Are You a Teacher-Hater?

[KaraKW]

Just wondering. There are many on these boards who seem to think nothing of maligning this profession.

 

[JohnTBap]

Sometimes I get irritated with myself, but I generally get over it rather quickly.

 

[Saffron]

I noticed a lot more of that last year than I notice this year. Or maybe I just haven't seen the threads? But to answer your question, no I'm not.

 

[Deb in IA]

Well, if this was inspired by MY thread, rest assured, Kara, that I hold teachers in highest regard. They have an extremely difficult job, low pay, long hours, and at times, very personally draining. But what they do is so vitally important. Education is the most powerful tool anyone can have. It can provide hope, dreams, and a future. And I teach as well, in medical school.

Now, I think we ALL have had some teachers who were "mean", haven't we? And some teachers who were excellent, and some, well, not so good . . .

And we have run into some teachers who were, well, different. DD's first grade teacher actually asked us to tell her to not hug people so much . .

By the way, I did ask Mark what he meant by his comment. He said that his teacher last year made the entire class stay in for recess because they were misbehaving. I told him I thought that was very appropriate, but it obviously was a big deal to him. Just shows you that children can have a different perspective . . .

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I don't think there are a lot of teacher haters, it's more that people are very protective of their kids so when they feel a teacher is wrong it is a bigger deal to them than if the plumber puts a fitting on backwards. I have always wished we could do a DIS version of the Jerry Springer show, after we read the thread about what someone's poor DD/DS had to go through that we could read a thread by the teacher.

 

[4greatboys]

Im not a teacher hater in general. My boys have had some really great teachers. Unfortunately they also have had a few who should not be teaching. I wont go into any long stories but I will say I was not to fond of the crappy ones they had.
On the other hand mt 12 yr old had the best teacher ever when he was in second grade, she helped him, she pushed him, she praised him. He did so well having her help him, I wish she could have moved up the school ladder with him.

 

[browneyes]

Nope, I'm not a teacher hater. I have many friends that are teachers. I know how difficult your job is. I admire teachers.

 

[C.Ann]

Nope - not a teacher hater here - although I will go along with the fact that there are good teachers and bad teachers - just like any other profession..

I know it's a job I wouldn't want.. They have a very big responsibility and nowadays they even have to fear for their physical safety at times..

 

[janette]

Here's something I'd shared with some friends and family. I have always had the greatest respect for teachers and the work they do. Yes, there can be some that are difficult to deal with but I know it is a job that I could never do and very much appreciate the ones who do and do it so well.

We had my 8yo DD's ARD yesterday. I feel blessed to have the group working with her we do. Her regular teacher mentioned that she can tell my DD is the type that if you push too much she will shut down! She is making progress and the only thing she is reluctant to do in class is give answers orally. She isn't confident and doesn't like to be called on. Her teacher only calls on her when she raises her hand. She is even making attempts to read the directions on her own. Her reading/special ed teacher knows her pretty well and makes her work. Sounds like sometimes she's rather stay in class to do papers with lots of reading because her regular teacher will just read them to her but the special teacher will make her at least attempt them on her own. They just don't have that kind of time in the regular class.

Her teacher also brought up teacher placement for next year, she said it will be very important for her to have someone that can achieve that balance between firm and pushing. I know it is and they did a great job this year so hopefully next year will work as well. I'm not sure what would happen with the wrong teacher, thankfully the ones she's had so far have been great. I know we would not see the progress she is making.

We also talked about the projects and how much my DD loves them. They have been doing some building / diorama type work and she really excells at that. Visual & 3D images and details have always been her strong point. Her teacher says they will probably do even more this year because she has my DD in her class. It really gives her a chance to shine and feel good about what she can accomplish. The kids are usually impressed with her creations.

Her reading level is still pretty low, she's at about beginning 1st grade. She finally is starting to feel like she can read a little. Loves Dr Suess books, she has them mostly memorized but that's okay. She does great in math but still doesn't recognize 2 digit numbers. She can do the computation part just not the decoding of the name to the number.

Without the help of several wonderful teachers my DD is very much at risk. I think very highly of them all

 

[Jeff in BigD]

I look at it this way, there are good teachers & there are bad teachers. My experience greatly varied & too many teachers only know how to teach one type of child & can't adapt & instead of even trying to adapt, they label children is "bad" or "hyperactive".

Yes, I realize that some children are bad or disruptive, but some teachers (maybe it's different these days) push Ritalun like they're getting a cut.

 

[rbuzzotta]

I totally respect my DD's teachers. I never push for my daughter to get a certain teacher........I leave it up to her present teacher figuring she will do what is best for my daughters.

I did have a problem with my oldests 3rd grade teacher who insisted all year my DD had ADD/ADHD (even though it was ruled out by medical professionals). It made for a tough year and my DD's self-esteem plummeted. She has since rebounded because she has had some wonderful, caring teachers since.

My middle DD's 1st grade teacher is the BEST. I definetly won the lottery with this teacher!!! She is absolutely everything you would want your child to have for a teacher and MORE!! In my eyes, she is TEacher of the Year!!!

I respect teachers and teach my girls that they should respect their teachers.

 

[Patricia]

I can see what you mean in society in general more than here on the board. Sometimes, parents have very real concerns and are struggling with the problem of what to do with those concerns so they just vent. It sounds pretty negative at times. I also believe that teaching is something that everyone thinks they have a learned opinion about. All of us have been in school so we believe we know what it's about. We think we know what should be done. There is SO much behind the scenes that guides what a teacher says and does. We, as parents, only see the part of the job that affects our children and it's easy to see why we feel the teacher is the cause of the trouble. We, as teachers, sometimes forget that what we say has a tremendous effect on our students in ways that we cannot measure at the time. It's a delicate balance that is easily upset by all the personalities and opinions involved. I hope that there really aren't "teacher haters" , just parents who feel that their children are being hurt and are coming across like a mother tiger. If I don't look at it that way, I will have to turn in my teaching hat!

 

[amid chaos]

I think people tend to complain when things are not going well rather than delight and share when things are right.

When my kids have had a good year I have always make sure the teacher and the administration know about it. I make sure the letter sent in gratitude to the teacher is copied and sent to the principal and ask that it be put in her file.

All to often teachers and principals only hear the negative. A letter of gratitude and appreciation goes a long way.

 

[Serena]

I think part of it is that when dealing with our children, we will have intense feelings, usually when a teacher is bad or really good. I know I do.

 

[abaldacci]

I have to put my 2 cents worth in here. I will defend the teacher to my child no matter what my child says at home becasue I realize that I am hearing only one side of the story and I know how important it is for the teacher to remain in control. If a parent voices a dislike of a teacher to a child in the childs eyes the teacher has lost control of said child to a point. I can't stand it when I here people say "I went up to that school and told her off or what ever." That is uncalled for and I am thinking what kind of brat do they have at home.

On the other hand I think teachers don't realize what kind of power they have over kids. My DS (5) came home the other day and was doing his homework, and we were tring to help. He told us we were wrong his teacher did it different. We did it differently than his teacher but he believed it wrong. I am thirty two and I still remember every teacher that was nice and everyone that was
mean and dislike me. I credit the nice teachers for my success in life. The mean one I think they must have had problems I also think that some people that teach do not need to teach. Teaching should be a job you love because if you don't it will show. Just like my job.

 

[Grog]

Most teachers deserve a medal for the stuff they have to put up with on a daily basis.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

Our very best friends are teachers... unfortunately they live on the other side of the state, so we see them a few times a year.

My sons have had teachers that were wonderful, and teachers that were horrible.

Am I a teacher hater? Not a chance. But I intensely dislike those in the teaching profession that do what is best for them rather than what is best for the children.

 

[honeywolf7]

I have to say that I can only think of one teacher that I had before I got to college that was terrible and that was my Chemistry teacher. My principal in High School was pretty bad, but all of my other teachers were awesome.

 

[Pin Wizard]

No, I'm not a teacher hater. However, I do have a major problem with DS's teacher this year. I don't care for the way she handles things, the yelling, constantly telling the kids...4A is already down the hall and you haven't packed up yet! SHE NEEDS TO GET HER ACT TOGETHER! Every day is like this. It's not the kids, it's her not getting them prepared early enough. When I pick up DS, his class is ALWAYS out after the other section. That's a teacher problem, not kids. From what I've seen, they're very much organized. Is it June yet? Please tell me yes! And I'm going to be a teacher myself.

 

[Kteacher]

Thanks to all of you who appreciate us. Yes, there are always a few who should not be teaching, but for the most part we do what we do because we love it (we're certainly not doing it for the money )