NYS Certified Teacher looking to relocate (Denver, Colorado Springs: home, transfer, elementary school)

[beanie13]

I am a NY State certified teacher in elementary edu 1-6 and students with disabilities 1-6. I have worked as a teacher aide in a school for children with autism for the past 7 years and also as a home ABA provider. I got my certification in February and have been actively searching for out of state teaching positions, especially in Colorado (because I've always wanted to live there), since the market here on Long Island is horrible. I have an interview lined up with the Venetucci Elementary School in Widefield School Disctrict. I just wanted to know what the chances are for an out of state applicant are and how competitive the interview process is in that district. I also want to know what the cost of living out in Colorado Springs is and what the nightlife and things to do for a young single 25 year old female from New York would be like.

[otowi]

Venetucci is just down the street from me. Widefield typically hires "its own" but if you're getting an interview I think you have a fair shot. I teach in a different district but we have hired people based on phone interviews if they seemed the best candidate. I would expect cost of living to be considerably less than Long Island, but also considerably less night life.

[hollyt00]

Widefield will be a considerable change in pace for you, you may like it! If you love the fast-paced, always something to do in NY, then you may be a bit lacking in the entertainment category. Denver is about an hour or so away, though.

[beanie13]

Thanks for your input. I'm definitely interested in a change of pace compared to NY and I really enjoy hiking, biking, snowboarding and other outdoor activities so I think Colorado would be a good fit. And i do enjoy the nightlife, but as you said holly, Denver is not so far away!

Otowi, what district do you teach at? Generally with Colorado districts do they have more than one interview? I have a skype interview, but would there be a follow up interview with a demo lesson? That's generally how they do things on Long Island but it is an intense interview process since there are so many people vying for one spot.

[otowi]

I teach in Colorado Springs D11 but live in and attended Widefield District 3 and have family that attends and works there. As for interviews - every principal may do it differently. Typically we have not done the demo lesson thing to my knowledge.

[beanie13]

Do they generally just have one interview with the team and make the decision based on that then?

[otowi]

Yes, usually, but again, principals can pretty much do what they want so it may vary.

[captain_hug99]

I concur with otowi. I'm in D49 and have interviewed in: D11, D49, D20, and many charter schools. Each position for which I interviewed had a single interview and that was it.

When I first started interviewing in Colorado, I had a Connecticut license and lived in Virginia. I had a hard time finding a position. Make sure you are already trying to get your Colorado license, that will be a large factor when it comes to whether a school will hire you.

[otowi]

Yes, and do your online research so you know as much as reasonably possible about the school and district you're interviewing with.

[beanie13]

Thanks for all your input guys. I was offered the job and as long as my references are good and the paperwork goes through human resources im in. They have not said anything about transferring my NY certification over thouhg. Is this because NY has reciprocity so I will be able to work with it until the transfer goes through? I have not yet applied for a CO license and the process is confusing to me while I was looking into it online. What do I need to have done? I already have the program verification forms from my graduate school but not sure what else I need.