special education teacher

elementary school teacher

school teacher

special education aide

high school teacher

Grand Rapids Public Schools

I worked as a Youth Advocate for several years and greatly enjoyed the opportunity to serve within 4 schools (1 high school, 2 middle schools, 1 alternative school). The students have a great desire to succeed, and they will respond well when they see and know that you (as an employee) truly care about their educational advancement. Students also respond very well when they feel as if someone cares about their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. Don't believe the hype seen on TV about 'terrible students'!

However, the true problems come from administration. While they system has made some great strides over the past few years,  it is VERY evident that the administration could use some updating. Layoffs are very common, and there are simple solutions to problems that aren't addressed, for some reason. Nepotism is huge, although it is never truly addressed (other than a survey from staff to see how about our thoughts- how else can a teacher from out of state find a job within a 2-week span compared to a highly qualified teacher living in the city who never received an offer over a 9 month period of applying? Maybe because that teacher's father has been a principal for a number of years?....and yes, both applicants were highly qualified and shared a very similar background in terms of experiences and licensing.) Also, the administration needs to do a better job of supporting employees rather than playing 'politically correct' games. My supervisor conducted an evaluation of me that I felt should have been rated higher based upon my work and the feedback I received from the school's administration.....but my supervisor didn't know what school had my placement and wasn't aware that I had been moved. How do you conduct an evaluation without knowing where your employee is??) 

Overall, GRPS has a lot of great staff and caring parents that truly want better for the students. But the administration needs to really take an honest look at itself and make some changes, rather than simply cover things up and avoid difficult topics.

Much criticism and buck passing because of fear and pressure.
ADMIN. FROM HR ON UP needs to start valuing the dedicated staffs they have in the schools instead of harrasing them and putting more on them while tying their hands as far as discipline in classroom. They need to pay attention to what they are really doing to their employees and what they are asking. It is really too much and sometimes contradictory and confusing.
Some of the kids are coming from enviornments where parents are not always the best people, and will not help out with anything without a dollar or free meal behind it.
I think with the challenging enviornment around them, the staff and teachers need to be more appreciated and encouraged by ADMIN of GRPS; not in just a token and/or impersonal way, but cultivate a climate of caring, trust, nurture, encouragement instead of fear and pressure. Culture change among personnel needed.
Subs often don't want to visit the schools, because they feel looked down on or abandoned sometimes.
The schools have a lot of potential, but need to have a real culture change among all the employee groups from top down.

Facilities better than most outsiders would expect.  Teachers are smart, hard-working, and are in teaching for the right reasons.  Administrators are very good.  Admin staff works as hard as any other district in the area.  Current superintendent has made good progress in 5 year stint.  District voters recently approved multi-million dollar bond issue aimed at facility upgrades - very encouraging.
Greatest challenges start with spotty student attendance.  Lack of parent involvement follows closely behind as a top concern.  On a daily basis, teachers see the manifestation of these issues in student lack of interest, engagement, academic grit, and ability to turn work in on time - or even at all.  Scores on high-stakes testing almost always follow on the low end of the typical "achievement gap" range.
The most enjoyable part of the job is the satisfaction gained when success is attained.  Almost every relationship built with individual students ends up being enjoyable and rewarding.  Relationships with colleagues is very good - teachers get along pretty well across the board.

This review is strictly for the administrative building - I do not know what it is like working at the individual schools.

The WORST place to work. There are a handful of people that have left this department with mental health issues due to working here because the job has pushed them over the edge. Horrendous, authoritarian, work you to the bones, very underpaid, micromanaging work culture. I have PTSD from how horrible it was working here. Administration has high nepotism and favoritism. They don’t communicate well and have no idea what is going on in each department. Some of the higher ups are incredibly inconsiderate and have the attitude that they are better than everyone else. Honestly, I would even consider them bullies from what I’ve seen, heard, or experienced first hand. Many of the administrators are unprofessional as well. 

The professional development for the HR department is lack luster with no room for growth and working with old school systems. I would highly recommend NOT working here. It’s a waste of time and my only regret in life. 

Working with kids in small intervention groups can be fun and rewarding. Some children can be difficult especially when they come from troubled families, but giving back and helping them become better students by being a good role model and helping them realize that you do care about them is a good feeling. The hardest part is recess duty because that is when kids are not being supervised by their teacher and try to push the limits and see what they can get away with, keeping them engaged with lots to do including playground equipment helps. Listening to children read and become better readers is a very rewarding part of the job. Employees and principals are pretty easy going as long as you are doing your best, having good judgement, and setting a good example for the students.

Most of the problems in this company are issues with education everywhere. Positions go unstaffed all year, some students have overwhelming needs and obstacles, while others are bored and come with lawnmower parents. Least Restrictive Environment feels more like Least Expensive Environment when advocating for students with disabilities. This district's administrative structure  has gotten top heavy and convoluted. Meanwhile lower positions on the front lines are outsourced and/or underpaid. All that being said, colleagues are inspiring, the families, community, and even students organize to fight on behalf of teachers.  There are problems but also so much passion and encouragement.  The national teacher shortage and decreased enrollment over the years has forced the organization to take a hard look at itself and currently has great potential to become something better.  But we have deep roots and change is painful. If you come here now, you'll sense that. You'll also get to  influence that change and set the tone for the future of GRPS.  

Each school has a different climate based on leadership.  I have taught at a hand full of school buildings and am most fulfilled and supported at Cesar E. Chavez.  I am fortunate to work under a great administrative staff of principal and vice principal.  The biggest challenges lie in a shortage of staff due to supposed budget cuts.  There are a lot of students that benefit from smaller group instruction and one-on-one relationship building.  It would be great to feel like everyone had the time and financial support to plan, collaborate and implement amazing ideas/ opportunities for our diverse students, while also enjoying a meaningful personal life balance.   

The most enjoyable part of my job is seeing the progress that students make and the joy it brings to them and their families.

The day has a consistent schedule, which starts by greeting students as they get off the buss and enter the classroom. Then assisting student with following their daily routine to work on goals lined out by an IEP (Individual Educational Plan). Plans include one on one work with individual students at their level. The position requires team focus, patience, emotional balance and empathy. I've learned that people with disabilities are teachable and can achieve and learn everyday basic life skills through educational, family, and community support.
The hardest part of my job is getting others on board, when advocating for a change to fit specific needs of a student. 
The most enjoyable part of my job, is getting to see a student meet a goal at which they struggle the most to reach. For example, when a student who as a social goal and out of know is spontaneously social and does it with intent. Watching a student grow is an feeling that can not be explained.

GRPS diversity makes its community, which becomes a rewarding and eye opening experience. I saw where some schools had all resources for the students and other schools had no resources at all (exmpl: books, workbooks, computers, lastest copy machine etc.) where others had more than needed...I worked one school where students needed to get caught up with credits for graduation...but no one was giving direction on how to get there...many students didn't even know how many credits they had or what they needed to graduate, some students didn't even need to be there. Overall the school system is a positive...but needs  lots of help in protecting the education for ALL STUDENTS not just some.

Work and time demands can be demanding and emotionally taxing however the reward of administering and coordinating help for families and need is fulfilling and necessary. 
Working in an economic, racial and cultural diverse environment with families with a variety of social backgrounds is inspiring and compelled me to pursue many social justice causes. This was the most enjoyable part of my position. 
The most difficult factor was the lack of district support and the inability to provide the help needed to do this job effectively. 
I spent a fair amount of time out of the office meeting with various agencies and neighborhood groups to better the lives of our many families and students in need.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Special education teacher 108 salaries reported	$69,070 per year
Elementary school teacher 40 salaries reported	$68,855 per year
School teacher 1 salary reported	$26.00 per hour
Special education aide 79 salaries reported	$18.04 per hour
High school teacher 32 salaries reported	$66,522 per year

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