Crazy Quest to Move to NJ

Join Teachers.Net

Chatboards

Recent Groups

NJ Teachers

MEMBERS

6 Members

+ Join Group

Pinned Posts

ALLAll Teachers

Teachers.Net LIVE CHAT Support group - Tues eve!

Featured Jobs

Full-timeMontessori Teacher

Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

TemporaryTeachers, rural schools

Peace River North School District

Full-timeHead Teacher: 2nd/3rd Grades – Mills College Children’s School

Mills College

Teaching Jobs on Teachers.Net

Featured Job special only $39!

https://teachers.net/jobs

Become a Teachers.Net sponsor!

New Jersey Teachers Chatboard

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 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 ...See More

Comment

(14)

report post

view previous comments

C 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...See MoreSubbing 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.

Jan 29, 2012

report post

InFL 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 anot...See MoreHi 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 5, 2012

report post

fl teacher 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

report post

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

report post

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

report post