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

[kaytieeldr]

I called the Superintendent and told him I took this personally and he said," Well, Mrs. ___________ , I am not going to say it was not personal. Mrs. __________ (the principle) explained to me you had a problem with the poster, etc., etc. blah, blah." Hhhhhmmmm, that is a petty little rule. So the fact is they don't want parents to walk their children to their classrooms in a PUBLIC school because they don't want us to see what they are really doing. Soooooo, how else can I take that?

While not, in ANY way, supporting a teacher or school being able to promote religion in ANY form, I think it is also unreasonable (and potentially disruptive, beyond maybe the first few days of school, for parents to be escorting their children to the classrooms. Daily? For an entire school year, or even the first four months (now that the policy has been changed)? No, I'm surprised any school would permit that in the first place.

 

[kaytieeldr]

No, you're right, they don't look for pity, but I also don't want to hear how they don't get paid during the summer, work long hours, have little budgets to work with. YOU KNEW THAT BEFORE YOU BECAME A TEACHER.

But I bet they didn't know the verbal abuse and the "not my kid" attitude they'd get from the parents...

 

[kaytieeldr]

Principal.

It's principal---

Remember, he or she is your "pal"

Hey guys. The word you want is PRINCIPAL not principle. Big difference.

This is why I love you guys. Both posters said this SO much more tactfully than I was about to!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I am referring to the fact that it is greedy to receive money that is contigent upon certain criteria and when you are purposely not complying with that criteria and still accepting the money that is what makes it greedy

: Not complying how? Earlier, you are upset because the schools "demand" that students attend every day, so that the schools can get government funding based on attendance. So, the schools are complying by requiring all students to attend (180 days of school, but apparently notably specific weeks when attendance is "counted", sort of like Sweeps Month on TV). If the students, or enough students, attend daily, the schools qualify for and thus get the money. NOWHERE in that requirement is any indication on HOW the schools must spend the money.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You never hear them say, school must be open for "x" days per year in order for the children to get the full education they need.

Frankly, in my opinion, schools should be open about 240 days a year for children to get the FULL education they need.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Same with standardized testing -- it's always teach for the test so we can get more funding, not teach so the children learn and become well rounded student and individuals. The test should be to see how much the children have learned overall, not what you can cram into them in the weeks leading up to the test so they can do well on the test

I'm posting this immediately after reading it, so I don't know what other responses I'll encounter, but... you don't REALLY think teachers WANT to "teach for the test", do you???????? No Child Left Behind was a Bush mandate - and no, I do NOT want this to become a political discussion; teachers WANT to teach.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I have a friend who is a teacher, and she said she can get her salary in paychecks over 10 months or 12, and she can teach summer school for extra pay. Seems to me teachers and school administrators are salaried and have to work as many (or as few) hours as it takes to do the job. So I really don't get that teachers don't get paid for the summer They get paid for a year of teaching, whatever it takes.

So a teacher who earns $36,000 annually can choose to have that amount distributed in ten monthly installments of $3,600 each (well, more likely $1,800, twice a month) OR in twelve monthly installments of $3,000 each / two $1,500 checks BEFORE deductions. The teacher isn't EARNING any different amount, they're just having it paid out in a different number of installments and so at a different amount.
And you're right about salaried/having to work as many hours as it takes... VERY few teachers work ONLY eight hours a day/forty hours a week.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

As far as teachers salaries go....

Teachers, like any other salaried positions, make X dollars a year. A year is 12 months! They are expected to work however many hours it takes to do the job that they were hired in for. They have a contract that I am sure spells it all out, so there are no surprises.

My husband is not a teacher, he is however salaried. So the above applies to him. He is paid X dollars a year. He is expected to work however many hours it takes to get his job done. If that means bring it home...he does it. If that means work weekends...he does it. He also travels quite a bit for work. That means that instead of his regular 8 hour work day he will be working up to 15-16 hours a day for the same rate.

I work in a public school as a para. My kids have attended that school. I have seen wonderful teachers, and I have seen teachers that needed to retire, or were in the WRONG profession. I have great respect for teachers. But I am sick of (some) teachers feeling that they work harder and are under more stress than other professions. I don't get it. You chose it. Stop whining!!!!

Actually we are only contracted in my district Sept 1-June 30. Not for the year. You can choose to be paid over 12 mo. they take 10% out of each paycheck and you receive that over the summer.
I don't think anyone came on here to gripe about their job as a teacher. When people start talking about how we leave at 3, and have tons of time off, it is necessary to inform you of the truth. That my school gets out at 3 and I am usually there until 4. If anyone is leaving at 3, they are getting in at atleast 7. That it is hard to find a daycare that opens early enough when you teach middle or high school because you are there so early. That you take hours worth of work home and work through your lunch catering to 100+ students and their parents numerous demands. That we DO spend money for simple supplies that the school or parents should provide. We do spend money on things that are not necessary as well! Stickers, awards, educational material that we want, etc. Throw in a couple well underpaid coaching jobs too just for fun! Students don't just come in listening and respecting teachers either like they used to! I am not even going to go any further on that subject!
But I am not whining about it, just trying to let you see the truth. Hey, once in a while I get a "OHHHH now I get it!" "Thanks for picking me for Student of the Month!" "Thanks for the great grade!" (hey you earned it kiddo!) "Wow this class went by fast!".

 

[kaytieeldr]

Again, my only point is you know what type of education is required to be a teacher, approximately what type of money you will make, and what kind of hours you need to put in.

Sure, teachers know what kind of time (i.e. how many hours) they will need to put into their jobs; maybe it's time somebody made this clear to the parents who think the teachers "only work part-time" (referring to an earlier post in this thread, from a poster I cannot recall at the moment - NOT the poster being quoted), or who think the teachers are against them, or hate their kids, or are only in it for the money or the summers off...

 

[kaytieeldr]

I have a great suggestion to people who think teachers don't work hard enough, that we (teachers) are making stupid rules, that we don't care about your kid, that we only got in this job to get summers off...blah, blah, blah---

GO TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL!!!

I have a better suggestion - people who think teacchers don't work hard enough, and all that other stuff you said? Should get jobs as teachers and experience the job from YOUR side.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Frankly, in my opinion, schools should be open about 240 days a year for children to get the FULL education they need.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

I have a better suggestion - people who think teacchers don't work hard enough, and all that other stuff you said? Should get jobs as teachers and experience the job from YOUR side.

That is exactly what I think when I hear people talking trash! Well if it is sooooo fantastic, why didn't you go to school to be a teacher?

 

[Brit17]

I have a great suggestion to people who think teachers don't work hard enough, that we (teachers) are making stupid rules, that we don't care about your kid, that we only got in this job to get summers off...blah, blah, blah---

GO TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL!!!

If we are screwing it up so badly, pay someone to do it your way.

There I said it...flame away! I'm completely sick of teacher-bashers.

I think we all actually do, through our property taxes ... at least in my neck of the woods, 60% of my yearly property taxes (which are extremely high ), goes towards school taxes ... (and btw, I have no children in public (or private) school at all, but I still pay) ...

 

[kaytieeldr]

What? At least you wouldn't have to worry about day care while you're working but the kids are out of school for the summer

Seriously, though - other countries DO have year-round schooling. Here*, parents complain when longer days are suggested. Not more days, just longer ones - giving the students more time to learn.

*Here = the city where I've lived most of my life; it was one of several in this state given the opportunity to extend the school day, but too many people/parents (not teachers so much, since while yes it definitely affects them, most don't live in this city), screamed, "Nooooooooooooo"!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

What? At least you wouldn't have to worry about day care while you're working but the kids are out of school for the summer

Seriously, though - other countries DO have year-round schooling. Here*, parents complain when longer days are suggested. Not more days, just longer ones - giving the students more time to learn.

*Here = the city where I've lived most of my life; it was one of several in this state given the opportunity to extend the school day, but too many people/parents (not teachers so much, since while yes it definitely affects them, most don't live in this city), screamed, "Nooooooooooooo"!

Well to be honest I am very lucky to be a SAHM. So I don't need childcare. For me, I love when the kids are home. I cannot wait for weekends and school vacations. I love just enjoying them without having to get up and be anywhere. When they come home from school I am happy as a clam. Sure I could homeschool but I know that I would not be successful at it and they really do love school.
I don't think the kids need more days to learn. If I was being honest I think the curriculum is being pushed and pushed and pushed. Can the kids handle it? I think a lot can but there are still plenty that are having a time of it. I don't think more days is the answer. I think rethinking the overall curriculum verses the age of the students and their development should be the main factors. Not state tests.
That being said, teaching is not for everyone. I do not think that just anyone CAN be a teacher. I mean sure, you could go to school for it but that doesn't mean you will be good at it. I do think that you have to love what you do if you are a teacher. You can't just be doing your time. Are their teachers like that? Sure. There are people in every profession like that. I don't think that most teachers are like that though. I think most want your child to succeed and are happy when they do.
Also, I have no idea how they deal with all the snowflake parents. Seriously, you can pick these parents out on the playground! Their child never does any wrong. It is always someone else's fault. Their child is gifted. Everyone is out to get them. The list goes on. As a parent I can walk away from these parents and limit my contact with them. Worst case scenario I can tell them to go pound sand. The poor teacher of course has listen to them drone on and on about how Johnny is a prodigy because he is so creative and that is why he doesn't like to do homework. He is busy creating the re-enactment of the battle of the Death Star showing his genius skills so we don't want to squelch that with non important things like learning how to read. He is more of an expressive learner so reading is not that important to him. The teacher just doesn't "get him."
Of course there are teachers who don't "get" every kid, but there are teachers out there that I would love to have my kids get for every single class through college because they are exceptional.

Soooooo, since I have posted so much off my original topic I will go back to it. I do not want the kids to have more days in school. In fact, I wish they had less.

 

[Minnie]

OP - Sorry for your struggles Over the years my son has had a couple great teachers, some good teachers, and a couple that were just plain terrible. The teacher really does make the difference

On the pay scale side / vacation side - I think some of the teachers have missed the point that was trying to be made - it's not paid / unpaid vacation it is the pay scale compared to the work days.

If you average the traditional full-time salaried employee to an apx teacher's contract (apx 185 days) the traditional salaried employee works 11 weeks a year more

I don't disagree that teachers are underpaid - however (excluding additional work that is outside the contract - summer jobs ect) the number of work weeks are considerably shorter

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I'm posting this immediately after reading it, so I don't know what other responses I'll encounter, but... you don't REALLY think teachers WANT to "teach for the test", do you???????? No Child Left Behind was a Bush mandate - and no, I do NOT want this to become a political discussion; teachers WANT to teach.

Absolutely not! I know the teachers hate it as much, if not more, than the parents. My point was that I don't believe the children's best interests are always at heart, but rather the funding comes first. There are plenty of times that incidents at schools are not reported because principals and school boards are afraid of losing funding, or if the parents find out, the parents will pull their children to send them to other schools, at which time the original school will lose funding due to low enrollment or get put on probation.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you average the traditional full-time salaried employee to an apx teacher's contract (apx 185 days) the traditional salaried employee works 11 weeks a year more

And is, in all likelihood, compensated for those additional eleven weeks.

 

[richmond282]

As far as teachers salaries go....

Teachers, like any other salaried positions, make X dollars a year. A year is 12 months! They are expected to work however many hours it takes to do the job that they were hired in for. They have a contract that I am sure spells it all out, so there are no surprises.

I know some others have probably already stated this, but NO we are not paid for the entire year. Neither is our contract for the entire calandar year. It is for an entire SCHOOL year (Aug-May in our area). These are 2 very different things. My contract is for 190 days. 180 school days and 10 work/inservice days. If I want to go work at McDonald's all summer long, I can. Except I can't but that's a different story.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

If you average the traditional full-time salaried employee to an apx teacher's contract (apx 185 days) the traditional salaried employee works 11 weeks a year more

I don't disagree that teachers are underpaid - however (excluding additional work that is outside the contract - summer jobs ect) the number of work weeks are considerably shorter

I work for a non-profit science center. Every year, I receive two weeks vacation, 10 personal days and I can carry over up to 2 weeks of vacation time from year to year. I could technically take 6 weeks off in one year. My fiance gets about 8 weeks of vacation each year and he isn't a teacher.

I don't mean to sound mean, but when people complain about teachers having so much time off, they just come across as bitter. (I'm not talking about any particular poster when I say that, especially the poster who I quoted above.) My dad and my twin are both teachers. My dad is still bugging me to become a teacher and I've been out of college for (OMG! ) 7 years. I don't have a teaching bone in my body! I love kids, I want kids but I'd rather hang myself upside down by my toenails than be a teacher. Teachers do earn all of the time they have off.