Re: Do public schools look down on private schools?

Susan in Humanities

Posted on 7/01/10

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Hi all,

I have never taught in a public school, although I do have a
teaching certificate.

I am currently so exasperated by the "VERY INVOLVED parents" CLC
mentions in the private sector that I've decided to stop teaching
altogether. I simply can't handle the interference, the
criticism, and the manipulation these "helicopter parents" are
able to exact by simply picking up the phone and calling my
Dean.

I know where I have been teaching, there is a lot of respect for
public school teachers. My colleagues and I know that we have
made a unique choice (with the consequence of markedly less pay)
to not have to deal with the enormous classes and discipline
problems that come with public school teaching.

I wanted to teach private so that I could teach WHAT I wanted and
HOW I wanted. And that has been the case, but the effects of an
unsupportive administration and parents with all the power has
soured me on education altogether, I'm sorry to say.

I know if I do go back to teaching someday, I would go public. I
know I would be hit hard by the realities of public teaching,
because I know that I HAVE been sheltered teaching private
school. But I'd be game.

As an endnote, I've found that most private schools really don't
get to hand-pick their students, at least not anymore - everybody
is hurting for students! I was actually teaching a lot of kids
who couldn't make passing grades in public schools who were
essentially dropped-off by their rich parents who expected
miracles!

Crazy, right? But it's the new way, some private schools are
becoming dumping grounds for the kids who can't make it in the
public schools.

Best,
Susan

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