4 Misconceptions That Make Teachers Overlook Small Schools

Last week I shared 5 Reasons Teaching at a Small School Could Be Right for You.

This post will also help you explore whether or not teaching at a small school is right for you. Consider it an unofficial part two, and if you haven't read the first post, you'll want to go back and read it first. Today, I'm sharing 4 misconceptions that make teachers overlook small schools. Let's jump right in!

Misconception #1 - Small schools don't have extracurriculars that aren't sports.

While this may not be the biggest concern for you as a teacher, if you're a teacher who is also planning on transferring your children to the same small school you're considering teaching at, it might be a concern as a parent. I won't tell you that sports aren't a big deal at small schools because they are. They're a big deal, but small schools can have much more to offer than just sports. My school, for example, has an academic team, 4H, Band, and Jazz Band! We also have art and STEM electives. So, while there is no guarantee that a small school will have more to offer than sports, I think you'd be surprised just how many do! It's definitely worth looking into.

Misconception #2 - There will be nepotism.

Nepotism can occur anywhere, but it's important to consider demographics. The smaller the school and the town the school is in, the more likely it is that relatives will work together at the school. So, for example, if you are teaching at an extremely small school with an average graduating class of 25 kids, then yes, there is a solid chance that the math teacher's cousin is the secretary and her brother-in-law is the baseball coach. It doesn't necessarily mean that favoritism was granted during the hiring process. It is more than likely the product of being a member of a small community.

Misconception #3 - There will be teacher cliques that exclude newcomers.

This definitely can be a thing ... so, let's talk about it. You might be seeing cliquish behavior, but what you're seeing might also just be extreme comfort and familiarity in action. For example, if the teachers have grown up in the community they are teaching in, they know everyone already - not casually but like they know every member of three generations of their coworkers' families. So, when you're all sitting around the table and people are talking about families and others and you have no clue who they are, it's not necessarily meant to be exclusionary. They're just talking about what and who they know. Just remember, it takes time to get to know people, no matter where you move. I'll never excuse bad and unwelcoming behavior. If someone is deliberately excluding you, it's usually pretty clear. I do, however, like to give people the benefit of the doubt and provide context. During my first year at my current school, everyone was incredibly welcoming, but I still wondered if I would ever reach the level of comfort that those who grew up in the community have with each other. By year two, I felt totally comfortable and at home. It just takes a little time. :)

Misconception #4 - Small schools don't have enough resources for students with special needs. This one is dependent on your school's leadership. If you go to a school that has admin that prioritizes special education, they absolutely will have all of the resources for special needs students. If you have questions about the special education department but you aren't a special education teacher, you can absolutely explain that providing accommodations in your general education classroom is a priority for you and ask questions about the special education department during your interview, and if you are the parent of a child with special needs, this will, of course, automatically be top of mind for you during your interview. It was for me! I'm proud to say that our special education department is amazing! It's so amazing that I'm joining the department for the 25-26 school year to be a part of it! I'll still be an ELA teacher; I'll just be working with students in the special education setting instead of the general education classroom. If you're interested in making your classroom more inclusive, check out my post Creating an Inclusive Classroom.

Do Your Homework If you're considering moving from a larger school to a small school, it's important to do your homework (like I even have to tell you all - you're teachers after all) because I certainly can't say that all small schools are amazing. All schools are different, no matter what their class size is, and working at them has pros and cons. So, no matter what size school you're considering joining, ask connections to get you in contact with teachers at the school who are open to answering questions you have about the district. And don't discount Facebook! Lots of schools have social media accounts, and you can tell a lot about a school's priorities and values based on what they post. Until next time! Lauren