Am I Making a Mistake?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I sincerely appreciate your brutal honesty. I was wondering what would have caused the aforementioned new teachers to cry. It helps for me to know what the worst I can expect to encounter in any new endeavor, so I can mentally prepare myself for it. I am an empath, but I recognize all I can do is my best to make things better. Having boundaries and learning to compartmentalize sounds like good advice. TY

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Are there any openings for teaching ESOL where you work? I applied to all of the ones offered by PWC, Fairfax, and Arlington County public schools already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Could you please be more specific about what made it a nightmare and about the teaching arrangement? TY

[Anonymous]

There are always ESOL vacancies where I teach in Baltimore City. Have you tried DC public schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are always ESOL vacancies where I teach in Baltimore City. Have you tried DC public schools?

Unfortunately, I live in Fairfax. Baltimore would be too far to drive. I have not tried D.C. I definitely will in the future.

[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’m the PP. I was assigned co-taught classes for 7-8 years of my public school experience. This scenario has its own challenges. It’s usually great to have a second adult in the classroom, as long as the person actually acts as a second adult. I was assigned one co-teacher who contributed to classroom drama, and my days were easier when she was not there. But another co-teacher was wonderful, and we meshed well together. It really depends on the working relationship you are able to form. As for work/life balance, it didn’t have a noticeable difference. I still worked most nights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are always ESOL vacancies where I teach in Baltimore City. Have you tried DC public schools?

Unfortunately, I live in Fairfax. Baltimore would be too far to drive. I have not tried D.C. I definitely will in the future.

I understand. Follow up with all of the districts. Most districts are always in need of ESOL teachers.

[Anonymous]

OP, you don’t seem to have another job offer. Do you not need an income?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about seeking various certifications for specific reading programs and tutoring privately. This would expose you to different curriculum without dealing with all the politics in that school system right now.

I have explored getting a reading specialist certificate. I thought I would be more qualified for ESOL or language arts, given my educational background/ experience. I did put out feelers on NextDoor for private tutoring. Only a couple of nibbles, but no takers. Where would you suggest I might offer my services as an independent tutor?

DP, I left teaching and now tutor as a profession. There are a lot of things to consider regarding being independent or associated with a company. It takes a bit to build up a customer base, but it’s do-able (at the start) if you’re married or have another source of income. My focus is math, but a lot of families are looking for writing tutors.

[Anonymous]

If you don't have teaching certification, you are not going to have a lot of options in public schools. I would advise you to get your certificate this year while doing other jobs. Then you will have your pick of public school options.

[Anonymous]

Godspeed, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't have teaching certification, you are not going to have a lot of options in public schools. I would advise you to get your certificate this year while doing other jobs. Then you will have your pick of public school options.

Some privates will work allow you to start teaching without a certificate. They’ll assign you a mentor teacher for your first years. They will also help you sign up for the classes and testing you need to get certified. I know Catholic schools in the region will do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Every year that I’ve had a co-teacher, it’s been more work than just being on my own.

[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.

NP. It depends. I'm also going to be honest. A school with high turnover and bad administration is going to have a very hard time hiring special education teachers. Co-taught classes in middle school are supposed to have one teacher and one special education teacher in the room. There's a good chance roughly half the class will have an IEP the way most middle schools structure co-taught classes. If there's no special ed teacher because they can't hire one, you'll be responsible for teaching those students, taking data, and grading, not to mention managing the behavior side of things. That's a ton of work for anyone but especially for someone who has no teaching experience. You do not want to be in a co-taught class as a teacher with no experience unless you have a strong, experienced special ed co-teacher with you.

After reading the OP, run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I sincerely appreciate your brutal honesty. I was wondering what would have caused the aforementioned new teachers to cry. It helps for me to know what the worst I can expect to encounter in any new endeavor, so I can mentally prepare myself for it. I am an empath, but I recognize all I can do is my best to make things better. Having boundaries and learning to compartmentalize sounds like good advice. TY

It probably won’t make you cry but prepare yourself for minimal effort and constant complaints. For example, when asked to write 5 paragraphs, student will write 3 sentences while complaining non-stop for 3 class periods about “not wanting to write, the annoying prompt, or having no ideas.” You can help them brainstorm topics and they’ll say they don’t like any of the 10 topics brainstormed.