Is there anyone here teaching in a private school? I'm often told by other teachers that teaching private school is much easier than a public school. That's understandable for a number of reasons. However, I was considering making the transition next school year if possible. I'm not looking for an easy way out; rather, I'm concerned about my personal health. This school year is only a few months in, but I've already lost a lot of weight since I'm beginning to lack an appetite and can't sleep at night because I'm nervous about going in every day. I actually attended private school from kindergarten to my senior year in high school, so I am more familiar and comfortable with their system as opposed to my state's. Please share your experiences so I can make the right decision come May for my health's sake.
I teach at a private school, and I am enjoying it so far. I worked in a public school last year, so I can drastically see the differences curriculum wise. My 2nd graders are learning/doing things most 3rd graders in public schools are doing.
But I can not really speak on private schools as a whole, because unlike public schools in a unified district, they are vastly different.
One private school may produce students who are 2-3 grade levels above their peers, few behavior problems, and have 90% parent involvement while others are the complete opposite.
What I do like about my environment is the close, tight-knit family atmosphere we have here. We have the small class sizes, so you can really form a relationship with all of your students. I also have a lot of flexibility with my schedule, and I noticed that most public school classroom's schedule are mandated by someone else besides the teacher. If I want to do math after lunch one day, and do math the first thing in the morning the next day-I can do that with out any problems. The teachers are given reign over what they want to do within their classrooms.
The only con I have seen in a lot of private schools though, is the lack of technology within the schools. I do not have internet access within my classroom, I do not have a smartboard-there isn't even a dry erase board in my classroom for that matter. Because private schools receive such a limited amount of funds, you are not going to see the same caliber of supplies as you would see within a public school classroom. I have seen some private schools that do have a lot of access to these things, so it really depends on the school.
Good Luck, I hope you find somewhere that will make you happy!
Be sure to ask lots of questions in the interview, as private schools vary. Remember you will probably not have any union protection. I teach at an underfunded Catholic school and we have large class sizes, NO money, and no support staff (no aides, counselor, or VP, etc). We also have less lunch time (30 mins) and are often required (not paid more for) to cover recess shifts. We also have only two prep periods per week. Our "new" textbooks are 12-yr old discards from others schools. Oh, and our supply budget for our classrooms is a whopping $0!
On the positive side, I have complete freedom in terms of curriculum and schedule, and my principal is very laid-back (actually to the point where I don't feel adequately supported). We are not under the pressure of test scores and NCLB. And I don't have to mince around "political" topics -- I am free to teach to my heart's content about social justice, racism, ethics, etc.
Like you, I also attended private school as an elementary and secondary student, so I found it a natural fit for me. I greatly enjoy the smaller community, relatively good behavior, and relative freedom in the curriculum. Others bring up a good point in noting that schools can vary widely-- I know some private schools can be challenging becuase staff is smaller and more is expected of each person. The amount of different preps may be larger, and the amount of outside of classroom duties may be greater than in a public school.
Seeking out a private school may seem like the "easy way out," but I would not be doing anyone a favor if I were to try to teach in a place that my talents and personality don't fit.
I am much more comfortable in private school. I teach in a Catholic high school and we are 1:1 laptop. Every student and every teacher has a laptop. The students keep their laptops with them for the whole school year and return them in the summer for maintenance. I have an Elmo and an LCD projector in my classroom and could have had a Promethean Board but turned it down because it is not necessary with the tablet laptop (that I can write on) and the projector. I am give an opportunity to attend both in state and out of state professional development that I want. I do not have discipline problems and am free to teach what I think that my kids need. I do have to sub sometimes because we do not hire subs very often. I have great administrators. My principal took the sub duty that I was supposed to have today because I had too much to do and needed the time outside of the classroom. I have taught in a public school and there was no comparison. I also make more money than I would in our local public school system and have a wonderful health insurance plan that is fully paid for by my school. We also have 401K and other benefits. I went to Catholic school and sent my children to Catholic school so I do not see me leaving Catholic schools ever!
Like LA/FL said, just really research carefully. In this area each private school is wildly different from the next, and there are some that I would not go to for all the money in the world. Find out how many teachers are certified, if the adminstrators are certified, where the subs come from, the basis for the curriculum, the way the budget is allocated... All of these things are pretty standard in the public school setting because state law mandates so much. Not so in private schools.
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If you cannot find it in yourself, where will you go for it?
I was actually considering going back to my high school alma mater, which is an all boys' high school located in town. I may have graduated from there seven years ago, but I did some O&P last year at the school and noticed that it's even more disciplined than when I was there. (It was bad enough we had to wear a shirt and tie three out of five days.) For example, if the principal or anyone in administration were to show up in the classroom, the students had to stand up as a sign of respect. I spoke with my OPT about a variety of topics and he had nothing but good things to say. He actually spent his entire elementary and high school career in public school and said he wouldn't want to be a part of the system, especially when he has so much freedom in his class and curriculum without the worry of hitting standards.
One thing I really like about private schools is that students have their own lockers and are responsible for their textbooks. I'm not sure how it is with other public schools, but at my school and the one I conducted my student teaching at, textbooks stayed in the classroom. This means we have to spend class time reading together, which I'm not a huge fan of at all. That and my alma mater now has all air-conditioned rooms and are in the process of adding SMARTboards.
My contract with the school I'm at is only a temporary one. I was only supposed to work until March, but my principal changed it so that I would have a job until the end of the year. The size of the incoming freshman class next year will determine whether or not I keep my job. I know that I would be taking a cut in pay, need to drive out further, and won't have the same benefits since not many private schools could ever match what the state offers, but Ms. H's words make me feel like I'm not just running away.
Thank you all. I will keep you updated if I do make the transition at the end of the school year.
I teach at a private school (I grew up in public schools and student taught in public schools) and I LOVE IT!!!!! I have no plans of ever leaving this school at all.
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~ BioAngel ~
Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand. ~Chinese Proverb
I have no plans of ever leaving this school at all.
