working at a public school
so i am a couple months into working my first job at a public school. i used to be at a charter and have transitioned into working for the district and let me tell you, there are huge differences.
while i was at the charter, it was much smaller. i knew pretty much every single employee by name at the school. but at the school im at now, there are over 300 staff members and i really only know the staff in my department. i miss that sense of community i had at the charter school but i do love my team and they have made this transition so much easier.
the public school also has way more structures in place compared to the charter. at the charter, it felt like the parents were the ones in charge and we were always bending the rules so that they are pleased. here at the district, it’s very strict. there’s no way for you to manipulate the admin here. here there is actually some respect for authority.
by far the biggest difference is the crisis management here. when there are emergencies, there are actual emergencies. there were never really any serious “threats” at the charter. while it may be because it was a k-8 school and i am now at a high school, the threats that we encounter on a weekly basis are now very real. i’ve been scared coming in due to the trauma from the lock ins/lockdowns. just last week, on friday we had a lockdown that lasted two hours where we had no one communicate to us what was happening. this was traumatizing not only to my students but also to me. there’s a video circulating of police pointing their guns at students as they enter the classroom and forcibly getting them to stand up and move. there was a picture sent to me of the outside of our building and the police were outside with huge guns (i think they were assault rifles but im not sure?).
it’s exhausting working at a school. whether it’s public, charter, or private. there are so many things that are just not talked about enough that teachers and staff have to go through on a daily basis. from the little things like a student talking back to you, to these big things like a threat at the school, these things slowly just chip away at your wanting to stay in the school.
teacher burnout is real. not only because working with children is exhausting, but also because of the things we have to face every day like these threats and the emotional toll it takes on us. while i’m not discouraging anyone to pursue a degree in education, i am encouraging everyone to make sure that their hearts are 100% in it. because these students need you. they need someone who will advocate for them and who will protect them. don’t give up on these kids.
Transitioning from a charter school to a public school can be a significant adjustment for educators. Public schools often present a larger environment with more bureaucracy compared to the more intimate settings of charter schools. Teachers in public schools might find that they have less familiarity with their colleagues and a different dynamic in terms of community engagement. Additionally, the structured protocols in public schools can influence how crises are managed. With a rising focus on student safety, the presence of real threats may lead to a compounded emotional strain on staff. Teaching in a high-pressure atmosphere can contribute to a phenomenon known as teacher burnout, where the constant emotional and physical demands of the job can lead to fatigue and disengagement. For those considering a career in education, it's essential to recognize that the commitment to teaching requires not just passion but also a resilience to face unique challenges. While the role of an educator is rewarding, it's vital to be aware of these obstacles to foster a supportive environment for both teachers and students. Advocacy and empathy are crucial in ensuring that the educational experience remains beneficial for everyone involved.