MCPS Teachers - Do You Send Your Own Kids to Public School?

[Anonymous]

If we could remove politicians from public school education and give it the wide waging freedom that private schools are allowed, one wonders what they could be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have taught in MCPS for almost twenty years. I have happily had my kids in HCPSS since kindergarten. I will be moving into Montgomery County next month as I couldn’t pass down the opportunity to move into a home that I inherited from a relative. I’m very nervous and already looking into private schools for HS.

I know what doesn’t make the news and I’m not happy with the direction MCPS is going.

As taxpayers, we are so happy that your privilege can afford you a free house and private school tuition.

You should be happy she's stuck around for 20 years! Many staff are leaving the MCPS hellscape.

Left last year and would never go back!

How long were you here - i.e., were you here when it was considered good/decent (before the pandemic)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a huge advocate for free public education. I think quality education should be accessible to all regardless of income level. In MCPS, my children will attend public school. That said, we lived previously in an area where there was only one high school with nearly 8,000 students. Gang issues were pervasive. For the safety of my own children, I would have opted for private.

MCPS’ schools have their own issues but so do private schools. On the whole, you can get a really strong education and often better what private schools offer.

You kid yourself.

[Anonymous]

Yes - mcps teacher with kids in mcps and most of the teachers in my school have kids in mcps/graduated mcps.

This would be the typical answer for most schools but maybe it’s neighborhood dependent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a huge advocate for free public education. I think quality education should be accessible to all regardless of income level. In MCPS, my children will attend public school. That said, we lived previously in an area where there was only one high school with nearly 8,000 students. Gang issues were pervasive. For the safety of my own children, I would have opted for private.

MCPS’ schools have their own issues but so do private schools. On the whole, you can get a really strong education and often better what private schools offer.

You kid yourself.

Sure. My 20 years of experience across school districts and private schools MUST be wrong.

Standards are higher in the private schools I’m affiliated with. I went 5 years without observations in public school. I’m observed 8 times a year now and I have to justify my curriculum choices to admin/curriculum advisors.

I was never asked for plans in public. I have to post my plans to parents and students each week now.

I’m sent to more trainings now, and they are actually useful, even to experienced teachers. In public, I sat through training for whatever the latest craze was, knowing it would be gone in a year anyway.

I am held accountable, and students are held accountable.

So yes, from my extensive experience I find private works far better for my own children and for my students. It shouldn’t be that way, but it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a huge advocate for free public education. I think quality education should be accessible to all regardless of income level. In MCPS, my children will attend public school. That said, we lived previously in an area where there was only one high school with nearly 8,000 students. Gang issues were pervasive. For the safety of my own children, I would have opted for private.

MCPS’ schools have their own issues but so do private schools. On the whole, you can get a really strong education and often better what private schools offer.

You kid yourself.

Sure. My 20 years of experience across school districts and private schools MUST be wrong.

Standards are higher in the private schools I’m affiliated with. I went 5 years without observations in public school. I’m observed 8 times a year now and I have to justify my curriculum choices to admin/curriculum advisors.

I was never asked for plans in public. I have to post my plans to parents and students each week now.

I’m sent to more trainings now, and they are actually useful, even to experienced teachers. In public, I sat through training for whatever the latest craze was, knowing it would be gone in a year anyway.

I am held accountable, and students are held accountable.

So yes, from my extensive experience I find private works far better for my own children and for my students. It shouldn’t be that way, but it is.

Why would you go to a school that makes you justify your curriculum choices? No one wonder they hold you to a higher standard if no one is teaching the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have taught in MCPS for almost twenty years. I have happily had my kids in HCPSS since kindergarten. I will be moving into Montgomery County next month as I couldn’t pass down the opportunity to move into a home that I inherited from a relative. I’m very nervous and already looking into private schools for HS.

I know what doesn’t make the news and I’m not happy with the direction MCPS is going.

As taxpayers, we are so happy that your privilege can afford you a free house and private school tuition.

You should be happy she's stuck around for 20 years! Many staff are leaving the MCPS hellscape.

Left last year and would never go back!

How long were you here - i.e., were you here when it was considered good/decent (before the pandemic)?

'

Hahaha! How old are you, 12?

I started teaching in 2001 and the first teacher I interacted with told me he was retiring early/getting out/changing careers because MCPS was going downhill fast. A never-ending flow has since followed.

We did put put our son in private (Catholic) school. Having only one child, we could afford it. (DH is also a teacher.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have taught in MCPS for almost twenty years. I have happily had my kids in HCPSS since kindergarten. I will be moving into Montgomery County next month as I couldn’t pass down the opportunity to move into a home that I inherited from a relative. I’m very nervous and already looking into private schools for HS.

I know what doesn’t make the news and I’m not happy with the direction MCPS is going.

As taxpayers, we are so happy that your privilege can afford you a free house and private school tuition.

You should be happy she's stuck around for 20 years! Many staff are leaving the MCPS hellscape.

Left last year and would never go back!

How long were you here - i.e., were you here when it was considered good/decent (before the pandemic)?

'

Hahaha! How old are you, 12?

I started teaching in 2001 and the first teacher I interacted with told me he was retiring early/getting out/changing careers because MCPS was going downhill fast. A never-ending flow has since followed.

We did put put our son in private (Catholic) school. Having only one child, we could afford it. (DH is also a teacher.)

How fast is the “downhill” if it’s still going on after almost 25 years? 🤣 just goes to show, a district this size with just as much diversity cannot please everyone, no matter when.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a huge advocate for free public education. I think quality education should be accessible to all regardless of income level. In MCPS, my children will attend public school. That said, we lived previously in an area where there was only one high school with nearly 8,000 students. Gang issues were pervasive. For the safety of my own children, I would have opted for private.

MCPS’ schools have their own issues but so do private schools. On the whole, you can get a really strong education and often better what private schools offer.

You kid yourself.

Sure. My 20 years of experience across school districts and private schools MUST be wrong.

Standards are higher in the private schools I’m affiliated with. I went 5 years without observations in public school. I’m observed 8 times a year now and I have to justify my curriculum choices to admin/curriculum advisors.

I was never asked for plans in public. I have to post my plans to parents and students each week now.

I’m sent to more trainings now, and they are actually useful, even to experienced teachers. In public, I sat through training for whatever the latest craze was, knowing it would be gone in a year anyway.

I am held accountable, and students are held accountable.

So yes, from my extensive experience I find private works far better for my own children and for my students. It shouldn’t be that way, but it is.

Why would you go to a school that makes you justify your curriculum choices? No one wonder they hold you to a higher standard if no one is teaching the same thing.

Each teacher works with a content team. We plan the course together.

Because there SHOULD be a method of quality checking curricula and teaching methods. I want to bounce my ideas off others. It helps me as I align course content to standards, to students’ needs, etc. This is what education should look like because decisions are purposeful and backed by experience/research.

There was no oversight in public. A weak administrator would say “I have this great idea” and I had to implement it, even if I knew it didn’t meet any true purpose and it was just a colossal waste of students’ time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a huge advocate for free public education. I think quality education should be accessible to all regardless of income level. In MCPS, my children will attend public school. That said, we lived previously in an area where there was only one high school with nearly 8,000 students. Gang issues were pervasive. For the safety of my own children, I would have opted for private.

MCPS’ schools have their own issues but so do private schools. On the whole, you can get a really strong education and often better what private schools offer.

You kid yourself.

Sure. My 20 years of experience across school districts and private schools MUST be wrong.

Standards are higher in the private schools I’m affiliated with. I went 5 years without observations in public school. I’m observed 8 times a year now and I have to justify my curriculum choices to admin/curriculum advisors.

I was never asked for plans in public. I have to post my plans to parents and students each week now.

I’m sent to more trainings now, and they are actually useful, even to experienced teachers. In public, I sat through training for whatever the latest craze was, knowing it would be gone in a year anyway.

I am held accountable, and students are held accountable.

So yes, from my extensive experience I find private works far better for my own children and for my students. It shouldn’t be that way, but it is.

Good points. I just wish it was more accessible to people. You shouldn’t have to have a surplus of cash or wealthy grandparents to get a good education. And many of us are not poor by any means - we just can’t afford private school. MCPS actually CAN be a good school District. It’s just not anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a huge advocate for free public education. I think quality education should be accessible to all regardless of income level. In MCPS, my children will attend public school. That said, we lived previously in an area where there was only one high school with nearly 8,000 students. Gang issues were pervasive. For the safety of my own children, I would have opted for private.

MCPS’ schools have their own issues but so do private schools. On the whole, you can get a really strong education and often better what private schools offer.

You kid yourself.

Sure. My 20 years of experience across school districts and private schools MUST be wrong.

Standards are higher in the private schools I’m affiliated with. I went 5 years without observations in public school. I’m observed 8 times a year now and I have to justify my curriculum choices to admin/curriculum advisors.

I was never asked for plans in public. I have to post my plans to parents and students each week now.

I’m sent to more trainings now, and they are actually useful, even to experienced teachers. In public, I sat through training for whatever the latest craze was, knowing it would be gone in a year anyway.

I am held accountable, and students are held accountable.

So yes, from my extensive experience I find private works far better for my own children and for my students. It shouldn’t be that way, but it is.

Why would you go to a school that makes you justify your curriculum choices? No one wonder they hold you to a higher standard if no one is teaching the same thing.

Each teacher works with a content team. We plan the course together.

Because there SHOULD be a method of quality checking curricula and teaching methods. I want to bounce my ideas off others. It helps me as I align course content to standards, to students’ needs, etc. This is what education should look like because decisions are purposeful and backed by experience/research.

There was no oversight in public. A weak administrator would say “I have this great idea” and I had to implement it, even if I knew it didn’t meet any true purpose and it was just a colossal waste of students’ time.

You just have had a bad admin. We have cohorts too and plan together!! We have proven standards in public we have to follow. We have to help anyone who walks on our classrooms, not just the ones who can afford the “education” you seem to infer is superior at your school. Sorry you had a bad experience for so long. I would hate to have to do all that extra busy work. How do you even know someone is even qualified to approve curriculum? Are they better experts? No thanks! No lesson is ever a waste of time with a good educator.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have taught in MCPS for almost twenty years. I have happily had my kids in HCPSS since kindergarten. I will be moving into Montgomery County next month as I couldn’t pass down the opportunity to move into a home that I inherited from a relative. I’m very nervous and already looking into private schools for HS.

I know what doesn’t make the news and I’m not happy with the direction MCPS is going.

As taxpayers, we are so happy that your privilege can afford you a free house and private school tuition.

You should be happy she's stuck around for 20 years! Many staff are leaving the MCPS hellscape.

Left last year and would never go back!

How long were you here - i.e., were you here when it was considered good/decent (before the pandemic)?

'

Hahaha! How old are you, 12?

I started teaching in 2001 and the first teacher I interacted with told me he was retiring early/getting out/changing careers because MCPS was going downhill fast. A never-ending flow has since followed.

We did put put our son in private (Catholic) school. Having only one child, we could afford it. (DH is also a teacher.)

How fast is the “downhill” if it’s still going on after almost 25 years? 🤣 just goes to show, a district this size with just as much diversity cannot please everyone, no matter when.

The decline started with the influx of illegal immigrants and their children in the late 90s. Families that had interest in education. Teachers were told to cater to them. We are still told to do that.

[Anonymous]

NO interest in education. ^^

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have taught in MCPS for almost twenty years. I have happily had my kids in HCPSS since kindergarten. I will be moving into Montgomery County next month as I couldn’t pass down the opportunity to move into a home that I inherited from a relative. I’m very nervous and already looking into private schools for HS.

I know what doesn’t make the news and I’m not happy with the direction MCPS is going.

As taxpayers, we are so happy that your privilege can afford you a free house and private school tuition.

You should be happy she's stuck around for 20 years! Many staff are leaving the MCPS hellscape.

Left last year and would never go back!

How long were you here - i.e., were you here when it was considered good/decent (before the pandemic)?

'

Hahaha! How old are you, 12?

I started teaching in 2001 and the first teacher I interacted with told me he was retiring early/getting out/changing careers because MCPS was going downhill fast. A never-ending flow has since followed.

We did put put our son in private (Catholic) school. Having only one child, we could afford it. (DH is also a teacher.)

How fast is the “downhill” if it’s still going on after almost 25 years? 🤣 just goes to show, a district this size with just as much diversity cannot please everyone, no matter when.

The decline started with the influx of illegal immigrants and their children in the late 90s. Families that had interest in education. Teachers were told to cater to them. We are still told to do that.

😳 did you really type that and hit submit. Yikes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a huge advocate for free public education. I think quality education should be accessible to all regardless of income level. In MCPS, my children will attend public school. That said, we lived previously in an area where there was only one high school with nearly 8,000 students. Gang issues were pervasive. For the safety of my own children, I would have opted for private.

MCPS’ schools have their own issues but so do private schools. On the whole, you can get a really strong education and often better what private schools offer.

You kid yourself.

Sure. My 20 years of experience across school districts and private schools MUST be wrong.

Standards are higher in the private schools I’m affiliated with. I went 5 years without observations in public school. I’m observed 8 times a year now and I have to justify my curriculum choices to admin/curriculum advisors.

I was never asked for plans in public. I have to post my plans to parents and students each week now.

I’m sent to more trainings now, and they are actually useful, even to experienced teachers. In public, I sat through training for whatever the latest craze was, knowing it would be gone in a year anyway.

I am held accountable, and students are held accountable.

So yes, from my extensive experience I find private works far better for my own children and for my students. It shouldn’t be that way, but it is.

Why would you go to a school that makes you justify your curriculum choices? No one wonder they hold you to a higher standard if no one is teaching the same thing.

Each teacher works with a content team. We plan the course together.

Because there SHOULD be a method of quality checking curricula and teaching methods. I want to bounce my ideas off others. It helps me as I align course content to standards, to students’ needs, etc. This is what education should look like because decisions are purposeful and backed by experience/research.

There was no oversight in public. A weak administrator would say “I have this great idea” and I had to implement it, even if I knew it didn’t meet any true purpose and it was just a colossal waste of students’ time.

You just have had a bad admin. We have cohorts too and plan together!! We have proven standards in public we have to follow. We have to help anyone who walks on our classrooms, not just the ones who can afford the “education” you seem to infer is superior at your school. Sorry you had a bad experience for so long. I would hate to have to do all that extra busy work. How do you even know someone is even qualified to approve curriculum? Are they better experts? No thanks! No lesson is ever a waste of time with a good educator.

I’m glad you’re happy with your experience. I was not. I had no control over curricula, which was watered down and didn’t meet my students’ need. You’re worried about who approves my curriculum. Have you wondered about what passes for curricula in public systems? Who, many states away, created that? Did they meet your students to determine their needs and interests?

Good teaching isn’t busy work. I am willing to put in the legwork to tailor the class to my students. (And we use the same “proven standards” you do.)

And I agree with you on one thing: I do wish all students could have a great school experience. They all deserve it. But right now, that’s not the system we have. I tried for years to work in it and finally threw my hands up in defeat. Good for you that you haven’t.