Chicago Public Schools Employee Reviews about "principals"

Pros

Solid employment. Wonderful community of professionals and development. Excellent benefits. Security once tenured. Holiday vacations. Decent work-life balance once you get the hang of it.

Cons

Mayor appointed board of education. Principals are typically insane people who cannot be trusted. Constant turnover of staff and leadership. Underfunded and underresourced. It can be a struggle to survive the first 2-5 years.

Advice to Management

Fight back against standardized testing. It has poisoned the well. Do the best you can to support and retain talented teachers.

Pros

Kids really need the arts.

Cons

Not all principals respect or understand the value of the arts.

Advice to Management

Principals would be well advised to listen to their teachers and respect their expertise.

Pros

Can possibly work every day

Cons

Many Principals and Clerks are disrespectful. Constantly changing assignments, even if the Teacher specifically requested you!

Advice to Management

The Sub takes the time to go on AESOP to accept an assignment. However, the School's Administrative Staff, Principals down to Clerks constantly changes a Sub assignment. I'm told that they have the right to do this, however, the Union says that their violating our contractual rights. Of course the Union can't and doesn't support Substitute Teachers! Finally, the CPS Substitute Teacher hasn't had a raise in over... 20 years!

Pros

Many jobs to choose from and many schools need a full time K-9 teacher.

Cons

Too much chaos in the school and union. Lots of negativity from principals, and other staff.

Advice to Management

Schools are run like little principalities. Communicate with the employees more and be confident, encouraging and respectful to the teachers.

Pros

Chicago Teachers Union will protect you from administration that treats you poorly

Cons

There are crazy principals out there who treat you with no respect and make your life as a teacher miserable.

Pros

salary and benefits; annual raises

Cons

Unreasonable and hostile principals who bully their employees. They are dishonest on evaluations. They pick favorites. Dirty politics. Very toxic hostile work environment. People with health problems usually end up getting sicker and healthy teachers usually end up having health problems due to severe stress. Teachers often found in their rooms or bathrooms crying. Teachers often taking medical leaves because of the... stress. Lack of support from Principals. If i could give this place zero stars, i would. The mayor is always closing down the schools and laying off teachers...lack of job stability. Zero work/Life balance. Principals will text you at 6pm while you are eating dinner and demand that you have something done by 7pm. If you don't see your phone and don't respond, you will be reprimanded when you get to work the next day.

Advice to Management

Stop bullying your employees! Make them feel valued and they will be able to perform at their highest potential. Teachers need support!

Pros

Great opportunity to be involved with children and help in developing their mindsets. Student growth and successes are there and possible to achieve.

Cons

The Board is top heavy and unfairly distributes funding. Most principals, who feel like puppets, are under extreme pressure which always trickles down through the ranks, and unfortunately impacts the children. So... it sucks.

Advice to Management

Principals join your teachers and stand your ground. CPS, Central Office, Area Officers, and all who are connected... you better recognize! You're in this for the kids. ACT like it... But most of you cringe at the very thought of actually working with our kids. Go figure.

Pros

You get paid more than private or charter, but honestly, it's not even worth it. If you work on the north side, you'll probably be fine, but the south side is not only dangerous, it lacks support and funding.

Cons

- Horrible principals who gossip behind your back and cause drama - Teachers who think they're still in high school and also like to cause drama - Union that is unresponsive/doesn't file your grievances in a timely manner - ABSOLUTELY NO WORK/LIFE BALANCE. I was working 12+ hour days, only to come home and work for another 3+ hours and I STILL wasn't doing things good enough. - Oh also, they can move you... whenever they want. Within 6 months, I moved from 2nd to 2nd/3rd split (no experience with either) to 1st grade with no advance notice. - You don't even teach. You weed through the bureaucracy and hope to keep your head above water.

Advice to Management

Get it together. Seriously. This district is a joke. CPS Is causing good teachers to turn their backs on teaching. Kids are slipping through the cracks.