Veteran teacher considering a move to CT

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Connecticut Teachers Chatboard

Veteran teacher considering a move to CT

by Nick

May 29, 2012

Hello all,

I'm considering a move to CT from MA where I've been teaching for the last 8 years. The reduced cost of living and family friendly neighborhoods are attractive, but I have a few concerns about making the leap. What I am most unsure about is that I may be too experienced (and thus expensive) to land a teaching position.

Would that be an issue? Are there any strategies around it? What else should I be considering?

Thanks all,

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flutetoot I guess my first question to you is what are you certified in? To be honest, jobs in CT are scarce, and there are many applicants for each position. That said, I know many districts are having budgetary issues, and are cutting back. Depending on your cert area, schools will try to get the cheapest candidate. Also, do you have your Masters? That mak...See More

May 29, 2012

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Nick Thanks for the response. I'm licensed in MA to teach History (5-12) and Art (5-12)- finishing my Masters next year. I grew up in central CT. Now, with kids, I am thinking it might be easier to make a go of it down there rather than in the Boston area where a decent house in a decent neighborhood won't be a possibility for quite a while.

A...See MoreThanks for the response. I'm licensed in MA to teach History (5-12) and Art (5-12)- finishing my Masters next year. I grew up in central CT. Now, with kids, I am thinking it might be easier to make a go of it down there rather than in the Boston area where a decent house in a decent neighborhood won't be a possibility for quite a while.

Any and all info that you could share would be appreciated.

Thanks

On 5/29/12, flutetoot wrote: > I guess my first question to you is what are you certified > in? To be honest, jobs in CT are scarce, and there are many > applicants for each position. That said, I know many > districts are having budgetary issues, and are cutting back. > Depending on your cert area, schools will try to get the > cheapest candidate. Also, do you have your Masters? That > makes a difference too. > > As for the reduced cost of living - that depends on where in > CT you plan to move. CT is one of the highest taxed states in > the nation - rents are very high, and you can barely make it > on a teacher's salary. Make sure you research the area before > you move. We also are undergoing extensive educational > reform. > > I'm trying to remain diplomatic here, but in my experience, I > have been searching for a full-time contract for 5 years now > to no avail. I have obtained other certs but still have no > job. My husband and I have decided that if I still have no > job by the time he is eligible to retire from the public > schools (in about 2 years) we will get out of CT. > > > > > > On 5/29/12, Nick wrote: >> Hello all, >> >> I'm considering a move to CT from MA where I've been >> teaching for the last 8 years. The reduced cost of living >> and family friendly neighborhoods are attractive, but I >> have a few concerns about making the leap. What I am most >> unsure about is that I may be too experienced (and thus >> expensive) to land a teaching position. >> >> Would that be an issue? Are there any strategies around it? >> What else should I be considering? >> >> Thanks all,

May 29, 2012

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flutetoot To be blunt, History teachers are a dime-a dozen around here, and forget about art. With the new reforms, many art programs are being cut or reduced. I am also in central CT. Have you looked into other areas of Massachusetts? Also, make sure you check on reciprocity.

Not trying to be negative, but the outlook here in CT is very bleak. ...See More

May 31, 2012

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Math Teach I think you would be better off staying in MA.

From what I can see about the certification exams, (at least for math) they seem to be slightly more difficult (or should I say not as easy) as the Praxis 2 exams here in CT. For the math exam, all one needs is a 137 to pass. Got a pulse? You passed! I would think a more difficult exam would w...See More

Jun 9, 2012

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