Teacher thinking about Relocating to WNY area

[Sabres Cutie]

I grew up in WNY and after going to school for 6 years I came out with a BS in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology and a MS in Special Education. I am permamently certified PreK - 6th regular ed and Birth - 21 Special ed under the old regulations. I had a HARD time finding a job right out of college so I took a job offered to me over the phone, and worked 4 years in a rural county of Virginia and also in the capital district. I decided that my pay for a step 5 with a masters was terrible compared to what I would make in NY and decided to move back home. As a teacher who has worked down South and NY hopefully I can help with some of your questions.

First off, VA gave me a hard time with some of my certifications, although I was well qualified and a reciprocal state, they made me take ALL their exams. It's something you have to deal with, and you most likely will have 3 years to take NY exams as well. Let me tell you if you have taken the Praxis, that is easy compared to the exams here.

Jobs here are hard to come by, but once in a school district WELL WORTH IT. For example, if I was still in Virginia at Step 6 I would be making around 39,000. Compare with NY and I would be well over 47,000. I work part time and make around what teachers down south make their first year of teaching. The pay is better, dues aren't that bad, retirement dues aren't that bad and the taxes aren't that bad.

You have to do your homework and keep going on interviews. In a period of 10 years, about 50% of NY teachers will be of retirement age. There are shortages in areas but it is different for every district.

Hope this helps some!

[homeward bound]

VERY helpful post, Sabres Cutie!

What's your impression of the Upstate job prospects for these two types of teachers (one is my wife, the other me):

Award-winning highschool English teacher. Has taught everything from Freshman General English to AP English. Is AP trained/certified. Specializes in American Lit, writing classes, runs the schools academic competition program, etc. Master's Degree (straight-A student, academic awards, etc.), 8 years experience now, will have 10 or 11 by the time we move back to Upstate. Teaching in a Virginia college town now. Real high Praxis, etc., test scores.

Veteran (21 years) award-winning college English teacher (American Lit, Lit & Film, all sorts of writing classes, tons of Technical Writing, etc.), Masters, will have either Elementary Ed masters or will be starting an Alternate Certification Program for NY state--wants to teach either first grade or math and science at the middle school level.

We're most interested in Central New York, esp. the Finger Lakes area, and the Cooperstown area.

Any feedback/ideas you can give would be much appreciated!

[Sabres Cutie]

I'm not sure how the jobs are in Central NY. I am now in the predicament that my position was cut, so I am actively looking for another job. I had 3 job interviews within my own school district... hoping to hear something today.

All I can do is wish you good luck. It seems you both are well qualified. It just depends if they like you or not.

[mjn1126]

Originally Posted by Ghanley

Hi mjn! As a HS Math teacher looking to return, I am also curious about teacher salaries in WNY ( Rochester for us, though). Here in Atlanta, salary scales are public knowledge and easy to look up, but I know it is harder to get that info in NY ( I think the districts like to keep it all hush-hush). Although salaries will probably be higher in Buffalo than rural NC, remember taxes will be much greater! Have you and your husband been looking into the NY certification process? I have just finished, so if you have any questions...let me know!

Yes, we have and it is very arduous. Do you have any suggestions? We have done the online TEACH application process. I actually applied and paid the 100 dollars. My husband is getting frustrated with the process. We both went to Buff State and they have our education experience at State. But it is confusing. It is stating that we have BA's as opposed to BS in English Education. In addition, we are National Board Certified in English. I just changed my career though to Media Specialist so I am on a provisional license here in NC for Media. What are your thoughts about that?
Thanks for the response.
MJ

[tikitwo8765]

i think teachers here start out around 42k, but ny has really high taxes, especially property taxes, so the increase in salary may not balance out with all the additional taxes you will have to pay. im not quite sure about the union dues, but id figure at least 100 in dues a month, if not more. this is a pay scale i found online
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