Getting a teaching job in Brownsville? (Houston, San Antonio: find a job, luxury, school districts)

[jaykaleta]

hey i was wondering if anyone could tell me more about teaching in the public schools of the valley - especially Brownsville ISD

Im currently getting my alt cert in bilingual education. I am trying to sort out where I might want to live and teach. At the moment I am teaching English in Venezuela, but returning stateside in May, and moving to Texas in June.


The valley is especially attractive to me because of its proximity to mexico and because it is very differently culturally from where I grew up...however, im wondering if I would find it dificult to find a job being that I am Caucasian. I speak fluent Spanish, however its not my native language. What do you think would be the chances of a guy like me working in brownsville...or for that matter at any of the districts in the valley? I have heard from some people from the valley that it is hard to get a job in the schools if you dont know someone....its more of who you know as to what you know...

Any thoughts?

[yosoyway]

If you are qualified, they'll hire you. Maybe not for a bilingual class but they'll hire. They have a need for teachers.

[LCC1968]

If you speak fluent Spanish, that's definitely a plus. Also, if you are looking for a position teaching math or science, you will definitely be at the top of the list. There is a great need in the Valley for certified, passionate teachers. Good Luck!

[GayleTX]

The schoos in that region are having a big teacher recruitment job fair June 9 in McAllen......you can get info at the following phone or email:


Region One ESC Teacher Recruitment Services
(956) 984-6105
apena@esc1.net

[TX11]

Curious. Did you get a position. I too was looking for one all last spring. Sent out 50 resumes via fax and email. I also attended the job fair. I am from Austin but my husband is looking on the border and can't come up here, so of course, I've been trying to get a job down there. I had no luck at all. I got one psuedo interview at the actual job fair, however, the position (Sp.Ed.) was later cut. I am Bilingual cert., Gen. cert (EC-4, going to pick up the secondary since they realyl wanted 5th), and Sp. Ed. (EC-12). I am also caucasian and despite my resume stating I was bilingual certified had many look at me and ask "And do you know the language?". They were very interested in where my family was from and if I was moving back home, etc. My husband is recently located to the BVille area, so we don't have any direct "connections". I love teaching in Austin, but I was really crushed when I couldn't get any kind of elementary teaching position (I applied general education and special education) or serious interviews. I know having a local address on the resume helps, so sad to say I think that one of the onyl things I can do different for next year. 6 hours separation is better than the 4 months we had the year before, but really.... So basically, I'm curious if you got a job (because it is not a free flowing fountain of teaching employment down there, as claimed by many) and how... Any suggestions help. Thanks!!!!! JT

[teatime]

Originally Posted by TX11

Curious. Did you get a position. I too was looking for one all last spring. Sent out 50 resumes via fax and email. I also attended the job fair. I am from Austin but my husband is looking on the border and can't come up here, so of course, I've been trying to get a job down there. I had no luck at all. I got one psuedo interview at the actual job fair, however, the position (Sp.Ed.) was later cut. I am Bilingual cert., Gen. cert (EC-4, going to pick up the secondary since they realyl wanted 5th), and Sp. Ed. (EC-12). I am also caucasian and despite my resume stating I was bilingual certified had many look at me and ask "And do you know the language?". They were very interested in where my family was from and if I was moving back home, etc. My husband is recently located to the BVille area, so we don't have any direct "connections". I love teaching in Austin, but I was really crushed when I couldn't get any kind of elementary teaching position (I applied general education and special education) or serious interviews. I know having a local address on the resume helps, so sad to say I think that one of the onyl things I can do different for next year. 6 hours separation is better than the 4 months we had the year before, but really.... So basically, I'm curious if you got a job (because it is not a free flowing fountain of teaching employment down there, as claimed by many) and how... Any suggestions help. Thanks!!!!! JT

It's hard breaking into the Brownsville schools. Call the certified personnel office and keep your name in the loop. I think your best bet is if they had an emergency opening mid-year that you could fill. That's how a friend of mine broke into the system. Otherwise, they'll keep your wheels spinning for a long time -- until you give up and go with another district.

[jaykaleta]

I never ended up applying for a job down in Brownsville, or for that matter ín any part of Texas. I came back to the States last May to take my TOPT and content tests (EC-4, and Bilingual Supp) and I passed them all. Unfortunately, my girlfriend´s mother came down with Thyriod cancer last spring, and it just wasnt the right time for us to make the move to Texas. My mother in law (well, soon to be) is doing much better, as she had two operations and the cancer is now in remission! Gracias a Dios! I plan to teach down here in Venezuela until late march or early april, and then go look for work in Texas.

As for Brownsville and the RGV, I am unsure if we will end up down there. Albeit there is a strong desire on my part to live down in that area, precisely because it is so different from where I grew up, I question my ability to obtain a bilingual ed job down there due largely in part because Spanish is my second language. While I passed the TOPT on the first try, I would imagine that an area like the RGV is probably full of qualified bilingual teachers, most of whom have connections or family within the various school districts. But we will just have to wait and see. I plan on applying to various school districts down in the valley come next spring, and if it happens it happens. If not maybe i´ll end up living around Austin, San Antonio, or Houston. The Valley (at least from what I have gathered from the internet) seems so unique and different, which is very appealing to me, and undoubtably by so many others.
´
I would love to hear more about living in the valley. Yes, I know there are a few posts about the RGV, generally full of negative sterotypes from the likes of Belle and others but aside from their ignorant views, many people have a lot of great things to say about valley livin. What city do you choose to live in, and why? What are the better school districts to work for in the area? Does anyone know of any Non-Hispanic bilingual teachers in the valley? Is Spanish the predominate languague of the valley? Do a fairly large majority of caucasians in the valley speak spanish?

[Robin Hutson-Montoya]

I am planning to relocate to Brownsville ASAP, contingent upon gainful employment. I will be attending the teacher's job fair on April 25th. Any helpful hints? Suggestions? Thanks!

[teatime]

Originally Posted by Robin Hutson-Montoya

I am planning to relocate to Brownsville ASAP, contingent upon gainful employment. I will be attending the teacher's job fair on April 25th. Any helpful hints? Suggestions? Thanks!

Be prepared for a long wait. Brownsville ISD is notoriously slow and gives their teachers forever (it seems) to decide whether they'll be returning. Their existing teachers must be accommodated first, of course, and they have preference in applying to move laterally to another school. I'm not exaggerating when I say you may not hear from them until mid-July.

When I applied with them, I ran out of patience and signed with another district. A week later, BISD started calling for mostly middle school openings. I was glad I didn't wait, though, because I got a high school position, which is what I really wanted.

So, don't put all of your eggs in one basket unless you have the luxury of being able to wait.

[texan55]

yeah i dont think they're hiring much at the moment either because of the whole recession, maybe once they get their recession monies