Tim,
I am a secondary Social Studies teacher with the Miami-Dade County Public School District. I have been very upset with the way that my employers have been treating teachers in general (not specific to me as I work for some really exceptional folks) for the last few years. I do not see Florida getting its act together regarding teacher pay, work conditions and quality of schools, despite the rhetoric. A bunch of things added up in my mind this summer and I have decided to look towards the Atlanta area suburban school districts for work. Even with the increased costs of living in Georgia (State income tax) I would still be better off, pay wise. There are a bunch of things pushing me away from Florida; not just pay and not just hurricanes but these and other things have loomed high on my mind of late. I am actually at the stage where all I need to do is to sell my house in Homestead, get another teaching gig and load up the truck. All these things are harder than they sound but I am slowly getting there. If anyone has a hook-up to one of the suburban Atlanta public school districts and can lend me a hand getting a High School Social Studies job I would be appreciative. I am an experienced teacher with 13 years in the classroom and 13 years of exceptional employer reviews under my belt. Drop me a line if you care to lend a hand!

 

A good friend of mine is on his way to aid in search & rescue. I've been in some pretty wicked storms, but nothing like a Hurricane.

Teachers are always wanted up here...

 

If you think Frances was/is bad watch out for Ivan. From tropical depression to Cat 4 hurricane in like 18 hours and predicted to be Cat 5 within 24 more hours.

NHC Advisory Hurricane Ivan

Hurricane Ivan Maps and Charts

John

 

My sister-in-law on Singer Island (west palm beach) called and said they did real good, no damage to them. Now as for Ivan, my daughter is on Greneda going to Vet school. Hang on honey, lets make this a little wind and rain.

 

Michael....IMO it is not only Florida that needs to get is stuff together when it come to teachers, all across this land we do not pay teachers enough, expect them to do more with little… and now if that is not enough……….some are expected to raise the kids they were hired to educate…sorry need to get off my soap box…ALL of you do not get paid enough…..period..

Now on to moving, NM does not have hurricanes, we do have other things. Like nepotism in city government…we have taken that to a new high. We do have 321 days a year of sunshine, blue skies and white clouds…and need teachers. Now we probably don’t pay any better. None the less your are cordially invited to visit a very dry, 18/23% humidity, high desert….wonderfully beautiful area.

I wish you the best of luck, in waht ever you chose.

 

Tim,
Actually I spent quite a bit of time in western and northern New Mexico in 2002. I really fell in love with the state while watching a summer rain storm off in the distance while standing on the Rio Grande gorge bridge. I really like New Mexico a lot as it does have a lot of what I am looking for. Sadly, my wife has told me that she will not move to far from her family in Florida. With that as my constriction Atlanta is the obvious choice. I looked at Charlotte, NC but saw more positives in Atlanta than Charlotte. I will say that I have so many fond memories of New Mexico that it sort of sticks in your mind. By the by you got close to nailing what I am looking for: low humidity, close to mountains, etc. I realise Atlanta does not have low humidity but it is close to my beloved Appalachians!

 

I can understand the need to stay close to the family...I cannot believe how hard it would be to go through these kinds of storms, every year or two or...it has got to get old. I have often wondered what the number is that have lost everything more than one time..ug…

 

Talked to my mom in Palm Bay. Still had power and phone, but one of the water mains sprang a leak, so water is off now. She lives in an apt. complex, got thru it OK, lost some shingles, lost the carport, but otherwise, no major damage.

I'll talk to her later, but this one was not as bad as it could have been.

God is gracious.

 

Hey Floridians, how are you all, our hearts go out to you all! And now Ivan, when is this going to end?

Jeff, Anne, and the Kids.........

 

My father in law has family down there and hasnt heard a word. I heard fear in his voice for only the second time since I have been married to my husband. Prayers to all!

 

Wife's uncle and aunt made it through, but their house didn't. Guess her family will be organizing a cleanup party to go down and help out.

 

Glad they made it through, good luck on the clean up.

 

That is sad about their house.....you are always happy when no one gets hurt, however the loss of belongings is still very tuff and leaves a mark for a very long time. The scare on the land is difficult to take also, especially when folks have been in one place for a lifetime.