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Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state

Posted by cocobolojo on 6/21/2025, 1:50 pm

Hello. I'm going into my sixth year of teaching, and I am looking to possibly move to Texas. My passion is middle school, and I've taught at small schools so far in a rural state. At this point, I feel like my current position is no longer in alignment, and I want to find a position that allows me to grow as a director and truly make a difference. Any tips of landing a gig in Texas as an out-of-stater? Where should I apply? What region is welcoming to people like me? When do the jobs come open? I already took my test and passed.

Thanks!

Re: Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state

Posted by west TX on 6/23/2025, 3:18 pm, in reply to "Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state"

Hey there. I also moved to TX 2 years ago, right after I graduated from college. I would recommend going for the smaller schools listed here: https://www.atssb.org/job-board/job-vacancy-board/

You can also check out ESC regions for specific areas. Sometimes, districts only post there. https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/education-service-centers/education-service-centers-map Some regions have a centralized application system, and others do not.

Re: Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state

Posted by Cocobolojo on 6/23/2025, 6:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state"

Thanks!!! Is there a way to look up what the different classifications are?

Re: Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state

Posted by west TX on 6/24/2025, 5:08 am, in reply to "Re: Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state"

Do you mean the size of the school? You can find that here: https://www.uiltexas.org/files/alignments/All_post_alpha_by_conf.pdf

Re: Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state

Posted by cocobolojo on 6/24/2025, 11:17 am, in reply to "Re: Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state"

Thank you!!

Re: Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state

Posted by Kramer on 6/23/2025, 10:06 am, in reply to "Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state"

The advice above is great, but If I could also offer..... If you are not Texas Certified, get that done ASAP. When I was hiring, I had two stacks of resumes. Texas Certified, Not. If I was able to find my candidate from Texas Certified, I never mede it to Not because the one time I did hire from Not, I got burned and that person was only there for one year because he/she struggled passing the test. So I was doing a search all over again a year later. Good luck to you.

Re: Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state

Posted by west TX on 6/24/2025, 5:28 am, in reply to "Re: Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state"

I'm unsure when this came out (probably 2022?), but out-of-state certified teachers are no longer required to take any tests. They can get a 1-year certificate and obtain an actual license after the first year. It's just a form my superintendent had to fill out and file. OP, this might be helpful info to look into as well.

Link here:
https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/certification/out-of-state-certification/out-of-state-educator-test-exemption-review

I'm unsure if the district has to be in TX since it's not explicitly stated. However, I moved here right after college, so it had to be.

Would that have changed things in your hiring process, or not really? It doesn't apply to me now, but I'm just curious.

Re: Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state

Posted by Cocobolojoe on 6/23/2025, 6:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state"

I already passed the test! It’s all the other ducks I need to do. One step already done!

Re: Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state

Posted by Finder on 6/22/2025, 6:30 pm, in reply to "Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state"

Texas is a great band state! Make sure to check the TMEA website often for job vacancies and apply. Many have detailed information about the job/area/culture. Best wishes!!

Re: Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state

Posted by CentexBD on 6/22/2025, 7:53 am, in reply to "Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state"

Welcome to Texas! Apply anywhere and everywhere in the state. I have been here over 10 years from another state. My first job in the state was not in my dream location, but it was my start. Over the years I moved to better schools and higher pay. Now I'm at my dream school!

Re: Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state

Posted by I did it on 6/22/2025, 12:52 am, in reply to "Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state"

I moved back to Texas 5 years ago when I was hired by a small district. Competition for jobs here is tough and it's getting later in the summer, but there's still time. You have to get on it right away. Don't be too picky. Apply for everything that seems to have potential. Smaller, rural districts have less applicants and they can be a great way to get your foot in the door. Wherever you go, if you improve the program by recruiting more students and your bands perform well, then you'll have the resume to move into better and better situations.

Hope that helps.

Re: Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state

Posted by DesertJazz on 6/21/2025, 11:48 pm, in reply to "Looking to teach in Texas after teaching out of state"

There are a number of small school jobs down here in Region 14 that I am pretty certain are still open. this Region spans from about south of San Antonio an hour, down to the coast, and then down to Laredo so that's a pretty wide area. Last I knew Rockport-Fulton, Woodsboro, Three Rivers, and Orange Grove have openings. If you've already got the test done just apply and see what happens.

Right now is getting to be the crunch time for districts with our 45 day resignation window. Especially after that window closes and people are locked into their contracts you'll have a clearer chance as an out of stater. I think that in general if you go look for jobs that are not in the DFW, Austin, or Houston areas, they tend to be a bit more open to outsiders.

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