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You’ve decided that you want to be a teacher and finally graduated with your degree. One major consideration to make is whether you want to seek employment in a public or private school. One type of school is not necessarily better than the other, but there are certain advantages that you get working in a private school when compared to the public education system. Keep these factors in mind when you start your job search and have job offers to consider.
Upper Management
Private schools are not part of the large public school system and don’t have as large of a bureaucracy to deal with. When there are issues, it is much easier to handle them without jumping through multiple hoops of management. Communication is clearer and issues are addressed in a quicker, more efficient manner with Catholic Education Services than dealing with the public system.
Class Sizes
Smaller class size is one of the leading reasons that parents send their children to private schools. A smaller class gives teachers an opportunity to interact with students on a more individual basis. Private schools are selective about who they admit and tend to have from 15-18 students in each class, while some public schools have as many as 30 or more students in one classroom. The students are also closer to each other academically, making it easier for everyone to relate and be on the same page during lessons.
Curriculum and Government Influence
Private schools are not funded by tax dollars and federal funding like public schools. They are supported by tuition, fundraisers, and donations. This means that teachers have more freedom to experiment with the curriculum and utilize personal teaching methods without being required to adhere to a rigid, standardized way of educating students.
Discipline
Discipline issues exist in both public and private schools, but private schools have a bit more control in handling the issues. Parents have to pay tuition for private school, which means they are more likely to be involved and contribute to handling issues with behavior for their children. A private school has the right to expel a student that refuses to adhere to the code of conduct. Discipline issues can create distractions that hamper the learning process.
Being a teacher is a selfless career choice, but the environment that you teach in contributes to your experience. Keep these factors in mind when you start applying for jobs and the offers begin to roll in.
This article was contributed by guest author Lizzie Weakley.