advantages

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advantages
By Karla

I can't answer questions pertaining to certification, but I can tell you some of the benefits I experienced at my school last year.

In most cases, I think you will find that there is better discipline. Often, there is
a school-wide discpline program in place, since the school is small. That is another benefit - a small staff. I felt very comfortable from my first day meeting the other staff. We even went on a Christmas shopping spree as an entire staff out of town, had dinner, the whole bit. It was wonderful. Also, the principal invited the entire staff to her home (the convent) for a staff Christmas

party/gift exchange. We had Secret Santas where everyone drew names and snuck small gifts to each other the whole last week of school before Christmas break and ended at the party with a large gift and uncovering of Secret Santas.

Sometimes, but not always, the class size is smaller. I say not always, because I had 31 5th graders last year. This year I will have just 22. I am the only 5th grade teacher at the present time, but they will have to hire an additional one the year after this because there are over 40 4th graders for the upcoming year.

Private schools don't have to take just anyone. Public schools pretty much have to accept everyone. Sometimes that can be a benefit, I guess.

I didn't make as much as I would have at the public school, but the benefits and parent support were incredible. I didn't pay anything out of pocket for my own insurance, but since I opted for the family benefit package, that did involve a withholding from my pay. But, still better benefits than I ever had. I don't know how it compares to the benefits at the public schools in my area, though. I was just happy to have insurance - medical, dental, vision.

You might all be interested to know that I work at a Catholic school which does not charge tuition for parish members. That is pretty much 95 percent of the studentbody. (Grades 1-8) I don't know how they do it. It has been that way for years. Tuition for non-parish members is $2000.00 per year, I believe.

Anyway, I love my job. Hey, I liked the comment someone made of not being the bread and butter winner, but bringing the jam and jelly. Cute!