Am I Making a Mistake?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have two friends- both new English teachers in rough schools. Positives- students tell them all the time what a difference they made in their life and schooling. My one friend cries at the end of every year.

Parents aren't as involved until the kid is failing or may not graduate. In other words, less tiger parents reporting you for giving a B to their snowflake.

Challenges - it's hard to motivate the kids. My friends haven't had that much on the way of behavioral issues but more effort in getting kids to not fail.

It is the behavioral issues I keep seeing reference to in reviews that have me questioning whether or not to accept the position teaching English. is why I am asking if there are any redeeming qualities. I believe I can be a motivating force.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever worked in a school? Student teaching? Substitute?
The people on DCUM are generally mean and hate FCPS so I wouldn’t give their comments and validity. However, teaching in general is hard and teaching middle school is only for a very special group of people. The people who love middle school absolutely love it and wouldn’t leave. But everyone else either goes higher or lower. It’s a unique age.

I guess it depends on the school. PP wrote about Sandberg. DD had a long term sub not even last a full day. They left the gen ed class crying

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you consider teaching at a Catholic school? The diocese has some openings.

Yes, I would. Are they only interested in hiring Catholics, though?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever worked in a school? Student teaching? Substitute?
The people on DCUM are generally mean and hate FCPS so I wouldn’t give their comments and validity. However, teaching in general is hard and teaching middle school is only for a very special group of people. The people who love middle school absolutely love it and wouldn’t leave. But everyone else either goes higher or lower. It’s a unique age.

I guess it depends on the school. PP wrote about Sandberg. DD had a long term sub not even last a full day. They left the gen ed class crying

Glasgow MS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, your first year is going to be HARD no matter where it is. Doubly so because in FCPS your "foot in the door" schools are usually the rougher ones (I assume you are referencing sandburg since there are only a handful of english vacancies). I started my career in one of those type of middle schools, and when I eventually moved to a more middle class school it felt like a vacation. I am grateful I started in the rougher schools though--it made me a much better teacher. I am more compassionate, creative, and engaging because of my time there. My colleagues who always had "easy" schools are less so, because they never had to be.

Do you have your teaching license? Or are you being hired on a provisional certification? If the former, take the job, understand that the first 1-5 years are just really, really challenging no matter what, and then once you feel a little more solid feel free to explore other schools in the county. You'll know the content and have strategies and be ready to experience a new school culture.

If you don't have your license, then I am making the assumption that teaching is a backup plan. You got a masters in English and then didn't know what to do. If that's the case, I'd look at private schools if you pursue teaching, because all the public school stuff while requiring you to take additional licensure coursework is too much.

If you want to chat more, create a throwaway email and I'm happy to reach out with more specifics.

I would highly appreciate that!

[e-mail]

Sent!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you consider teaching at a Catholic school? The diocese has some openings.

Yes, I would. Are they only interested in hiring Catholics, though?

Our K-8 school has had non-Catholics teaching in the past. You would need to be respectful of church teaching and be comfortable in a prayerful environment. It would probably be helpful if you were a member of another faith, if you weren’t Catholic.

Here’s their careers page - https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/catholic-schools/careers/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you consider teaching at a Catholic school? The diocese has some openings.

Yes, I would. Are they only interested in hiring Catholics, though?

I used to teach English in public school. I transferred to a Catholic high school a few years ago. (No, you don’t need to be Catholic. Many of my coworkers aren’t.)

Teaching is hard no matter where you do it. The days are long, and you can anticipate working almost every night to prepare for the next long day. Student behaviors will wear you down, and administrators can vary from somewhat helpful to toxic. I cried often my first year, something that may be helpful to hear just so you know it can be common for new teachers.

But you can do it! There will be supportive teachers at whichever school you pick. Lean on them, and don’t be afraid to admit when you’re feeling overwhelmed. They’ll get you through it. One day, you’ll be that person for another new teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it Glasgow? Tough school for a first year teacher. I’d hold out for another opening if there are any left.

-former Glasgow teacher now at a different FCPS middle school

Yes, it is. I wonder if not having a teaching license yet is what is keeping other schools from hiring me. I had 21 interviews. One school, Washington-Liberty, which seems like a tamer school, interviewed me twice.

Eek. Run.

[Anonymous]

Have you thought about technical writing/editing with your English major? The job market is strong in DC area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you consider teaching at a Catholic school? The diocese has some openings.

Yes, I would. Are they only interested in hiring Catholics, though?

Our K-8 school has had non-Catholics teaching in the past. You would need to be respectful of church teaching and be comfortable in a prayerful environment. It would probably be helpful if you were a member of another faith, if you weren’t Catholic.

Here’s their careers page - https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/catholic-schools/careers/

Of course. I was once Catholic, but now I’m not. I follow another faith. Are they allowed to ask about religion when considering candidates?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you consider teaching at a Catholic school? The diocese has some openings.

Yes, I would. Are they only interested in hiring Catholics, though?

I used to teach English in public school. I transferred to a Catholic high school a few years ago. (No, you don’t need to be Catholic. Many of my coworkers aren’t.)

Teaching is hard no matter where you do it. The days are long, and you can anticipate working almost every night to prepare for the next long day. Student behaviors will wear you down, and administrators can vary from somewhat helpful to toxic. I cried often my first year, something that may be helpful to hear just so you know it can be common for new teachers.

But you can do it! There will be supportive teachers at whichever school you pick. Lean on them, and don’t be afraid to admit when you’re feeling overwhelmed. They’ll get you through it. One day, you’ll be that person for another new teacher.

Is it any better in a co-teaching situation, as far as the work/home life balance? The classes are going to consist of 25 students, but no one knows how many I will be scheduled for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you thought about technical writing/editing with your English major? The job market is strong in DC area.

I know zero about technical writing. My BA/MA concentrations were both in linguistics. I think I might need to get another graduate certificate for that. After three degrees in a row, I am kinda done with college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s your alternative option? Is it teaching someplace else? Leaving a different job? No job at all? What position? We can’t answer these questions without knowing your situation.

I just graduated with my MA in English from GMU. The position is for an English teacher. I have never taught before.

Do you have another plan? I have a family member who was an English major and after a few low paying jobs, decided to try teaching middle school. She left after 3 years. She really loved writing and literature and being around kids all day who did not was not what she had in mind. Do you like children? Middle school is a tough age. Give it a try if you actually want to teach and won’t get too frustrated by kids who can’t/wont read or write.

You are replying to me here. I’m going to be brutally honest about the hardest part of my job. I’m a teacher and have been doing this almost 30 years. I couldn’t teach middle school. It was never the kids themselves but it was too hard. I don’t know about your particular school but there were so many rules for the teachers that did not help the kids.

I’ve worked in challenging middle and high schools and it takes a special type of person to be able to do that. It’s great to want to make a difference but it had too much an effect on my emotions, stress and health. I’m going to tell you some of the worst, just to not sugar coat the job. Drugs, sex, consensual and non consensual, violence, gangs, pregnancy, hunger, fear of deportation, death by disease, at the hands of others, suicide, hunger…. I’ve had students with all of these issues in both middle and high school. Notice I have not mentioned anything about challenges of teaching content. Sometimes you realize quickly why that’s not a primary focus when you have a pregnant child in front of you who doesn’t have enough food and you genuinely like.

This is not daily and not everywhere but it’s real life, here, in FCPS in some areas. My current school is nothing like this and a high SES community but you’d be surprised how much is still going on and how much they tell teachers. It’s really not for the weak and you need to learn you can’t save all of them. That’s was the hardest part for me when I was starting out. Have boundaries and compartmentalize.

Try it for a year if you don’t have any other job options. We certainly need good teachers. I really do like it but it’s not for the weak.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you consider teaching at a Catholic school? The diocese has some openings.

Yes, I would. Are they only interested in hiring Catholics, though?

I used to teach English in public school. I transferred to a Catholic high school a few years ago. (No, you don’t need to be Catholic. Many of my coworkers aren’t.)

Teaching is hard no matter where you do it. The days are long, and you can anticipate working almost every night to prepare for the next long day. Student behaviors will wear you down, and administrators can vary from somewhat helpful to toxic. I cried often my first year, something that may be helpful to hear just so you know it can be common for new teachers.

But you can do it! There will be supportive teachers at whichever school you pick. Lean on them, and don’t be afraid to admit when you’re feeling overwhelmed. They’ll get you through it. One day, you’ll be that person for another new teacher.

Is it any better in a co-teaching situation, as far as the work/home life balance? The classes are going to consist of 25 students, but no one knows how many I will be scheduled for.

I had co-teachers this year and it was a nightmare - neither . It would have been easier if I was solo. But, I also saw some amazing team relationships. I, unfortunately, was not that lucky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you thought about technical writing/editing with your English major? The job market is strong in DC area.

Not OP but where would you find jobs like these advertised?


OP- I’m an ESOL teacher and love it. Highly recommended it.