Teaching in Florida
 

Hi!
Hoping for some advice if possible :fingerscrossed:
I'm a USC, married with a British husband & baby 11 months old. We live in Yorkshire at the moment, I've lived here most of my life (from 2 years old).
I'm just starting a 2 year PGCE course so I can be a primary teacher - I'll be qualified to teach the full primary age range when I finish but specialised in Early Years ages 3-7. We'd like to plan to move to the Tampa area (possibly Westchase/Safety Harbor depending on property & jobs) once I've qualified, but want to make sure we plan properly.
I'm just wondering if any UK teachers have any experience moving to the U.S. & securing work? Having researched I've found I would need to apply for a certificate with the Florida DofE to enable me to teach there. Are there many teaching jobs available there? I'm hoping that as I'm a USC by birth this helps me as I won't need a work visa so should be seen on a level playing field with other USCs... But would my UK qualification hold me back compared to their US equivalents?
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Re: Teaching in Florida
 

Are you wanting to teach general education in an elementary school? Do you have a bachelors degree?

I'm not in Florida but this is what I found online:

Certificate Types and Requirements

Found this as well:

http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certif...non-citiz.stml

Re: Teaching in Florida
 

You won't be able to teach in the US until you are duly licensed by the state. That usually means a Bachelor's degree (a Master's would be better) and you'll likely have to sit the Praxis exam.


Working won't be an issue for you... but teaching may be.


It could, yes.

Ian

Re: Teaching in Florida
 

Once you go through all the administrative steps to get your qualifications recognized (which you seem to be familiarizing yourself with already) and are licensed like any other Florida teacher, I don't see how you would be at a disadvantage. As you know there are a lot of Anglophiles in the US, and an English accent may be an asset when you get to the interview phase.

No local knowledge of FL or Tampa, but a few generalities: 1) availability of teaching jobs of course varies over time, and by region/school district/neighborhood. 2) If I were in your shoes I would be calling the Florida DoE repeatedly with any questions or clarifications, bearing in mind the risk that any given administrative assistant or bureaucrat you speak to may not know all the rules and regulations, or may give you bad information, even if they sound confident. (Maybe I'm being prejudicial there, and the Florida DoE is full of knowledgeable and helpful people who encounter Brits in your situation regularly).

Re: Teaching in Florida
 

Being a USC helps, but lack of teaching experience is what will hold you back.

Once you sort out the qualifications, a good option would be to look into being a sub for various school districts as that will get you contacts in the area and you'll be a known name.

Down my way in our district, newly qualified teachers aren't hired unless they have been a sub in the area first just because there are so many qualified teachers and so few jobs. Most teachers also have a masters in some sort of education field or are at least working towards one, even for pre-school positions.

Might not be the case in the Tampa area, but it's something to consider.

Re: Teaching in Florida
 

Unless you're in Kansas where they have apparently just lifted the requirement to have any sort of degree or certification.

Re: Teaching in Florida
 

My wife teaches 3rd grade here in Florida. The university of Florida, in our home town, turns out oodles of teachers every year so competition is tough. Also, helps who you know, so substitute teaching is generally a way to get a foot in the door. Volunteer work could get your face known too. Kids generally know to make the most of it when there is a sub, so it isn't easy going sometimes.
I would also say that the majority of school districts look for a minimum of a masters degree in education, our school district definitely does. Cant speak for the Tampa/St. Pete's area. There may be private schools who would be interested in a teacher with a
different background if they like diversity in their system but that's just another path you may look into.

Re: Teaching in Florida
 

How is your Spanish?

Re: Teaching in Florida
 

I know Safety Harbor is a nice place to live, but I know nothing about schools & teaching. Sorry.

Re: Teaching in Florida
 

Thank you so much for the replies & advice. I don't speak Spanish unfortunately, other than English I can only speak French & German (less useful!). I have a bachelors degree in English Language & Linguistics from a top 10 university & am going to another university recognised as the best in the country for teaching qualifications to do my PGCE, although I don't know what weight that carries in the US. The PGCE is the usual way to get into teaching here other than going straight in with a bachelors degree in Education, & involves masters level credits. I was thinking I may need to try sub teaching as I have read that in a few places now - so I guess we had better get saving up to support ourselves during that period! My struggle with that is being able to sponsor my husband & son for their visas, hopefully I can do it through showing a good level of savings in this case.
If anyone lives in the Tampa area & could recommend where online to look for rentals & if there are any other residential areas good for families that would be really helpful.
Thank you !

Re: Teaching in Florida
 

One thing constantly being mentioned is the shortage of math and science teachers in the U.S. That would probably mean 7 thru 12 grades. It may only require a minor in math or science with the BS in education. If a candidate was clearly qualified in the math and science area a school system may be more accepting of the other teaching credential requirements.

Re: Teaching in Florida
 

You would not need to sponsor your son financially.

Science focus does help.

Re: Teaching in Florida
 

There are other places in the states that are gagging for teachers! Surely you don't need to just limit yourself to Florida? My friend was offered three positions this week and she's just done her first year of teaching this past year. I know you will have to certify in any state that you land in, but I'd personally be looking for someplace that needed me rather than just subbing.

Re: Teaching in Florida
 

What is your husband's line of work? Will he need to retrain?

Re: Teaching in Florida
 

Our first choice would actually be San Diego but the cost of living seems to be pretty high there so it doesn't seem feasible to go straight there... We plan to move there later in life & stay permanently.
That's really interesting, what you say about your friend. Where abouts does your friend live if you don't mind me asking? I tried to research States with teacher shortages but couldn't find any information on the age range I'll be qualified to teach (ages 3-11) - the shortages seem to be for high school teachers, particularly maths & science as a pp mentioned from what I can see.