Teacher Interested in Montana (Helena, Dillon: condo, crime, broker)

[robinhood]

I've read many of the threads and responses and it seems that finding a job in Montana must be difficult. I'm an elementary Math teacher and would like to relocate to Montana. Unfortunately, Montana and Wyoming rate low on the national teacher salary scale. I would have to take a minor pay cut to move, and I'm not sure the cost of living would be less than I have currently. I teach in North Texas, right on the Red River, and I live comfortably for my salary. My husband is a rural water system operator and part-time farmer, and we aren't sure about the chances of him finding a job. He is a true cowboy at heart and his age has retired him from the rodeo. However, it is his dream to live in Montana or Wyoming. We've been to Cheyenne, Wyoming, but don't know much about the entire state. Our frustration about Texas is the extreme heat for 6 months out of the year, and the year round humidity. Does anyone have any suggestions? I hope our plight isn't hopeless, but the more I read about job shortages, the more discouraged I get.

[Tull]

Sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I've lived in South Texas my entire life and only got used to the heat about two years ago, 23 now, when I worked in the oilfield.
Anyway, I'm in technology training and system...uhhh....analyzation at the university level, so i'm going to try and apply at universities in Montana and maybe Wyoming. My wife (she's getting her broker license) and I, hoping to save a little money, plan to stay in San Antonio for another year.
I'm at the point now where even working as a garbage man or fry cook sounds better then living in this godforsaken city (seventh largest in the nation, 1.2million people; I don't think so)-;you can overcrowd rats in a maze and they start going crazy, eating babies and killing eachother.
Anyway, I guess I don't have any good advice. I'm only here for the comradery of hatred toward haet and rude mexican nationals....

[Montanaman1]

Check out Dillon, Montana on the net. I know your husband would love it. ( Big Rodeo town.)

Rick

[robinhood]

Amen, Tull! I've lived in Texas for 33 years and it keeps getting worse each year. My husband and I are taking our children, leaving our families, and making tracks for a cooler, dryer climate. It seems that many people are making that choice. I've had two friends leave in the past two years. Texas really gets to you, especially since it is no longer a friendly state anymore.

[robinhood]

Thank you Montanaman1. We will check it out.

[ladyflyfsh]

Originally Posted by Robyn Smith

I've read many of the threads and responses and it seems that finding a job in Montana must be difficult. I'm an elementary Math teacher and would like to relocate to Montana. Unfortunately, Montana and Wyoming rate low on the national teacher salary scale. I would have to take a minor pay cut to move, and I'm not sure the cost of living would be less than I have currently. I teach in North Texas, right on the Red River, and I live comfortably for my salary. My husband is a rural water system operator and part-time farmer, and we aren't sure about the chances of him finding a job. He is a true cowboy at heart and his age has retired him from the rodeo. However, it is his dream to live in Montana or Wyoming. We've been to Cheyenne, Wyoming, but don't know much about the entire state. Our frustration about Texas is the extreme heat for 6 months out of the year, and the year round humidity. Does anyone have any suggestions? I hope our plight isn't hopeless, but the more I read about job shortages, the more discouraged I get.

Robyn, I think teachers are very much needed all over Montana. You are correct in that salararies are not as good as most of the nation, BUT, that is the tossup we all make to have the priveledge of living here in such a beautiful place. We give up the high incomes and access to all the things we took for granted when we lived nearer the big cities. BUT, what we gain is a much better quality of life. I never lock my doors, my car keys live in the ignition of my car in the garage so I always know where they are! We have no crime where I am and a good school.

Yes, it is cold, but it's a dry climate so doesn't feel as cold even as it might in a place like Oregon where it is damp in the winter. I think you could just about pick and choose anywhere in the state and they would need teachers.
I have a friend who recently moved back to MT and teaches. He found a great job in Helena and is super happy there.

So, go for it...figure out where you really want to be and hit the schools.

Good luck to you!

[robinhood]

Thank you Ladyflyfsh. Your reply really gives me great encouragement. Since you have a friend who came there to teach, would you say the best way to apply to the schools would be via the internet? It seems the most reasonable way for me to apply from this many miles away. However, I've been part of the commitee for hiring at my current school for the past three years, and we never even look at applications from our website. We only review those that are handed in to us in person. Would you mind asking your friend what he did? Thanks

[ladyflyfsh]

Robyn, I would only use the internet as a tool to find the jobs and then make direct contact with the school and keep it as personal as possible. I believe he only used the net to locate the position openings. The school wants to hear from you if not in person, then at least by phone and ask them how they would like you to apply. The more direct contact you have the better.

I know of a school near here that hired a local man for the music department who didn't even have a college degree or teaching certificate. They were going to send him to school to get the credentials needed but the need for a teacher outweighed the need to hire outside the area and wait for a proper candidate to come along. It takes a certain kind of person who is willing to deal with low wages and some of the tough things Montana has like cold winters, remoteness etc. to want to live here and teach our kids. You would be most welcome if you have what they need.

[robinhood]

Thank you very much for your help.

[dc53]

Robyn- I have put a few posts on Wyoming/Montana, because I live on the border (officially in WY), and I winter in San Antonio- I have a small condo there. I can tell you, that it is much cheaper to live in Texas- everything from food to utilities are less in TX. Wages in WY/MT are less, at least as a registered nurse- almost by a half! I must agree with you about the heat, crime,humidity and crazy people in TX, though. In San Ant, you can find a job easily- not so here. You and your husband might just hit it right and have no problem, though. I have a friend that is a teacher here- I will try to remember to ask her about the internet/job search/in person situation this weekend.