[tptacek]

I don't doubt it's a tough profession, but I have trouble squaring how unattractive it is with stats like the small percentage of applicants the Chicago Public School system actually hires, compared to their very large pool of applicants.

[shaggyfrog]

I can't be sure, of course, but perhaps more teachers are trained every year than are capable of being employed (due to policy or whatever else). Perhaps Chicago is seen as a more desirous place to live and work than other places. Perhaps the Chicago Public School system has a good reputation or good policies and many people want to work for them.

What possibilities have you considered?