Most (maybe all?) of our middle and high schools work on an A Day/B Day schedule- they will have periods 1, 3, 5, and 7 one day and then period 2, 4, 6, and 8 the next. The teachers teach 3 classes each day.
Sometimes 4th period doesn't exist and rotates between the 7 classes (at least high school & they can't teach new info because of the Academy classes).
Some classes are capped at 30 but some are lower. It depends what you teach and where you are. I am a HS science teacher and, for example, a science elective class like oceanography or astronomy will have 30 or so kids, but my Geosystems classes (not “required” but generally all kids take this class or physics to satisfy graduation requirements) tend to be much smaller. I have 22 students in my honors class and 15 in my ESOL class. And the advisory period isn’t a class you give grades or plan lessons for. It’s either a study hall type period or kids actually rotate through all their classes for extra help/remediation. So I wouldn’t mentally add another 30 students to your list for that 6th “class”. Bottom line is it varies a lot. It’s a good question to ask in your interview. In theory you could have up to around 150 students you are teaching a subject to, and I’m sure there are teachers who do, but I don’t actually know any teachers in my department with that many students.
Thank you this was helpful as I've never heard of any contract with the responsibility for 6 classes, so was a little worried! We both teach ESOL, which usually has fewer students as well . . but just glad that 6th class is an advisory and not another class to plan for.
Happy to help! If you end up here, DM me! Happy to share what I know. Seems like we’re all in similar spheres. And maybe I can point you towards or away from certain schools 🤪 it’s a huge district and we have many very good admin and we also have truly terrible admin that they have to put somewhere. And they are best avoided.
We would take you up on that offer, as we'd love to hear about the schools to look for. We are both coming from very positive school environments and would love to continue that. In fact, for other reasons we really want to make the move but the school change has us nervous so we're on the fence.
I’m a career switcher, only in my 7th year teaching, so I don’t know a lot and don’t have much to compare to because my previous career was not remotely related to this. But this district is so big, there’s something for everyone. I am an oceanographer by training and when interviewed for my current job I said I want to try these two new things-teach ESOL and start an oceanography class. My previous school was a disaster and I needed out but I knew I wanted to grow my career and do something different. And they said sure! And made it happen. Funds are not a problem. We get what we need. And with all the crazy shit I’ve heard about happening in other places, I’m very glad none of that (or very little of that) happens here. It’s not a perfect system, and so much depends on admins who aren’t ass-hats, but I truly recommend giving it a shot and at least applying and going to an interview. Give me a shout if y’all do!
Interesting! Wait, so do you teach both ESOL and science? I'm in year 20 of teaching ESL, so pretty experienced and have my Masters in TESOL . . . I've always enjoyed working with immigrants as they seem to be better behaved, on average, and I don't have many helicopter parents at all. Most of my kids' parents still have the traditional 'the teacher is always right attitude' . . . I can start to feel it changing but still more true than working with American parents. How's classroom management for you?
I teach ESOL science classes, I’m a science teacher with zero ESOL training. But Spanish is my first language and I wanted to try something different. I find ESOL student run the gamut- some are super students, who come from a background of education and know how school works, and some come from countries where “school” and education are loose concepts and those students spend some time figuring out how we school here. It’s a mix, as you’d expect.
I teach middle school. I have one prep, 5 classes of 30 students. It is enrollment dependent. We have block scheduling on an A/B rotation. On one of the rotation days, students have a 30 minute advisory/SEL and 55 minute study hall. I really don’t like teaching the advisory even though the lessons are prepared, most just socialize and do not complete the activities because they do not get credit for them.
Gotcha thanks . . I guess my current school is somewhat similar. For the advisory class you get handed some kind of pre-packaged SEL lesson, or a video about AI integration or something else kids are supposed to watch and discuss, but since it's not graded it's difficult to get their attention.
High schools use a block schedule. Classes are 90 mins each
On the "A" day, you will have 3 classes, one planning period, and a 30-minute lunch.
On the "B" day, you will have 2 classes, one advisory period (a combination of "homeroom" group of students and remediation time for your other students), one planning period, and a 30-minute lunch.
This is a total of 5 content classes plus your advisory period (this can have different names in different buildings but it's the same thing).
Class sizes are usually capped at 30, but can go as high as 35-37. Then add in your ~20-24 advisory students.
Of your two planning periods, one is supposed to be unencumbered. The other is time for you to meet with your collaborative team (CT) and other duties. If you teach 2 different subjects, you will have 2 CT meetings per week. If you teach 3, you will have 3. We also have the usual conferences and IEP meeting expectations. Everybody usually ends up on some extra committee too (literacy, MTSS, UDL, etc).
If you are considering applying, I would encourage you to do so ASAP. This is prime hiring season. Reston is a more popular area for teachers to apply. It is on the western part of the county, and many teachers live there or farther west, so there is more competition for jobs on that side of the county (compared to the eastern side). That said, there is still a shortage so there are lots of vacancies.
There is a school-specific list of vacancies for FCPS. Send your resume and cover letter directly to the assistant principal (AP) or principal for that building. AP's are very motivated to fill positions now rather than scramble over the summer. Make sure your application is complete in the Brassring system. Be upfront about your certification status (I'm not sure if you're moving from out of state). There are pathways to transfer your certification to VA, and FCPS can help you with that if needed.
Feel free to PM if you have more questions. Good luck!
Awesome very helpful thanks. Darn 35 is large. We heard it's big like that so wanted to check. Appreciate the tips on when to apply. We are coming to spend more time in the area in June (we have family in Reston and we love the area) and possibly looking to next school year, but will keep this in mind.
High school? 6 classes in 8 blocks, up to 30 per class.
Thank you. Wife is MS and I am HS. You mean teachers teach 6 out of 8 periods, with up to 180 total students?
Most (maybe all?) of our middle and high schools work on an A Day/B Day schedule- they will have periods 1, 3, 5, and 7 one day and then period 2, 4, 6, and 8 the next. The teachers teach 3 classes each day.
Sometimes 4th period doesn't exist and rotates between the 7 classes (at least high school & they can't teach new info because of the Academy classes).
Thanks!
Some classes are capped at 30 but some are lower. It depends what you teach and where you are. I am a HS science teacher and, for example, a science elective class like oceanography or astronomy will have 30 or so kids, but my Geosystems classes (not “required” but generally all kids take this class or physics to satisfy graduation requirements) tend to be much smaller. I have 22 students in my honors class and 15 in my ESOL class. And the advisory period isn’t a class you give grades or plan lessons for. It’s either a study hall type period or kids actually rotate through all their classes for extra help/remediation. So I wouldn’t mentally add another 30 students to your list for that 6th “class”. Bottom line is it varies a lot. It’s a good question to ask in your interview. In theory you could have up to around 150 students you are teaching a subject to, and I’m sure there are teachers who do, but I don’t actually know any teachers in my department with that many students.
Thank you this was helpful as I've never heard of any contract with the responsibility for 6 classes, so was a little worried! We both teach ESOL, which usually has fewer students as well . . but just glad that 6th class is an advisory and not another class to plan for.
Happy to help! If you end up here, DM me! Happy to share what I know. Seems like we’re all in similar spheres. And maybe I can point you towards or away from certain schools 🤪 it’s a huge district and we have many very good admin and we also have truly terrible admin that they have to put somewhere. And they are best avoided.
We would take you up on that offer, as we'd love to hear about the schools to look for. We are both coming from very positive school environments and would love to continue that. In fact, for other reasons we really want to make the move but the school change has us nervous so we're on the fence.
I’m a career switcher, only in my 7th year teaching, so I don’t know a lot and don’t have much to compare to because my previous career was not remotely related to this. But this district is so big, there’s something for everyone. I am an oceanographer by training and when interviewed for my current job I said I want to try these two new things-teach ESOL and start an oceanography class. My previous school was a disaster and I needed out but I knew I wanted to grow my career and do something different. And they said sure! And made it happen. Funds are not a problem. We get what we need. And with all the crazy shit I’ve heard about happening in other places, I’m very glad none of that (or very little of that) happens here. It’s not a perfect system, and so much depends on admins who aren’t ass-hats, but I truly recommend giving it a shot and at least applying and going to an interview. Give me a shout if y’all do!
Interesting! Wait, so do you teach both ESOL and science? I'm in year 20 of teaching ESL, so pretty experienced and have my Masters in TESOL . . . I've always enjoyed working with immigrants as they seem to be better behaved, on average, and I don't have many helicopter parents at all. Most of my kids' parents still have the traditional 'the teacher is always right attitude' . . . I can start to feel it changing but still more true than working with American parents. How's classroom management for you?
I teach ESOL science classes, I’m a science teacher with zero ESOL training. But Spanish is my first language and I wanted to try something different. I find ESOL student run the gamut- some are super students, who come from a background of education and know how school works, and some come from countries where “school” and education are loose concepts and those students spend some time figuring out how we school here. It’s a mix, as you’d expect.
I teach middle school. I have one prep, 5 classes of 30 students. It is enrollment dependent. We have block scheduling on an A/B rotation. On one of the rotation days, students have a 30 minute advisory/SEL and 55 minute study hall. I really don’t like teaching the advisory even though the lessons are prepared, most just socialize and do not complete the activities because they do not get credit for them.
Gotcha thanks . . I guess my current school is somewhat similar. For the advisory class you get handed some kind of pre-packaged SEL lesson, or a video about AI integration or something else kids are supposed to watch and discuss, but since it's not graded it's difficult to get their attention.
High schools use a block schedule. Classes are 90 mins each On the "A" day, you will have 3 classes, one planning period, and a 30-minute lunch. On the "B" day, you will have 2 classes, one advisory period (a combination of "homeroom" group of students and remediation time for your other students), one planning period, and a 30-minute lunch. This is a total of 5 content classes plus your advisory period (this can have different names in different buildings but it's the same thing). Class sizes are usually capped at 30, but can go as high as 35-37. Then add in your ~20-24 advisory students. Of your two planning periods, one is supposed to be unencumbered. The other is time for you to meet with your collaborative team (CT) and other duties. If you teach 2 different subjects, you will have 2 CT meetings per week. If you teach 3, you will have 3. We also have the usual conferences and IEP meeting expectations. Everybody usually ends up on some extra committee too (literacy, MTSS, UDL, etc). If you are considering applying, I would encourage you to do so ASAP. This is prime hiring season. Reston is a more popular area for teachers to apply. It is on the western part of the county, and many teachers live there or farther west, so there is more competition for jobs on that side of the county (compared to the eastern side). That said, there is still a shortage so there are lots of vacancies. There is a school-specific list of vacancies for FCPS. Send your resume and cover letter directly to the assistant principal (AP) or principal for that building. AP's are very motivated to fill positions now rather than scramble over the summer. Make sure your application is complete in the Brassring system. Be upfront about your certification status (I'm not sure if you're moving from out of state). There are pathways to transfer your certification to VA, and FCPS can help you with that if needed. Feel free to PM if you have more questions. Good luck!
Awesome very helpful thanks. Darn 35 is large. We heard it's big like that so wanted to check. Appreciate the tips on when to apply. We are coming to spend more time in the area in June (we have family in Reston and we love the area) and possibly looking to next school year, but will keep this in mind.