*

[CEDmom]

All those who are employed as teachers that obviously do not like children or care about their needs, please get another job.

I have a teaching degree and am one month away from my special ed license...I love kids, even those that are challenging. I champion for the underdogs.

I just do not understand why SOME of those in education do not seem to have that passion for kids?!?!

I'm starting to understand the rationale behind home schooling.........

Who wants to start a school with me????????

That's too bad. Our school is great and the teachers really care. Home schooling would never be an option for us since we don't agree with the whole concept.

I do have to tell you that I'm in my DD's school a lot volunteering and PTO stuff. Let me tell you there are some real pain in the neck parents that you couldn't pay me enough to have to deal with.

 

[billysotherdad]

This is the reason I never sit in the lounge. Never have...never will.

I glance into the lounge (or go in to get my lunch out of the refrigerator) and that's it. If I know the teachers in there are not going to make me feel like murdering them, I may sit. Usually, I take my lunch elsewhere. There are about four of us that will sit together occassionally, but we are all in agreement that when the OTHERS show up, we leave and eat in one of our rooms.

To sit in the lounge and hear teachers complain about how horrible children are, I wonder why they ever became teachers to begin with. It's awful.

I, too, love my job. I care about all of the kids in my class (and even those I don't teach)! Recently, one of my students was hit by a car on a Friday after school. I immediately made the phone call home on Monday as soon as I learned about it. I talked to her and her mom and when she came back this week, looking as good as new, I was thrilled. I care a great deal about them as people, not just a job.

 

[CEDmom]

I honestly don't see why it's so bad that teachers talk about kids in the teacher's lounge. Some kids are a pain in the neck. Isn't it better that a teacher vent his/her frustrations away from the classroom than in the classroom at the kids?

 

[disneyjunkie]

All those who are employed as teachers that obviously do not like children or care about their needs, please get another job.

I have a teaching degree and am one month away from my special ed license...I love kids, even those that are challenging. I champion for the underdogs.

I just do not understand why SOME of those in education do not seem to have that passion for kids?!?!

I'm starting to understand the rationale behind home schooling.........

Who wants to start a school with me????????

I've run into my share of these teachers. However, I don't think it's always a case of not liking children.

I think many of them have just had it with parents.

The parents who believe everything their child says no matter what.
The parents who head straight to the principal/school board when they have an issue with the teacher.
The parents who belittle the teacher in front of students and other parents.
The parents who threaten or who have physically attacked teachers. (Yes, I’ve seen a parent slap a teacher in the face)
The parents who back their kids up when they threaten or physically attack a teacher.
The parents who complain about EVERYTHING the teacher does.

I have a friend who always says if they could get rid of most of the parents, her school would be perfect.

 

[Teacher03]

How sad!! I had an awful 2nd grade teacher too, and I've never forgotten it. I guess that's why I'm stressing so much over the possibility of my son getting one of these mean old ladies. DS has just finally this year started speaking out in class, raising his hand, trying to participate. Up until this year, he has been extremely shy, got his feelings hurt very easily, just very touchy!! He's made amazing improvements, and I know if he gets placed in one of these classes, he will digress, and I'm just not going to give them the chance to do that to him. I'll be having a talk with the principal at the end of the year this year, and I hope she takes my comments seriously.

Me too! My second grade teacher terrified me! She wouldn't let me go to the restroom one day, and you guessed it, I had an accident. She then yelled at me about it. When my mom came in and questioned her about it, she lied and denied it. It was the only time I ever saw my mom give someone the business! 37 years later, and it still upsets me!

We do have one teacher in our school that needs to retire....she knows it and is in the process of looking for another job (outside of teaching).

 

[barkley]

I honestly don't see why it's so bad that teachers talk about kids in the teacher's lounge. Some kids are a pain in the neck. Isn't it better that a teacher vent his/her frustrations away from the classroom than in the classroom at the kids?

people would be appalled to hear what social services staff talk about in the 'lounge'. horrible, terrible 'gallows' type comments, jokes, remarks...it's done in the company of other professional staff members who it is presumed know that it is important to 'vent' for the purposes of protecting one's own sanity and emotional and physical well being to continue on with one's chosen profession. physical because when you think of how as a parent you are invested in caring for your child-think if you have one of those 'caring' teachers or social workers how they must feel when they feel even half of that for the children under their watch-it can be gut wrenching to the point of physical illness on a daily basis.

the comments i heard in teacher's lounges and social services break rooms realy upset me in my early years in both professions, but in time, i learned that without this outlet many of the most caring peers i was proud to work with could never have gotten through their day to day experiences.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

First, I want to say that most of my experience with teachers has been extremely positive. I guess you could say I went to school for 21 years of my life and hardly ever ran into a bad teacher. In fact, I am sure, as someone else has said, that there are waaaaay more horrible parents than their are teachers.

BUT . . .

It is sad when that happens. I hear a lot of people talk about wanting to be a teacher because they want summers off. Clueless.

I do know what you mean. When I graduated from my undergraduate degree, there were so many people who didn't know what they wanted to do with their lives so they "settled" for teaching. Do they not realize that they have children's lives in their hands? It's not something you settle for, it's a vocation that you should be passionate about and suited for.

My mom was a teacher for 34 years and it was so easy to tell that she loved every minute of it! She taught grade one and, at that age, they were like her adopted kids. She could tell you, though, how the profession has changed so much over the years. While teachers now seem to start out with more "paper" behind them, they're missing some fundamental skills. I don't think it's their fault so much as problems with the standards and training.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I actually believe that someone doesn't have to particularly like kids to be an effective teacher. I have friends who are teachers who are like that. Also, I know some of my own teachers (especially high school) were like that, too. These teachers teach well, and keep things professional and orderly in their classrooms, and know their subject matter. But they don't particularly want to bond with kids, don't want to know much about them, don't learn their names, don't want to spend any extra time with them, and remain distant. When the bell rings, these teachers go home to their own families, and don't dwell at all on the kids they teach. To them, it's a job that pays the bills, pays the mortgage, has very good benefits and excellent pension plans (at least in our district).

So yes, I know good teachers who don't like kids, but the kids learn in their classrooms, which is what the teachers are suppose to do.

 

[mirthmaiden]

I honestly don't see why it's so bad that teachers talk about kids in the teacher's lounge. Some kids are a pain in the neck. Isn't it better that a teacher vent his/her frustrations away from the classroom than in the classroom at the kids?

Yes, it is better to talk out your frustration in the lounge. It does NOT mean you shouldn't be teaching because you don't like kids. While I don't think it should necessarily be a gripe session, it is a time to share with other teachers and often they have other strategies you haven't thought of. I have learned information in the teacher's lounge about a kid's home life that makes the lightbulb go on and suddenly things make sense. It's much easier, then, to deal with the child appropriately.

 

[MushyMushy]

I honestly don't see why it's so bad that teachers talk about kids in the teacher's lounge. Some kids are a pain in the neck. Isn't it better that a teacher vent his/her frustrations away from the classroom than in the classroom at the kids?

It's not like that though. Venting would be "ARGH, Jimmy is getting on my last nerve and I just don't know what to do with him anymore. I'm going to scream if he doesn't stop being so disruptive." Everyone can relate to that.

However, it's pure poison to sit in an environment where you hear, "Zach is a lazy, no good so-and-so. I HATE HIM! I really do hate him." (when Zach is actually a very nice boy who has no motivation and does poorly on standardized tests). Same teacher swears she'll homeschool her own child because she's far too superior to be in a regular school.

I don't want to hear that kind of crap coming from an adult! At one school, they're just plain mean about what they're saying -- criticizing how the kids look and dress and things like that. It's nonsense and I don't want to be around it.

There's venting, and then there's bashing. I'm smart enough to know the difference.

 

[Teacher03]

I actually believe that someone doesn't have to particularly like kids to be an effective teacher. I have friends who are teachers who are like that. Also, I know some of my own teachers (especially high school) were like that, too. These teachers teach well, and keep things professional and orderly in their classrooms, and know their subject matter. But they don't particularly want to bond with kids, don't want to know much about them, don't learn their names, don't want to spend any extra time with them, and remain distant. When the bell rings, these teachers go home to their own families, and don't dwell at all on the kids they teach. To them, it's a job that pays the bills, pays the mortgage, has very good benefits and excellent pension plans (at least in our district).

So yes, I know good teachers who don't like kids, but the kids learn in their classrooms, which is what the teachers are suppose to do.

I agree, but only with high school. My kids have had some high school teachers who were fun, they were interested in their lives, etc., but they didn't learn a thing from them. They had a couple who were excelllent teachers, but the teachers probably didn't know a thing about them outside of how they were doing in that class.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I honestly don't see why it's so bad that teachers talk about kids in the teacher's lounge. Some kids are a pain in the neck. Isn't it better that a teacher vent his/her frustrations away from the classroom than in the classroom at the kids?

There is a difference between venting and gossiping. When I was doing the MH stuff in the schools, the lounge was usually the place i was given to do my notes, etc. The things I heard in there broke my heart, offended my professional senses, and made me pity any child placed in some of these teacher's care. (Not the majority! But a solid handful in each of the schools.)

 

[Fitswimmer]

I've run into my share of these teachers. However, I don't think it's always a case of not liking children.

I think many of them have just had it with parents.

The parents who believe everything their child says no matter what.
The parents who head straight to the principal/school board when they have an issue with the teacher.
The parents who belittle the teacher in front of students and other parents.
The parents who threaten or who have physically attacked teachers. (Yes, I’ve seen a parent slap a teacher in the face)
The parents who back their kids up when they threaten or physically attack a teacher.
The parents who complain about EVERYTHING the teacher does.

I have a friend who always says if they could get rid of most of the parents, her school would be perfect.

I have a bunch of teacher friends and they are all telling me similar stories. It's not NCLB, it's not the bureaucracy, and it's definately not the kids: It's the parents. My one friend said a few weeks ago that she didn't know what was worse, the helicopter parents with the "perfect" children or the inattentive parent that pays no attention to what the child is doing. Mostly what they gripe about at the Y in the am is that the parents expect the teacher to magically impart knowledge into little Johnny's brain without Johnny having to make any effort whatsoever.

 

[kbkids]

I do have to tell you that I'm in my DD's school a lot volunteering and PTO stuff. Let me tell you there are some real pain in the neck parents that you couldn't pay me enough to have to deal with.

Amen, totally agree with you. I too spend many hours volunteering at my kids' schools, which I why I know first hand that no way, no how is my child going in one of those 3 classes I mentioned above. I've seen first hand the way they talk to their kids, and I've complained, but unfortunately, they can't do anything because they are tenured teachers unless they lay a hand on one of the kids. One came dangerously close one day, and I watched, holding my breath, but she stopped just short.

Anyway, yes, there are MANY parents that I will cut short in a hallway and go another way if I see them coming. I'm on our PTO board as well, and unfortunately, I have to deal with them frequently. They've never happy with anything. I also substitute teach as well and have been asked several teams about getting certified so they could hire me full time. At this point in my life, not interested!!! And it's not because of the kids, I don't want to deal with the parents!

 

[JoyG]

However, it's pure poison to sit in an environment where you hear, "Zach is a lazy, no good so-and-so. I HATE HIM! I really do hate him." .

In 12 years of teacher's lounges, and 4 different buildings, I've never heard anyone say anything like that! I hope people reading this thread don't think this kind of talk happens all the time. The teachers I've come in contact with may vent once in a while, but underneath they care about the children they work with and I've never heard anyone say they "hate" a student.

 

[MushyMushy]

In 12 years of teacher's lounges, and 4 different buildings, I've never heard anyone say anything like that! I hope people reading this thread don't think this kind of talk happens all the time. The teachers I've come in contact with may vent once in a while, but underneath they care about the children they work with and I've never heard anyone say they "hate" a student.

That was no exaggeration.

This same teacher one day stopped a kid from going outside without a coat during their lunch activity period. She said, "I don't want you to get sick," which I thought was pretty compassionate. Until she followed up with, "We can't have you missing days and messing up our attendance records -- it's already bad enough." (this school didn't meet expectations for attendance the past few years).

She gives me the warm fuzzies.

 

[castleview]

All those who are employed as teachers that obviously do not like children or care about their needs, please get another job.

I have a teaching degree and am one month away from my special ed license...I love kids, even those that are challenging. I champion for the underdogs.

I just do not understand why SOME of those in education do not seem to have that passion for kids?!?!

I'm starting to understand the rationale behind home schooling.........

Who wants to start a school with me????????

Do you have to like kids or do you have to like teaching? I had a chemistry teacher who didn't seem to like teenagers at all, but she believed in her teaching and her students learned. Maybe underneath it all, she did like us hormonal mouthy kids.

Since you're going to be teaching special education, I could tell you that what drives my science teacher DH crazy are IEPs with ridiculous modifications. Some allow a kid to have everything done for them, some allow a kid to get a B for being able to spell the course title. This is the stuff he could do without.

Yes there are teachers who could be whiners in my DDs elementary school. But they also are very organized people who expect order in their class. If they want to complain about a kid who is disrupting that process, well go ahead. I'm glad it ticks her off and hopefully she stops it.

ETA: Last year my DD would come home and tell me how bad one child was and everything the teacher said to him. I thought what she told this child was terribly inappropriate and humiliating to say in front of the other kids. Well, I help with afterschool programs and after dealing with this child for just four days...that teacher can say whatever she wants to him and have early retirement!

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Yes, I think that to excel at teaching, one has to love teaching AND students. I think it's silly to think otherwise. Think about the doctors you have encoutered who have absolutely no bedside manor. Sure, they may enjoy medicine but don't care about people. So why they may excel at one part of their profession, they are not excellent doctors.

 

[Cindyluwho]

Is she still alive? If so, I would anywho.com her, and write her a letter about that incident.

I think the fact that you still remember it speaks volumes about how that must of bothered you as a child

What a cruel human being she was

What a great idea! People should know how they affect others!
A couple of years ago I wrote a letter to my favorite High School teacher and told him how much he had meant to me in my life. He was thrilled to get the letter and wrote me right back.

 

[Camicar]

My dd had a 2nd grade teacher who was unbelievable. I truly believe she hated children. She screamed at the kids, called the developmentally delayed girl in her class "Stupid, idiot, slow, fool, retard", refused to grade papers (so parents had to be brought in to grade papers), and was just the meanest person I ever met. After countless parental complaints, she is still teaching with no reprimands, nothing. This teacher must have some dirt on the principal and school board bec they refuse to do anything about her and of course the union insists that the more than 100 parental complaints in the last 4 years alone are a 'conspiracy against a very fine teacher.'

My dd actually did okay bec she reailzed immediately that the teacher was a bully and she gave it right back at her and the teacher immediately backed down and left her alone from then on. The rest of them were no so lucky.