And for anyone thinking of getting into teaching, theses are the MOST important people to know when starting out, in ascending order.
3. The Institution - The teacher who has been there the longest. Usually the oldest teacher, most likely a coach of some sort. Get in good with them and they can protect you from the bullying/pressure from other teachers. They also may have insight on students and their home life due to just being there so long.
2. The Secretarial/Administration Staff - They pretty much run the place. The whole school would fall apart without them. They can warn you about any upcoming changes, incoming staff, gauge the temperature of the principal or any higher ups before a meeting.
1. The Custodial Staff/Maintenance Workers - By far the most important people in the school for a teacher. Way way way underappreciated. You treat them well and they will bend over backwards to help you out. I always got our staff Christmas cookies and or coffee for their little break area. And if I ever needed the room cleaned? Extra tissues, extra trash runs, waxed floors, light bulbs, air freshers, watered plants, or anything else? That was taken care of so fucking quickly. I used to have one of the cleanest and most efficient rooms in my school for the sheer fact that I remember and treated them like the rest of my co-workers.
This is a great list. And to add some things:
1) If you're training to be a teacher, you may be taking courses with other current teachers at the same time. Network and get to know about the schools in your area. If you find people that have a similar mindset on education, they may even be able to help you get a job.
2) Don't jump at the money. Inner-city schools usually pay the best but unfortunately lack the stability and support structure of other types of schools. You'd be better off teaching outside the city first and moving in when you're more experienced if you really wanted to do that.
Now the shit part of the second case is that lian forgiveness for federal loans almost certainly forces new teachers to take roles in those inner city jobs where they will most likely burn out after 5 years or even before they get their loan forgiveness.