Teachers (NYC teachers especially...): What should I do?

I got a job offer today to teach 6th grade math in a school up in Washington Heights, Manhattan. It's an NYC public school.

In any case, there are some positives to write about. The school is in Manhattan (something I really wanted since I live in the borough), it's only about 15 minutes on the subwayt, it's less than a 2 block walk from the subway stop (super important for a new teacher in a tough neighborhood), and its the grade and subject I want to teach.

However, I'm unsure about the position. Here are the negatives. First, the school is mostly a spanish speaking population. I speak minimal Spanish and I am afraid it would impact my teaching and my abilities to communicate with the parents. Second, the resources seem dismal. While I can't say that for sure, the school is being housed in an anex across the street from the old school. Granted there is air conditioning, and wipe off boards, but it seems like there isn't much else. Third, I didn't get the best impression from the other teachers. When I met them at the career fair, they were very quiet. Maybe it was their personalities, though...but I was hoping for a warm, teaching environment where I am shown the ropes. Maybe a bit fairytale like, but I was hoping for colleagues that I would really get along with and want to hang out with outside of school - especially since we're all pretty young. They weren't UNfriendly...just quiet.Fourth, I have yet to meet the principal. The principal is out of the country until the 28th. I really want to know more about the school, the vision, the kids, etc., and I'd really like to meet with her before I decide anything...but these schools want to hire NOWWWWWW.

I guess here's the big question. Do I take the position, or do I hold out for something better? In doing so, I run the risk of not finding something better and winding up in the Bronx. (Manhattan schools are impossible to get into unless they are way uptown)..............................

Teachers, what were the most important factors when you decided to take a job?


ETA: Just wanted to add that winding up in the Bronx is NOT a bad thing at all. There are many awesome schools up there. It's just a super dooper hike for me.

Message edited 7/18/2008 6:10:54 PM.

Re: Teachers (NYC teachers especially...): What should I do?

Let me take your worries one at a time:
Honestly, don't worry about the Spanish. While it might impede your teaching to some degree, you are teaching math which is a universal language right? You'll be surprised how much English the children will have simply from watching TV and listening to music. Not the best models, but it's something.
Second, not having resources is a problem, but during my first year of teaching I bought A LOT of stuff myself. While it was expensive, it is now mine and when I ended up switching districts 4 years later, I was able to take it all with me. If I hadn't, I would have had to leave it all behind. However, if there are no necessities such as BOOKS, well that might be a deal-breaker.
As for the teachers, I wouldn't look at the teachers that showed up during a summer fair to be indicative of what all the teachers are like. Most likely, those are the only ones they could get to come in. Also, the idea you have is WONDERFUL, but it doesn't always end up that way. Personally, I flock to the older teachers in my school (I'm only 30) because they have so much wisdom to impart. Having young teachers to hang out with is awesome too, but your first year is going to be so busy, you'll be lucky if you have time for lunch let alone going out after work for drinks! I wouldn't worry about the teachers, but I would ask someone how many NEW teachers there will be, because these are the people you will probably lean on as you go through the first year in a new building together.
And when you talk to the principal...honestly, he/she will just talk up the school so I don't know how much you're going to get out of that meeting. Of course it is good to know about the school, the vision and the kids, but when people are in a hiring crunch, they'll say anything to get you to take the job (and I'm just talking from the experience of sitting on hiring committees).
Overall, if your gut is telling you no, I always say go with your gut, but if there are no other offers on the horizons, I would say go for this job. From reading other posts and from speaking to my friends who are teachers and looking for jobs, they would really appreciate the opportunity you are talking about. Only you know the right thing to do and I wish you the best of luck!!

Re: Teachers (NYC teachers especially...): What should I do?

I'm actually leaning towards yes! I'm just scared, to be honest. I feel like now, finally, after changing careers, going back to school, and investing a big chunk of change into my new career, I'm worried that it won't be the right move. Wait. That isn't coming out right. I KNOW I made the right move by going into education and teaching. I love love love the kids and being in the classroom, I guess I'm just anxious that it's finally all happening now, and I just want to make sure its the fit for me. Does that make sense? But maybe there isn't the perfect school...

You're right about the spanish, and the teachers, and the supplies. Those aren't deal breakers. But I really am interested in meeting with the principal. The reason I didn't take the last job I was offered was because of the principal. He was such a used car salesman in his picth to me and he bad mouthed the other teachers in front of me. I walked away from that school knowing that I made the right decision in declining. The school looked great, but who wants to deal with that kind of environment in their first year? I feel like you learn really quickly how you feel about a school from the principals that lead them!

I'm leaning towards yes...I just want to make sure.

Thank you for taking the time to respond to me. Honestly, it really helped!!