Giantaxe

Be aware that this is a terrible time to be looking for a teaching job in the US. Budget cuts in most states are causing thousands of teachers to be laid off. Maybe that won't affect your husband though as it sounds like he could get a job in a private college (?).

As already pointed out, teachers usually get reasonably good health insurance, but that too is changing because of the aforementioned budget cuts. Benefits are getting reduced and employees contributions increased.

This is true but only of real benefit to people who have individual policies. Group policies (i.e. those typically provided by an employer) are already cicumscribed in this respect. And, of course, the healthcare legislation may have been repealed or found unconstitutional by the time 2014 rolls along. If I was in your shoes, I wouldn't move to the US without one of you already having employment set up with health coverage provided.

Bob

Hard to get a job with no US teaching experience and you need to be state certified, but as for benefits, really depends on the school district, some are great, others not so.

Where MIL teaches, up in Maine, she's on a very old contract and gets very good medical insurance, but because the cost has gone up so much over the years she has effectively not received a pay rise in 10 years.

New teachers there get basic, really shit healthcare, they also get paid a hell of a lot less money too.

Squirrel

I was reading it that before their son was born she lived in the US with her child but has lived in the UK since.

AmerLisa

Very true! However, sped teachers are always in high demand, especially teachers with autism backgrounds. I think you'll have no problem finding a good teaching job here.

Gingerert

Hi Valdosta,

As mentioned on here previously, my son was born in 2009 with a genetic condition, which affects all facets of his development. His biological age is two, but he is really only about a year old in terms of his development. He also has problems with his GI tract, feeding, immune system, scoliosis, seizures, and his heart. He's also the most fantastic kid I've ever met.

Yes, the toll financially can be pretty extreme. We've had bills through that total up to well over a million dollars so far, and there's just no way we could even begin to afford that, even on a payment plan. My husband is a USC and acquired a job with great health insurance just after we were married, but before I moved over here on a CR-1 visa. I was therefore on the plan for about a year before I needed it.

When Little O was born he was automatically a USC too (and a UKC, which is rather handy). He was therefore enrolled in my state's Birth to Three program from day one, which provides his occupational, speech, and physiotherapy. Our insurance covers about 80% of those costs. After a while we also heard about our state's Medicaid scheme for children with disabilities, and were granted coverage with that too. In Wisconsin it's called the Katie Beckett Program, and for us it covers all our out-of-pocket expenses that our insurance company doesn't (so that remaining 20%).

If my son hadn't been born a US citizen he still would receive care under our insurance company, but we would be responsible for the 20% remaining. And that would still bankrupt us! Medical costs are extreme for my son. Even therapy is about $150 a session, and he has up to four sessions a week.

You would have to look in to the specific programs available in your state, and do a lot of research before you go. Also, take your time over the school choices. Our part of Wisconsin has terrible special needs schools, and we're actually planning to move to Minnesota before Little O turns six, just to avoid the schools here. School districts can vary so much, in a very small space.

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions. Good luck!

Rete

Depends on the state but I can tell you from personal experience that here in New York State teacher's healthcare is excellent with little, if any, premiums be coming from your pocket.



Are you asking about Medicare for when you retire under the social security system? If so, you only need 10 years -- 40 working quarters -- to meet that requirement. Hubby started working in the US at age 57 and worked through age 67 to qualify.

If you home school your disabled son, how are you going to work as a teacher?

PS Can someone please please please explain why Brits (or anyone else for that matter) think Florida is a Garden of Eden? It is a sucky state filled with aging and elderly people and/or with young trashy people who are regulars on Cops.

AmerLisa

I always wonder that as well. I've only been once, but quite frankly I didn't see anything to write home about....

Rete

I love it as a vacation destination, especially Naples, Florida and South Beach but to live there year around? Everyone seems to go to Florida to await death, or attend those that are awaiting death, or want to party themsevles to death. perhaps we ought to drape the state in black crepe on the map.

Ray

And we all carry guns ..so hush your mouths

Bob

There's always a need, but there's often no money for them...

Where MIL teaches, they've just laid a bunch off as well as cut the art/music/language budget in half.

Giantaxe

It's a cheap holiday destination. People come over on vacation to visit Disneyworld, Epcot etc and think its wonderful. What many don't realize is that there is a huge difference between going on vacation somewhere and living there year round. For example, come in January and many think the weather is great and don't research the heat/humidity etc at other times of year. Of the 40 states I've visited. I'd put Florida pretty much at the bottom as a place to live. Obviously, the mileage of others may vary...

Giantaxe

Same thing is happening in California. AmerLisa's right that special needs teachers are in higher demand than others, but these are unusual times...

Mummy in the foothills

Same here, our Elementary school has about 800 students and so many lay offs, even special ed. We are left with one overwhelmed Special Ed teacher, they have mainstreamed a lot of kids who shouldn't have been mainstreamed and only give them a few hours a week with the SpEd teacher and no aides.

AmerLisa

I agree. She may have to throw her net further than Florida though....

AmerLisa

Resource teachers can come under special education and their budgets can be cut severely. However, education budgets for severe and profoundly disabled children aren't usually touched too much. But when they do try, even slightly, it can be dire.