Teaching in the Albuquerque area (Las Cruces, Taos: how much, employment, neighborhoods)

[myatroopa]

Hello,
My wife and I will be moving to Albuquerque from Chicago in June. I am a teacher, and am wondering what the the best way to pursue employment with the school districts there. Every district is different. Here in Chicago, you need to call or go directly to the school(s) you are interested in.

How does it work in Albuquerque?

Thanks for your help!

[Nedely]

Teacher pay here is low. Most people will tell you that teacher pay is lousy wherever you go and they may be right. But it is LOW here. I recall it being better in Las Cruces. Probably because there is good competition (El Paso, Tx) nearby.

Anyway, you have to apply on line. Any and all necessary paperwork that you would need to submit would probably be turned in to applicant processing at the district office. Once all the mandatory parts of the application are completed, you actually LOOK for an open position on the website. When you find a position you are interested in, you call whatever phone numbers are provided. Usually, these phone numbers will connect you to the principal or vice principal at the school. If the principal likes you, they will contact human resources, and human resources actually offers you the position. That is where you will discuss salary, and start date.

Annual pay is divided up into 26 paychecks. There is no real way of knowing how much you are going to get annually until you are very near the point of getting hired.

Some schools I hear are worth avoiding are West Mesa High, Jimmy Carter Middle, Sierra Alternative (Special Ed.), Taft Middle, James Monroe Middle..... Some others escape me at the moment. My husband and I are both educators and we know other educators who have worked at these schools. These people have no problem explaining about how useless and worthless the principals at the afore mentioned schools are.

Good luck!

[myatroopa]

Thank you for the information! Yes, I will be taking a big hit in the paycheck! I did not realize that teachers receive 26 paychecks. that was very good to learn.

Thanks again!

[Zoidberg]

Albuquerque Public Schools is a huge district, and pay is standardized whether you're teaching in the best or worst neighborhoods. (Usually the longer-tenured (and thus better) teachers end up in the better schools, and thus better schools have higher payrolls).

There are a number of charter schools citywide; they're probably worth a try if you want a different vibe.

Good luck!

[lemon&lime]

I am interested in teaching in a charter school. How hard is it to get a job?

Originally Posted by Zoidberg

Albuquerque Public Schools is a huge district, and pay is standardized whether you're teaching in the best or worst neighborhoods. (Usually the longer-tenured (and thus better) teachers end up in the better schools, and thus better schools have higher payrolls).

There are a number of charter schools citywide; they're probably worth a try if you want a different vibe.

Good luck!

[anastacio]

Originally Posted by myatroopa

Hello,
My wife and I will be moving to Albuquerque from Chicago in June. I am a teacher, and am wondering what the the best way to pursue employment with the school districts there. Every district is different. Here in Chicago, you need to call or go directly to the school(s) you are interested in.

How does it work in Albuquerque?

Thanks for your help!

Hi there. I applied as a substitute teacher here in Albuquerque and recently got hired on. It was a bit of a process, but I think it pays better then most others, even Costco, which I heard Costco pays pretty good. Rent/Living Expenses are a lot less here with a lot of great health care assistance.

[nmguy]

Years ago, I was out here on vacation and was taken by the enchantment. At the time, I was teaching in California.

While in Taos, I went to the district office and inquired about openings. There was one that interested me. I asked about the pay and learned that it was about half of what I was making.

Regretfully, I decided to stay where I was.

Now I'm retired and living happily here.