Teaching in Southern Louisiana? (Baton Rouge, Zachary: rent, school districts, living)

[Tigger81]

I'm a teacher in NYC. My husband and I are tired of the NYC life and are considering moving to southern Louisiana, most likely Baton Rouge or areas around there.

What school districts are best for teaching in? Should I apply for LA State Cert first and then apply with the districts?

I have my elementary certification and also a masters degree in ESL.

ANY advice/information would be appreciated...thanks!

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by Tigger81

I'm a teacher in NYC. My husband and I are tired of the NYC life and are considering moving to southern Louisiana, most likely Baton Rouge or areas around there.

What school districts are best for teaching in? Should I apply for LA State Cert first and then apply with the districts?

I have my elementary certification and also a masters degree in ESL.

ANY advice/information would be appreciated...thanks!

Livingston and Ascension Parish schools are supposed to have a good reputation, and those areas are growing. Within EBR Parish, there is Zachary and/or Central. What's left of the EBR system has all kinds of problems, and there was an article in the paper today about the state taking over more EBR schools. 2theadvocate.com | News | Still struggling — Baton Rouge, LA

[Loralcb]

I think Livingston Parish would be a good choice.

[darylwi]

Are you sure that's what you want to do? Are you already familiar with south Louisiana in some form? I'm just wondering why the huge jump from NYC to Louisiana... There are some decent school districts down here, but I'd try smaller town. The public city schools in BTR and NOLA are generally horrible. Ascension, Livingston, Zachary, Central and W. Feliciana are good school districts around here. The town of Brusly itself (in WBR) also has good schools.

[Rosinante]

I agree with Daryl. The culture shock alone of moving from NYC to southern LA would be enough for most to retreat from the idea.

[Tigger81]

Thank you all for the replies so far.

I'm not originally from NYC. I've only lived here since mid-2005. It's too big, too crowded, too cold. The area I grew up in had less than 200K people.
I wouldn't say I'm familiar with the area but I have several good friends that live down there so it's not totally foreign. Yes, there will be culture shock but I had that here too. We haven't totally decided what to do yet; it's not a decision we are making lightly and wherever we do end up, we will rent for at least a year to get a feel for the place.