Teaching/living in Flathead County

[AQHA]

Do you realize you could go up to Alaska and make about $75,000 a year? Cold, dark and not too much to do, but lots of money. But then milk can cost up to $10 a gallon....

[Mt-7]

Jobs in general are hard to find in Montana. Residents have been here for generations, first shot goes to them, just a fact, nothing to fuss about, just the way it goes. Why hire out of state when there are applicants on the ground here. Please visit and visit often prior to a decision here. Good luck.

[jcme]

I've spent, in total, about seven months of my life, though all late-spring and summer months, in and around Glacier and Flathead County. I love the place! I want this to work out, but I'm having my doubts. Seems like every place I want to teach are the few places in America that have a teacher surplus!

[bigtrees]

Originally Posted by jcme

I've spent, in total, about seven months of my life, though all late-spring and summer months, in and around Glacier and Flathead County. I love the place! I want this to work out, but I'm having my doubts. Seems like every place I want to teach are the few places in America that have a teacher surplus!

Like I said, you will want to visit Montana first in the winter. Montana puts on a nice and pretty face in the summertime with clear days and dry weather, then rears its ugly head come wintertime. You've only seen the nice months there, you'll want to check out the winters to make sure you like it. (Right now is a great time.)

Yes, Montana is very popular. There are school teachers that work at the park in the summer and teach in the winter. I had one in Whitefish who did just that. He did have a roommate to help make ends meet.

When you mention how much you are willing to pay for housing, I'd encourage you to keep it to less than 33% of your pre-tax earnings. If you make $2400 a month, you will want to keep housing less than $800 a month. That's just a rule of thumb.

The biggest concern is long-term you won't be setting yourself up very well financially. Making bank in Alaska for a few years then moving to a place you love may set yourself up a lot better financially. (That's what I'm doing right now.)

[Montana Baby]

Originally Posted by jcme

I've spent, in total, about seven months of my life, though all late-spring and summer months, in and around Glacier and Flathead County. I love the place! I want this to work out, but I'm having my doubts. Seems like every place I want to teach are the few places in America that have a teacher surplus!

Just try --- there are several websites that will give you the school districts in MT. Most then have a website that will atleast give you an address and phone number for contacts. Some even post the jobs available. Problem with schools in MT is school populations are going down in the rural areas. I think Kalispell (Flathead) maybe an exception. But on the rez (south of Kalispell) the local papers indicate they always have new hires for some reason.

[kamhampton]

Just to give you a heads up, Montana requires certain education courses to teach in the state. Not all MA's from other states have those requirements. I am currently a student working on my education degree and have run into several students with MA's that had to go back to school to get the required education credits in addition to having to do the student teaching all over again.
You may want to look into that before you make the leap, the best resource is the Flathead Valley Community College and the education program advisor is Jean Barrigan.