As a teacher who grew up in Topeka through high school, went to a Kansas
College, and now teach in Kansas City, MO, I really don't understand the hatred
for Topeka.

In college, friends from "nicer" areas or small town Kansas always thought of
Topeka as violent or dirty, never wanting to stop for gas. I lived in South
Topeka, specifically more South West and attended Topeka West HS.

My sister teaches in 501 and loves it. There are dirty more dangerous areas
because it is a "city" not a small town. I think it's blown way out of
proportion, and the biggest problem isn't violence or dirt, but boredom. Topeka
just isn't a "fun" city for us 20-somethings. I have friends there I visit, and
we have fun, but for the most part Topeka is a gray city with not that much
going on, but that is from my perspective. I still love it, and if I was to
raise a family, I'd probably move back to Topeka.

Also, the Auburn-Washburn district is very good, it's very white (I'm white and
had many friends from church go there) and rich, so it will come with all the
sort of elitist attitudes that people with already sunny dispositions tend to
have. It really is a good school, but because most students come from middle
class homes, parent involvement can actually be TOO much, as well as the need to
display yourself "properly" in public or risk becoming the new gossip sensation
for wearing sweat pants to the supermarket. At least this is what my friends
who have taught there say. I wish you luck, and hope it's great!

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