teacher

special education teacher

elementary school teacher

english teacher

mathematics teacher

School District of Philadelphia

Each day I would arrive at 7:15 go up to my office check my mail, in mailbox and also on email, and office phone.  After prioritizing each request or response, I would bring any urgent requests to the Principals attention, at which time we would make appropriate  decisions if necessary. I would check with the office staff t see if there were any need that had to be addressed. I choose to address different items on different days in order  to keep requests organized.  An example of this was banking deposits needed to be done prior to 12:00 so that I was able to get to the bank for deposits and stay within the guidelines of the School District, thank goodness for Quickbooks.  After the banking was completed I would provide check  items that may have been delivered, in addition I would also accept deliveries and document them properly for PPI inventory. AT the end of the day I usually met with the Principal to go over any information that he may have need to know, such as purchasing requests, outstanding bills, and or any discrepancies that may have occurred.
I was responsible for monthly reports on all banking and inventory.
I also attended all leadership meetings so as to have the information of what may be needed by the staff, (supplies for staff and students, food service, budget issues, and compliance. I alway had a walkie so that I was reachable by office staff should a delivery appear and if I was needed for any special projects.  

     One of the most important thing that I learned from working within the school district was that at any given times one must me flexible.   No matter how difficult things may seem they can alway get worse so be prepared and always have a backup plan.

     Co-workers are just that. Everyone needs to be committed to the cause, remember to respect their space, support them and listen to them and always try to work out problems before they get out of control.  By doing this everyone stays happier. In my opinion, happiness is important in the work place.

     The hardest part of the job was working later that expected, not everyone has the same schedule and sometimes we have to just get the job done, Staying two and three hours later than expected was difficult but you have to keep things in prospective.

     The most rewarding part of my employment was when my intern
actually got what I was instructing them to do.  The smile said it all,

Talk to the parents coming to school to see if they had any problems or question about the school and give quick true ans straight answers. Went to csap meeting with parents to answer any question they may have and made them feel needed and welcome. Help the vice principal with meeting with the parents that there children was causing problems. Help the nurse and go out to the houses that children didn't have the proper medical records that the state require. Help the couselor with filling out the documents that the child needed to get help for all the csap's and doctor permission forms fill out correctly so the student would receive get all the help the student was eligible for. I would have to go out to the house at night talk to the parents and help them read understand the forms and show them how to fill out the forms and sign the forms correctly. Another important part of my job was setting up parents work shops about two a month during the school year. working with the local police we would take trouble students so the police could show the what happens if you get in trouble with positive enforcement. Dealing with the police the city government parents to start a safe corridor district where our children could walk to and from school safely. Talking to churches in the community on how they could help the schools to achieve there goals.Went to every fast food place in the neighbor and got them to donate coupons so we could use the as prizes for good behavior went to the super market and the donated the food for all of the work shops plus about ten free turkeys for our thanksgiving food boxes to our more needy families in our school. I set up a peer mediation program so the students could help the school with trouble student. We train them supervise the session and it was a great success. We have an open attrium we with the city park system and we came up with growing plants program so each grade k to 5th classes would take care of plants and write what they learn I went to stores that sold a lot of plants and received over 200 plants after we told them about the program.This was just part of my job but probably the most important parts.

The school district pays significantly less that other districts in the area and compared to private schools. 

Many of the schools themselves are understaffed, underfunded, and in poor condition (many will close in high heat due to lack of proper AC). There is talk of the "good" and "nice" schools, vs the "bad" schools. Which, frankly, if the district was doing it's job properly it should be working towards supporting the "bad" schools it neglects. It's easier to blame a school and it's student body as it's own entity and primarily responsible for the distinction of "good" or "bad", but look at their location and it becomes clear what the root of the issue is. The district can't control where students come from but it certainly seems to use it as a way to determine where support efforts should be focused and it isn't to those who need it the most.

There is an abundance of available positions because there is a shortage. A shortage that happened due to teachers finally being tired of the conditions and leaving during quarantine. A shortage persists because what teachers do stay or, are a new hire, end up overworked and then reach the point they can't take the conditions any more either because the school is *kept* short staffed and the pay is not worth it. 

Communication is poor across the board and policies and processes frequently change without notice. If you get through the arduous hiring process which could take anywhere from 2 weeks to a *month*...you could be fortunate and land a position at a "good" school and be completely fine years to come! But how certain can that really be when you look at the "bad" schools and how they are treated. The best bet is being able to build community with the people in your school, teachers, admin, support staff, and cleaning staff. *Everyone* needs to be able to find a way to work together. And honestly, especially the cleaning staff. I think some people tend to dismiss or overlook them but they are some of the most dedicated people, willing to help, and can you give you insight on climate and the district other people cannot or may not be completely honest about. 

A Typical day at work would be opening the building getting ready for daily operations. Checking behind the staff that worked the night before if they cleaned there rooms properly and double checking bathrooms making sure they are all stocked and were properly cleaned the night before. Look for any problems that need to be taken care of before anyone enters the building such as lights out, missing/damaged ceiling tiles, broken locks, doors or glass. Check for any leaks through out the building. Depending on the weather I would run the Heat accordingly to warm up the building or if it was going to be a warmer day I would run the Air conditioning to keep the building cool. Also helped with the disposal of trash in the lunchroom everyday. Handled all written work orders given to me that I was capable of fixing myself in a timely fashion and if I couldn't handle them then I placed work orders in the system and called my supervisor to give him a heads up. I Supervised a cleaning staff, took logs for vandalism, fire extinguishers, emergency generators, oil readings and handled attendance for pay roll. I also handled miscellaneous task as per request. I learned how to be a supervisor and work with a chain of command. I also learned a lot about different trades so I can do a little of electrical, painting, plumbing and carpentry. Management was pretty good to me I have no complaints. My co-workers weren't so good they had a hard time following the rules and completing the task they were given in a reasonable time as well as taking orders from someone younger then them but eventually they came around. The hardest part of the job would have had to been dealing with the staff and there attitudes about working. The most enjoyable part was just working hands on I enjoy fixing things and working on projects or learning new trades.

The School District of Philadelphia (SDP) hires and promotes people based upon their familial, social friendship, and political affiliation, rather than individual merit. The SDP is not subject to civil service laws and regulations. Because of this "underground" practice, the SDP ends up with incompetent administrators and managers at the middle and top of the organization. Subordinate employees , "front line" employees who do the actual work often are more qualified than their managers or supervisors. 
     SDP employees who have obtained their managerial or supervisory position through a relative, friend, or political contact, rather than their own merit, more often than not, do not have the necessary education, experience, and expertise to competently perform their responsibilities.  When they are assigned to supervise someone who has more education, experience, or expertise than they have, they feel threatened, and consequently engage in a course of conduct designed to force the more qualified employee out.  Tactics used by incompetent management include: giving the targeted employee a negative job evaluation without justification; treating the targeted employee differently from their co-workers; exhibiting open hostility toward, and/or humiliating the targeted employee in front others, and other such acts intended to place stress upon the targeted employee.
      Poor management by incompetent personnel in middle and top positions of the organization results in few or no opportunities for more qualified personnel to advance.  As consequence, the most qualified people leave the SDP after only a few months or years, while incompetent management stays in place.

A typical day begins at 6:30 a.m. when I put my objectives on the board and focus on the daily lesson planning and objectives. By 8:00 a.m., the students arrive for their first period class of 50 minutes. At the high school level, the teacher observes the students as they walk in and reminds them when necessary that no food is to be eaten in class, no electronic devices, no violation of the student dress code, etc.; The students are to do a 5-7 topic related activity called the "Do Now" as soon as they enter the classroom, so that they become immediately engaged in the lesson. The topic is introduced or continued and the lesson goes into full swing after the introductory activity is completed. The students are required to participate in the Spanish lessons using the 4 language skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, & Writing. There are 5 Spanish I and II classes each day. Classes end at 2:49 p.m. Then phone calls to parents are made as needed, and attendance and student academic data are updated and recorded. A duty period is assigned to each teacher, where the responsibility is to assist in the overall functioning of the school day, or for collaboration opportunities to meet and share with teachers in our departments regarding students' needs in the content areas. In addition, teachers are given a 'prep' period to focus on their teaching skills, lesson planning, professional development, etc. The hardest part of my job is seeing the lack of motivation or enthusiasm for learning. But the most enjoyable part of the job is continuing to strive for ways to engage students in learning the target language in meaningful and exciting ways.

A typical day of work consists of me leaving my house around 6:15am and arriving to school at around 7:30am.  I sign in at the front desk, which is typically the only time I have a chance to speak to another adult, and then I walk up to my room. I write the day’s assignment and expectations on the chalk board and then I wait for my students to arrive to class.  The students are a mixture of behavior problems who show no respect for me, themselves, or other people, and students who show respect.  Unfortunately, the students who show no respect are the students receive the most attention.  At the end of the day, I tidy up the desks, collect the day’s student work, and drive home.  I leave school around 3:15pm and arrive home at about 4:30pm.
I’m used to the solitary of being a teacher and I appreciate the time I do have when I am able to speak to another adult.  The principal does a good job with what limited resources she has.  She is a hands-on principal.  I’m not too familiar with my co-workers because I rarely have an opportunity to interact with them.  I also changed schools this year and I am still becoming accumulated with the other  teachers.
The hardest part of the job is reading all the student work (I have 150 students) maintaining student records and data, communicating with parents who aren’t always interested in their children’s performance in school, and dealing with the disrespect of students.  It is also difficult not having anyone to talk to about my problems.
The most enjoyable part of my job is when someone shows appreciation for what I do; however, this doesn’t happen very often, and more of often than not, I am criticized or demeaned for my efforts.

A hard, but good place to work if you have a good school and a good principal.

Work day typically 8:20-3:10.  All major holidays off and summer vacation.

Provide basic first aid, health education as needed, mandated screening of weight, height, vision, and hearing.  Provide support to teachers, counselor, and administration.  Administer medications as needed.  Diabetes management.  Asthma  management.  Assembly programs and in classroom health presentations.  Oversight of mandated vaccinations and physicals. Documentation,  Medical Assistance Management.  IEP and 504 student support.  Participation in school committees. Provide emotional support to students as needed.  Provide health resources to families as needed.  Work with DHS/Children and Youth.

Management by the district is quite terrible.  They do no support their employees.  They change curriculum regularly wasting money on new books and materials.  Thousands were waisted on consulting firms.  The Union tries to be supported, but does not have  much power.  Nurse Manager positions have been cut back yearly.  They went from having 6 Nurse managers to 3 who are over worked and not nearly as supportive as they could be.

Co-workers for the most part are wonderful.  They truly care about the children's education and well being.  They are overworked and under paid.  Also not supported my upper management.  If they are lucky they have a good principal who will support them.

Hardest part of the job is working with Rookie principals who do not know what the school nurse position requires and is mandated to do.

Most enjoyable part is working with the children.

Mornings would begin with greeting all the children while they entered the building.  Morning announcements were read and each day was different as personailities of the children and their parents are different.  

The most important thing that I Iearned during my time with the school district is that it takes everyone involved within a school to enable that school to thrive. Every staff member is an equal component of that school as each job is crucial for the successful implementation of the mission of each school, which is to educate children in a holistic manner whereby importance is placed on the academic, emotional, and social components of the child as well as their families.

There are various management styles that I have encounted during my time with the district.  Collaborative leadership is the most effective style as a collaborative leader has the capabilitity to cause the staff to share in his/her visions for the school.  It has been my experience that when staff members have the chance to collaborate together, they will take a vested intersted in the mission of the organization.  A true leader is actually a servant in a business suit who is willing to do whatever it takes to enable a school to thrive

The hardest part while working with the school district was not being able to provide all of the resources that a family might need to help make their life easier.  

The most enjoyable part of  my experience with the district was having the opportunity to be in a school everyday and developing relationships with the children and their families, and hopefully impacting their lives in a positive way.

I've worked at the School District of Philadelphia central office for over three years, and will soon be resigning.  The pros, and the reasons I've stayed so long - a lot of great coworkers, a field I believe deeply in, good benefits, a good amount of vacation days and paid holidays.  However, that said, 440 is a soul sucking place.  They put in place policies that are meant to infantilize and demean.  Hoping for flexibility when a medical issue comes up?  Look elsewhere.  They will give up to the policy, but no more.  Flexible work arrangements are not an option - so much so that even if we are giving an all day training online, they will still make us come in to the office for all or part of the day.  Literally, recently we had an eight hour training on zoom, and for some reason they made us come to the office for the first half of the day, yet go home over lunch and give the rest of the training from home.  Why?  Don't bother asking why's, you will be forever asking why.  Rationale doesn't exist.  To add insult to injury - after all the years of being forced to clock in and out, begging to be able to go home an early to get an inhaler when I was having trouble breathing due to a bronchitis complication (and being told no, without taking sick time), having hours at a cubicle matter more than actual work product, and needing to adjust to every new waste of money system the district has us use - Upper management, at least my upper management, gladly and blithely took credit for work and research I spent three years on.  It's a horrible culture, especially upper management.  If you care about education, if you care about the kids, it is not the place for you.  Sadly, they've lost their way.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Teacher 251 salaries reported	$76,270 per year
Special education teacher 306 salaries reported	$77,516 per year
Elementary school teacher 180 salaries reported	$76,684 per year
English teacher 36 salaries reported	$76,059 per year
Mathematics teacher 57 salaries reported	$75,847 per year

Working at School District of Philadelphia: Company Overview and Reviews

School District of Philadelphia

School District of Philadelphia Ratings

Popular jobs at School District of Philadelphia

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected