Possibly moving to Tampa or Atlanta, why is Tampa better? (St. Petersburg: best city, school district)

[robski917]

I am originally from NJ and naturally would like to get away from the cold weather, am graduating from Clemson University in SC in May and am currently looking for a place to live/ begin my middle school teaching career. What should I know about living in Tampa? Is this a good place for a 23 year old to live? Are there good middle schools for me to teach at in the area?

[tampaguy03]

Atlanta is HUGE and not near the Ocean, and has all the amenities of a big, thriving city, gets HOT AND HUMID in the summers, and CHILLY in the winters. Tampa is smaller and located on a Bay, and near the Ocean(Gulf), has all the amenities of a big city, but on a much smaller scale, gets HOT AND HUMID in the summers, but more temperate in the winters. There are LOTS of young professionals in Tampa/St. Pete area, 2 major universities, USF and University of Tampa.
What else do you look for in a living enviornment besides weather?

I'll let others comment about teaching and middle schools in the Tampa Bay area.

[katleigh]

There are plenty of great middle schools to teach at in Tampa. I believe that Hillsborough county is the 9th largest school district in the country.

Pasco county also has great schools, but it is a much smaller district, and IMO, has a little better benefit package. I don't know much about Pinellas county schools.

Here are links to the three:

Human Resources

Welcome to Pasco County Schools

http://www.pinellas.k12.fl.us/hr/jobs.html


Good luck making your decision!

[summergal]

Why not contact a large sampling of teachers from each city directly and get their hands-on assessment of the field and their advice? I think you will likely get a more accurate picture of each city and what you will be dealing with in your future work environment by speaking with teachers, rather than random folks on the forum. The weather may be nice and maybe the ocean is an attractive feature but I think it's probly more important knowing what it's like being a teacher in each city. Good luck with your decision!

[bluejean53]

This is one of the largest school sys. in the country. There should be no problem finding work in your field. And yes, there are bunches of middle schools in the area. Both in the Hillsborough county, and Pinelas county over in St Petersburg. Good luck.

[mquintana]

Atlanta isn't the best city. I wouldn't say Tampa is either, but I think you'll find it a little more enjoyable to teach in this area than in Atlanta.

[Artsywoman]

From what I have read, Hillsborough County has a really bad school system. Also, Tampa is no better than Atlanta. Try St. Petersburg or Sarasota.

[DailyJournalist]

Atlanta all the way, it is a "real" city.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by mquintana

Atlanta isn't the best city. I wouldn't say Tampa is either, but I think you'll find it a little more enjoyable to teach in this area than in Atlanta.

Rather broad, don't you think?
The Atlanta area is made of many school systems; some good, some bad.
The OP can certainly find a satisfying career situation among them, as did I, my sister, and many of my friends.

[mquintana]

And good for you. I just stated my opinion, as you did, and as the OP wanted. Every place has it's pros and cons. Just as you and your friends/family have found a satisfying career among some of the schools in Atlanta, they can find that here in the Tampa Bay as well...or anywhere for that matter.

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Rather broad, don't you think?
The Atlanta area is made of many school systems; some good, some bad.
The OP can certainly find a satisfying career situation among them, as did I, my sister, and many of my friends.