ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

This is my whole take on this … I realize I may get flamed! But I need to know – am I the only one who feels like this?

After reading this ... please share your own perspective even if drastically different than my own. I am not trying to bash anyone - I want to have a civil conversation here.


I am a NYC special education teacher working at a middle school in Queens. I love my job – have my master’s degree and as a first year teacher I’m making 50,000 which I think is pretty good. I realize the pay in L.I. is more but my problem is this … I hear people all the time complaining about not getting a job on long island … But in my opinion you have to pay your dues. A long island school would rather employ a teacher who has worked full time for a few years in the city than a substitute on long island. Of course it’s great to get hired right away in the highest paid school district on LI but realistically that’s hard to do!

I don’t know - I feel so lucky. I’m working in a great area … have my own classroom … getting great experience and have incredible benefits. Plus, I’m well respected at my school and know that if and when I move on, I will get incredible recommendations.

My question is – why are people so scared to work for the NYC BOE? I’ve heard horror stories but now that I’m living and breathing this life … I feel it’s highly underrated! My students are respectful and I love the multicultural atmosphere … I honestly feel that I have helped make my school a better place. They need me! They need more qualified teachers who look beyond the surface and will do anything to reach them!

I know many people who get offered leave replacements on L.I. – one after the other and then constantly get overlooked when a permanent job is available. Its easy to get overlooked when you have an applicant coming in with 5 years of full time teaching experience … Plus, many L.I. schools are not as loyal as they used to be.

*** Disclaimer: I realize this is not the case for some of you … and may have landed full time positions after a leave replacement/substitute position has ended.

80% of L.I. teachers, principals, and administrator’s etc. start there career in the city and there is a huge sense of comradery between them! There is a special bond among those who teach in the greatest city in the world and rise above challenges to bring meaningful education to those who need it the most!

My advice – put your time in, pay your dues, embrace the city schools and put your resume out with no expectations … what’s meant to be will be. A few weeks ago I went on an interview and thought for sure I nailed the position. Yet only to find out they hired within and had to legally interview people for the job. I thought I would be devastated if I did not get it but honestly I was relieved. I can’t imagine leaving my students! I have decided I am no longer looking for the perfect job on L.I. because I already have the perfect job for me. The only reason I wanted to move was for a pay raise and at the end of the day that’s a Sh*tty reason!


Teachers – no matter where you work … we have one of the most difficult jobs out there! I respect all of the teachers who teach for the right reason! More power to us!

Best of luck as the school year is ending!

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

Hi..first of all i really enjoyed reading your post. More and more each day im coming to realize what you are saying. I presently work in Queens as well but in a catholic school. My school is also very diverse. I wanted to teach Long Island b/c of the pay, and because I'm getting married in 2 years so I really want to be in a school where i can just stay put!
I'm actually going to be sending my resume to many, many public schools in Queens. I was scared in the beginning b/c i have heard horror stories about the children in Public schools in NYC (being violent or "mouthing off") to be honest with you I don't know how i can deal with these children. I really think i would be scared. Children are children and i now have 4 years under my belt. I feel like Im "Older and wiser" and can deal with much more then i could if i was just starting out.
I really hope that one of these schools responds to me and offers me an interview.
(sorry so long)

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

I agree somewhat with what you are saying....There are great places to work in NYC but there are also really crappy places. I think the fear comes from being put in a really crappy place. Sometimes I feel like less of a teacher when I say that I work in the city...I have been asked "well why can't you find a job on Long Island, it's really that hard?" YEah it is! But atleast I have a job right now and I am getting great experience and training in Teachers College which is now a hot thing.

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

It's funny...I'm at the mark of where I can start applying to LI schools with a good chance of getting hired since I have 3 years of city experience. But I loooove my job. I looooove my school. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work in NYC. Are there negatives to it? Yes! No snow days, stupid PD, dumb a$$ mayor running us, etc., but I love that I have a job.

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

I'm so excited to be reading these posts because I may be joining you in September. I'm literally waiting on paperwork and hoping that everything goes smoothly. I can't wait to sign that contract!!

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

I am soon to finish my first year teaching as a Special Educator, in the NYC BOE. I think it depends on your school and the climate within. I LOVE MY SCHOOL and recommend you try the BOE, if nothing on LI is working out. I just decided to jump right into the city, because let's face it..on LI it is all who you know.. not what you know.

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

I wish I could even get a job in NYC. I was turned down by the DOE!

It's very discouraging and depressing. I am even thinking about changing careers!

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

I think for some, myself included is not knowing the area. I love going to Manhattan, but I am unfamiliar with the other areas.
It's a little intimidating, but I am having that with my searches in NC too, totally new to me.

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

I am not afraid to work in the city, just certain, high risk areas of the city.

I would welcome the opportunity to work in Queens. So is your school hiring English teachers???

LOL

Great post

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

I agree and disagree.

First of all I agree- if I was a teacher I would rather get experience in the city rather than bouncing around on LI as a leave replacement or a sub. FH didnt want to, and he is in the city.

I disagree in the fact that its not easy to leave the city and go to LI - FH is a tenured teacher in NYC (a great HS), has publishing credits, a masters, glowing recommendations, and the kid cant even get an interview.

and while you can get in an awesome school (luckily FH is now, but he started in Jamaica). My aunt taught in Brooklyn and her school didnt have COPY machines. She had to pay her own money and her own time to photocopy stuff for her kids.

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

Im NOT a fraid to teach in the city. I was city certified but it expired, then I got married and moved further out east and got in a public school.
If I was still single, I probably would have a job in the city now.

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

I taught in Queens for two years before getting a job on LI and loved it (except for the commute). I received great training and support. The staff was great and I really enjoyed going to work.

Although I can't complain about having a job on LI the atmosphere is so different. I don't know if it is b/c I now work in a MS setting rather than an elementary school. I have no complaints about working in Queens and received a great experience.

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

Honestly, not everyone has the great experience you have had! I think it is great that you have such an awesome school, but when I taught in the city I hated every moment of it. I worked in springfield gardens and it wasn't the kids that made my day bad. The administration in the city is so messed up that it makes it not enjoyable to be a teacher. I had 4 jobs in one year!!! First, I was a 3/4 self contained teacher, then they didnt have enough kids for the class so I became a 4 inclusion teacher, then I was the only new sped teacher w/ SPED certification and so they put me as the SETSS teacher, then the 2nd grade inclusion teachers had a FIST FIGHT in the classrooM!!!!! so they fired the sped one and then I took over!!!!! Unfortunately, the administration never saw eye to eye and the ap would talk about the principal constantly and would yell at teachers in front of students and other staff constantly. There is more, it was just unbearable to work at. And I find that happens more than not. I am not saying that is totally true. FH has a friend that left the city to teach in LI to come back to the city b/c he hated the pressure! I also have a friend who teaches in a great school in brooklyn and we started at the same time. Her experience was TOTALLY different than mine! Unfortunately, I think you hear about the negative stories alot more than the positive ones!

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

Bumping so more great teachers get the message! Bumping because city students deserve qualified teachers!!

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

i work in a private school in the city and i agree with u totally i even get that im less of a teacher bc i dont work nycboe so i see that side of it too and u know what i loved the most about ur original post is that u said "no matter where u work....we have the hardest job and u respect those that are out there doing it for the right reasons"....that is absolutely true

Message edited 6/11/2007 8:12:56 PM.

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

Message edited 6/11/2007 8:39:18 PM.

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

Re: ALL Teachers! And those who are afraid to teach in the city! Please read!

Bumping for more perspective NYC teachers!