What's it like working as a NYC public school teacher?

amother

OP ↓

Yesterday at 12:55 am

Considering it but want to know more ....

What time do you start and end the day?
Do you get a lot of break/prep time during the school day?
Is there a lot of take home work - especially in your first year or two? Is there any support if needed?
Have you experienced any anti-Semitism? Or most people are pretty friendly?
What's it like dealing with the parents (especially if you had Arab or Muslim students) ? Did you ever have any issues?
Did you ever have trouble taking off for Jewish holidays?
How do vacation and sick days work? How many days do you get?
Are you off all summer or do summer school?
Is it hard to get a job?
Are you just assigned any random public school in any neighborhood? Or can you request to be placed near you?
I'm great with younger children - 3K or pre-k which I know some public schools have....is everything the same in terms of working for that age if it's in a public school (like the pay and way to apply for the job and etc...)
Can I request to work with that age or can they just put me anywhere?
Do all classes have a teacher and assistant or are some co-teachers?
Is there any other type of job that needs a degree that's not a classroom teacher? (Etc any type of office job that needs that? Or working individually with children)
Any other major differences between working in a public school and yeshiva?
Most importantly are you happy with your job?

amother

Taupe ↓

Yesterday at 7:57 pm

Wow that’s a lot of questions

Almost everything in the public school system requires a course or certificate, they have official requirements for all positions including secretary.

A teacher gets hired for a specific school by the schools principal. They can change around your class.

You must be comfortable working with students and staff of all backgrounds.

Different schools have different hours, but most start at 8am. You can leave early for shabbos with permission.

Some principals are more lenient/ friendly/ understanding than others.

Salary is listed online on the DOE website.

amother

↑ Taupe ↓

Yesterday at 8:06 pm

Taking off for yomim tovim is legally within your rights

With that being said a principal can easily give you a hard time for taking off for Chol Hamoed, and some principals are happy for you take off

Everything has a system and accounting so you get x amount of sick days and x amount of personal days, and you ask for them via blah blah

If you’re interested and comfortable working with ppl of all faiths , go for it!

It’s a steady pay check, your raise is not a suprise (follows a chart that the union negotiated on everyone’s behalf) and you get health insurance and retirement options

amother

Vanilla

Yesterday at 9:18 pm

amother OP wrote:

Considering it but want to know more ....

What time do you start and end the day?

Usually about 8-3 depends on the school schedule, some schools stay later on Monday till 4 but finish earlier the rest of the week

Do you get a lot of break/prep time during the school day?

1 prep a day - abt 50 min

Is there a lot of take home work - especially in your first year or two? Is there any support if needed?

Yes a lot of take home work. Support depends on your school but not much.

Have you experienced any anti-Semitism?
Or most people are pretty friendly?

Def experienced antisemitism. People aren't too friendly to jews. But really depends where you work

What's it like dealing with the parents (especially if you had Arab or Muslim students) ? Did you ever have any issues?

Stay professional

Did you ever have trouble taking off for Jewish holidays?

It's within your legal rights but some principals give a hard time. And coworkers make comments sometimes

How do vacation and sick days work? How many days do you get?

No vacation days. 1 sick day a month

Are you off all summer or do summer school?

You choose

Is it hard to get a job?

Yes in a good neighborhood

Are you just assigned any random public school in any neighborhood? Or can you request to be placed near you?

You can try in your neighborhood but it may be hard

I'm great with younger children - 3K or pre-k which I know some public schools have....is everything the same in terms of working for that age if it's in a public school (like the pay and way to apply for the job and etc...)

I think so

Can I request to work with that age or can they just put me anywhere?

You can request but it can always change. And just because you get something one year doesn't mean you will get that the next year

Do all classes have a teacher and assistant or are some co-teachers?

Only prek has assistant. Ict classes have co teachers. Otherwise on your own, maybe a Para if someone in your class has one

Is there any other type of job that needs a degree that's not a classroom teacher? (Etc any type of office job that needs that? Or working individually with children)

No

Any other major differences between working in a public school and yeshiva?

Inflexible hours. Working late Friday and erev yom tov. Much more paperwork and lesson planning

Most importantly are you happy with your job?

Depends on the day. I work for the pay and benefits.

I answered each question after each of yours above

This is my personal experience it may be dif for others

Chrayen

Yesterday at 10:03 pm

[quote="amother OP"]Considering it but want to know more ....
Decided to give my take on this, 23 years in. I know someone else did this but it means avoiding a pile of essays.

What time do you start and end the day?
First period at 8 AM until 2:20 every day except for Monday until 4.
Do you get a lot of break/prep time during the school day?
Depends on the age you teach. Duty-free lunch and prep. Question is if you have a C-6 (usually middle school and high school.)
Is there a lot of take home work - especially in your first year or two? Is there any support if needed?
Have you experienced any anti-Semitism? Or most people are pretty friendly?
I always have take home work. Umm. Support depends on the school.
Anti semitism-not overt. Kids are definitely brainwashed by soical media. You need to be a professional.
What's it like dealing with the parents (especially if you had Arab or Muslim students) ? Did you ever have any issues?
Parents are respectful. They want their kids to do well. Again, not overt and generally not from parents even if they come in with things that make me cringe.
Did you ever have trouble taking off for Jewish holidays?
No. Take a religious observance. You lose what they pay a sub.
How do vacation and sick days work? How many days do you get?
You earn one day per month worked so ten per year. They roll over. I have many days banked. Seven sick days and three personal days.
Are you off all summer or do summer school?
I am allergic to summer school.
Is it hard to get a job?
People who get into good schools sub first and the school will hire them based on their abilities.
Are you just assigned any random public school in any neighborhood? Or can you request to be placed near you?
If you apply with the teaching fellows or a program like that, you may be dumped anywhere. You can request lots of things but the best way is to get a job is to convince a principal to hire you by walking in with your resume.
I'm great with younger children - 3K or pre-k which I know some public schools have....is everything the same in terms of working for that age if it's in a public school (like the pay and way to apply for the job and etc...)
I teach high school. But. It has to do with your certification and qualifications. Information online. Your salary increases by year and you can earn the most with 30 credits above your MA.
Can I request to work with that age or can they just put me anywhere?
You need to match your certification. They can move you around based on need.
Do all classes have a teacher and assistant or are some co-teachers??
Teacher and para or ICT.
Is there any other type of job that needs a degree that's not a classroom teacher? (Etc any type of office job that needs that? Or working individually with children)
even the secretaries have some credits.
Any other major differences between working in a public school and yeshiva?
You are in the outside world and have to make a constant kiddush HaShem. I work in yeshiva for a little bit after school. Need my connection.
Most importantly are you happy with your job?
I love teaching. But I like the salary and benefits even more.