NWR: Teaching Q...choice...what would u do?

Hi, I'm a regular poster, but someone I work with is on here, so I have to go incognito.

I've been teaching at my current job for 2 years and enjoy the kids and age level, but not the faculty. I just have never felt welcome, everyone is out the door at 3 & there are major cliques and most everyone has been there 5+ years so I'm the outsider. I also do not get along with my team teacher who resents me (b/c I took her friend's job).

Choice is this....

My old school principal just asked if I'd be interested in coming back (same pay). I LOVED working there & 3 of my closest friends are there & its a more laid back environment & I know the routine there.

Cons: Not as crazy about the grade level I'd be teaching

It would be a 20 minute extra ride

My resume looks unstable going back/forth between schools.

What would you do?

(PS nothing is definite b/c the principal is trying to get rid of the person who's job I'd take---my old job)

I would take it, but wouldnt say anything to your present job until its set in stone.

You can always switch grades in the future and you really need to do what makes you happy.

Good Luck

This is a tough one.... I team taught with a girl last year who was a miserable person and we just did not get a long so that was hard.... but on the other hand, is that where you will always be??? Also, it takes time to get to know people... you won't always be the new person, you have to give yourself time to get acclimated and for others to get acclimated to you. Also, think about your tenure... I would probably go to the place where I can get that the quickest if most other things are comparable between the two places. Also, although it is nice to be friendly with the faculty, compare the 2 districts. which is of a higher calibre? which offers the best professional development? which school has the most professional/supportive prinicpal? which district has a supportive community and families? which district has the better teacher union and/or contract??? there is a lot more to think about than just the social aspect!

let me know if i can help.. i've taught in a few districts... moved around a few times because I was unhappy professionally and now i am in my dream district and school.

GOOD LUCK!

Personally I would go to the old job. I was miserable last year, not liking the grade level I was at and I was hired at the last minute the day before school started, the faculty was so diverse & no one was friendly with one another. It was a tough place to work. I decided to leave at year end & now teach 3rd grade (my ideal grade) & its a good school, no comment on the faculty

Go for the old job! Make sure not to quite your current job before you have the new one, (but I'm sure you already know that ) And in time they may put you in a grade you like to teach, from what you say they seem to really like you there. Good luck!!

Well, the question I would ask is: why did you leave your old job in the first place?

Finding a new job usually takes a decent amount of effort, so you must have had a good reason to leave. Before you return to it you really want to ask yourself if those reasons still hold true for you.

If the reasoning was the grade level and distance, then (in my very humble opinion) those aren't such huge obstacles, so it might be worth considering going back, but that's completely a matter of opinion, I don't think I would have personally left a job for those reasons alone, so that's just me. In that case, I think working environment is SO important, if going to work makes you feel miserable and lonely then it's definitely worth considering changing jobs if you can.

But just remember that there was a reason you left this job to begin with, and you don't want to get stuck in the same trap.

good luck, it sounds like a tough choice!