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I moved to S. Charlotte recently and I'll be teaching at a public elementary school nearby. I came from New England, where I've lived all my life. I'm curious about the experiences in southern public schools, and I'm wondering what to expect. I know people may have differing experiences and/or opinions, and that's okay. I'm just trying to learn what people's experiences are/were like down here (parents, teachers, community members).
I moved to S. Charlotte recently and I'll be teaching at a public elementary school nearby. I came from New England, where I've lived all my life. I'm curious about the experiences in southern public schools, and I'm wondering what to expect. I know people may have differing experiences and/or opinions, and that's okay. I'm just trying to learn what people's experiences are/were like down here (parents, teachers, community members).
Thanks in advance!
The hardest thing to adjust to is the tractors taking all of the parking spots. Be prepared to LOTS of pickup trucks (and their obligatory rear window gun racks). There really are no clothing issues as all of the children attend school in overalls, and barefooted. Have a great year!
I have seen a lot and I mean ALOT more Parental involvement here in the South. It could have just been our school district in Mass...but my children have had a GREAT school experience here!
Hoagie and Colddiamond -- I have a feeling you think I'm being judgemental and I'm not. I'm simply asking if others can tell me what their experiences have been like with public schools down here. I'm not saying one is better than the other (meaning the north vs the south). I'm just trying to get to know how people view public schools in NC.
Robin -- thanks for your input. It's good to know there's a lot of parent involvement here, and I'm glad your kids have had a great experience.
No ma'am, that wasnt my thinking. My thinking was that threads like these often get rather testy between other posters.
Since Im not *that* far out of high school, I can tell you that we've got some awesome teachers that are overworked, underpaid, and over-restricted as to what they can and cannot do with their students, especially in regards to discipline.
Other than that...school is school like anywhere else.
Some of these people can be so mean... She's legitimately seeking some insight so she can be aware of what to expect.
I would think experiences would be different from one school to the next.
Frankly, I dont know that I'd want my children to have a teacher who wants to compare/contrast schools of different regions. I feel that teachers should start at a new school without preconceived feelings/ideas of what their students will be like- thus my earlier satire.
Over all, there is no difference in schools anywhere in the country. Each individual school can be different depending on teachers, parents, rules, the school boards and so on. There are four teachers in my family, and I myself work after school programs. We are spread out in different states. When we get together it's not up here or down there, it's about the usual frustrations many teachers have.
Kids are kids. Parents are what they are. The complaints I hear in the family are universal-from the administrations of the schools to lack of interest by parents and how most kids want to learn. In one school district anywhere you will find "good" schools and "bad" schools. It is not a regional issue.
I am trying to remember all the differences I noticed when I moved from this region to the Midwest. I had also taught as well as having a child in the system.
I think the first thing I noticed was that parents were really encouraged to volunteer in the classrooms here in this area. But in the Kansas system where my son went to school, parents did not volunteer nor were they welcomed. I was stunned at first as I had been used to coming in 2 x a week to help children w/ preparation for spelling quizzes. Then I realized that the budget must have been more robust in the KS system, b/c each teacher had a full time assistant in his/her class.
Also, there were other subtle things, such as no holiday type celebrations were allowed (even Halloween). And there were rules I wasn't used to, such as kids could not exchange Valentine's Day cards unless they brought enuff for everyone in the class . . . and kids could not wear T-shirts w/ any writing on them. These were just small things but were nevertheless a surprise and sometimes confusing b/c no one told me these things ahead, LOL. "Everyone" just knew the rules!
So I think there would probably be some regional rules or customs that might be different. My advice would be to ask the other teachers about such things as bulletin boards in classrooms - can you do holiday themes (Halloween, etc) . . . and just play it by ear until you figure out what is "standard" and what isn't.
Good luck - I know you will be a wonderful teacher - your concern shows that upfront!!!
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