Dumb question: DCPS vs. DCPCS hiring

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While it’s understandable that you want to help your friend, please consider that children will be directly affected if she is an ineffective teacher. Hiding information about a previously unsuccessful teaching job at a charter school from DCPS principals trying to make a good hiring decision is unethical. Maybe she should look for something outside the classroom directly but still in the field of education. She might find something she likes and it more successful doing. Lots of education-connected non-profits in the area.

I’m sorry, but it seems I was unclear. I thought I noted in my PS at the end of the OP that I am trying to discourage her. I agree with everything you say. She is somewhat aware that she’s not a good teacher, but that hasn’t discouraged her yet. I’m hoping DCPS and DCPCS communicate and her past firing would be a roadblock to being hired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I’ve taught in both DCPS and DC charter schools, they generally don’t care if you mention fear of retaliation. Also you’re more likely to get a job closer to August, although sometimes the pickings are slim. DCPS despite the facade that it puts out is in desperate need of teachers. Most school districts these days take what hey can get as the workload keeps increasing, pay stagnates and student loans will *only* pay off your entire debt if you work in a high stressed, highly impoverished school. As long as you don’t have any red flags in your background check you are pretty solid. I wish caution you about applying to DC charter schools. They don’t have many rights and are often at-will employees, I’ve seen people walked out at the end of the day with little warning about what they did wrong and without so much as a 30 intervention plan. Like all work places politics matter but teaching in DCPS is often a landmine. I would suggest that you try to get into one of the better DCPS schools. Now that IMPACT is gone you might have a little time for the school admin to allow you to grow into your classroom manangenent style.

I’m not job seeking. I’m mid-career in MCPS. My friend happened to share her plans and I was appalled for the sake of the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While it’s understandable that you want to help your friend, please consider that children will be directly affected if she is an ineffective teacher. Hiding information about a previously unsuccessful teaching job at a charter school from DCPS principals trying to make a good hiring decision is unethical. Maybe she should look for something outside the classroom directly but still in the field of education. She might find something she likes and it more successful doing. Lots of education-connected non-profits in the area.

I’m sorry, but it seems I was unclear. I thought I noted in my PS at the end of the OP that I am trying to discourage her. I agree with everything you say. She is somewhat aware that she’s not a good teacher, but that hasn’t discouraged her yet. I’m hoping DCPS and DCPCS communicate and her past firing would be a roadblock to being hired.

The reality is that no one is perfect, many of our first jobs after college and post grad school is learning how to apply theory to real world application. I’m not going to actively discourage someone like the OP, as people on this board should be grateful that anyone wants to go into teaching their little urchins and stay in teaching. Do you know how hard it is to recruit people that aren’t in teaching just to bolster their law school/Med school/other school application admissions stories? Administrators would much rather work with someone like the OP than someone who is well polished but will be there for less than 3 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While it’s understandable that you want to help your friend, please consider that children will be directly affected if she is an ineffective teacher. Hiding information about a previously unsuccessful teaching job at a charter school from DCPS principals trying to make a good hiring decision is unethical. Maybe she should look for something outside the classroom directly but still in the field of education. She might find something she likes and it more successful doing. Lots of education-connected non-profits in the area.

I’m sorry, but it seems I was unclear. I thought I noted in my PS at the end of the OP that I am trying to discourage her. I agree with everything you say. She is somewhat aware that she’s not a good teacher, but that hasn’t discouraged her yet. I’m hoping DCPS and DCPCS communicate and her past firing would be a roadblock to being hired.

The reality is that no one is perfect, many of our first jobs after college and post grad school is learning how to apply theory to real world application. I’m not going to actively discourage someone like the OP, as people on this board should be grateful that anyone wants to go into teaching their little urchins and stay in teaching. Do you know how hard it is to recruit people that aren’t in teaching just to bolster their law school/Med school/other school application admissions stories? Administrators would much rather work with someone like the OP than someone who is well polished but will be there for less than 3 years.

I’m the OP. I am not looking for a job. I’m writing about my friend. She’s had 4 years to make that transition and still struggles with keeping track of work and not having a zoo-like atmosphere for any activities that aren’t tests. I could not let her teach my child so I won’t encourage her to return to a classroom for a fifth year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I’ve taught in both DCPS and DC charter schools, they generally don’t care if you mention fear of retaliation. Also you’re more likely to get a job closer to August, although sometimes the pickings are slim. DCPS despite the facade that it puts out is in desperate need of teachers. Most school districts these days take what hey can get as the workload keeps increasing, pay stagnates and student loans will *only* pay off your entire debt if you work in a high stressed, highly impoverished school. As long as you don’t have any red flags in your background check you are pretty solid. I wish caution you about applying to DC charter schools. They don’t have many rights and are often at-will employees, I’ve seen people walked out at the end of the day with little warning about what they did wrong and without so much as a 30 intervention plan. Like all work places politics matter but teaching in DCPS is often a landmine. I would suggest that you try to get into one of the better DCPS schools. Now that IMPACT is gone you might have a little time for the school admin to allow you to grow into your classroom manangenent style.

Uhm. Where did IMPACT go? Curious DCPS teacher here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I’ve taught in both DCPS and DC charter schools, they generally don’t care if you mention fear of retaliation. Also you’re more likely to get a job closer to August, although sometimes the pickings are slim. DCPS despite the facade that it puts out is in desperate need of teachers. Most school districts these days take what hey can get as the workload keeps increasing, pay stagnates and student loans will *only* pay off your entire debt if you work in a high stressed, highly impoverished school. As long as you don’t have any red flags in your background check you are pretty solid. I wish caution you about applying to DC charter schools. They don’t have many rights and are often at-will employees, I’ve seen people walked out at the end of the day with little warning about what they did wrong and without so much as a 30 intervention plan. Like all work places politics matter but teaching in DCPS is often a landmine. I would suggest that you try to get into one of the better DCPS schools. Now that IMPACT is gone you might have a little time for the school admin to allow you to grow into your classroom manangenent style.

Uhm. Where did IMPACT go? Curious DCPS teacher here.

IMPACT no longer has ME's and its strictly school-based. This would allow the DCPS teacher in question to just have good political skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While it’s understandable that you want to help your friend, please consider that children will be directly affected if she is an ineffective teacher. Hiding information about a previously unsuccessful teaching job at a charter school from DCPS principals trying to make a good hiring decision is unethical. Maybe she should look for something outside the classroom directly but still in the field of education. She might find something she likes and it more successful doing. Lots of education-connected non-profits in the area.

I’m sorry, but it seems I was unclear. I thought I noted in my PS at the end of the OP that I am trying to discourage her. I agree with everything you say. She is somewhat aware that she’s not a good teacher, but that hasn’t discouraged her yet. I’m hoping DCPS and DCPCS communicate and her past firing would be a roadblock to being hired.

New School Safety Act requires that DCPS and charters at least contact every former employer for the past 20 years where the applicant had a child-facing position. This doesn't mean the charter will disclose poor performance but it makes it more likely. You can also let your friend know it is a CERTAINTY that former employers will be contacted under the new law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While it’s understandable that you want to help your friend, please consider that children will be directly affected if she is an ineffective teacher. Hiding information about a previously unsuccessful teaching job at a charter school from DCPS principals trying to make a good hiring decision is unethical. Maybe she should look for something outside the classroom directly but still in the field of education. She might find something she likes and it more successful doing. Lots of education-connected non-profits in the area.

I’m sorry, but it seems I was unclear. I thought I noted in my PS at the end of the OP that I am trying to discourage her. I agree with everything you say. She is somewhat aware that she’s not a good teacher, but that hasn’t discouraged her yet. I’m hoping DCPS and DCPCS communicate and her past firing would be a roadblock to being hired.

New School Safety Act requires that DCPS and charters at least contact every former employer for the past 20 years where the applicant had a child-facing position. This doesn't mean the charter will disclose poor performance but it makes it more likely. You can also let your friend know it is a CERTAINTY that former employers will be contacted under the new law.

That is a relief!

I’ve been honest with her about my concerns. I’m reluctant to press so hard that I lose the friendship of DCPS isn’t going to hire her anyway.

[Anonymous]

Some of these responses make it clear that you have no idea how hard it is to fill teaching positions in ward 7 and 8. She’ll get hired. Quickly probably. Not that she’ll do a good job but spaces need to be filled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:won't her resume include the DCPCS? If I were a principal, I'd be sniffing around that entry.

No. She left it off after MCPS and PGCPS turned her down. Right now her resume shows just her certification program, a semester of student teaching, and the private school. I guess a smart principal will ask about the gap.

Well damn, if she was turned down by PGCPS then she might want to consider going back to school for a specialty or taking additional classes to beef up her skills. They were literally desperate for teachers last year to the point of offering sign on bonuses.

[Anonymous]

IMPACT is gone???? I missed that bit of news.

Anonymous wrote:OP, I’ve taught in both DCPS and DC charter schools, they generally don’t care if you mention fear of retaliation. Also you’re more likely to get a job closer to August, although sometimes the pickings are slim. DCPS despite the facade that it puts out is in desperate need of teachers. Most school districts these days take what hey can get as the workload keeps increasing, pay stagnates and student loans will *only* pay off your entire debt if you work in a high stressed, highly impoverished school. As long as you don’t have any red flags in your background check you are pretty solid. I wish caution you about applying to DC charter schools. They don’t have many rights and are often at-will employees, I’ve seen people walked out at the end of the day with little warning about what they did wrong and without so much as a 30 intervention plan. Like all work places politics matter but teaching in DCPS is often a landmine. I would suggest that you try to get into one of the better DCPS schools. Now that IMPACT is gone you might have a little time for the school admin to allow you to grow into your classroom manangenent style.

[Anonymous]

DCPS will not help her become a better teacher. It will actually kill what little bit of self esteem she has left if she get through the system. She needs to go to a district where they provide adequate professional development and grow from within.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While it’s understandable that you want to help your friend, please consider that children will be directly affected if she is an ineffective teacher. Hiding information about a previously unsuccessful teaching job at a charter school from DCPS principals trying to make a good hiring decision is unethical. Maybe she should look for something outside the classroom directly but still in the field of education. She might find something she likes and it more successful doing. Lots of education-connected non-profits in the area.

I’m sorry, but it seems I was unclear. I thought I noted in my PS at the end of the OP that I am trying to discourage her. I agree with everything you say. She is somewhat aware that she’s not a good teacher, but that hasn’t discouraged her yet. I’m hoping DCPS and DCPCS communicate and her past firing would be a roadblock to being hired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of these responses make it clear that you have no idea how hard it is to fill teaching positions in ward 7 and 8. She’ll get hired. Quickly probably. Not that she’ll do a good job but spaces need to be filled.

Not good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these responses make it clear that you have no idea how hard it is to fill teaching positions in ward 7 and 8. She’ll get hired. Quickly probably. Not that she’ll do a good job but spaces need to be filled.

Not good.

It’s not good but it’s real life.

[Anonymous]

If I understand you correctly, she had another job after the charter job. It’s unlikely they will contact the charter unless the principal looking knows the principal of the charter. The school will contact most recent employer, who will say RIFed and maybe will or maybe will not mention the disorganized nature or lack of lesson planning.

Was the person let go mid year or end of year? Makes a huge difference. On the positive, there have been plenty of teachers who sucked at our charter and who were let go (end of year) who thrived in other schools and counties. Her being bad in one context does not mean she will suck in another. Heck, one teacher we did not rehire became teacher of the near at his next placement.

But I don’t understand why this person would leave the private market. Seems perfect for her.