Question for Colorado teachers.. cost of living etc.. poster from SF Bay Area (Grand Junction: schools, salaries)

[doolish1]

You cannot live in denver on a teacher salary.

[StealthRabbit]

My SIL teaches Special Ed 100% on-line.

Last month from Hawaii.

The physical requirements of lifting students was killing her back. Reporting structure was killing her productive teaching schedule.

4 yrs doing on-line teaching for a state PS system has been good for her. (not Colorado, but that is where she was certified).

>$65k, less than $100k,. Good state retirement plan.

[Locali]

[quote=doolish1;56866549]You cannot live in denver on a teacher salary.[/QUOTE

Can you please tell me how you know this? How does Denver have any teachers? Do they all live outside the city? Do children in Denver not need teachers? Do you know what a teacher’s salary is to justify this comment? If you have the low down on a teacher’s salary, to confidently tell me I couldn’t live there given my profession, could you tell me roughly what 14 years experience as an Ed specialist with 76 units post grad would put me on the pay sale in Denver?

Thanks

[Locali]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

My SIL teaches Special Ed 100% on-line.

Last month from Hawaii.

The physical requirements of lifting students was killing her back. Reporting structure was killing her productive teaching schedule.

4 yrs doing on-line teaching for a state PS system has been good for her. (not Colorado, but that is where she was certified).

>$65k, less than $100k,. Good state retirement plan.

How interesting! Teaching online wouldn’t be for me, but I’m glad she’s doing so well! She lives in Hawaii? Is the state retirement plan a Hawaii one? That’s awesome she’s doing that!

I’m more interested in living in Denver or a city mainland. It sounds like Denver doesn’t have teachers from the comments here.

[Locali]

Originally Posted by doolish1

You cannot live in denver on a teacher salary.

Well, I looked at some recent news about teacher strikes there. You’re right. It’s pretty shocking. We do far better and live more comfortably in the SF Bay Area or San Diego or Long Beach it appears. Although from what I’m reading, they’re looking to change things in Denver or they won’t have any teachers period. That’s too bad, I’ve heard such great things and was kind of excited about getting out of the crowded Bay Area. Denver sounds like such a cool place. Apparently not for teachers though.

[Vision67]

OP: Look here //www.city-data.com/forum/color...-colorado.html

Colorado needs to deal with this problem.

Until it does, one needs dual incomes comfortably to live in Denver.

[Locali]

Originally Posted by Vision67

OP: Look here http:////www.city-data.com/forum/col...-colorado.html

Colorado needs to deal with this problem.

Until it does, one needs dual incomes comfortably to live in Denver.

That’s pretty clear now. I’ve even been thinking of getting out of teaching. I love it. I think I’m
good at it, but financially, it keeps me trapped in one location, unless I went overseas where in Asia, international teachers are absolutely killing it financially. Thank you.

[brown_dog_us]

Colorado relies on a steady stream of 20 somethings to move to here and work for lower pay because of the mountains. That system is starting to fall apart because of the rising cost of housing. The solution for education is to pay more or accept lower quality schools and graduates.

I mentioned BVSD earlier because the teachers that make it work long term find districts that pay enough and they can live nearby. I think Grand Junction is another area that can work if your skills/experience line up favorably with their pay scale. Unless the teacher is married to someone who makes significantly more, working for Denver Public Schools doesn't work.

[Locali]

Originally Posted by brown_dog_us

Colorado relies on a steady stream of 20 somethings to move to here and work for lower pay because of the mountains. That system is starting to fall apart because of the rising cost of housing. The solution for education is to pay more or accept lower quality schools and graduates.

I mentioned BVSD earlier because the teachers that make it work long term find districts that pay enough and they can live nearby. I think Grand Junction is another area that can work if your skills/experience line up favorably with their pay scale. Unless the teacher is married to someone who makes significantly more, working for Denver Public Schools doesn't work.

Really interesting and great information. I’ll take a look at Grand Junction too. Thanks so much for you comments.

[doolish1]

You can live on a teacher salary if you live like a college student or marry well.