Anther school vent...............

[dipin]

My point was that I don't believe the children's best interests are always at heart, but rather the funding comes first.

And where do you think that funding goes?

There is a reason class sizes are increasing, after school programs are being cut, and financial aid for school lunches is being taken away. And ignoring all the requirements to keep that funding would only make the situation worse.

If people really want to change this, they should contact their congress representatives about reducing so many unfunded mandates. I doubt that is going to happen, though. It is more politically convenient to always blame the schools and the teachers, instead of saying what most research has found, which is that family stability and parental encouragement are the keys to student success.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I'm glad I've become controversial enough that everyone is quoting my posts . It seems like I'm the only one that's quote worthy. Let me just point out that my child goes to private school and, for the most part, I'm quite happy with her school, teachers and education. I also end up paying twice for her education -- once in taxes and again in tuition. We don't receive much funding at all from the State because we are a Catholic school and yet our school seems to provide a better education than the public schools who spend 2-3x more per student than our Catholic school. Our teachers also don't have a union which protects them and their job when they are obviously incompetent and inadequate. Their job rests solely on their ability and they don't have a union to fall back on. I believe teaching is a worthy profession which is sometimes marred in beaurocratic red tape and parent nonsense. I also believe there are many teachers out there who couldn't care less about their students. I do believe that the only way for a student to obtain the best education is by having the parents fully involved, which I am. My daughter is an honor roll student who is well liked by her teachers. I was actuallly asked to write a letter of recommendation for two of her former teachers when they applied for this new school, so obviously some of the teachers like me and value my opinion as well. And if you ask many of the teachers why they like being teachers, besides the love of their students and teaching, they specifically say they like having summers off. Why is it so hard for some to admit that?

 

[december]

I bet you never told your kids' teachers to stop whining

I do like having summers off-I stated that in a previous post. But having summers off does NOT equate to having a part-time job. Also, people make alot of assumptions about every school being the same. For example, we don't have unions here at all! And someone posted that their teachers get to have lunch in the lounge while paid workers are in the cafeteria-that would be a dream! A whole lunch with grown-ups! I at least get to sit at a teacher table while I watch my little darlings eat. At my first school, I had to sit at the table with them.

The OP (who vanished ) and some other posters on this thread made some very negative remarks about teachers. Teachers defended ourselves and corrected some misconceptions. Is that wrong?

 

[leighe]

Also, one more note on teacher salaries. Yes, we have a contract and essentially we understand that we are contracted for a job not a certain number of hours. However, my district wants the best of both worlds. I don't receive standard lunch periods or 15 minute breaks like an hourly paid employee--I can live with that. If a teacher mentions this, we are reminded that we are salary. Then the last time we were released early for inclement weather, our district sent an email reminding everyone that if they left early because of weather, they would have to make up their "time."

I wish they would just pick one...I'm I a salary employee or hourly???

This sounds rather familiar.

Why don't you quit whining and spend more of your over-paid time off taking your kids to waterparks.

WHATEVER IT TAKES.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I bet you never told your kids' teachers to stop whining

I do like having summers off-I stated that in a previous post. But having summers off does NOT equate to having a part-time job. Also, people make alot of assumptions about every school being the same. For example, we don't have unions here at all! And someone posted that their teachers get to have lunch in the lounge while paid workers are in the cafeteria-that would be a dream! A whole lunch with grown-ups! I at least get to sit at a teacher table while I watch my little darlings eat. At my first school, I had to sit at the table with them.

The OP (who vanished ) and some other posters on this thread made some very negative remarks about teachers. Teachers defended ourselves and corrected some misconceptions. Is that wrong?

That happens to all the interesting threads!

**Let me go on record. I am a former teacher. I love teachers. I appreciate the hard work they do. I don't think they get paid enough. In fact, that's why I left teaching. I was single and I couldn't afford to buy a house. I went on to a more lucrative career but I would have stayed had the pay been better. I loved it.

Yes. I knew the pay wasn't great. I did think I could scrape by and get a house. Just wasn't going to happen on that salary.

 

[horseshowmom]

And if you ask many of the teachers why they like being teachers, besides the love of their students and teaching, they specifically say they like having summers off. Why is it so hard for some to admit that?

Well, I said that I did (although I don't have it anymore). I know December said that she did. I don't know of anybody who has trouble "admitting" that (kind of sounds like it's some secret we're trying to keep from the world ). But, I still don't know what that has to do with anything.


ETA: In the interest of fair disclosure, I am currently a school librarian. I actually get to eat lunch by myself (instead of having to sit with my students as others do). I even have some planning time.

None of the teachers in our elementary have any planning time, it must all be done on their own time. Due to budget cuts, all extra aides (P.E., computer lab, etc. - the times when teachers previously had their planning times) had to be let go, and the teachers must cover all of those things now since they're part of the curriculum.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Well, I said that I did (although I don't have it anymore). I know December said that she did. I don't know of anybody who has trouble "admitting" that (kind of sounds like it's some secret we're trying to keep from the world ). But, I still don't know what that has to do with anything.

Just a perk of the job that I'm completely jealous of!

 

[dipin]

Just a perk of the job that I'm completely jealous of!

It is a perk that is unpaid. So it is a conscious decision one has to make: summers off, but no pay.

Regardless, as has been said again and again, teachers are not whining about salaries. Just setting the record straight.

Unfortunately, way too many parents think that the teacher's day ends at 3. Summers off or not, the problem is that so many parents think that teachers have a lot of free time during the school year, and that if they are not giving special snowflake special attention is because they are lazy, which is the furthest thing from the truth.

My wife is a high school teacher. Her day starts at 7:30 4 days a week, and one day a week it starts at 7. She teaches 5 classes a day, plus study hall and detention. School is done at 3:15, and she has to stay an additional 30 minutes every day for after school tutorial. Once a week, she also has faculty meetings at 4. So one day a week she gets home at 5:30, and she gets home at 4:15 the others. Once every two weeks she has to stay an additional hour after school coordinating the extra curricular activity she is in charge of. And all of this not counting either planning or grading. During the week, usually she does planning and grading until 7 pm. And all of this without including weeks when she attends plays, parent conferences, sporting events. Now, she doesnt complain about pay, hours, or anything like that.

What she DOES complain about is when parents think that she has a lot of free time and therefore should be willing to meet outside the scheduled tutorial hours to tutor their kids individually, or when they get upset because she can't make individualized lesson plans for their special snowflake, or when they expect her to meet with the private tutor to explain upcoming lesson plans, and so on.

Just look at the OP: her son is happy and doing well in school. Isnt that the basic objective of a good teacher? How can the teachers be so horrible if the son is happy and doing well? Unfortunately, so many parents lose track of that and demand individualized lesson plans, rules, evaluations, etc. Something most teachers would love to provide, except they teach dozens if not hundreds of kids, and already work very long hours during the school year.

As for the rules, unfortunately every parent wants exceptions made for their kids, and harsh punishments for every other kid. When schools are being sued daily because of any type of bullying, harassment, etc. that goes on in schools, dont be surprised that the schools will adopt very harsh punishments to deal with that.

 

[Kathi OD]

When my children were little, I used to love having summers off. Now that they are all grown, I don't have that little perk since my contract is for 12 months.

If there are no snow days during the year I get a week off at the end of June. If we have days to make up, like we will this year, it will be less than a week. I also get one week at the end of August and one each at Christmas and Easter. That's it for week-long vacations. If I want to go on vacation it HAS to be one of those weeks or use my personal days at some point during the school year.

 

[SnowWhite607]

Oh no! I totally admit that I love my summer vacations! I dont know of any teacher who wont admit the same thing! Regarding holidays and summers, I think teaching is a great job because it allows me holidays and summers to be with MY child when she is out of school. But I understand I wont be paid for it and thats fine. No whining about it, just letting everyone know that we dont take 185 days a year off and get paid for them too.

Just for the record, I live in Louisiana and we were off this week for Mardi Gras. Did I get paid for it? No. Did I do school work on my vacation? Yes. I updated my class website, wrote out a newsletter and calendar for March and did my lesson plans for the whole month of March. It took between 3 and 4 hours total. Did I get paid? No. But its one of the things about the job that I understand. Like dipin said, not complaining, just setting the record straight.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Regardless, as has been said again and again, teachers are not whining about salaries. Just setting the record straight.

Unfortunately, way too many parents think that the teacher's day ends at 3. Summers off or not, the problem is that so many parents think that teachers have a lot of free time during the school year, and that if they are not giving special snowflake special attention is because they are lazy, which is the furthest thing from the truth.

What she DOES complain about is when parents think that she has a lot of free time and therefore should be willing to meet outside the scheduled tutorial hours to tutor their kids individually, or when they get upset because she can't make individualized lesson plans for their special snowflake, or when they expect her to meet with the private tutor to explain upcoming lesson plans, and so on.

Just look at the OP: her son is happy and doing well in school. Isnt that the basic objective of a good teacher? How can the teachers be so horrible if the son is happy and doing well? Unfortunately, so many parents lose track of that and demand individualized lesson plans, rules, evaluations, etc. Something most teachers would love to provide, except they teach dozens if not hundreds of kids, and already work very long hours during the school year.

As for the rules, unfortunately every parent wants exceptions made for their kids, and harsh punishments for every other kid. When schools are being sued daily because of any type of bullying, harassment, etc. that goes on in schools, dont be surprised that the schools will adopt very harsh punishments to deal with that.

Wow, talk about being unhappy. Why does everyone have to refer to our children as "special snowflakes"? Teachers don't like to be lumped in as being all bad, so why is it okay for teachers (and family members) to refer to our children as "special snowflakes"? So all parents are horrible? Is that it? Jez, for a bunch of professionals who seem to be so unhappy dealing with children and the public, no wonder why so many parents complain! The animosity is obvious and palpable. No matter how many times people on this board mention the fact that we know you're overworked and underpaid, you STILL feel the need to "set the record straight". Thank God the teachers I deal with are nothing like some of those I've found on here. And maybe some of the children you're referring to that need special attention actually need specialized attention due to a learning disability or for an emotional disability? Maybe if some teachers took 5 minutes to speak with a parent, the child would benefit and isn't that the bottom line, helping the children?

At the beginning of this year my daughter was having MAJOR adjustment issues. I spoke with the principal, teacher and nurse. TOGETHER we were able to help my daughter adapt to her new situation. Five minutes was all it took. And for the record, what I requested was that they NOT allow her to leave school and come home every time she complained she was sick. It was nerves, simple as that. Being sent home each time she went to the nurse was NOT helping the situation. They all agreed, and again, we were able TOGETHER to get my daughter through the first few weeks of work. I was EXTREMELY grateful for the time they gave me out of their busy day and I even told her teacher I was sorry because I realized how already trying her new school year was, without having to deal with my daughter's issues. She thanked me for keeping her in the loop and letting her know what the issue was because it helped her to understand my daughter better and help her. She was not at all put out by having to spend 5 minutes with me.

I am truly offended every time I hear the phrase "special snowflake". You do work under trying circumstances, but you're working with children. How does it make them feel if your disdain for them and their parents is obvious? Even if you hate the parent, please don't dislike the child. They didn't to pick their parents.

 

[Tamarap]

I guess I am just amazed at the level of contempt that so many have for teachers. I am a high school teacher. I am contracted to work 185 days. That is our school year. I don't get paid for winter break, spring break, holidays, or summer. My salary covers the 185 contractual school days. I never complain about my salary, I don't complain about anything related to teaching but I won't hold my breath when others complain about teachers schedule or salary. I choose to be a teacher, I went to college and earned two degrees so that I could become a teacher, people should not begrudge teachers and the occupations that they chose. I will not apologize for choosing to be a teacher nor defend the salary and schedule that goes along with being a teacher.

I love being a teacher I can't imagine doing anything else. Having the summers to be with my children played a huge role in my decision becoming a teacher was a decision and anyone can make the same one.

And to the poster who said teachers don't work full time, I am personally offended. I arrive at school every morning at 7 am (classes start at 8) I leave between 4:30 and 5 (school ends at 2:40) I tutor during my lunch period as well as before and after school. I spend countless hours grading and planning lessons at home at night and on the weekends. In fact I spent two hours yesterday planning lessons and two hours this morning creating an assessment.
Try telling my 11 year old who keeps asking me to try to get home a little earlier that his mommy doesn't work full time!

 

[dipin]

Wow, talk about being unhappy. Why does everyone have to refer to our children as "special snowflakes"? Teachers don't like to be lumped in as being all bad, so why is it okay for teachers (and family members) to refer to our children as "special snowflakes"? So all parents are horrible? Is that it? Jez, for a bunch of professionals who seem to be so unhappy dealing with children and the public, no wonder why so many parents complain! The animosity is obvious and palpable. No matter how many times people on this board mention the fact that we know you're overworked and underpaid, you STILL feel the need to "set the record straight". Thank God the teachers I deal with are nothing like some of those I've found on here. And maybe some of the children you're referring to that need special attention actually need specialized attention due to a learning disability or for an emotional disability? Maybe if some teachers took 5 minutes to speak with a parent, the child would benefit and isn't that the bottom line, helping the children?

At the beginning of this year my daughter was having MAJOR adjustment issues. I spoke with the principal, teacher and nurse. TOGETHER we were able to help my daughter adapt to her new situation. Five minutes was all it took. And for the record, what I requested was that they NOT allow her to leave school and come home every time she complained she was sick. It was nerves, simple as that. Being sent home each time she went to the nurse was NOT helping the situation. They all agreed, and again, we were able TOGETHER to get my daughter through the first few weeks of work. I was EXTREMELY grateful for the time they gave me out of their busy day and I even told her teacher I was sorry because I realized how already trying her new school year was, without having to deal with my daughter's issues. She thanked me for keeping her in the loop and letting her know what the issue was because it helped her to understand my daughter better and help her. She was not at all put out by having to spend 5 minutes with me.

I am truly offended every time I hear the phrase "special snowflake". You do work under trying circumstances, but you're working with children. How does it make them feel if your disdain for them and their parents is obvious? Even if you hate the parent, please don't dislike the child. They didn't to pick their parents.

The use of the term "special snowflake" is a sort of "if the shoe fits" type of thing. The vast majority of kids and parents are great. But unfortunately many parents think that their children should not be subjected to the rules and expectations other children have, or they think teachers should adapt the class towards their children.

So special snowflake does not refer to all kids, but to those parents who can't understand that their kid is not the only one in a class.

 

[HamTown]

A "special snowflake" has a lot more to do with the parent than it does with the child.

PrincessKsMom wrote

At the beginning of this year my daughter was having MAJOR adjustment issues. I spoke with the principal, teacher and nurse. TOGETHER we were able to help my daughter adapt to her new situation. Five minutes was all it took. And for the record, what I requested was that they NOT allow her to leave school and come home every time she complained she was sick. It was nerves, simple as that. Being sent home each time she went to the nurse was NOT helping the situation.

The parent of a "special snowflake" would have requested that their child be allowed to call home to Mommy if she were feeling bad or asked if the parent could come stay with the child in the classroom. Or maybe be allowed to have a snack to settle their stomach. Do you see the difference?

From your comments you handled the situation in the same way I would have. You realize your child is there to learn and being sent home is not helping. You're telling your child (gently) to suck it up. It worked.

Also, many times something that could be handled in 5 minutes by the teacher is ignored by the parents. Repeatedly.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Wow, talk about being unhappy. Why does everyone have to refer to our children as "special snowflakes"? Teachers don't like to be lumped in as being all bad, so why is it okay for teachers (and family members) to refer to our children as "special snowflakes"? So all parents are horrible? Is that it? Jez, for a bunch of professionals who seem to be so unhappy dealing with children and the public, no wonder why so many parents complain! The animosity is obvious and palpable. No matter how many times people on this board mention the fact that we know you're overworked and underpaid, you STILL feel the need to "set the record straight". Thank God the teachers I deal with are nothing like some of those I've found on here. And maybe some of the children you're referring to that need special attention actually need specialized attention due to a learning disability or for an emotional disability? Maybe if some teachers took 5 minutes to speak with a parent, the child would benefit and isn't that the bottom line, helping the children?

OK...I am a family member of a teacher and my dad has never once refered to a student as a 'special snowflake'. I on the other hand may have because I know some of the things that the 'snowflakes' have done to my dad over the years.

One such student smacked, slapped, punched, kicked, spit on and bit my dad on many occations. When my dad would talk to this child's parents, the reaction was 'what did you do to make our child so upset that he did that to you?', not 'I am so sorry, our child shouldn't behave that way and we'll take care of it'. How dare those parents condone the behavior of their child! My dad was physically abused by a student and nobody did anything! He is a teacher, but he's also my dad and I do want to protect him. Knowing a student did this to him (in an elementary school, may I add) is just horrible. Since the kid's parents let their child act this way now, can you imagine how the child's going to act while he/she grows up?

Now on the other hand, a couple of years ago one of my dad's former students had her Bat Mitzvah. My mom and my dad both attended her celebration and my dad was honored there for making a difference in this girl's life. My dad was really touched that she felt that way about him as a teacher.

My dad is not unhappy with dealing with children or adults, he loves teaching and has no plans of retiring any time soon. The fact is that if the parents support the child's education and in turn support the teacher, it makes life easier for everyone involved.

 

[GeorgiaPeach8]

salary covers the 185 contractual school days. I never complain about my salary, I don't complain about anything related to teaching but I won't hold my breath when others complain about teachers schedule or salary. I choose to be a teacher, I went to college and earned two degrees so that I could become a teacher, people should not begrudge teachers and the occupations that they chose.

I used to agree with this but in KY we have gone to really high stakes testing. Over the last 16 years the work load and demands have gotten more intense but pay has not improved. Here is one small example...we used to be asked to do one ballgame duty per year. No big deal, we aren't paid but I like going and seeing the kids. This year we are told our contract requires two ballgames (not true, contract doesn't mention game duty). Ballgames duties take about 4.5 hours. So, now we are up to 9 hours with no pay. This is just one of many, many "little" things that teachers are asked to do with no pay.

Also, I truly believe when teachers have the attitude that the pay is the pay and we knew that going in it only demeans the profession. It contributes to the belief that we don't deserve more pay. I was thinking about this thread earlier. I would like to clarify--I don't think teachers think we work harder or deserve more pay or have more stress than other professions. I think it is that we believe that current pay and work level are not equal (or even close).

 

[beautybelle]

Sorry I really havent abandoned my thread. Ive been gone all weekend and I have only had the chance to read a few of the posts actually, but I will get around to reading them.
I will first say that I think Ive gotten to page 3 and Im already amazed at how out of context some of you have taken my "vent". But I knew when I wrote it what would come and I cant say that I care because Ive wrote other things and they've been disected to the point of "He!! was I really thinking that?" LOL Its actually really comical.
Im not say all of you do that but a lot does.
But anyway I guess I should go back and read my OP but I dont have time right now so I will say this; if I stated somewhere that ALL public schools were bad then I apologize ( I wrote that post in the very early morning hours, you know , when most things are on your mind and you cant sleep) If I stated that ALL teachers were bad then again I apologize. But thats about all I will apologize for. I still stick to my origional opinion about my nephew.
There was somebody posted (cant remember the name) that indicated that I go in the school situation "with an attitude" well if you will go back and read the OP again you will see that I usually plaster a smile on my face when I go because I dont want to cause ds any trouble. So I will say that when I do have to go in for some reason Im very polite and sweet (I repeat: for ds sake) but to be honest the end result would be the same if I went in peed off............NOTHING.
There was another poster who mentioned why I would let my son make such a decision. Well I have to bow down to that one, Excuse: NONE. I dropped the ball there. Even my own mother has growled at me over that.
But anyway I have to run and if I get a chance later I will read the rest of the posts and respond one way or another.

 

[dipin]

Sorry I really havent abandoned my thread. Ive been gone all weekend and I have only had the chance to read a few of the posts actually, but I will get around to reading them.
I will first say that I think Ive gotten to page 3 and Im already amazed at how out of context some of you have taken my "vent". But I knew when I wrote it what would come and I cant say that I care because Ive wrote other things and they've been disected to the point of "He!! was I really thinking that?" LOL Its actually really comical.
Im not say all of you do that but a lot does.
But anyway I guess I should go back and read my OP but I dont have time right now so I will say this; if I stated somewhere that ALL public schools were bad then I apologize ( I wrote that post in the very early morning hours, you know , when most things are on your mind and you cant sleep) If I stated that ALL teachers were bad then again I apologize. But thats about all I will apologize for. I still stick to my origional opinion about my nephew.
There was somebody posted (cant remember the name) that indicated that I go in the school situation "with an attitude" well if you will go back and read the OP again you will see that I usually plaster a smile on my face when I go because I dont want to cause ds any trouble. So I will say that when I do have to go in for some reason Im very polite and sweet (I repeat: for ds sake) but to be honest the end result would be the same if I went in peed off............NOTHING.
There was another poster who mentioned why I would let my son make such a decision. Well I have to bow down to that one, Excuse: NONE. I dropped the ball there. Even my own mother has growled at me over that.
But anyway I have to run and if I get a chance later I will read the rest of the posts and respond one way or another.

I think I (and others) simply dont understand how you can say most of your son's teachers are terrible if he is doing well and is happy. It sounds more like you have a problem with them, not your son.

 

[richmond282]

I actually have never heard (or used obviously) the term "special snowflake"

 

[Teacher03]

I actually have never heard (or used obviously) the term "special snowflake"

Same here! This was a new one to me.