Should I teach in North East DC?

I was offered a job to teach English in North East Washington DC.

Does anyone have any experiences in this educational environment? Do you have any advice or warnings for me?

My mother-in-law worked some years ago in a junior high in NE DC. Be aware that this would be one of the most challenging environments you would find anywhere. There is a high level of poverty, crime and drugs. The family structure for many of the kids is extremely weak. Those families who are more supportive of their kid's education have, to some extent, pulled their kids from the public schools and placed them in charter schools (although some of the charter schools aren't much better than the public schools). Some of the teachers are wonderful and truly devoted to the kids, while others are just going through the motions. Maintenance of the public schools is notoriously bad, although there is an effort underway to improve that with an infusion of new funding. The DC teachers union was rocked by a major embezzlement scandal a year or two ago, with the union president put in jail.

In short, a very difficult environment. Some areas of DC, in particular some of the schools in upper Northwest, are comparable to what you would find in the better suburbs. Northeast DC is another matter.

The kids definitely need the best education they can get, but you, as a teacher, would have to be prepared for a very hard job ahead of you. If you think you can handle it, go for it!

The pay is good for a teacher but it will be a challenge.

Most of the students will be from a single parent household and there is not much parent supervision in most of the homes. Therefore, most homework will not be done and there is not a parental push for education.

It could be a rewarding experience for you or it could turn you off of teaching forever.