teachers leaving MCPS for private schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just reading about a thread from earlier this year about MCPS teachers leaving for private schools.
How does one go about finding these jobs?
Do you just go to the private school websites and search?
What schools are know for supporting teachers?
Thanks for any insights

You will make less money but students may not have the number of SEL issues that occur in public schools.

because privates kick those kids to the curb

[Anonymous]

NAIS career website. You can search by location:

https://www.nais.org/careers/

[Anonymous]

Is it true that for high school, private school teachers teach 4 periods per day vs. 5? I teach 5 sections of 31-33 students every day + give lunch help and every day is completely exhausting. I’m getting burned out

[Anonymous]

There are different schools with different schedules. But the schools I’ve worked at give teachers more planning time than Mcps did.

[Anonymous]

The good DMV area independent schools try hard to match or come close to public school salary schedules. I worked at a JK-12 private school in Alexandria and they were only a little lower than FCPS at the time. The difference with independent schools is that you can negotiate salary to some degree (depends on how much they want you & what other offers you might have). Independent schools will recognize every one of years of teaching, whereas MCPS will only recognize up to 12 years of experience, which is a real blow for experienced teachers coming in from other areas or form independents.

Unfortunately it very uncommon in this area to get full tuition remission (I think St. Alban’s and NCS both in DC) are the only schools have have free tuition for children. 50% is more common, but that was still prohibitive for my family to afford.

Smaller class size is wonderful, but grading expectations are pretty intense in that you have provide a number grade as well as a unique narrative description (usually a couple paragraphs) for each student several times a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it true that for high school, private school teachers teach 4 periods per day vs. 5? I teach 5 sections of 31-33 students every day + give lunch help and every day is completely exhausting. I’m getting burned out

Most private HS in this area have less than 200 kids per grade and get to cherry pick their students. Of course the teachers have more freedom.

[Anonymous]

I teach in a private high school. I get 2 hours of planning time a day. Classes average 22 students.

My pay is similar to public school. I get paid 2K less than I used to get teaching public.

The biggest change is the professional respect. I haven’t been undermined or micromanaged once by an administrator. I actually get thanked. A vice principal asked me recently if she could cover my class during group work to give me grading time. She knew I just collected a big assignment.

I highly recommend it. I found my position through one of the links already posted on this thread.

[Anonymous]

Do the private schools have a pension plan, or are you in a 401k (or similar)?

[Anonymous]

Any issues teaching evidence-based science?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any issues teaching evidence-based science?

I teach in a Catholic high school. We have AP Chem, AP Physics, AP Bio, etc. Catholicism is not at odds with science. Our school does not teach things like creationism, etc. Is that what you’re asking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do the private schools have a pension plan, or are you in a 401k (or similar)?

I have a 403B that the school contributes to.

[Anonymous]

I left public for private. I got a small raise, but of course I'm no longer contributing towards my pension, which is a significant long term financial loss. I actually have more face time with students, no duty free lunch, and a longer school day. I have similar behavior issues, which was a surprise. But those kids' families are pushed to get therapy, OT, etc under the assumption of "help fix this or you're out at some point". How long that will actually take is yet to be seen.
I have less prep time, but I do have a full time aide, which helps a lot. The curriculum is all screwed up, but there's less pressure to meet certain standards. I just have a couple of more years and hope I can make it work for that long. I am protecting my personal time and just not working as hard after work. I arrive early, but only stay late 2 days a week. Overall, my impression is that all schools are dysfunctional and young people should avoid the profession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any issues teaching evidence-based science?

I teach in a Catholic high school. We have AP Chem, AP Physics, AP Bio, etc. Catholicism is not at odds with science. Our school does not teach things like creationism, etc. Is that what you’re asking?

Sadly, people on DCUM do think Catholics believe in creationism. It’s an argument my XH tried to use in court. I submitted the school’s science curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any issues teaching evidence-based science?

I teach in a Catholic high school. We have AP Chem, AP Physics, AP Bio, etc. Catholicism is not at odds with science. Our school does not teach things like creationism, etc. Is that what you’re asking?

Yes, thanks! I have had public school families that have gotten upset when I have taught convergent evolution but we are protected because it's in the standards. I refuse to teach anything that is not based in evidence (i.e. creationism or the like), so as a science teacher that has always given me pause before jumping ship to private. And FYI, there are Catholics and Christians that believe in Creationism (I taught science with one!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any issues teaching evidence-based science?

I teach in a Catholic high school. We have AP Chem, AP Physics, AP Bio, etc. Catholicism is not at odds with science. Our school does not teach things like creationism, etc. Is that what you’re asking?

Sadly, people on DCUM do think Catholics believe in creationism. It’s an argument my XH tried to use in court. I submitted the school’s science curriculum.

People who think this are quite stupid.