 and higher education.; Username: teacher; Password: aswan
National Public School Locator: Searchable by school characteristics, district, location, or name. From the National Center for Education Statistics.
US Charter Schools: Charter schools are public schools offered a higher level of autonomy than regular public schools. Rice graduates often enjoy working in charter schools.
Charter School Resource Center of Texas: Charter schools are public schools offered a higher level of autonomy than regular public schools. Rice graduates often enjoy working in charter schools.
Texas Education Network: Resources for teachers in the state of Texas. Includes a job bank.
Houston Independent School District
Teaching Jobs in California: Job bank of California teaching jobs.

Teaching in Private Schools

Most private schools do not require teachers to be certified. College students often begin teaching in private schools directly after graduation. Below is a list of private school directories, job banks, and teacher placement agencies. If you would like to teach in private schools, administrators sometimes recommend sending unprovoked resumes and cover letters to the schools of your choice.

Private School Job Bank (Teachers College, Columbia University)

Large bank of private school job offerings.

Private Schools Directory (Peterson’s Guide)

Directory of private day schools and boarding schools.

Boarding Schools Directory

List of boarding schools in the US.

Private School Employment Networks and Placement Agencies

Match your credentials with possible job openings. Most agencies are free for teacher candidates to apply. Most ask for letters of recommendation, but other information may be submitted online.

Carney, Sandoe, & Associates: Free to apply. Matches your application with prospective employers. Used by many private schools nationally. Website includes a list of jobs, internships, and summer opportunities.; Contact: recruitment@carneysandoe.com, 1-800-225-7986
Independent Educational Services: Free to apply. Matches you with prospective teaching jobs in private schools. Also runs job fairs.
The Education Group: Search firm for private schools. Free to apply. Also runs job fairs.
Private School Employment Network: Post your resume (Cost: $25). View teaching jobs for free.

Miscellaneous Teaching Job Info

Below, find employment opportunities and job banks for both public and private schools, information and directories about teaching overseas, and other options including the Peace Corps and Teach For America.

Teaching Overseas (c/o US Department of State): Learn about teaching overseas in American schools. Includes a list of jobs. Note: teaching overseas often requires teaching certification and experience.
European Council of Independent Schools: Lists jobs overseas.
Search Associates: Overseas Job Placement Agency. Requires fee.
Department of Defense Overseas Schools: Resources for teaching in schools on US military bases.
Peace Corps: The Peace Corps offers teaching opportunities abroad in developing countries.
Teach For America: National program trains you to teach during the summer. Places you into a disadvantaged public school for two years. You earn teacher certification by taking classes in the evenings while you are teaching.
JET Program: Teach English in Japan. This one-year program allows you to teach English in Japanese Schools.
Web66 International Registry of Schools on the Web: Web66 maintains the Internet's oldest and most complete list of school web servers.

Summer Teaching Opportunities

These programs allow college students to teach during the summer. These may help you to decide whether you would like to teach when you leave college.

Summerbridge: A national program in 39 cities. You will teach enrichment classes to a small group of middle school students. You will be able to devise your own curriculum and take control of your own classroom.
Summerbridge Houston: The Summerbridge program branch in Houston. An 8-week program through June and July. $750 living allowance for college students with up to $1,250 available for financial aid.
Summerbridge Houston contact: rmayo@ehshouston.org, 713-512-3486.