Is it so hard to get hired as art teacher? (public school)?

I'm thinking about transferring to CSULB (major in art education, specializing in sculpture), so that I can become Art teacher at any k-12 public school.





But my parents complain about it.


Even though there is teacher shortage, that's only for science and math..


They say that art teachers don't get hired easily at safe and good school.. because so many artists try to become art teacher for earning money,, there will be enough vacancies to become a teacher.





Actaully even though I will go to college in california, I want to become an art teacher at manhattan, new york city..





But I heard that art teachers in manhattan are harder to get hired....since there are so many excellent artists..








They want me to go to professional art school such as art center, otis to major in interior design or animation.








But I just want to become an art teacher..








is it true that art teachers are really hard to get hired?

Is it so hard to get hired as art teacher? (public school)?
I think the key is that if you are passionate about teaching art, go for it. I had no problem getting a job because I made it a constant goal to get a position. As soon as a job posted I emailed the principle at that school my resume, teaching philosophy and pictures of my work. You have to be aggressive and willing to go where ever the job is. If you can make that commitment then I think you will have no problem.
Reply:In general, little possibility of it happening.





School systems put art programs last on the list of funding. That means few teachers, or even no teachers. Combine that with a lot of artists 'donating' their time to supervised school visitations and you can see why nobody wants to pay an art teacher a penny.
Reply:Art teachers DO have a harder time getting hired than regular classroom teachers. There is generally a need for just ONE art teacher per school. Those who do get hired know this, and they often stay put for the long haul for job security. However, I was hired as a regular teacher the same year two other first year teachers were hired as art teachers in my district. You can be hired. :)
Reply:As a side note, make sure that you are doing what you need to get your teaching certificate for new york, because a california certificate won't do you much good if new york is where you want to be.
Reply:It is harder to get hired as an art teacher because so many schools have reduced or eliminated art classes of any kind - graphic, drama, music...schools are 'teaching to the Test'- the standardized tests mandated by many school districts, used mainly for ranking.





HOWEVER - the less available arts become, the more vitally they are needed. It is more difficult and bewildering to raise/teach/be a child than ever before. Artists might create art because they see or hear or feel: perceive something differently and want/need to express their vision. Teaching art can also show children ways to express themselves when they don't have the words.





Have you considered teaching art as art therapy in hospitals, private schools, rehab facilities, group homes, etc?





Manhattan would be a harder place to start out, because as you realize there is such a high concentration of artists. You can research online where in the world openings in your chosen field might be, for instance, if you graduated today.
Reply:It is difficult because there are few positions open in a year. Usually an elementary building only has one. And when an art teacher finds a position, they rarely leave. Therefore there just aren't a lot of positions available.
Reply:It is hard for art teachers to be hired. I believe this is because of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). In most districts money is being taken from art programs to be put into reading, writing, and math. Science will soon be a part of that. Because of the push for higer test scores, art is most often being left to the classroom teachers, or to a traveling artist program.
Reply:In our district, there are 0 elementary art teachers, and 1 or 2 in each of the middle and high schools. The jobs in our district are dependant on someone leaving. I'd say you'd be better off to get a general ed (elementary or otherwise) degree with an emphasis in art. If you want middle or high school, get certified to teach something else as well. Many art jobs are part time.