A few questions.. I have been debating on teaching in the city. I know its a long day. Is it worth it? Is it fun? How much do you like it and why? I would LOVE to teach on the island but I have my bs. in sociology. If I teach in the city, i think I heard they pay for your masters. Can you please give me more info on teaching in the city? TY so much!!!
cocoa
Posted:
Member since
Re: City Teachers
Don't do it!!! no, i'm just kidding! is it worth it??? good question. the days are long. i leave the house at 6:45 and get home around 4:15. that is a long day. add bad weather or an accident and ha! make the commute about 2 hours! then add on top of that every other monday an extra 100 minutes for professional development...which means that you are forced to stay at school for no good reason. then add a couple of hours every night at home planning! no paper for the copiers. broken copiers. no parking when there is snow. then add on top of that the literacy program that is the vaguest thing ever! the pay is less and we don't have a contract and you basically are at the will power of the kids. however, it is a job and personally, i'd rather teach in the city and be teaching along with good benefits than be a sub on LI with no benefits and not always have work that is consistent. it is hard. but i loooove my kids. PITA's that they are, i do love them and get a kick out of their thoughts and love wanting to teach them. hard job? absolutley. no doubt about it. but it is hard on long island, too. there are a lot more negatives about teaching in the city, but a job is a job. and about them paying for your masters. i haven't heard about that unless you are doing the program that puts you in the really bad areas and you learn as you go. but i know people who are doing it and while it too is hard, they adore their students.
TracyInQueens
Posted:
Member since
Re: City Teachers
It depends. There are lots of drawbacks and just as many positives. I have taught in NYC for seven years. I don't have a long commute since Queens to the Bronx is not that far.
I happen to work in a nice middle school that is mostly well run with ample resources- more books than we know what to do with, copiers, overheads, a mobile laptop lab, a gorgeous library renovated by P. Diddy (well, his money anyway). The kids are well behaved for the most part because they know that the adults are on top of things. My school is also in the South Bronx and over 90% free lunch. But I have to say, being in that environment has given me chances to really make a difference for some of these kids. I know that sounds hokey, but some of them are very needy and will really be happy to let you in and let you help them. There's no better feeling than that.
I think you really have to know yourself. I know people who are great teachers in suburban settings who would not last in a city classroom for a whole host of reasons. And as a city teacher, I just don't think I'd be any good in a suburban setting. Since you aren't yet certified you will probably end up in a hard to staff school and that will bring its own set of special challenges. If you want it badly enough and find a handful of kids to make it worth it, you'll get through that first year.
I'd suggest that you 1) be wary of a first year principal, unless it's someone who has substantial AP experience 2) look into the smaller new schools that will be opening this fall but find out if it's a mix of vets and new people- a school with all new teachers is a recipe for disaster, in my experience.
If you have other questions, I would be happy to answer them via FM or on here.
beachgirl13
Posted:
Member since
Re: City Teachers
I'm a city teacher and love it. I teach HS. The city won't pay for your masters unless you get into the teaching fellows program. Yes, teaching in the city is tough and we don't make as much money. However, I agree with Tracy. It's very rewarding. If you really want to teach, I wouldn't shy away from the city. JMO.
