substitute teacher

head of project management

deputy chief engineer

associate

student coordinator

Metro Nashville Public Schools

I loved the people I work with! I get to work with a diverse array of learners which helps me become a better teacher . While still not enough to raise a family on with how bad inflation is, MNPS has the best pay in all of middle TN! Medical insurance used to be really good but they have increased the rates unfortunately . Now for the negative…Ridiculous reading curriculum for elementary students ! It’s awful! Some examples : kindergarteners have to look at artwork and discuss what it means . This artwork is not fun , kid friendly art either ! And it’s not just oh what colors and shapes . It’s what do you see in the foreground and background ? What do you think the colors and shadows are trying to tell us about the painting ? These are even mild questions … I wish I had my manual to give actual examples . Oh and the ridiculous questions aren’t just with the paintings but throughout the curriculum . Sometimes I, as the teacher have to read the question at least 2 times to understand what it’s asking because it’s so long and academically dense . I totally understand holding students to high standard and challenging them but this is beyond that . The curriculum also goes from expecting kids to label their pictures with letter sounds to writing 3 sentence paragraphs !! Ugh! Anyways, as most teachers know we are overworked . I come in early, work at night and on weekends just to keep myself afloat and even with doing all that I can’t get done everything that’s expected of me . They also did not close for the most recent severe weather alert  . Usually I would defend the decision on not closing school but this time was different . The national weather service had a high alert for possible tornadoes and almost guaranteed high winds which would cause power outages and downed trees . Welp, Metro was the ONLY district in all of middle TN to stay open . Many school lost power in the pre morning / early afternoon, roads were blocked by debris , and it was just chaos trying to operate as a normal day especially trying to reassure scared kids .

What is the best part of working at the company?
My colleagues were all supportive in every area of personal development of job skills.  The system was always striving to match personnel with the right conditions.  STUDENTS MADE MY EXPERIENCE POSITIVE WHEN IT WAS DIFFICULT.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The nature of my position is highly stressful as a principal.  Changing targets made it stressful to focus on the goals.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
My upper management was always supportive and I could easily contact them for assistance.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Meeting and greeting students, teachers and staff was always pleasant and positive.  I would make rounds to all areas of the school to ensure safe, clean and comfortable for all.   I would attend district meetings for development and moving schools forward.  I would meet with grade level teams to evaluate and review progress toward established goals.   I would visit classrooms to get firsthand knowledge of the progress of students and teachers.   I would meet with concerned parents and prospective parents/students for tours of our facility.  I always visible during arrival and dismissal.  Every situation I would share with all stakeholders the vision of what we are becoming.

Provide second level hardware, software, network,  and phone system support. Along with basic trouble shooting of hardware,  software and networks; I manage two Microsoft 2003 file servers, and two Mac OS X servers. Maintain Active Directory on 
 both OS X Server, and 2003 Server along with SMS, Group Policy, WSUS, and Remote Access. I manage and maintain eleven switches within my current school. I answer
 questions from other technicians and assist them in trouble shooting hardware, software and network issues by phone, email, and remote control. Train other techs, teachers, and helpdesk  personnel on how to setup and use software.  Take over supervisor 
 duties when our supervisor is absent or in meetings.  Also, a Dell Premier Access Certified Technician I orders parts for warranty systems. Administer 3M Volition 4000/5000 switches, 3Com switches, 3com NBX VOIP phone systems, and Security 
 Camera Systems.  Provide support for Windows 98, 2000, XP, and Server 2003; Mac OS 8.5 OSX, and Mac Server.  Also, support Microsoft Office 2000, XP, and 2003; Mac Office 2004, and Claris Works.  Create custom images of all PC related equipment with 
 Symantec Corporate Ghost Cast Server software. Run and Terminate data and phone lines.  Configure, install, upgrade, maintain, and inventory servers, desktops and portable computers along with printers.

I LOVE this job. I LOVE my coworkers, and I love the benefits I receive through Metro.

I am in a hard-to-fill position, and because there aren't many of us, many of us are feeling burn-out. My supervisors at Metro have been phenomenal, but the school and workload I have have been overwhelming. 

With any work environment, you will have pros and cons. The pros are that there are some really good people who work for Metro, and their hearts are in the right place to be in the work capacity they serve. I have learned a lot from my coworkers and from my students and the families I have met in the community.

The cons are that Metro is under a lot of scrutiny for things we can't control, so half of the job is controlling what you can-- documenting and making sure all files the state asks for are in perfect condition (which changes every year, but you do what you can to cover your behind), which takes away from the creativity and quality of the work you can give to your kids. 

If you can handle stress well and the pressure of last-minute changes does not bother you, this is a great environment. It is not great for me, but I really wish everyone there the best. Medical benefits, school schedule, and departmental support can't be beat.

The culture at MNPS is notoriously hostile to teachers. Administrators think they are supreme beings and are completely disconnected from the real world. They continually add responsibilities and requirements to teacher's plates, with no care about work-life balance for anyone but themselves. Principals think they are god and can do as they please with you. Some schools are SO bad, they are dangerous to work at, but naturally, that's where the openings are. Student discipline is the worst of all. Teachers are disrespected, abused, and threatened. You will not be supported as a classroom teacher by the Central Office, who defines good discipline and expectations for student behavior, as racism, regardless of the circumstances. They only exist to line their own pockets and keep themselves and their friends employed. There is cronyism and deception at every level. Just look at how many jobs remain unfilled, and the turnover rate, and you will realize it isn't worth the little extra they offer you to try to survive as a teacher in these places. Apply to ANY surrounding county, but NOT MNPS.

Metro Nashville Public Schools offers dedicated educators, diverse student populations, and opportunities for students to succeed. However, one of the biggest challenges is the noticeable disparity between schools across the district. While some schools have strong community support, abundant resources, and high levels of parent involvement, others struggle with limited resources, staffing shortages, and significant behavioral challenges. These differences can create unequal learning environments and make it difficult to provide every student with the same educational experience. Teacher workload and morale can also vary greatly depending on the school assignment. Although district leadership has made efforts to address these issues, the gap between schools remains evident. There are many passionate teachers and administrators working hard every day, but greater consistency in funding, support services, and student resources would help ensure that all students receive a high-quality education regardless of which Metro Nashville school they attend.

I can honestly, say I love being in the teaching profession. It is a wonderful career. It is not for the faint at heart. The one who simply is doing it for the money.  I believe in any career or job choice. You must have a real love for God, yourself, and various people with diverse and multiple personalities, children. Children tell on their parents, guardians, and whom they are consistently,surrounded by.  I never work a day each time I am in attendance , before the principal and office administrators. I love being the smile that greets my students each morning. I continue to strive to enhance my craft in learning. Students continue to teach me daily . I am always ,striving to stay humble to receive the many intellectual lessons. Many students, skillfully, teach me when I truly listen, daily. I strive to never forget I was born to learn and serve others. This is how I shine.

Typical Challenging Urban School environment
Some supportive  principals: mostly in the elementary and middle school environment
Teachers are mostly, competent professionals; some "privileged" teachers only want to teach in the less challenging schools

Some teachers are only allowed to teach in the most challenged schools.

The hardest part of the job is the cronyism is the district school administration and aversion for supporting minority school leadership at the district level. Also there has been in recent years a "mafia" style leadership from (Floridian) lead principals, directors and chief academic officers: supported by the  former and current. superintendent. School board only supports district cronyism and not the  majority of minority citizens of Nashville.

I enjoyed greeting my students with a hug and smile in the mornings just to let them know they are special and loved. After breakfast was served and complete, circle time would begin as a part of the social and emotional learning concept. After circle time, classroom learning would begin with language arts/reading and then a rotation to centers while reading groups are being conducted, and continuous activities throughout the rest of the day which includes specials and library.

I learned that classroom management is highly important in how the activities, atmosphere, and behavior are maintained to promote a positive learning environment.

The hardest part is having children with behaviors and understanding the circumstances behind the behavior. 

The most enjoyable part of my job is loving on my students and giving them a sense of security and accountability.

* A typical day:  worked directly with students who were referred to guidance by teachers, met with the referring teacher(s), met with an administrator, met with parents, attended an S-Team or IEP meeting

*Management:  Sent records requested by other schools or districts, and managed student records that came into the school.

*Learned the importance of having a workable weekly plan.  

*Co-workers:  Administrators, faculty, and staff were supportive and cooperative.

*Hardest part of the job:  Getting to see all of the students I needed to see in a day.

*Most enjoyable part of the job:  Being able to make a positive social and/or academic difference in the lives of students and in the school.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Substitute teacher 1 salary reported	$15.95 per hour
Head of project management 1 salary reported	$96,208 per year
Deputy chief engineer 2 salaries reported	$185,000 per year
Associate 1 salary reported	$19.91 per hour
Student coordinator 1 salary reported	$96,208 per year

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