13 Things Your Child's Teacher Won't Tell You

[LuvCuteBoys]

I've had students tell me grandparents have died (they haven't), mom or dad have had all kinds of jobs they never held, I even had a student tell me their father was in prison. Boy were the parents surprised when that phone call was made and the father was sitting at home with the mom!

Hahhaha... reminds me of when I was a nanny. The people I worked for were doctors and their little boy (he was five at the time) told EVERYONE (with that "my dad is awesome" voice) that his daddy delivered pizza, because his hero was the guy who showed up at the door with a hot cheese and pepperoni

 

[MM27]

That article irritated me.

I get tired of people comparing the importance of their jobs to the importance of someone else's (the one about the athletes making more money). Seriously, get over yourselves. You're not any more important than anyone else. If you don't think you make enough money, find a different career.

As for praising teachers for being able to deal with a classroom full of kids every day, etc... throughout any given day I see someone doing a job that I know I couldn't do, from the state trooper I pass on the highway to the waitress juggling a tray of food to the veterinarian telling someone their beloved pet isn't going to make it. And I'm willing to bet a lot of them couldn't do mine.

If we truly got paid what we were worth, we'd all be making the same amount of money.

I'm not bashing teachers... just annoyed with people who feel superior to others because their job is "so much more important".

What a ray of sunshine

Who exactly said that they felt superior to anyone else or said their job was more important? These articles are out there for several different groups/jobs.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I'm sure those articles are out there... but this is the one that was posted, so this is the one I'm commenting on. The whole thing came across as being very uppity.

This is the one that annoyed me the most:

8. Guys who dribble a ball for a couple of hours a game can make up to $20 million a year. We educate future leaders and make about $51,000 a year.

But like I said, the whole thing annoyed me.

Hairdressers aren't marriage counselors either, but they listen to people talk about their marital woes.

Everyone receives a gift that they don't necessarily want from time-to-time, but most people are taught to graciously accept them... and that offering alternative is just plain tacky.

Most people enjoy weekend and vacations.

A lot of people's jobs are misunderstood. I'm sure people who are referred to as "just a cashier" would roll their eyes and mutter under their breath if given the opportunity. Most people have parts of their job that they absolutely hate but must do anyway because it's part of their job.

As others have pointed out, the belching comment was ridiculous. And the overabundance of homework contributes to the lack of "play time" just as much as those other things do.

Unless your job requires not an ounce of human contact, most people have to deal with people who think they are the most important part of your day, and the majority of the other things mentioned.

It was an annoying article. If saying so makes me a gloomy storm cloud, then so be it.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Oh no this is all homework. they do one side in class the other is even labeled homework by saxon so yes they get homework EVERY NIGHT. She (the first grader) even had home work over Christmas break.. no lie... and I'm sorry its not your job to keep them out of trouble at home.. that would be my job as a parent..

I taught Saxxon last year in my student teaching. Unfortunately, it's often not up to the teacher how much homework they give. Particularly if the district is using a program like Saxxon. We have to follow the guidelines set down by the district.

As for the last sentence- I wholeheartedly agree! I don't like giving out extra worksheets just so jr. is occupied and out of mom and dad's hair, but that was an actual request I had.

 

[JVL1018]

This is such a pet peeve of mine:

Guys who dribble a ball for a couple of hours a game can make up to $20 million a year. We educate future leaders and make about $51,000 a year.

When athletes are paid with property taxes and teachers are paid with the revenue from thousands of people paying $50 and up to watch them teach each day and TV stations pay millions to broadcast from their classrooms then that arguement will make sense.

As for homework, my kids are in 2nd and 4th and so far so good. Never homework on weekends, my 2nd grader has one page of math, one of literacy and spelling each night-less than 20 minutes. My 4th grader has different homework, but always less then 1/2 an hour.

 

[Acklander]

OK. Where not supposed to assume that all they do is cut paper and glue all day long, yet in the same article the talk about a guy who gets 20 million a year to dribble a ball for a couple of hours.

 

[ElliePeters]

Interesting.

 

[torinsmom]

My aunt was a school teacher for many many years. The first day of school she would always send home a note that said " I won't believe everything that your child says about you if you don't believe everything your child says about me."

LOL, I have said this to my parents before too. PLEASE don't call or come to school screaming about something your child told you happened until you ask me what happened. Most of the time, you will end up embarrassed when you find out your special snowflake stretched the truth or left out key details.

"Your child may be the center of your universe, but I have to share mine with 25 others."
This is my favorite! I have one child that wears a shirt that says "I'm kind of a big deal", and I always think....maybe to his parents.

And please don't tell me what I need to teach your child. I went through quite a few years of school and have been teaching for ten years. I think I know how to do my job. If you'd like to do it for me, maybe you consider home schooling.

I don't complain about how much I make, except when the state decides to furlough us at the last minute. I don't care what you give me(if anything) for holidays as long as you don't care that another teacher may end up with the candles and mugs(Don't use either) It's the thought that counts and I will be happy you thought of me!

Marsha

 

[disneyjunkie]

And please don't tell me what I need to teach your child. I went through quite a few years of school and have been teaching for ten years. I think I know how to do my job. If you'd like to do it for me, maybe you consider home schooling.Marsha

 

[Starchat]

Lol, awesome thread! Loved it.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

This is such a pet peeve of mine:

Guys who dribble a ball for a couple of hours a game can make up to $20 million a year. We educate future leaders and make about $51,000 a year.

When athletes are paid with property taxes and teachers are paid with the revenue from thousands of people paying $50 and up to watch them teach each day and TV stations pay millions to broadcast from their classrooms then that arguement will make sense.

OK. Where not supposed to assume that all they do is cut paper and glue all day long, yet in the same article the talk about a guy who gets 20 million a year to dribble a ball for a couple of hours.

Thank you both!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Wow. Sounds like quite a few disgruntled teachers here. Why would you pick a career that you have so many complaints about? It's not like the salaries are private. It is public knowledge (although where I live they get paid quite well). You know that parents and kids are part of the deal so that isn't a surprise. I don't get it. Why be annoyed?
Oh- and just because you went to school to become a teacher doesn't make you an expert. It does make you very knowlegable about your field but that doesn't mean that someone else might have a better idea on how to do something. That doesn't mean the parents are telling you how to do your job. Perhaps you as the teacher aren't seeing that whatever you are doing isn't working and they are trying to be part of a solution. That happens in every environment.

I think teachers are an important commodity but I really hate it when they complain about the very things that are a main part of the job- the kids and the parents! Yeah, your administration can stink or your union could be weak but why act incredulous that you have to deal with children and their parents. If you find it that bad that you are counting down the days until summer vacation since the first day of school then perhaps you need to reconsider your career choice.

 

[eliza61]

Wow. Sounds like quite a few disgruntled teachers here. Why would you pick a career that you have so many complaints about? It's not like the salaries are private. It is public knowledge (although where I live they get paid quite well). You know that parents and kids are part of the deal so that isn't a surprise. I don't get it. Why be annoyed?
Oh- and just because you went to school to become a teacher doesn't make you an expert. It does make you very knowlegable about your field but that doesn't mean that someone else might have a better idea on how to do something. That doesn't mean the parents are telling you how to do your job. Perhaps you as the teacher aren't seeing that whatever you are doing isn't working and they are trying to be part of a solution. That happens in every environment.

.

Because every job has issues that are annoying so you complain. Human Nature. Readers digest just did the same list for shoe salesmen (#1 stop trying to squeeze your 91/2 feet in a size 7 shoe LOL) and Christmas mall santa clauses. I can only imagine the horror stories Nurses could tell. Doesn't mean you don't like your job.

Kids used to go out and play after school and resolve problems on their own. Now, with computers and TV, they lack the skills to communicate. They don’t know how to get past hurt feelings without telling the teacher and having her fix it.

This is my favorite. Probably because I get these kids when they are seniors in H.S and/or Freshman in college. I call them "Tissue kids" one problem and they crumble. Between no communication skills and helicopter parents I'm sincerely surprised they can tie their shoes.

 

[Kathi OD]

Things have changed a lot. I didn't have that much homework. Did you?

I had tons of homework, AND we had to bring all our books home every night. That's right, I'm old!

Now DD(32) and DS(28), didn't get that much homework until about the 5th or 6th grade, then it increased. They both had a lot in high school. DS(24) had a lot all through school, even in the lower grades. Before someone asks, yes, they all went to the same elementary school (different high schools), with many of the same teachers

 

[ZephyrHawk]

So when my kids burp loud at school ya'll think that is how it is at home? seriously? :-/ I can not control what my kid does 24/7 yet alone when I'm not there.. I hope to god mine aren't doing that in school but if they are I sure as heck dont do it at home..

Sorry to burst your bubble on this one, but I have 30+ year old friends who burp aloud in mixed company, apparently thinking it's funny. My DH and I blame their parents (yes, still) for not teaching them that it's not.

 

[golfgal]

Oh no this is all homework. they do one side in class the other is even labeled homework by saxon so yes they get homework EVERY NIGHT. She (the first grader) even had home work over Christmas break.. no lie... and I'm sorry its not your job to keep them out of trouble at home.. that would be my job as a parent..

Our kids had Saxon math and phonics and I LOVED that they got a little homework each night. It prepared them well for middle school and high school homework. It isn't about keeping them out of trouble, it is about instilling good work habits. If you REALLY have an issue with the 15 minutes it takes the kid to do a couple worksheets you are in for a LONG school career with your kids.

Now that our kids are in high school I am SO THANKFUL they had homework in elementary school. Last year we were concerned because our then 8th graders didn't seem to have much homework and their friends were complaining about the hours of homework they had. We talked to their homeroom teacher about this and he basically said that there are two types of students, those that use their time wisely and those that don't. The kids that were complaining about having so much homework were also the ones that were writing notes to their friends or chatting instead of using time in class to get work done. Those same kids are the ones that have the tv on, listening to their IPOD while texting their friends trying to get homework done.

Our kids were in a different district for elementary school so their classmates didn't really have much homework in elementary school so it was "new" to them in middle school. Our twins are in all honors classes, no study halls, and they still only have about an hour of homework each night. Their friends are STILL complaining about their hours and hours of homework yet they seem to have plenty of time to be on facebook while doing that homework. .

 

[lillygator]

That article irritated me.

I get tired of people comparing the importance of their jobs to the importance of someone else's (the one about the athletes making more money). Seriously, get over yourselves. You're not any more important than anyone else. If you don't think you make enough money, find a different career.

As for praising teachers for being able to deal with a classroom full of kids every day, etc... throughout any given day I see someone doing a job that I know I couldn't do, from the state trooper I pass on the highway to the waitress juggling a tray of food to the veterinarian telling someone their beloved pet isn't going to make it. And I'm willing to bet a lot of them couldn't do mine.

If we truly got paid what we were worth, we'd all be making the same amount of money.

I'm not bashing teachers... just annoyed with people who feel superior to others because their job is "so much more important".

Thank you!

What a ray of sunshine

Who exactly said that they felt superior to anyone else or said their job was more important? These articles are out there for several different groups/jobs.

No one on this thread "said" they were superior, but check out most posts regarding teachers on the DIS. It's pretty obvious over the years how they feel.

5. When I hear a loud belch, I remember that a student’s manners are a reflection of his parents’.
This is just ridiculous!

 

[Ember]

Hmm, most of those wouldn't make my list of things I wish parents knew...

I would add:

- I don't want to test your child because I'm out to get them, want them labeled, or think they're dumb. I want to test them because I suspect something may be wrong and I want to know how to help them. A diagnosis, be it a visual processing delay to autism, does not make your child different from who they were before. They are the same child you love, only now I can take steps to ensure they are successful and their needs are met. I'm willing to put in the effort, you should be, too.

- Don't tell me about the holidays I get. Yes, I'm very lucky. Yes, I do get about three months off per year. I also work my butt off for hours each night when I'm not actually teaching, get paid less than other professionals, and if you think it's so easy and great, you should have gone into teaching.

- No, I won't prepare two weeks of work ahead of time because you're going on vacation. I think family vacations are wonderful, I hope you have a great time. But you do need to recognize that you child is missing school and that it's your choice to pull them out. My lessons are not about completing worksheets, and the consequence of missing school is that you're missing these lessons.

- Letting your child pick their nose and eat is is gross. No, it's not a healthy way to build up an immune system. And you're crazy. End of story.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I had tons of homework, AND we had to bring all our books home every night. That's right, I'm old!

So did I. We always had homework during Christmas, mid winter and spring breaks.

Hmm, most of those wouldn't make my list of things I wish parents knew...

I would add:

- I don't want to test your child because I'm out to get them, want them labeled, or think they're dumb. I want to test them because I suspect something may be wrong and I want to know how to help them. A diagnosis, be it a visual processing delay to autism, does not make your child different from who they were before. They are the same child you love, only now I can take steps to ensure they are successful and their needs are met. I'm willing to put in the effort, you should be, too.

- Don't tell me about the holidays I get. Yes, I'm very lucky. Yes, I do get about three months off per year. I also work my butt off for hours each night when I'm not actually teaching, get paid less than other professionals, and if you think it's so easy and great, you should have gone into teaching.

- No, I won't prepare two weeks of work ahead of time because you're going on vacation. I think family vacations are wonderful, I hope you have a great time. But you do need to recognize that you child is missing school and that it's your choice to pull them out. My lessons are not about completing worksheets, and the consequence of missing school is that you're missing these lessons.

- Letting your child pick their nose and eat is is gross. No, it's not a healthy way to build up an immune system. And you're crazy. End of story.

If one more parent tells me that teacher's just want to put all black boys into special ed, I'm going to scream.

 

[MrsPete]

That's been in my signature line for years Parents would be absolutely shocked at some of the things they tell us.

Don't think for a minute that they quit telling us things once they become teenagers! I certainly don't believe everything they say, and I run it all through "teen filter".