teaching jobs in Broward (Miami, Pembroke Pines: 2014, insurance, home)

[tf2014]

Moving to Broward in July and I am starting to look for teaching jobs. I'm a certified teacher in Reading and ESL, but I am also planning on taking the test to get certified in Elementary. Does anyone know how easy/hard it is to get a job in this area?

What is the work climate like? I am currently working for a district that pays lousy, demands an extreme amount of work on one's own time, and acts like they are doing you a favor for hiring you. I've worked in several different states and districts and have never come across such a nasty work climate as I have at my current school, so I'd like to avoid it if I can.

I know the pay isn't great, but my personal circumstances are changing, so I don't have to make as much as I do now. What about benefits? Are they any good?

With my living location, I would also be able to commute to some schools in Palm Beach County, so if anyone knows anything about those, I'll take all the info I can get!

Thanks!

[ruhighlander]

Broward will be hiring a lot of teachers this year. So many people are retiring or leaving for various reasons. Besides the low pay I have enjoyed the two schools I have worked in. I have worked in Pembroke Pines and Cooper City. Good Luck!

[ralanprod]

Originally Posted by tf2014

... I am currently working for a district that pays lousy, demands an extreme amount of work on one's own time, and acts like they are doing you a favor for hiring you. I've worked in several different states and districts and have never come across such a nasty work climate as I have at my current school, so I'd like to avoid it if I can.

Sounds like you already work down here...

Seriously though, there is a looming teacher shortage in this area. My wife is an administrator in Miami-Dade, and it is taking weeks to fill an open position. She's in one of the "most desirable" schools in the county, so I'd hate to see how hard it is at others.

I could go on all day about why the desire to get into teaching is in great decline, but I'm sure you know the factors.

As for benefits - the salary isn't high compared to the cost of living. The way that the contracts are structured gives little salary advancement for 15-18 years. The insurance isn't bad for what is available insurance-wise these days. It is at no cost for you. However if you want family or dependent coverage it is pretty pricey. Also, unless it's been changed (pretty sure it hasn't) there is a 2% mandatory retirement contribution to the Florida pension fund. It's not a huge cost for the benefit it provides, but you do have to factor the expense when calculating expected take home pay.