Public schools losing funding and I’m graduating soon with my undergrad in education. What to do
So, here in my local school district and some surrounding districts are about to face, or are facing, some very extreme defunding with the recent changes to property tax laws in Ohio. Not an insignificant amount either, one school district budget is going from 22.9M down to 3M, gradually over the next 3 years- which is lucky because the next closest district is going from 24M to 10M at the end of this school year, which is resulting in several public school closures and a 10% reduction in staff for the district. This still will not get them out of the red next year btw…
I hate that people in Ohio don’t value public education anymore. I’m a millennial, so I’ve witnessed these changes firsthand, all throughout the 2000s, and now have kids in Ohio’s public schools. I’ve witnessed the decline in behavior, reading level, “state assessments”, it’s just been a total disaster the last 20+ years at least. I’m not worried for my kids specifically, because we probably teach them more at home than they learn at school (they both get straight As and read above grade level), but not every family is as lucky as we are, or as knowledgeable about how to nurture kids’ passion and curiosity, and I believe that (parents general lack of interest or investment in their children’s education outside of school) is a real contributing factor- but not the only one.
I am worried about becoming a teacher in Ohio. I’ve always wanted to give back to my community as a teacher, help kids, have a classroom, the whole 9. And I’ve always wanted to teach in public schools, because that’s where the most help is needed. But since Ohioans have put these terrible people into office here, and at the federal level, I’m afraid that what I’m seeing is the slow burn of the public education system catching a nice wind and spreading like wildfire. So naturally, I have lots of questions.
Should I still seek a job in public schools?
Are charter schools as bad as teachers on Reddit make it seem?
Are there many secular teachers at private (religious) schools?
Are private non-religious schools a legitimate option to work at in Ohio?
Should I consider moving to a different state to work as a teacher? A different country? (Canada is the only real option for us, if so)
I wish I just had a mentor or someone I could lean on for legitimate advice, considering all factors. I want to do right by my family, and I know I’ll be able to help whoever it is I teach- I just worry about steady employment and a decent work environment. Any help or advice or opinions welcome, except really negative ones like “don’t be a teacher”, that’s dumb and not helpful.
Thanks all