Finalized the Date

If I were you I would look for something in the marine industry since you have so much experience already. I'd start with the St. Thomas Yacht Club: http://www.styc.net/

Last year the schools were desperate for Spanish teachers! Mental health, yes, there would be possibilities there, too. As for marine, go to Crown Bay, American Yacht Harbor, Independant Boat Yard, Compass Point, Sapphire Marina and ask, ask, ask! Late Ocober would be pretty good- if the schools have openings still, they will have to hire! Also, boating is starting to return to normal at that time of year. With your inshore license, a few weeks on a day boat might get you an upgrade! 😉

SOAPBOX: The Virgin Islands have much more to offer than just bars and restaurants. The schools, for one, are in great need of educated teachers. But you do have to be here to get a job. I know that doesn't make sense, but it is true.

Related sailing question: how does one learn to sail and get into the sport as an adult? I often see beginner's classes offered for kids, but rarely for adults.

Well, carib, as you recommended above, you could come down to the Yacht Club. There are little boats (Lasers) for the adults and you can get involved in the IC-24 program for slightly bigger boats! Also, you can go to West Indies Wind Surfing and ask...

I am sure that if you ask around there is a class offered for adults, however I would suggest looking into the IC-24 program. It is my understanding that the IC-24 is basically a J-24 (take out the cabin and extend the cockpit and you have yourself a IC-24), both of which are 24 feet. What this means for you is stability! I taught an adult class for four years on a lasers which worked out alright, however often times the students spent the majority of time working on learning how to be agile on the boat (orthwardship). In my opinion the laser is a lot more fun to sail so it is up to you. I know that the yacht club has IC-24 racing on the weekends...if I can recall they have 10 or so boats. Does anyone know if there is any bigger boat racing? I am currently involved in a J105 program and have been involved in a Mumm 30 program in the past...I would love to get into a program down there.

Sorry about the rambling. Anyway, I would be very interested in teaching, will they still be trying to fill positions in October?!?! The only reason we are falling back on the food industry is that there seems to be a plethora of opportunities in that field, and we are going to need to start working ASAP. We don't want to end up like others who move there and can't make it so they move away. In other words, we are not moving there for the party...or I should say, just the party!

Chad and Dawn... as a product of the public, private and university school system in the USVI YES YES YES... it happened quite a number of times that we started school and we didn't have a teacher - incrediable right... nope lets see if I can try and recall the instances... public school was elementary level and I don't remember too much in terms of not having teacher then... in junior high went through one whole year with 3-4 teachers for history and reading... one left mid semester, got a sub... it was nuts... high school... the history teacher again was pulled out mid semester had something to do with work papers .... the computer teacher also was non-existant - for the whole year... got a new math teacher mid semester one year... so yes in some cases you could still find something even though the semester has started. Don't rule this option out - perhaps you should start looking at the oppurtunities from none, look on the dept. of edu web site and make contact, at least fill out applications and stuff... so you have that started. Boating is also a definate option for you.. lots of day charters - do what East Ender suggested head to the docks and marinas and ask around, meet people, tell them what you can offer... great time you are coming in --- season picks up shortly there afters so you will be in a good position. As for big races - definately there is a Rolex Regatta... which is part of the CORT... has a race in BVI that is affliated with that two and third one... the finale is on St. Thomas... read about it in the past e-zines ... go to http://www.vinow.com/news/jul03/index.php and then read back issues for the Rolex article. Work in social work is soemthing your wife could definately look into. You guys in are in a good position to work with the community here (teaching, conseling...) and this will give you a completly different experience then working in charters/restaurant... you could even do both... part-time restaurant work if you really wanted to. But definately try and utilize the skills and majors you have - your backgrounds are definately something that is needed in the USVI and if you can make a difference working in them then do it - much more rewarding in my opionion. You both will have lots of options - spend the first two weeks really hitting the job places and looking, meeting, asking, giving out resumes, following up... All the best!!!

--Islander

C & D: There are races for all sizes of boats, but the yacht club encouraged the IC-24s as a club one-design fleet. There were a lot of J boats before Hurricane Marilyn and they searched for something to replace them. Yes, there are at least 10, and they are always looking for new owners! They had match racing seminar a while back with Peter Holmberg teaching... not bad! I wish one of the sailboat owners would respond here...ahem!