La Crosse area (Madison: house, teaching jobs, theater)

[jessicamarie725]

Is anyone here from/familiar with the La Crosse area? I will be graduating in May and moving up there to be near my boyfriend. I will be looking for a job as I will be taking a year off to apply for graduate shcool. I will be receiving a B.F.A. with a self-initiated major in "dance, digital filmmaking, and psychology" - If you really want an explanation, just ask and I'll explain later - Anyhow, since I will not really be settling down into a career there, I am exploring a few options:

1. substitute teaching... does anyone know how difficult the process is to become a substitute teacher is? How often does one typically work?

2. Tutoring... are there any good tutoring programs in town?

3. dance instructor... do you know of any quality dance studios/academies in the area?

4. "the arts" related - what is the arts life like in la crosse? Is there a general city-wide/community interest in the arts?

5. in a non profit organization

Any input would be great. I have been doing my research, but could always use the help of someone familiar with the area.

[huggybear28]

Post this in the general Wisconsin forum instead of the Madison one and you should get some responses.

[golfgal]

I can't help you with most of your information but I am pretty sure you have to be a licensed teacher to substitute in Wisconsin. To be able to do so you would need a degree in education. Some private schools may hire non-certified subs however. If you can get into a couple private schools to sub you can probably work pretty much every day.

[huggybear28]

I originally asked to have this moved more because it was bothering me that it was in the Madison forum. I would have answered the questions then but I have been busy, so now I will be glad to answer some of your questions.

1.) If you are looking for a substitute teacher position you will need a license. I do not want to be the bearer of disappointing news but it is hard to get a substitute teacher job in La Crosse and extremely hard to get a teaching job. The school district gets over 1500 teacher applications every year and have at the most 20-30 positions open per year. Granted this is for actual teachers but the only way to get into the district is to know someone or substitute teach until a position opens. Even as a substitute teacher you would probably need to know someone or have a good amount of experience. Substitute teaching or student teaching are about the only ways to get into the district. Although many teachers in the district are eligible for retirements in the next few years and they will be obviously hiring many replacements so it does not hurt to try and get in.

2.) Tutoring? I am not familiar with it at all. I think many people who tutor students work for the school district as it is the main place where students would go for help.

3.) I am not familiar with the "dance scene" so I cannot help you there. I know there are some dance studios but I am not familiar with them at all.

4.) For the arts with the three colleges there is a higher interest in the arts. UW-L and Viterbo both have great theater productions every year. Also the community theater is very popular and has usually a sold out show for every performance. For art there is the pump house as well, but I am not familiar with it. It definitely does not have as much of a strong backing as the community theater. They are building a new transit center and have talked about designating the living space above it for upcoming artists but that idea fell through.

5.) As for non-profits there are many non-profits but I am not sure if any specialize in the arts. Although many do a great job helping the less fortunate in the community as La Crosse has a higher poverty rate than many cities its size.

With a B.F.A. it may be really hard to find something within your degree in la Crosse as there really are not that many opportunities. The main industries that are growing are in the service and medical fields. The arts scene is strong for a smaller city but it is not growing. It seems like you would be willing to find something outside of your degree and in La Crosse that is what would probably happen.

[jessicamarie725]

Originally Posted by huggybear28

I originally asked to have this moved more because it was bothering me that it was in the Madison forum. I would have answered the questions then but I have been busy, so now I will be glad to answer some of your questions.

I didn't know there was a general forum, I just noticed the cities (new to this whole thing) but thanks for replying anyways! I had a feeling that most of what you all have said is the case. It seems pretty difficult to become a sub/actually get work in Wisconsin. And I have been to La Crosse a few time and the arts scene clearly isn't exactly booming.

I am not exactly sure what I will do if I end up in the area, but I suppose I will continue to look outside of my degree...

Thanks

[huggybear28]

No problem, I am glad we can help. I also want to point out if you do try to get a job in La Crosse try at Gundersen, Skemp, or Logistics Health. These three will be the main companies in town with openings and you should be able to look them up online.

[DSMWXMAN]

Teaching jobs will be tough to come by in La Crosse, but if you can get into a position as a (substitute) teacher in Art, you may have a better chance to get hired. I would try the colleges, as there are three in La Crosse, and I know UW-L and Viterbo have interesting Art programs.

The only dance studio I know of is Marilyn School of Dance, and I am not sure what employment opportunities exist there.

If finances provide, I would recommend starting some form of art business in the downtown area, or maybe another dance studio.

You can also try the La Crosse Community Theater and see what options they have.

Other than that, I cannot say there is a lot for someone with your educational background to find in La Crosse, and I would only recommend the hospital positions if you really need a job.

Hope this helps.