what are some of the challenges & opportunities of teaching in affluent suburan schools?

Question

in whoch kind of school do you think teachers can make the most difference? Why? In which kind of school would you prefer to teach? Why?

Answer 1

I think Teachers can make the most difference in urban schools-- where children from the lower class are forgotten. The pursuit of teaching should make you want to help the disadvantage so that you can make them the leaders of tommorrow.

Answer 2

It's hard to make a difference in an urban school. There are soooo many factors operating against you. The children come from disadvantaged backgrounds, so there are many social and emotional issues to deal with. Parents tend not to be well educated, so they are not often willing or able to support their children's education. When you teach in a poor urban school, you have to deal with behavior problems, language problems, and educational deficiencies. Worst of all, urban schools are often run very badly. It can be almost impossible to make much of a difference when you not only have no help, but the people around you are actively undermining you at every turn.

I would imagine that the challenges are much much different in an affluent suburban school. I would expect that instead of uninvolved parents, you would find over-involved parents. They probably have very high expectations, and are overly concerned about their children getting A's and getting into good colleges. The children might be spoiled and bratty, which could be very difficult to deal with.

It's certainly a trade-off. If you work at a poor urban school, you'll work your but off for minimal returns. You'll be helping the neediest kids, but you're mostly doing damage control. If you work at an affluent suburban school, you have a better chance of really teaching something. You might be able to shape and mold young minds, and really teach them how to think for themselves. On the other hand, those suburban kids were probably going to be successful no matter what.

I personally would prefer to teach in an urban school, but only if it were extremely well run with lots of structure and support. I'm afraid such schools are few and far between if they exist at all.

Answer 3

I work in a rich suburban school. Advantages is that there is a great deal more parent involvement however it is a bell shaped curve. But just like P Diddy says, "More Money, More Problems" Drama is fiercer, parents are more rabid and students that "Have not" have absolutely no where to go. It also puts a lot of pressure on the middle class.

Answer 4

Parents interfere and feel a strong sense of entitlement.

The school board ditto.

The gap in social status between teacher and students can cause the students (and their parents) to have less respect for the teacher.