Quote:
Originally Posted by BoBromhal
No one asked you, because you have no first hand knowledge nor prior experience as a teacher.
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As people are apparently still looking for answers to all of this and this thread is still getting a lot of reads, I feel I should weigh in. Mind you I am a current North Carolina high school teacher, NC Teaching Fellow, have years of experience, and I have taught every level of student imaginable from down syndrome to AP. Furthermore I try to be optimistic about things. Life is what you make it, and so is where you live.
Now, short version of what I am about to say: Don't come into this state. Just don't. People who are not in this profession can pontificate about how it "Isn't that bad" or "Teachers complain too much." I promise you they could not do my job, particularly not in my school. Moving here would be a terrible career choice only made worse if you have/would like to have a family. And while the legislature has done a great deal to exacerbate the problem, there are deeper cultural problems that cannot be ignored.
Long Version:
As far as the basics are concerned: pay is low, benefits unimpressive, and job security minimal. Obviously we have no union, so there is little recourse in the case of a grievance. If an administrator has it out for you, you are pretty much screwed. Unless you were grandfathered in, you will be put on a one year contract. Upon the conclusion of that one year, if they do not like you... too bad so sad. For many non-renewal becomes a black mark of shame that prevents you from many job opportunities, so better to resign if you have the chance. Testing is ridiculous and riddled with issues. They primarily assess teachers, not students, and the tests are often as poorly constructed as the formula used to analyze its results. These scores are determined primarily by the socioeconomic profile of your school. Wealthier kids (typically in suburban areas) will score better than the more poverty stricken rural counties. The correlation is obvious, though nobody chooses to acknowledge it.
Not all schools in the state are created equal. Like anywhere, you have your good and your bad. The Triangle area has more than its fair share of good schools, and most communities in and around a university (Watauga, for instance) are typically going to be more pleasant to work. Not only are the good schools competitive, but they are EXTREMELY nepotistic and not always the best judges of character/ability. This is the reason why, even at good schools in good counties, you still have turnover: bad teachers are bad regardless of location and good teachers often look for the next positive step. Good schools do, however, work to minimize needless responsibilities and often do a great deal to maintain morale and enthusiasm.
Bad schools are going to pummel you with duties and responsibilities, primarily because they are trying to milk you for every drop. Tons of testing responsibilities, remediation, mounds of paperwork, pulled to cover other peoples classes, constantly losing your planning, and all without so much as a thank you.
Support systems are lacking, not because of any individual deficiencies as much as funding. Some systems do not properly work to exit students from IEPs and the like, so there are schools out there with 10+ percent of their students graduating still on plans. Special education departments are stretched thin as it is, and this can sometimes prove a ridiculous challenge. The same can be said for any teacher supports, but as I said this is highly contingent on where you are.
If anyone wants more information or details, especially folks who are planning to relocate, by all means let me know. It is not all always negative. I love my subject and really do enjoy the act of teaching. I have consistently good evaluations, my students know the material, and despite constantly feeling beaten down I try to always walk into the building with a smile on my face. Yet, I can also tell you I am constantly looking for a way out. I can't take much more and I feel it is beginning to take a serious physical and emotional toll. All of this is only made worse by the fact that most others I speak to feel the same way, so it is rare you really get to feel the sun on your face.
So when you see these people jumping ship to other states. When you hear them discussing the plight of public education in this state on the radio. When you see people fighting to defend the status quo in this state regarding education, know that what I am saying is by no means a voice of the educational minority, but of the majority, and heed the warnings that you are given.
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