Teaching Jobs Northern NJ (Jersey City, Montclair: felon, private schools, college)

[Leoladie]

I am relocating from California to NJ in July and have been a teaching 3rd grade for the past two years. I am considering Jersey City, since I will be living nearby, however, I haven't heard much about the district besides the fact that the state took it over in 1998. What can you tell me about the area and the schools? Any advice/information will do. Are there any websites with information? What is the salary in that district? Thanks!! (I have already interviewed in Morristown and Montclair, however its a bit of a commute for me.)

[Busch Boy]

Teaching in Jersey City will not be easy since it's the inner city and it has some of the worst schools in the state. The good part about it is that the pay should be high, but IDK the amount.

[brookdaleresident]

You will also have a better chance of being hired in JC. good luck!

[JERSEY MAN]

Originally Posted by Leoladie

I am relocating from California to NJ in July and have been a teaching 3rd grade for the past two years. I am considering Jersey City, since I will be living nearby, however, I haven't heard much about the district besides the fact that the state took it over in 1998. What can you tell me about the area and the schools? Any advice/information will do. Are there any websites with information? What is the salary in that district? Thanks!! (I have already interviewed in Morristown and Montclair, however its a bit of a commute for me.)

The school system was takin over by the state in 1998 due to cronism and corruption and very low test scores. The state turned complete control back over to the local board of ed last month. The schools leave much to be desired. One high school takes the most gifted children and that is McNair High School, believe it or not this school scores mostly in the top ten highs in the state. But that is only one school. The other 4 high schools have horrible test scores and graduates going to college. Some score below 50 percent in graduating kids. Ive worked security in all 4 of these high schools and like it or not it is a zoo atmosphere.(sp). It still has a who you know hiring policy with the local politicians controlling the new hires. The board of ed has 2 former mayors on it and one was a bookie and the other a convicted felon that was released from prison with 14 federal convictions. Good luck, you're going to need it. JM

[hc08]

Leoladie

Your situation is very similar to mine. I also will be relocating to NJ (Jersey City area) from Australia and am an elemementary teacher who will be looking to get teaching work in the Jersey City area. Currently I teach 2nd grade in Australia in a great class at a wonderful school which unfortunately I will have to leave pretty soon . I'm getting married to a US citizen and NJ resident in October and my fiance already has work in NY. We want to be somewhere in the Jersey City area for affordability and transport (I still have to learn to drive on the other side of the road). I"ll have the additional hurdle of having my degree recognised prior to finding work as well. I wouldn't mind doing teaching assiting or similar to get aquainted with a new system/country.

Have you had any luck in locating a job yet?

I did find a little bit of information on schools from Wikipedia by typing in Jersey City, and there's also the NJ Dept. of Education website (although I figure you may already know about that) at www.state.nj.us.education/ (broken link)

There are some agencies who deal with teachers for substitue work, such as www.njhire.com and jobs appear to be advertised at Find teaching jobs, school jobs, education jobs at SchoolSpring.com! There are some private schools in the area. It all depends on what you're looking for. Don't quote me on it because I won't say I know all the facts, but from what it appears, to teach in NY you need to pass knowledge-type tests whereas in NJ you don't.

Morristown and Montclair would be nice, but I understand about the commute. My future in-laws live in Central NJ and my fiance warns me I will find things a little bit different when we're in Jersey City.

All the best with your searching!