How far is too far for a work commute? (Teachers please answer)

[Cindy B]

Currently I work at a school district which is only 7 miles from my home. The working conditions are poor to say the least. The pay is higher than average. The students have discipline problems and it is a pretty dangerous area. The administration is challenging. I have a contract for September. We are working without a contract and have had the same pay for approx. 5 years. This is my first year in the district and I am untenured.

I interviewed today at a lovely rural district which is 31 miles one way from my house-- all highway. It is very rural as compared to my very urban. The pay would be less, but a quick scan of pay scales for rural district show raises every year.

I would be doing the same job. Urban school is for 8th grade, rural school 5/6th grade.

I have a 2010 4 cyl Toyota so I'm not driving a huge car.

31 miles seems pretty far, especially in this state. Would you take a pay cut and drive further for much better working conditions?

 

[Cinderella94]

I just graduated from high school so I'm not a teacher but my mom is and has been one for 20 years now; she would do it.

ETA: I just read this thread to my mom, after seeing the post below about the $2,000 pay cut. She said "I'd keep looking."

 

[emer95]

I would drive 31 miles for better working conditions. That's not a far commute at all, considering. I work in a fabulous suburban district (also 7 miles from my home) and many teachers live 45 minutes away. So worth it.

How much of a pay cut though? That would be more of a concern to me than the drive.

Good luck to you. I hope you are offered the position!

 

[hambirg]

I'm a teacher and have known teachers that commute that far. I'm not sure I would, but it kind of depends on your situation. Is the commute pretty easy or will there be traffic? Seattle to Tacoma can be 2+ hrs on a Friday evening. . .not something I would want to do. And do you have kids? Would the commute cut into your family time? That's another thing I wouldn't like. On the plus side. . .I would WAAAAY rather teach 5th/6th than 8th.

ETA-don't underestimate the working conditions either. . .it can really make or break your teaching experience sometimes.

 

[Cindy B]

No it's not a bad drive all highway.. through my current county to the edge of the next county over.
I would basically be taking interstate the whole way.

Urban school hours: 8:25 to (contracted) 3:30. Since it is such a dangerous area, I usually do leave at 3:30 and do all my work at home. Current commute time 15-20 minutes.

Rural School hours: 7:25 to 2:20 - 31 miles one way. One way drive time today 45 minutes getting there and approx. 40 coming back. One interstate speed limit is 65 while the other is 55. I'd have to leave my house around 6:25 and I'd get home earlier than now.

Rural school is about 5-7 miles from where I went to college. I am used to the drive it is only about 10 minutes more.

The pay difference is about $2,000. Right now I fill my car up every two weeks.

 

[tlbwriter]

Well, it's only 24 extra miles. That doesn't seem like much to get "much better working conditions."

 

[sam_gordon]

Well, it's only 24 extra miles. That doesn't seem like much to get "much better working conditions."

48 extra miles... remember round trip.

So you're basically looking at ~2 extra gallons of gas EACH DAY. In one week, you're now using 10 more gallons of gas. Your gas cost just doubled (approximately). $3.50/gallon * 10 gallons = $35/week in gas * 35(?) weeks of the year = $1225 in extra gas. So you're looking at $3000 (the pay cut + extra gas) less in the year.

Personally, I'd keep looking unless I *REALLY* didn't like my current job.

 

[woodkins]

If you are working in an area where you have to leave at 3:30 for your safety I would take the other job. $2000 is not a huge amount of money to be in a district that is safer, more stable and that has confirmed teacher contracts.

I live on Long Island and drove over an hour in traffic each day to my teaching position. I had a job in an "urban" district in a rough area & left it (and my 20 minute commute) in order to work in a more stable and safe area. You have to decide if the new environment, school faculty and experience is worth the extra time and $2000 loss.

 

[tlbwriter]

48 extra miles... remember round trip.

So you're basically looking at ~2 extra gallons of gas EACH DAY. In one week, you're now using 10 more gallons of gas. Your gas cost just doubled (approximately). $3.50/gallon * 10 gallons = $35/week in gas * 35(?) weeks of the year = $1225 in extra gas. So you're looking at $3000 (the pay cut + extra gas) less in the year.

Personally, I'd keep looking unless I *REALLY* didn't like my current job.

Well, I think we're talking about city MPG (current job) and highway MPG (rural job), so it might be a little bit closer than that. Also, if you're making the decision based on finances alone, you might consider the increased possibility of getting a raise at the more distant job. Personally? If I was afraid to stay at work after 3:30, I'd welcome the opportunity to get a different job for only a ~$3000 net loss. But that's just me.

 

[hambirg]

No it's not a bad drive all highway.. through my current county to the edge of the next county over.
I would basically be taking interstate the whole way.

Urban school hours: 8:25 to (contracted) 3:30. Since it is such a dangerous area, I usually do leave at 3:30 and do all my work at home. Current commute time 15-20 minutes.

Rural School hours: 7:25 to 2:20 - 31 miles one way. One way drive time today 45 minutes getting there and approx. 40 coming back. One interstate speed limit is 65 while the other is 55. I'd have to leave my house around 6:25 and I'd get home earlier than now.

Rural school is about 5-7 miles from where I went to college. I am used to the drive it is only about 10 minutes more.

The pay difference is about $2,000. Right now I fill my car up every two weeks.

You know what? I would take it.

I think one thing you can't put a price on is the working conditions. Ever work someplace you absolutely hated? It spills over into your personal life. I'm going to assume that you had to do some substituting during your career. Ever have an assignment where you couldn't wait to leave. . .and promised yourself that you would never take another one at that school?! And just the opposite is true too. I've had assignments where I would jokingly tell the teacher. . .I want your job! Not so jokingly really. .. lol.

My first year teaching was in an intercity school. I was called in as a sub the first day of school to an unassigned position. . .so NO prep! I had 38 4th graders and not even enough desks for all of them. That went on until Nov when the district did a count and we were able to hire a 3rd 4th grade teacher. Now mind you. . .I loved my kids. . .but it was a messed up year. I tell everybody if I survived that I can do anything!!! That 3rd teacher they hired was an experienced teacher and when I would go to her with all my flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants issues. . .she kept telling me to not judge teaching by this experience. It can get sooooo much better.

So, from one intercity, sketchy area, discipline problems consuming your life, have to lock up your purse and anything else with a value of more than 99 cents in your file cabinet, teacher to another. . .give this new school a try.

 

[Cindy B]

Me again...

It is the same exact teaching position. One is 5th/6th. I will be an 8th grade teacher next year. I already have the priviledge of knowing my students for next school year.. and it isn't pretty! (Most of them are problem students-- I probably have only about 10 students that would want to learn, the other 50 would just do the "gangster" thing they have always done.)

I pulled up to the rural school today.. I heard birds chirping, saw green grass and and a corn field. In my current school, I pull up to an extremely urban area, deal with people yelling obscenities and bass turned up extremely loud.

I have little to no parent involvement now. My administration is awful. I love my coworkers..I joke and say we are like "war veterans". I break up fights daily and deal with strong racism from the students/some teachers. (I am not the same race as most individuals in this urban area) Most of my students now have been retained two or even three times.. so I have some 16 or 17 year old 8th graders. This is a high poverty area.

This rural school.. everyone seemed polite and kind. There are more students in the school. This rural school only goes to 6th grade. Rural school takes a few small rural towns in so enrollment is high. It isn't a high poverty area, but looks like an average rural area.

I grew up in a rural area and it reminds me of that. I don't want to take it just so I can get out of the city. I'm an older person so I want to make one move and stick with it.

 

[crz4mm2]

Currently I work at a school district which is only 7 miles from my home. The working conditions are poor to say the least. The pay is higher than average. The students have discipline problems and it is a pretty dangerous area. The administration is challenging. I have a contract for September. We are working without a contract and have had the same pay for approx. 5 years. This is my first year in the district and I am untenured.

I interviewed today at a lovely rural district which is 31 miles one way from my house-- all highway. It is very rural as compared to my very urban. The pay would be less, but a quick scan of pay scales for rural district show raises every year.

I would be doing the same job. Urban school is for 8th grade, rural school 5/6th grade.

I have a 2010 4 cyl Toyota so I'm not driving a huge car.

31 miles seems pretty far, especially in this state. Would you take a pay cut and drive further for much better working conditions?

Not a teacher, but a professional. YES I would (and I did).
I do not regret it one bit. Went from 8 miles to about 40...

 

[mjkacmom]

What highways? DH worked in NYC for many years, and it took almost an hour to go the 10 miles to work. He then got transferred to Princeton, still an hour, but he liked the commute better.

 

[daughtersrus]

My DD just finished her first year of teaching. The school that she was at was about 45 miles from home. We're in a suburb of Chicago and the school was west of here so traffic wasn't too bad because everyone was going into the city as she was heading out. This school was in a semi rural area (college town) and she had her share of issues. Granted, she is teaching 8th grade SpEd but the students are LD, not BD. She wasn't happy at all with the principal so when the opportunity came up to work at a new school next year, she took it.

The school that she'll be at next year is about 33 miles but the commute will probably be much longer because of traffic. This school is in a suburb north of us. This classroom is a 2nd-4th BD class. DD did a long term sub in the 5-6th BD classroom right after she graduated. She had a great working relationship at this school. As a matter of fact, the principal, social worker and teacher there all gave her letters of recommendation when she was looking for a job last year. She's really excited about working there next year.


DD's pay will be slightly higher at the new job but only because she's going to some training over the summer offered by the district that will give her salary lane credits. The down side of the change is that the old school district still has a few years left on their contract and the new job will be in the last year of the contract. With the way things are in IL right now, who knows if they will get a raise or changes in benefits. DD wasn't too upset about giving up a year seniority for tenure because the new district is large (27 elementary buildings) and based on what she's been told, it's very unlikely that she'll get a RIF notice next year. We'll be keeping our fingers crossed.

I think that it's better to have a job that you like with a longer commute than to have a short commute and be at a job for 8 hours a day that you hate.

 

[TaraPA]

I agree, you can't put a price on your safety, well-being & stress level. Whether we say $2K or $3K loss (with the gas) - only you know if this is the best move for you. I don't know the details or your financial situation - but unless you're in debt or that you absolutely need that extra $2-$3K per year to live, then I'd say go for it.

If that $2-$3K is going to be a huge issue - is there any way you can pick up extra tutoring jobs, or something small on the side to make up the difference? I know many teachers in our rural district that tutor on the side for cash.

Personally I'd want the peace of mind that it appears you'll get at the rural school in regards to safety & comfort. But that's just me. 40 min. one way is not that terrible of a commute, and you'll get used to it. DH (not a teacher) commutes 65 miles one way into Philadelphia a few days a week. Now THAT is a terrible commute! Any chance another staff member & yourself could carpool? That's another option to consider.

Good luck & keep us posted!

 

[Cindy B]

You know what? I would take it.

I think one thing you can't put a price on is the working conditions. Ever work someplace you absolutely hated? It spills over into your personal life. I'm going to assume that you had to do some substituting during your career. Ever have an assignment where you couldn't wait to leave. . .and promised yourself that you would never take another one at that school?! And just the opposite is true too. I've had assignments where I would jokingly tell the teacher. . .I want your job! Not so jokingly really. .. lol.

My first year teaching was in an intercity school. I was called in as a sub the first day of school to an unassigned position. . .so NO prep! I had 38 4th graders and not even enough desks for all of them. That went on until Nov when the district did a count and we were able to hire a 3rd 4th grade teacher. Now mind you. . .I loved my kids. . .but it was a messed up year. I tell everybody if I survived that I can do anything!!! That 3rd teacher they hired was an experienced teacher and when I would go to her with all my flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants issues. . .she kept telling me to not judge teaching by this experience. It can get sooooo much better.

So, from one intercity, sketchy area, discipline problems consuming your life, have to lock up your purse and anything else with a value of more than 99 cents in your file cabinet, teacher to another. . .give this new school a try.

Are you sure you don' t work at my school? LOL.

The 8th grade teacher that is retiring (I'm taking her place next year) keeps on telling me .. "This school wasn't always like this"


Discipline problems do consume my day. I teach 7th grade/8th grade language arts and have 2 lunch duties (1st/2nd grade and 7th/8th grade) and a literacy class.

My administration is in one word, bad. I won't go into any more details on that side.

I talked it over with hubby and he is concerned that the commute is going to get "old really quick". However, hubby has no commute.. he works from home. I do have wear and tear to think about on the car and gas costs.

 

[hambirg]

Me again...

It is the same exact teaching position. One is 5th/6th. I will be an 8th grade teacher next year. I already have the priviledge of knowing my students for next school year.. and it isn't pretty! (Most of them are problem students-- I probably have only about 10 students that would want to learn, the other 50 would just do the "gangster" thing they have always done.)

I pulled up to the rural school today.. I heard birds chirping, saw green grass and and a corn field. In my current school, I pull up to an extremely urban area, deal with people yelling obscenities and bass turned up extremely loud.

I have little to no parent involvement now. My administration is awful. I love my coworkers..I joke and say we are like "war veterans". I break up fights daily and deal with strong racism from the students/some teachers. (I am not the same race as most individuals in this urban area) Most of my students now have been retained two or even three times.. so I have some 16 or 17 year old 8th graders. This is a high poverty area.

This rural school.. everyone seemed polite and kind. There are more students in the school. This rural school only goes to 6th grade. Rural school takes a few small rural towns in so enrollment is high. It isn't a high poverty area, but looks like an average rural area.

I grew up in a rural area and it reminds me of that. I don't want to take it just so I can get out of the city. I'm an older person so I want to make one move and stick with it.

In think you just answered your own question. Good luck!

 

[Tiggeroo]

aren't you in the same state I'm in? Which district are you more likely to obtain tenure in? That would be an issue with me. How do the pay steps work in each district? Urban schools often accelerate pay faster so that you are less likely to leave before five years but in ten years the pays are closer to even. I am working in a very urban school and like it. But I have had nothing but support from my administration. There is zero parental involvement, however. Being a non-traditional student I am looking for the most secure position and once there I will stay put. However, my dh can relocate anywhere in our tri-state area and my kids are all in college. Are you in a position that if you took the further job and it was going well you could relocate closer?
If you are in my state, where are all of these jobs? I just started putting out the apps and am hoping. I am on the tail end of a 7 month long term sub position. There may be something permanent but not sure.
There are some administrators in my district who are very tough to work under. I would have a hard time dealing with the problems in this type of school if I had to add in a non-supportive supervisor.

 

[IDoDis]

If your current working conditions are as bad as you've described, then I'd take the rural job. My only fear would be the possibility of that district having some unforeseen budget cuts and you lose your position. Being the new man on the totem pole, you'd be the first one to get axed. If that's a possibility, then I'd stick it out for one more year at the urban school.

The economy is not doing as well as earlier reports, so more budget cuts will probably occur. I don't know about your state, but in my state & and very large school district (140 schools) over 800 positions are being lost the next school year. If your districts are in better shape though, then yes, make the move.

 

[Lorem Ipsum]

I My only fear would be the possibility of that district having some unforeseen budget cuts and you lose your position. Being the new man on the totem pole, you'd be the first one to get axed. If that's a possibility, then I'd stick it out for one more year at the urban school.

This would be my concern, too.

All else being equal, I would make the change.

I work in an inner-city district as well and would love to work at a neighborhood school but I am not willing to give up my seniority and possibly lose my job. So... I stay.