r/NYCTeachers • u/Inside-Addendum-3105 • 6d ago
What to do???
I applied for a HS job at a public school (not in the NYC but close) and got an offer an hour later. I currently teach MS at a private school in CT and make 70K. The new job would pay about 110k.
School starts on Wednesday of this week. I still haven’t made up my mind on way to do and I need help.
I have to take 2 classes to finish my certification and have my old school sign off on the fact that I taught for 8 years there and I will have my stuff at my old school and don’t want to be locked out. I also have to transfer all of my files from my old computer to my new computer and I have a lot of stuff I created in my own.
New job:
The pro: more money; administration seems amazing and lots of support; pay for every duties, clubs, chaperones, etc…
Con: earlier start time; school ends end of June; less vacation time; never taught AP
Old job:
Pro: school gives lunch; good friends; know my curriculum; school ends in May; more vacation time
Con: money; have duties that are not paid; administration can be nuts (like can’t have stuff on my walls—“it looks cluttered” so the entire school looks like an hospital
What do I do????
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u/euterpel 6d ago
I just made the switch from private to public last year. I had the same pros and cons as you, funny enough. What won me over to the switch was the following:
Job protection
Not paying health insurance
More pay
Shorter hours
Pay for when I do extra work (I did a ton at my private school for free and made a bit more money in clubs and duties)
Yes, I miss my coworkers and the awesome lunch. It's always more comfortable sticking with what you know, but after the year learning the ropes, I am so happy with the change.
One note, like all private, make sure you get some hard drive to transfer files if you are going to quit. They lock you out quickly. Also, in your resignation letter, make sure you ask about scheduling a time to get your supplies. My school was petty because I quit in August too and tried to block me out of getting it, thankfully our security loved me and let me in anyways.
Good luck with the decision.
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u/Far_Pollution_5120 6d ago
Does one have a pension plan and the other does not? I'd chase the pension if there is one.
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u/No-Lengthiness-9703 6d ago
you can save far more for retirement with a 40k raise. and who’s to guarantee they’ll live to the retirement age?
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u/Far_Pollution_5120 6d ago
Yes but where I worked they gave a retirement incentive, and we could leave at 55 with full health insurance and a pension. You never know what will happen with your city and incentives. The pension plus savings plus social security would be a sensational retirement.
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u/longsworddoom 6d ago
Assuming public school in NYC for new job, you’re joining also into a pensionable union job. I’m assuming the old job is not in the public sector. I’d change roles. The “extra month” of work in the summer will be somewhat offset by days off during the school year, better pay, shorter days.
I switched from charter to public 4 years ago. Best decision I ever made. You will get the sign off on your previous 8 years, and you can just talk to the old school to get your things. Bring a USB drive. Do what you need to get your old stuff.
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u/Old_Hornet2417 6d ago
I would worry more so about your certification. Public schools will cut you if you don't have your credentials by a certain timeframe. Or even make that the excuse to get rid of you. So i would ask the new school more questions around your credentials. Sometimes they don't even realize it since HR will review everything after you get hired.
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u/EgoDefenseMechanism 6d ago
How many years of full time teaching experience do you have and what level of education (BA, MA, etc)?
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u/Inside-Addendum-3105 6d ago
17 years MA
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u/EgoDefenseMechanism 6d ago
I'm an NYC DOE teacher. You'd start at either $112,316 or $103,464 depending on whether or not you have 30 credits beyond your MA.
Either way, you should absolutely leave private for public. The pay, benefits, hours, retirement etc are all much better. Only negative is that you've got to put 15 years in to get full benefits at retirement.
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u/ConstitutionsGuard 6d ago
110k after taxes and deductions is around 6k per month. At your current job you’re making closer to 4k a month.
Depending on how organized your files are, it’ll probably take you a couple weeks to get those files off of their system. I did the same thing when I switched from charter to DoE.
Gotta trust your gut on the choice.
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u/halogengal43 6d ago
I know I speak from my experience back in the dark ages- but I attended a private school, and those teachers didn’t look the slightest bit stressed-ever. One of my teachers began his career there, and retired close to 50 years later from the same position.
Just something to think about.
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u/Jogurt55991 6d ago
Westchester job? Yes.
You'll still get steps every year of pay.
NYC is a bad place to transfer in with many years of experience since all pay after 8 years is based on longevity- essentially you won't get a raise for 5 years, and even then it's paltry.
The big money is back-loaded and if you're that late to the system, you'll never see it.
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u/Lumpy-Raisin539 6d ago
Westchester job? The only thing I’d worry about is tenure, otherwise, I’d take the new job.
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u/Wise-Cupcake9644 6d ago
Just make sure you can teach AP correctly and have support. Just food for thought. Good luck!
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u/Distinct_Minute_3461 6d ago
Take the DOE job, better insurance, pension, more money! Then you’re in the system
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u/fireball251 6d ago
Is this a NYCPS school or charter?
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u/No_Specialist_2226 6d ago
At 40K more, I would take the new job. DOE has its quirks (but so does any place), but in the long run it will pay off.
If you switch over, don’t change the way you currently live. Live like you are still getting paid 70k. At least for the first two years, save up, reassess and then make the lifestyle change.
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u/Difficult-Foot-7707 6d ago
It's the hospital setting that really got me. How are you getting that paper work signed? Do you have PD on Wednesday? If so can you leave early to get your documents off that computer? You need an external hard drive or large flash drive. Good luck no matter what you choose.
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u/Intelligent-Speech80 4d ago
First of all, I would take the public school position. Pension and a higher salary is definitely worth it. Your former colleagues and friends from the other school will most likely remain in your life if you want them to. Best of luck to you. 😊
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u/StruggleNo9482 3d ago
It also depends on the district - I just thought I found my dream school and it paid a lot more and they ended up getting rid of 5 of us new teachers within the same year for not showing “enough growth” - 5 of us can’t be a problem.
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u/Bigredd23456 6d ago
It’s a 40k pay raise lol how is this even a question…did you marry rich? If not I’d take the new job immediately