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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Hi,

Has anyone had a good experience leaving their teaching job in a suburban school district for DCPS? Any tips or tricks? Thanks![/quote]

I came from Maryland. It's the Wild West over here if you're used to a district that has their act together. I keep promising I won't be surprised by anything anymore and yet I still shake my head in disbelief. My overall experience has been positive and although I could easily go back, I have no desire to. Like the suburbs, things are wildly different school to school and that is probably even more so here in DC. I am at an elementary school. I would not recommend working at a middle or high school at this point given the current scandals.

PROs:
-Lots more money (I half jokingly call it hazard pay)
-More advancement opportunity within schools than in my previous district. Can't say whether the same is true for moving up to central office though. 
-Relative freedom--there are units and curriculum but it's not as strict as it was in Maryland. Very little is uniformly monitored like you'll be used to.

CONS:
-Little valuable professional development. This is not an easy place for new teachers. 
-Disorganization as a district. "Reform" takes years and we are still in the early stages. Lots of initiatives and people come and go so don't get too attached. 
-Positions never feel as permanent as they did in the suburbs. I never heard people as worried about getting excessed as I have here every single year. Positions change wildly year to year. 
-Maybe not necessarily a con, but DCPS has a strong culture and language closely related to charters. I think it took 3 years before I really felt like I spoke the same language. A lot of central office are Teach for America alums so it's coming from the top down. Not bad, just different.

I'm not sure where to put the IMPACT evaluation system. I came in as an experienced highly effective teacher and have easily maintained my ratings. If I were a new teacher I would worry more about my scores. Like any evaluations, your relationship with your principal will be a large factor in your score. We do get student performance and student surveys included for some teachers. Search "Impact guidebooks" and look for the closest job title you're looking for and read the criteria.

I would consider DC if you are:
-interested in working hard and not just an 8-3:15 job. 
-easy going
-flexible and ok with ambiguity and change
-able to go back to your old district if DCPS doesn't work out
-aware of the social/racial/economic issues facing many district kids and how it impacts learning 
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