Considering leaving MCPS employment for private

[Anonymous]

Wondering if any MCPS employees are here and willing to share their experiences leaving MCPS for private schools. Any regrets? Happier, the same, or is it worse? I’m with MCPS and really tired of the BS and looking for a change but not sure if this is the way to go

[Anonymous]

I don’t have advice but I am in the same boat amd feel you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wondering if any MCPS employees are here and willing to share their experiences leaving MCPS for private schools. Any regrets? Happier, the same, or is it worse? I’m with MCPS and really tired of the BS and looking for a change but not sure if this is the way to go

Expect to work 50 hrs per week plus commute around 49-50 wks per year.
Do NOT expect automatic raises or cost of living increases. Most people in the private sector have to change jobs for that.
People tend to not really appreciate what they have until it's gone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering if any MCPS employees are here and willing to share their experiences leaving MCPS for private schools. Any regrets? Happier, the same, or is it worse? I’m with MCPS and really tired of the BS and looking for a change but not sure if this is the way to go

Expect to work 50 hrs per week plus commute around 49-50 wks per year.
Do NOT expect automatic raises or cost of living increases. Most people in the private sector have to change jobs for that.
People tend to not really appreciate what they have until it's gone.

That hasn't been my experience. I make far more than I would have had I stayed in MCPS. I have gotten a solid annual raise. I am treated like a professional and feel like a valued member of a community, not a number. I have the flexibility and autonomy to do my job to the best of my availability. Yes, I work hard, but it's because I'm a hard worker, and I'm energized by the work. I don't feel any resentment toward my employer, which is a pleasant change. I also can pursue professional development that's relevant to the work I'm doing. It was the smartest career decision I've ever made to switch to an independent school. (I am not at a parochial or religious school.)

[Anonymous]

I left a neighboring county for a private school. It was a great choice and I’m much happier now.

I don’t make as much, but I am treated so much better. The biggest difference (to me) is admin. The private school admin is there to help teachers succeed. I don’t face unnecessary roadblocks anymore. The administration also makes logical choices, and reaches out to teachers for our opinions all of the time. It’s amazing how effectively we all work together.

I do work harder because expectations are higher. Still, the work environment makes me motivated to do it. There’s a sense of a shared goal.

I miss the pension, but they do contribute to my retirement.

I recommend looking at private. I would have left teaching altogether if I didn’t make the switch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I left a neighboring county for a private school. It was a great choice and I’m much happier now.

I don’t make as much, but I am treated so much better. The biggest difference (to me) is admin. The private school admin is there to help teachers succeed. I don’t face unnecessary roadblocks anymore. The administration also makes logical choices, and reaches out to teachers for our opinions all of the time. It’s amazing how effectively we all work together.

I do work harder because expectations are higher. Still, the work environment makes me motivated to do it. There’s a sense of a shared goal.

I miss the pension, but they do contribute to my retirement.

I recommend looking at private. I would have left teaching altogether if I didn’t make the switch.

I’m the PP, editing to add that I’m at a Catholic school. I do get annual raises.

Easily 1/3 of the staff is made of former public school teachers. We have talked about the switch, and the general consensus is that it was the best choice we made.

[Anonymous]

OP here- thank you for the honest replies. The idea of leaving my pension does scare me but I’m vested and would look for an employer who would contribute to a 401k instead. Several independent schools seem to offer that. I am definitely looking for a more collaborative and supportive work environment. I have been in education a long time and find the staff becoming more and more resistant, lazy and hard to work with in MCPS. Good administration seem to be few and far. As far as working hard in an independent school, I don’t see how Incan possibly be working any harder than I am now with mcps and with no recognition, it’s terrible.

Specific to independent schools- I do worry about losing the protections of the union. Has this ever been an issue for any of you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- thank you for the honest replies. The idea of leaving my pension does scare me but I’m vested and would look for an employer who would contribute to a 401k instead. Several independent schools seem to offer that. I am definitely looking for a more collaborative and supportive work environment. I have been in education a long time and find the staff becoming more and more resistant, lazy and hard to work with in MCPS. Good administration seem to be few and far. As far as working hard in an independent school, I don’t see how Incan possibly be working any harder than I am now with mcps and with no recognition, it’s terrible.

Specific to independent schools- I do worry about losing the protections of the union. Has this ever been an issue for any of you?

Catholic school teacher from above here.

Just to clarify the workload: I did very work hard in public, much harder than I was expected to. I found the standards very low, and some coworkers still struggled to meet them. I now have higher standards to meet, which I appreciate. I have to justify what I do in my classroom through weekly lesson plans, which I never did in public. I am also observed more. None of this bothers me, however, because I figure this is how we keep standards high.

Regarding your union question, I don’t know how much this helps because you specifically asked about independent schools, but I’ve never missed the union. I feel supported by the school and there’s no adversarial relationship like I had in public, so I guess I feel it isn’t as needed.

[Anonymous]

OP here- thank you again! I never would have thought about submitting weekly lesson plans. That’s good for thought and maybe something I should ask about in a potential interview

[Anonymous]

Hi- not a private school teacher but I have come from industry. Just some food for thought. If you have an employer who values their employees, there is NO need for any union. The fact that we have to ‘rely’ on the crappy one we have is a huge red flag IMO. True professionals understand the importance of mutual respect and collaboration. Best of luck. I hope you find happiness and a positive, welcoming work environment!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering if any MCPS employees are here and willing to share their experiences leaving MCPS for private schools. Any regrets? Happier, the same, or is it worse? I’m with MCPS and really tired of the BS and looking for a change but not sure if this is the way to go

Expect to work 50 hrs per week plus commute around 49-50 wks per year.
Do NOT expect automatic raises or cost of living increases. Most people in the private sector have to change jobs for that.
People tend to not really appreciate what they have until it's gone.

OP is referring to private school not the private sector.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi- not a private school teacher but I have come from industry. Just some food for thought. If you have an employer who values their employees, there is NO need for any union. The fact that we have to ‘rely’ on the crappy one we have is a huge red flag IMO. True professionals understand the importance of mutual respect and collaboration. Best of luck. I hope you find happiness and a positive, welcoming work environment!

No employer values their employees that much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi- not a private school teacher but I have come from industry. Just some food for thought. If you have an employer who values their employees, there is NO need for any union. The fact that we have to ‘rely’ on the crappy one we have is a huge red flag IMO. True professionals understand the importance of mutual respect and collaboration. Best of luck. I hope you find happiness and a positive, welcoming work environment!

No employer values their employees that much.

+1 look at the recent tech layoffs.

-someone who has worked in tech for 20+ years.

[Anonymous]

I haven’t missed having a union. I never needed it when I was in MCPS and I have solid reviews and feel confident about my job security in the private sector. There are plenty of jobs if it just isn’t a good fit for whatever reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi- not a private school teacher but I have come from industry. Just some food for thought. If you have an employer who values their employees, there is NO need for any union. The fact that we have to ‘rely’ on the crappy one we have is a huge red flag IMO. True professionals understand the importance of mutual respect and collaboration. Best of luck. I hope you find happiness and a positive, welcoming work environment!

No employer values their employees that much.

+1 look at the recent tech layoffs.

-someone who has worked in tech for 20+ years.

I'm from tech. Never had any issues. Had to switch jobs often due to grants ending. Not a big deal. Point is teachers are locked into a contract. They can't leave if they have an abusive boss. You can.