Re: considering a move to Ill

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Illinois Teachers Chatboard

considering a move to Ill

by Sue

Mar 28, 2017

I am an educator and reading specialist and live on the southern MA/ northern RI border. I have taught in both states (RI and Mass). Where I live and work, the pace of life is very fast, there is lots of materialism and snobbery, the value system is sports and money. Frankly, we hate it. We cannot be around this any longer. We are looking to move and Il is one of the places we are considering. I would love to hear from educators about your experience teaching in this state. In my district, everything (including our evaluations) is linked to test scores and common core standards. That is probably the case everywhere. However, I think it is harder to teach in some states than in others. In your state are the salaries reasonably competitive (relatively speaking)? How's the level of respect for teachers? How's the morale? Any thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated. thank you!

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mrsd Hi, I think it depends on where you live in Illinois. The pay varies widely. As far as living in Illinois, the property taxes are higher the closer you live to Chicago, and they aren't cheap anywhere else. But, housing is much cheaper. I see what my son in NJ paid for his house, and the same house in my area (60 miles west of Chicago) would have co...See MoreHi, I think it depends on where you live in Illinois. The pay varies widely. As far as living in Illinois, the property taxes are higher the closer you live to Chicago, and they aren't cheap anywhere else. But, housing is much cheaper. I see what my son in NJ paid for his house, and the same house in my area (60 miles west of Chicago) would have cost about 1/3 of that! My son and family who live in West Central Illinois have even lower housing costs and taxes. However, the teacher pay is much lower. That being said, the pressures are high, even in my smaller district. Illinois hasn't had a budget passed in over two years, and the state is falling behind in paying the schools. Class sizes are increasing. BUT, I loved my district. There are just under 2000 students in the entire district. They mostly value teachers, depending on the principal and building. Our middle and high schools are both Chromebook one- to-one schools. There is an emphasis on STEM. However, when I sub, I see the stresses and pressures on the teachers in my old school. Many of the younger teachers aren't sure they are going to continue in education. The pressures are worse in the larger districts. If you are looking at smaller districts, be prepared for lower pay and more responsibilities. Good luck with your decision. Karen

On 3/28/17, Sue wrote: > I am an educator and reading specialist and live on > the southern MA/ northern RI border. I have taught in > both states (RI and Mass). Where I live and work, the > pace of life is very fast, there is lots of > materialism and snobbery, the value system is sports > and money. Frankly, we hate it. We cannot be around > this any longer. We are looking to move and Il is > one of the places we are considering. I would love to > hear from educators about your experience teaching in > this state. In my district, everything (including our > evaluations) is linked to test scores and common core > standards. That is probably the case everywhere. > However, I think it is harder to teach in some states > than in others. In your state are the salaries > reasonably competitive (relatively speaking)? How's > the level of respect for teachers? How's the morale? > Any thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated. > thank you!

Apr 15, 2017

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