Possible Teaching Job in Nogales/Thoughts? (Tucson, Yuma: appointed, credit, construction)

[Patrick Murtha]

Wow, there seems to be real unanimity that I should not teach in Nogales. The cost of living in both Nogales and Tucson sounds do-able (although that doesn't make the NUSD salary any higher). But the teaching situation in the Nogales schools and, potentially, the living situation in Nogales itself, sound significantly less than appealing. Thank you all for giving me your honest take.

Back to the drawing board, I guess. I've been accepted to the Teacher Candidate Pool for the New Orleans Recovery School District -- whole different kettle of troubles there! And the apartment rental costs in New Orleans are out of control (why? I thought no one wanted to live there), so I'm not sure about that situation either.

This is such a tough year to be looking for a teaching job, or any job. If nothing decent materializes for the fall, I may just have to stay in Appleton and nurse my unemployment until I can find a survival job here -- at least I know the cost of living is terrific (78.4 compared to the 100 U.S. national average, according to City-Data's scale) and that I can survive. But I'd really like to be teaching a nice class of kids somewhere.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Patrick Murtha

Back to the drawing board, I guess. I've been accepted to the Teacher Candidate Pool for the New Orleans Recovery School District -- whole different kettle of troubles there!

OMG, from the frying pan into the fire?! I'd rather work AND even live in Nogales than in NOLA!

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

OMG, from the frying pan into the fire?! I'd rather work AND even live in Nogales than in NOLA!

Definitely agree with you on this one, Sierra!

Now that you have added New Orleans to the pot, Patrick . . . maybe I should reconsider my earlier post.

Considering the Cost Of Living as well as other major living conditions, especially the weather, Nogales wins hands down over New Orleans! However, there must be a third or fourth option as those two are like picking the Cleanest Pig In The Pigpen!

[GinnythePainter]

Patrick,
my best friend (now 45) lived in Nogales for about two or three years when she was in her twenties. She was and is a librarian. She does not have fond memories of the town, but she was able to save a lot of money. Later on, she moved to LA, met her now-husband, and used her savings to pay for her wedding and make a down payment on a house. What she disliked about Nogales was that it didn't feel much like living in America, and she felt like a second-class citizen as an English-speaking caucasian. But the money saved made the experience worthwhile.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Bummer

as those two are like picking the Cleanest Pig In The Pigpen!

LMAO!

Originally Posted by GinnythePainter

What she disliked about Nogales was that it didn't feel much like living in America, and she felt like a second-class citizen as an English-speaking caucasian. But the money saved made the experience worthwhile.

That's true - it doesn't. However, if you live someplace else and just work there, it can be doable. Living in Tucson is a bit of a stretch, though. Such long commutes probably get old fast.

[Patrick Murtha]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Now that you have added New Orleans to the pot, Patrick . . . maybe I should reconsider my earlier post.

Considering the Cost Of Living as well as other major living conditions, especially the weather, Nogales wins hands down over New Orleans! However, there must be a third or fourth option as those two are like picking the Cleanest Pig In The Pigpen!

See, that is the problem: Only the worst places in America are recruiting teachers! I'm semi-serious about that -- Las Vegas and Oakland are on the market as well as New Orleans and Nogales. (The other sort of place that recruits is one that pays lousy but where the cost of living is catastrophic -- think Hawaii.)

But this is a major relocation for me, and I don't want to move again a year later.

The only state that seems to be recruiting for its better districts is Texas, where I have certification, but it's very competitive. North Carolina and Florida, where I also obtained certifications, were recruiting heavily even one year ago, but state budget woes are putting an end to that for the time being.

I apply to private schools nation-wide as well, but despite superior academic credentials, never hear back from them. I think there may be some age discrimination going on there. From observation, I think that private academies and boarding schools tend to hire under-30s who can also coach a sport (which I have no aptitude for doing) as an additional unpaid responsibility.

[horseplayer]

And a lot of teachers commute (carpool) to Tucson. Don't do it. It's not economically sound. You will be tired after spending a day teaching English to students, whose parents make them speak Spanish at home.

One year, the police brought pictures of the gang activity to the Board meeting and the HS Principal was removed. She could very well be your new boss.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Patrick Murtha

See, that is the problem: Only the worst places in America are recruiting teachers! I'm semi-serious about that -- Las Vegas and Oakland are on the market as well as New Orleans and Nogales.

What's wrong with Vegas?

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

What's wrong with Vegas?

I agree, Sierra . . . with those options, LAS VEGAS is a no-brainer.

[Patrick Murtha]

Well, I'm a little harsh on Vegas, having lived there once already (although I didn't teach there). The last I heard, the high schools in Nevada had the lowest graduation rate of any state.

I just found Vegas kind of weird and artificial. There was always no much construction going on that I couldn't breathe, so I had to go on medication (unusual for me). The city seemed to attract people with problems -- gambling problems, alcohol problems, drug problems, emotional problems -- more than anyplace else I have ever lived or visited. It is also the most transient city in America. It used to be pretty cheap to live there, but it has gotten kind of expensive now. And I think the immediate economic prospects for Vegas are pretty terrible.