Moving to Lake Wales from Michigan (Tampa, Orlando: relocation, insurance, budget)

[sricke01]

My family is considering moving to the lake wales area this summer. I was curious if I could get some help on some questions my family had.

I am graduating with my Michigan elemenatry education degree in June, what do i need to do to obtain a teaching certificate in Florida?
Are there many jobs in the lake wales area for teachers?
What are the medical benefits like for teachers?
What are the better schools in the lake wales area?
Do schools offer signing bonuses for teachers? or relocation expenses?
We have been told that home owners insurance is very expensive, is this true?

Any advice?

Thanks!!!

[sricke01]

Any advice at all??

[TampaKaren]

Sorry, I'm not a teacher and not that familiar with Lake Wales either. Since Lake Wales is between Tampa and Orlando, you might try posting your question in either the Orlando or the general Florida forum and see how that goes.

Good luck!

[jessiesma]

our schools are on a County wide district system so your county would be Polk.Untitled Document That site can tell you what's what. I can tell you that you will NOT get relo. or a bonus. You will get benefits if you are hired full time. A different district which is an "A" rated district, I don't think Polk is, told my husband that most of the districts in the state are delaying budget decisions until Mar-April because there's not much money around. You would do well to apply on line no but you have to realize you will be hired for the county not necesarily Lake Wales. You cannot come here and simply request a "nice" school and expect to be assigned there. There are some awful areas in Polk County like gangs and inner city stuff and because it is also agricultural you get migrant kids in your class. If you aren't up for that challenge, you would do well to explore other areas. It's also a very large county geographically so get your school position before you decide where you will live. You also won't get a decision until they set the budget.

As for bringing your license to FL, Florida Department of Education is the link to tell you if there is reciprocity with MI. I think there must be cause we get a lot of MIchiganders coming here to teach.
Check with your realtor about homeowners ins. It is the coastal areas that are the hardest hit I think. Lake Wales is pretty much in the center of the peninsula. You can get hit with a hurricane anyway if one crosses the state like Andrew in 1993 and some of the more recent ones. That's one of the choices you make when escaping the snow and cold.

Originally Posted by sricke01

My family is considering moving to the lake wales area this summer. I was curious if I could get some help on some questions my family had.

I am graduating with my Michigan elemenatry education degree in June, what do i need to do to obtain a teaching certificate in Florida?
Are there many jobs in the lake wales area for teachers?
What are the medical benefits like for teachers?
What are the better schools in the lake wales area?
Do schools offer signing bonuses for teachers? or relocation expenses?
We have been told that home owners insurance is very expensive, is this true?

Any advice?

Thanks!!!

[sricke01]

Any suggestions into better areas to teach? or to be able to find out the better areas of polk county?

[TampaKaren]

One thing I've noticed in the Tampa Bay area is that some teachers are attracted to the newer communities that have on-site schools. I'm not sure if they pay more to attract the teachers or it's the new school, but I've had several teaching customers who moved into newer communities just to teach there.

[jessiesma]

you do some research on growth communities in FL. areas with families moving in. My husband called Lee Co. (Ft. Myers area) today and they are cutting staff because families are moving out.
I honestly don't know any county in FL that is only nice areas with good schools. You will not be able to pick your assignment as a new teacher in the system. I suggest you look into private schools.

Originally Posted by sricke01

Any suggestions into better areas to teach? or to be able to find out the better areas of polk county?

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by sricke01

Any suggestions into better areas to teach? or to be able to find out the better areas of polk county?

Lakeland fills that bill. LOTS of families here, they are supposed to start building a lot more schools because the enrollment here is growing by leaps and bounds. Lakeland is a beautiful, clean family-oriented community, with LOTS of stuff for kids and families to do that you don't find in a lot of other places in Florida. This is because Lakeland is more of an "average American town", as in, not a resort or vacation area (although it is every bit as beautiful as any resort in Florida!). It is also an easy drive to Tampa or Orlando, for larger events, and only an hour and a half to either coast.

You will have to research more yourself about teaching positions in Polk County. Despite the growth, there is uncertainty about the budget right now due to the cutback in Florida taxes.

Good luck!

[jessiesma]

guarantee the OP would get assigned to a nice "average American" school in Lakeland. it's a County wide district and she will have to go where they want and need her. there are plenty of experienced teachers who have seniority in the system who would want to transfer to the better schools. That's the reality in FL. COUNTY WIDE SCHOOLS.

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Lakeland fills that bill. LOTS of families here, they are supposed to start building a lot more schools because the enrollment here is growing by leaps and bounds. Lakeland is a beautiful, clean family-oriented community, with LOTS of stuff for kids and families to do that you don't find in a lot of other places in Florida. This is because Lakeland is more of an "average American town", as in, not a resort or vacation area (although it is every bit as beautiful as any resort in Florida!). It is also an easy drive to Tampa or Orlando, for larger events, and only an hour and a half to either coast.

You will have to research more yourself about teaching positions in Polk County. Despite the growth, there is uncertainty about the budget right now due to the cutback in Florida taxes.

Good luck!

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by jessiesma

guarantee the OP would get assigned to a nice "average American" school in Lakeland. it's a County wide district and she will have to go where they want and need her. there are plenty of experienced teachers who have seniority in the system who would want to transfer to the better schools. That's the reality in FL. COUNTY WIDE SCHOOLS.

Well she did ask for the BETTER AREAS to teach; so I made a suggestion for her, so if they DID assign her to this area she would at least have an idea what to expect. This is the largest town in Polk County, many schools public and private, and many colleges. She has a better chance here than anywhere else in Polk County.

JMO, of course.