Nantucket

[BFieldHusky]

Considering taking a teacher position on Nantucket. I am in the interview process, but things are getting serious enough where I would love to get some info from anyone who has vacationers there or lived there for any stretch. I am at a point in my life where I can start over (divorced, no children).

Pros: The pay is excellent. Small district with smaller class sizes.

Cons: Super expensive place. Housing, especially for teachers, is very hard to come by.

What has been the experience of people who have vacationed or lived there?

 

[Chin Diesel]

I am so proud of the restraint shown by all (so far).

 

[dvegas]

I am so proud of the restraint shown by all (so far)

guessing that's out of respect to allow temery to make that post!

 

[Hey Adrien!]

What a unique opportunity. I've known plenty of teachers who've tried out unique locations at various points of their lives and all were very happy they at least tried it out: a recently divorced empty nester did curriculum work and PT teaching in New Mexico; a current co-worker from the midwest took a gig in Oman, ended up living there for 20+ years to raise his family. A single middle-aged guy took a gig in Boulder after a serious medical concern, stayed four years and really cherished the adventure of that.

I guess the biggest question is would you want to be that isolated during the school year? Year-round population is 14k, so it's an opportunity to truly engrain yourself into the community.

If I were in your situation, I'd do the long-term rental situation. See if there are any unique Vrbo/AirBnbs that typically don't book in the winter and negotiate one-month or multi-month stays, depending on your interest. I had a friend who taught in Westport in a year and found some really cool rental spots in town at very reasonable rates, I'd assume there are plenty of opportunities like that in Nantucket. Also, I just checked their pay scale...not bad! (lol).

Honest take: most likely won't be a long-term landing spot, but at the very least, I think it'll be really cool to try it out for at least a year. You mentioned small class sizes: I teach in a small, international school and my biggest class is 13 kids, so that makes a huge difference in terms of both classroom management and just general community feel. Less authority figure and more positive role model.

 

[Waquoit]

Considering taking a teacher position on Nantucket. I am in the interview process, but things are getting serious enough where I would love to get some info from anyone who has vacationers there or lived there for any stretch. I am at a point in my life where I can start over (divorced, no children)....

From the sidelines I encourage you to go for it. Sounds like it could be a great adventure.

 

[huskymedic]

Shortcut if needed <

 

[sledog]

Cold and lonely in winter

 

[SubbaBub]

Like any seasonal playground for the rich. Figure out your housing, ask what other people do. It's also a small enough place that the people you are talking to, know people who will rent to teachers.

Ask if you'll need to leave during the summer. Should be plenty of housesitting/off-season rentals during the winter.

Island fever is a thing. Some people can't handle it. If you're young enough, go for it.