Recent college grad thinking about Memphis. (Central, Midtown: apartment, employment, best school districts)

[BuckeyeGrad5211]

I'm getting ready to graduate from The Ohio State University this June, and am looking at different locations to start my life. I have to be particularly location conscious here because I am going to be going into middle school education- salaries, cost of living, etc. need to be taken in mind. I will need to complete a post-baccalaureate licensure program near where I plan to get a job, since I hear that most schools tend to hire graduates from schools within a 50 mile radius of their district. (not sure if that's true; correct me if I'm wrong)

So, my questions:
1. What are some good, affordable areas of town for a recent college grad?

2. What are some good non-denominational churches with contemporary worship, small group Bible studies, and lots of activities- particularly for young singles and a men's ministry? My faith is very important to me, and I would rather have most of my social life revolve around my church versus bars/clubs.

3. I know many people in the South tend to marry young. Is this also true in large cities like the Memphis area? Being single, I'd like to live somewhere that I'll have a chance at meeting young single women, particularly through a church.

4. Since male classroom teachers are rare at the elementary and middle school level,many states and districts are actively trying to recruit more men to teach and be positive male role models to younger children. Does anyone know if the state of Tennessee or any Memphis-area districts are doing/emphasizing this? What about De Soto County in Mississippi, just to the south?

5. What are the best school districts in the area, as far as academic performance and funding? Many schools (at least here in Central Ohio) have had levies not pass, and this has obviously affected how the schools operate as well as the teaching environment. Not sure if similar financial problems are affecting schools in the Memphis area, but bus service, sports, and music/art classes have been cut or reduced at schools up here in Ohio.

Sorry for the load of questions, and anyone that can answer even a few of them has my thanks in advance. For the record, other places I'm considering looking are Atlanta, Charlotte, and Raleigh; not sure how they compare with Memphis.

[maximus10]

1.) Probably parts of Mud Island, maybe. Depends on what you mean by affordable. Midtown Memphis, Cooper-Young area.

2.)Not sure about what churches are best for young professionals. If I had to guess, I would say there would probably be some churches out in Cordova that would meet your needs. Which ones, I have no idea.

3.)Not really a problem in a big city like Memphis IMO. That probably holds up more in the rural, surrounding areas.

4.)I have no idea about that. I've never heard about that being an issue here. I could be wrong since I don't know the culture of being a teacher.

5.)The best school district in this area are Shelby County Schools than probably Desoto County Schools. Most agree that Memphis City Schools are bad but there are exceptions in their system. None of the activities like sports and arts have been cut from any of the school districts. I don't believe it has even been disscussed.

[Pearlbob]

If you want to be a teacher in memphis, you need to really REALLY research that. Memphis has one of the worst school systems in the country. A lot of crime, many dangerous schools. I say that, because when you get hired on, you do not get to choose where you are placed. I have known people who have moved here to teach, without doing much research into it, and they leave after a year, scared for their lives.

Just something to really settle first and foremore before you ask about Memphis as a whole. Memphis as a whole can be a great city; the school system is a totally different ballgame.

[S. C. Stuart]

I think you'll definitely want midtown... more affordable than downtown and close to lots of stuff... including "First Congo," an active contemporary, progressive church with lots of activities. Plus midtown has lots of young groups of bikers, runners, arts groups, etc.

The other posters are right about the challenges facing the Memphis City Schools, but the district just got a huge grant from Bill Gates to implement a massive teacher recruitment and improvement effort. The bad teachers are getting run out and the teachers who are good will advance to $70,000+! There are also a ton of private schools in Memphis... check out Grace-St. Luke's, Presbyterian Day School, St. Benedict, to name a few.

I'll tell you this... I left Memphis for Charlotte in the early 1990s and moved back here to start and raise a family. I love it.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by S. C. Stuart

I think you'll definitely want midtown... more affordable than downtown and close to lots of stuff... including "First Congo," an active contemporary, progressive church with lots of activities. Plus midtown has lots of young groups of bikers, runners, arts groups, etc.

The other posters are right about the challenges facing the Memphis City Schools, but the district just got a huge grant from Bill Gates to implement a massive teacher recruitment and improvement effort. The bad teachers are getting run out and the teachers who are good will advance to $70,000+! There are also a ton of private schools in Memphis... check out Grace-St. Luke's, Presbyterian Day School, St. Benedict, to name a few.

I'll tell you this... I left Memphis for Charlotte in the early 1990s and moved back here to start and raise a family. I love it.

How can they "run out" bad teachers when those bad teachers have tenure? The best they can do is move them around within the system. And even then, it is very difficult since tenured teachers with seniority, no matter how good or bad, contractually get to pick their schools. The teachers' union would put up a bloody fight if that were to change.

Teaching in private schools, however, is much more pleasant, but private schools in Memphis (especially the ones you mentioned) pay a LOT less than public schools.

To the OP: as a new teacher, Memphis City Schools might be a frightening experience. You would most likely get a teaching position that no one else wants. As Pearlbob said, new teachers in Memphis often leave after the first year, and in many cases after the first semester. I don't know how it is now, but when I lived in Memphis a few years ago, at any one time there were hundreds of teaching vacancies because so many teachers just up and quit. The pay is good, but the stress can be severe.

[(901)]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeGrad5211

I'm getting ready to graduate from The Ohio State University this June, and am looking at different locations to start my life. I have to be particularly location conscious here because I am going to be going into middle school education- salaries, cost of living, etc. need to be taken in mind. I will need to complete a post-baccalaureate licensure program near where I plan to get a job, since I hear that most schools tend to hire graduates from schools within a 50 mile radius of their district. (not sure if that's true; correct me if I'm wrong)

So, my questions:
1. What are some good, affordable areas of town for a recent college grad?

2. What are some good non-denominational churches with contemporary worship, small group Bible studies, and lots of activities- particularly for young singles and a men's ministry? My faith is very important to me, and I would rather have most of my social life revolve around my church versus bars/clubs.

3. I know many people in the South tend to marry young. Is this also true in large cities like the Memphis area? Being single, I'd like to live somewhere that I'll have a chance at meeting young single women, particularly through a church.

4. Since male classroom teachers are rare at the elementary and middle school level,many states and districts are actively trying to recruit more men to teach and be positive male role models to younger children. Does anyone know if the state of Tennessee or any Memphis-area districts are doing/emphasizing this? What about De Soto County in Mississippi, just to the south?

5. What are the best school districts in the area, as far as academic performance and funding? Many schools (at least here in Central Ohio) have had levies not pass, and this has obviously affected how the schools operate as well as the teaching environment. Not sure if similar financial problems are affecting schools in the Memphis area, but bus service, sports, and music/art classes have been cut or reduced at schools up here in Ohio.

Sorry for the load of questions, and anyone that can answer even a few of them has my thanks in advance. For the record, other places I'm considering looking are Atlanta, Charlotte, and Raleigh; not sure how they compare with Memphis.

1) Colonial Acres, UofM area, Some parts of Mid-Town.The area around Grahmwood Elementary is surprising not to bad either and very affordable

2) www.hopepres.com < This Church is very popular with the youngins and very active in the community

www.thelifechurch.com < This one also seems intresting to me

3)No, we don't all marry are cousins at 15 shotgun style. There are plenty of singles here.
The Churches above have very active singles group.

*Stay away from the women on Summer Avenue...There Trouble

4)I remember reading an article about 6 months or so ago talking about the need for more Male Teachers in the system. You should not have a problem seaking employment here. I would reccomend County or Ms, schools unless you have extremly good patience

5)Wow, I kinda answered this, but here goes:

Memphis City Schools:

White Station Jr & Sr High
Overton High School
Central High School
Colonial Jr High School
Balmorial Jr & Sr High School

Elementary:

Grahmwood
Peabody
Snowden
Idlewild

County/Mississippi Schools I'm not to familure with, someone else will chime in I'm sure

As for the other cities your chosen from. I can't say. I've never lived in any of them. We could certainally use you here.

Another note:

I can't tell you how many times I've heard ppl who move here from afar state how affordable Memphis is, and how they fall in love with this city.

Maybe its something in the water. Dunno

[(901)]

You being a teacher and all, I'm sure you wanna correct my misspelling and all the other errors. No need, I already know I'm lacking in this area. I'm a product of MCS

[BuckeyeGrad5211]

Thanks for all the responses! Are there residency requirements for licensure? Would I be able to live in Memphis while teaching in Desoto County MS?

As for some of the church suggestions, they all seem pretty interesting and like what I would be looking for. Thanks again!

[bonniesaturn02]

congrats on your graduation! and how wonderful that you are checking out memphis!!
definitely check out the life church! also check out cordova when you begin looking at an apartment.

[clobbersaurus01]

There should be some teachers lurking on this site somewhere. I probably can't reference other message boards, but I know a sports one that has teachers that post. Memphis has singles, and has a young professional organization that has regular meetings (MPact). I always prop them because I think their purpose is valuable and sincere and they seem to be good and welcoming reps of the city.