teachers and education

Diane: The school system is a paradox. It has been systematically neglected over many years and greatly needs experienced professionals to return it to some sort of decent shape. So, yes, special ed teachers are very much in demand! However, because of the problems, many teachers put their own children in private schools. And while the system requires your services, they will not act like it. You will have to go after them if you wish to work here, but I hope you will consider it.

Hi East Ender,

Thanks for the info. Could you explain what you meant by "they will not act like it"? Does that mean they will not actively recruit for those positions or they really don't want any outsiders? Also, could you tell me anything about the private schools? I have kids of my own and that is my major concern about moving? Is one island better than another for private schools? Any schools that are outstanding What about cost?

Thanks a million!!

Diane

What I mean is: the Education Department personnel SHOULD be wining and dining you to work there, but they won't. The concept of returning phone calls, for example, is still foreign. They do need and want "outsiders" but there is an attitude that, "if you want the job, *you* will make an effort", not the other way around. This is pervasive in government jobs, and is one of the main reasons people say you need to physically be on island in order to get a job. Kinda like Catch-22! St Thomas, St John and St Croix all have very good private schools and most offer scholarships for students they want for various reasons. Islander has posted the web sites here recently. This difference in attitude is probably the major reason folks either don't come down or don't stay, IMO.

Thanks!!!!

Diane

Here are those links East Ender mentioned;

Teaching Info.
SCHOOL PERSONNEL NEEDED The Department of Education St. Thomas-St. John District is seeking qualified personnel in the following areas:

3 elementary teachers on St. Thomas
2 elementary esl teachers
Special Education teachers and other specialists
music
mathematics
foreign languages
nurses
substitute teachers

All interested individuals who possess the necessary credentials required are asked to call 340-773-1095 est. 356/357 or 866-532-7688 -or e-mail teach2@unitedstates.vi
Each applicant should have a portfolio prepared outlining his or her educational philosophy and style. If possible the portfolio should include a VHS video tape (30 minutes maximum) demonstration of he applicant teaching a lesson.
For more information or to download an application go to www.teachislands.vi
2003-06-17 15:15:46

Private Schools in the USVI
http://www.antilles.k12.vi.us/

http://allsaints.k12.vi/

http://www.stxcountryday.com/index.html

http://www.goodhope.k12.vi/index.php

http://www.islands.vi/~sjhs/

http://www.pinepeaceschool.k12.vi/

http://www.coralbayschool.org/index.html

Dept. of Education Web Site and district information

Here is the district info for 2001-02

District Name: Virgin Islands School District
ST. Thomas County ID: 78030

Mailing Address:
44-46 Kongens Gade
Saint Thomas, VI 00802
Phone: (340) 774-0100

NCES District ID: 7800030
State District ID: 001

Grade Span: (grades KG - 12)

Total Schools: 36

Total Students: 18,780

You might visit the dept. of edu web sites at:
www.teachislands.vi
for education contacts and teaching opportunities in public schools as well as the certification info and application procedure

NOTE: The www.teachislands.vi web site has a pay scale by degree and experience!!

Good Luck!

--Islander

there are many many jobs in the field of spec education[ i am refering to stx ] i am a retired special ed. teacher and could easily pick and choose any job i wanted in the public schools.might even consider it at one time/parttime..as far as your own kids go stx croix has some of thbe best private schools {if you can aford them] ihave ever seen we retiered herre 4 mths ago and have both been involved with 2 private schools wherewe taught in the states our schools were awarded blue ribon staus about only 20 in the us a rigourous standard and both my husband and i agree at least 2/3 private schols we have been involved with would surely meet or exceed the standards..i un derstand st croix complex has an outstanding vocational training center far superior to any isaw in the states have met a lot of staff from there and they are commited, and entusiastic..also note we have friends who have sent their kids to private schools in stx and all have been accepted at some of the best us colleges and have gone on to become drs and lawyers..but let me go on to note EDUCATION IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT!!! MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR IS A SURGEON and she went to central high in stx please fEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME

Linda,
I tried to email you directly with a number of questions but it was returned. Could you please try emailing me so I can email you back.

Thanks,

Diane

But you do have to speak the language.
Private schools may be different.

i only speak english, any recomendations??

Not clear on what the language issue is about??? In any case English is the language spoken in the US Virgin Islands and it is the language classes are thought in whether public or private.... classes are not thought in dialect or slang if that was the suggestion being made. In fact teachers are quite strict about students not speaking slang in classrooms even to each other, the playground is another story :-).

--Islander