Teaching

Dear Laura,

I really think you need to seriously consider a PMV to properly assess what might be available here as far as teaching positions are concerned, as it's very hard to get information from off island.

Teaching in the public schools here can be a real challenge but apart from researching those, you might want to check out Antilles School on STT which is a highly accredited private school with excellent credentials. You can contact Antilles at (340)776-1600. I know and have known many teachers over the years both in the private and public school arena but I'm sure others on this board will be able to offer plenty of suggestions!

Laura: Ah, to be 21 and idealistic again! 😉 You may have more luck than others in finding a position from afar. I would definitely call whatever number is on the teachislands.vi website and try to talk to a real person. Ask for other numbers and try to network that way. What level do you teach? Yes, they need to have highly qualified teachers, as we also have to follow the Federal guidelines. Read the on-line papers to get an idea of some of the challenges ahead, but don't let it deter you. We need good teachers!

Are there other places to teach? Sure. Besides Antilles, there is Montessori, All Saints Cathedral School, St Peter and Paul, and several other private institutions.

Is your degree in special education? If so there is a critical need for special education teachers in the VI as it is in Baltimore, Washington, DC, Houston, Bahamas, Russia and so on. The VI is required to adhere to the same educational laws as in the states. If you are looking for a special education position (as you know even if you are not you will be required to include special needs students in your classes) you will probably experience the challenges hopefully you have been made aware of in your education classes in college.

Private schools are great for teachers and students depending on what your personal, career and learning needs are. Having experienced both private and public school settings, I KNOW that it is very challenging to meet the needs of students with special needs whether it is due to disabilities or giftedness. There are all the related services that have to be provided for students. Often times the private schools are not equiped (have the specialist and service providers) to provide all services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language therapy, transition services, transportation, assitive technology, and so on. When this is the case the private schools have to seek assistance from the LEA (local education agency), the education agency that is charged with monitoring and providing assistance to all special needs cases.

When you are making up your mind about teaching in any system, try to rely on your personal education philosphy, what your instructors have shared with you, your practice experience, the level of support you think you might need as a first year teacher in an unfamiliar place, your comfort and confidence levels, your five year plan.

If you are going to do a PMV you might consider visiting the schools, connecting with HR in the public school system as well as with the private school administrators. You might even want to connect with a teacher or teachers in your area of interest.

Just a little advice for the new teacher. Best Wishes for a promising and rewarding career.

Laura

I was recently sought-out to teach Spanish in Stt in their public school system. I currently live in Michigan, and coming to Stt would mean relocating my entire family of 5 (I have 3 small children). I too have been reading many of the information on this website to get a feel for life on island, and I even posted a message about relocating with children (which I got NO replies to). Anyways, although it seems easy to be scared off by the uncertain environment in the USVI school system (and by life on the island in general), My family and I are now seriously considering doing a PMV to see if this move is really something that would be good for our family. I guess my message to you is this....do your networking, and your homework, and if you are presented with an opportunity to teach there a PMV is a must. I'm sure my own PMV will ultimately make the decision for my family about taking the plunge for the big move. I can certainly relate to your fears/uncertainties about making such a move, as I am going through them myself right now! I'll continue checking this thread to get more information about the environment of the public schools on Stt before I go for my visit. Sorry for the rambling...hope it helped. I hope it works out for you (and me too)!

I'm in the process of researching a move to St. Thomas to teach Secondary or Middle School English. After reading all your message posts, I have two questions. What is a PMV? And for those of you on the island, what do you consider the greatest challenge for teachers in the public schools there? Many thanks!

A PMV is a pre-move visit.

hmmm, Public Schools' greatest challenges? - working conditions, lack of funding, lack of management, violence, crime, parent apathy, illiteracy, drugs...I think that about covers it!
To be fair there are some schools that are better than others, but on the whole, they are fairly sad places where even the best teachers are forced to expend their energies on everything but teaching.
And I do speak from experience - on St Croix only though. I have heards some good things about St Thomian elementries

Not totally the same, but many of the challenges you would find in some urban and some rural systems ( parent apathy, iliteracy,no evidence of federal funding. Ask the same question of teachers from other systems and you might get some of the same responses. The teaching field is rewarding and challenging everywhere for one reason or another.

PS - Sometimes you can be in affluent school system but be placed on the side of town where the demographics do not represent the image that system gets credit - it happens all the time. Do your research so you can come as close to the setting you would most prefer. Even then it may not be all roses.

Hey, Teacher Folks....please remember that we also need excellent teachers on the big island of St. Croix. The atmosphere here is different than STT -- lots more open space and the pace feels a whole lot slower. (After being on STX for just under two years, going to Charlotte Amalie on a low cruise ship day now feels like going to my former office in downtown DC.)

If/when you do make a PMV, try to work in a visit to STX as well as STT. You might find that the big island is a better fit for you and your family.

We'd love to have you...and the kids here can definitely benefit from what you have to offer.

--HC

Laura000
After teaching Kindergarten in NYC for almost 2 years I too am seriously considering a move to VI. I am currently in the process of getting the application together. I am 23 and really excited and determined to do this. It would be great for us to use this space to share what we find and possibly coordinate a PMV? Loking forward to hearing from you and any recent progress you have made and welcoming more helpful advice from others!