I am returning to full-time teaching after 8 years working part-time.
I have two positions that I am considering
Offer #1:
Pros:
10 minute commute (my gym is right nearby)
direct colleague that I would work closely with shares similar teaching philosophy
diverse school, as a result, smaller class sizes
Children seem to be eager to learn
Cons:
Portable classroom space for the forseeable future
high mobility rate, lose/gain many students throughout the year
Lower parent support
Possible offer #2: (will know tomorrow)
Pros:
Classroom in building
High level of parent support
Well established program in my field
Cons:
Teacher who is leaving has been there a long time (I worry about people being fixated on how she did things)-this is a pro and a con in a way
20 minute drive
Larger class size
Have heard that though parents are very involved, it can be taken to extremes
Decision will be made by this week, but I am struggling a bit on what is most important to me. If the Offer#1 had a permanent classroom space, I think that I would choose that school now. I have 3 children, at 2 schools. One school is more similar to #1, the other more similar to #2, thus far, I have much preferred #1.