Where to teach in Texas (Houston, Dallas: best city, home, purchase)

[CAnative]

I am looking at making the move out of California and teach at the secondary level. I am curious about education in Texas and have heard that the state is actually hiring many teachers. Could someone fill me in on education in Texas, where would be best to look at moving in the state, so that I might have a better picture?

Thanks!

[ripley]

Dallas ISD and other inner-city districts are often searching for teachers, but there are issues there that you would probably not encounter in others.

Texas teachers are underpaid for the most part. The salaries in larger cities are higher, but so is the cost of living.

There are good schools and bad schools in all regions of Texas. I would suggest finding a particular region of the state that you would like to live first, then narrow down the school districts.

The Texas teacher certification issues may require you to re-certify in some manner. TSTA website could give you some insight there.

The way things are today with standardized testing, discipline, and parental issues, I would suggest a smaller school district in a less populated area.

[Mr. Football]

In Austin: Eanes ISD is well-respected along with Round Rock ISD

In Houston: Cy-Fair ISD, Conroe ISD, Katy ISD, Spring Branch ISD, Klein ISD

[Vicman]

Also, some inner city districts have some schools considered to be excellent, but I am not sure about the exact hiring processes of the districts and the exact conditions of hiring.

[210]

NISD and NEISD in San Antonio both increased pay this past year and have been hiring and looking for teachers like crazy.

You should give them a look.

[210]

NISD salary goes as follows:

Bachelor's: $41,000 - $60,321
Master's : $42,000 - $65,640

[CAnative]

Thank you for the information on the different school districts. I read that by 2008 Texas was looking to hire almost 8200 teachers. I was curious if there has been some reform to the education programs in Texas recently. Although the salaries of teachers are not great, the cost of living in California makes it impossible to own property and tough to get buy. Do any of you know if this is the case in Texas, or will the cost of living be better for a teacher there? Thank you again-everyone has been very helpful!

[CrunchyTexasMama]

Hi there! We are currently living in the Fort Worth area. My husband is a private school teacher. We read an article in our local paper last year that solidified one of the reasons that we like living here so much. For teachers, the cost-of-living and high salary, make this one of the best areas in the nation for teachers (I want to say the article had ranked it the 2nd or 3rd best city in the nation for teachers). Northwest/Grapevine/Crowley ISD's all start their teachers at about 40K/yr. COL here in Fort Worth is great. We rent, and we have 3br/2ba new duplex, for $675/mo.

http://www.ueatexas.com/h/f/salaryranking.pdf (broken link)

[slaleman]

I think San Antonio is probably the best as far as cost of living to teacher's salary goes. See 210's post above for starting salaries in San Antonio. Cost of living here is really low compared to places like Austin and Houston. You can purchase a nice sized home in a good part of town for under $150,000.

Most school districts post their salary scale on their websites...

[210]

Here is NEISD's salary info.

They break it down for years of experience and whether you have a bachelors or major.

http://www.neisd.com/pers2/Teacher%20Salary%20Schedule%2005-06.html (broken link)