Very Tough Decision!!

[jsfowler]

Last night, I won 1st place in the CEDAR Coal Teacher comptition. I had to design a unit and implement it in my classroom. While there, I was approached by the superintendant of another district (about 45 minutes from here). He actually did his student teaching at my high school and remembered me. He offered me a job. :confused:

This would be a $9,000 pay increase and it is in the city where my husband works. I really don't want to move there though because my family lives here and they watch my children while I am at work...so I would be driving it every day.

Also, I like where I work but this new district is wonderful! I just don't know what to do!! I am praying (and crying) about this and would like to hear some advice. If you have any questions that need to be answered in order to give advice I would be happy to answer but I don't want to make this first post too long. (Long posts usually don't get read...and I completely understand that!):p

[Chef Dave]

This would be a $9,000 pay increase and it is in the city where my husband works. I really don't want to move there though because my family lives here and they watch my children while I am at work...so I would be driving it every day.


Well ... it's not as though you're moving clear across the state. Forty-five minutes isn't too bad although given current gas prices, you'd need the extra pay to offset transportation costs.

What about this?

Could you find someplace to live midway between where you live now and where your husband works? I'm sure your husband would appreciate not having to drive a 90 minute roundtrip each day ... and if you only lived about 22 minutes away, you'd still be relatively close to your family.

Of course ... with this being said, I should tell you that I've lived clear around the world in Saudi Arabia while my father lived in California. It didn't bother me a bit living that far away.

Now I'm in Arizona and he's still in California. We're just one time zone apart.

I have family in California who are scattered around the Bay Area. They get together every Sunday after church. Some of them have to drive a 3 hour round trip to participate in the weekly gathering - but they've been doing it for years.

[Boxcar]

I wish you luck to find the answer that is right for you and your family.

Here is my perspective. I kind of always feel like "Don't fix what isn't broken." If I'm happy where I'm at, I try not to meddle with it. I mean, what if the new place isn't all it is supposed to be?

[jsfowler]

That is my big worry...but it is not like my school is perfect. This year has been better, but last year was enough to do me in almost. If this offer had come last year, I would not have given this a second thought.

[smithmt]

This would be a $9,000 pay increase and it is in the city where my husband works. I really don't want to move there though because my family lives here and they watch my children while I am at work...so I would be driving it every day.


You know, My commute was 45 min each way when I lived in TX. It's really not so bad, I started listening to NPR, and now that I live in the nether-region between three stations, I miss the longer time on the roads with good reception. I did hate the gas pump, and I do so more now. However, it may be worth it, ESPECIALLY if there is good support at the school. It depends on how good you have it currently. If your admin supports you and you like the closeness to your child's daycare. then maybe a change is bad. but 9.000 more a year would definately cover my daycare expenses! could you carpool w/ your hubby? that would really cut gas costs, and add quality time w/ the spouse. That would be the litmus test for me.

[Oak Tree]

This would be a $9,000 pay increase

I think you should do it.

[MsCoffeeLover]

I think you should do it.

A pay increase can be sucked up by daycare costs and travel expenses. Sometimes the money ain't worth it.

As for the drive, personally, I hate driving. When I signed up at this current school, I lived about twenty miles away. It was fun at first, but then became tiring. I had my music and all that good stuff, but that is a lot of time spent in the car. I just happen to be single, but if I had a husband and children, I would want that time with them and not in the car. I specifically bought a home closer to work. Now it only takes me a few minutes to get to work. Although, the carpool with hubby thing wouldn't be a half bad idea.

Whether jsfowler is at this school or the other school, the same issues arrive. They are just in a different location. Administrative support is the key.

Also, there are no guarantees. Whether you have had a good or bad year or in a good or not so good school, you get a different group of kids every year. We can't do anything about that, and that will be the same at every school--despite how supportive administrative is.

Opportunities are out there, and if this one came up, then others will come up as well. Even if they didn't show up, jsfowler has the kind of personality to go after it.

It's all good!:D

[Boxcar]

If the year before this was really bad, that changes things in my eyes. This year may have been an exception to the norm. Were new policies or admin. put in place that were the catalyst behind this good year? If so, the change might endure. If nothing changed and you just got really amazing students, I'd actually be leaning twoard leaving. You might be in a totally different boat next year.

Of course, I'm just thinking about myself in your shoes. I can only tell you what I'd do.

[busbus]

jsfowler, this is truly a tough decision. I guess you must make your decision based upon your priorities. Although $9,000 salary increase is tempting, being close to your family and children might be more important at this time.

It appears that you are a dedicated educator and that you are diligent about engaging your students in thoughtfully constructed units and activities. I am imagining that you will continue to hone your craft and in the process, will create a fantastic professional reputation in and around your school and school district. Therefore, if you opt out of this tempting offer at this time, I feel that opportunities, such as this, will come your way in the future.

This is a tough decision; however, I am certain that you will make your decision based upon your priorities. Good luck and congratulations on your award.

Whatever way that you look at this dilemma, it's all good ... ;)

[smithmt]

Whether you have had a good or bad year or in a good or not so good school, you get a different group of kids every year. We can't do anything about that, and that will be the same at every school--despite how supportive administrative is.

See, And I can stand the kids if I have a supportive admin. I prefer that to a larger percentage good kids and non-supportive admin. MsCoffeeLover is right, that the kids change every year. So the constant thing is the staff you work with. If your year was bad last year due to the kids alone, that's one thing but if it was exacerbated by the staff...
OH! You haven't posted again... does your husband mind carpooling? you said it was the same town, right? that could silence the travel problem, because you would actually SAVE verses what you are paying now.

I wish you the best.

[sgaestel]

I would based my decision if in this situation on the administration at each school. Are you happy with your current administration? Do they support you and the other teachers at the school? What is the admin at this new school like? Could you try to talk to some teachers there to see how they like it?

I absolutely adore my admin, and I currently have a 35 min drive to work every day. I would not accept a position at a school in the district I live in simply becase I would not leave the school and admin I am with now.
If the admin were to change, I would consider it.

There are some downfalls to working far from where you live. On nights where the school has things going on in the evenings, it is pretty much impossible to get home in between. Most of the teachers in my school live pretty close, and can go home and come back, I do not, so I stick it out until the evening event. This makes for a long day and lots of planning of what to do with my dog. (no fam in my area)

There is also the benefit of living in a city where I do not run into my kids everywhere. I don't have to worry about being out to dinner and having a beer, or running into a kid or parent at Walmart looking like a wreck.

For me, the money would be the last thing I consider. Although it is a little inticing.

Good luck in your decision. Keep us updated!

[jsfowler]

Wow! Thanks for all your support and advice.

No, my husband and I could not carpool totally different hours - he puts in 12 hour shifts at the hospital and could have to stay even longer. But it would be really nice if that could happen.

After talking with family and friends and chatting with Ms.CoffeeLover I have come to the conclusion that this is a great offer but bad timing. I am going to speak with the superintendant and ask for an appointment. There, I will explain to him that I am honored and I hope they keep me in mind for a later position, perhaps 3 or 4 years down the road.

Well, honestly, I am still not 100% about this. I will continue to pray and weigh my options but there are a few deal breakers that will immediatly cause me to turn down the offer - if they will not transfer my tenure is #!.

[jsfowler]

OK...now I am really confused. Today at church I spoke with a retired teacher who taught in my school system for over 20 years. She was offered a job in this new district that has just recently offered me a job and her reply was, "Go for it! I never regretted it a single day!" She lives in my hometown and drove it everyday for approximatley 10 years. This is really making me think.

[muinteoir]

What changed to make this year better than the last one?
Are those changes going to last?

[Chef Dave]

I spoke with a retired teacher who taught in my school system for over 20 years...

Look - why don't you do this? Find out where the superintendent or director of human resources would want to assign you AND GO VISIT THIS SCHOOL.

Make an appointment. Meet the administrator. Have a tour of the school. Visit your prospective classroom.

The more information you gather, the better informed you'll be about making a decision.

[smithmt]

OK...now I am really confused. Today at church I spoke with a retired teacher who taught in my school system for over 20 years. She was offered a job in this new district that has just recently offered me a job and her reply was, "Go for it! I never regretted it a single day!" She lives in my hometown and drove it everyday for approximatley 10 years. This is really making me think.

OK, I hate to be the Theological debater; but I have to speak up... those of you that have heard this story, skip lower (if you care) but this is the abbreviated version (you may want to skip anyway)

My wife is an intern pastor. We graduated collage in December of '04 and matriculation was an uphill battle due to the faculty's understanding of the community that is fostered. well, she got in... I assumed so close to Austin, I wouldn't get a job... but I did. She moved me to SD; again, I find full time employment as a teacher in the middle of the school year.

sometimes, God tells you where to go and provides...

So, this could be a subtle slap in the face that you should make the move. You'll never know, unless you make the change. again, I wish the best for you.

[Spectre]

I've some perspective on your choice and on your situation.

I made a change two years ago. The school was a good one. So was the community. The principal was a real....well, let's be nice. The woman just had no sense, did the same dumb things every year, was running the school into the ground. The very sound of her voice made me tremble with anger.

I didn't want to, but I had to leave. It was that or punch a hole in my classroom wall out of frustration or say or do something that would end my career and ruin my life.

So I left that county and move to another. Changed counties, changed grade level, changed schools. :D

I went from frying pan to fire...

Doubtless, you've read of my experiences. :eek:

Drugs, gangs, low expectations....

My principal is a wonderful person, but he is simply in over his head. :mad:

Perhaps, in this situation, most anyone would be.

My point?

What you have now is a known entity. Do you feel unsettled, unhappy, unfulfilled in your current assignment? If you do, then I would encourage you to go for the change.

But I would caution you against making the move solely due to the salary increase. And when you say the other district is "wonderful," what do you mean and how do you know? Who says so?

While it is true that you get what you pay for, it is also true (voice of experience speaking here) that you pay for what you get.

I make about $6000 more per year in my current assignment than I did in my former one. Has it been worth it? I am still hashing that one out.

True, I needed, desperately, to get away from that awful principal. But did I really improve my situation? Would I do it all again?

I have to say that for me, the answer to both questions is no.

Don't mean to rain upon your parade, but something else that is true is that all that glitters is NOT gold.

Just be careful.

[silvana]

Just one note of caution...I was in a similiar position several years ago....was offered a promotion in another school...took it found I did not like the school...my children , in particular my son hated the move...and I had to take on even more responsibility to get out.......sometimes I wish I could return to where I was, since I have been on a treadmill ever since and really don't know if I will ever be able to get off! I suggest at least going to where you will work and getting a feel for it...something I wish I had done ...still what will be will be

[DarrenB]

I agree with Chef. Definitely go and visit the school before making any decision. Be on the look out for the subtle elements that tell more about a school than any formal tour. Are the kids happy seeming? How does the staff appear? What is the morale? What is the chance you could speak with a staff member about the school? Get as much info as you can.

My tendency is like many others here. Stay put unless you have a strong reason to leave.

[SiobhanMarie]

Hows your decision going? :)

[jsfowler]

Well, the plot thickens...a Gifted and Talented position has opened in my district...I want it...BAD!! I have written a letter of interest and sent it to concerned parties this morning. Waiting for reply before I look further into the other position...

[SiobhanMarie]

Looks like your full of opportunities; hard decisions but I'm sure that all will work out.

What is the gifted and talented position all about?

[jsfowler]

Students (grades 4-8) who are identified as gifted would meet with me once a week. We would explore their interests and talents in various ways. For K-3, 9-12 I would mostly find programs for them to participate in (science fairs, contests, workshops, etc.) and work with teacher professional development on how to modify lessons for gifted students.

[sgaestel]

That sounds like a great opportunity for you js! It also sounds like another area of education to explore, which I belive you stated interested you. Good luck!

[SiobhanMarie]

JS; that gifted position sounds fantastic. Goodluck!