virginia teachers

Can I ask what part of Virginia you teach in? Do you like it? Is the housing expensive. DH are looking into Virginia as our next venture, since I can't find a job here.

Any advice would be great! Thanks!

Re: virginia teachers

i student taught in henrico and loved it! it's rural/suburban depending on the part of the county. my friends student taught in hanover and liked it as well. housing is MUCH cheaper than here, but the pay is about half of LI/NYC teachers. it's a significant difference

i love the richmond area!

Re: virginia teachers

I teach in Fairfax... housing is just as expensive (though taxes are cheaper) - pay is pretty good though.

You can go on most district sites and find their salary scales.

Salaries in other parts of the state are much less... I moved from the Shenandoah Valley to Fairfax and my salary went up $14,000... but, our rent also went from $750/month (2 br/2 bath) to $1200/month (1br/1 bath).

Re: virginia teachers

I also teach in Fairfax, pay isn't that bad, like the PP said, you can find the pay scales for most of the counties online. As for house prices, the further away from DC you go, the less expensive the prices are. Right now we are 25 min. from DC and our rent for a 2 bd 2 bath apt is $1600, and we just put a bid on a great three level 3 bd, 2full 2 half bath townhouse with finished basement for $315,000 in the same area as our apt.

Here are some payscales for the areas around DC
Fairfax County
Arlington County
Loudoun County
Alexandria

Message edited 8/12/2007 10:55:50 PM.

Re: virginia teachers

Yeah - housing is going down. I live 12 miles from DC and you can get a 2 level/3 br townhome for around $300.

There aren't many smaller single family homes in the area, just townhomes, and large single families.

Message edited 8/12/2007 10:50:12 PM.

Re: virginia teachers

Does anyone know anything about the Southwest part, like blacksburg, christianburg...ect...

there are unions in VA, correct?
also, how long does tenure take?

Are there many differences???

Re: virginia teachers

Generally, you get put on continuing contract after 3 years.

And there aren't really 'unions' in VA, more teacher associations. In fact, and I may be wrong, I'm pretty sure teacher unions are illegal in VA. Like, we can't strike, but we can work to the rule (work only contract hours - no extra stuff).

Unfortunately, I don't know much about the southwestern part of the state, except that it seemed really nice when I visited a friend at Tech. I know that she tried to get a job there for 2 years and couldn't, but she's technology education which is more rare.

Best of luck!

Re: virginia teachers

Thank you!

Re: virginia teachers

Here's the website for the county that Christiansburg is in...

Montgomery County Schools

Looks like a first year teacher with a masters makes 32,968

Looks like you could get a 4br house for around $200,000 though.