Taking note that the students have not come back from summer break yet, the biggest difference that I've noticed at the new job so far is the PEOPLE! Two things I must have taken for granted is the lack of drama at Ga Tech (or maybe there was but I was not a part of it, but I doubt it) and the warmth.
I guess I assumed that as we get old, so does the need for drama. And I wouldn't guess that a group of engineers would be considered the warmest bunch, but really, they are (at least my old group).
HR, the administrative assistants, even the custodial staff at Ga Tech are extremely warm and friendly. While at Atlanta Public Schools (APS), there is noticeable tension between the custodial staff and the teaching staff, the staff form cliques (isn't that so.... high school?), and HR does not call you back (even if you leave a crap load of messages).
There is a serious lack of resources. We don't have an administrative assistant yet (think of the disarray). Now, I remember at Ga tech having to go on a scavenger hunt whenever I had to set up equipment, but I never had a problem finding an available PC and printer.
Furthermore, students come back on Monday and I don't even have my schedule and class roster yet. I have been told that I am teaching Trigonometry and Calculus, but I don't know when, and I don't know to whom.
However, I did not quit my job to make new friends. Nor did I believe that teaching (I realize I haven't even STARTED teaching yet) in a public school system would be a piece of cake.
On the bright side my salary is going to be $8k more than I was expecting (still $20k less than what I was making but we are looking at the bright side here)!
But really, one thing that is keeping me from stressing out completely is realizing that the only thing that matters is making sure my students know the material by the end of the year. My measure of success is only that - not how fast I can get my room together (or how good it looks), not how organized my life is, not even how well my principle is impressed by my efforts. As long as I can remember that, I know that I can do it.
1 comment:
you should definitely be working in north fulton!!! everyone is super (SUPER) sweet to everyone else! there tend to be problems when black are running things but you'll get used to it. don't expect your students to be crunk to be in calculus either.
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