Looking For a Job? Hawaii is Recruiting Teachers to Come Work in Paradise

If sun, surfing, and beaches are your thing, you might want to take note of this awesome opportunity!

Hawaii is looking for teachers! According to Hawaii News Now, the Department of Education is expected to have around 1,600 vacancies in the teaching community come this fall. The drop in teachers is due to the retirement of the Baby Boomers and a fall in the economic boost.

Typical salaries for a teacher in one of America’s happiest states falls anywhere from $35,324- $63,655, conditional to educational background and experience. Some rural areas of the state also offer a $3,000 bonus.

In order to apply for this amazing opportunity, individuals must have completed a bachelor’s degree and a State Approved Teacher Education Program. Teachers in special education, secondary math and secondary science are in high demand as well. The need for teachers is so great, the Aloha State has turned to the Mainland and is recruiting in major cities such as Dallas, Chicago, New York, Newark, Portland and Los Angeles.

While living on an island has its perks, there are also some downsides. Hawaii is known for having a very high cost of living.

“Hawaii has one of the highest teacher turnover rates in the nation and this is more so for people that come from the Mainland,” Corey Rosenlee, president of the Hawaii State Teachers Association shared with Hawaii News Now. “They say, ‘I can’t live here,’ and they leave and we have to go back and recruit, and this cycle just continually happens.”

However, many make it work. Brittney Driggs, a special education teacher from Mililani High School claimed many told her she would only last one year. Six years later, Driggs prevailed and is super happy with her experience.

“I know the pay isn’t as good as the Mainland, but I think it’s worth it,” Driggs shared.

Interested in this amazing opportunity? Check out the DOE website for more information.