Teaching in the area (Johnson City, Kingsport: student loans, employment, transfer)

[DMBFireDancer3441]

My boyfriend and I are both teachers currently teaching in Florida. We have visited the area several times and have family nearby so are hoping to make the move to the Johnson City area this summer. I am certified for English 6-12 and he is certified for Social Studies 6-12, but so far we see no jobs posted on any of the county websites. Does anyone know of any teacher job fairs in the area? Is there a certain time of year these areas post openings and begin hiring? We are already hiring for next year in my district, but I know it is different in every county. If anyone out there is a teacher or knows someone who can provide a little advice, we would appreciate any help. We are so excited to move but need to have jobs before we relocate. Thanks in advance!

[jkmiller]

You can go to the Kingsport City Schools website and apply online if you are looking to work with them. I don't think I am allowed to post the website, but if you will do a search, you will find it pretty easily. If you check the positions available, there is an English position with the high school. Good luck!

[flordabowndgrl]

i am curious about attending school and having job. In a class on my college campus that I took last semester my professor had said that there are some schools that will pay for your college while you are in the classroom. I am in my third year and have a lot of experience in the classroom already. basically what i have to finish is another semester of in classroom stuff and then student teaching. In florida all the classes are different though so I don't know if I will get set back at all. I was wondering about the education programs there and how they worked because there is only one for Early childhood but can you still teach in the elementary school. I didn't know if anyone could help me with this I am wanting to transfer this fall, but I am wanting a job as well when I get there I didn't know if there are any preschools hiring ever and if they make good pay, or if you have to have a degree to teach anything at all. I am really wanting to make this transition and hopefully with my boyfriend this fall.

[DMBFireDancer3441]

In Florida you cannot be in the classroom unless you have a 4-year degree. If that degree is not in education, then you have additional courses to complete within your first three years as a teacher. What you probably heard about was the program to help pay off your student loans. If you work in a critical need area in a Title 1 (lowest income level) school, then they will pay off your students loans according to a formular. For example, if you are there three years then the fourth year they will start paying off like 15% each year. It is a long-term process and they don't start paying until after three years, and again, only certain schools and certain areas. As for finding a job here, most preschools pay a little over minimum wage, so your best bet is to find a part time job somewhere else to get you through college and your student teaching. Without a degree you won't find anything. Check with some of the universities about your degree. I believe Early Childhood Education only qualifies you to work with Pre K and headstart, not standard Elementary school.

On another note, anyone out there have any info on teaching in TN? Is anyone in the system already and can give me a heads up about when postings are up? The only school system that has jobs for next year is Kingsport City, and I am hoping to apply to several areas.

[jkmiller]

I am with Kingsport City Schools, and can't help you much more than the info I gave you in the earlier post regarding searching the positions available. However, I just did a search for Sullivan County Schools in TN and you can go to their site as well and see the jobs currently available. Hope this helps some.

[DMBFireDancer3441]

It does help, but so far all the sites seems to not have any openings posted for high school positions, except maybe Kingsport City but I haven't completed the application for them quite yet. I guess I just need to be patient and give it time, although we are so excited to move that it's hard to just sit still and wait!

[teacherand mom]

Hi! I live right outside of Johnson City and have taught in the public schools in our area. It isn't uncommon in our area for systems to post anywhere from June right up until the first day of school. I have friends who have even been hired the week that school begins. There are several systems close enough to Johnson City whose websites you can watch. All of these systems are within a 30ish minute drive from JC. I have been out a while with my kids and usually watch the websites for jobs about getting back into the public schools. I watch the Johnson City Schools website, Washington County schools, Sullivan County Schools, Kingsport City Schools, and Hawkins County Schools. They all have an employment button to click. Hope this helps! Good Luck!