What's it like teaching in a high need school ?

Question

I'm doing some research and I was wondering what's it like teaching in a high need school in a place like New York City ? What are the pros ? The Cons ? What are the students like ?

Answer 1

My best friend teaches in a New York public school that brings in kids from Harlem. She tells me she is lucky if she gets 3 algrebra problems done in one class period. Teachers are basically babysitters there. The school is a wreck, its actually dangerous and she now knows more about Rikers (sp) and all the NY gangs than she ever wanted to know.

I guess the pro would be she is getting her Masters in Education for free by teaching in the NY public schools for a couple of years(some newish program they have). Other than that, I don't know that she is making much of a difference. Sorry

Answer 2

I have been an intern in down town Atlanta schools for the last year. For 3 weeks I was in a suburban wealthier area. Anyways, the pros are that you are helping students who REALLY need love, attention, and to enjoy school. The cons are that the schools generally have less money for things like paper, pencils, and the normal things that other students take for granted. You may have to pay out of pocket to make sure students have pencils. A few times I bought some pencils for my students. The students are generally tougher. They are brought up to think school is not cool and therefore they do not try in their school work. If you can come up with a rewards system that motivates the students to try hard at their school work and also find things for them to learn about that they enjoy, you will have a very rewarding experience. Most of the time, education is not supported at home because mom or dad works all the time and the kids are babysitting each other and there just isn't time for parents to read to their children or help with homework. I am struggling with the decision of where I want to teach next year. I am thinking I will start in a high-needs school because they so desperately need good teachers, and then if I can not stand it, I will transfer the next year to a non-high needs school. I can tell you so much more about it but I dont want to ramble any more here. [e-mail]

Answer 3

i would not want to, no respect, alotta the students have school as the last thing on their mind, etc.

Answer 4

I usually substitute teach in suburban or rural schools, but I had to do methods at an inner-city school.  It was different, as that school tolerated A LOT more from students (like disrespect, swearing) that the schools I sub for don't.  I would say the pros would be you would help kids who most likely don't have a caring adult in their lives, and you would be making a difference.  The cons are, well, you would be working with students who have a lot more baggage, students who are able to get away with more, usually administrators that are more lax, and you would be working at schools that don't have as much money.

Answer 5

If high need means "inner city" public highschool, then i can kinda help u with that, i go to a public hs in nyc, and it really isn't as bad as movies make it out to be, sure there are fights , which aren't that often, some students can be really disrespectful and rude, but not all, in a public school u get to see all types of kids with different upbringing.

Answer 6

Not only do I teach in a high need school in the Bronx, I teach in a shortage area. But I'll share my experiences.  The pros are being part of children's learning processes. It makes me feel great when a child gets it. The cons in a nutshell are:

- low parental involvement

- no consequences or accountability

- little to no support from adminstrators

- children who can be severely academically deficient with other external problems in their home lives

- a craze about increasing test scores to stay off the failing schools list

-possible low budget

- no respect in general

The kids are like kids anywhere. They are disadvantaged due to poverty and other issues. If they had the same starting place as their upper class peers, most of them would do just as well academically.  In my opinion, they are more mature because they have to live in the real world. They tend to be street smart, intelligent and creative. Most of them have a will to learn and be successful like children anywhere else. However, they have experienced the realities of racism, discrimination, and poverty earlier than others.