Teachers looking to relocate in AZ (Phoenix, Glendale: real estate, vacation, salary)

[slmjwm]

I was so very happy to find this forum filled with such great information that I was compelled to ask you all for some input.
I am really enjoying the AZ strand by town/city!

My husband and I are looking to relocate from the Northeast to AZ. Due to health issues, we think that AZ will be perfect for us! Lots of SUN and little or NO snow! We are both teachers/educators and have many years left before retirement, but as we had our kids early, we will be empty-nesters soon. So, here's the question....where do we look for jobs in education (teaching/administration)? Because of the huge influx of families to the suburbs in the past several years we "hear" that there is a teacher shortage.....We're not sure if that is a true statement or not....

We will most likely use the Phoenix area as a "base" when we visit, because we have a place to stay while we check out the area.

Any and all input will be appreciated! Parents and former students are GREAT fountains of info regarding the quality of schools. I'd love to hear from AZ teachers and administrators too!
Thanks again!

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by slmjwm

I was so very happy to find this forum filled with such great information that I was compelled to ask you all for some input.
I am really enjoying the AZ strand by town/city!

My husband and I are looking to relocate from the Northeast to AZ. Due to health issues, we think that AZ will be perfect for us! Lots of SUN and little or NO snow! We are both teachers/educators and have many years left before retirement, but as we had our kids early, we will be empty-nesters soon. So, here's the question....where do we look for jobs in education (teaching/administration)? Because of the huge influx of families to the suburbs in the past several years we "hear" that there is a teacher shortage.....We're not sure if that is a true statement or not....

We will most likely use the Phoenix area as a "base" when we visit, because we have a place to stay while we check out the area.

Any and all input will be appreciated! Parents and former students are GREAT fountains of info regarding the quality of schools. I'd love to hear from AZ teachers and administrators too!
Thanks again!

Since you're coming from the NE and I know teachers are better paid there, have you checked into teachers' salaries in AZ? Teachers are very unhappy around here. Fresh from the press: 1% pay raise sparks protest in TUSD | www.azstarnet.com ® I work for a private company which has been employing a lot of former teachers and they're very content, even though they have to put up with 2 miserable weeks of vacation only. It's probably a bit better in Phoenix... Phoenicians will say how it is. Of course, pay may not be a priority for you, but I'm just saying...

[slmjwm]

Thanks for the quick reply SierraAZ!

Well, I have done some prelim research and the salary there is significantly lower, but I was hoping that the cost of living would be lower and equal out somewhat. After reading some of the posts of the house prices...WOW, I certainly hope that the market levels off!

Of course, staying in education is not necessary...it was a starting point. After teaching for 23 years....perhaps a change would be in order! I'm looking at this move as a new adventure! So why not a new career?

May I ask the type of business that you mentioned that is hiring former teachers?

Thanks again!

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by slmjwm

Thanks for the quick reply SierraAZ!

Well, I have done some prelim research and the salary there is significantly lower, but I was hoping that the cost of living would be lower and equal out somewhat. After reading some of the posts of the house prices...WOW, I certainly hope that the market levels off!

Of course, staying in education is not necessary...it was a starting point. After teaching for 23 years....perhaps a change would be in order! I'm looking at this move as a new adventure! So why not a new career?

May I ask the type of business that you mentioned that is hiring former teachers?

Thanks again!

Hey, TUSD is crying for teachers right this morning as we speak: TUSD scrambling to hire teachers | www.azstarnet.com ®

I hate to be deliberately unhelpful, but I'd rather not give away details about the company I work for. Shouldn't have mentioned it in the first place, I guess. It's not hiring for such positions at this time anyway.

[sarahvm_76]

I just left AZ for TX (husband's job) and I miss it so much! I taught for 5 years in a little town called Willcox near the NM border. I loved everything about my job- great people to work with. I always heard that St. Johns area is looking for teachers. Holbrook area too. Good luck.

[slmjwm]

Hi sierraAZ
Thanks for all the info! I didn't mean to put you in a tight spot re: your business. I appreciate your time.

[seascape01]

Check Out Teaching Positions In Morenci, Small Mining Town,owned By Phelps Dodge Corp. Pays Well , Good Benefits, They Provide Housing. Kids Are Better Diciplined, This Town Is Not For You If You Like Big Shopping Centers. Lot Of People Don't Like It Because There Is Hardly Any Intertainment, But If You Like To Read Jog ,the River And Mountains, You Might Like To Take A Drive Down There Even If Just To Check Out The Scenery. Lots Of Luck To You.ruth

[sfw1979]

Originally Posted by slmjwm

I was so very happy to find this forum filled with such great information that I was compelled to ask you all for some input.
I am really enjoying the AZ strand by town/city!

My husband and I are looking to relocate from the Northeast to AZ. Due to health issues, we think that AZ will be perfect for us! Lots of SUN and little or NO snow! We are both teachers/educators and have many years left before retirement, but as we had our kids early, we will be empty-nesters soon. So, here's the question....where do we look for jobs in education (teaching/administration)? Because of the huge influx of families to the suburbs in the past several years we "hear" that there is a teacher shortage.....We're not sure if that is a true statement or not....

We will most likely use the Phoenix area as a "base" when we visit, because we have a place to stay while we check out the area.

Any and all input will be appreciated! Parents and former students are GREAT fountains of info regarding the quality of schools. I'd love to hear from AZ teachers and administrators too!
Thanks again!

Maybe consider Yuma? It has grown so much they need teachers bad!!

[mark2544]

School Districts can be like night and day. Don't be fooled by expensive homes. Alhambra Elementary starts at 40K with a B. Ed. The Superintendent was "National Superintendent of the Year" a while back. There are about 15 schools, and 15,000 students. It's on the west side of Phoenix, very Hispanic, but very secure. Way better than Glendale. They actually require students to bring a pencil to class, or they have to serve detention.

TUSD sucks; always has, always will. If you want to work with whiter more affluent kids, try Madison, also in Phoenix. It's a better neighborhood. One of the few that will be mentioned in real estate ads--as a plus. Alhambra takes better care of its teachers, though. Math and ESL are always in very high demand. They'll throw in free lunch if you are willing to eat in the cafeteria.

Good Luck!

[afghaniprinzess]

i dont know why so many pple say the pay is lower for teachers in az compared to other states...my husband is a teacher in a suburb that is about 20 mins from boston and he gets paid the same that he would in a suburb in phoenix....we know bc my sister is a teacher in phx and she said the salary is the same......so it may just differ for different school districts....