Dallas area school districts (Fort Worth, Plano: townhouse, layoffs, safe area)

[profesora]

Hello,

I'm a Spanish teacher in VA who is considering relocating to the Dallas area. Would like info on the area school districts (which are good/not so good) to consider applying to. Also need info on which areas to avoid in terms of schools, housing, etc. Would like to find a house/townhouse similar to what I have here (1250 sf, 2 BR/2BA) in a decent, safe area that allows pets. Prefer to teach in a high achieving well run school/district where teachers are supported by the administration . I have heard that the Plano and Richardson areas are strong districts, but don't know any other info about the area at all. If anyone knows of any upcoming (or current) Spanish vacancies would appreciate all info.

Thanks for your replies!

[mSooner]

Highland Park, Lewisville ISD, Colleyville ISD fit the bill

Allen and McKinney are probably good too. Grapevine ISD too?

I would guess DISD would have lots of opportunities related to Spanish, but it has problems, like all inner-city school districts.

[txgolfer130]

Frisco...their hiring is down, but still hired 336 teachers for 2010. Here is their link:
FISD Online :: (http://www.friscoisd.org/employment/openings.aspx - broken link)

[skyview22]

Many districts have a mix of socioeconomic areas and the schools can vary.

Highland Park fits your bill, but it takes a lot to get a job there.

Districts closest to the city pay best in general, but I found a $20,000 difference between the highest and lowest paying districts so do your research. Region 10 and Region 11 Educational Service centers are for the Dallas/Fort Worth area and have websites with info for you.

Another suggestion is the Birdville School District in the North Richland Hills area. It is hard to get a job there but not impossible. In 2009 I know 15,000 people applied and 100-150 were hired. Since you experienced, its a better situation for you.

Good luck!

[TurtleCreek80]

Spanish is tough- in most smaller districts (ie, a Highland Park ISD), there is 1 teacher who teaches at all 4 elementary schools, about 2 teachers for the whole middle school, and again 2 for the whole high school. That's approx 5 Spanish teachers in a district with 20 English teachers, 20+ math teachers, 20+ science teachers, etc). It's more rare that there would be an opening for Spanish.

All I will caution you is to watch the 2010/2011 budget talks in TX very carefully. My best friend teaches in Plano and there is talk of fairly significant teacher layoffs next year due to budget gaps- these gaps were pushed out another year due to state stimulous (I think?) money that was funnelled into education. Also, Texas has had a "Robin Hood" funding act in place since 1991, which redistributes funding from rich districts to poor districts. Rich districts (such as Highland Park, Coppell, Carroll, Colleyville-Grapevine, and hundreds more) now give away as much as 75% of the tax revenue collected and send it to the state for redistribution....this has caused a bigger budget crunch for these high-performing districts. In some cases (ie, HP's "Mad for Plaid" effort) the parents give millions to the rich schools to help them close budget gaps every year. It is seriously messed up.
Just do your homework before deciding to relocate. Especially in a niche subject like Spanish.

"Good" districts in the DFW area are:
Highland Park
Coppell
Lewisville-Flower Mound
Rockwall
Grapevine-Colleyville
Carroll
Frisco
Allen
McKinney

Plano, Richardson, Garland are all good districts, but HUGE. As a teacher, you are nothig but a number to the superindentent who oversees 30,000-50,000 students and a staff of thousands. Things come down from the administration and there is little chance to adapt to your school's individual needs, which you have in a small district.

Dallas ISD has some good schools, too. Look up the TEA ratings and focus on schools with Exemplary and Recognized (top 2 state levels) status.

There are many private schools, too. Do you have a Master's? That is generally a requirement for private schools....

[profesora]

Thanks for all of the info - this will be helpful if I decide to check more into a possible move. Sounds like the budget situation there is tough and possibly similar to what happened here this year with lots of teacher layoffs.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by profesora

Thanks for all of the info - this will be helpful if I decide to check more into a possible move. Sounds like the budget situation there is tough and possibly similar to what happened here this year with lots of teacher layoffs.

Yes- whatever your district experienced this school year will likely be happening all over Texas next year.