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.
Philadelphia, the birthplace of American democracy, is Exhibit "A" in the case that it no longer works.— mrnmkr
If you want to teach, for real, instead of just discipline, my calculations predict that there is a high probability that unless the school leaders support you and every teacher as much as they project their own confidence to lead, it'll all be up to you.— Pluski- Poogie you raise a good point.
I have from year to year heard teachers strike over money. But if teachers care so much about students then why don't they ever strike over grade promotion requirements. I believe that we have to stop looking to teachers or superintendents or Oprah to save the children from a system that encourages bastardization.— 2sides2story - I wish the young man luck, but I'd suggest he get out of the teaching profession. I live in Virginia and the same budget issues exist here as in Philly. Bottom line is that the teaching profession is under attack and will continue to be as long as it's supported by taxpayer dollars.
Of course on the other hand, the school districts are learning to cope. By tying potential school closings to the resultant drop in property values due to neighborhoods becoming associated with poorer quality schools, they may win this after all.— cboath - So sorry to say, but it's true. I've taught in Philly for 9 years and I've given up hope. There are too many problems and not enough support.— Samthom
- I would say to Mr.Tazhe.You took the scholarship and you made a commitment.Now three years later when the majority of your education has been paid for you are looking for excuses to get out of your responsibility's.Yet you want to complain that you feel cheated.Sir you have no integrity no honor and you would be no big loss to any school Dist.— phantom
- phantom, try reading to the end of the article where it says, "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." Jeez, read the entire article before you start throwing stones.
— MacMaven - The best advice I can give a brand-new teacher (as a 2nd year teacher in the SDP) is that the only thing you ever truly have control over is your own classroom. Shut the door and do what you know is right and best for the kids. If you ever find yourself working in a place that makes this impossible, get out and don't look back. There will be schools that are great to work in and schools that are impossible to work in in every district in the country. Eventually, you will make it into a school that supports you, follows through on discipline, and has a true community. Then you stay there as long as you can.
— juliec224 - It's a scary time to be a teacher in Philadelphia and the rough economy is not making teaching a great job option for now. However, in a few years, huge numbers of teachers will be retiring and there are nowhere near enough teachers-in-training to replace them. Given the hostile environment (on many levels) that teachers, largely modestly-paid professionals, endure, you can bet that we will have a dire shortages. This will be particularly true in districts like Philly where the job conditions can be quite poor.
I don't know what the answer is for young people like Mr. Cooper. I get a high degree of satisfaction from my job because I can do it well. But then my classroom size is capped at 8 by the state and I get a classroom assistant too. It's amazing what lawsuits have done to make special education a more appealing teaching job *by far* than teaching general education students. It's an almost thankless task to teach general ed in Philly. Many of the students exhibit the poor behaviors of disabled peers but there is almost no additional support for these students, largely due to budget cuts. Teachers are in it alone and the central admin looks at these teachers like,"why can't you work miracles?" My answer to that: We're not miracle workers, we're teachers. We can't teach and be mommy and daddy and nurse (my personal fave this year) and counselor and social worker.— nikki1231 - Phantom, back off. The young man will live up to his responsibility, and perhaps sometime during those three years he will be inspired to stay and be a wonderful influence on his students.— Brian E. Breslin
No one condemns the inner city school. People condemn the behavior and disdainment that many of these kids have towards education and many of the parents who do not give a damn as well.
Why would anyone want to spend this sort of time and effort trying to teach kids with these sorts of obstacles? If you don't value your own life and are not making the efforts towards enhancing it why should anyone else?- SO MUCH WISDOM WITH SO FEW WORDS. EXCELLENT! — Christo1CG
- So much for whistling past the graveyard.Both of the city school systems {public and parochial}have been in a downward spiral since the 60s including loss of population {about 500,000}.Perhaps if Tazhe was more honest about things he would admit that the violence factor had quite a bit to do with his decission and that goes for all of the top 300/500 school districts in the country including Chicago.In order to deal with things school districts are now putting preferance on teachers being ex military and persons size does matter.The only thing about Philly thats improved is its skyline and thats not saying much.— tastycake
- Tazhe, Philadelphia SD is awful. That being said, so are most school districts. Things will get worse everywhere before they get better. Best of luck with your employment decision.
— view from the cheap seats 
Chicago is not a good choice as an alternate to Philadelphia schools. Remember, this is the place where Arne Duncan, Paul Vallas, and the idea of Race to the top came from. Along with NYC and LA, Chicago is a place where they want to blame teachers and their unions for the failures of urban economics, America's urban school districts have become financial nightmares after decades of political cronyism which have absolutely destroyed these districts and undermined the youth they are supposed to serve. By comparison, Philly would be far better than Chicago, for a new teacher, but that still is not saying much.
In all honesty, Tazhe Cooper should consider a suburban district which has seen a change in its demographic composition, to a more multicultural composite. His experience as a student from an urban school system, along with his West Chester education, will provide him with the skills he needs to be successful, if he wants to become a public school teacher. The larger the school system, the more corrupt it may be. Therefore, stay away from the large urban school districts.— slugo
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.
