Teaching in teacher shortage areas. (Jackson, Cleveland: school district, university, living in)

[MusicBoxBallerina74]

My husband and I are looking at teaching in Mississippi. I was reading that you can get a full scholarship if you agree to teach in an area that is short on teachers for up to three years. We would like to hear from others that have decide to go into this. We would both like to teach middle school or high school students English and social studies (history). Is there a need for teachers in those subjects? Also do you get to choose the school district you'll be teaching in? I would be interested in the Carroll County or Montgomery County schools. I lived in Carroll County and know the area. I would also like to get my Masters in Library Science and would like to know if there's a need for school librarians? I have a deep desire to help these young people and want to know more about what I can do. Thanks!

[saved1986]

I did not do mississippi, but I did rural ghetto maryland. Not a good idea! The issue is all the administrators care about are their high paying jobs and want no trouble; thus, no discipline in many schools.

[Diamondhead]

Do a pay search - if this is not the lowest teacher paid state amoung the 50 - it's close.

[oldenfatt]

I taught 6 years in critical-needs schools in Mississippi; 4 years at West Bolivar, 1 year at Cleveland East Side, and 1 year at Ashland. "Critical Needs" is Mississippi code for "poor and black". There is a reason there is a shortage of people willing to teach in these schools; they typically are in areas you don't want to live in. They can't keep good, experienced teachers.
West Bolivar students weren't bad, just very country and had watched too many rap videos on TV. Ashland (Benton County) had the best behaved and hardest working students I have ever taught, bar none. Cleveland East Side kids were generally everything you were scared you'd get-rude, confrontational, and no work ethic. Th only high point to teaching in Cleveland was watching the Teach for America volunteers walking around in shock out by the middle of the first semester.
I switched to higher education a couple of years ago- I have heard that its gotten even tougher in some of the schools. You may get lucky, and then again, you may find yourself in a situation that is untenable. Do your homework and be ready for a big dose of culture shock. Good luck!

[MusicBoxBallerina74]

I was born and raised in Mississippi and know all about the poor and black classrooms. Years ago my husband and I left the state and moved to the Pacific Northwest. That was culture shock. But I loved living there and on the west coast. We've had to move back to Mississippi for family reason and living in a school district that has a need for teachers. My children are getting older and this is something I really want to do. My husband too! Did you get to pick the district you wanted to teach in. I really want to teach in Carroll or Montgomery county. There is a need for teachers in both districts. Thanks so much for all the replies.

[oldenfatt]

Go to the MS department of Education web site to find out which counties are considered critical needs. I taught in Bolivar county because that's where I'm from- not because of its designation.

[Apologica]

The Mississippi Teacher Corps, centered at the University of Mississippi, will provide you the opportunity to teach in a high-need area in Mississippi while allowing you to earn a Master's degree over the two-year program. I have worked with a number of MTC teachers, all of whom are exceptional people. The program is very selective, and I've never heard of a participant who is earning the MLS, but it's possible. Most of the placements are in the Delta or Jackson, but that may be worked out as well. I think they also get a laptop to use in the program.

Mississippi Teacher Corps