at your school, especially if you've been there for a while. I always want to be a teacher-I don't have aspirations of admin positions or anything. My goal was to stay at the same school and see these kids grow up, teach their siblings, still see the families. But for the first time I'm questioning if that's enough of a reason to stay in one place. The philosophy my school is leaning toward completely clashes with mine these days; and it's becoming stressful. I think part of it is a sense of loyalty too-- that's hard for me to get past. So I was just curious to see why other people stay at their schools?
KCG, one thing I have learned by staying for almost 30 years at the same school is that things will change. It may be that the philosophy is changing all over now and away from what we know is best for kids. IF teachers hang together and support each other this pendulum will swing back again.
I will be at my school until something major happens that keeps me from being there. I have strong admin, a strong team of teachers, and a great group of kids. I've never needed or wanted for anything and my Principal makes her decisions based on what's best for children. I'm lucky! And I'm not giving that up any time soon.
I have seen many teachers leave and then come back to our school. It seems that the grass isn't necessarily always greener somewhere else. I'll stay put until I am seriously unhappy. For now, I'm content. This year has been a pretty good one so far.
I've been bounced around to three different schools (within the same district) over these past few years (thanks to thousands of layoffs here in California). Last spring, a posting came up for the school I spent five years at. I jumped on it and I'm back where it all started--my very first school! It feels so incredibly good to be back--the families know and truly appreciate me! I don't think I'll leave this site until I move up to admin.
The students and staff! But if I truly thought that the district was moving in a direct that I completely disagree with, I would probably begin looking elsewhere.
This is my first year at this school, so I can't really answer. However, the school's philosophy matches mine, and I have already made friends with and clicked well with others, especially those on my own team (it's great when you click with the teachers on your team!). Also, the parents are supportive, which helps (it is an affluent population, so sometimes supoprtive can be coupled with demanding, not in my group of parents this year, though). I think when you have those elements in place (which is sometimes hard to find), it's hard to want to leave, especially when you aren't sure you'll find them somewhere else. Oh yeah, the pay is good too! That always helps.
My school is in the community where I grew up. It's a very small, rural, high-poverty area. I understand the community and the needs. It's 4 miles from my house. It was one mile for years, but we got a new school and I bought a house. Distance increased. Still takes very little time to get there. Even though it's not perfect, it's great compared to other places. I work with some wonderful people. I like knowing everyone. One of my neighbors has four daughters, and I taught them all. Years ago I had a 7th grader who belonged to one of my 12th graders from my first year. Two years ago I had a 7th grader I used to rock when he was a newborn. I was the teacher for the girls on maternity leave, and I'd rock him while his mom took tests. Last year I had the first 7th grader who belonged to one of my former 7th graders. Two of my teammates are former students. Another married one of my students. A third was born my senior year of high school. I'm the same age as his mother. This is year 20 for me. Same district.
It's a mixture of things that make me want to stay where I am until I retire. The principal who hired me is a calm gentleman with an open ear and office. He is now my grad school mentor who will oversee my internship, and I cannot fathom working with anyone else in the process. My mentor teacher has become family to me over the past few years and has helped me spin off and lead my own team. My new SpEd counterpart is a dream teacher who shares my values and passions. Then there are the students. It may be frustrating at times, but the individual victories I have far outweigh the frustrations. I'm constantly reminded of The Starfish Story when I make that one contact that turns a student back to his or her studies.
I like my school because I have the freedom to teach what I want. I have resources at my fingertips. And I don't have any high stakes tests. What more could I ask for?
I have been teaching in my district for 19 years, 11 years at my current school. I have taught siblings of many families which I love, and have watched these kids grow up and start their adult lives themselves. I feel that parents for the most part trust me. I have been told that I have a good reputation among most of the families as being a strict but fair teacher who likes to make learning fun--can't beat that!!! I love my school because my principal has faith that I am doing what I think is best for kids. She allows us to take the curriculum and work to our style of teaching with little criticism. I do try to improve each year and am encouraged and praised for my attempts (successful or not!). I have also developed some super close bonds with other teachers who support me when I am struggling. Whenever someone is in "crisis" or just having a bad day, we all offer to take students, give each other breaks, etc. It is a very supportive place. That is why I stay
It's knowing that the grass is not greener on the other side of the fence. I get along with my co-workers & have the support of my P.
I really love my P. He's so helpful and wonderful. We also have a lot of freedom to teach what and how we want.
My family. And I like my team. We have quite a few retiring and thinking of retiring over the next couple of years as the CCS roll out and the stakes get higher for teachers to demonstrate what they're made of; those retiring, are done demonstrating.
I love my school - the families are great, my principal is supportive, the kids are awesome and my colleagues are the best. The only thing that would make me leave would be the chance for a shorter commute.
Other than loving what i do... Supportive families Good pd opportunities Relative freedom My colleagues are awesome I've built a good reputation here I'm well paid
I'm actually asked this a lot because I have a 45 minute commute and a 2 year old. I love my kids and the community feel at my school. My district is far from perfect and honestly I don't care for everyone at my school (staff wise), but I have an afterschool club that I created and means the world to me, I love some of my co-workers, and I feel like I really make a difference to my kids. And on a selfish note, I'm more than halfway to longevity pay (and I have tenure- which doesn't follow me to another district)
