Area Private School Teacher Shortage?

[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!

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

Hi, that was my post and I was a public school teacher before and after the school in that post. Public is 1000x better!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a family who didn’t choose private for “the concierge service” - thank you to the teachers, staff and administrators who have given my child the social-emotional and educational support in a smaller environment they needed after a tough 2020/2021. We respect this isn’t easy right now for all the reasons stated above and appreciate all of your efforts.

I'm a teacher at a private school and cannot thank you enough for your kind comment! I sent my own children to private schools, and we paid full price at those schools ($40,000 plus per year for each child). Never in a million years did I expect concierge service for my children or my family. Our family looked for a community dedicated to the academic and social-emotional growth of our children -- with an emphasis on character development and values. These school communities were strong and did not cater to the "concierge service" mindset. And -- perhaps because of that -- the waiting list was long enough for those schools to undertake outplacement for "concierge service" families. My children benefited enormously from their schools and continue to have strong ties to them. A school that cultivates a "concierge service" mentality is not a school that will last. Too many disparate (and irreconcilable) demands can't build a strong community.

[Anonymous]

It’s such a shame it feels impossible to have honest conversations about this in person on campus. Some of the issues raised whether about pay, hours, language, parental engagement or perhaps rather the manner in which they engage are real issues. So often conversations descend into attacks, which doesn’t solve anything. If we could discuss, perhaps we could all find common ground and solutions could emerge. Though perhaps that is admittedly wishful thinking

[Anonymous]

All this and low pay too!

https://twitter.com/abughazalehkat/status/1561845478534389760?t=D55ewe_IHXIky7fG76pe_A&s=19

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All this and low pay too!

https://twitter.com/abughazalehkat/status/1561845478534389760?t=D55ewe_IHXIky7fG76pe_A&s=19

Did you quote a tweet?

I’m a private school teacher and this board is so biased. Many of us teach in private school for decent wages and less complaints than the myriad of public school teacher complaints.

I’m not picketing for working air conditioning and small class size today.

[Anonymous]

Just checked our suburban VA private. No open teaching positions in upper or.lower school, not even for subs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All this and low pay too!

https://twitter.com/abughazalehkat/status/1561845478534389760?t=D55ewe_IHXIky7fG76pe_A&s=19

Did you quote a tweet?

I’m a private school teacher and this board is so biased. Many of us teach in private school for decent wages and less complaints than the myriad of public school teacher complaints.

I’m not picketing for working air conditioning and small class size today.

Probably not the "decent wages." Come on.

[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.

You're talking about the $40,000 and up schools, where the average student's parents are enormously wealthy and, among other things, the time value of money is such that those concierge services may well be worth it. The number of such schools is miniscule. The average private school tuition is ~$11,000.

[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.

You're talking about the $40,000 and up schools, where the average student's parents are enormously wealthy and, among other things, the time value of money is such that those concierge services may well be worth it. The number of such schools is miniscule. The average private school tuition is ~$11,000.

How many schools around here cost 11k? Even parochial is twice that for non-catholics

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a family who didn’t choose private for “the concierge service” - thank you to the teachers, staff and administrators who have given my child the social-emotional and educational support in a smaller environment they needed after a tough 2020/2021. We respect this isn’t easy right now for all the reasons stated above and appreciate all of your efforts.

I'm a teacher at a private school and cannot thank you enough for your kind comment! I sent my own children to private schools, and we paid full price at those schools ($40,000 plus per year for each child). Never in a million years did I expect concierge service for my children or my family. Our family looked for a community dedicated to the academic and social-emotional growth of our children -- with an emphasis on character development and values. These school communities were strong and did not cater to the "concierge service" mindset. And -- perhaps because of that -- the waiting list was long enough for those schools to undertake outplacement for "concierge service" families. My children benefited enormously from their schools and continue to have strong ties to them. A school that cultivates a "concierge service" mentality is not a school that will last. Too many disparate (and irreconcilable) demands can't build a strong community.

I'm the PP you mentioned in this comment - and am glad that my comment was helpful. I fully agree with you - we are new to private, was a pandemic and um, un-budgeted decision for us - but one that was very needed for our kid post-covid who is an excellent student but not a fit for a big environment right now. Following up as your comment, as it really resonate me in thinking about the summer camp I and now my child attend. Completely agree that leading through community as you outline, rather than catering to this "concierge" mindset is what has drawn long term value, long kid waitlists and homegrown staff that competes for the roles as more people want to work there than they have spots in that example as well. Quite frankly, being able to build that type of environment is meaningful true leadership in my book, is "built to last". Thank you for your teaching and for sharing your thoughts as it helped to solidify what I want the right environment is for our family as we explore High School next year and to avoid so much of this "noise" (with our private as a contender, as we have been really pleased thus far).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This is very helpful. Thanks. Everything you said makes sense. Teaching is an underpaid profession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s such a shame it feels impossible to have honest conversations about this in person on campus. Some of the issues raised whether about pay, hours, language, parental engagement or perhaps rather the manner in which they engage are real issues. So often conversations descend into attacks, which doesn’t solve anything. If we could discuss, perhaps we could all find common ground and solutions could emerge. Though perhaps that is admittedly wishful thinking

I agree somewhat although I think the biggest issue is a lack of leadership. The concierge model often leads to pay-to-play dynamics and a degraded experience/community. It can take some time for the school's reputation to decline, but I agree with the PP teacher who stated that the concierge model isn't healthy in the long term and creates a muddled focus with the many fractured interests. Good management knows how to prioritize resources, has a clearly defined mission, has a vested interest in supporting employees well, and emphasizes an inclusive and warm community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s such a shame it feels impossible to have honest conversations about this in person on campus. Some of the issues raised whether about pay, hours, language, parental engagement or perhaps rather the manner in which they engage are real issues. So often conversations descend into attacks, which doesn’t solve anything. If we could discuss, perhaps we could all find common ground and solutions could emerge. Though perhaps that is admittedly wishful thinking

I agree somewhat although I think the biggest issue is a lack of leadership. The concierge model often leads to pay-to-play dynamics and a degraded experience/community. It can take some time for the school's reputation to decline, but I agree with the PP teacher who stated that the concierge model isn't healthy in the long term and creates a muddled focus with the many fractured interests. Good management knows how to prioritize resources, has a clearly defined mission, has a vested interest in supporting employees well, and emphasizes an inclusive and warm community.

as the parent of several students who graduated from area private schools, I can vouch for the truth of this statement! The concierge schools don't last. A school lasts when it knows itself and stands tall as such. Families who fit will come and help build a community dedicated to shared values. Families whose values are different can find another school that better matches their values.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All this and low pay too!

https://twitter.com/abughazalehkat/status/1561845478534389760?t=D55ewe_IHXIky7fG76pe_A&s=19

Did you quote a tweet?

I’m a private school teacher and this board is so biased. Many of us teach in private school for decent wages and less complaints than the myriad of public school teacher complaints.

I’m not picketing for working air conditioning and small class size today.

Probably not the "decent wages." Come on.

maybe she meant decent people? Parents, kids raised with manners and humility and who don’t treat teachers like staff?

[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.

You're talking about the $40,000 and up schools, where the average student's parents are enormously wealthy and, among other things, the time value of money is such that those concierge services may well be worth it. The number of such schools is miniscule. The average private school tuition is ~$11,000.

Where. Unless it’s Catholic, no school cost that in DC. Even HTS in Georgetown and St Peter’s on the Hill are almost $20k