Schools/teaching in Driggs (Idaho Falls, Rexburg: rentals, condo, school districts)

[katiewa]

We are planning a move to Driggs in mid-2008. I am considering reinstating my teaching license which I allowed to lapse 20 years ago when I got into software development. I am interested in comments regarding the middle and high schools in Driggs, particularly the math department (although I've taught English and P.E.).

Thanks.
Kathleen

[cleosmom]

I would love to be able to guide you on this, however I know nothing of the schools in the Driggs area. I only know a tadbit about the schools in Idaho Falls due to my friends and their kids.

You might want to try contacting the district to see what might be available.

[katiewa]

You might want to try contacting the district to see what might be available.

Thanks for the response. I'm in the process of talking to the State on the licensing requirements, and I'm going to contact the school district just after Christmas to see if they know of any vacancies yet. But much of what I'm interested in knowing has more to do with how the public views the schools. Public perception has a significant impact on the difficulty of the job.

Thanks.
Kathleen

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by katiewa

You might want to try contacting the district to see what might be available.

Thanks for the response. I'm in the process of talking to the State on the licensing requirements, and I'm going to contact the school district just after Christmas to see if they know of any vacancies yet. But much of what I'm interested in knowing has more to do with how the public views the schools. Public perception has a significant impact on the difficulty of the job.

Thanks.
Kathleen

Hi katiewa,

Here is the link for ALL of the Idaho School Districts: Idaho School Districts - Idaho.gov

I would STRONGLY encourage you to contact the Teton S.D., which is the S.D. for Driggs/Victor/Tetonia etc. NOW. They have had difficulty keeping teachers as the cost of living for newly graduated, or younger teachers is far too expensive. Many commute from Rexburg, or even Idaho Falls daily, given what rentals cost in Driggs.

I know if the Idaho Falls area school districts like to know who may be available. They are having trouble getting enough substitute teachers, given the ever growing classrooms and not enough teachers who aren't already employed.

In addition to Teton S.D., if it were me, I'd check with both the Madison S.D. (Rexburg) and the Sugar Salem one as well. They would be the closest to you, if there are not vacancies in Driggs.

Honestly, I'll be surprised if your phone call, isn't one they are THRILLED to receive in Driggs!

Good luck with the move and getting in the classroom again.

MSR

[katiewa]

Thanks, MSR. It sounds as though you might live and teach in IF? If so, what grade and how are the schools there now? I taught at IFHS in another life--Basic Math for high school--NOT fun!!

Guess I'm a little surprised that Teton S.D. is having trouble keeping teachers. Seems as though lots of times those types of areas are highly desireable and you have to wait for someone to die before you have a chance at getting in! Think I will go ahead and contact them before Christmas, just to be safe.

The other school districts are really not an option--not interested in the commute. Plus I'm getting a tremendous amount of harassment value out of telling my two kids that their mom's going to be their math teacher for high school (and possibly middle school)!! My daughter in particular is quite concerned--primarily because she knows she deserves anything she gets!

Thanks again.
Kathleen

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by katiewa

Thanks, MSR. It sounds as though you might live and teach in IF? If so, what grade and how are the schools there now? I taught at IFHS in another life--Basic Math for high school--NOT fun!!

Guess I'm a little surprised that Teton S.D. is having trouble keeping teachers. Seems as though lots of times those types of areas are highly desireable and you have to wait for someone to die before you have a chance at getting in! Think I will go ahead and contact them before Christmas, just to be safe.

The other school districts are really not an option--not interested in the commute. Plus I'm getting a tremendous amount of harassment value out of telling my two kids that their mom's going to be their math teacher for high school (and possibly middle school)!! My daughter in particular is quite concerned--primarily because she knows she deserves anything she gets!

Thanks again.
Kathleen

katiewa,

I am NOT an educator. But, thanks for the compliment! It is hard work teaching the minds who will create a better world tomorrow. Ironically, I do know an educator currently at IFHS who also teaches math. I guess the world is smaller than we think, some days.

The major problem, as I understand it about teachers in Driggs - and really most districts in eastern ID- is the huge growth. The Driggs X factor is the cost of a new grad or newer grad living close enough, given their pay, to live close to work. Besides, with younger teachers can often come changes, be it marriages, a new baby or other opportunities after one gets some skill.

If Driggs had an afforadable housing area for teachers, I don't think there would be the same level of problem. But, many things are changing for the Driggs area. Hope you like to play golf with the "Names."

Schools in the Idaho Falls area are interesting as always. I've always appreciated the high math and science scores the students at I.F. High School consistantly get on their ACTs. I don't know how long you've been away, or whether you were around (or even followed out-of-state) the 3 years I.F. High School had students receive perfect ACT scores.

Blue ribbon schools: YES. And now D #91 is making one of the elementary schools a magnet school too.

For a while D#91's enrollment kept dropping as residents would move to the country or Ammon, thus building up D#93. Last year and especially this year, both school districts blew their estimations. And with redevelopment downtown, especially with Snake River Landing (Snake River Landing) now taking the more persistent lead, more than Taylor's Crossing on the River (Taylor Crossing on the River), new residential units will be available probably within a year in living situation never previously an option in Idaho Falls.

Many are excited of thinking of living by the river, in a truly mixed use development. Had Taylor's Crossing been able to deliver what they promised, on time, a 13 story condo building would also be on the river as a living option.

There are articles you can search here of how far off D#91 was too, for their projected students, due the emigration. Dist #93 was worse, but it was still impressive to see how many more students #91 had enroll than they planned for.

D#93 continues to puzzle me. Two new schools built and filled in 2006, about 300-400 more students that they anticipated in 2007, so they are squeezing them in somewhere and 2 more new elementary schools to open in 2008. Then, it's as if the light went on. Someone finally realized if they had built at least four new elementary schools, plus modifications to others, (let alone what will be built by 1010), that maybe they should focus on the fact these students would go to Jr. and Sr. High. So it sounds like a new Jr. High and Sr. High are not too far off for voters to vote upon.

No doubt both Idaho Falls area S.D.'s, but those in Jefferson, Madison, Bingham and Teton Counties are growing. It would be great to hear your perspective when you are back in the area and remember how many schools there were and how many there are today. Ammon's property taxes, and upcoming changes in infratrustructure, plus other factors, are making many turn to Idaho Falls to live. The once cheap taxes on housing are hust that: Once cheaper. Now, it is my understanding that the Ammon/County residents are paying very comparable taxes to what City Residents pay.

Let us know what you think about education and how it has changed since you've been gone, once you are settled.

Good luck!

MSR