Teaching in public schools vs. teaching in a federal prison.

[Riesstiu IV]

Career advice plz.

Public School Teacher:
+ Not quite as depressing as working in a prison.
+ I like living here.

- Pay is okay.
- Dealing with parents = eye-gougingly frustrating.
- Large class sizes and workloads that seem to get worse over time.
- Little job security.

Federal Prison Teacher:
+ I get a pistol and three weeks of small arms training.
+ Excellent pay and benefits compared to public schools.
+ Don't have to deal with parents.
+ Small class sizes with 10 - 12 inmates per class.

- It would be depressing as hell.
- Danger factor: greater chance of getting shanked, prison riots, etc.
- Good chance that I would end up having to move to some godforsaken part of the country like Philly.
- Probably not very fulfilling. I would mostly teach basic literacy.

[DaShi]

Public school teacher, hands down. You'll get to live that high-rolling, Cadillac lifestyle I hear so much about.

[Riesstiu IV]

Texas is a right-to-work state. No actual teachers' unions here.

Although if I move, I might have to sell my Cadillac Escalade with gold-plated rims.

[SlowwHand]

Federal prison. You have a captive audience.

[loinburger]

Would the prisoners in the school program be there voluntarily? If so then I'd say that's a major plus on the side of teaching in the prison - most of the public school students won't want to be there, but the prison students will be more motivated. I've done tutoring at halfway houses and once you get past he whole "I'm tutoring a convicted felon thing" it's really quite rewarding.

[KrazyHorse]

- Danger factor: greater chance of getting shanked, prison riots, etc.

I like the cautious statement; "greater chance" implies that there is a non-zero chance of those things happening in public schools

[Dinner]

Go for the money. The gun is a great bonus.

On a more practical level I'm almost positive that the prison guard union will take better care of you than the teacher's union will so that means better health, dental, and a larger pension likely with better over time pay as well. You likely will have to work a few years in the least desirable location in the state but once you get a bit of seniority you will likely have the option to move some place better so do 2-3 years in a ****ty place like Philly than move some place you like better.

[Riesstiu IV]

Would the prisoners in the school program be there voluntarily? If so then I'd say that's a major plus on the side of teaching in the prison - most of the public school students won't want to be there, but the prison students will be more motivated. I've done tutoring at halfway houses and once you get past he whole "I'm tutoring a convicted felon thing" it's really quite rewarding.

It is voluntary and to get into prison education programs, an inmate has to have a history of good behavior. So yes, there is motivation for these inmates to act respectable and do well because if they don't, they can easily be removed.

I like the cautious statement; "greater chance" implies that there is a non-zero chance of those things happening in public schools

Texas

[C0ckney]

given your last post i would definitely lean towards the prison job.

i think it could be pretty fulfilling, giving prisoners an education is an important job. it allows them a much better chance to enter the job market and therefore makes it less likely they'll return to crime.

also, teaching adults is less stressful than teaching kids.

[Kuciwalker]

- Probably not very fulfilling. I would mostly teach basic literacy.

I suspect you would actually be doing much more good in a prison than in a public school.

[Hauldren Collider]

also, teaching adults is less stressful than teaching kids.

That would depend on the adults. And the kids.

[Riesstiu IV]

given your last post i would definitely lean towards the prison job.

i think it could be pretty fulfilling, giving prisoners an education is an important job. it allows them a much better chance to enter the job market and therefore makes it less likely they'll return to crime.

also, teaching adults is less stressful than teaching kids.

I'm also feeling that this is rare opportunity since the job qualifications greatly favor those who are young and mobile. If, for some reason, I wanted to quit, it wouldn't be that difficult to return to public schools.

I'm going to take the plunge. It's just too good to pass up. Three weeks of training should start in June.

[Aeson]

You could probably have a great side business smuggling in cigarettes and other contraband...

(either way)

[C0ckney]

I'm also feeling that this is rare opportunity since the job qualifications greatly favor those who are young and mobile. If, for some reason, I wanted to quit, it wouldn't be that difficult to return to public schools.

I'm going to take the plunge. It's just too good to pass up. Three weeks of training should start in June.

cool man, good luck.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

My Grandfather taught in prisons for most of his working life, and was never the victim of any form of violence.