Teaching?!??

I am planning on doing all of my follow up calls this week. I am in Las Vegas and the time difference makes it so that I can never speak with someone directly. I would love to have a position before we move, but am willing to wait. Not being on the island I am not sure how in demand my position would be. I am a first grade teacher, I have experience in pk, k, 1, 5, 6 but really am holding out for 1st. We have already done our PMV-admittedly a little too far in advance. So I may not be able to interview until August. Thanks for the info Linda, Vay and Mimi- if you hear of an opening let me know.

While teachers in LA make over $45,000, teachers in Las Vegas make about what the USVI makes...teachers don't get paid enough wherever you are!

CMBickish, if you haven't already you might try All Saints Cathedral School (340) 774-0231, they should have an opening in first grade starting in September.

As usual, here's another teaching thread that contains lots of good advice, plenty of negative commentary and personal opinions about our public schools, students and teaching in general. As a public school teacher I welcome and invite anyone with any teaching interest to come down and share your knowledge with our students. "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem".

I am a teacher in USVI. I am not aware of teachers being hired with out a 4 year degree. I am aware of teachers sometimes being released if they do not meet the NO Child Left Behind mandates. As with most other school systems you can be hired as a teacher with only a 4 year degree. Most systems will give you a provisional certificate/ or the time until you meet all of the requirements. It is generally a 3 year time frame. This would allow one to take the courses and to pass the PRAXIS or what other assessment that is being used.

Teaching in the USVI can be frustrating and rewarding at the same time. It is not a system that has or draws the worst teachers which has been suggested. It is a system that draws people who want to teach in a place that they have decided to move to. It is a system who also hs teachers who were also educated right here in USVI. In my short time in the system it appears to one that has teahcers who have been trained in universities from all over the country including the USVI. USVI teachers seem to be thouse who write grants, raise money, and do other things to help the students that are assigned to teach and reach. It was the teachers and guidance counselors of USVI who invited 30 plus Historically Black Colleges and Universities as well as several other trade school training recruiters over to meet with the students.

Your questions was about teachers who have no experience/education in the USVI school. I'm just saying that I personnaly have not run across that situation. It could be the case like that here or there just like any other school system. The bigger problem might be that there is no significant substitute pool to draw from and sometimes as a result of this para-professionals might be used to fill in with a master teacher monitoring the delivery of instruction.

Anyway just try to let this message board inspire you to do deeper research to give you the best insight on teaching in the USVI.

Also be careful about some of the absolute statements that have been given to you about teaching in the Private of Public schools.. Try to stay away from statesments like the children in public schools can not afford; a few good teachers were roped in; new teachers from the states stay for a short period because of the situation. Feel free to contact me with a personal message. I'd be happy to put you in touch with teachers and adminstrators who came 20 plus years ago stayed and made a difference both in the private and public schools.

stcroixbound,

It all depends on what district you live in, but my brother just got certified and works for Los Angeles Unified School District. His starting pay is around $44,000. LAUSD is known for paying pretty well, I believe the teachers just got a 6% raise this year.

Stttarfish,
I am visiting April 10th through April 21st. Are there any other openings at All Saints? Mrs. Brin told me to call when I arrive on the Island, but did not mention much about openings yet. She said she was not sure what was available at the time because teachers have not resigned contracts at this point. Please PM or e-mail if you have any helpful information. I am visiting C.P.L.C and the VI Montessori as well!
Thanks!
-Mimi