Texas teacher moving to Denver (Colorado Springs, Center: find a job, transfer, school districts)

[txgeneralist80]

Hi there!

My husband and I are moving to Denver (near Lowry) soon and I am hoping to have a teaching job to start out the 2010-11 school year. I know that there are similar posts but I have several different questions.

1. Anyone know how a 4-8 Generalist Texas teaching license (and an English degree) transfers to Colorado? CDE won't tell me anything until they get my application and I can't send it to January but I would like an idea for job searches and job fairs.

2. I am ESL certified in Texas but I am not an ESL teacher. I would be interested in an ESL job and there seem to be quite a few available now which makes me wonder why they aren't filled this far into the year. Is there anything about teaching ESL in Colorado that I should know?

3. I am willing to drive 40-50 minutes one way (with or without traffic) if necessary. Can anyone tell me what are some school districts that might be within the above range of Denver? Its hard to tell on the map how close things are and how they are affected by traffic.

4. I know that at the end of last summer a lot of teachers from Texas transferred to Colorado Springs to be with their army spouses. If you are one of those individuals I would love to chat via email with you about your experiences so far--particularly your job searches!

Thanks!

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

I don't know answers to your teaching questions, but regarding school districts within 50 minute drive from Lowry area you would have Denver, Adams County, Cherry Creek, and even some out east (Bennett is one that I am familiar with). Hopefully some other people would have a larger list. We live in the Tech Center and my husband teaches near Mississippi and Havana; his drive is less than 40 minutes.

[shukertj]

I've tutored ESL (at Emily Griffith Opportunity School, a vocational school downtown) and also substitute taught ESL at numerous DPS schools. It's one of my favorite subjects to teach as the kids are wonderful and truly want to learn. There's nothing weird about teaching ESL in Denver! : )

There are lots of great schools/districts in the area, and ESL teachers are always in high demand, so fortunately you probably won't have to commute too far to find a job you like. Lots of luck!

[shukertj]

I used to live in the Lowry/Stapleton area (Park Hill), so if you have any more questions about the area I'd be happy to try to help! : )