Schools in the news

Did I hear there was the lowest ACT scores from VI schools? I wish I could find out about teacher needs there as I would like the challenge of teaching there. I can not get any responses to my questions sent to St. Croix schools. I am retired but still young enough (53) to do good I feel. My most recent teaching was in the innercity of Detroit.I treat my students like people-NOT kids.

I dated a girl who got a job here at Cancryn Jr. High and she lasted 2 days before she quit. She was a teacher, then a counselor at a high school in Texas prior to coming here. Remember, West Indian and Frenchy kids are from a different culture than Stateside kids.

Tedd, try the phonebook:

www.viphonebook.com

What do you mean by "frenchy"? I've never heard the term before.

Hello Tedd,

Contact the Dept. of Education and the schools; be persistant, don't email them, call them. You will find links to District, Dept. of Education and school web sites & contact information by island at

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/schools/

(Cut and Paste the link or click on Home at the top of this page and then go to Education in the navigation of the home page.)

Dept. of Education Human Resources has a web site with employment options and application procedures, its

http://www.teachislands.vi/

--Islander

Hello Linda J,

"Frenchy" is a term referring to folks in the French community on St. Thomas. In the late 1800's and early & mid 1900's many French people from St. Barths came to St. Thomas to work. They established communities in Frenchtown and the Northside of St. Thomas. Some returned home and others stayed and their descendants are here today. It is a generally accepted term used by the French people to refer to themselves and others referring to them. It is sometimes used in a derogatory way and a few consider it derogatory regardless of how it’s said.

--Islander

I certainly didn't mean anything derogatory by it! Maybe I should just say "those born and raised on island"?

Hello Marty,

Would you explain your comment: "Remember, West Indian and Frenchy kids are from a different culture than Stateside kids." What is different about the culture that changes the learning environment for a teacher doing their job? or for a student learning?
I think its an interesting topic for teachers and parents with school-age kids that are moving to the VI.

--Islander

Well, I think most visitors to the VI realize the differences in cultures between the VI and the mainland U.S. by the end of their stay. And, since the kids have all been raised in this enviroment/culture, a teacher from the States (such as my ex-girlfriend) would need to immerse themselves in the culture and become familiar with it to the degree that they are accepted by the children. This didn't happen with my ex. She was a great teacher in Texas, but when she tried to apply her Texas experience to the junior high kids...they just ran over her! I don't think that she was prepared for it and had no point of reference with which to deal with the kids from their perspective (she came home in tears her second day and never went back). Antilles, on the other hand...I have been told by friends that teach there that it is more like a Stateside school (mighty expensive, too! So that may be the difference between public and private schools). I don't know any of this from first hand experience, mind you. Only from what I have been told by teachers.

Does that help?

I wonder if mainline teachers should be briefed on Island culture and perhaps also be required to go out with a social worker for a few days before starting to teach. I would assume simular situations are in poor city district on the mainland. Most teachers can not handle this inviorment and will quit. With the right tools they might just be able to fair better. Off course that still does not address the need of better pay for teachers on the Island. The lack there off also shows the lack of respect people have towards teachers. The judge seem not even to try and hide his disrespect. Perhaps it is time he should spend some time in a public school on the Island teaching himself.

Iris

Contact the education division at UVI. I'm sure they can give you information.

I have taught in multi-cultural and economically disadvantaged schools for 15 years and really think I could make a difference in USVI. I just hope they (DOE) consider my application. I know what you mean about teachers who leave after a short time because of shock and inflex. Happens every day here in Hawaii. What a waste.

B