[caligali]

We're moving to LV next year to work (teachers) and from what I see on tv, looks like the economy is really, really bad. Is it that bad?

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010...ide-among-bot/

[caligali]

Sorry, I don't know how to do this, but here's the article:

Las Vegas economy among worst in the world, report says - Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010 | 7 a.m. - Las Vegas Sun

[owelles]

Originally Posted by caligali

Sorry, I don't know how to do this, but here's the article:

Las Vegas economy among worst in the world, report says - Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010 | 7 a.m. - Las Vegas Sun

Next time I would suggest linking to a more timely article. This one is more than six months old.

The economy here has improved very slightly but still is a mess.

[von949]

Depends on if you are looking for a job or a career.

[MaryleeII]

So, you've both secured jobs as teachers---congratulations!

sincerely, its great you both have jobs, and in your chosen field. You're not reduced to working at a convenience store for minimum wage. But, also, you are obviously aware of the state of the economy in your new city.

Please, keep the economy in mind when you assign projects,etc. Don't just assume parents have the extra time and money to feed your little projects. Materials, markers, poster boards, glue sticks, crayons, paints, etc all cost money. Many parents have more than one child to provide for. also, due to the economy, many parents work more than one job.

Don't just assume your world is the only one they live in. I've known parents to come in exhausted from one job, have to drag out to another in a few hours, barely able to make ends meet, and their kids hit them up with projects, etc the teacher thinks will be "so much fun" for the family to do. Oh, yes, I know, the parents aren't supposed to "do" the project, its for the kids to do or "how will they ever learn" but how does a kid in 4th grade run to Hobby Lobby and buy $50 worth of materials with 2 days notice to do a project?' Oh, of course, teachers don't expect you to "buy" anything, just use what you have around the house. Well, it doesn't always work that way, not all parents are part-time crafters with stuff just sitting there, waiting to be whipped up into the perfect project.

I always had the time and money to work with my kids and their projects, but pitied the poor kids who's parents didn't. Then, I'd overhear "teacher gossip" ---you can always tell the kids who's parents care, take time and effort with their kids, as opposed to those who just don't care to be involved.

Try to put a few simple facts together. some kids have parents with the means to help with those projects, some don't. the finished project isn't a reflection of how much the parent values their child's education, its a reflection of the resources---time and money, the family has, and the priorities assigned to such resources.----ie, do I have the money to buy markers, poster boards, glue sticks, etc and spend half the night helping my 3rd grader make a perfect project to impress the teacher (who has a job), or do I spend that money on food for dinner, electric bill, and then go off to my second job?

Just realize that economy you're thriving in isn't the same for everyone, including many of your students!

[yellowsnow]

Marylee is right.

There's also a huge language problem. It's hard to communicate with the students and even harder to communicate with the parents. Your jobs will be tough and you will feel like you are beating your head against the wall. You will come to believe that no one cares about education at all.

I don't believe this is true. We just have too many people with too many struggles right now. Mom and Dad don't learn English because they are working 3 part time jobs with no bennies each. They are always at work so the kids have to take care of themselves or rely on friends or extended family. Mom and Dad worry about food, rent, and utilities.....they don't have anything left to do school projects or work with their kids.

Lots of people say raising taxes is the answer. Personally, I don't think throwing money at the problem will help much. What needs to change is Mom and Dad need full time work with bennies at a living wage.

[MaryleeII]

Originally Posted by yellowsnow

Marylee is right.

There's also a huge language problem. It's hard to communicate with the students and even harder to communicate with the parents. Your jobs will be tough and you will feel like you are beating your head against the wall. You will come to believe that no one cares about education at all.

I don't believe this is true. We just have too many people with too many struggles right now. Mom and Dad don't learn English because they are working 3 part time jobs with no bennies each. They are always at work so the kids have to take care of themselves or rely on friends or extended family. Mom and Dad worry about food, rent, and utilities.....they don't have anything left to do school projects or work with their kids.

Lots of people say raising taxes is the answer. Personally, I don't think throwing money at the problem will help much. What needs to change is Mom and Dad need full time work with bennies at a living wage.

Its sad, but many families face such realities. many educated, professional people work 2-3 PT jobs with no bennies just to make ends meet. My dh is an IT manager, comes home and works as a cashier at a local grocery store 2 nights/week for some "extra' cash. I have some work-at-home jobs that allow me time to work with my kids. But even still, we are hard-pressed for money, and we are employed!

We had friends who lived in Henderson, bought their house for 180K, sold for 190K. The next few years, the real estate market boomed, the same house went for ~ $450K! Then, the whole neighborhood tumbled. Many people had HELOC's, found themselves upside down, lots of foreclosures, there's been a lot of financial pain out there.

also, for teachers, realize like the AP said---many parents don't speak English. They simply don't understand your pretty little notes to "just" make dioramas of the Civil War, or dress up like a cowboy for pioneer day, or bring in a dozen cupcakes for a party, yadda, yadda. Perhaps, we need to get back to basics? When I went to school, we never did those silly projects, yet, somehow, I managed to get through, went on to garner 4 college degrees, was a national Merit finalist, etc, all without crayons and glue sticks up my derierre!

[MomMom]

Originally Posted by MaryleeII

So, you've both secured jobs as teachers---congratulations!

sincerely, its great you both have jobs, and in your chosen field. You're not reduced to working at a convenience store for minimum wage. But, also, you are obviously aware of the state of the economy in your new city.

Please, keep the economy in mind when you assign projects,etc. Don't just assume parents have the extra time and money to feed your little projects. Materials, markers, poster boards, glue sticks, crayons, paints, etc all cost money. Many parents have more than one child to provide for. also, due to the economy, many parents work more than one job.

Don't just assume your world is the only one they live in. I've known parents to come in exhausted from one job, have to drag out to another in a few hours, barely able to make ends meet, and their kids hit them up with projects, etc the teacher thinks will be "so much fun" for the family to do. Oh, yes, I know, the parents aren't supposed to "do" the project, its for the kids to do or "how will they ever learn" but how does a kid in 4th grade run to Hobby Lobby and buy $50 worth of materials with 2 days notice to do a project?' Oh, of course, teachers don't expect you to "buy" anything, just use what you have around the house. Well, it doesn't always work that way, not all parents are part-time crafters with stuff just sitting there, waiting to be whipped up into the perfect project.

I always had the time and money to work with my kids and their projects, but pitied the poor kids who's parents didn't. Then, I'd overhear "teacher gossip" ---you can always tell the kids who's parents care, take time and effort with their kids, as opposed to those who just don't care to be involved.

Try to put a few simple facts together. some kids have parents with the means to help with those projects, some don't. the finished project isn't a reflection of how much the parent values their child's education, its a reflection of the resources---time and money, the family has, and the priorities assigned to such resources.----ie, do I have the money to buy markers, poster boards, glue sticks, etc and spend half the night helping my 3rd grader make a perfect project to impress the teacher (who has a job), or do I spend that money on food for dinner, electric bill, and then go off to my second job?

Just realize that economy you're thriving in isn't the same for everyone, including many of your students!

Congrats to caligali on getting a job as a teacher and moving to LV!

If you have a steady job that pays fairly decent, you should be OK here in town. Make sure you have jobs secured before you move here, otherwise, even though the local economy has improved only slightly, it WILL be not so good for you. You should also do a bit of research before you move here and decide for yourself whether you think the economy here is bad or not for you.

Good post Marylee, it rings true both for your location in Texas and definately here in Las Vegas.

Although I have to say we have some pretty neat donation programs for school supplies at the beginning of every school year, to encourage and support those children who's parents can't afford their childrens school supplies.

Olive Crest, Channel 5, Citi-Bank and Nevada Youth Alliance (City of Las Vegas) are just a few of the many children's organizations that help kids get the school supplies they need.

If anyone is interested...August and the new school year will be here before you know it. If you see an advertisement for any one of these great charities for their "school year supplies" drives, even donating simple things like pens, paper, glue...dollar store items...is extremely helpful for these kids!

[caligali]

Originally Posted by MaryleeII

So, you've both secured jobs as teachers---congratulations!

sincerely, its great you both have jobs, and in your chosen field. You're not reduced to working at a convenience store for minimum wage. But, also, you are obviously aware of the state of the economy in your new city.

Please, keep the economy in mind when you assign projects,etc. Don't just assume parents have the extra time and money to feed your little projects. Materials, markers, poster boards, glue sticks, crayons, paints, etc all cost money. Many parents have more than one child to provide for. also, due to the economy, many parents work more than one job.

Don't just assume your world is the only one they live in. I've known parents to come in exhausted from one job, have to drag out to another in a few hours, barely able to make ends meet, and their kids hit them up with projects, etc the teacher thinks will be "so much fun" for the family to do. Oh, yes, I know, the parents aren't supposed to "do" the project, its for the kids to do or "how will they ever learn" but how does a kid in 4th grade run to Hobby Lobby and buy $50 worth of materials with 2 days notice to do a project?' Oh, of course, teachers don't expect you to "buy" anything, just use what you have around the house. Well, it doesn't always work that way, not all parents are part-time crafters with stuff just sitting there, waiting to be whipped up into the perfect project.

I always had the time and money to work with my kids and their projects, but pitied the poor kids who's parents didn't. Then, I'd overhear "teacher gossip" ---you can always tell the kids who's parents care, take time and effort with their kids, as opposed to those who just don't care to be involved.

Try to put a few simple facts together. some kids have parents with the means to help with those projects, some don't. the finished project isn't a reflection of how much the parent values their child's education, its a reflection of the resources---time and money, the family has, and the priorities assigned to such resources.----ie, do I have the money to buy markers, poster boards, glue sticks, etc and spend half the night helping my 3rd grader make a perfect project to impress the teacher (who has a job), or do I spend that money on food for dinner, electric bill, and then go off to my second job?

Just realize that economy you're thriving in isn't the same for everyone, including many of your students!

We teach in university, not public schools.

[All-natural]

If you can gamble, eat out, party, buy coach and other designer clothes then you can buy school supplies at the 99 cent store. Sn- Don't have children if you can't afford them or have time to raise them.