Is it realistic to ask to move to Rhode Island?

November 4, 2009 2:36 PM

May need to ask spouse to move to RI. He's a teacher; anyone able to help provide some insight?

Husband teaches six grade at "Nerdvana" in MN. My very good job (both in terms of financial remuneration and satisfaction) is heading to Providence, specifically Woonsocket, RI. I believe his teaching certification would transfer-- he has a Master's-- but realities may be different. Any mefites have info on teaching in RI or nearby areas/states in driving distance? If it would help to have the detail: he's taught classical education model (including logic, Singaporean math, Beowulf) with tremendous success for five years, as well has having years with regular classrooms.

Answers will help me determine if I should even be considering this. Thanks!

posted by Arch1 to work & money (9 comments total)

I'm from RI originally, although I've never taught there - only in NYC.
This: http://www.teacher-world.com/certification/rhode-island-reciprocity.html seems to give the impression that RI is pretty flexible about certification. Mass also appears fairly flexible. And if you live in the Providence area a commute to Mass is not a big deal.

Good luck with that... and consider living outside the city. Lots of nice areas (South County) still within easy reach of work.
posted by blaneyphoto at 3:09 PM on November 4

I'm not sure exactly what you want to know, but I'm in Providence, RI. My boyfriend is a music teacher in south county area and my roommate is a social worker, whose areas includes Woonsocket. Feel free to mail me with some more specific questions.
posted by quodlibet at 3:17 PM on November 4

Rhode Island is struggling with a high unemployment rate, so pickings might be slim - I can't speak specifically about teaching positions, however. RI is so small that commuting to MA for work is not unrealistic, though, especially from Woonsocket. Or if you'll be in Providence (I wasn't sure where you were intending on living/working, Woonsocket or Providence?), there is a regular commuter train to Boston, where there may be greater opportunities.

I've lived in Rhode Island for a year now, but am moving away at the end of the year, and to be honest I won't really miss this place. I've found Rhode Island to be insular and small (in terms of actual size, but also small-minded). Depending on what you and your husband prefer in terms of lifestyle (fast-paced big city, or smaller rural areas, or whatever in between) it's probably worth investigating the cultural atmosphere here to see if it meets your needs.

However, as a West Coaster originally, I have really loved the proximity of all states to each other here on the East Coast. My favorite thing about living in RI has probably been that it has allowed me to visit a ton of other states and sights I wouldn't have otherwise!
posted by illenion at 3:23 PM on November 4

From Providence, it takes about 25 to 35 minutes to get to Woonsocket. Since it's such a tiny state packed in with a bunch of other tiny states, you can get most anywhere in Rhode Island within 50 minutes of driving. This could also take you through all of south eastern Massachusetts, at least up to ... well ... probably a little beyond New Bedford. This area also covers a fair chunk of central Mass and certain parts of eastern Connecticut. So, as far as mobility goes, there's quite a number of towns that can be covered in a pretty short timespan.

As far as the teaching certification/education job situation, I don't have much to offer. At least, not until I've got another year or so through my own education degree program.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 3:53 PM on November 4

Well, unfortunately, Rhode Island and Minnesota do not appear to have an agreement about teacher certification which would allow him to transfer directly in.

He would need to fill out an application to see if he qualifies. This is the criteria list for Rhode Island teachers. He may have to take more classes in order to become certified.

You would want to look into emergency or provisional certification. That way he could teach while taking classes or otherwise fulfilling the requirements to teach. I couldn't find any direct information on it, but this part of the website does imply that provisional certificates do exist.

You might want to bring this up with him and get the ball rolling since it says on the website that certification applications that 3-4 months to process.
posted by aetg at 3:57 PM on November 4

Lots of people who live in Rhode island commute all the way up to boston. In general salaries in Mass are higher. Boston is also riddled with public and private schools of all varieties. I don't have any teaching advice whatsoever, I am just from that area and it's a super common arrangement, although it might be more of a commute than you are used to.
posted by shownomercy at 4:10 PM on November 4

It's unclear from your question but have you even mentioned that your job is moving to your husband? That's the first step. Then you two can discuss the options and the pros and cons versus moving and staying, and which one of you finds a new job. It's a decision you need to make together.
posted by 6550 at 6:14 PM on November 4

I live in northeast RI and am originally from St. Paul; I work in Providence.

It's an easy drive between PVD & Woonsocket on route 146 -- I do almost that same trip every day.

A guy working for me is married to a fresh-out-of-school teacher. She got a teaching degree (middle school science) and then went into paperwork limbo trying to work out reciprocity and licensure between RI, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. I have been told by elementary-school teachers I know in town that finding a job with a speciality that's in reasonable demand should be awful, but having the paperwork in hand or under way is key.

Is "Nerdvana" Capitol Hill? I think I attended its spritual predecessor program in the 1980s. In any case, public schools in RI aren't doing much in the way of daring or interesting teaching. The private schools might, but I don't have any experience there. Charter schools are slowly spreading in the northern part of the state: we got a new one, Democracy Prep, just this year in my area. Boston, of course, has Boston Latin School and other great opportunities, but the commute from Rhodey up to Boston is a drag. (I did t for a year or so, up to the FInancial District, 40 Broad St., and I figured it was about 20 hours a week.)

There's a lot of attention being paid to teaching contracts in this state these days: lots of citizens want the emphasis on seniority to be removed, but the teachers unions are fighting tooth and nail. All techers are in a sweet, state-run retirement program and seem to balance pretty good benefits with not-exactly-great pay. Once you're in the system, though, it's a great gig. [Disclosure: my FiL already retired into this program.]

I think the Midwest > East Coast; MN > RI; lakes > the ocean; and MN State Fair > {} -- but your prejudices may not match mine. :7)

As I wrote, I know a few teachers (2nd grade, middle school, and community college Spanish), plus I work at a small college. Mail me if you care to hear more.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:41 AM on November 5

What is his certification in? Elementary ed and liberal arts secondary ed positions are insanely hard to come by because there are so many more applicants than jobs. But secondary math and science and special ed at all levels are experiencing a shortage. Democracy Prep might be a viable option though - it's in the next town over from Woonsocket and right now, it's only kindergarten, but they are expanding in the next school year.
posted by Ruki at 10:53 AM on November 5