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Thank you for your kind words and support, Musicman. I'm not sure what potcat is getting at; seems to have a burr under the saddlepad, so to speak. I couldn't fund anything offensive in my posts, but then again potcat doesn't seem to be focused on any one thing. What I post is my observations after 28 years in the field; although I was a product of pubic school and all my training was in public schools, at the time I was looking for a job hiring in our county was very political; only the local private school would even consider my application.
After what I observed in public schools then and what I hear from my counterparts, I know that my job is as close to heaven that can be found in teaching. In fact, people line up to fill any position that opens (a rare event-we have very low turnover) and the head's office is stacked with applications. Our kids know we love our jobs because it shows. We feel appreciated by our parents, supported 110% by our administration, and respected by our students. What's not to like?
You certainly have seen a good cross section of the Chattanooga public school population! My cousin graduated a few years back with a music ed. degree; he's had to piece part-time and substitution work together. (Providence RI area) Jobs in these specialized fields are scarce, and as you know when cuts come, it's the arts that get the ax first. My area is more secure-teaching Chemistry with an actual degree is a real draw, as we could make 4X the pay in industry or Pharma starting out, with plenty of continuing ed to climb the ladder. Why would anyone teach? Too many folks teach Chemistry and Physics without the background; there's a limit to what you can do when you don't feel comfortable with the practical skills.
I'm sure the signal mountain kids are similar to mine-secure, perhaps a little too wealthy, with supportive parents and a good elementary background. Our school provides an immense amount of financial aid, way above what similar schools offer, in order for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend. I am treated like a professional and given the freedom to teach and assess the kids the way I think is best. I would be fired for insubordination in public schools the first time I ran up against an administrator who told me how to do my job! Spoiled, I am.
Thanks for the public vote of confidence on the website. It seems there are some folks for whom being anonymous behind an avatar makes them act out in strange ways. I suspect that almost everyone who posts at TFP is probably okay. (except canaryinthecoalmine-that one I think was a real nutjob)
Thank you for your kind words and support, Musicman. I'm not sure what potcat is getting at; seems to have a burr under the saddlepad, so to speak. I couldn't fund anything offensive in my posts, but then again potcat doesn't seem to be focused on any one thing. What I post is my observations after 28 years in the field; although I was a product of pubic school and all my training was in public schools, at the time I was looking for a job hiring in our county was very political; only the local private school would even consider my application.
After what I observed in public schools then and what I hear from my counterparts, I know that my job is as close to heaven that can be found in teaching. In fact, people line up to fill any position that opens (a rare event-we have very low turnover) and the head's office is stacked with applications. Our kids know we love our jobs because it shows. We feel appreciated by our parents, supported 110% by our administration, and respected by our students. What's not to like?
You certainly have seen a good cross section of the Chattanooga public school population! My cousin graduated a few years back with a music ed. degree; he's had to piece part-time and substitution work together. (Providence RI area) Jobs in these specialized fields are scarce, and as you know when cuts come, it's the arts that get the ax first. My area is more secure-teaching Chemistry with an actual degree is a real draw, as we could make 4X the pay in industry or Pharma starting out, with plenty of continuing ed to climb the ladder. Why would anyone teach? Too many folks teach Chemistry and Physics without the background; there's a limit to what you can do when you don't feel comfortable with the practical skills.
I'm sure the signal mountain kids are similar to mine-secure, perhaps a little too wealthy, with supportive parents and a good elementary background. Our school provides an immense amount of financial aid, way above what similar schools offer, in order for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend. I am treated like a professional and given the freedom to teach and assess the kids the way I think is best. I would be fired for insubordination in public schools the first time I ran up against an administrator who told me how to do my job! Spoiled, I am. Thanks for the public vote of confidence on the website. It seems there are some folks for whom being anonymous behind an avatar makes them act out in strange ways. I suspect that almost everyone who posts at TFP is probably okay. (except canaryinthecoalmine-that one I think was a real nutjob)
the clan is dead!!
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