School Shopping: Researching a district before you say YES!

Let's be honest here.  In today's economy, being offered a job usually is the deciding factor as to what district you'll end up serving. Teachers are being laid off, docked in pay and being asked to give up their prep periods to teach another period, so job security is important these days.  But does job security trump your ethics?



Researching a district prior to applying is highly suggested to avoid being in a system where you'll be miserable.  I know what you're going to ask?  HOW?

Let me give you a few quick suggestions so you can get an insider's perspective of what its like to teach there.

1.  Attend board meetings

If you attend a school board meeting you can get an overall feel of the priorities of a district.  Attending the open session board meetings will also let you know what issues community stakeholders, teachers, and parents have to say or critically suggest to the board.  If you attend these meetings and you get a negative feeling or hear concerns that have you shaking your head... clearly, this isn't the district for you. Don't accept employment offers after you get this feeling or you'll be one of those people in the open forum section of the agenda.


2. Volunteer at the school.

What an inside look at the school you're thinking of applying to?  Go volunteer.  You are particularly good to go if you're already a substitute with the district.  You're approved to be around children.  Trust me when I say that is one of the biggest hurdles and if you've already cleared it, schools will be SUPER DUPER HAPPY to have ANYONE who will want to spend time doing some of the many tasks teachers, support staff and admin can't do.  While you're there, get a feel for the culture of the school to determine if you'd be a good fit or not.  What's the accountability like for the teachers?  If its high, that may mean more work for you but it will also mean that your teaching practice will be refined and give you an edge over other candidates if you ever have to move on.  

3.  Talk to people who work there. 

Want to know how people feel about the school?  Ask the people who work there.  Yes, you may receive some politically correct answers but if you keep asking, eventually you will get someone's take on a clearer picture of the truth.  Be careful with this though, negative employees are always quick to paint of picture of a toxic workplace.  If you run into a lot of these negative employees... they could be your coworkers, steer clear.




4.  Attend school functions that are open to the community.

The best way to see a school, other than volunteering, is to see teachers, administrators and children in their natural environment.  Every school usually has some type of community event: back to school night, townhall, etc... Is the culture one of celebration and high expectations or one of just tolerating the students and do things because it looks good for a WASC report? (Western Association of Schools and Colleges... they provide accreditation for schools.) 

5. Talk to the students.

Students will provide you with an unfiltered look at what it feels like to be a student in the potential district you're applying with.  They will tell you if its a culture of open arms or one where the students feel like the adults can't wait to get rid of them. 

Have you tried any of these methods?  Have they worked?  What was your experience like?  Feel free to comment on the ideas above.