Oh man I have a lot I could say about this one… This comment is about Newark Public Schools, not the charters. Personally, I would avoid the charters like the plague.

Pros:

• The salary is decent compared to surrounding districts. Currently you would start at 62k, 64k if you have a masters. Plus a 4K signing bonus if you’re in a critical area.
• The students and families are great. I actually think you get less helicopter parents working in this district. Many of them really value the education their kids are getting. Of course you do get some absentee parents which is depressing.
• If you do a good job, you really can make a difference in a lot of these kids lives. Not that you can’t do that in any district, but in Newark a lot of the kids aren’t getting the support at home that kids in the suburbs are. They need and want good teachers.
• Fellow teachers (at least at the schools I’ve worked in) are very supportive of each other and willing to share resources. There is a feeling of being in the trenches together.

Cons:

• administration, administration, administration. As other comments have said, unfortunately most administrators in Newark were not teachers for long, and after a few years in admin seem to completely forget what is necessary for good teaching. Expect lots of pointless paperwork, meetings, and wasted time. Some admin teams are worse than others. Feel free to DM me for info about specific schools.
• general lack of organization and resources from the district (though I admit, the amount of resources we have has been better since Covid began)
• curriculum changes almost every year

If you’re thick skinned, you can survive and even thrive here. But be honest with yourself, because if you have low patience/are easily frustrated, Newark is not for you for a multitude of reasons. But we do need good teachers, and depending on what school you’re at it can be a good place to work. Like I said, feel free to DM me for more details.