Teaching in Houston Follow-Up (insurance, schools, teachers)

[nana053]

Originally Posted by Denver303TJC

Thanks! Should I also take into consideration scores from the website "greatschools"?

Those are ok, but not the best of the ratings.

Try Niche:
https://www.niche.com/k12/rankings/p...on-metro-area/

and Children at Risk
School Rankings | CHILDREN AT RISK

For High schools look at those and also look at the US News and World Report
Top Texas High Schools | Best High Schools in Texas | US News

[Wes59]

Originally Posted by Denver303TJC

Thanks! Should I also take into consideration scores from the website "greatschools"?

you can, but your continued employment will be based on how TEA feels about it. :-) Gradeschool really just takes those score and (I think) what parents think about the school. Get a few parents that are pissed off about something we cannot control, and the score drops.

[Wes59]

I have worked in schools other people would gasp a driving by, and loved almost every minute. If the principal and your fellow teachers have your back, it can be great. I have also been in gifted and talented magnet schools that I hated, because I felt left out in the open.

[Denver303TJC]

Originally Posted by Wes59

I have worked in schools other people would gasp a driving by, and loved almost every minute. If the principal and your fellow teachers have your back, it can be great. I have also been in gifted and talented magnet schools that I hated, because I felt left out in the open.

Good point! I interviewed with a charter school and the women who interviewed me seemed down-to-earth and like they'd be good to work with, from an admin level at least. That's neat that you enjoyed working in those schools!

[Wes59]

I have never taught in a so called purely safe, suburban, "Hostess Twinkies" kinda school. Even the magnet school I was at was in a heavy minority, HISD environment. And I taught behavior kids.
Now, I am retiring from Texas, moving to Arkansas to teach there for a couple of years. I can guarantee that I will be placed in a rough school, once they see my resume. I am cool with that. Not sure I could teach kids that are on grade level and did not act up...

Good luck to you.

[Denver303TJC]

And I'm guessing there aren't any "teacher staffing agencies" in Houston? I know for corporate and blue collar work there is, but I'm guessing I just will need to manually apply at various districts and schools until something comes along. :-)

[Wes59]

Originally Posted by Denver303TJC

And I'm guessing there aren't any "teacher staffing agencies" in Houston? I know for corporate and blue collar work there is, but I'm guessing I just will need to manually apply at various districts and schools until something comes along. :-)

Correct. No head-hunters for teaching positions.

[Denver303TJC]

Originally Posted by Wes59

Correct. No head-hunters for teaching positions.

(Bleep) . Oh well

[Denver303TJC]

Originally Posted by Wes59

Correct. No head-hunters for teaching positions.

I ended up finding an agency which recruited for subs, but it was kinda the "fend for yourselves" approach, where when a job comes along they post it on their website and the first to claim it, gets it. So it wasn't like I thought, where they'd place you in a school as a long-term sub. (sigh)

[rdz1979]

I've been teaching in Texas for 8 years now. I've worked with Mission CISD, Cy-Fair ISD, Houston ISD, and now Alief ISD. I think you are over thinking this whole thing. Its not that complicated. Just apply online at whichever districts you want. When they call you, go to the interview and sell yourself. Starting pay in Houston averages around 50 grand a year.

About certification. If you feel confident, just take the PPR. I passed it the first time. It's basically a reading test. Those are easy. Then take whichever content you are going to take. If you don't feel confident, then go alt. cert. Districts need teachers.

Also, in these programs you can learn some good things that are related to teaching, but to be brutally honest, the average person really doesn't start getting anything resembling good at teaching until a few years into the profession. Most people don't even make it past the first year. A good rule of thumb in the profession is 3 years and then we know you will last. Until then you are new.

Just apply, its really not that hard.