Spanish Teacher seeking a teaching position (Phoenix: home, job market, private schools)

[emmelopez]

Hi to all,

I am very excited about moving to Phoenix, AZ next year. I currently live in Kansas City, and quite honestly, it is a nice city to live in, but I love being outdoors and the idea of being able to run for the majority of the year is more enticing than what I have in KC: I run for about 4 months in the summer and it gets pretty humid around here. Any who, enough of KC! I chose Phoenix as a new destination because I can stand the summer heat and because it will allow me to basically run all year, even in the heat (yes, I am an experienced runner).

I currently teach Spanish in the KC metro area and like it, but I am starting the certification process to teach in Arizona. I have experience teaching ELA, but Spanish is truly where my heart lies. I am limiting my job opportunities to private schools because I feel that has been my niche and comfort zone for the last 4 years of my teaching career. However, teaching at a public school would be embraced as well. So, for the question--sorry, I'm a long-winded, wordy individual--more specifically for teachers, how would you rate your experience teaching at a private school in Arizona? How comparable was your pay with public schools? Also, how is the current job market for teachers seeking Spanish positions?

Any replies would be great. Again, I am open to any feedback and especially honest. This is a huge move for me, and I am excited! KC has been my home for years, but I think it is time to move to a more urbanized city that can provide me with snow-free weather. Thanks again!

Emme

[Danjouswoodenhand]

Phoenix Union isn't private, but it is the best paying district in phoenix. I teach French, but it seems like we are always looking for Spanish teachers.

[Meadowsketch]

I have spanish teacher friends and have had my kids in Private then Charter schools. I hear public is better paid. My charter school friend taught elementary k-5 with about 400 kids; classes met approximately every third day but she had a full schedule to fit the 18 classes or so. I notice progress was slower compared to private school. Priv school friend teacher made less money (in the 20k's) but had less students and met daily with them. She had 5-8th grades- about 60 students. There was another spanish teacher for grades 1-4 and a third for pre-k. Best spanish teacher had loads of music. She had a song for everything!