Moving teachers with problems around St Johns County

[snuffybear]

Yes, it's hard to get a teaching job in SJC.

[Florida2014]

Originally Posted by snuffybear

Yes, it's hard to get a teaching job in SJC.

This is surprising considering the enormous influx of students into the system. One would think they'd be hiring dozens of new teachers every year to accommodate the new schools being built, as well as the already overburdened SJC classes. Is it hard because the requirements are more strict in SJC vs., say, Duval...ie: Master's Degree requirement?

[snuffybear]

In certain schools there are hundreds of applicants for each job. I think a lot of teachers have moved to SJC hoping to get a job, and teachers from Duval try every year to get into St. Johns County. But perhaps it's good timing with new schools opening.

[sunlover23]

If you are open to more central and southern parts of the county, you may find fewer applicants. I have 2 relatives, new to the area with no ties, that were hired rather quickly after expanding their applications further south of all the bedroom communities. Perhaps this trend will continue and ALL of SJC will have A rated schools. I hear a lot of frustrations from parents related to the overcrowding in the newer "A" schools... and from teachers relating to the ability to do their jobs efficiently without all the helicopter parents, lol. Don't get me wrong, I am all about parent involvement and the correlation it has to student success, have just observed so many flocking to this area with super high expectations and those expectations falling short.
We are losing our outstanding principal to one of these new schools next week. Some current teachers at schools where numbers will decrease (due to the new schools opening), will be hired at the new school...essentially following students who get rezoned. So that will shuffle some current SJC teachers around who are no longer needed at their current schools, leaving fewer vacancies in the new schools.
My point, if SJC is your desire, be open to all schools. Some have many positives to offer!

[sarahedmnds]

This is exactly why it is perplexing that with St Johns County being such a sought after place to teach, you would think they would be more selective. To recycle problem teachers around the county would seem to be a more common practice in less desirable places to teach. Are you saying that Bartram Trail High would be a school within SJC that would not attract teachers given that is is not a new school ?

[snuffybear]

All the schools are good....and all public schools have excellent, good and bad teachers (even in top school districts, trust me!). Bartram Trail HS is an excellent school. I would worry more about the large HS size and some incidents there, than I would about getting a bad teacher.

They ARE selective. But if they aren't fully happy with a teacher at one school, they might move the teacher to another school for a second chance, where there's no word-of-mouth on that teacher. But I've also seen them let teachers go after a year or two. There is no tenure in St. Johns County, if I understand correctly - they are on annual contracts.

[sarahedmnds]

Indeed everyone deserves second chances. Thanks for the proper perspective. Happy Holidays everyone.