Looking for opinions/advice (Chicago, Woodlawn: schools, live in, safe)

[adamtrip]

Hey guys. My wife and I moved here two years ago and we live in the loop. My wife works at a school in E. Garfield Park, which she drives to because we don't feel comfortable with her taking public transportation to get there (a few teachers at this school were mugged getting off the train last year). I am currently looking for a teaching position but most of the open positions are south, in what we think are bad areas. Is it worth getting another car and feel safe about applying to one of these areas (i.e. Englewood, Woodlawn), or should I keep waiting on something better, or should I just apply and trust that I will get there and back everyday if I get the job? Do any of you guys commute to areas in which you feel unsafe?
Thanks in advance for your comments and advice

[chet everett]

In many CPS sites the number one issue for the staff is safety, the union and the board know it is in both of their best interests to keep those stories out of the paper, and the media cooperates...

If you don't feel safe you will motor away from school as soon as the bell rings and kids will know that extra help is not an option. Bad all around...

The principal, the local school council, the local police liaison can make a HUGE difference, and some schools are an island of safety when there is good cooperation. You wife should ask her school's union rep for the inside scoop on other schools that are particularly unsafe and if you get a call from the principal of one of those schools it is your right to flat out ask the principal what he/ she does to ensure staff safety. Frankly at some schools if you did not ask this question the principal would probably think you are too naive to be in the classroom...

The central office acts like they make assignments, but really even bad principals can and do use pull to get teachers they like and dump those that they sense can't cut it. When the principal is pulling foe you and you tell 'em that you are worried about safety in the parking lot they then have motivation to ask the central office to get surveillance cameras aimed where they will do some good.

If you wanna work in Chicago ya gotta remember that somebody with no clout is goin' be a patsy or a pawn...