nyc teachers - poll

i'm finding it hard to find any teachers who work in nyc who actually like their job overall. i know as a teacher there is always some rewarding moments, but i'm talking about liking your job overall.

I was thinking about this because when i was going to the open market transfer i couldnt even think of where i would like to work (i'm in brooklyn now) because the city rules and all their aggravation apply everywhere.

i was just hoping that you ladies might be able to give me some suggestions on if there was anywhere that might be a touch better. I know district 25 and 26 is not too terrible but almost impossible to get into. So anywhere else?

Re: nyc teachers - poll

in in 27. parts of it are great. overall, im happy in my school, administration is demanding but supportive. as with any school (or job in general im sure) there are days that i am miserable and people i cant stand.

our ELA test scores are decent, every kid in my class can read (unless they just transfered in!)

our Math scores are really good. pretty much on par with the average LI district.

there are a few really good elem schools in 27- PS 60, 66, 100, 90 and a few more down in howard beach/belle harbor area across the bridge.

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I work in distrcit 25 and I love the school that i am in. The administration is really great. They treat us like adults and pretty much leave you alone if they feel that you are doing your job. All of the teachers that I work with are professional and willing to help you out. All of the teachers in my subject area and grade level share lessons and materials.

The kids in the school I am in are pretty well behaved. My school is big on discipline and will take a child who is disruptive out of the classroom so that we can get our job done.

All in all I am very happy and have no intentions of leaving the city.

ETA - I am a first year teacher and got a job one of the best schools in District 25, so it is not impossible. Just send your resumes to each school...you never know!

Message edited 4/20/2008 11:42:27 AM.

Re: nyc teachers - poll

I work at a school in Brooklyn, and I am miserable. There is NO discipline with the students, and they basically run the school. Here are a few examples and please tell me if this happens in your school, too. It's very discouraging to be a NYC teacher in my school.

1. Kids destroy bulletin boards.

2. Students run up and down halls all day.

3. Kids who are physically or verbally abusive to both students and teachers do not get reprimanded (ex. detention, expelled, or suspended).

4. New kids are always taken in without questioning problems at other schools. A new student decided to urinate in the classroom and spit at the teacher.

5. A co-worker, 2nd grade, was threatened by a student with a knife (brought to school) and NOTHING happened to the student.

6. The lunchroom is more like kids running around screaming, food/milk on the floor, and no control.

7. A kid slammed another student on the floor and hurt his leg, but he is still walking around the hall.

8. Parents...I won't go there.

I can go on and on, and I find it extremely difficult to say anything positive. I dread going in every morning. Please tell me I'm not the only one experiencing this!

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I work in Manhattan down in Union Square. What was region 9 district 2 (I think) and I love my job. If I could stay there forever I would but the commute is killing me. I spend about 4 1/2 hours a day commuting and now that I have a baby I can't see continuing this. In interviews they always ask me why I want to leave and I tell them that if I could pick up my school and move it to LI I would in a heartbeat.

My school ( I teach HS) has a lot of security. We have SSAs and metal detectors. Don't get me wrong, we do have a lot of issues (our principal was just fired) but the APs are awesome and the kids for the most part aren't so bad either.

I should add that I am also on maternity leave right now so I might have selective memory about the bad stuff

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Re: nyc teachers - poll

DH is in 26. He is very lucky - he started in Jamaica and was actually excessed TO 26.

He loves his building and admin. He hates Randi Weingarten and her cronies.

Re: nyc teachers - poll

Posted by mdn13

Posted by MrsTeachMe

I work at a school in Brooklyn, and I am miserable. There is NO discipline with the students, and they basically run the school. Here are a few examples and please tell me if this happens in your school, too. It's very discouraging to be a NYC teacher in my school.

1. Kids destroy bulletin boards.

2. Students run up and down halls all day.

3. Kids who are physically or verbally abusive to both students and teachers do not get reprimanded (ex. detention, expelled, or suspended).

4. New kids are always taken in without questioning problems at other schools. A new student decided to urinate in the classroom and spit at the teacher.

5. A co-worker, 2nd grade, was threatened by a student with a knife (brought to school) and NOTHING happened to the student.

6. The lunchroom is more like kids running around screaming, food/milk on the floor, and no control.

7. A kid slammed another student on the floor and hurt his leg, but he is still walking around the hall.

8. Parents...I won't go there.

I can go on and on, and I find it extremely difficult to say anything positive. I dread going in every morning. Please tell me I'm not the only one experiencing this!

This is my school EXACTLY! You could very well be teaching in my school. I have all that plus an administration that is playing the "I'm goona catch you doig something" game with the teachers.

I totally feel your misery How long have you been at your school? Are you planning on staying?

Re: nyc teachers - poll

Re: nyc teachers - poll

I have been more happy than not. On the one hand, I really only know the city (limited experience as a student teacher and TA in 2 Nassau districts) but on the other hand, I doubt the suburbs are a cakewalk either.

My school has always been well-run with a lot of structure- I think that makes a difference. But I am also losing respect for my principal for a variety of reasons.

Also, I don't deal with a lot of the micromanagement that a lot of other city teachers have. That makes a huge difference- I can teach what I want, how I want, based on what *I* know about my students.

Message edited 4/20/2008 7:16:06 PM.

Re: nyc teachers - poll

This is my school EXACTLY! You could very well be teaching in my school. I have all that plus an administration that is playing the "I'm goona catch you doig something" game with the teachers.

I totally feel your misery How long have you been at your school? Are you planning on staying?

______________________________

To mdn13:

I have been there a year and a half, and I would love to leave. I am trying to stick it out until June but everyday I wonder if I can. It's too much. Aside from all of that, it's loads of paper work that is impossible to keep up with. How long have you been at your school? Everyone keeps telling me that it will get better, and it's not. I have a few co-workers that have been extremely supportive, but it is very hard to believe that it will be easier. I guess I put alot of pressure on myself, and I take kids failing personally.

To liqtny:

What grade do you teach? I have first and it's a nightmare! Most of the kids in the school are taller than me so it doesn't help that if I yell at them, I have to look up

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I worked at a top rated HS and I LOVED it. It had it's problems, but I loved the staff. I left before the big raise b/c I couldn't afford to live and I always regretted it.

I feel so bad that some of you have to deal with those situations you describe! Student success and teacher burn out surely suffer.

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To MrsTeachMe

I have been in my school for 4 years and it doesnt get better, it gets worse MUCH worse. I totally understand the bigger students thing - I'm under 5ft!

Its funny what you wrote because I tell my DH every day that I dont think I can last another day, never mind until june. Besides the kids, I agree the paper work is extremely overwhelming and I heard next year we will be required to teach from a script. My nerves cannot take much more. I know for sure that next year will be my last year teaching in NYC. And thats only because I hope to be out for part of it on Maternity leave. If I still cant find a job on LI I will look for a job in another field - I'm thinking daycare from my home.

Nobody should have to put up with or feel the way we do about our job. I know I have stayed too long at this place and it was a bad decision.

Good luck to you, and I hope you find a better place.

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I wish there were going to be openings at my school next year...I really don't mind working there...I am left alone.

Unfortuntely there will be cuts next year

If you hate a place LEAVE! I would stay until the end of the if possible....because I think it looks better on your resume.

I left a horrible school in NYC a while back ...My hair was falling out and I believe I had an ulcer. My health was NOT worth THAT JOB and I feel for anyone who is miserable in their schools...I have been there. It is not good

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I work in a high school in Brooklyn and I love it. I have been teaching there for eight years! I teach seniors, which may contribute to my happiness--I can not imagine teaching little kids. My first class starts at 7:15 and my last class ends at 11:30-- . Of course, that is subject to change each semester, but I generally don't get out later than 1:00. My AP is really awesome (to me) and since it is such a large school (4,000 students, 300+ staff) I get left alone. I do, however work with a bunch of miserable people. They complain and complain and complain, yet have been there for YEARS. (We're not talking about "old" teachers either--these are young attractive, smart people in their late twenties/early thirties--went straight into teaching.)

I really think people who teach in the city should research the neighborhoods/districts/schools before they take teaching positions. I knew which schools I wanted a job in before I was hired. My school was my second choice. It is kind of hard to transfer once you're locked into in position.

If you really hate your job, my advice is to leave. It will only make you angry and you won't do your best work, which will make you feel badly about yourself. I have seen it happen to so many teachers that I see everyday. They hated it five years ago and they are still there. However, keep in mind that 55/25 may mean a lot of job openings in desirable city schools.

good luck!

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Thank you for the responses/advice. It is reassuring to know that I am not the only one feeling like this. I am very stressed out, and on top of that I just moved so my 5 minute commute is now one hour. Ugh!

As for researching the district, I was aware of the area and its issues, but I do not think I realized how bad it really was. Only when I got in, with the discipline, which I think the administration itself should do more, paperwork, teachers arguing with teachers, no appreciation, etc. is when I became very disappointed. I also took the job because I just got married and needed to work. I was a sub for a few years, and I needed full-time. I may have to go back to subbing on Long Island, unless something full-time pops up , because I am not happy right now. I do feel like I am getting an ulcer!

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I have been working in a similarly "bad" school in Brooklyn for 8 years now and it is very frustrating at times.
(One time a group of 6 boys urinated in a bottle and dumped it on a kid's head in the hallway! They also broke into the main water closet and flooded the halls)

That being said, I still have frequent moments when I love my job. I would much rather deal with a bunch of nutbag kids than some of the rude and disrespectful "adults" I have encountered.

I have had some really horrible days and I have had some amazing days. It is the amazing days that get me through. (And when I say amazing I don't mean perfect...I mean days when there is a small moment of learning, appreciation, communication, engagement, etc.)

I have learned not to depend on my adminstration for anything; I am on my own and do what I have to do to teach, laugh, and generally make the experience what I want of it.

Teaching is so much different than I thought it would be~it is much more challenging and frustrating~but I do it for those few kids who actually appreciate it and that helps me make it through the year.

Message edited 4/22/2008 1:49:37 PM.

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My DH works in Wash Heights and has a 2 hour commute. He doesnt mind but his biggest problem is the administration doesnt discipline the kids so the kids go wild. It takes hitting the principal to get suspended but they can abuse the teachers and put visine in their coffee (not his) or flash their pubes to their classmates and nothing is done. There are alot of new teachers from the career exchange program and he said 75% of them are quitting all b/c of his school.

He actually worked in a LI school and believe it or not he thought NYC was better and went back. At least he is unionized.

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I worked in the city the 90% of the reason I left was because of administrative nonsense.

Re: nyc teachers - poll