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Corps Year: 1997 |
What was it like becoming a new resident to Jacksonville five years after your Teach For America experience?
Jacksonville is a very “livable” city because it is not too overwhelming in size, but still has a lot to offer. Becoming a new resident was relatively easy because the city is friendly and welcoming. Many of the neighborhoods have an open feeling to them with a mix of “locals” who were born and raised in the area, and those who have transferred from other locations. You can quickly become integrated into the area by joining one of the many clubs and organizations that are available.
Also, Jacksonville is a growing city and has had a large influx of newcomers over the last 10 years. Therefore, the city provides numerous services for those individuals who are relocating or who are new to the area. It is a very affordable place to live, a short commute to the beach, and the airport is easy to get into and out of.
Can you explain Jacksonville’s educational need from the perspective of your professional sector?
As a consultant, I am usually brought into a school district to provide advice and guidance for how to utilize technology more efficiently, or redesign administrative and business functions in order to run a more efficient school system. Both of these objectives have the ultimate goal of saving the district funds so that more money can go back into the classrooms.
From my experience working with Duval County Public Schools, I have found that the district has a wide range of educational opportunities for its students. Its Magnet programs are excellent, and several of the district’s high schools rank among the nation’s top five in the country. However, there is a large percentage of schools who serve low-income families who really need Teach For America teachers to provide a fresh perspective and set high expectations for its students.
Tell us about your experiences living in Jacksonville. What is appealing about this city to newcomers?
One of the best things about Jacksonville is the great weather, with lots of blue skies and sunny days. The summers can get a little warm, but the temperatures are not too stifling since we are so close to the ocean. The winters are fabulous with days typically in the 60’s and 70’s, and the nights are cooler in the high 40’s and low 50’s. With this kind of great weather, there are lots of outdoor activities and sports like cycling, running, and surfing.
I love that I can live near the city with access to arts, restaurants, and shopping, but then get to the beach in 25 minutes. Or, I could live near the beach and get to downtown very easily to see the Jacksonville Jaguars play an NFL football game, see the Suns play minor league baseball in their new stadium, or see the Barracudas play a minor league hockey game. Jacksonville is also not too far from other major Florida cities. You can buy a relatively inexpensive Southwest ticket to Orlando or Ft. Lauderdale. You can also get to Orlando by car in less than three hours, or to Miami in just over five hours. Heading north, you can drive to Savannah, Georgia, in two hours or Atlanta in five hours.
Where do you live? Which communities/neighborhoods would you recommend to new corps members (and why)?
I live in a community called San Marco, which is not too far from downtown Jacksonville. If you don’t mind walking, it only takes about 15-20 minutes to walk to downtown, which is nice when there are fireworks to see along the river. San Marco has a nice “town” section that includes unique shops and restaurants, but also has the “can’t do without” Starbucks and two really good pizza places. There are a few other areas similar to San Marco that are west of the city including Five Points, Avondale, and Murray Hill. Each of these areas is unique in what they have to offer, and have a wide range of price options for places to live. They also have a mix of renovated houses to buy or rent, or new apartments.
Because the city of Jacksonville encompasses all of Duval County, it is a large area. Therefore, there are a lot of different types of locations to live. The city is doing a lot to attract young professionals to live downtown. There are many apartments and condos available here, and new restaurants and clubs are being built. Right outside of downtown is another up and coming area called Springfield. Here you will find many renovated Victorian homes that are very reasonable, plus a community in the midst of revitalization.
If you prefer newer apartments and townhouses that are easily accessible to the highway and closer to the beach (10-15 minutes), then the Deerwood area is great. Living at one of the four beach areas is also an option if you want quicker access to the beach, and do not mind the daily traffic.
In your own words, what do you think Jacksonville can offer corps members and what are your thoughts on Teach For America’s decision to come to Jacksonville?
Jacksonville has a tremendous amount that it can offer corps members, both professionally and personally. Since the school district recruited Teach For America, corps members will be welcomed into the city and have a strong base of support. On a personal level, the cost of living is very reasonable in Jacksonville, and it truly is a beautiful city. It is big enough to have the amenities of a “city” yet small enough to still have a community-feel to it. And it is so nice to have access to beaches and the ocean just minutes away!
Duval County Public School has been steadily improving for the last five years. The mayor and City Council are big supporters of the work being done, and the business community has demonstrated their support for the schools. With this strong base of support, Teach For America is well positioned to respond to the real needs of the students of Jacksonville. It should be a great fit and a great experience for new corps members.
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