Elementary Teachers HELP ME (Howe: apartment complex, employment, transfer to)

[nmartinez12443]

I am a 24 year old male, bilingual / ESL endorsed, have my masters in education.

I am going to do a phone interview for a 3rd grade position in which bilingual is perferred. The school is Travis Heights Elementary in the 78704 area code SOCO (yeah!!!!!!!!!)

3 questions

What things are taught in 3rd grade, because I have only taught 6,7, and 8.

Anyone know anything about this school?

Finally how do you like my chances?

[love roses]

I don't know about 3rd grade, but my neighbor taught 2nd grade. They learned reading, math, science, maybe some history, art. Your chances should be really good, especially being ESL endorsed. Lake Travis ISD is one of the best in the city.

[Moonlady]

Are you sure you don't mean Travis Heights Elementary? The 78704 zip code and Lake Travis schools are not in the same area.

[nmartinez12443]

Thats good to hear even though I am endorsed in bilingual and ESL, my spanish sucks, I barely passed the exam in illinois. It says 3rd grade (bilingual preferred), so who knows if I have to teach in spanish.

Thanks for the reply rose.

[nmartinez12443]

post edited your right. Travis Heights Elementary.

[centralaustinite]

THE is my local elementary school. Challenging population, fair amount of low-income and highly transient students, and many ESL students too. Better Spanish would definitely help.

About 8 years ago the school went through some upheaval, multiple principals, changes in classroom structure etc. But the new principal is well liked and school seems to be doing well with increasing levels of support from the community. 78704 is a diverse zip code with lots of expensive housing as well as low-income housing. (Over 100 students in the school come from one subsidized apartment complex nearby), so the school has to educate the high-risk students well enough to keep the standardized test scores high enough to attract the kids from better-off families who do not hesitate to transfer to other elementary schools or do private school. Tricky challenge but they seem to be pulling it off.

Great central location. Good luck!

[Acuda]

I'm a 4th Grade teacher at a school in AISD that has a huge bilingual population. Here are a few of the pluses you may have going for you:

#1- You speak Spanish. Schools with large bilingual populations are always in need of Spanish
#2- You are male and you are interviewing for a 3rd Grade spot. Our school just hired 5/8 male teachers (2 3rd grade bilingual males)
#3- You have experience

Possible cons:
#1- Your Spanish sucks. Our 3rd Grade team interviewed the candidates in Spanish and made part of their decision based on how well they spoke in Spanish. Now, if you are going to be a transitional classroom, your Spanish may suffice.
#2- You do not know what 3rd grade teaches...google the TEKS (Texas standards and find out!). 3rd is a huge TAKS grade here in Texas (Math, Reading need to be passed to be promoted, theoretically).
#3- It's Travis Heights. It is in a cool location and a cool diverse population (I like Title I schools, others may want to teach in Eanes ISD and frown upon teaching at a Title I, not I). So, you may have a bit of competition from other bilinguals wanting to go there.

You will need to show you are strong in Math and Reading. How will you bring those low kids up to pass the TAKS? What strategies will you use to get them there? What will your Math/Reading block (class time) look like?

Also, how will you teach writing to help them prepare for the 4th grade TAKS? I'm not sure if they would even ask that, but it would look great that you are trying to prepare them for that next grade and not focusing only on passing 3rd (which many schools do sadly).

Good Luck

[chickenfry]

3rd grade is a "TakS" grade. your kids will take the Taks. In texas everything in public education revolves around preparing and taking the Taks tests.

some that wish to avoid that added pressure would choose to teach in a grade level that isn't tested each year (ie 2nd, 4th)

[sanmiguelena]

Lots of good info here. I'd like to piggyback on the original question. I'm a certified ESL teacher with 21 years experience in Maryland. Most of my experience has been in challenging, Title 1 elementary schools with very diverse populations. My Spanish is OK but I wouldn't call myself bilingual. I realize that AISD services Spanish speaking elementary students in bilingual classes and other languages via ESL. What do you think my chances of employment would be? (I'm aware of the salary cut I'd be taking.) Any thoughts/advice are welcome!

[Acuda]

Originally Posted by chickenfry

3rd grade is a "TakS" grade. your kids will take the Taks. In texas everything in public education revolves around preparing and taking the Taks tests.

some that wish to avoid that added pressure would choose to teach in a grade level that isn't tested each year (ie 2nd, 4th)

4th Grade is a TAKS grade (Math, Reading and Writing). However, students do not need to pass them to be promoted (3rd, 5th). But, if they struggle throughout the year and then score low on the TAKS, some teachers may talk with parents to retain them.