Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum and new to teaching. I'm excited to say that I got my first job offer! But now I'm dealing with the worries of accepting or declining the offer. Here are my main concerns: 1. I'm afraid to get other offers but be stuck with this one if I accept it. Is it typical to accept a position, and (if you didn't sign anything) decline it if something more appealing comes up? 2. This school is the smallest school of their district. What advantages/disadvantages does this bring? 3. There are 11 different languages spoken in this school, and that absolutely terrifies me. In fact, this is the primary reason why I'm doubting this offer. I'm afraid that I might not be able to accommodate for them. I know I'm all over the place, but any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have until Friday to accept/decline. This would be a huge move for me to a state that I don't no anyone, so I really need to be cautious with my decision. Thank you to those who reply! Oh, and I'm not asking for you all to make a decision for me. I simply want any relevant input that you can provide. Thanks .
I've read on this forum several times about people having to move to different states to find a teaching position. I really can't imagine the job market being quite like that because it's not so difficult where I live...I was hired after my first interview four years ago and the economy isn't forcing schools to eliminate many positions. But if it is so that you would even apply at a school that requires you to relocate, then it seems you may want to happily accept this offer. I understand your worries, especially working with so many different languages. I am assuming, though, that a school with such a diverse population would have resources available? Either way, it will be a challege, so I wish you the best.
One year, I was the designated "2nd Grade Spanish Language Support" teacher. Although I don't speak Spanish, I was given all the students who spoke Spanish as a primary language but were learning English as a second language. It worked out well because I had an aide for two hours who provided primary language support. The aide and I worked very closely together to ensure that the students were immersed in English, but also receiving assistance in their primary language. Also, students were deployed for 45 minutes each day for English Language Development. During that time, English-only students from other 2nd grade classrooms came to my classroom for "enrichment" activites while the rest of my students worked on language skills. Anyway, I definitely think you should ask if the ELs (English Learners) will receive primary language support. Ask about the type of assistance you will receive (in the classroom) when working with the ELs.
As far as the languages issue- Yes, it will probably be challenging at times, but they would not have hired you if they didn't think you could handle it. I wouldn't let that deter you. I also think I would rather work in a smaller school, but that is just personal preference. It would be nice to have that community feel and for everyone to know each other.
I've worked in a small school (fewer than 200 students) and my current school has had enrollment of over 700. There are benefits to each. One of the things that I liked best about the small school was the fact that I knew every student by name; we were like an extended family. We were able to develop close relationships with our families in a way that isn't always possible in a larger school. In my current school, I probably know half the students by name, another quarter I would recognize on the street. The same "family" feeling isn't there, but, after several years, I do have strong relationships with some of the families. There are more extra-curricular activities for the students in my current school because there is a larger staff to organize clubs, sports teams, etc. The community at my current school is very diverse which was one of the things that drew me there. Over 40 countries and 60 languages are represented in our school community. Do I speak any of those languages? No--except for a tiny bit of French, but that has never been an issue. We call upon students to interpret for us when needed, or call in school board interpreters. From what I read here, it is difficult finding a teaching job. However, I would be reluctant to accept an offer that you may back out of. I feel that your word needs to mean something and that if you say, "yes", you mean "yes".
This issue comes up every once in a while. Here's my take on it: Once I give my word, it's a done deal. Whether or not I've signed a contract, whether or not it's my dream job, whether or not I didn't do my research and didn't know what I was getting into, it's a done deal. My word is incredibly important to me. Health issues are a valid reason for going back on your word; "something more appealing" is not, at least in my book. Jobs are incredibly hard to find in many parts of the country. This may very well be your one and only offer, but it may not. So decide on this job based on its own merits: could you be comfortable teaching in that school for a year? If not, is there some other way to pay your bills outside of education? I reentered the job market 4 years ago. I had 2 job offers and had promised to let my old school know if I got any. I called my old school, got an offer from them, and declined the other 2 offers. From that time on, I got no other offers because I stopped going on interviews. I had a job; why would I interview?
I have to agree with the others... basically there are going to be pros/cons and challenges in any environment... in THIS market, a job offer is a blessing - so grab it and be grateful!
:thumb: Also, the school I work in has over 1200 kids. I love it, but I do wonder what it would be like to teach in a small school. There are teachers in other buildings that I literally will go weeks without ever seeing!
I think you said that well. And if you are looking in the same district and have already accepted a job with this said school, that could really come back to bite you if your principal finds out. I would take the job and transfer next year if you are not happy. My first school was small. I learned the most during my time at this school and I really knew the community. It was very nice. I wish you all the best!
I work in a school with a high ELA population and I love it. It's great to be exposed to that kind of cultural diversity...both for me and the other children. Do a little reading on ELA learners over the summer and then try to relish in the new opportunity to learn and grow! In my humble opinion, I would probably take this job and give it a shot! If you love it...wonderful! If you don't love it....there will be other options down the road... Good luck to you and congrats on getting an offer! Wooohooo!
I work in a small school, less than 250 kids. It's nice to get to know all the kids but at some grades there is only one teacher. That's where I think it would be hard, would you have a teammate, someone to plan with? Congrats on the offer!
I guess if you guys work in a small school, I work in a tiny school . I work in a school with 54 students - 8 teachers. You would think that there is a family feeling in a school that small but there is not. I absolutely loved working in my last school with almost 1800 students - I thought that I would hate it and would never learn the names of the student but it was quite the opposite. I miss planning with someone and I hate the fact that there is very little that I could do with the other classrooms because I have very little in common, classroom management wise with the other two division 2 classrooms.
First thought is a job is a job and in this economy, to get even one offer is doing much better than others. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Second, once you accept a job offer, they put the wheels in motion to bring you in. Other candidates are informed that they're out, and they move on. If you back out, you're causing a lot of trouble that may come around to bite you in the backside at a later date. Since you applied to this area, you must have thought about the benefits and costs of moving there. But, it's still a BIG deal, and if that decision is causing you stress, you may want to pass this time and try someplace closer to home.
