Re: Jobs in SC
Posted by PA transplant on 8/03/08
On 8/02/08, connie wrote:
> Would you define culture shock? What are the issues a northerner
> would encounter? Thanks.
It may be a cliche, but things move at a more relaxed pace here. I'm
used to hurry up get it done now, being very anxious and stressed,
but that's not how it works here. That can be good and bad!
Northerners are also used to not speaking to people we encounter when
out and about. Southerners talk to everyone; they strike up
conversations with you everywhere. When I moved here, my little one
was under a year old, and maybe two people had commented on her when
I lived up north (out in public/strangers). When I got here, I
couldn't go out anywhere without people stopping to talk to her/me,
commenting and complementing her. Northerners are more uptight; it
is a broad generalization, but it is what I've experienced.
Food is different; you won't find some of the things you are used to.
Forget pizza and al dente pasta. Learn about chicken bog and okra.
Sweet tea is iced tea with lots of sugar. Bread brands have a
different texture (Bunny Bread and Merita). If you want deli meat
thin, you have to explain "shaved" or "chipped" meat. `
There are no unions here for teachers. In my district, it hasn't made
a big difference. My school is excellent, with great
administrators-but you have many things to do that are "extra."
Retirement/benefits are not at all what you will find in a union
state. You really need to save on your own. Same with salary. You can
beef it up in some districts by getting your National Board
certification (adds a hefty stipend in my district).
School culture is different; more social, less competition among
students (unless you have advanced). Many districts have much
poverty--this brings different problems to the classroom, as a lot of
kids/parents don't put a premium on traditional education. My
district has a great Tech program that directs a lot of kids in useful
ways. Low parent involvement is a problem. Funding for schools is a
problem. You need excellent management skills and a real connection
with the kids to be successful. I don't want to be flamed for saying
these things; I love my students, and there are similar kids/districts
in northern states. This is my experience so far here, that is all.
There are good/bad districts everywhere. Of course, there's more to
say, but I feel like I'm gonna get it for what I have already said!!!
Posts on this thread, including this one
- Jobs in SC, 6/27/08, by Looking to move from long island .
- Re: Jobs in SC, 6/28/08, by darnell 239.
- Re: Jobs in SC, 7/29/08, by PA transplant.
- Re: Jobs in SC, 8/02/08, by connie.
- Re: Jobs in SC, 8/03/08, by PA transplant.
- Re: Jobs in SC, 9/13/08, by Laura Sly.
- Re: Jobs in SC, 10/16/08, by Native NYer.
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