Schools/Family Life in St Augustine (Tampa, St. Augustine: 2015, rental, condo)

[KLK116]

Like so many others on this site, I am considering a move from New England to St Augustine. I have a few questions. (I have gone back and read old threads).

I have 3 school-aged children (middle school and high school). I am a looking for a spot that offers quality schools (friendly kids and staff, safe, quality programs). I would also like to rent a 3-4 Bedroom home/condo close to the city center. I do not care about much yard or space outside-I would rather us be close to a town center and other people. Budget.. up to $2000 or so per month. Would be happy to be in a neighborhood with a community pool.

I am hoping to land a teaching position myself.
I have been teaching in RI for 30 years and have certification as a reading specialist, elementary educator and special educator. I will also have my ESL endorsement by next Fall (2015) as well. I have great references and am retiring. I will have my pension to hold us over but I am 52 years old and I really still love kids and teaching.

Here are my questions...
1. Is finding a home in that price range reasonable if we want to be closer to the historic district?
2. Does anyone have recommendations on which HS and middle school are preferable.. obviously that could change the rental location choice. Friendly atmosphere is super important. My 3 girls are adopted. Two are Haitian and one is Chinese. Will they be accepted? Do they support kids with interests like music and art?
3. What is the teaching environment like? It's a pressure cooker up here in RI. Super competitive administrators stepping all over the teachers, teacher assistants...lots of change since I started. Test scores are not everything--it has been a bit crazy.

All input is appreciated. Just looking for a change and I will obviously visit before making any sudden moves. I would be leaving RI in the summer of 2015. (Yes I know it's hot!!)

[Peter the Brit]

On the teaching job front you are living a dream.

After 2 years a friend of ours with similar experience to your found a job as an associate teacher.
It is almost a closed shop here as this is the No 1 county in Fl for schools everyone wants to teach here so entry is usually as a sub, co teach, or intern.

I should add my daughter is now teaching in Tampa doing her time waiting to get in here . She has a 3.8 GPA from the best elem ed program in the Fl college system and could not get an interview despite knowing many Principals and having a father who is well known in the area

Also why should they consider and out of state retiree with a pension over the hundreds of locally educated teachers who are desperate to teach here?

Look in Duval and Clay County where they cannot fill the vacancies. Sadly may not be the right place for education of your own kids

[KLK116]

I understand your feelings regarding a retiree seeking a job. Double-dipping often gets under my skin too.(I see a lot in my current town, based on favors and special deals).

I could also work in a variety of environments not in a public school-adult ed/GED prep, tutoring, a private school etc. I do need to do something--I am a single parent and I have adopted four children on my own. (My oldest is 18, out of school and working). I need to support them, but my intention is not to take jobs away from local talent. However, if your job market is that tight I may have to look elsewhere. I was hopeful the job market was a bit more open.

My primary reason for moving to St. Augustine, FL would be for a (slightly) lower cost of living while still living in a decent, family area. The school department where I live is not providing the family-friendly atmosphere I need for my girls or for me. If I retire from my current job in my town, working within other public schools in RI isn't an option. My pension has been readjusted (slashed) by the State Treasurer so it is not enough to live on up here in RI. Complicated, yes but an opportunity for something new and hopefully more positive.

[Peter the Brit]

I was telling as it is and suggest that you look in Clay and Duval County but live in the North SJC area so your kids get SJC education whilst you benefit the areas where they may well need your experience and help

[ssclulow]

Peter's is giving you accurate information. For every teaching position that opens here, there are in excess of 200 applicants. Most positions are filled by new teachers who have completed their student teaching in one of the schools. My sister moved here from Maryland several years ago. She is in her mid 50's and retired from MD schools where she was a Masters Degree Special Ed teacher with many certifications. Most of her career was teaching H.S. autistic students. Her resume is stellar but she could not get an interview in the St. Johns County Schools. She interviewed for a position in a Duval County H.S. and quickly received a job offer which she accepted. She commuted over an hour each way from her St. Augustine Beach home. After 2 years, she decided not to renew her contract due to lack of responsible leadership within the Duval County Schools District and terrible working conditions. She very much enjoyed her students, but everything else was horrible. She is now working part time in St. Johns County Public Schools as an after school program non-contract aide in an effort to get her foot in the door and hopefully land a full-time position in the future. I don't know what is drawing you to St. Augustine, but if it isn't family obligations that brings you here, and you need to work to support your family, I would highly recommend that you look at some other options.

[KLK116]

Thanks, I appreciate the honesty.