Chicago Public Schools Employee Reviews

A substitute teacher experience depends on the school’s you worked at. The schools represent the neighborhood. Although, there are good schools in high crime areas.I have had poor experiences in schools, and I have had awesome experiences in one high school where I have been a substitute for 8 years. If the salary was better I would stay.

Pros

Substitute are treated respectfully. You follow the teacher’s schedule. No non instructional duties.

Cons

No paid time off, limited insurance available only hmo.

Was this review helpful?

Productive work place

Licensed Practical Nurse (Current Employee) - Chicago, IL - June 2, 2023

Typical day includes providing direct services to caseload students. Will also have to perform first aid to general student population and staff. Hours are steady and set. Summers and major holidays off. Good work and home balance.

Was this review helpful?

Chicago Public Schools insights

Based on 654 survey responses

What people like

Ability to learn new things
Feeling of personal appreciation
Clear sense of purpose

Lots of ups and downs

Teacher (Current Employee) - Chicago, IL - May 28, 2023

Every school is different but the 2 I’ve worked in were toxic environments due to the poor leadership. Students can be challenging at times but many parents are supportive.

Was this review helpful?

Understaffed

School Nurse RN (Current Employee) - Chicago, IL - May 27, 2023

Working as a school nurse in CPS a common issue is assigned to multiple schools. Some school nurses are assigned up to 8 schools. New management are not certified in school nursing and know little to nothing on how to manage school nurses and student concerns. School Nurses manage the care of students daily from different locations and not onsite.

Was this review helpful?

Good pay with Flexible Hours

Substitute Teacher (Current Employee) - Chicago, IL - May 24, 2023

For someone just graduating college, or looking to fill time between jobs within your profession, I think subbing in CPS is a great idea. The pay is pretty good, and you select your assignments and the days you work. The biggest task for you to do is finding schools you enjoy subbing at. Once you do that, the job becomes great!

Was this review helpful?

Rate your recent company

Share your experience to help others

Current climate is dangerous

Security Supervisor (Former Employee) - Chicago, IL - May 23, 2023

What is the best part of working at the company?Provided a living wage. Most staff was friendly and team spirited What is the most stressful part about working at the company?The teachers union only cares about themself and not the children. Many buildings had no air conditioning. Schools are dangerous and needed more securityWhat is the work environment and culture like at the company?Can’t speak to the culture. Environment at the primary level was fun . High school was in need of structure and discipline What is a typical day like for you at the company?Providing safe passage for children during arrival and dismissal. Keeping the kids from destructiveBehavior.

Was this review helpful?

Fun

Teacher Assistant (Current Employee) - Chicago, IL - May 23, 2023

I like working with CPS. The kids are fun and work hard. I appreciate how much work teachers and students put in and how everyone is able to create an atmosphere of learning.

Was this review helpful?

Great pay

SECA (Current Employee) - Chicago, IL - May 20, 2023

There is always work available. Schools will call you if they need you. The pay is pretty good. Shifts are easy to pick up. I’ve learned how to manage a classroom, and workplace is pretty positive

Was this review helpful?

Cameras lights action

Lead Facilitator (Former Employee) - Chicago, IL - May 18, 2023

Waiting for the rug to be pulled from under you. Stay in line and work on their purpose and you will benefit. If you challenge anything you will be dismissed.

Pros

Exposure

Cons

Ego driven and fake people

Was this review helpful?

Friendly, supportive, and disciplined.

School Crossing Guard (Current Employee) - Barry Elementary School-- at 2828 N Kilbourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60646 - May 17, 2023

What is the best part of working at the company?I feel my work is always recognized...!!!What is the most stressful part about working at the company?I don't feel any stress at all...!!!What is the work environment and culture like at the company?Healthy work place...!!!Parents admire your work.What is a typical day like for you at the company?I start the day punching in with pro tool...

Was this review helpful?

Jobs at Chicago Public Schools

Lunchroom Attendant FY22/23

Chicago, IL

30+ days ago

FY 24 - Anticipated School Security Officer

Chicago, IL

17 hours ago

Anticipated Student Special Svc Advocate

Just a mess.

Teacher (Former Employee) - Chicago, IL - May 17, 2023

I worked with some of the most talented educators, but administration and network level intervention was pretty unbearable. The CTU is the only reason I was able to work as a CPS teacher for so long.

Was this review helpful?

Experiences can vary depending on the school

Teacher's Aide (Former Employee) - Chicago, IL - May 16, 2023

Positive experience overall because I worked at a great school. Rewarding to work with children to make a difference. Great insurance and benefits. Experiences can vary based on the school and the principal.

Was this review helpful?

Flexible, high caseload

SLP Intern (Former Employee) - Chicago, IL - May 3, 2023

Diverse, but high caseload size. Can be placed at any of the CPS locations in the city, unfortunately. Somewhat flexible schedule. Working with kids has been very fun!

Was this review helpful?

CPS is rough & not for everyone

Teacher (Former Employee) - Chicago, IL - May 1, 2023

Pay is decent but that’s all- everything about this job is rough. Everyone is short staffed and in damage control mode all the time— which means very little learning is going on when there’s utter chaos in the classrooms most of the time. Younger grades (2nd and under) are usually okay to deal with, not easy when there’s 32 of them, but manageable. Grades 3-4 are hit or miss. Grades 5-8 are just plain rough.

Pros

Decent pay

Cons

Prep Time often taken away, not enough tech for kids yet, not supported

Was this review helpful?

Everyday is a new experience. Most importantly?, you learn the virtue of patience

Certified School Nurse (Current Employee) - City wide - April 28, 2023

What is the best part of working at the company?One of the best jobs I’ve been privileged to have. What is the most stressful part about working at the company?Lack of enough staff and low PayloaderWhat is the work environment and culture like at the company?Quite hectic especially with kids involved What is a typical day like for you at the company?Some days are hectic while some days less busy

Was this review helpful?

Toxic bad management. Seems like no one cares.

Associate manager. Nutritional Services. (Current Employee) - Chicago, IL - April 28, 2023

What is the best part of working at the company? Bad management. Ridiculous training. Joke of an orientation. What is the most stressful part about working at the company?Very poor communication. Lack of people skills of upper management. High turnover. Unsure of what need to be done. What is the work environment and culture like at the company?Very toxic culture and work environment Favoritism rules. What is a typical day like for you at the company?Going to work is a chore. No timely communication. No sure what futureholds.

Was this review helpful?

Alright Place

Teacher (Current Employee) - Chicago, IL - April 28, 2023

Depending on which school you work at, CPS is an okay district to work for. You may have to start out at a rough school, but the pay is pretty good....

Was this review helpful?

It’s a decent place to work if you could deal with management

Custodian (Current Employee) - Chicago, IL - April 28, 2023

The benifits are good but the pay could be better for their expectations and they will expect you to clean more than 30,000 square feet at a school I don’t know why they lie about that rule

Was this review helpful?

Staff

Paraprofessional (Current Employee) - Lane tech - April 27, 2023

Amazing people amazing atmosphere amazing educational opportunities OT opportunities I love the school the extra curriculum all the good stuff goes into lane

Was this review helpful?

Varies greatly depending on school

Special Education Teacher (Current Employee) - Chicago, IL - April 24, 2023

CPS pays well however your experience vary greatly depending on the school you are at. Principals have a lot of autonomy over their school. You can transfer schools only during the approved transfer period which varies each year. If try to transfer schools outside of the period, the Principal can keep you for the remainder of the semester. Be very careful when choosing a school to work at.

Was this review helpful?

A very great to growth by helping our future Leaders

Teacher Assistant (Former Employee) - Chicago, IL - April 21, 2023

What is the best part of working at the company?The team work, having a positive effect on the students. What is the most stressful part about working at the company?When lack of communication play apart , placing students with poor behavior with the wrong staff members What is the work environment and culture like at the company?It's a a very diverse community working together. What is a typical day like for you at the company?Entering the door with a open mindset seeing very one as a Beautiful soul ,will to your job .

Was this review helpful?