teacher

elementary school teacher

english teacher

educator

special education teacher

Howard County

Overall, this was a good place to work. Due to their many strict policies and the need to remain safe and professional with the public, I felt safe from harassment from my coworkers and administration. The pay is above average for administrative work. However, there is very little protection from abusive parents. I worked in the front office and quickly grew exhausted from dealing with constant disrespect and anger from parents and guardians. Secretaries bear the brunt of every gripe and were often yelled at over disagreements in the classroom with the teachers, even though we had no participation in or control over that. Administration tries their best to support their staff but there aren't many options for dealing with community members who behave this way. It became very stressful worrying about being verbally attacked and wondering if I'd end up on the news if I ever lost my cool. This wasn't the case at every school but certain populations deal with a lot of parental drug abuse and unstable home situations that present difficult interactions at school. 

The other major con is that support staff seemed to always get the short end of the stick. The union only looks out for teachers when it comes to paid time off, raises, job protections, etc. Support staff are consistently underpaid compared to teachers and para-educators in particular were constantly worried about losing their jobs since the school board thinks those should be the first to go in budget cuts. They need to look out for para-educators, secretaries, student assistants, custodians, etc., much more than they do. These staff are the reason teachers are able to do their jobs effectively and they pick up the slack in all areas when the school is understaffed. Students would be lost without them and the school system needs to work harder to look out for them.

Supported the needs of Teen Mothers and Fathers trying to finish High School. Each day, the Coordinator and fellow Day Care Providers would assist the young mothers with daily routines and classes for their children. We would have daily activities for infants and toddlers that would help in their development. For example, another provider and I would have "Circle Time" and sing to the children. We would also have "Story Time" and let the children assist in pointing out objects within the story by using stuffed toys. My fellow providers were an extreme pleasure to work with. I came into the field without any real knowledge on how to work with infants and toddlers. My Coordinator, who provided me with encouragement and confidence, showed me how to broaden my mind and taught me that these teen mothers still have a chance at an education with our help. The hardest part of the position was knowing that some of the school staff, teachers in particular, were not sympathetic or apathetic to a teen mother who really wanted to continue their education despite having a child. No matter what their circumstance might have been, each young mother and father had the right to continue their education. The most enjoyable part of the position was issuing out baby books. Throughout the school year, each provider made individual baby books to show to the parents what their child did in the program. For example, I made a baby book depicting each month of fun and innovative activities that my children did. I took pictures, which our Coordinator had developed, of each child and the activity done for the month. At the end of the school year, my fellow providers and I would have a presentation of the baby books for the teen mothers and fathers. The baby books were our gift to the teen parents.

A typical day included verifying openings for substitute work, via the HCPSS website. After then selecting an opening, the job taken could range on all grade levels (Pre-K through 12th). Teachers Typically left directions for classroom procedures and work that needed to be done for students. The work could also range in of itself from remedial work for testing special groups, or to advanced placement classes. You are faced with many different individuals and your personality with each age group always changes. The other teachers that work around you or with you are generally helpful and will take down your employee information so that they can call on you personally for future substitute teaching positions. The hardest part of the job is that it is hard to make a necessary living doing this and does not give you as much connectivity with the schools that you work at as you will need in order to contract employment options. However, doing this service can gain notice and can afford the opportunity for a school to hire substitutes for full-time employment. The most enjoyable thing about the job, in my opinion, is being asked to return to the school that you supported and the feedback from the students also asking for you to come back.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Comradery, Professionalism, overall support for our students. As a substitute teacher at a middle school I currently work at, I  feel heard by the administration  personnel. They show concern towards any materials needs to better assist our students. I am very happy with the teachers, librarians who also assist with anything needed to better myself and help reach our students goals and expectations. I look forward to going to work everyday. It's nice to work where I feel happy, accepted and have great coworkers and friends. We are a very strong, close, professional staff, which makes it a pleasure to work at the middle school I'm currently at in the Howard County Public School System. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
I've worked at a middle school in Howard County Public School System.  And in my opinion I have not felt stressed yet while working for this company. Which is a blessing. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work environment is exceptional and welcomes a variety of cultures. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
In a substitute teacher at a middle school.  I only work at one school full time. At times I'm coverings different classes or I am assigned to cover one class for teachers who are on extended leave. And at times I cover lunch duty. And if I have free time I try to do as many vector training as possible.

My experiences in this county has been very positive.  This county is very supportive in terms of providing continuing trainings/classes; as well as offering many support staff to weekly plan on an as needed-basis.  It is excellent for new teachers as well as for teachers looking to expand ideas.  My principal and Vice-principal are always very professional and provide constructive criticisms during evaluations.  They continue to stay positive and maintain an open-door policy.  My team and I could always come into their rooms to request for materials/books, discuss a conflict and they are always ready to assist.  My team is positive and we continue to plan together, discuss student needs, share ideas and collaborate so our students may achieve successful experiences.  Our team is relatively young with lots of energy, passion and we integrate technology and many, many hands-on activities for our students.  Parent volunteers come in weekly to assist classrooms.  We developed and implemented a "Positive Behavior Incentive System" program to motivate and inspire students to stay on track and make good choices daily.

My learning experiences are invaluable; from working in a diverse student population to a diverse staff.  The most enjoyable part of the job is getting students engaged and motivated to learn. The hardest part of the job is continuing to find new and creative ways to have fun and make meaningful lessons.

Ended my career after 19 years, it just keeps getting worse every year.
There is a huge lack of support from administration and custodial managers. Often times you will be worked past what you should and have to constantly do additonal work of other employees without additional compensation. On average each custodian is given close to 20 classrooms, hallways and has to clean up when after school activities leave. When another employee is out for an extended period of time it's rare that a floater will be sent to your school to help, leaving you to do the work of two people. On occasions I was forced to do an entire school on my own.
We are not respected by staff and the students have no respect for the school leaving it in filth (trash/food everywhere, graffiti, defecating/urinating on floors in restrooms, etc...). Often times teachers make false complaints on you, verbally speak down to you and attempt to treat you as their personal maid. 
If there is any issue it will not be addressed by custodial management. Often times they will ignore the issue or become verbally hostile.
They do not provide air conditioning during the summer months unless there are school activities or there is a teacher in the building, even when temperatures are above 100 degrees. Why is it that we are treated less than other staff? Without us the schools would not function or even be open, do better!


What is the best part of working at the company?
Working with my Peers was great.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The Principal was not a supportive person with a personality flaw. This one year working at Hammond Middle School is what made me decide to leave. If HCPSS lets a person with these characteristics lead a staff, then this was no place for me. HCPSS isn't as Diverse, Equal, and Inclusive as it claims to be for African-American Men. I Left to work in a Different district just to advance in my field of music. I'm a 6-time Gold-Platinum Songwriter/ Producer with an American Music Award Nomination and HCPSS didn't have the vision to use that to their advantage. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Working at other HCPSS schools was a great experience. Working at HMS was extremely stressful. It wasn't stressful because of the work expectations of a new position as a Data Clerk, it was the non-support and the hostile work environment that was received from the Principal. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
At HMS, it was unnecessarily stressful to the point that it caused my hair to fall out.

A typical work day at Howard County Public School System as a custodian supervisor is filled with experience in a lot of areas such as following up day supervisor and staff ( practicing communication skills) checking schedule seeing who’s schedule to arrive so that I can plan my work night accordingly. Making sure areas was clean and ready for events before they arrive. I had to make sure everyone was safe and working safely, checking all exit doors for being left cracked open check for Broken windows and strange activity on school grounds. Inspect building before lockdown make sure building was ready for operation next day. Set the alarm to finalize security for the night. Lott’s of cleaning too. Checking stock making sure no one runs out of cleaning supplies. Making orders for school custodial services. Hardest part of job is when the events runs into your cleaning time. Maybe rushed and definitely challenging cituations.Very mix cultural work place was one of the job perks to me.

I worked as a substitute with most special needs students. It was very draining but fulfilling to work with those students. However, there was a lack of support from schools to special needs classrooms. Most resources are allocated to “normal” students or students with autism and not those in greater need. Sometimes it would just be me and one paraeducator with 6-10 students (some in wheel chairs, some with limited mobility, etc). Paras supposed to be in our class would leave to be with coworkers in the break room during class time. Complained to administration and no help. Parents also frustrated left wondering why IEP has to change due to low staffing. Every special education class is required to have 3-5 staff for safety and emergency reasons, yet those staffers would be “unofficially” moved to other classrooms— putting student and staff in potentially dangerous situations. For non- special education classes there was limited issues but still overcrowding with limited staff to aid teaching.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The pay was better than surrounding districts.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful aspect of working there was the lack of support for teachers (being treated at the enemy for doing your job), the workload, and the blatant disregard for best and ethical practices for the sake of students. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
This is not a supportive environment and the district is run by a narcissistic megalomaniac. Their main focus is on the Danielson Framework for assessing teacher practice which the writer of the framework has staunchly come out against as that not being the correct use of the framework. They disregard best and ethical practices for the sake of students while solely focusing on the framework.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Overworked, stressful, and bullied by those above me.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Teacher 14 salaries reported	$76,957 per year
Elementary school teacher 15 salaries reported	$62,601 per year
English teacher 5 salaries reported	$68,180 per year
Educator 3 salaries reported	$119,492 per year
Special education teacher 4 salaries reported	$64,750 per year

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