Need info on City of El Paso and its three school districts (Dallas: low income)

[fanofcinemexicano]

Hi, this is my first post here, so I thought I'd give some background info on me. I'm a 39 year old white guy(although I'm always told I look like I'm Latino or native American) who is almost fluent in Spanish from my travels to Latin America, my studying of the Spanish language on a daily basis, and receiving formal instruction in Spanish. The reason I say almost fluent is because sometimes I have trouble understanding native Spanish speakers due to their strong accents, at least to me. I don't think I will call myself fluent in Spanish until I can understand any native Spanish speaker 100% of the time. That day may never come, though. LOL.

All that said, I find myself wanting to return to an area with a large latino population. I live out in the middle of nowhere where I find myself being culturally starved and bored to death. I also miss being around beautiful Mexican women. Where I live there are more cows than beautiful women, and the few beautiful women who exist are unavailable. LOL!

OK, now to the point. I'm a certified special education teacher, who is eligible for teaching certification in Texas. The three school districts that serve EL Paso have TONS of special education teaching positions open. I'm really tempted to pursue employment there.

Here are my questions. I've been to Texas a few times, but never to El Paso. What would life in El Paso be like for a 39 year old white guy who speaks Spanish? Pros? Cons?

What are the school districts like? Are they good places to work? Are the schools safe? Dangerous? Are parents involved in their kids' education? Do the schools have adequate resources?

Any information would be appreciated. Thank you!

[skilo]

No cons if you speak Spanish and are white. In El Paso, only the racist white people have issues here. Some can't find jobs because they don't speak Spanish and are not open minded, but you will have no problems and no one will have a problem with you.

I would say all the schools are safe, but some are better than others. You definitely don't want to work in Tornillo or Clint, but any school in the heart of the city will be sufficiently funded and have adequate resources.

[fanofcinemexicano]

Originally Posted by skilo

No cons if you speak Spanish and are white. In El Paso, only the racist white people have issues here. Some can't find jobs because they don't speak Spanish and are not open minded, but you will have no problems and no one will have a problem with you.

I would say all the schools are safe, but some are better than others. You definitely don't want to work in Tornillo or Clint, but any school in the heart of the city will be sufficiently funded and have adequate resources.

Thank you! This is very helpful!

[SW Desert Dweller]

I will also note that you can live comparatively well on a teacher's salary here. Some local districts even pay hiring bonuses.

[XChucoresident]

It is pretty hard to find a teaching job here, I am a native and looked for more than a whole year in EPISD, Ysleta, Ft Hancock, Tornillo, Fabens, Clint, and all the little districts around here. I did NOt find anything, and I am a lifetime Texas Certified Teacher having graduated from UT Austin. UTEP graduates more teachers than the districts here need. Maybe that I was an experienced teacher did NOT help because the districts have to pay me extra. I did not want to leave my parents behind as like most older folks who will NOt move! I am back here living in my birthplace, but I had to leave to teach in Austin, then Dallas until I was able to acquire the years necessary to get my pension from TRS!

[fanofcinemexicano]

Originally Posted by XChucoresident

It is pretty hard to find a teaching job here, I am a native and looked for more than a whole year in EPISD, Ysleta, Ft Hancock, Tornillo, Fabens, Clint, and all the little districts around here. I did NOt find anything, and I am a lifetime Texas Certified Teacher having graduated from UT Austin. UTEP graduates more teachers than the districts here need. Maybe that I was an experienced teacher did NOT help because the districts have to pay me extra. I did not want to leave my parents behind as like most older folks who will NOt move! I am back here living in my birthplace, but I had to leave to teach in Austin, then Dallas until I was able to acquire the years necessary to get my pension from TRS!

I'm surprised to hear this. What is your endorsement area? How long ago were you looking for a teaching position in El Paso? I looked at the websites of the school districts in El Paso and they have tons of special education positions open. I called the districts as well and they confirmed that those jobs are open. It looks like they are having trouble filling positions, at least the special education positions. I also speak Spanish, so I would think that would help. I hear that there is a teaching shortage in Texas in a number of areas, including special education, especially of Bilingual teachers, all over Texas with some exceptions, such as Austin.

I should also add that I'm not deadset on El Paso. I'm interested in several cities in Texas, but El Paso, right now, at least, is my first choice.

[Spottednikes]

My sister in law got as job teaching ap English in less than a week for the Community college. She seems to like it.
There is a lot to do here. Stock/sprint car racing on Fri and sat nights all summer, horse racing all winter, golf courses (top golf is being built on west side), lots of street fests/music fests downtown, hiking, biking, clubs in cincinatti st, and downtown, New sportspark/AAA baseball stadium, etc.
Cost of living is reasonable enough that as a teacher you can get a decent place to live.
The better schools are in EPISD on west side of el Paso. Camarillo school district is another to consider. They have a new elementary (reyes elementsry), on west side of el paso that is supposed to be good. Lots of reasonably priced homes around.
I'd avoid the ME area and South of I-10, if you want to avoid gang activity/low income students/bad students.

[TexasCCW]

Originally Posted by Spottednikes

My sister in law got as job teaching ap English in less than a week for the Community college. She seems to like it.
There is a lot to do here. Stock/sprint car racing on Fri and sat nights all summer, horse racing all winter, golf courses (top golf is being built on west side), lots of street fests/music fests downtown, hiking, biking, clubs in cincinatti st, and downtown, New sportspark/AAA baseball stadium, etc.
Cost of living is reasonable enough that as a teacher you can get a decent place to live.
The better schools are in EPISD on west side of el Paso. Camarillo school district is another to consider. They have a new elementary (reyes elementsry), on west side of el paso that is supposed to be good. Lots of reasonably priced homes around.
I'd avoid the ME area and South of I-10, if you want to avoid gang activity/low income students/bad students.

I think he meant Canutillo School District. Getting a SPED job will give you an advantage paywise in any district here.

You should definitely come and visit El Paso before you decide on moving. I'm sure it'll be better than where you're at now (as per your description) and most women here are not stuck up and will definitely give you the time of day. I can without a doubt say that this region has some of the most beautiful latina women. Please keep us updated on your adventure.

[fanofcinemexicano]

Spottednikes and TexasCCW, thank you for the information and advice. it is very helpful. Thank you! It is much appreciated.

Exchucoresident, one more thing. I noticed from your posts that you are a retired teacher and that you spent considerable time teaching in the Dallas and Austin areas (correct me if I'm wrong.) That would have to mean that you looked for teaching jobs in El Paso quite a while ago, right? Again, correct me if I'm wrong. Now, it very well could be that finding a teaching job in El Paso is tough (maybe it is, but as of now, the main three school districts have tons of special education positions open), but comparing your experience from years ago trying to find a teaching job in El Paso and applying it to today's climate appears to be comparing apples and oranges. Also, you don't say what teaching area(s) you are endorsed in. If it was very competitive to get teaching positions in high need areas, that is impressive. Teaching used to be a much more desirable profession. However, for various reasons, it is not.....and so less and less people are becoming teachers....especially in the high need areas (special ed, math, science). So, I say that to say that probably when you were looking, teaching jobs were more sought after. Not so much today, in many areas, except the real desirable ones....and who knows? Maybe El Paso is one of those extremely desirable locations. As I said, though, I don't have the mindset that El Paso is absolutely where I must go or all hope is lost. If I can't find a job there, there are plenty of other decent locations.

[Spottednikes]

TexasCCW. Yes...I meant Canutillo School district. Stupid autocorrect.