Would-be teacher asks: should I give up on Philly?
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia School District by the Philadelphia Inquirer's Kristen Graham.
Would-be teacher asks: should I give up on Philly?
Kristen Graham
I met Tazhe Cooper in 2009, when he was the Philadelphia School District’s Senior of the Year, about to graduate from Furness High. He was awarded one of the district’s “Grow Your Own” scholarships, given to graduating seniors who plan to pursue education careers, who pledged to make a three-year commitment to Philadelphia schools once they qualified as teachers. He had been interested in a career in education since he was a young; it seemed like a great fit.
Tazhe e-mailed me recently to say that he’s been watching the district closely, and he’s changed his mind about wanting to work there. “It saddens my heart that I don’t want to teach in Philadelphia,” he said. He elaborated in a phone conversation. He’s been really rattled by the district’s money problems – it has already cut more than $600 million from its 2011-12 budget, and still must slash $26 million by June. On top of that, it’s facing a $186 million shortfall for next school year. Hundreds of teachers were laid off last year, though many were ultimately called back.
“I often hear student teachers saying, ‘Philly is a mess. We don’t want to go there. We don’t want our jobs on the line every year,” said Tazhe. “I don’t want to give up on the district, but I’m thinking about another city. Maybe Chicago.” I reminded Tazhe that urban public schools around the country are in tough spots. Still, he said, he’s lost faith in his hometown system. “Everything’s falling apart – bigger class sizes? Cutting nurses? When I left, it was in OK shape, but then, everything fell apart with the money, and now they’re closing schools. It’s really scary,” he said.
When Tazhe graduated – 2009 – the district was flush with cash. It had been the recipient of federal stimulus money, plus Gov. Rendell was still in office, and that meant a historic high mark for state aid for Philadelphia. But the current School Reform Commission leader, Pedro Ramos, indicated this week that though the district was spending lots in those years, it should have been more prudent. “Bad fiscal management” is what Ramos told city Council. And as for school closings, while those are happening now – the SRC voted to close eight schools last week – it’s clear that’s something that should have happened a long time ago. The district has delayed closing schools for years, and now must play catchup.
Still, Tazhe feels disillusioned, cheated. And he’s someone you want coming back to the district. In his education classes at West Chester, “I’m the only black guy. I’m the only one from the inner city. I bring something to the table, with my inner city experience,” he said. Tazhe knows he made a commitment, and says he will honor the terms of his scholarship, but then he plans to leave – for another district, or maybe even for another career.
I keep thinking back to that conversation with Tazhe.
Even with all the problems in Philadelphia public schools, there are still amazing things going on every day – adults who make a difference, students who make a difference, who will make the world a better place. I know there are plenty of people who think Tazhe’s thinking is right – that the district is to be avoided. But I know there are also plenty who think he’s wrong. So I’d love to collect comments – please be polite, regardless of your views! – to send to Tazhe. What advice would you give him – give up on the district, or not? E-mail (kgraham@phillynews.com) or comment, and I'll share them with Tazhe and follow up here on the blog.
This is a realistic viewpoint. Things will not turnaround for at least 7 more years- after it is realized that blaming teachers was not a good strategy for reforming education!— slugo
Tazhe, The SDP is struggling, but that does not mean that you need to give up on Philadelphia education. As an educator of 20 years, I think that the charter movement is something that we can finally believe in. I am not saying that all charters are something to be proud of, and that all charters are doing it right, but if you do your research and find the right one, there is nothing better!
There are a great many detractors regarding charters, and some for very valid reasons, but more and more, in recent times, there are many, many things to be proud of. If you find the right fit, you will find the inspiration that you once had again.
— how_about_the_kids?- Charters are a life boat (and a source of more profits for the privatizers) from public schools which have been systematically starved of funds. This is a deliberately created crisis engineered by those who think education can be run on free market nostrums.
I do not know what I would do if I were new to teaching instead of ending a 37 year career in Philadelphia public schools. At the very least you need a very thick skin and to be prepared to know that no matter how much effort and devotion you give to your students, not only will the general public not thank you, they will distain you for being a teacher.
The thing that kept me going, especially in the past few years of teacher bashing, is my students, the majority of whom knew I was a concerned and caring teacher and they responded in kind.— tom-104 - This "star student" has come to the realization that the 'burbs pay more and more importantly, have students who come from intact families who participate in their children's education. Philadelphia's schools have problems that go far beyond finances. It begins and ends with the student population from single mothers, illiterate immigrants and fragmented families. Start changing the community ethics and you'll see vast improvement in the schools.— POF
- Who can blame anyone for not wanting to be a teacher in Philadelphia? Between the VIOLENCE as well as the institutional RACISM by the blAck "leadership" against anyone non-black, as well as the gross MISMANAGEMENT. Its another reason (and a BIG one) why so many people left that decrepit city.— PhillyRed
- Good luck finding a job in the 'burbs. They want experienced teachers first of all.
A chart in today's INKY shows the changes in school populations over the last several years. The only type of school with rising enrollment is the charter school. That is because it is draining students from both public and parochial schools, leaving them forced to close many on both sides of the aisle.
And charters are not allowed to have their budgets cut. They are supported in every way.
Of course part of the problem is the vast fiscal mismanagement under Ackerman's tenure. Another aspect is the continued push to privatize the schools and hand them over to for profit companies with incestuous relationships with politicians like Tony Williams and Dwight Evans.
No, it is not a happy time to be a teacher.— Magistra - It would be a very bad idea to go to a charter, as they are not unionized. That means they can (and do) fire teachers without cause. There is no job security at a charter.
Other than that, I don't know. If you are going to teach in a city, there is no point in moving to a bad one, especially Chicago--for reasons already mentioned. Do some research about other cities; you may find one where teachers are not perceived as the root of all problems. You are young, you can go anywhere. You can always come back.
I wish you the best.— brinsley - THE CITY IS BROKEN, AND WILL NOT/CANNOT BE FIXED. JUNKIE PARENTS AND BROKEN HOMES BREED LIKE RABBITS, THEN SEND THEIR CRITTERS TO SCHOOL/DAYCARE... THERE IS NOT EDUCATION, SCHOOL BECOMES A DAYCARE WITH MORE MONEY SPENT ON SECURITY THEN TEXTBOOKS, PHILLY SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE BETTER OFF WOKING AS PRISON GAURDS, BETTER PAY, SAME ENVIRONMENT.— RALPH_LAUREN
- You obviously have never been in the city or its schools. You know nothing about us but what you read in headlines. You speak from a deep well of ignorance. — tom-104
- To bad tom, THE TRUTH HURTS! — Christo1CG
- I base my view on 37 years as a teacher in Philadelphia, what do you base your "truth" on? — tom-104
- Sorry to hear this, but it is important to be in a good organization. Unfortunately Philly schools are corrupt and poorly run. Most of the Rendell and Obama payoffs were badly used, and now we're left riunning on empty with a distinct lack of interest by state, parents, city, teachers and students.— Rahjr
- philly has a declining tax base, so funding will always be a challenge without state and fed . .Problem is what do we train these kids for? Union jobs? Factory jobs? We need to change the way we think. This idiotic union mindset of last hired first fired has to go. No innovation, most of these teachers from the 70's and clinging to dear life for that pension. Go to a charter school— stevejones
- hey Tahze follow your heart! unfortunately we the people has allowed elected officials to run every entity of our lives .. to a point of sacrificin the betterment of public education to money grabbing backdoor deals. Every decision made for the school district since constance clayton left has been to fill the pockets of the corrupted.
Good luck Tahze! remember 10-20 years ago a dream job was becoming a teacher! you can really live the american dream off of a teachers salary! but today that is not the case.. Our politicans has changed the game and the people must change it back!..— noncents - Never go to Chicago, it is worse than Philly.— LJM
During the school year, you’ll frequently find her hosting live chats about the district on Philly.com. Please do pass along the scoop about what’s going on at your Philadelphia public school; Kristen welcomes tips, story ideas and witty banter at kgraham@phillynews.com or 215-854-5146.
You can also follow Kristen on Twitter here.
