Comments | heptadecagram: We finally got a piece of the piiiiiiiiieeeee

heptadecagram

We finally got a piece of the piiiiiiiiieeeee

Jun 07, 2009 19:54

So, we're looking at moving to a new house. We currently live here (address linked from flocked entry). Our goal is to move closer to both our works, near Columbia/Laurel. So, it's very likely that we'll move to somewhere along 29, or near it, between Randolph and 32. So, we're looking at Montgomery and Howard counties (maybe PG) Questions:

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Comments 17

Alas while I can't fault your logic. stormking June 8 2009, 12:19:45 UTC

I bemoan the fact that more of the people I know are moving to Columbia, MD, which is not near my work place

lonebear June 8 2009, 12:52:19 UTC

Just remember that Montgomery county refused to hire a teacher with 8 years of experience claiming that she "did not have enough experience." That was before my-brother-the-lawyer spoke to them and verified that they are truly assholes and do not want to hire experienced teachers so they can pay less to teachers who may last only a year.

To Be Fair... pink_pet June 8 2009, 15:01:07 UTC

I know nothing about the Montgomery County schools. But I've worked with a lot of classroom teachers and met a lot while in grad school, from all over the country.

What they all told me was that, as a classroom teacher, you have a couple years to decided which school you want to work at. After you have more than three or four years of experience it's almost impossible to get any school district to hire you because they have to pay you at a higher rate than a new teacher.

Re: To Be Fair... lonebear June 8 2009, 15:25:51 UTC

There is no fair here. We have stuffed and mounted this grudge.

The fact that they didn't want to hire my wife because of experience is one thing that we marginally expected. But they LIED in the first conversations.

Also, based on what my wife (and aunt, who is also a teacher) tell me, the rate of 1 or 2 year teacher turnover is very high US wide. I understand that systems like to keep salaries low, but that is by continually rotation in new teachers.

We are going to try again this next year in Montgomery and Howard counties for a job, in addition to yeshivas and other private schools.

Re: To Be Fair... pink_pet June 8 2009, 18:30:03 UTC

Yeah, I think I meant that all school districts treat their teachers like crap.

It totally sucks.

Not only is the turnover rate high for new teachers, but about 50% of people who graduate as classroom teachers eventually leave the profession.

I have a cousin who has been a high school teacher up in Conn. for about three years now. He was so excited and motivated when he started. Now he's leaving to be a financial analyst and can't wait to get out.

Thread 7

weskeag June 8 2009, 13:29:13 UTC

I find the burn rates in most of Howard County/Montgomery County if something goes wrong (job loss, etc.) absolutely horrifying.

As far as schools go, I think you'll be okay in Columbia (no personal experience, but I have friends who've been happy).

I know from experience as a substitute that there are individual schools in PG that are good, but I don't know if the Laurel area has any of them, though.

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Re: HOAs in Howard Co bkleber June 8 2009, 13:49:09 UTC

I haven't benefitted from my HOA in Columbia (when the trees are naked, I can see the mall from the back of my house) but I haven't suffered at their hands, either. When I moved in, I got a letter listing the items regarding my house that were "out of compliance" - things like a large (~4' diameter) white splotch on the rear of my house, which is otherwise red, and a bunch of mildew on the wood deck. And they asked that I fix these.

That was 4 years ago. I've had other priorities, and have never heard from them since.

Re: HOAs in Howard Co red_lynx June 9 2009, 01:42:51 UTC

Hmm ... but those are the sort of things that only people who are invited into your backyard (and are therefore friends) or who are doing inspections (hopefully those are infrequent) would notice.

The neighbors at my current house certainly notice my pell, especially if I wear some or all of my armor to practice.

heptadecagram June 8 2009, 22:41:32 UTC

Well, that's the point. What are your horror stories? :)

Thread 5

silmaril June 8 2009, 14:10:17 UTC

You might want to talk to Chort and Paula about this---if memory serves, Paula taught in Howard for some years before going on to a Friends school in Baltimore.