Fairfax County Public Schools Employer Reviews

Teaching in Fairfax County demands a large level of ongoing professional development.

I have learned that I like to work within the Special Ed. departments.

• Perform installation of network cabling systems including, coax, CAT5, CAT5E, CAT6, and fiber cables.
• Terminate cable ends to RJ-45 modular jacks, patch panels, 110 blocks, etc.
• Demo old cabling systems in preparation for new cabling systems.

Not a bad job really love it, if jobs are available everyday you can actually have this as your part time job

The best thing about working for FCPS is the exposure to a vast amount of professional development opportunities. The trainings are very benefical and there's always something you can take away and implement immediately.

A day working in the classroom with FCPS is exciting and challenging. There are many programs and enrichment opportunities open to the students in this particular area. The families are supportive and the county offers a variety of professional development opportunities.

Fairfax County Public Schools is hopelessly top heavy and bureaucratic. However, my coworkers were totally dedicated, intelligent, and professional. The most difficult part of my job is motivating students who do not care. The most enjoyable part of my job is seeing kids succeed and build confidence.

Your experience will vary greatly depending on is you work for the county, at a specific school, or teach in a specific subject area.

When working with teachers from other schools, I always got the impression that my principal was more flexible and understanding. I've enjoyed working for my administration team. They're mostly helpful and good listeners – more... and usually have teachers' backs.

The hardest part about the job is the work/life balance. If you want to be a good teacher, it's like you have to give up your life 10 months of the year. There is a lot of paperwork and meetings I didn't have in other school districts. Get involved, but keep yourself first.

Communication from the county to the school administration to the teachers is terrible! There are often opportunities to voice your opinion or send a representative, but sometimes it feels like it's just for show because we often don't get a compromise or a response about why a compromise is not possible. Expectations are not communicated clearly. Many teachers have the impression that no one at the county level makes decisions, so we walk around not knowing what is expected of us. We just try to teach as best we can and hope it suffices. The handling of the new state-required evaluation process has been a failure, but I think this year is kind of being treated as a "let's see how it goes." The nature of the evaluation forced me to have a lower evaluation than last year, just because that's how it is. That's not their fault though-- that came from the state.

The best part is having lots of professional development opportunities if you search or ask for them. They've also begun assisting with tuition for continuing education-- something is better than nothing. I don't expect a raise any time soon. – less

This job is a very rewarding and interesting job if you put yourself into it, however if you want a job to just show up to file and staple things, this isn't the job for you.

It is a great community with excellent schools. The environment is wonderful for families to grow and raise children. There is a lot of diversity and the school system supports all the cultural backgrounds that are present in this subdivision. Teaching ESL or Foreing Language here is really enjoyable and rewarding because there is great involvement – more... in the instructional process from parents and administrators.
The students are well behaved, and I have learned about many cultures. My coworkers are very supportive and sharing, that makes this job very enjoyable – less

Career enhancements and opportunities were readily available.

• Regularly get in at 8:30 am unless a meeting is scheduled for earlier, check my messages whether its by email or phone. Forward and translate any student information to appropriate staff. Speak with parents and their concerns when returning messages. Set up meetings with certain departments within our school or outside community.

• I can honestly – more... say that I never stop learning. Everyday varies in situations from discipline to mental health and class schedules.

• My colleagues are probably what makes my job so much easier and pleasant. We all work together and if I need coverage with something they will lend a hand and I can also reciprocate.

• The hardest part of my job would have to be giving parents painful, sensitive or disappointing news about their students/children.

• Working with children is very rewarding. Working and helping parents is always fulfilling and knowing that I have patience and diligence with people makes me feel accomplished in my field of work. – less

I love being a substitute teacher in FCPS. I am able to work at high schools and middle schools most of the school year (elementary schools have a hard time getting substitute teachers in almost every county). I almost always feel like I get support from my colleagues or the dept head in terms of lesson plans, and there is quite a bit of latitude to – more... tailor the lesson plan once you are in the classroom (as long as you follow it and meet the lesson objectives).

FCPS substitute teachers are not paid as well as MCPS substitute teachers are, but I left MCPS after a year of substitute teaching there, because I was fed up. Substitute teachers are simply not treated with gratitude in many MCPS schools - they are looked down on, instead. MCPS also restricts the number of schools a substitute teacher can work at. Ultimately, I decided the aggravation was not worth the additional money. – less

If you like to work with people who are superstars in their professional, this is the place for you. FCPS attracts the best of the best in all areas of the business, creating one of the nation's top K-12 school districts.

Every day you will be challenged to present new and innovative ideas to keep FCPS a leader in every aspect of K-12 education. You – more... will work with people who are intelligent and forward thinking. – less

Great job for prospective teachers looking to begin a career in education! Can gain a lot of contacts! The AVID program has a lot of motivated teachers that are willing to put in extra work which makes the tutor's job much easier.

help esol students with english and supervise breaks and field trips for the camp

I had the opportunity to grow as person each and every day. I was surrounded by a great support team and was always able to bounce ideas of the people I worked with. The best part of my job was watching my students grow each and every day. A typical day work consisted of me co-teaching in a inclusion classroom of 25 third graders. I adapted and modified – more... curriculum to ensure my students were understand the material. I followed IEP goals and complied with the Fairfax County and Special Education laws, The hardest part of my job was dealing with some of the difficult parents I had on my caseload. – less

great co workers, and the kids are awesome. county worker. close to home, paid to sit in traffic.

Nice place to work. Expectations are high. Shoot for the stars and you will at least hit the moon.

As I am currently working with children of all ages from Kindergarten until 6th grade, I have learned that even though there are more than two dozen children in my classroom, each must be treated and responded to in a different way. This has helped me learn more about each and every one of them, and also helped me learn more aspects about myself.
I – more... am in charge of developing teaching plans but am encourged to develop a method that can be flexible enough to benefit every child. This is indeed one of the hardest qualities of the job. The next hardest part of the job is to work with children under the age of 9, and being able to control them in the classroom and accomplish our goals simultaneuously.
I teach mostly dance (Hip-Hop and Dance) in an after-school activities program, but have also worked as a teacher's assistant in the summer at a Magnet and GT elementary school. – less