New Jersey Teachers Chatboard

Catsister Until recently, nj.com and njhire were good. I got my first three jobs that way. This job I got through networking and knowing somebody. My co- workers got the job from the web site of the Archdiocese. Try a couple of archdioceses. I worked at both Newark and Metuchen. njhire is no longer free, but it still might be OK, if you want to pay.
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Aug 26, 2011

Miramira What kind of certification do you have?

On 8/25/11, David wrote: > I have a Alternate Route Certificate of Eligibility. I > know, it seems unrealistic, but I figured that I might wind > up filling in for someone on leave, since the Cert lets me > sub for 60 days consecutively. Is this realistic? > > Anyway, what district...See More

Aug 28, 2011

Irene

by ron/nj

Aug 26, 2011

I never saw the Parkway closed in my lifetime. I sure hope it weakens by tomorrow night. Not much to do but prepare and hope for the best. I hope everyone stays safe.

Ron

I am looking to use a new lesson plan template. I do my lesson plans online and I have yet to come up with an easy way of doing this. If anyone uses a template to do their weekly lesson plans and doesn't mind sharing, it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, if any special ed teachers who teach multiple grades has anything useful they can sh...See More

Lesson Plan Template

by Kel

Sep 1, 2011

Advice please on demo lesson

by Tammy

Sep 4, 2011

I will be doing a demo lesson for an Art Teacher position. The class is 40 minutes, and I have an interview for this position prior to my lesson. I know that the use of technology is very important, however since I am afraid there will be limited time between the interview and my demo lesson, I have chosen to hand out copies of the paintings we wil...See More

Sam I have done a demo lesson before, and I have to think it was successful as I was asked back to meet the superintendent. I would say, it is extremely important to have a do now and closure as administrators are really into that right now.

It is better to have too much and not get to it, than to have not enough. The way you have planned sou...See More

Sep 11, 2011

Tammy Thank you love the idea about the names on the index cards!

On 9/11/11, Sam wrote: > I have done a demo lesson before, and I have to think it was > successful as I was asked back to meet the superintendent. I > would say, it is extremely important to have a do now and > closure as administrators are really into that right now. ...See More

Sep 14, 2011

Capital Prep Charter School Teachers

by co12678

Sep 13, 2011

Did anyone teach at Capital Prep Chater School in Trenton? It did not re-open for the 11-12 school year. Was wondering what happened to those teachers and if they were able to find new teaching jobs.

Why is this board always so quiet?

by ron/nj, NFM

Sep 18, 2011

(1)

Sam I don't know. People in NJ usually have a lot to say. I know they do in my faculty room...LOL. I don't think many people in NJ know it exists.

Sep 21, 2011

Resigning at the beginning of a year?

by Mike

Sep 21, 2011

I'm a teacher who just started a new job this year. I'm finding out it's not exactly what I wanted. It's making me very uncomfortable, very anxious, and depressed. I would still like to stay in education, but not at this district or school (public). My question is will I have legal problems leaving? I want to keep my license intact if possible, and...See More

ron/nj This question has come up a few different times. Of course you can give the required 60 days but it sounds like you want to leave ASAP. With the present job market, they will fill your postition immediately. The district isn't going to waste their time with legal matters if you break the contract. So just give a week or two notice and move on. Good...See More

Sep 21, 2011

Good to go Leaving is not the issue. You give your 60 day notice and if they would like the new teacher to start sooner than 60 days, you can agree or not agree to it. There won't be any issue finding a new teacher these days no matter what the subject or level. There are no legal issues regarding your license. If the school is as messed up as it appears, the...See More

Sep 25, 2011

Crazy Quest to Move to NJ

by InHell (aka Florida)

Sep 26, 2011

My husband and I are both teachers in FL. He grew up in NJ (Sussex County area).

Things are horrific here. In our school district, there are 2,300 homeless students. Unemployment is 10.8% and rising. A family was living in their car in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Most of the kids are on free/ reduced lunch.

My husband has 10 years ...See More

(14)

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InFL Hi again. I'm in Lake County. Conditions are terrible here. Nobody supports teachers: not the parents, not the public, and not the administration. I used to work for a Principal who took pride in the fact that she was known for "making teachers cry." How sick is that? My teacher friends have been attacked by parents (one guy rammed a teacher's car ...See MoreHi again. I'm in Lake County. Conditions are terrible here. Nobody supports teachers: not the parents, not the public, and not the administration. I used to work for a Principal who took pride in the fact that she was known for "making teachers cry." How sick is that? My teacher friends have been attacked by parents (one guy rammed a teacher's car with his truck when he confronted her at her house!).

Family insurance here (BCBS) would be $800 a month for a teacher and his spouse + kids. We are paying $350 a month now for my husband and the kids. We can't afford to put me on there. Our policy covers very little anyway. We would qualify to put the kids on the state health insurance plan for kids based on my husband's low income.

I don't know if teachers in NJ get extra pay for holding board certification. My friend is finishing up her master's degree, so that was part of the reason she got extra pay. My district here pays $2,300 more for a MS degree. She was hired in one district and just moved over to another district so she could get family medical insurance.

I don't think we will make it to NJ. The cost of living is so high there and I would fear being laid off until we got tenure (which will probably vanish in the next 3 years, must like FL did last year!)

So we have to decide what to do now. I know for sure we will not stay in this county. Way to "podunk" for me. I might move over to Seminole County (where I grew up) or we might just give up on this "career" and get our sanity back. (I used to work in a corporate career and have a business degree). Given the working conditions here and the low (and frozen forever) pay, plus the stress and being treated like a bad child by the admins, it's a total disaster.

On 2/18/12, fl teacher wrote: > Just wondering what your Fl. district is, I am from NJ, there are many > problems there just like in Florida. My BCBS insurance through the > district in Fl is around 300.00, it covers my spouse and our 3 grown > children are covered until they are 30 years old. Also, did you say NJ > teachers get a raise for NB cert?

Feb 18, 2012

C Sorry for the delay. Yes...as you can see...if NJ and FL have the same salary for something, then there is a problem. 75 in NJ is very different from 75 in FL. NJ is among the worst for substitute teaching. There are districts in Georgia, a cheap southern state, that pay subs MORE than NJ. Please don't move up here on a sub income...unless you have...See MoreSorry for the delay. Yes...as you can see...if NJ and FL have the same salary for something, then there is a problem. 75 in NJ is very different from 75 in FL. NJ is among the worst for substitute teaching. There are districts in Georgia, a cheap southern state, that pay subs MORE than NJ. Please don't move up here on a sub income...unless you have people to live with. That being said, if you can get a full time job do come regardless of lay off fears. Florida is among the worst states to teach in. You'll get "NJ attitude" and trashy culture, but overall you will be better off. NJ is odd...the wealthy people here act like they're trashy and have zero class...very unrefined.. ...but there are some enclaves where the culture is more relaxed. I would say consider the DC Metro area. While nowhere is easy, their population is expanding. THEY'RE OPENING NEW SCHOOLS. The economy still makes it hard...but at least they're hiring entire new staffs. MD is better than VA...but any of the DC burbs are fine for teaching. If you and your husband interview very well and like interviewing, you may find it easier to snag something there. NJ's hiring process is very barbaric. They look at a resume for a few seconds, roll the dice, pick 5 or so to interview once maybe twice..and that's that. DC metro schools have layers of interviewing and opportunities to meet with HR people...so if someone thinks you belong in their school system...they'll push you through. Their vetting and referring process is much more comprehensive..It's easier to stand out. (but if you do poorly an entire county will disregard you) Best of luck.

On 2/05/12, InFL wrote: > Hi again from Florida. > > Our district here only pays $75 for subs. They can't find enough > good ones. The kids are out of control at many schools and parents > just complained that my teacher husband is "doing too much math." > You can't win anymore...you really can't. I would put the odds at > 50/50 or more that he will quit teaching and find another career. > All he needs to make is $38,400 here to equal his 11 years of > teaching! > > My friend moved to NJ and knew nobody. She said having National > Board Cerification made the difference. Her salary want from $38k > here to $66k there (once she gets her masters). She says she likes > it and it's a better place for kids (I'm sure it is). > > We would have to pay for the Nat'L Board Cert on our own (isn't it > like $3,000?) and they pay supplement went away for that anyway. > Plus it takes 2 or 3 years. > > > On 1/29/12, C wrote: >> >> Subbing jobs have gotten tighter, but sometimes you do see >> districts taking on a few more. We just did. That being said, NJ >> pays terribly for substitutes. PA,NY,even northern VA pays subs >> better than NJ. If both of you are on a subbing income, you won't >> be able to get by in this expensive state. My district in Monmouth >> County NJ only pays $75 A Day. Best of luck to you. >> >> >> >> On 1/26/12, Jonathan wrote: >>> Unless you know anyone within a NJ school district, two words: >>> STAY AWAY! >>> >>> On 9/26/11, InHell (aka Florida) wrote: >>>> My husband and I are both teachers in FL. He grew up in NJ >>>> (Sussex County area). >>>> >>>> Things are horrific here. In our school district, there are >>>> 2,300 homeless students. Unemployment is 10.8% and rising. >>>> A family was living in their car in the Wal-Mart parking >>>> lot. Most of the kids are on free/ reduced lunch. >>>> >>>> My husband has 10 years of experience and only makes >>>> $38,600. Family insurance is $800 a month here (we don't >>>> have it because we can't afford it). That doesn't even get >>>> you dental, vision, s/l disability,etc) >>>> >>>> My husband wants us to move back to NJ. Our timeframe would >>>> be within 3 years, although it could be as early as June >>>> 2012 if he gets laid off. (I need to get a few more years >>>> of teaching experience on my resume b/c I've been home with >>>> our kids). >>>> >>>> I know that our chances of finding a teaching job are about >>>> zero. (my sister in law teaches in NJ and tells me they >>>> have laid off even tenured teachers in her area). My >>>> question is could one of us at least get a sub job? Is >>>> there an over-supply of subs? >>>> >>>> We are both fully aware that we may have to change careers >>>> in order to move to NJ. I just want to give our best try >>>> before we throw in the towel. We want a safe place for our >>>> children to grow up. (we had 2 daytime home invasions in >>>> our little neighborhood here last fall - I'm just west of >>>> Orlando). Things are bad here and I'm worried that the >>>> entire state will go feral if the economy tanks even more. >>>> We're down to 23 weeks max. of unemployment at $275 a week >>>> max. >>>> >>>> ANY info would be appreciated. We would be intestested in >>>> the Sussex and Morris County areas. I also have an MBA from >>>> a highly ranked school and prior corporate work experience >>>> in HR.

Feb 28, 2012

Director for Upcoming Early Education Center in Jersey City

by SS

Sep 29, 2011

An upcoming day care center in downtown Jersey City, NJ is looking for Director. Please respond with your resume: [email removed]

Need help for teacher presentation

by Micahnj

Oct 3, 2011

Hi, I am doing a mini workshop for teachers on reading and writing for grades 3-6. I have to fill about 2 hours and to take the focus off me I'd like to have the teachers work on something. Does anyone have any ideas for me?