Chicago Public Schools Employee Reviews about "principals"

Pros

Great salary, working with learners

Cons

Insecure principals, inequity and inequality in the school system.

Pros

I have worked at more than one CPS school. So I will say that depending on where you are assigned, the experience will be very different. It is demanding, but it depends on you to make the best of it. The pay is better than many districts nearby as are the benefits it offers. Summers off is also a great perk.

Cons

Very political. Layer and layers of paperwork, protocol that many times doesn't make sense and initiatives that don't last for more than 5 years. Principals have too much power. Many times, it feels like a thankless job even when you are giving so much, even your emotional well being.

Pros

Working with young people. Teaching a subject I’m passionate about with relative autonomy. Membership in Chicago Teachers Union. Good salary and benefits. Community with other passionate educators. These simple pros far outweigh the many nuanced cons for me.

Cons

There can be large class sizes. Many school buildings are old and need repairs. District and network leadership is awful, they don’t seem to care about students’ learning conditions or teachers’ working conditions. Some schools have demanding, vindictive principals and there’s no recourse; thus assessments of teacher performance can be stressful and tenure may be difficult to get. You will always work “after hours” if you are doing this job correctly.

Pros

Pay is good. Hours are reasonable. Travel

Cons

Multiple responsibilities for one job. Principals can be controlling

Pros

Sometimes it is very satisfying to teach children and the benefits are very good.

Cons

Schools are chronically underfunded and if you want to do a good job you will find that you are working mornings, evenings and weekends and you will spend your own money for the things you need. Most principals don't see you as someone that they should treat very politely once the interview is over. You are constantly put in situations where you simply can't do a good job.

Pros

Steady work and good benefits. But this was before the pandemic.

Cons

The rules of engagement are constantly changing. Principals have too much power and can make or break a school. I can’t even imagine what it is like to teach remotely, these days.

Pros

Unionized, large system, becoming more progressive

Cons

Unqualified and/or vindictive principals, limited autonomy for teachers

Pros

Good pay/benefits, but only because they're fought for by the union.

Cons

Constant pressure to do more for less pay. Principals are given a lot of power and grievances often go dismissed,

Pros

Some good initiatives and departments, for example the Department of SSCE (Social Science and Civic Engagement) provides excellent support for teachers, and focused on doing the right sorts of student center learning practices, if you end up in a good school environment with the right people and supports, it can be wonderful

Cons

Many schools horribly run with abusive Principals; district priorities focus heavily on test scores, obsessive about showing data-driven growth to the detriment of actually educating young people; big inefficient bureaucracy

Pros

Support from veteran teachers and opportunities for advancement.

Cons

Lack of supportive principals and inconsistent visioning.