Hello. I just spoke with a friend of mine who just recently moved to Arlington. She is not a teacher, but used to be. Anyhow, she was telling me how beautiful it is in Virginia! She said I should check out teaching jobs there, but I'm guessing like the rest of the country the job prospects are not as good as they could be. I know it's quite bad in California right now. Anyhow, just wondered if any Virginia teachers had any input. Thanks.
It depends on the area, I guess. I've heard that the governor is pushing for a $340 million cut the education budget for the '09-'10 school year. I was told by a number of people that finding a job in my area (not Arlington) wouldn't be difficult at all, but nearly one year after moving here I'm still searching for a job. Your friend is right, though: Virginia is a beautiful state.
Nasimi, Different parts of Virginia are very different. There is NoVa (Northern Virginia) which of course includes Arlington. The cost of living is quite high in NoVa. You'd need to find someone in that area to see if jobs are available. Then there is the western part of the state -- mostly rural -- much lower cost of living than NoVa. There is the "middle" area (think Blacksburg)... gorgeous mountain area. There is also the southwestern region of Virginia, which is called Hampton Roads (although many still call it by the old name, which is "the Tidewater.") In Hampton Roads, we have inner cities, we have suburbs, we have rural areas -- you name it! We don't have hills or mountains. We have rivers and ocean access all over the place. Some areas here (especially the inner cities) have plenty of jobs, while the more suburban areas are filled up and have hiring freezes. There are some areas where you can still get a job. The one thing that can get very confusing in Virginia is that most of the Commonwealth (State) has counties, but it southwestern Virginia, we don't have counties, so you have to look things up by the city names. I've found that www.teachers-teachers.com has most of the listings for Virginia -- so if you join up (free for teachers or perspective teachers) you will get emails with all of the posted jobs in various areas of Virginia. A lot of localities here in Virginia use teachers-teachers.com, so they are a good resource. Good luck!!!
Thanks for the info Rainstorm. I actually do have an account with Teachers-Teachers.com. I just went in to change my preferences to Virginia and W. Virginia. I just saw a posting for Fairfax county and applied there, also to Manassass. (I have no clue where these places are!) I may even visit my friend in March. Here in SoCal, the jobs are non-exsistent. It's getting really tiresome. I'm not saying it's all gravy and easier there, but it seems like it's a little more hopeful in terms of job outlook. The whole state of California is practically bankrupt. Anyhow, as I said, I may be flying to Virginia, Lord willin sometime this Spring, so I can get a feel for NoVA anyhow. :thumb:
I hope you find a job soon. I'm sure you will. After what I've been through here in California, I wouldn't consider moving until I had landed a job out there. Of course, nothing is set in stone. I'm just checking out my options.
I work in Nova...Fairfax County. It's a very nice county to work in, however they are having major budget issues...I'm sure they'll be hiring in certain areas, but there are also a lot of cuts at the end of this year. Loudoun County isn't far away and I know for sure that they are going to be hiring for next year (it was my 2nd choice for where to work.) I know that they are opening a couple of new schools there in the Fall. Manassas is close to Fairfax..but it's not quite as nice an area (in my opinion.) Arlington is closest to D.C. The area of Fairfax I work in is more "suburb" like. The cost of living in this area is kind of high...but I have a roommate and it's definitely doable.
One more thing...I would recommend Virginia over West Virginia (in my opinion.) I was working in Maryland and looking into WV or VA and I realized that W.V. pays their teachers VERY low and it would be a huge adjustment if I worked there. (a $15,000 difference roughly)
I'm in Richmond: two hours to the beach, two hours to DC, two hours to the mountains . . . all the restaurants and culture and shopping of a big city with the low cost of living and charm of a smaller place. My siblings are in NoVa. My brother's house is equivalent to mine but cost 2.5 times more. It's very nice up there but very expensive . . . similar to California.
You've received an excellent description of Fairfax and Manassas by Eliza. If you think you've never heard of Manassas, you reallly have! Just think of the Battle of Bull Run!!! That's Manassas. As Eliza also pointed out, be leery of W. Va. Low pay. Virginia and West Virginia are about as different as night and day! If I were looking to live in the DC area, I'd want NoVa in Virginia or I'd look in Maryland (which is also part of the DC Met. Area.)
If you are looking for the basic names of school districts in NoVa, this site will give them to you, along with links to each school district's web page. http://www.nethome.net/northern-virginia-schools.htm
If you decide to look in Maryland as well Montgomery County is your best bet (it's not far from Arlington.) http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/ I'd be leery of Prince George's County (PG County.) And I worked in Frederick County (but it's a little further north.)
Stafford or Fairfax?? Hello Virginia Teachers: I recently applied to two different districts in VA. I was invited to job fairs for both of them. Two questions: (1) Is it worth it to fly out for a job fair? It seems that the one in Fairfax I will actually get an interview. The one in Stafford seems a bit more general. (2) Which of these two is more desireable in temrs of a good district to work, in your opinion? (meaning, teacher support, location, pay, etc). I am currently listening to Governor Schwarcheneger give the "State of the State" Speech. It's pretty grim. I'm getting to a point where moving seems more and more likely. I know though, that I still need to visit and see what's out there. Thanks again for all of your help!
I don't know a ton about Stafford other than where it is located so I did a little bit of research.... Fairfax: (I might be partial since this is where I work) Pros: Closer to D.C. Good Benefits/ Salary Cons: Budget Crisis right now... They are freezing our steps, not giving a cola this year Stafford: Pros: MOre rural (if you want a more rural setting) Between Richmond and D.C. Not as "Huge" as Fairfax (smaller district) Cons: Pay scale is lower I've only lived in this area for 3 years (I moved for a teaching job) But when I was moving I was looking into a few different districts and everyone told me that Fairfax was one of the best. I know a lot of people who got early hire at the job fair last year. I know this year they aren't hiring as many people, but since you're special ed you should be fine. Sorry i can't be more of a help, let me know if you have any other ?s
Eliza, Regarding the no steps or COLA... I doubt many in Virginia will be getting steps or cola this year. Our district didn't give steps last year, and the 2% increase that was planned for the state of Virginia has been axed in the budget crisis. Just wanted to let you know that a lot of other districts are in the same boat....... I guess we'll all have to hang in there until better times come around.
Yes, I had a feeling it was true in other areas as well...I know a few districts around us are also in a similar situation. Alot of teachers have been complaining...but it's something we have to deal with. Fairfax County's budget problem as been all of the new though, and it stresses me out sometimes. And our pay scale isn't bad (I just wish I wasn't on step 3...haha) But to be honest I'm just glad I have a job. I've only been at my school for a couple of years so I'm still at the bottom of the totem pole. I was talking to my principal the other day though and it seems like my job is safe for next year.
I am looking at Stafford and Fairfax counties. Don't know if I can deal with the weather but I am pretty much ready to move almost anywhere to find a job.
In my area we're already kind of making cuts. A teacher left and their position is not being replaced and as far as we know will not be replaced next year either. Fingers are crossed that noone has to have a job cut becase class sizes are already crazy (mine are considered SMALL and I have 24-27 in a class....my coworkers have 30 or more....I have math and don't teach some because they are in advanced math where we don't have advanced in any other subjects).
DC is going through a lot of change right now. There are parts that are horrible still and people just leave because enough isn't being done. Reform seems to be going in the right direction. It's just taking a little while to get everything in place. There's a high turnover rate, which my husband and I will contribute to when we leave in June. It's a good way to test your abilities as a teacher but it's also risky because one horrible year (like anywhere!) can ruin your life.
Hi elizak83: Actually, I'm enrolled in a Special Ed program, but I don't have my credential in that subj just yet. When I applied for Fairfax, I applied for elementary, since I have my multiple subjects credential for California. Of course I'd have to deal with licensure issues as well. Thanks for all of your info so far. I am still so torn. I've got friends here telling me that since I'm pursuing SpecialEd, my chances of getting a job out here are much better. And yet, things are still so tough here in Cali. I do have another question: What is the weather like in Fairfax and NoVa? Do they get a lot of snow in winter? (please don't laugh, you're talking to a true through and through Southern California Girl here!) Thanks again elizak83!
I'm not sure how many elem teachers they are hiring this year (since there are a lot of positions being cut) however my coworker went to the job fair last year and she got an early hire. Basically you sign something saying you will work there. (so you know you have a job somewhere in the county) Then you will interview at schools during the summer and pick from where you are hired It works out well. I wouldn't worry too much about certification. I had MD and PA certs and I just had to fill out some paperowrk and take some test (I didn't have to worry about the test until I was actually teaching.) They said as long as I took it within 3 years I was fine. The weather in the area....honestly I think it is really mild. I'm from northwestern Pennsylvania and we get ALOT of snow there. Here...umm it snowed once so far this winter (it was about 1/4 of an inch and it melted within a few hours.) But people here freak out at the sight of snow and school gets cancelled when it is bad. My students have been complaining about the no snow thing..but usually it only snows a few inches in January. Then in February we'll get like 1 storm. December temps averaged 30s-40s
Virginia is wonderful I grew up here so of course I love it. Where I teach we've had some rough years as far as raises go so we are currently in the bottom five for salary. I love the beautiful area where I teach though and am finding the idea of moving to another school district difficult but I need more money.
