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Satanic_Doge t1_ix7sngm wrote

Newark teacher here! I work at a charter school though. I will tell you first and foremost, do not work at my charter network unless you want to be exploited and ground down into dust, or any school that calls their students "scholars". If you see that, run the other way.

The Bad: Those signs promising $62k are leaving out a huge caveat: you're locked in at that salary for several years. Most schools, public and charter, are incredibly understaffed and some are cracking under the strain. To be fair, schools all over the place are suffering from this, but in Newark it's definitely exacerbated. In Newark though it's especially sad and frustrating because of how much progress was made in the schools here before COVID, and that COVID basically set Newark schools back a decade in terms of that progress.

The Good: The kids here genuinely kick serious ass. They want to learn and care about their futures. They know they're getting screwed and yearn for something to do about it.

Overall, I'd tell you to not become a teacher in general right now, but if you insist, the fact that you're working in New Jersey will mitigate a lot of the worst possible parts of being a teacher because we have it the best here in the United States. Work in a union school; if you're really curious about charters, do your homework first: there are good ones and bad ones, but know that you'll be an at-will employee and have no union protections or tenure (and usually get paid less).

Check out Chalkbeat Newark for good news on what's happening in the district.

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goldfinch1313 OP t1_ix8b2ro wrote

I was not planning on working at a Charter school. I’m a big Union guy myself. I saw the salary schedule, and as you mentioned raises don’t start until like year 7-8. With the shortages, theoretically one could negotiate there starting step, but you never know how well that goes. I definitely have better offers from other districts.

Your point about the kids is really what draws me. In most of the schools I have been in, the kids are wildly unmotivated for any tasks. I have been chalking this up to Covid, but if Newark students can be motivated, mine should be too. I think that is a big reason why I want to leave my current district, it’s very unrewarding.

I’m graduating with secondary Social Studies and Special Ed and I love it, so there’s no turning back now! Thank you for your advice!

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Satanic_Doge t1_ix8jpqv wrote

What presents as lack of motivation could be anything from lack of ability to not seeing value or a point in what we're trying to have them do. In Newark in particular, you must first convince the kids that you care about them if you want them to work for you. If they don't think you care, then they won't perform.

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goldfinch1313 OP t1_ix8kg2f wrote

100%, but it’s pervasive throughout our district. I know in our classroom we’ve tried a ton to get kids to buy in, but they just won’t. I think not seeing the point is a big part of it. Lack of direction and experience, and being able to do very little and pass. Why bother doing the work when you really don’t have to. I don’t really blame them, it’s just tough for us

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