Teaching in Western New York - Help!! (Buffalo, Rochester: home, school district)

[mjn1126]

My husband and I want to go back to the WNY area to teach. We have been living and teaching in North Carolina for 13 years. We are sooooo ready to get out of the South. We have a lot of experience, have achieved National Boards, we've both been selected as Teachers of the Year at our schools (at different times, of course, and different schools). I am now a Media Specialist and he is an English teacher. I taught English for 12 years and just changed careers this past year. We have a 10 yr old and a 13 yr old. What are our prospects? Does anyone teach in the Buffalo suburbs who could give us some insight?? I would love to live in Orchard Park or Clarence. Those are my two top choices.
I have a lot of concerns about making this move. How would this impact our salaries dollar for dollar? How would this impact our retirement?? Would we be able to start at our level of experience. Any insight or connection would be greatly appreciated.
MJ

[r6gun]

Hi There-
I'm currently teaching south of Buffalo and would caution you that theyve been making many cuts in Buffalo and having lots of trouble. It's been in the news quite a bit. My husband and I are moving to NC and I will be making 12K more! NY does not give you the 12% salary increase that many places in NC do.

[just_sayin']

well...i'm not a teacher, but I am moving from NC back to WNY so I can feel your pain. I don't know where you are in NC, but we're in Apex (just outside of Raleigh) and are FED UP with Wake County Public Schools....we're looking to move back to Rochester soon after 12 years down here.

[mjn1126]

Originally Posted by r6gun

Hi There-
I'm currently teaching south of Buffalo and would caution you that theyve been making many cuts in Buffalo and having lots of trouble. It's been in the news quite a bit. My husband and I are moving to NC and I will be making 12K more! NY does not give you the 12% salary increase that many places in NC do.

HI,
To what area are you moving? I am in a rural area and have worked myself to death for the last 12 years to earn a respectable salary. Since we are state employees our salary is public knowledge. Have you been teaching long? From what I have long understood, teachers make a lot more up North? What are the salary scales in the suburbs of Buffalo? I would appreciate any feedback. Have you invested much in NYS teacher retirement?? I am concerned about that too.
MJ

[mjn1126]

Originally Posted by i'minformed

well...i'm not a teacher, but I am moving from NC back to WNY so I can feel your pain. I don't know where you are in NC, but we're in Apex (just outside of Raleigh) and are FED UP with Wake County Public Schools....we're looking to move back to Rochester soon after 12 years down here.

Hi,
The schools down here are the number one reason we want to go back to WNY. I know if we live in a suburb of Buffalo, our children will get better educations. Hands down. The standards are low in many southern schools. The schools where I work are more concerned about toying with numbers to make themselves look good, and kids who can't read are being promoted left and right. It is unbelievable. When kids can't meet the standard, they lower the standards at the local levels. I am fed up with it.
MJ

[xamsx]

mjn1126 I cannot offer you firm numbers for hiring or salaries for any school district in the area. If you have previously lived in WNY, you know the area churns out many school teachers that are highly recruited in other states. You would need your masters and NYS teaching certification.

Check out this website for details - http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/ Apparently there are job links at that website too. Good luck.

[jennabenna]

hello everyone!
long time reader-first time writer -I am currently living in florida(YUK)r and in the process of earning my teaching degree in el. ed. I am originally from the south buffalo/west seneca area and am DESPERATE to move back - I don't know if I neccessarily want to be back in buffalo -I need some advice as to what area maybe outside of Rochester is nice or other WNY areas - My husband is in the medical field and, as I said, I am hoping to teach - We have 2 school age children(I can't wait for them to have a real NY education) I want somewhat rural but not totally in the sticks -any advice would be much appreciated!!! I can't wait to be back with real people, real food, and culture again

[NovaTen]

jennabenna- I agree with you. I'm a teacher in Raleigh,NC and soooo want to go back to Western NY! My husband and I are seriously thinking about moving back to WNY - I miss the food, culture- not everything in strip malls like it is here- Good luck with your search!!

[just_sayin']

just made the move from Raleigh NC (apex actually) back home to Rochester after a long 12 years in NC......Jenna, I would suggest for you Scottsville or Caledonia, they are both "suburbs" of Rochester, that are still "country"...close enough to where you can be near ammenities yet far enough away for it to be quiet.

[Muggy]

I wonder how many teachers (and cops/firemen) there are in Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina and Florida (who are originally from Western New York) that are anxious to get back?

I don't think I've met a single person in Florida that isn't looking... or, at the very least, considering.