Signs of Good (and Bad) Schools
Lead a class just one day and you'll know. You'll see immediately whether students are excited by learning or eager to be free of it, whether they model an organized class structure or require constant teacher direction, whether they're eager to help peers or more eager to distract.
Even better if you are in TA role, where you assist teachers and can observe how they run their class. You'll see which teachers support students and which criticize. Who captures the class's attention and whose students are trying to escape. Who's tirelessly working to be an excellent educator and who's just trying to survive.
As a parent touring a potential school, you're unlikely to get such an unfiltered view. But there are still some good signals that tell the story:
Admin Experience. Is the school organized? Are appointments run on time, and changes clearly communicated? I've been to schools that forgot they booked a substitute, or didn't know which subject I was there for, or hadn't yet figured out what my schedule would be. Without fail, that disorganization extended into classrooms and throughout the school day. If the admin experience isn't good for you, it's probably not good for teachers and students either.
Facilities. Do you like the physical space? Is it clean and thoughtfully decorated? Does it put you at ease? You wouldn't want to live in a stark, rigid home--your student similarly won't enjoy spending 5 days a week in class if the room is comfortless. And even more than the direct effect of the physical atmosphere, it's a dead giveaway of which schools are striving for excellence and which are just checking boxes.
Teacher Personality. Do you like the teachers you meet? It's not enough that they're nice--most people who go into education are nice--are they interesting? Do you leave with the feeling that you'd want to spend more time with them? The traits that draw you to a person as an adult are the same ones that will draw students to a teacher. Confidence. Empathy. Energy. Humor. Attentive Listening. A teacher that isn't likeable won't bring out the best in their students.
Every school will tell you they have great programs with great teachers. And they'll believe it--they are genuinely trying their best. But what you're told is not nearly as representative as what you see. The environment, the experience, and the people (teachers, staff, and students) tell the story, you just need to be looking for it.
Sebastian 2/28/2023
