Thinking about Teaching in Philly (Philadelphia: insurance, crime, house)

[Evlevo]

I am getting my masters in Special Ed and I want to move to the East Coast when done.

On paper Philly looks good (good pay, decient housing costs, crime similar to Seattle). I also like the looks of the weather better, with more sun and less overcast days. I have lived in Chicago before, so I know I can handle the hot humid summers just fine and snow in the winter as well.

I would want to buy a house (somewhere around $300K) that is at least 1700 sq ft w/ a 2 car gar and in a neighborhood safe enough to raise children in. I don't mind a 30-40 minute commute. I also would not like to feel like I am starring in the next "Dangerous Minds", "Lean on Me", or other "teacher against all odds" movie when I go to work.

Is that possible to do in Philly?

[gigibell214]

I use to work for Philly School District. I personally like to work in inner city schools but if you want to go to a nice school in Philly, You won't have a lot of "pickings". The only thing I can do is is recommend a few schools to you. If interested, let me know. I can also recommend really close suburban schools that are diverse if interseted.

[Evlevo]

The school doesn't have to be 4-stars... I want to teach kids and make a difference (and I think city schools have more potential for that then an upper-crust Harvard prep academy). I should have clarified though... I just don't really want to deal with physical threats all day long, and end up shouting at kids all the time. I know I may sound silly, but my only real image of inner city schools is the (inacurate) image in the media.

If I may ask, what did you like about teaching in Philly (and why did you leave)?

[newmarlig]

You are to be admired. Google and read about Widener Memorial School. It is in the Philadelphia School District.

[gigibell214]

My reason for leaving is b/c of personal things going on in my life. I lost my grandfather, grandmother and mother all in one year from illness which lead to death. I had to take care of them round-the-clock. When they all died, I certainly didn't need to be in the classroom. It wasn't fair to the students b/c I needed time to process everything that happened. I don't know anyone who went through what I went through.

I don't think your silly for thinking the way you think. As a school teacher, I had tons of frustrations. I was in a very depressed school. the three years I taught, I always had about 4-5 students with behavior issues. I had 2-3 students who were nowhere near grade level and parents who never followed through with resources provided b/c it wasn't done for them by their parents. They all had caller-ID and never answered the phone when I tried to expressed concern. I only saw them during report card conferences. And they complained about insignificant things (you said this to my son or daughter).
I kept coming back everyday b/c I cared about the whole family. When they wouldn't answer the phone, I would walk the student home and began to build relationships with them. I feel bad for the student but then again, I feel bad for the overly-rich "suburbanite" student who never interact with their parents b/c the divorced mom is on a private jet to Europe with the pool guy.

Kids all over need good teachers. You can't help them all, but I did help a few change for the better.

[Sminthian]

The Philadelphia School District is super desperate for teachers right now. I think they're just taking people off of the streets and hiring them. If you're interested send them an e-mail or something. But, they don't get paid much and the students are totally horrible to work with.

[Mrs.Bewitched]

Originally Posted by Evlevo

The school doesn't have to be 4-stars... I want to teach kids and make a difference (and I think city schools have more potential for that then an upper-crust Harvard prep academy). I should have clarified though... I just don't really want to deal with physical threats all day long, and end up shouting at kids all the time. I know I may sound silly, but my only real image of inner city schools is the (inacurate) image in the media.

If I may ask, what did you like about teaching in Philly (and why did you leave)?

I used to teach in Philly. I left. If you're new (like I was then), this was also before principals could pick the teachers they wanted. I don't know if all schools can do that, but I know some can. You also have to see that some schools are only allowed to hire caucasion, and some are only allowed to hire African American.

Anyway, at the time I taught in Philly, all new teachers were sent to the worst schools. The schools with the most violence. After 2 months of being cursed at, called an F something daily, I actually got hit 2ce, had the police in my room, had a lock down for a shooting...had a principal that gave no support so that I couldn't even teach...I had to leave.

Hopefully you'll find a better school than that one.

[Wanna Leave Penciltucky]

The Phila school district is a war zone. A teacher was struck and his neck broken in the winter. Before you decide to work there, get Long term and short term disability insurances because once you say you work there your insurances will go up. Reminds me of that movie with Michelle Pffiffer/Dangerous Minds. There has to be a better way to make a difference and pay check. If you were my family or friend I would tell you I care too much to see you get harmed. Skip Philly, it's bananas. Try a suburban school where violence is not the norm.