This has been my second year of being the only 9-12 math teacher in our small school. There's a lot I could complain about but I really enjoy it. I just read how Tina's school has 14 math teachers! Wow! I can't even imagine.
So if you've never been in my position here are some highlights. =)
- You can do whatever you want! It may be a terrible idea but no one will disagree with you.
- No vertical alignment necessary! You already know everything students know. Because you taught them the year before.
- You only have to learn names of freshmen! Although you mostly already know them because your school is tiny and you've probably taught their relatives already.
- You don't have to do icebreakers! The students have known each other since they were 5 so no need for introductions.
- Students only need to learn your rules and procedures once! No need to readjust to different teachers expectations. It's just you.
- You'll have your favorite students for at least 3 years!
- When you're asked to make up a fourth year course, you can teach all the stuff you didn't get to in the previous three years!
- You can change everything every year {if you want} and no one will get mad at you. Except yourself. For all the extra work you just created.
- No department meetings!
- You're always the department chair!
- Your two nice things legacy lives on forevvvvvveeeerrrrrrr!
It really has its advantages. I teach at a school of 450 people, and there are three math teachers (counting myself). Although its not one, I have about half of my students at least twice, which is great in building relationships. It would be hard for me to imagine working with so many teachers.
ReplyDeleteI think there are way more freedoms, opportunities, and autonomy in a smaller school. Just less money. =)
DeleteWoah! We have 25 math teachers!
ReplyDeleteThat's more than all of our high school teachers combined!
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