Teacher moving from Tucson to Tampa, Please help with info! (Brandon: apartment, renting)

[ladyz02]

Hello everyone,
I am originally from Puerto Rico, but I have been living in Tucson Az for 14 years. I decided I want to be closer to home so We are moving! Could anyone tell me which area is best to raise children? Also, where are the best schools? I am a teacher Looking for a good elementary school to work in and to have my daughters attend. How is the crime? Is Tampa conservative or more liberal?
I thank you all in advance for your imput.

[mquintana]

That's funny. I lived in Tucson for a little bit and moved here to Tampa.
You can look online at the Hills. co. Schools and see their ratings at this site:
Hillsborough County Public Schools-Tampa Florida
You may like the area of New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, or even Brandon.
Crime is everywhere you go, there is no escaping it.
I don't mind it here. I live and work at an apartment community in Brandon and I think it's a great place to raise kids.

[MortonR]

You're going to have a tough time finding a teaching job anywhere in Florida right now. Many of the surrounding districts are either laying people off, freezing hiring, and/or making sweeping pay cuts to cover the shortfall in state revenue.

Hillsborough will not begin to hire for the fall until July at the earliest. Our "transfer period" just ended, which is the time in which instructional units for next year are determined, people who are being displaced as a result go into the pool, and teachers can make lateral transfers to open positions. Those who are in the pool as a result of losing their unit have first shot at any open positions - no new hires are eligible.

Next will be "interview days" the first or second week of June. However, you would not be eligible for these since you are from out of state and have not registered (registration closed in April.) This is the time in which principals can hire new employees for openings they have for the upcoming school year.

Once interview days are over, all instructional hiring is frozen until the beginning of the new fiscal year, which begins in July. That being said, in most cases hiring in nearly all areas is frozen until the 20th day of school and enrollments have been established.

Long story short, if you don't have a job lined up already, I wouldn't come here expecting to find one. As mentioned earlier, the surrounding counties are in even worse shape than Hillsborough, so it's unlikely your luck would be any better there.

I hate to sound "gloom and doom-ish", but working for the school district I can tell you that a lot of people who are already here and have been long-time employees are looking over their shoulders worrying about having a job next year.

RM

[tonygonzo]

Hi Ladyz02,

Look into Learning gate community school in Lutz ( North Tampa) many really good communities close by. Learning Gate is a charter School. Charter Schools receive state funding but operate independent of the School Board. This is a great school to both teach and send your kids. Check them out @ Learning Gate Community School
As far as areas to live it all depends upon your budget and rather you will be renting or buying. You have a lot to choose in the North Tampa Area.

[Cndlf]

Teachers are always leaving and retiring - there is a state job fair in June here: Job Fairs

Each county is different as to hiring schedules. If you want a job here, you'll get one.

Cindy

[Annie of Oldsmar]

I totally agree with Cndlf, if you want a job here in teaching there's always room for more teachers here. I will PM you with more.

[ladyz02]

thank you! I love charter schools! this is my first choice for teaching. I have only worked in charter schools here in Arizona. Thanks again!

[ladyz02]

thak you all for you responses.

[ladyz02]

thank you for your input. I have already applied with the Hillsbourough County school district. I have been invited to the job fair. What are my chances now?

[katleigh]

I know numerous teachers in Hillsborough, and none of them are worried about losing their jobs. Is there something that is happening that I am unaware of?

It's my understanding that Hillsborough is holding steady with their elementary jobs. As for the hiring, isn't this how hiring is handled every year? The positions are first available to those in the pool, then in late June, principals will start looking at others. Now, they may not be technically hired until July, but the principals usually make their offers prior.

Also, on the Hillsborough website there are currently around 150 K-5 jobs available. While current teachers get first "dibs" at these positions. If they take them, the positions they have left are now open.

As for Pasco, I've heard they are still growing and Pinellas should be avoided because they are definitely laying off.

To the OP, this is just another perspective .

Originally Posted by MortonR

You're going to have a tough time finding a teaching job anywhere in Florida right now. Many of the surrounding districts are either laying people off, freezing hiring, and/or making sweeping pay cuts to cover the shortfall in state revenue.

Hillsborough will not begin to hire for the fall until July at the earliest. Our "transfer period" just ended, which is the time in which instructional units for next year are determined, people who are being displaced as a result go into the pool, and teachers can make lateral transfers to open positions. Those who are in the pool as a result of losing their unit have first shot at any open positions - no new hires are eligible.

Next will be "interview days" the first or second week of June. However, you would not be eligible for these since you are from out of state and have not registered (registration closed in April.) This is the time in which principals can hire new employees for openings they have for the upcoming school year.

Once interview days are over, all instructional hiring is frozen until the beginning of the new fiscal year, which begins in July. That being said, in most cases hiring in nearly all areas is frozen until the 20th day of school and enrollments have been established.

Long story short, if you don't have a job lined up already, I wouldn't come here expecting to find one. As mentioned earlier, the surrounding counties are in even worse shape than Hillsborough, so it's unlikely your luck would be any better there.

I hate to sound "gloom and doom-ish", but working for the school district I can tell you that a lot of people who are already here and have been long-time employees are looking over their shoulders worrying about having a job next year.

RM