Should I teach in colorado??? Advice please

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Colorado Teachers Chatboard

Should I teach in colorado??? Advice please

by Cal

Jul 24, 2008

I was looking at Denver and it seems like a cool artsy place. I'm an art teacher and wondering if it would be worth teaching there? Would I be able to find a job? Does it pay well? What's the economy like there? I notice many homes are very pricey, some aren't. What's the cost of living like? I know bills varie for everyone, but what do you generally pay for food, electricity and gas there? Is Denver a safe community? What other towns are near?

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Lori On 7/25/08, ~Bradley wrote: > the teaching job market is VERY competitive

> > Furthermore, Colorado is such a far-right, redneck state that > many are calling for the total elimination of art and music > education on the grounds that these classes are useless for > getting a "real" job. > > I realize that I may be ...See More

Aug 16, 2008

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~Bradley On 8/16/08, Lori wrote:

> Bradley, I don't know where you're teaching, but it sounds like you > might be in a very rural area. There are certainly individuals who > think the arts aren't important, but I've not run up against an > entire community. The reason I moved here from CA was because my > music position, as well as ...See MoreOn 8/16/08, Lori wrote:

> Bradley, I don't know where you're teaching, but it sounds like you > might be in a very rural area. There are certainly individuals who > think the arts aren't important, but I've not run up against an > entire community. The reason I moved here from CA was because my > music position, as well as art and library, were cut. After having > had that happen 3 times, I bid CA a fond farewell and I haven't > looked back. The pay here is less, but at least I have a job that > I love. > > Don't give up on Colorado. Yes, it's competitive, but if you find > the right position, you'll love it!

No, I'm not in a rural area. I'm in Jefferson County, in an area not far from the Denver line. Although Jeffco does include some mountain areas and more affluent suburbs, those are not where I am.

I have a job I like very much, working as a classroom teacher. This is my fourth year there, so I now have tenure, and plan to stay.

However, the original poster asked about job availability for music teachers. In my present position, as well as the one-year contract I completed in Douglas County after my return from California, I found that music and art were not valued nearly as much as in California.

My own principal often says, "It's all about CSAP." She has also indicated that she considers the "Specials" classes to be "fluff." I also mentioned my school's track record regarding the number of music teachers who have come and gone during the short time I've been at this school.

I think it's tragic, and wrong, that the arts, and particularly music, are not an essential part of the very foundation of public school education here. But almost weekly you will see letters and editorials in the News and Post saying that public schools need to get "back to basics," eliminating anything but the most essential curriculum that can lead to higher test scores - and, theoretically, jobs.

This lack of value toward art and music education has consistently appeared to be, in my own experience, the prevailing attitude in Colorado. I'm glad to hear that your own experience has been different. It gives one hope.

~Bradle

Aug 17, 2008

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lee ann costello On 7/24/08, Art Teach in CO wrote: > We love CO, but the teaching job market is VERY competitive > out here. Luckily, I have multiple subjects that I can teach > and I have some experience. Art positions (especially in the > high school) are VERY hard to find unless you don't mind > teaching in rural areas (or in the inner city/tough...See More

Sep 15, 2008

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Steve On 8/16/08, Lori wrote: > > Wow! I moved here from California 4 years ago and haven't > regretted if for a moment! I was immediately offered two positions > teaching elementary music and the one I opted for has been > heavenly. I feel entirely supported by the district and especially > the community. Our school board recently sign...See More

Sep 17, 2008

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Maria If you want to work in the mountains --note: very very expensive -- - but are looking for an elementary art position, there might be an opening for the 09-10 school year in Gypsum, CO. And I'd like to just add that it took me 7 months to get my CO. teaching license.

On 9/15/08, lee ann costello wrote: > On 7/24/08, Art Teach in CO wrote...See MoreIf you want to work in the mountains --note: very very expensive -- - but are looking for an elementary art position, there might be an opening for the 09-10 school year in Gypsum, CO. And I'd like to just add that it took me 7 months to get my CO. teaching license.

On 9/15/08, lee ann costello wrote: > On 7/24/08, Art Teach in CO wrote: >> We love CO, but the teaching job market is VERY competitive >> out here. Luckily, I have multiple subjects that I can teach >> and I have some experience. Art positions (especially in the >> high school) are VERY hard to find unless you don't mind >> teaching in rural areas (or in the inner city/tougher areas) >> Also, salaries in CO are low compared to other states. >> >> My recommendation is to start filling out applications and >> sending out resumes NOW! Do you have a CO teaching license?!? >> (It takes at least 6-8 weeks for them (CDE) to process your >> application/documents in order to issue you one).Also, the >> new school year starts in a few weeks (although some schools >> in Denver are on a year-round schedule),and sometimes you >> can pick up a job that was hastily/unexpectantly vacated. >> >> Please, whatever you do, DO NOT MOVE out here before you >> have a position...You will end up having to sub (with very >> little pay and no benefits), and there's no guarantee that >> you will get a position in the near future. >> >> There are a couple people that I know who have been looking >> for a teaching job for the last 2 years! >> >> So, be smart and CHOOSE WISELY. >> >> >> >> On 7/24/08, Cal wrote: >>> I was looking at Denver and it seems like a cool artsy >>> place. I'm an art teacher and wondering if it would be >>> worth teaching there? Would I be able to find a job? Does >>> it pay well? What's the economy like there? I notice many >>> homes are very pricey, some aren't. What's the cost of >>> living like? I know bills varie for everyone, but what do >>> you generally pay for food, electricity and gas there? Is >>> Denver a safe community? What other towns are near?

Apr 13, 2009

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