Area Private School Teacher Shortage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a private school administrator reading the comments about the disparity in admin costs vs teacher salaries. I think that administrations might be scaled in some areas, but not in the DC area.

We want to put most of our time and resources towards the students, but the parents require an incredible amount of personalized attention in this region. You're busy, so we ramp up communications to make your lives easier. You want to socialize with your fellow parents or fellow alumni, so we hold loads of events. You want the very best facilities, so fundraisers are needed. You want lots and lots of hand-holding through the college process, so we staff up there. You want every kind of club and program to help your child find their specific strength and build a resume around it, so we're always adding new opportunities.

The Head of School, any associate or assistant heads, any division heads had better be available around the clock. I got torn apart by a parent on the phone this summer because I didn't answer a message within 24 hours -- while I was on a family vacation after the worst 2 years of school in the history of school. A colleague gets endless calls from alumni who think something is too woke, and lots of calls from alumni who don't think the program is woke enough. The language you use with us is DEMEANING.

We're all ready to quit. Teachers and staff. There's no amount of money that makes this job worthwhile. Everything that is wrong in society right now feels amplified in the microcosm of school. And hell yes, the pandemic has had a lot to do with it. The only people who will stay are those who can't imagine any other job than one working with children. Let's hope that there are enough of them.

But it’s a vicious cycle. People expect a lot of attention because they are paying such large prices. Schools charge a lot because parents demand a lot. Parents demand a lot because schools charge a lot. Schools charge a lot because parents demand a lot….

And schools have yet to hit a ceiling above which there aren’t enough rich parents looking for the prestige of the “elite” schools who will pay anything for the privilege. Plus those schools are unwilling to draw a line and say they won’t add facilities or more concierge services so they can actually admit and enroll a more diverse set of kids who can’t pay such high tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a private school administrator reading the comments about the disparity in admin costs vs teacher salaries. I think that administrations might be scaled in some areas, but not in the DC area.

We want to put most of our time and resources towards the students, but the parents require an incredible amount of personalized attention in this region. You're busy, so we ramp up communications to make your lives easier. You want to socialize with your fellow parents or fellow alumni, so we hold loads of events. You want the very best facilities, so fundraisers are needed. You want lots and lots of hand-holding through the college process, so we staff up there. You want every kind of club and program to help your child find their specific strength and build a resume around it, so we're always adding new opportunities.

The Head of School, any associate or assistant heads, any division heads had better be available around the clock. I got torn apart by a parent on the phone this summer because I didn't answer a message within 24 hours -- while I was on a family vacation after the worst 2 years of school in the history of school. A colleague gets endless calls from alumni who think something is too woke, and lots of calls from alumni who don't think the program is woke enough. The language you use with us is DEMEANING.

We're all ready to quit. Teachers and staff. There's no amount of money that makes this job worthwhile. Everything that is wrong in society right now feels amplified in the microcosm of school. And hell yes, the pandemic has had a lot to do with it. The only people who will stay are those who can't imagine any other job than one working with children. Let's hope that there are enough of them.

But it’s a vicious cycle. People expect a lot of attention because they are paying such large prices. Schools charge a lot because parents demand a lot. Parents demand a lot because schools charge a lot. Schools charge a lot because parents demand a lot….

The higher the tuition goes, the more I’m aware of how difficult it is to earn the income to pay the tuition, the more I’m concerned about my children having access to the same options for their children, the more I pay attention to their development.

Competition and inequality is the societal issue, and yes, DC schools are a microcosm, but one parent or teacher or administrator cannot change the macroeconomic forces that causes everyone to suffer especially kids, who then suffer from anxiety and depression. I wonder who can

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a private school administrator reading the comments about the disparity in admin costs vs teacher salaries. I think that administrations might be scaled in some areas, but not in the DC area.

We want to put most of our time and resources towards the students, but the parents require an incredible amount of personalized attention in this region. You're busy, so we ramp up communications to make your lives easier. You want to socialize with your fellow parents or fellow alumni, so we hold loads of events. You want the very best facilities, so fundraisers are needed. You want lots and lots of hand-holding through the college process, so we staff up there. You want every kind of club and program to help your child find their specific strength and build a resume around it, so we're always adding new opportunities.

The Head of School, any associate or assistant heads, any division heads had better be available around the clock. I got torn apart by a parent on the phone this summer because I didn't answer a message within 24 hours -- while I was on a family vacation after the worst 2 years of school in the history of school. A colleague gets endless calls from alumni who think something is too woke, and lots of calls from alumni who don't think the program is woke enough. The language you use with us is DEMEANING.

We're all ready to quit. Teachers and staff. There's no amount of money that makes this job worthwhile. Everything that is wrong in society right now feels amplified in the microcosm of school. And hell yes, the pandemic has had a lot to do with it. The only people who will stay are those who can't imagine any other job than one working with children. Let's hope that there are enough of them.

But it’s a vicious cycle. People expect a lot of attention because they are paying such large prices. Schools charge a lot because parents demand a lot. Parents demand a lot because schools charge a lot. Schools charge a lot because parents demand a lot….

And schools have yet to hit a ceiling above which there aren’t enough rich parents looking for the prestige of the “elite” schools who will pay anything for the privilege. Plus those schools are unwilling to draw a line and say they won’t add facilities or more concierge services so they can actually admit and enroll a more diverse set of kids who can’t pay such high tuition.

Those concierge services and such are further proof that for many/most Private Ed has little to do with actual education and everything to do with status.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a private school administrator reading the comments about the disparity in admin costs vs teacher salaries. I think that administrations might be scaled in some areas, but not in the DC area.

We want to put most of our time and resources towards the students, but the parents require an incredible amount of personalized attention in this region. You're busy, so we ramp up communications to make your lives easier. You want to socialize with your fellow parents or fellow alumni, so we hold loads of events. You want the very best facilities, so fundraisers are needed. You want lots and lots of hand-holding through the college process, so we staff up there. You want every kind of club and program to help your child find their specific strength and build a resume around it, so we're always adding new opportunities.

The Head of School, any associate or assistant heads, any division heads had better be available around the clock. I got torn apart by a parent on the phone this summer because I didn't answer a message within 24 hours -- while I was on a family vacation after the worst 2 years of school in the history of school. A colleague gets endless calls from alumni who think something is too woke, and lots of calls from alumni who don't think the program is woke enough. The language you use with us is DEMEANING.

We're all ready to quit. Teachers and staff. There's no amount of money that makes this job worthwhile. Everything that is wrong in society right now feels amplified in the microcosm of school. And hell yes, the pandemic has had a lot to do with it. The only people who will stay are those who can't imagine any other job than one working with children. Let's hope that there are enough of them.

But it’s a vicious cycle. People expect a lot of attention because they are paying such large prices. Schools charge a lot because parents demand a lot. Parents demand a lot because schools charge a lot. Schools charge a lot because parents demand a lot….

The higher the tuition goes, the more I’m aware of how difficult it is to earn the income to pay the tuition, the more I’m concerned about my children having access to the same options for their children, the more I pay attention to their development.

Competition and inequality is the societal issue, and yes, DC schools are a microcosm, but one parent or teacher or administrator cannot change the macroeconomic forces that causes everyone to suffer especially kids, who then suffer from anxiety and depression. I wonder who can

Sounds like you all richly deserve one another, since getting off the insane hamster wheel isn't even an option in your mind. All that money and less autonomy then many of the poorer folk out there. It's sadly comical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a private school administrator reading the comments about the disparity in admin costs vs teacher salaries. I think that administrations might be scaled in some areas, but not in the DC area.

We want to put most of our time and resources towards the students, but the parents require an incredible amount of personalized attention in this region. You're busy, so we ramp up communications to make your lives easier. You want to socialize with your fellow parents or fellow alumni, so we hold loads of events. You want the very best facilities, so fundraisers are needed. You want lots and lots of hand-holding through the college process, so we staff up there. You want every kind of club and program to help your child find their specific strength and build a resume around it, so we're always adding new opportunities.

The Head of School, any associate or assistant heads, any division heads had better be available around the clock. I got torn apart by a parent on the phone this summer because I didn't answer a message within 24 hours -- while I was on a family vacation after the worst 2 years of school in the history of school. A colleague gets endless calls from alumni who think something is too woke, and lots of calls from alumni who don't think the program is woke enough. The language you use with us is DEMEANING.

We're all ready to quit. Teachers and staff. There's no amount of money that makes this job worthwhile. Everything that is wrong in society right now feels amplified in the microcosm of school. And hell yes, the pandemic has had a lot to do with it. The only people who will stay are those who can't imagine any other job than one working with children. Let's hope that there are enough of them.

But it’s a vicious cycle. People expect a lot of attention because they are paying such large prices. Schools charge a lot because parents demand a lot. Parents demand a lot because schools charge a lot. Schools charge a lot because parents demand a lot….

The higher the tuition goes, the more I’m aware of how difficult it is to earn the income to pay the tuition, the more I’m concerned about my children having access to the same options for their children, the more I pay attention to their development.

Competition and inequality is the societal issue, and yes, DC schools are a microcosm, but one parent or teacher or administrator cannot change the macroeconomic forces that causes everyone to suffer especially kids, who then suffer from anxiety and depression. I wonder who can

Sounds like you all richly deserve one another, since getting off the insane hamster wheel isn't even an option in your mind. All that money and less autonomy then many of the poorer folk out there. It's sadly comical.

Fair, but it’s a reality we all have to manage. In a highly competitive, capitalistic, highly unequal society, status / money / power go hand-in-hand while power / money and autonomy are inversely proportional. This was true during the reign of Elizabeth I, who was arguably in the 1% of the most powerful and least autonomous beings on the planet, and apparently now, Elizabeth II.

There is something about the word demeaning that rings a bell. I do believe the author of the previous post meant to somehow make me feel small by calling me or my struggles comical. It isn’t just those of us still on the wheel who try to make others feel small.

[Anonymous]

I have two master’s and 12 years experience. I left public school for an independent school and took a 15k pay cut in exchange for smaller classes and more flexibility. I went from making 70 to making 55, though some of the differential was the insurance costs. I actually caught up to the public pay scale because I’m not lockstep anymore and negotiated well, and because my old county has had years with no increases. I’m much happier in an independent school, and yet I still plan to quit at the end of this year. After shepherding stressed to the max students through the pandemic in-person while my own kids were virtual, and after a few years of working all.the.time, I’m fried. The reality is that no money would convince me to stay put at this point. I no longer love what I do enough to warrant the incredible stress and the long hours and the time away from my family and the low pay. And there’s no break on tuition, by the way. It’s totally need-based and my partner makes too much for us to qualify - hence my ability to work for so little in the first place. Think about it, if it’s not a livable wage in DC, the people schools hire will be dual income people or those with family money. And those people have to want to be there because they don’t need to be there.

[Anonymous]

I was at a “Big” DC private for a couple years and no amount of “independence” made up for the other crap. First, there was no real independence. You were independent from state standards perhaps, but the school had its own self appointed curriculum “experts” and you had to stick to their framework. None of those experts had any real training or experience in curriculum development, so I’m not sure why they were qualified. The pay wasn’t great and admin had this ridiculous notion that teachers needed to be on campus u til at least 430, but preferably 5 every day, even though the school day ended around 3. The general feeling was that there was no way you could get your work done unless your butt was in your classroom or office chair. and of course we know that when you can’t live anywhere near your school, leaving at 3:45 is a completely different situation than leaving at 5 o’clock. There were days I did not get home until well after six, and I only lived 7 miles away.

So yeah, some freedom!

[Anonymous]

My kids attended private school for a number of years and then transfered to public schools.

What I find odd is the number of people who think that private school teachers must magically be better than public school teachers. Maybe this is why they are so demanding. I guess they hope the private school teachers are better to justify handing over all that money each year. Yes, the classes may be smaller, but often the teachers are paid less than their public school counterparts and may not have the same certifications. We had many good teachers but also some shocking ones at the private school.

At the public schools, we found more teachers who had stayed years and even decades at the same school. They also tolerated less cr*p from table-thumping parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a private school administrator reading the comments about the disparity in admin costs vs teacher salaries. I think that administrations might be scaled in some areas, but not in the DC area.

We want to put most of our time and resources towards the students, but the parents require an incredible amount of personalized attention in this region. You're busy, so we ramp up communications to make your lives easier. You want to socialize with your fellow parents or fellow alumni, so we hold loads of events. You want the very best facilities, so fundraisers are needed. You want lots and lots of hand-holding through the college process, so we staff up there. You want every kind of club and program to help your child find their specific strength and build a resume around it, so we're always adding new opportunities.

The Head of School, any associate or assistant heads, any division heads had better be available around the clock. I got torn apart by a parent on the phone this summer because I didn't answer a message within 24 hours -- while I was on a family vacation after the worst 2 years of school in the history of school. A colleague gets endless calls from alumni who think something is too woke, and lots of calls from alumni who don't think the program is woke enough. The language you use with us is DEMEANING.

We're all ready to quit. Teachers and staff. There's no amount of money that makes this job worthwhile. Everything that is wrong in society right now feels amplified in the microcosm of school. And hell yes, the pandemic has had a lot to do with it. The only people who will stay are those who can't imagine any other job than one working with children. Let's hope that there are enough of them.

But it’s a vicious cycle. People expect a lot of attention because they are paying such large prices. Schools charge a lot because parents demand a lot. Parents demand a lot because schools charge a lot. Schools charge a lot because parents demand a lot….

The higher the tuition goes, the more I’m aware of how difficult it is to earn the income to pay the tuition, the more I’m concerned about my children having access to the same options for their children, the more I pay attention to their development.

Competition and inequality is the societal issue, and yes, DC schools are a microcosm, but one parent or teacher or administrator cannot change the macroeconomic forces that causes everyone to suffer especially kids, who then suffer from anxiety and depression. I wonder who can

Sounds like you all richly deserve one another, since getting off the insane hamster wheel isn't even an option in your mind. All that money and less autonomy then many of the poorer folk out there. It's sadly comical.

Fair, but it’s a reality we all have to manage. In a highly competitive, capitalistic, highly unequal society, status / money / power go hand-in-hand while power / money and autonomy are inversely proportional. This was true during the reign of Elizabeth I, who was arguably in the 1% of the most powerful and least autonomous beings on the planet, and apparently now, Elizabeth II.

There is something about the word demeaning that rings a bell. I do believe the author of the previous post meant to somehow make me feel small by calling me or my struggles comical. It isn’t just those of us still on the wheel who try to make others feel small.

I should have just said "sad" because that's what is, watching people dance to a status-money-power tune with the constant desperation and insecurity that go with it. I have known many people of modest means with much happier, more secure lives than that. They probably didn't harass teachers or school management much about their kids either.

You can choose not to play this game anytime you like. Just like some teachers choose not to eventually. I'm lucky that I left your crazy world and found a happy (far from rich) environment in which to teach and work. I wouldn't go back to private, not to mention that I get paid more here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a private school administrator reading the comments about the disparity in admin costs vs teacher salaries. I think that administrations might be scaled in some areas, but not in the DC area.

We want to put most of our time and resources towards the students, but the parents require an incredible amount of personalized attention in this region. You're busy, so we ramp up communications to make your lives easier. You want to socialize with your fellow parents or fellow alumni, so we hold loads of events. You want the very best facilities, so fundraisers are needed. You want lots and lots of hand-holding through the college process, so we staff up there. You want every kind of club and program to help your child find their specific strength and build a resume around it, so we're always adding new opportunities.

The Head of School, any associate or assistant heads, any division heads had better be available around the clock. I got torn apart by a parent on the phone this summer because I didn't answer a message within 24 hours -- while I was on a family vacation after the worst 2 years of school in the history of school. A colleague gets endless calls from alumni who think something is too woke, and lots of calls from alumni who don't think the program is woke enough. The language you use with us is DEMEANING.

We're all ready to quit. Teachers and staff. There's no amount of money that makes this job worthwhile. Everything that is wrong in society right now feels amplified in the microcosm of school. And hell yes, the pandemic has had a lot to do with it. The only people who will stay are those who can't imagine any other job than one working with children. Let's hope that there are enough of them.

I don’t know what type of administrator you are, but as a teacher my main thought after reading what you wrote is just “boo hoo for you”. Teachers at my school are also asked to be available around the clock for parents (we’re told that we can respond within a day, but would realistically have to deal with angry parents and angry admin if we actually took that long for many responses). The biggest difference between our workload and the admin workload is that they get paid enough money that it’s worth it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was at a “Big” DC private for a couple years and no amount of “independence” made up for the other crap. First, there was no real independence. You were independent from state standards perhaps, but the school had its own self appointed curriculum “experts” and you had to stick to their framework. None of those experts had any real training or experience in curriculum development, so I’m not sure why they were qualified. The pay wasn’t great and admin had this ridiculous notion that teachers needed to be on campus u til at least 430, but preferably 5 every day, even though the school day ended around 3. The general feeling was that there was no way you could get your work done unless your butt was in your classroom or office chair. and of course we know that when you can’t live anywhere near your school, leaving at 3:45 is a completely different situation than leaving at 5 o’clock. There were days I did not get home until well after six, and I only lived 7 miles away.

So yeah, some freedom!

This is interesting because I teach in public but sometimes wonder if I should apply to private schools as perhaps the work would be easier.
There is so much extra stuff on teachers plates in public - special Ed. Accommodations and paperwork, ESL kids, state requirements that have to be fulfilled, classes to keep up certification, etc. Grading is a lot since we have a large number of students in public. The range of learners is also challenging. I work 6-7 days during the school year to keep up with everything but maybe it will get better once I cross year 5 of teaching. The long summer breaks at private schools seem enticing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a private school administrator reading the comments about the disparity in admin costs vs teacher salaries. I think that administrations might be scaled in some areas, but not in the DC area.

We want to put most of our time and resources towards the students, but the parents require an incredible amount of personalized attention in this region. You're busy, so we ramp up communications to make your lives easier. You want to socialize with your fellow parents or fellow alumni, so we hold loads of events. You want the very best facilities, so fundraisers are needed. You want lots and lots of hand-holding through the college process, so we staff up there. You want every kind of club and program to help your child find their specific strength and build a resume around it, so we're always adding new opportunities.

The Head of School, any associate or assistant heads, any division heads had better be available around the clock. I got torn apart by a parent on the phone this summer because I didn't answer a message within 24 hours -- while I was on a family vacation after the worst 2 years of school in the history of school. A colleague gets endless calls from alumni who think something is too woke, and lots of calls from alumni who don't think the program is woke enough. The language you use with us is DEMEANING.

We're all ready to quit. Teachers and staff. There's no amount of money that makes this job worthwhile. Everything that is wrong in society right now feels amplified in the microcosm of school. And hell yes, the pandemic has had a lot to do with it. The only people who will stay are those who can't imagine any other job than one working with children. Let's hope that there are enough of them.

But it’s a vicious cycle. People expect a lot of attention because they are paying such large prices. Schools charge a lot because parents demand a lot. Parents demand a lot because schools charge a lot. Schools charge a lot because parents demand a lot….

And schools have yet to hit a ceiling above which there aren’t enough rich parents looking for the prestige of the “elite” schools who will pay anything for the privilege. Plus those schools are unwilling to draw a line and say they won’t add facilities or more concierge services so they can actually admit and enroll a more diverse set of kids who can’t pay such high tuition.

Those concierge services and such are further proof that for many/most Private Ed has little to do with actual education and everything to do with status.

Sure. So? There are plenty (in this area) parents who have the funds and will pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a private school administrator reading the comments about the disparity in admin costs vs teacher salaries. I think that administrations might be scaled in some areas, but not in the DC area.

We want to put most of our time and resources towards the students, but the parents require an incredible amount of personalized attention in this region. You're busy, so we ramp up communications to make your lives easier. You want to socialize with your fellow parents or fellow alumni, so we hold loads of events. You want the very best facilities, so fundraisers are needed. You want lots and lots of hand-holding through the college process, so we staff up there. You want every kind of club and program to help your child find their specific strength and build a resume around it, so we're always adding new opportunities.

The Head of School, any associate or assistant heads, any division heads had better be available around the clock. I got torn apart by a parent on the phone this summer because I didn't answer a message within 24 hours -- while I was on a family vacation after the worst 2 years of school in the history of school. A colleague gets endless calls from alumni who think something is too woke, and lots of calls from alumni who don't think the program is woke enough. The language you use with us is DEMEANING.

We're all ready to quit. Teachers and staff. There's no amount of money that makes this job worthwhile. Everything that is wrong in society right now feels amplified in the microcosm of school. And hell yes, the pandemic has had a lot to do with it. The only people who will stay are those who can't imagine any other job than one working with children. Let's hope that there are enough of them.

But it’s a vicious cycle. People expect a lot of attention because they are paying such large prices. Schools charge a lot because parents demand a lot. Parents demand a lot because schools charge a lot. Schools charge a lot because parents demand a lot….

And schools have yet to hit a ceiling above which there aren’t enough rich parents looking for the prestige of the “elite” schools who will pay anything for the privilege. Plus those schools are unwilling to draw a line and say they won’t add facilities or more concierge services so they can actually admit and enroll a more diverse set of kids who can’t pay such high tuition.

Those concierge services and such are further proof that for many/most Private Ed has little to do with actual education and everything to do with status.

Sure. So? There are plenty (in this area) parents who have the funds and will pay.

No kidding. That was the previous PP’s point.

Those are the same parents who tout their school’s DEI efforts but have little interest in real diversity. The higher tuition gets them what they want - services, facilities and a “curated” student body.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was at a “Big” DC private for a couple years and no amount of “independence” made up for the other crap. First, there was no real independence. You were independent from state standards perhaps, but the school had its own self appointed curriculum “experts” and you had to stick to their framework. None of those experts had any real training or experience in curriculum development, so I’m not sure why they were qualified. The pay wasn’t great and admin had this ridiculous notion that teachers needed to be on campus u til at least 430, but preferably 5 every day, even though the school day ended around 3. The general feeling was that there was no way you could get your work done unless your butt was in your classroom or office chair. and of course we know that when you can’t live anywhere near your school, leaving at 3:45 is a completely different situation than leaving at 5 o’clock. There were days I did not get home until well after six, and I only lived 7 miles away.

So yeah, some freedom!

What you are whining about is so insignificant that public school teachers are rolling with laughter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was at a “Big” DC private for a couple years and no amount of “independence” made up for the other crap. First, there was no real independence. You were independent from state standards perhaps, but the school had its own self appointed curriculum “experts” and you had to stick to their framework. None of those experts had any real training or experience in curriculum development, so I’m not sure why they were qualified. The pay wasn’t great and admin had this ridiculous notion that teachers needed to be on campus u til at least 430, but preferably 5 every day, even though the school day ended around 3. The general feeling was that there was no way you could get your work done unless your butt was in your classroom or office chair. and of course we know that when you can’t live anywhere near your school, leaving at 3:45 is a completely different situation than leaving at 5 o’clock. There were days I did not get home until well after six, and I only lived 7 miles away.

So yeah, some freedom!

This is interesting because I teach in public but sometimes wonder if I should apply to private schools as perhaps the work would be easier.
There is so much extra stuff on teachers plates in public - special Ed. Accommodations and paperwork, ESL kids, state requirements that have to be fulfilled, classes to keep up certification, etc. Grading is a lot since we have a large number of students in public. The range of learners is also challenging. I work 6-7 days during the school year to keep up with everything but maybe it will get better once I cross year 5 of teaching. The long summer breaks at private schools seem enticing

I’ve taught both. 6 of one, half dozen the other. There’s a lot of give and take and in private you still have learning plans, ESL (international families bring in $$), and most of us are certified even if the school doesn’t require it. We keep it as a constant back up plan if the school decides they are cutting enrollment etc. Most privates in the area offer free lunch for staff and other nice to have benefits. Of my educator friends I tend to receive more gift cards in December and June. There are certainly many perks, and as privates are all in an arms race to build the best buildings, the facilities can be great to work in.

One different that entices me about going back to public is the paid stipends to do extra work. In privates it is often expected for you to be the math teacher and coach two sports with no extra stipend. I see many public school contracts that list all of the possible stipends and amounts. It is more ambiguous in private and is more of an expectation.

Sure, the longer breaks are nice but we also don’t have a union bargaining for our sick/personal days (the latter doesn’t exist in my school for teachers).

Both are hard. Both are underpaid. And both are seeing shortages in applicants wielding multiple degrees and decades of experience willing to put up with the nonsense/low pay.