Though I don't teach in "prison" schools, my wife works for
Texas Juvenile Justice Department, and I have spent time in
many of the units.
To start with, you will be dealing with the worst of the
worst. The special ed population of TJJD is about 46 percent.
(It's no secret what we do with our mentally challenged people
these days. We send them to jail.) However, even though many
of them are quite nasty, you will also find out that many of
these are students that public school has failed miserably to
serve, and that's why they are where they are.
TJJD incarcerates only the serious offenders who have
committed violent crimes. They stopped taking drug offenders
and other lesser crimes about a year or so ago. These are not
nice kids. There are very strict rules regarding how you
conduct yourself in the units.
Under the law, TJJD is itself a school district, even though
there are 5 to 6 units scattered around the state. They are a
year round school. Texas Education Code applies to them,
unless the code says otherwise.
The benefits are better than TRS since they are on the ERS
state retirement and insurance system. If you decide to work
for them, your TRS account will transfer over. The pay rate
per day is usually in line with the highest paid local school
district. They pay into both ERS and Social Security.
You won't be taking home any work. Every unit I have seen
does not let the education staff take any work home. They
also don't work any overtime. They are on the job at 7:15,
and when 4:15 comes, it's quitting time. They punch out for
lunch. Most education employees leave the premises for lunch.
There is always friction between the corrections staff, and
the education staff in every unit I've been to. I think it
stems from education being paid more, and also because
corrections are hourly employees. Almost anybody can get a
job as a corrections officer.
By far, the best teachers I have ever encountered work for
TJJD. But, they also have plenty of losers just biding time
until they can cash in on that state retirement. They WILL
NOT hire inexperienced teachers.
On 1/07/15, Considering wrote:
>
> I was a public school teacher for some 15 years but resigned
> in order to start my own business. Now that the business
> is running fairly well and my wife can handle it, I am
> considering getting back into the profession. However,
> I really don't want to go back to the public school setting
> and am seriously considering applying at a prison school.
>
> Does any of you out there have any experience working in one
> and, if so, can y'all share any information on what it is
> like to work in this environment/classroom. No detail is too
> small, so elaborate as much as you like! LOL
>
> As I side question, I withdrew my contributions to Texas TRS
> to start the business I mentioned, so was wondering how
> long to takes when starting fresh to become "re-vested" in
> the retirement system and get a yearly pension upon
> retirement for good?
>
> Thanks in advance for any assistance/answers!
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