Teachers moving to Dallas area (Arlington, Plano: homes, find a job, construction)

[rioasad]

Hey guys,
My wife and I are both teachers (Social Studies and Language Arts, 6-12 certified in Florida). We both speak Spanish fluently. We are applying to about 10 districts around Dallas (Irving, Arlington, Mesquite, Plano, Richardson, Garland, Carrollton-Farmer's Branch and Dallas). We are planning on being there for the North Texas Teacher Job Fair around May 7, and stay the whole week for any other interviews.

We have heard that our subjects are not in demand, and that we are going to have a hard time finding jobs. We have also heard that you can always get a job at Dallas ISD, but that the district is really rough ("full of gangs and drugs" was what a friend from Dallas described them as).

We would like to hear from other who live and perhaps even work for the school systems. We would appreciate any input as this move is not one we are taking lightly. We live and work in Tampa right now, and the cost of living is extremely high compared to what a teacher makes (we both have 4 years of experience, and we barely break over $36,000, while a decent home -about 2000-2200 square feet is what we consider decent- is at least $300,000 unless you are willing to live 30 miles out). Needless to say, it is beyond our reach. Dallas seems to have better pay, more affordability in homes, and as my mid-western raised wife says, nicer, kinder people. Anyways, once again, thanks for any input.

[fratermus]

Originally Posted by rioasad

Hey guys,
We have heard that our subjects are not in demand, and that we are going to have a hard time finding jobs. We have also heard that you can always get a job at Dallas ISD, but that the district is really rough ("full of gangs and drugs" was what a friend from Dallas described them as).

It appears they forgot to mention the guns. The Dallas ISD is, IMO, a cesspool of corruption, violence and despair.

Having said that, I would imagine that bilingual teachers of any academic flavor (except history, which is dominated by nylon-shorted, whistle-lanyarded football coaches) would be very welcome anywhere in Texas. I would consider the private teaching market here, too. There are some excellent private schools. Probably pay less but the upside is you get stabbed less frequently.

[stargazer]

Be encouraged. I believe that you can find a good job here and am shocked that Tampa only was paying that much for each of you. It is harder for someone to find a job in their field such as History or English here and many smaller districts like to give those jobs to coaches thus them not having to pay for another salary. I know this because I once pursued to be a 7th grade history teacher and upon entering the program for certification was told how I would more than likely not be able to find a good job due to the competition. I believe though there is a high demand for teachers who are bi lingual and this is you and your wife's advantage. I was told that Plano ISD is a machine that teaches from the SAT standard that many districts don't do and because of it's repuation they will hire people for history and english that aren't coaches per say.
I live in Mckinney and there is a vast population here that doesn't speak english. My daughter if she wants to go to middle school here and if we are here to do that, will be going with many non english speaking children. I have been trying to encourage her to do this because of the excellent academics that the school is known for state wide and the fact that they are very strict there. However we are giving her the option and only because she is being home schooled at present and really has enjoyed it. That is a different story.

I use to live over north east of Orlando and know all to well about how expensive it is to live there. I was always under the impression that they had to pay well due to the high cost of living. I guess I was wrong. Starter salaries for teachers in very good districts in Texas is 40,000 usually. Districts that aren't as well off will pay more.

I wish you and your wife all the best! Good luck!

[stargazer]

I need to make a correction. Districts that aren't as well off will pay actually LESS. Most suburbs are going to pay well here though.

[rioasad]

Thanks for the replies. I am, unfortunately, a history (social studies) teacher. I can coach soccer, but my primary focus is teaching. I got into this because I love history (I am always reading), and I like teenagers. They need (desperatly) positive role models. Spend one day in the classrooms, and you will find dozens of kids who have terrible home situations, who feel that there is no future for them. I guess I will get off of my soapbox now...

Anyways, I rely do appreciate the input/info. Thanks.

[stargazer]

I believe that you will be fine. Just get your resume out to the schools and see what happens. I do believe being bi lingual will be a plus even if you aren't teaching english to spanish speaking children. My daughter told me when she toured the middle school she is slated for, they had a video of a child who spoke no english in choir class. This was a video showing how the kids loved it there, so I do believe that it still will be an advantage. Mckinney btw has a huge hispanic migrant population that lives here to work crops, construction ect here in town. Many stay a short time then go where the work leads them.

I understand your wife's feeling of wanting to move too and saying that people are nicer and kinder. We had a hard time in Orlando and after being there for 3 years were ready to be back to an area we love and understand.
Not to say it has been easy but truly were much happier than we were in Orlando.

[CalliopeMuse]

I currently teach in a Dallas elementary school, and it's wonderful. We get paid way above TX min. standards. People are a little too dramatic about the violence in the district. However, having said that, I think it takes a pretty good teacher to comfortably manage a Dallas high school class. If your classroom management skills aren't the greatest, you might be better off looking at another district. The biggest problem with Dallas ISD is the length of time it takes for HR to get anything done. Since they are so flooded with applications and a bit short staffed, it takes forever to get anything done. Also, if you're not certified in this state, that could be a problem, because they are very strict about certification and being highly qualified. On the Dallas ISD website, they have a list of open positions, and there are quite a few that might catch your interest. Also, if that doesn't work out, you might consider Lewisville ISD. I've worked or student taught in a number of TX districts, and Lewisville is probably my favorite, though they are even slower than Dallas.

[Lakewooder]

I bet I would be sanctioned if I called something outside Dallas a 'cesspool' and brought up the threat of 'stabbing' yet it seems ok for someone to say that about DISD.

Man, you don't know what you are talking about. DISD pays better and there are good schools and not so good schools- it is a very large district. The good schools are as good and some are better than most suburban and even private schools.

If you don't do your own homework, how can you dismiss all of DISD with such disdain? You are the one who is ignorant.

[cmdavis]

Thank-you Lakewooder, didn't like those comments, and I'm not even in TX. yet.
Rioasad, I am relocating to Tx. soon from lake county,fl. for the same reasons, only I am a nurse, but I have five school-age children. I have been doing some research, There are a lot Charter and Magnet schools. college-prep, fine arts and the classics ect. Greatschools.com there is an area for teacher comments.
I've looked at garland, Carrollton-Farm.Br,Lewisville and Dallas IDS websites.
Pls. don't get stuck like me, start early on your certification, I still waiting on my nursing license.
Good Luck, on your move.

C.M.D

[tchrmom]

I am a new recruit to the Dallas ISD, and couldn't be more excited about my upcoming job! There are 157 Elementary schools and 68 Secondary schools in Dallas ISD alone (that doesn't include all of the surrounding suburbs, ie Plano, Garland, Lewisville, etc. etc.)! It would be completely incorrect to generalize about a whole school district when there are 160,000 students to be considered. So far, Dallas is one of the best-paid districts I've found in my search for a teaching job--starts at 42000. There is a high-need for all subjects, including English and History/Social Studies. My program caters specifically to those high needs areas. But, to say that a whole district, esp. one as large as DISD, is corrupt and dangerous is just outright wrong.