I Am Not A Babysitter ......

[mommyintn]

I just want to say thanks for what you do!! As a Kindergarten teacher you are kids 1st impression of school, you do so much and most importantly you teach them to love to learn. My son is now in 2nd grade but I will never forget his Kindergarten teacher for the joy she put into teaching and I have never forgot my K teacher! Keep up the good work.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Boy, I don't care what profession one happens to be in, anybody who would make remark like that is both RUDE and a complete IDIOT.

Just remind yourself of that, and who cares what he thinks anyhow!!!!

 

[Blondy876]

Sounds like the guy is a moron. I teach PreK in NJ and I have my BA, post grad work, cetifications etc. I am a licensed preschool to third grade teacher. I choose to teach preK because it is where my heart is. I still have to meet state and district curriculum requirements etc. I have to score high on the ECERS (early childhood environmental ratings scale), if I don't I can loose my job and I have no tenure. When I tell people what I do for a living I always feel like I need to qualify myself. In fact, last year at a teacher appreciation event I was speaking to two women about our jobs. Then one of them asked me what grade I taught and when I said preK they both looked at each other and smirked. Then one of the women said "Well that's not really teaching, your just a glorified babysitter really." Then they turned their backs to me and stopped talking to me. I was stunned.

People can be very rude. I know how important your job is, as do you, as does every child that has the benefit of being part of your classroom.

 

[annegal]

As I read the title and first couple sentances all I could think was "please tell me this person isnt a nanny".

!

Me too!!


OP-the guy was a jerk to say that.

 

[lulugirl]

That guy should be poked in the eye w/ a stick.
What an idiot.

 

[laurajetter]

What an ignorant moron...Keep up the awesome work you are doing! I'd be seething too if I were in your position.

 

[Daxx]

Thanks for the kind compliments.

That guy's comments really frosted my cookies and rankled me. Of course, today, I think of a million things I could've/should've said to him but didn't come up w/at the time.

I like the stick in the eye idea, lulugirl!

 

[MushyMushy]

My hat's off to you! I started out my college experience in early elementary ed. I spent about a week in a kindergarten class and said, "HUH UH! No way!" and I was out of there. What you all do is far from babysitting.

Although, when I think back to my kindergarten days over 30 years ago, we had half day kindergarten, plus we still had to take a nap while we were there. Do you think you can find time in a FULL day to give the kids a nap?

 

[CEDmom]

Wow, you have every right to be mad about that. The nerve of people, they're just showing their ignorance.

 

[pearlieq]

What a jerk! Who would say something like that about anyone's career?

I once had an acquaintence dismiss my job as "a glorified customer service rep" which was both inaccurate and very, very rude!

 

[Faerie]

I began my college career as an elementary education major and once I had obtained my AA I started substituting. I am in awe of kindergarten teachers. The push down education that so many areas has now has totally changed those K classrooms. Kids are learning in kindergarten what I did in 1st grade (and I'm 27, not that old). I have sense realized that I do not have what it takes to be an effective teacher. I could have finished my degree and gotten a job as a teacher but I know that I would be doing a diservice to the children. I'm glad I got the chance to realize that though.

Thank you for being a good teacher for your children. This country needs more good teachers.

 

[DVC Jen]

I get basically the same thing most of the time. I am a preschool teacher in a private christian school. We are not a daycare (not knocking day cares they are VERY needed).

I have a list of criteria that I have to teach my kids in order for them to advance and go on to "real" school. Believe me.... I would not babysit 12 kids for 5 hours on what I bring home. If I were babysitting I would be making a heck of a lot more money than I am.

 

[Nancy]

I'm guessing he's thinking of Kindergarden like it used to be way back when. Back when I wnet to K it wasn't as structured as it is now. No one went to pre school so Kindergarden was where we learned the basics. Now it's like first and second grade used to be.

I remember before our district went to all day kindergarden the superindentant said all the parents wanted all day K so they could have a free babysitter, I'm not a teacher and I was livid by that. I wanted all day K because they were trying to teach the kids so much in such a short amount of time when it was half day. I couldn't believe that he said that.

 

[Daxx]

I'm guessing he's thinking of Kindergarden like it used to be way back when.

I'd say that you're right about that ... however, the dufus has two kids - 8 and 10 yrs. old. So, the Kdg. experience for his kids wasn't all that long ago where he can't recall what it was like for them! Honestly, he has no excuse!!!! Even if he's thinking of Kdg. in the past, his kids have been in Kdg. since then and he has to know that things changed for them compared to his experiences!!

 

[I Love Pluto]

I teach Elementary Music (K - 6). I often get the comment - "It must be nice to play all day" - even from some of the classroom teachers. I have learned a great answer - "Yes it is. And they pay me for it, too!"