Teaching in Chicago (Union: neighborhood, public school, moving to)

[graciemae]

Hi guys, I was just wondering if anyone here teaches for the CPS? I am a teacher and I want to try for a job in Chicago. Can anyone tell me what the school system is like? I love the city of Chicago, and I hope to be there by the new school year. What should I expect from teaching here? Any help would be nice! Thanks guys!

[Paxtonian]

My brother taught at a Chicago Public School for a short while. The only good thing he could relate about the experience was that the thugs... I mean students didn't kill him. He lost interest in teaching after that and entered the publishing industry.

[j33]

CPS politics are insane when it comes to administration. I work in education and have interviewed more than one person trying to get out of CPS. I hear all sorts of stories from both ends, from meglomanical administration to students whose idea of an after school activity involve stealing your car.

That being said, there are some good schools, but again, the politics of getting a job come into play.

[mdz]

My brother-in-law is a teacher in CPS and has told me the exact same things. The politics are so bad that he's thinking of getting out as well. The actual teaching part he doesn't mind at all, he works with special ed.

Lord knows we need good teachers here, good luck.

[chitown68]

I have been a teacher with CPS for 10 years now. Sometimes politics do play a role as to who gets into certain schools. However, it is also possible to get into a decent school sometimes by directly contacting a principal through email or snail mail. Check out the CPS website at http://www.cps.k12.il.us/ for job listings. The website also gives detailed information about a school's performance on the ISAT.


One thing I do want to alert you to is the fact that the Chicago Teachers' Union is in the negotiating stage for a new contract as our current one expires this year on June 30th. Thus, you may want to look at some of the surrounding suburban districts as a back up.

[Mel2882]

I am planning on moving to Chicago next year. I really have no idea what area yet, although the northern part sounds pretty good. (I'm visiting next month to get a better feel). I realize that schools differ drastically by the neighborhood, but I am wondering if there are any teachers out there that would be able to share what their teaching experiences in Chicago have been like. I teach elementary. Thanks!

[Southside Shrek]

Bonsoir Andreiliev
are you actually a Frenchman teaching in Tunisia or a Tunisian teaching French?

[Southside Shrek]

You're not a funny bird Andre but you could become one teaching at a 'difficult Chicago school'. what makes you think you could teach those kids French when many of them are challenged enough learning English?

How is your Chinese?

[Libertine]

i taught summer school in chicago and loved it so much i'm planning on moving back to look for a fall position. don't listen to all the cps hater posts. most people only get information from newspapers and other media sources and don't go to the schools or teach first hand, so they don't really know what it's like. so often, people forget, it's about the children and the rest is bs politics, so ignore the stupid commits and have fun teaching some of the best students in america.

[PLelan]

I teach 6th grade for CPS and I have few complaints. Of course, the administrative crap, but overall I have adored every single class I have ever taught (8 years). You really have to find something you like about every single student in your class (even the headaches) and your school year will fly. Good Luck. It sounds like you enjoy teaching and on that note, you are going to do fine!