From Hell To Heaven

I am now in a school for the 2012-13 year that is considered one of the top schools in Queens, even if it is a bit overcrowded.  I felt welcomed by the staff and supported by the school's Administration.  Moreover, the Chapter Leader is highly effective and keeps the members informed of issues concerning the school and the staff by sending emails on a weekly basis.  The fact that this school is only one of two with a working teachers cafeteria is a major plus.  Finally, there is ample parking around the school and I can park my car within two blocks of the school.during the day.  Of course, the most attractive part of the school is the student body that is academically successful and college bound.

My students are, for the most part, well-behaved and respectful.  Many of them are  English Language Learners and show a great deal of effort in trying to pick up the English language instruction while being successful academically.  I am very impressed with their diligence in absorbing instruction and taking academics seriously.  Just as important, I am in one room for most of the day and the students show up on time and have good work habits. I feel like I have died and gone to heaven and consider myself very lucky indeed teaching in this school.

By contrast, I was in a failing school for the 2011-12 year that treated me very disrespectfully,  This "D" rated school, with a single digit "college and career readiness score", it should have been given an "F" rating, did not give me support of any kind, including no team teacher in my CTT class.. Furthermore, and even worse the Administration let the students roam the halls and show up to class when they pleased. I have previously posted about my time in this school and have little good to say about the failing school.  It really was a hellhole and even with new Administration the existing students are very academically and behaviorally challenged, with poor work habits, as the school took in "over the counter" students no other school wanted because of their academics and or behaviors.  In addition,  many of the school's top students expressed a desire to leave the school as it went through the ill-advised "Turnaround process".  This school is in real danger of closing and the clock is ticking and the already rock bottom staff morale will only get worse.

I look at it this way.  I paid my dues working in hellhole high and now I am in heavenly high and hope to stay there until I am ready to retire.