Raise kids in Wyoming? Teaching jobs? (Cheyenne, Casper: new home, good schools, salaries)

[hayesfamof4]

Hi!! We are in the slums of Delaware and currently on the hunt for our new home. We hate where we live. The city has gone down hill and it's just not a place to raise our family. We tried Florida for a while because we love Mickey and love clear water beaches. However, the traffic and congestion was a nightmare. Sign me up for several root canals over waiting 30 minutes in traffic every time I want to go somewhere.

I am a teacher, so I need a place where I can get a job. It isn't happening in Delaware. Budgets are tight and if you don't know a Principal, forget it! I have a Masters Degree in Special Education and one in ESOL Literacy. I also have 2 kids - 7 and 6. I want a family friendly location, where there are community events and people know each other. My husband is a truck driver.
I am not sure this kind of place exists. I was looking at Colorado but from what I see, teaching jobs are hard to come by.

So I am looking for a family friendly area with good schools and teaching jobs. Does this place exist in Wyoming or am I dreaming?
Thanks,
Lauren

[Wyomama2]

I don't know how hard it is to get a teaching job in Wyoming but I do know we pay our teachers well. It does exist but you will have to make some calls. Casper and Cheyenne are the biggest communities, and windy as all get out but nice. Cheyenne is about 60,000 people but has a small town feel. Gillette or Rock Springs may be an option, there are trucking jobs because of the oil industry. But they are desolate and can be hard to get used to.

[WyoNewk]

Wyoming schools are greatly state funded and pretty well funded. From what I see and hear, I think most all of them are very good. Teachers are paid well, among the top salaries in the nation, but that also means there's competition for jobs. Georgiainwyoming is a regular poster on this board, and I believe she's a special ed teacher so can give you some insight to obtaining a teaching job in the state when she sees your post.

There are also lots of truck driving jobs in Wyoming, but I don't know how many openings there are right now since the mineral extraction industry is currently off just a little. I doubt your husband would have too much trouble finding a job if he has the experience and certifications.

Traffic isn't usually much of a problem in Wyoming, as the population of the whole state is only a little over 500,000. The problem for many is the distance involved when you want to experience a bit of city life.

[branDcalf]

In my opinion, all towns in Wyoming are family friendly. I prefer the little towns, and at those the schools are the center of life. Everything from kid events to town-wide events.

Most, if not all, districts post openings. But if you find an area in which you are interested I wouldn't hesitate to send a resume to that district's office even if they don't have something specific to your degree and background listed. Not all openings make the website, and staffing has a way of changing over the summer.

There are opportunities for drivers with their CDLs in place.

I'll just add the caveat about our weather extremes and distances. Those seem to get folks who otherwise like Wyoming.

[WyoEagle]

Originally Posted by hayesfamof4

Hi!! We are in the slums of Delaware and currently on the hunt for our new home. We hate where we live. The city has gone down hill and it's just not a place to raise our family. We tried Florida for a while because we love Mickey and love clear water beaches. However, the traffic and congestion was a nightmare. Sign me up for several root canals over waiting 30 minutes in traffic every time I want to go somewhere.

I am a teacher, so I need a place where I can get a job. It isn't happening in Delaware. Budgets are tight and if you don't know a Principal, forget it! I have a Masters Degree in Special Education and one in ESOL Literacy. I also have 2 kids - 7 and 6. I want a family friendly location, where there are community events and people know each other. My husband is a truck driver.
I am not sure this kind of place exists. I was looking at Colorado but from what I see, teaching jobs are hard to come by.

So I am looking for a family friendly area with good schools and teaching jobs. Does this place exist in Wyoming or am I dreaming?
Thanks,
Lauren

This place exists in most of Wyoming.

[hayesfamof4]

Originally Posted by WyoEagle

This place exists in most of Wyoming.

Good to know. We are leaning towards Cheyenne. I was shocked to see some schools with one first grade, one second, and so on. The city we lived in when we were in FL had 9 first grades, and so on.... I want small town living.
That may make it hard for me to find work as a teacher though.

[sunsprit]

Originally Posted by hayesfamof4

Good to know. We are leaning towards Cheyenne. I was shocked to see some schools with one first grade, one second, and so on. The city we lived in when we were in FL had 9 first grades, and so on.... I want small town living.
That may make it hard for me to find work as a teacher though.

Don't forget that Wyoming has specific test requirements that you must pass to be a teacher.

Other posters, other threads on this forum address this requirement and can advise the details.

Be aware that Cheyenne is a high altitude desert plains/prairie area, not in the mountains. It has a rather difficult climate for much of the year, so keep this in mind when you are thinking about moving to Wyoming in view of so many choices around the state.

[WyoEagle]

Originally Posted by hayesfamof4

Good to know. We are leaning towards Cheyenne. I was shocked to see some schools with one first grade, one second, and so on. The city we lived in when we were in FL had 9 first grades, and so on.... I want small town living.
That may make it hard for me to find work as a teacher though.

Cheyenne is the biggest city in the state so may have a bit more positions open, however, this late in the summer there are likely not many positions open anywhere.

[sunsprit]

Originally Posted by WyoEagle

Cheyenne is the biggest city in the state so may have a bit more positions open, however, this late in the summer there are likely not many positions open anywhere.

Good Point ...

isn't school starting next week?

[jody_wy]

Originally Posted by hayesfamof4

Good to know. We are leaning towards Cheyenne. I was shocked to see some schools with one first grade, one second, and so on. The city we lived in when we were in FL had 9 first grades, and so on.... I want small town living.
That may make it hard for me to find work as a teacher though.

Star valley has 4 grade schools 2 are k-3rd and the other 2 are 4th-6th they are around 10-15 miles apart