New Teacher with Open Contract

[Anonymous]

And don’t assume you will stay at your assigned school. MCPS shuffles people around all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New Teacher here- Thank you for the responses and June 10th date. I am worried about signing a lease in South Montgomery Co and then getting a school in Gaithersburg/ Germantown. Is this not such a big deal? Thank you for all of information!

You'd be doing a reverse commute so it wouldn't be so bad.

As long as gas isn’t $5.00 per gallon.

[Anonymous]

Doesn't OP need to provide proof of employment in order to get an apartment? I don't think it's that easy to just get a place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello! I signed an Open Contract with MCPS in December. I am a fairly new ESOL teacher. I am licensed in FL. I have never taught in a US public school. I am returning to the DMV area this summer. I am freaking out because I haven't been able to secure a job with a school yet. I read an old post that said that open contract teachers are placed in June. Does anyone here have any insight? I am freaking out because I can't sign a lease on an apartment until I have been placed and I can't get my son enrolled and settled until we know where I am working. Any insights into the hiring/placement process would really help my anxiety. Thanks!

Welcome to Maryland! Good luck on your search. With the shortages, I think it will eventually shake out and you will be placed somewhere well before school starts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New Teacher here- Thank you for the responses and June 10th date. I am worried about signing a lease in South Montgomery Co and then getting a school in Gaithersburg/ Germantown. Is this not such a big deal? Thank you for all of information!

You'd be doing a reverse commute so it wouldn't be so bad.

I do that reverse commute every day. It's nice!

[Anonymous]

There is a lot of movement over the summer, although I know that doesn't help you much now. I would look for a 6-month lease if you're able, in a location that has an attractive school. I did a Rockville to Germantown commute for several years and it's fine, no complaints. It's also much more predictable for traffic, no matter the weather. If you end up with a really ridiculous split, like Damascus to Bethesda or something, you can adjust when the lease is up.

[Anonymous]

As an ESOL teacher I would recommend working in the elementary or middle schools.

I was speaking with a ESOL teacher in my high school this week. Attendance can be very poor due to students constantly being out for work, childcare, or roaming the halls. Some just come to school as a requirement of their immigration status. Half the students are gone this week.

Obviously, it all depends on the circumstances, but I think middle and ES is easier to teach ESOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an ESOL teacher I would recommend working in the elementary or middle schools.

I was speaking with a ESOL teacher in my high school this week. Attendance can be very poor due to students constantly being out for work, childcare, or roaming the halls. Some just come to school as a requirement of their immigration status. Half the students are gone this week.

Obviously, it all depends on the circumstances, but I think middle and ES is easier to teach ESOL.

Agree with this. ES would be better.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, pick an area with good schools for your son. It would be amazing to live and work in affordable Clarksburg or Germantown, not having to commute anywhere. However, it will suck for your son’s education to be at Neelsville and Seneca Valley, for example, compared to down county. Do yourself a favor and pick housing based on a good school zone so you don’t have to relocate anyway. Save yourself the trouble now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, pick an area with good schools for your son. It would be amazing to live and work in affordable Clarksburg or Germantown, not having to commute anywhere. However, it will suck for your son’s education to be at Neelsville and Seneca Valley, for example, compared to down county. Do yourself a favor and pick housing based on a good school zone so you don’t have to relocate anyway. Save yourself the trouble now.

And exactly are the “good” school zone that is affordable for the salary MCPS will be paying?

[Anonymous]

OP, just so you know, there is a new policy this year that teachers at Title I and Focus schools can get a COSA approved for their children to attend the school where they teach.

[Anonymous]

To address another part of your concern, rent in whatever location you like. Yes, you will commute just like the rest of the area. It is not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

Also, I have heard from many friends in MCPS that they are having difficulty staffing the summer school ELO positions. Could be additional opportunity for you there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, pick an area with good schools for your son. It would be amazing to live and work in affordable Clarksburg or Germantown, not having to commute anywhere. However, it will suck for your son’s education to be at Neelsville and Seneca Valley, for example, compared to down county. Do yourself a favor and pick housing based on a good school zone so you don’t have to relocate anyway. Save yourself the trouble now.

And exactly are the “good” school zone that is affordable for the salary MCPS will be paying?

Ha ha!! That's what I want to know! So stressful! I make too much for low income housing but too little to rent a house or something in a nice school zone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, pick an area with good schools for your son. It would be amazing to live and work in affordable Clarksburg or Germantown, not having to commute anywhere. However, it will suck for your son’s education to be at Neelsville and Seneca Valley, for example, compared to down county. Do yourself a favor and pick housing based on a good school zone so you don’t have to relocate anyway. Save yourself the trouble now.

And exactly are the “good” school zone that is affordable for the salary MCPS will be paying?

Ha ha!! That's what I want to know! So stressful! I make too much for low income housing but too little to rent a house or something in a nice school zone!

Single parent teacher here. I rent a basement apartment so my kid can go to a good school. Look for rentals by owner or a website called Hot Pads.