Anyone teach high school here? (transfer, private schools, vs)

[mdovell]

I'm considering teaching high school as a backup. I should be done with MTEL's by the end of next month (God bless anyone doing early ed that's stuff crazy)

Anyway I keep hearing some conflicting things on public vs private schools. At first I heard that public pays more but now I just heard private does. Is this true? Although I'm not saying that money is the sole driver (I can probably get into other things hence this being a backup) but if a difference is significant I'd be apt to pick one over the other.

I can understand that private does not have to take the MCAS and classrooms can be smaller but some of this seems odd. I talked to one school that doesn't require the MTEL's

I'm not a union person and I'm not a religious person. I have no plans on having kids so free tuition for kids if I teach is kinda a blank for me (although if I could transfer it to a relative that might be nice).

[Beachcomber4]

I don't currently teach but I think you will find it varies greatly. Public school starting pay is not great but the benefits and eventually making good money for 180 days in the classroom is a draw. If this isn't long term it might not interest you. Parochial schools historically pay less but many teachers find the trade off is worth it (no MCAS, purportedly fewer discipline problems and more engaged families). Private is a horse of another color and I think the pay scales can vary greatly even by subject matter. Many teachers I know who teach in private schools do so with the intention that their kids will go there. Good luck with your MTEL's and job search!