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24167. arkymalarky - 6/13/2008 8:44:21 PM And when I say "big deal" I don't think it's a deal-breaker, but a lot of people do. The work environment is by far the most important to me--much more than the work load. But "environment" includes small classes, for me. 24168. robertjayb - 6/13/2008 11:01:06 PM Small Schools Rising...
Thought about you, arky, when I came across this today in a doc's office. Haven't read it...but it may be of interest. 24169. arkymalarky - 6/13/2008 11:53:37 PM Thanks, Robert!
I'm glad to see that, especially since the Gates small high school model has taken some real hits in the last few years and the nuances that separate small public schools from private and charter schools are being overlooked. In truth, the Newsweek metric has flaws in it, but it's good to look at successful high schools and I think it's great that they featured the success of small schools in their top 100 in an article. 24170. arkymalarky - 6/13/2008 11:54:25 PM In fact, I'll take a copy of this to our state organization conference in July. 24171. Ms. No - 6/14/2008 6:57:00 AM Thanks Arky! I'll give her a call this weekend either tomorrow evening or sometime on Sunday.
We've got a Gates school on our list--- it's listed as an ECHS (early college high school) and they work in tandem with a nearby community college. It's farther away than I'd really want to travel, but they're the highest performing school in their district and class sizes are generally between 20 and 25.
There's a Charter school for the Arts that's not too far away and it looks interesting. I haven't done the full research on it yet, but I've got a friend who teaches there and seems to like it although I haven't spoken to him recently.
Because of where I live most of the schools closest to me are fairly low performing, inner-city schools. There's a Charter school called St. Hope that was started by a pro basketballer a few years ago and I've heard nothing but horror stories about the additional hours teachers are expected to be available. They strongly encourage teachers being available at all hours by home phone for their students. I can understand the impulse since we're talking about a high risk community, but nobody gets paid enough to be a surrogate parent to 150 high school students.
The closest high school to me is visually appealing to me --- historic building, looks like a movie set for a high school --- but I haven't reached it on my research list yet either.
I'm trying to be methodical and get info on all the schools since I really don't know much about even the ones closest to me and I don't want to skip some school because I've never heard of it and maybe miss a gem simply because I'm sticking to schools I've heard of.
Ai-yi-yi. My spreadsheet is getting huge! 24172. arkymalarky - 6/14/2008 6:33:52 PM The charter schools concept is really a mess overall, because they're outside the state standard requirements and create their own "charters" subject to state approval and they vary so much in what they expect of teachers, students, etc. Some programs, like Gates for high schools and KIPP for younger kids are very consistent and often successful, but KIPP, at least, which sounds like St. Hope that you describe, is so work-intensive for teachers that I don't know that they are practical for wide-spread adoption. And frankly, if they're not, they're useless to be spending state money on except for very high-risk kids--and KIPP's parental involvement requirements make that a problem. KIPP kids are there because they and their parents (and, of course, the teachers) are committed to the intense requirements of the program. IMO, the purpose of charter schools shouldn't be to serve a privileged few on the government dime and leave the rest, but to study and take what's good from these schools and give it to all the kids, not just a select few.
I also resent the message some of these programs send that if you're not Mother Teresa, willing to give all your time and all your effort for virtually no return, then you're not worthy of being a teacher. That's crap. Plenty of excellent teachers I've worked with actually had lives outside their jobs. The problem is the lack of consistency wrt teachers. You can have a great teacher in 7th grade and no other time in school. Some kids, especially inner-city ones, go through their entire education without a decent--much less excellent--teacher. I despise "teacher of the year" for a lot of reasons, but one of the main ones is that the teachers who work most consistently (not the most hours or with the most "unique" approach) to help the neediest kids never get it. It also sends the wrong message to public education in general, imo. I always think of the long scene in Madame Bovary where the old lady is getting the farm award at the fair. It's as meaningful to the recipient and as meaningless to the rest of the world, when it should be resulting in positive developments for education through the contributions of the recipient to the greater good.
24173. arkymalarky - 6/14/2008 6:34:07 PM (Stepping down from my soapbox and sliding it back under the couch)
Personally, my heart would head for the poorest schools, but their systemic and administrative problems are hard to overcome, which is a big reason I'm so sold on rural. Take the same demographic and put it in a rural COMMUNITY school and not only can you see the impact of good teachers through literally generations of kids (I've taught parents of most of my kids), you've got manageable class sizes and a low-stress work environment. At least that's how it is for me.
Hell, there's so much to consider, I'd just go with the coolest building! Especially since it's closest to you and gas prices are so high. Good luck. I've worked in every district within reasonable commuting distance from my house except two where I'd have to be desperate before going there--including the one Mose graduated from. There are two more that are a bit far, but worth considering if I have to, if something happens to my school. But the most likely move I'll make--and only if my school goes--is to go back to work with Bob, and now Mose. So if you get in a school and it doesn't suit you, just remember you can stand anything for nine months and look for another one. Mose did that because of her schedule and commute. Teaching, especially if you have certifications that are in demand, is one of the most flexible jobs to transfer with, plus you get a whole summer to job hunt.
And you ought to contact Frank. He had a good friend who went to work as a beginning teacher in the L.A. system who could probably tell you a whole lot that would be helpful. She posted here a few times as she was starting her job, but I don't know anything about how it went for her.
24174. Ms. No - 6/15/2008 5:54:42 PM I like your soapbox, Arx! You drag it on out whenever you like. I always learn something.
My decision will most likely end up being based on who offers me a job and the only thing that really makes me nervous is that I have to sign a two year contract. I can't transfer or leave during that time or I have to leave the program. So I'd better make darn sure I end up someplace I can stand. ;-> 24175. arkymalarky - 6/15/2008 8:17:03 PM Oh, wow.
Well, you can stand anything for eighteen months! ;-)
I used to have a colleague who went from teaching elementary to high school. She loved high school compared to elementary because, she said, "I can stand anybody for fifty minutes."
Remind me: Are you going to have to go to grad school during this time? 24176. Ms. No - 6/16/2008 2:07:05 AM No. I'm waiting on that a little bit. I can bump my salary with non-MA courses until I know what I want to get my MA in.
I'm leaning toward getting my MA in playwriting, but whether that has to be pursued through an MFA program or not I don't really know yet. The main reason for me to get the advanced degree is because I might like to teach at the university level someday. It seems like it might be a nice way to spend the later years of my teaching. I don't know that I'm going to want to wrangle with the angst of teenagers when I'm in my 60's and 70's. 24177. arkymalarky - 6/16/2008 2:48:21 AM Yeah, I couldn't remember, because in AR you have to get your MA in teaching to teach, whatever your other degree(s). 24178. arkymalarky - 6/16/2008 2:50:36 AM Don't worry--by your 60s and 70s you won't give a rip about their angst. ;-)
I never wanted to go the college-teaching route in English because of my dislike of grading papers. I watched Dad enough nights to know that just wasn't what I wanted to spend my evenings doing. 24179. Ms. No - 6/16/2008 2:54:36 AM Nah, if I teach at the college level I'll teach theater. 24180. Jenerator - 6/16/2008 2:07:13 PM Ms. No,
the only thing that really makes me nervous is that I have to sign a two year contract.
Starting teachers sign two year contracts in CA? That's interesting. It's one year here (considered probation) and then two and three year contracts after the first year. Though the district I am in now is one year contracts for everyone, forever.
What happens if you break a contract there? Here, it's really no big deal, people do it all of the time. 24181. arkymalarky - 6/16/2008 9:51:12 PM It's year to year in AR, too. I don't know of any districts that offer extended contracts to teachers. And people break contracts here, as well, but the district can legally hold a teacher. I've known it to happen and it causes real bad blood for a school year, which isn't good for anybody. Usually schools just make sure they can get a replacement. 24182. Ms. No - 6/17/2008 2:18:26 AM I don't know what the usual policy is. It seems more likely that it's year to year here, as well. I think the 2-year requirement is because of the program that I'm in.
Arx,
Had a great chat with Mose this evening! Thanks for putting me in touch! 24183. arkymalarky - 6/17/2008 3:18:38 AM Cool! 24184. Ms. No - 6/18/2008 5:14:49 PM Sorry, I left part of Jen's question hanging: I have no idea what the penalty for breaking contract is. It might make it harder to get a job elsewhere, but I wouldn't imagine they'd take the time to sue you over it....although they might. It IS California, after all. ;-> 24185. arkymalarky - 6/18/2008 7:55:30 PM If you break a contract here you can't teach anywhere else in the state. 24186. Ms. No - 6/19/2008 5:51:16 PM I imagine it's something like that here.
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