Teaching in Columbia

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by bkje18

NOT HELPFUL NOR TRUE AT ALL ABOUT THESE SCHOOLS!

Richland 1 is an inner city district for the most part so the situations will be different than suburban districts, not necessarily better or worse. I grew up going to inner-city schools in district 1 and I appreciate both the education I received and the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of people. Neither suburban schools nor a suburban life are right for me and I'm sure many others feel the same way.

[I2Teach]

I am a parent in Richland One and I teach in a suburban district. The problems are the same everywhere. The midlands area is very transient and you will find the same students in all districts. Some suburban districts have more gang activity than R1. The schools in the "Dreher Cluster" are not the only good schools in Richland One. Coaches are coming out of the woodwork in all midlands districts, so if coaching is your aim get in line.
As for districts not hiring teachers with higher degrees and more extensive experience that is not true. South Carolina encourages teachers to seek certification from The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, in addition to the state supplement of 7,500.00 R1 pays the highest district supplement with an additional 6,000.00
All districts have their problems. The community in R1 has been more vocal about it than citizens in surrounding districts. If you want to get a feel for what is going on in our schools read The State Newspaper online at www.thestate.com or check out the SC Department of Education website www.myscschools.com there you can view statistical data for yourself and develop your own "INFORMED" opinion.
Unless there is a pressing reason for returning to Columbia, my recommendation would be that you teach in Georgia, where the pay scale is better, base teacher pay in SC is set by our legislature (and increasing wages for any state employee is not a priority in this state), the state of Georgia is more progressive in educational policy and implementing current scientific research.

[elizabethcameron]

Wow, if someone said Richland School district 1 is a great school district, I will be shocked. Yes, there are couple schools in that district are great. But there are couple schools in that district is ....... ( no comments). The fact is my friend in church teaches in one of the lowest ranking school there. She is from India. They imported her to here since no one wants to teach in that shcool. But Lexington/richland district 5 is always on the top.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by elizabethcameron

Wow, if someone said Richland School district 1 is a great school district, I will be shocked. Yes, there are couple schools in that district are great. But there are couple schools in that district is ....... ( no comments). The fact is my friend in church teaches in one of the lowest ranking school there. She is from India. They imported her to here since no one wants to teach in that shcool. But Lexington/richland district 5 is always on the top.

Good students and bad students are everywhere. I attended school in District One and my experience was fine and I was accepted to a number of good colleges, as well. School is what everyone puts into it. I realize that the suburban districts tend to get better test scores, etc., but I wouldn't trade my diverse, inner-city school for a homogeneous suburban school any day of the week.