Alamance-Burlington School System (environment, relocate, job)

[hs264205]

I am considering interviewing for a job at Cummings High School and I am moving from Ohio with no background knowledge of the area or school system. The official school website doesn't have a lot of information. Can anyone help with information on the school or area to help make this decision?

Thanks!

[GARDENGAL60]

Hi, I have lived in the Alamance area for over 10 years and relocated from NJ. When I first moved here people told me to stay away from the area you are looking at. Many years ago it used to be "THE" area to live in. Everything has since moved to the west side of town. The area you are looking at has older homes. The people who have stayed remember how nice it once was. Most have sold and moved on. The people in there now have problems selling their homes due to the location and crime rate. The Cummings High School has a high drop-out rate. The last time I read anything about Cummings it was somewhere between 50-75% and the student population is mostly African American. A nice school to be a teacher in would be Western.

[Palmetto Heel]

If you want to teach high school in Alamance Co. then I'd suggest Williams.

[hsteacherman]

When I saw your post, I felt I should offer my opinion. I taught at Cummings for two terms a few years back. No doubt, if you research the school very much, you'll run into some negative opinions. Cummings certainly has more than its fair share of problems, but depending on the type of person you are, they may or may not be a reason to write it off.

In all honesty, it is very challenging to teach at Cummings. The majority of the problems relate to constant, persistent behavioral problems. Most days, I felt more like a cop than I did a teacher. To be successful in this environment, you have to be hard-nosed, confident, decisive, and dominant. I'm sure it's true in any school, but especially true for Cummings: From day one, you have to be very tough and never threaten something you're not willing to make good on, and if you keep it up long enough, things will get easier once you've convinced the troublemakers, and you'll have more time to spend helping the students who do care and are trying. Of course, the battle for respect starts all over again once you step out of the classroom and into the hallway.

I can't say enough about my fellow faculty members. I worked with some of the finest people I've ever met at Cummings. I could have never made it through without the constant support of my fellow teachers. While I can't speak as highly of the administration at the time or the school system, I feel certain that someone coming in would receive the same invaluable support from a community of talented professionals.

In short, if you are an assertive, experienced teacher who is interested in really making a difference, there are some good, talented, serious students at Cummings who could really benefit from your instruction. If you have a strong will and the dedication and energy level to keep up with this job, then you will be rewarded with those rare moments and days that surprise you and let you see that you are making a difference. Just be fully aware of what it is you're getting into.

[ReppinNC]

I would suggest William HS also.Cummings is a good school with it share of problems like most schools,there maybe more challenges there,but the guy above me makes alot of good points that you should consider.