Competitive Pay, Empathy Lacking.
Pros
Competitive Pay -- you're probably not going to receive more compensation for a general ed or specials teacher anywhere else (in year 10 I am around $92K)
Cons
Work day is too long! -- 7:30 am - 5:30 pm (Tu/Th), 7:30 am - 4:30 pm (MWF) For the upcoming school year the day has been "reduced" to 7:30 am - 5 pm (Tu/Th), 7:30 am - 4:15 pm. And the summer break is roughly 5 weeks. It's laughable to think the decision-makers consider this a reprieve. There's a total lack of empathy and perspective for those who are not in the daily grind of teaching and managing students 40-50 hours weekly. There is no space for work-life balance, and the short summer break is not nearly adequate time for teachers to "reset." There is little room for professional growth or recognition if you are not in alignment with traditional pathways for promotion in education. Leaders are assumed to be best prepared based on an antiquated set of guidelines. School leaders (aka principals) are managers, not leaders. Leaders show empathy and make those who follow them better and more encouraged to follow. Our principals act as managers, ensuring that the line items are being checked and we are reaching the mandated quotients directed from network leaders. The tension these managers cultivate within schools is palpable and consequently leads to teacher burnout and the departure of well-seasoned, highly regarded teachers. Performative, surface level responses to feedback.
