How far would you travel

for a teaching job?

For those without a job, what draws the line between subbing and actually teaching.

I have an interview in the bronx on Tuesday for a charter school. It isn't near any subways so I have to take the train to a subway to a bus and according to hop stop we are looking at over 2 hours. I can't even imagine driving there.

What is the deciding factor to you? Would you rather teach 2 hours away or sub locally?

Re: How far would you travel

I commute a total of 5 hours a day to get to and from work.

From door to door in the morning it is 2 hours and coming home it is 3 because there isn't an express train at that time.

You get used to it and I've been doing it for 8 years.

If I didn't need the money that a teacher makes I'd probably sub closer to home at this point. Unfortunately my paycheck contributes to the mortgage.

Re: How far would you travel

That's exacty what my husband and I were talking about, depending on the salary offered. I don't even know what charter schools make and when I factor in commuting costs and extra child care.

Re: How far would you travel

Charter schools vary widely with pay- you could make more than you would with the DOE, you may not.

Have you looked into driving? I don't know where you are coming from but driving into the Bronx is not bad- when I lived in Levittown it took about 45-50 minutes in the morning and an hour, maybe a bit more, in the afternoon. The parking is really the PITA. Just reading about that commute is exhausting. If you want to FM me the address I might be able to give you more info about parking in the area, depending on where it is.

Re: How far would you travel

Posted by MrsProfessor

Charter schools vary widely with pay- you could make more than you would with the DOE, you may not.

Have you looked into driving? I don't know where you are coming from but driving into the Bronx is not bad- when I lived in Levittown it took about 45-50 minutes in the morning and an hour, maybe a bit more, in the afternoon. The parking is really the PITA. Just reading about that commute is exhausting. If you want to FM me the address I might be able to give you more info about parking in the area, depending on where it is.

Re: How far would you travel

Another thing to consider, especially if you go for the charter school is child care and commuting costs...are you really making more or would you make the same being local but your other costs would be lower? Some charter schools have longer hours than non-charters...just some food for thought...

Re: How far would you travel

On average, my commute is 1 hour in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon. The afternoon is particularly horrible. I often sit in stop and go for most of my trip. I'm pregnant too so the fatigue is pretty bad and with the commute, it's just a hard mix to handle.

Fortunately, I won't be doing the commute much longer. I will be a SAHM once the arrives.

ETA: In response to your question, I would totally rather sub locally than commute 2 hours to work! I can tell you first hand it's ROUGH getting out at 3 and not getting in till 5 at the earliest. It drains me.. even when I wasn't pregnant!

Also, see what your commute is in traffic. My commute without traffic is only 40 minutes and I had no idea the commute would be this bad when we moved here!!

Message edited 6/3/2010 8:20:01 PM.

Re: How far would you travel

I work in the Bronx and my carpool consists of people from Commack, Dix Hills and Holbrook. The teacher from Holbrook says that it takes about 1 1/2 hours total.

Re: How far would you travel

When I was first looking I looked every where in NYC I could possibily get to. I will add that I was not married and do not have kids yet so I did not have other obligations and would have been able to do a crazy commute.

If you can secure a job in the city you are IN. Once in you are in the DOE you can always apply for another opening within the system, that is what I did. I used to have an hour commute each way. After a cple yrs I got a job 10 minutes from home.

Re: How far would you travel

I didn't actually answer the question earlier- but in the current climate, I'd probably be more willing to schlep longer than if things were good and jobs were more widely available.

My commute is an hour by car and an hour and a half by train. But I rarely drive anymore.

Re: How far would you travel

For me the Bronx would be too far. I am terrified of bridges that is the main reason actually.

Re: How far would you travel

do you contribute to your pension/retirement with charter schools? if yes, I would consider it, since it's 2 hours on a train and you can grade and plan or even watch movies on the train.

if not, I would sub.