Private or Publics Schools , Where to teach??? (Charlotte: apartment, rent)

[Roshero]

Well, I am trying to move as well as many people in this blog but i have no found a post about teaching/ teacher in NC. I am trying to narrow down my options. I am a Spanish teacher in NH. I was thinking to move to the triangle zone.I think there is more opportunities there,but I don't know if that is true. I work in a private Catholic school And I do not make a lot money my salary is about 32000. I do not have a Union, My healt insurance is aweful (more than 400 montly).
I was hoping to make a little bit more in the public system in NC. But Still If I find a job in the private system making the same money as I am making here I will be happy Every website that I go shows that is cheaper to live there than here..
Rent here is 750 for a 2 bedroom and bills are 80. cell phone, 40 cable, 40 internet . heat/electricity changes Summer cheap, winter up to 150.
I want to move because I think the weather is going to make me Happier. I am originally from South America. I also think That I will feel more in my "environment" I hope I can move at the end of this school year.
So Any Suggestions.... Should I go for public or private. Are teacher salaries that bad? Are any teachers here.....

My husban Is currently without a job. We were thinking that moving South he might have more opportunities to find a job where he can use his Spanish.(costumer service) maybe going to school to be a teacher. Here where we lived no bilingual jobs

Thanks A lot
Roshero from NH

[DanielleNC]

Hi Roshero,

Unfortunately, I cannot help you to much with your question about the teacher situation, but I will try to help you with your other questions. I will say though NC is always looking for teachers, especially in the Triangle area. Also, I have always heard teachers don't make as much as they should here compared to other states. Hopefully that is changing...

As far as cost of living, to be honest what you are paying now with your apartment and utilities are about the same as here. With exception for your heat bill since we don't get as cold, if you are in a newer apartment and don't have a lot of sqft you will definitely keep it under $150.

As far as your husband I think he will be fine finding a bilingual job as we have quite a large Hispanic population and it will only be growing.

I think you will love it down here with the climate change, job oppotunities, and laid back lifestyle!

[SnowWhiteQueen]

I'm a former Spanish teacher so I can answer any question you may have. First of all, here is a link with the salary information: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/...9schedules.pdf

Second of all, you shouldn't have a problem finding a teaching job. There are usually job fairs in NC in the spring. It is honestly not necessary to attend them IMHO. Submit an application here around April or May: https://schooljobs.dpi.state.nc.us/
Then look at district websites for Spanish vacancies. Once you find one, submit a resume and contact the principal. You have to be proactive. In any case, you shouldn't have a problem finding a Spanish teaching job. I was offered two positions this summer but then ultimately had to turn both down. I hate that I did that but oh well. I've only taught in public schools in Charlotte and also in a district outside of Charlotte. I've never taught in a private school but I from what I hear they pay less. I'm not sure though. I may be wrong. As for insurance, the state pays for yours, but you will have to pay for your husband's insurance which is probably around $300-$400 a month for him. I think you said you were looking in the Triangle area and not in Charlotte. I'm not sure of the cost of rent there but in Charlotte rent for a 2 bedroom in a decent place is at least $1000. Your husband would probably be able to find a bilingual job but the pay will be terrible. I was looking in 2005 and the highest paying one paid $13 an hour. The others were around $10. I know hospitals here were always looking for bilingual people to help out with patients. If you come to Charlotte, UNC Charlotte has a really good education program. Like I said before, if you want to come to NC you won't have a problem finding a Spanish position. Just don't move down here until you find a position so you can live close to where you work. We don't have a union here either. Out-of-staters are always complaining about that. I have only taught in NC and I've had duty-free lunches and 90 minute planning but that's at the secondary level but some people complain about having to eat with the students. They're probably elementary teachers IDK. Oh, and here are two more websites to help you out with your job search. This one contains results from teacher working conditions surveys: Governor Easley's Teacher Working Conditions Initiative

This one has reviews, demographics, test scores, etc.
Great Schools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community

Both of those websites have helped me tremendously.

Let me know if you have any more questions. I'm sorry I don't know any more about private schools here.

[MysteryMT]

Here's some of the threads that have been previously covered, it looks like a lot but there's a lot of good core information. (and some repetitive 'thoughts')

Teacher considering move to Charlotte - 132 responses
New Teacher in Charlotte...Can I Make It? - 18 responses
Teacher lay-offs??? - 39 responses
New Teacher Moving to Charlotte Needs Advice! - 27 responses
Which Teacher gets more Catholic School teachers or Public School Teachers - 6 responses

And here is a link the Charlotte's Index, it gets buried every once and awhile so I think new members don't know it's out there, but it's really just a comprehensive summary of all the questions that were asked and sometimes works better than the search function...

http://www.city-data.com/forum/charlotte/294334-index-charlotte-links-key-relocation-topics.html

...erm nm I'm trying the links out and they don't seem to be working, I'll see if I can edit them, but if now try searching within the forum for 'teacher' to get the top five threads and 'index' for the bottom one.