Any teachers relocated to florida???

[Pryncess'mom]

How have you made out? Was it easy to transfer certification? How different is it from where you came fro? We are contemplating a move in the next several years and I would like info from someone who has done this. Thanks to anyone with help!!

deb

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Not a teacher--and you would think with a need jobs would be readily available. They did a teacher job fair earlier this year for our county (Brevard) and they "kept" only a small percentage in consideration and then only a fraction of those were used. The place was swamped with applicants--so it was shocking how little they did hire.

My mom was searching--I think in Martin county--south of Miami recently....they had a whole bunch down there she said.

I think it will depend on the county you are with.

Supposedly experience can get you in the door while you obtain state certification. My brother is not yet certified but that would not have been an issue. He is studying for his certification. His degree is in Art so I don't know if that had anything to do with it. No idea.

Good luck!

 

[chrissyk]

Lisa, Brevard is one of the more difficult counties to find a teaching job in IMHO. Some other counties are practically begging for teachers, though. Also, Brevard doesn't seem to be dying for teachers who need to do the 3 year "Time to Teach" portion of the certification process.

As for transferring certification, it does not seem to be that difficult. You can look on the FL DOE site for specifics, but I think it's a pretty straightforward process because of recriprocality. I'm doing Time to Teach, so that's a little more time-intensive (and I honestly think that it makes me a less-desireable potential candidate than an already-certified teacher).

Once you do your paperwork to transfer your certification, you need to go to the Dept. of Ed. in the county where you want to work and fill out the application paperwork there. Once that's registered, you can then apply for jobs in the county.

The main difference that you will find between here and NJ is that FL does not have track and step. They have steps for years worked, but track is non-existant! You get somewhat higher pay with a Masters, but it still tops out at a pretty low rate of pay in every county that I've looked at. There is absolutely no such thing as Masters Plus pay in FL from what I can tell

 

[Pryncess'mom]

I do understand the differences in pay scales!! Here in NJ, even though many complain when comparing teachers to others professional salaries, I do know I make decent money. And our contract is a good one, with nice step increases. My aunt lives in Lake Worth, and teaches in Broward County, and has said for years to come, I could get a job right away. Because my area in South Jersey is a low socio-economic area, I am experienced in teaching in areas such as these, and I have no problem with teaching in a similar area in florida. My husband and I are thinking about the west coast area from Naples up to Cape Coral to live, but not necessarily to teach in. And since this is probably several years in the future, this is really just information getting. Many things can happen in the future, but because I have permanent certification in NJ (for 20 yrs.),13 years teaching experience (3 kids!! ), and highly qualified status through NCLB, I am hopeful things could work for me.


Anyone else with info????

deb

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Can you get National Certification--the pay is a little higher.

 

[Poohnatic]

I'm in Hillsborough and they do need teachers. It's not the crisis I was seeing where I used to live, but definitely a need. Your skills are definitely a plus-there are schools around here that need your expertise.

Currently, there are 200 professional positions listed.
http://apps.sdhc.k12.fl.us/hrdiv/

Good luck.

Suzanne

 

[chrissyk]

Can you get National Certification--the pay is a little higher.

What is the difference between a regular certification and a National Certification? I've never heard of the latter, but I'd be interested in anything that could raise they pay

 

[Kitty 34]

What is the difference between a regular certification and a National Certification? I've never heard of the latter, but I'd be interested in anything that could raise they pay

I'd like to know, too. Never heard of National Certification either.