Mississippi Teacher Outlook (Jackson, Gulfport, Raymond: student loans, teaching jobs, transfer)

[0550el]

Hi,

Im a certified teacher in florida and am working on becoming certified in Mississippi because i have seen that the budget cuts in florida are causing big problems with teachers. I am hoping that someone might have an idea of the state of the budgets with teachers in mississippi as Im hoping to move there in July and start teaching but of course I want to make sure that there is a good chance I can get a job there before I get too far ahead of myself!

I was wondering if anyone had any idea if Mississippi is still in a teacher shortage or if because of the recession, they will be laying teachers off also.

Kindest Regards

[romeo kilo]

May I ask where you are in Florida, what grade level do you teach, why are you looking at Mississippi, and where in Ms are you considering?

[0550el]

Hi,
Im from Orlando; and honestly don't have a preference although not Hattisburg. I didn't like that very much at all. I do like Gulfport although I can imagine being so close to the coast will be more difficult. I am very open for a small town. I was born down in the South Pacific but went to College in Atlanta. I am hoping for a much slower relaxed lifestyle and a bit of a new start. My brother is in LA so I would like to be closer to him.
I am certified in Language Arts 6-12. I would prefer to teach High School because I also coach tennis and would love to coach a team, however in this economy I would not be picky.

[jacksonian]

Do you prefer private or public? My wife teaches at a private school, and while the pay is lower, it is a lot less political and more enjoyable. If you like small towns, I would suggest Raymond. There are several schools near there, and it is not too far away from Jackson (shops, restaurants, etc).

[0550el]

Honestly, I have not taught in a private school but I would be open to it, especially if it meant less politics. Thank you so much for your help! I do greatly appreciate it!

[0550el]

Just as a side note, do you know if the Budget Cuts are going to cause problems getting teaching jobs this coming year?

[oldenfatt]

If you'd be willing to teach in one of the critical shortage areas, you could have an offer by midweek. There are also funds to help you move and assist with housing, and payoff student loans. I don't believe that budget cuts will affect the staffing levels in those districts once the federal funds promised are distributed.

[dollhands]

Special Ed is one area that there doesn't appear to be any cuts. But have heard cuts are going to be in all the schools in MS. SPED just falls mostly under Feds so money doesn't come from state. Check in FL bet same thing. Have you cked Mobile, AL/Pensacola area?

[EAS2009]

I'm wondering about the same thing! I was actually just coming into this forum to post a thread about teaching in MS. My fiance just became certified 6-12 in Social Studies and we've noticed many postings in Mississippi, especially around Jackson. I just couldn't imagine anywhere hiring teachers! We're from Michigan so it's just been "lay-off's, lay-off's, lay-off's" for the past few years now. I couldn't imagine a worse climate for a new teacher to be searching for a job!

[hey teach]

Would Middle School Science be an area there might be openings. My husband is under consideration for a transfer Gulf Coast region. I'm currently teaching in Alabama.