Please Ignore

[PolynesianLily]

I am sorry to any of you who have been offended by this thread. Please ignore.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

When I was a little girl, my fifth grade teacher assigned us a project. We were to draw ourselves ten years from then and write a story telling where we would be and what we would be doing. Before then, I never thought about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. This project changed everything. I knew from that very moment that I wanted to be a teacher. Little did I realize, that I'd be teaching fifth grade some years later.

To me, a good teacher is one who loves her students as if they were her own, but knows the difference between being a "teacher" and a "friend." She pours her soul out into each and every day's work and is not afraid to step outside of the box. A good teacher is one who cares about the child as a whole, not just that standardized test score. She knows her student's likes, dislikes, fears, and dreams, and she helps him rise to the highest standards.

A good teacher is a professional and shows that in the way she talks, dresses, and carries herself. She sets high expectations - ones that don't bore the high-achieving students - and helps those who struggle reach them. This teacher fights for what her students need and is not afraid to speak her mind if it is in their best interest. But most important of all, a good teacher is one who cares and shows it when she smiles at her children.

 

[kaligal]

I expect them to not do anything harmful.

Other than that, there are a million ways to be a good teacher. The most important part, obviously, is the ability to impart knowledge. They can be crabby or reserved or funny - whatever they are.

So long as super-bright kids who are entrusted to them have the opportunity to graduate and go to Ivy League schools...and the less bright have a good shot at some University...it's all good.

My kids had mostly good teachers. The math teacher had terrible hair, actually used a pocket protector and his clothes were always crumpled. But he taught AP Calculus and he taught it well. The French teacher always stunk like she'd just crawled out of an ashtray and she wasn't friendly at all, but they learned French.

The guy who taught Geometry joked with all the kids all the time, but they learned Geometry - and they didn't get the cards to take with them to the test like the public school kids did. They actually had to KNOW their Geometry...and they still liked the guy.

Good teachers come in all shapes and sizes.

 

[Cap.Steamboat Willie]

I expect them to not do anything harmful.

Other than that, there are a million ways to be a good teacher. The most important part, obviously, is the ability to impart knowledge. They can be crabby or reserved or funny - whatever they are.

So long as super-bright kids who are entrusted to them have the opportunity to graduate and go to Ivy League schools...and the less bright have a good shot at some University...it's all good.

Good teachers come in all shapes and sizes.

I've been a teacher for twenty-three years and come from a family of teachers (mother, sister, aunt, etc.).

I love what you have written and totally agree with your points.

Every teacher that I have worked with truly cares about having every child thrive and learn.

However, you cannot teach trying to please everyone (students and parents) or trying to be everyone's friend or you will end up becoming ineffective.

Try to create the best lesson possible, be well versed in the content, and never forget to make it fun.

 

[coltfan]

As a previous poster stated good teachers teach kids the subject matter. They can do it with their own unique style. I had several good teachers and only one bad teacher. The 'bad' teacher may have known the subject matter but had such a thick accent that students couldn't understand the lesson. The good teachers found methods that helped students understand and retain what was taught.

In your post you mentioned some negative comments you have gotten about your interest in pursuing a teaching degree. Don't miss an inportant learning opportunity by asking these people questions about their opinion. It may prepare you to enter the profession with realistic expectations. I am not a teacher but have several relatives who are teachers. Make sure that you understand the negatives and can live with them. All professions have pros and cons which can vary. Learn what they are and make sure they are acceptable to you.

One negative that I have seen with the profession is mobility. After a few years it becomes difficult to move to a new school system because you're too expensive to hire. It is important to get into a school system where you want to be employed for a long time. If you have a spouse whose job requires them to transfer, you may find yourself unemployable in a new district. You may need to be open to working in a private school for lower pay if you want to continue working as a teacher.

I'm sure you're already aware that teacher pay is low. Sometimes teachers become unhappy with this when they put in extra hours and forget that many salaried professionals put in unpaid overtime too. The pay actually isn't bad if you consider that teachers have around 36 contract weeks where as other professional may have 47 work weeks per year with holidays and vacation time. To be fair, teachers should be comparing their salary to about 77% of the salary of other professionals.

 

[Cap.Steamboat Willie]

The pay actually isn't bad if you consider that teachers have around 36 contract weeks where-as other professional may have 47 work weeks per year with holidays and vacation time. To be fair, teachers should be comparing their salary to about 77% of the salary of other professionals.

I noticed that you are a Colts fan.

Can we compare our salaries to "professional" football players?

How many hours a week do they work a week, how many days a year, what perks do they get, and how much do they make in the course of their career?

The salary we make, is what it is, and I know I did not enter this profession in order to get rich or to get over. I knew it was not an easy career, but I went into it with my eyes open. I also do not feel it is unreasonable to thrive for better teaching conditions and a better salary.

Hope springs eternal.

 

[darrengs]

My kids have definitely had way more good/great Teachers then bad Teachers. Unfortunately the impact of just one or two bad Teachers is,... well bad.

I guess I was naive, but I found out that not only do I have to worry about my son being bullied by students, but some Teachers as well.

 

[coltfan]

Sorry, but you can't compare salary to professional football players because they "play".

There is a radio show here in Indianapolis about finances. The host's grandfather and father are plumbers. He shared a quote from his father or grandfather that is a great piece of advice about careers...if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.

 

[Cap.Steamboat Willie]

Sorry, but you can't compare salary to professional football players because they "play".

There is a radio show here in Indianapolis about finances. The host's grandfather and father are plumbers. He shared a quote from his father or grandfather that is a great piece of advice about careers...if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." -
-- Confucius


Great advice

 

[wishspirit]

I have had teachers who haven't taught effectively, mainly because they didn't know their subject well enough or didn't know how to relate it to what we'd be examined on (for national tests), but they were few and far between.

The worst for me was the one who had favourites and showed it, treated me badly because I didn't understand and made me believe I was stupid and that I couldn't achieve. She undid all the achievements of the amazing teacher I had before her.

I don't blame her for what she did, she was newly qualified and was obviously on a steep learning curve. However I will learn from her mistakes. I am starting my teacher training in September and I will try my very best to treat all the children I work with as individuals but still of equal worth.

I wonder if my comments on this thread will change by this time next year!

 

[WorldWacky]

I think it is also important for parents to remember that what may be considered a "bad" teacher for some students may be a wonderful teacher for others. Two years ago, my dd got a teacher that was labeled as a "bad" teacher. One parent told me to call the school to get her out of the class before school even began. My husband is a teacher, I taught briefly, and I know that perceptions can be different for different people. As it turns out, my daughter thrived in this teacher's class. She was a very strict teacher and now I know why so many parents didn't like her. She put up with NO NONSENSE. I also know why that particular mom had problems with the teacher. She had a child that could do no wrong. I know differently. I babysat him quite a bit.

 

[Cap.Steamboat Willie]

I think it is also important for parents to remember that what may be considered a "bad" teacher for some students may be a wonderful teacher for others. Two years ago, my dd got a teacher that was labeled as a "bad" teacher. One parent told me to call the school to get her out of the class before school even began. My husband is a teacher, I taught briefly, and I know that perceptions can be different for different people. As it turns out, my daughter thrived in this teacher's class. She was a very strict teacher and now I know why so many parents didn't like her. She put up with NO NONSENSE. I also know why that particular mom had problems with the teacher. She had a child that could do no wrong. I know differently. I babysat him quite a bit.

Strict teachers who have established expectations for student behavior, work quality, and respect are often regarded as "bullies", or "bad" often by parents who want to be their child's friend instead of their child's parent.

I teach in a Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade school. I have seen too many parents who think that teachers are their enemy.

Instead of working with them and working as a team, they allow their child to pit one against the other.

The same parents that complain when their child is in the fourth grade or less suddenly come to the guidance office complaining that their child is out of control and "there is nothing that I can do" when their child reaches middle school.

I guess it goes back to defining what makes a teacher "bad".

I think it is a teacher that has shut down and will lower their expectations and not care if the child flourishes by striving to go pass their comfort zone in order to pacify a parent or a student's tantrum.

Just offering one man's opinion, I'll get off my soap-box.

 

[pdarrah]

My son is just entering 7th grade - he has had 1 BAD teacher, 2 really good teachers, a couple that were fairly good and the rest I would just call average - they did the job, but it seemed like they were just going through the paces.

THe really bad teacher was 1st grade. It was her 2nd year teaching and her first year was 4th grade. She was young & inexperienced, so she may have improved over time, but it took 2 years of decent teachers to get my son over the damage she caused. The biggest problem was that she would insist that once she had explained something or given an assignment there could be NO questions. It was "wrong" to ask her questions and a child could lose recess time or have notes sent home for asking a question. It was seriously well into 3rd grade before my son would ask even a simple question of a teacher. She had no clue about children that age. A glaring example: About 1 week before halloween she sent ALL the boys and all the girls into the bathroom. My son was sent in with about 10-12 other little 6yo boys (into a bathroom with a couple urinals and 2 stalls). Someone figured out that bathrooms echo really cool! Several of the boys started making spooky halloween noises which could be heard in the hallway where the teacher was waiting. When the boys came out she yelled at them and a few of the boys pointed fingers saying it was other children. She punished 4 of the boys for "trying to scare the other children" - I don't remember exactly what it was - something like 5 days without recess - based only on other children tattle-taling. THe ones who did the finger pointing were her favorites and according to several of the other children, a couple of them were doing it also. If you know anything about 6yo boys, you don't really believe you can send a dozen of them into a bathroom unsupervised and NOT get some goofing around! This was just one example - there were many similar incidents throughout the year. By the end of the school year, my son was crying every morning and begging not to have to go to school. I found out from other parents that they had similar problems.

Thankfully, we have never had another teacher like this. My son is an only child and since he went to a montessori school up through kindergarden, this 1st grade was our first experience with public school. I didn't really know what we could do and was afraid it would make things worse if we complained. If we were to encounter something like this again, I would be talking to the principle or even school board and getting my son moved to a different classroom.

The absolute best teacher he has had was 6th grade (this last year) We have K-6 grade school, so our 6th grade is not a middle-school setup. He clearly enjoyed teaching. He made a point of getting to know each child. His "lectures" were very interactive and he was very good at getting all the kids to participate without making the shy ones feel put on the spot.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Yup. My son had 2 in elementary school. One was a yeller and the other was only nice to her favorite 2 students.
It was not pleasant. I had it out with both of them during meetings and afterwards they would head the other way when they saw me. Good thing. I was fed up.

My DD has only had one. In 2nd grade. I was a classroom volunteer once a week. She would yell at the kids until some of them were crying. She and I would have a discussion about it every other week. And I spoke with the Principal at least once a month about it. They never did anything. Myself and one of the other volunteers complained to the PTA and the Superintendent every other month. Nothing was every done during that year but the next year she wasn't in the school anymore.
Luckily my DD wasn't bothered by her but I felt so bad for the other students.

My son in 8th grade also had a horrible math teacher. He was just plain mean (even to the parents!) About halfway through the year, he had a nervous breakdown and was no longer a teacher at the middle school.

I wanted to add that both my kids have also had some amazing, wonderful teachers too. Many more than bad teachers. Here's hoping they continue to have contact with more wonderful teachers!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Strict teachers who have established expectations for student behavior, work quality, and respect are often regarded as "bullies", or "bad" often by parents who want to be their child's friend instead of their child's parent.

I teach in a Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade school. I have seen too many parents who think that teachers are their enemy.

Instead of working with them and working as a team, they allow their child to pit one against the other.

The same parents that complain when their child is in the fourth grade or less suddenly come to the guidance office complaining that their child is out of control and "there is nothing that I can do" when their child reaches middle school.

I guess it goes back to defining what makes a teacher "bad".

I think it is a teacher that has shut down and will lower their expectations and not care if the child flourishes by striving to go pass their comfort zone in order to pacify a parent or a student's tantrum.

Just offering one man's opinion, I'll get off my soap-box.

 

[DrMomof3]

My eldest child is entering 2nd grade and has been blessed with 2 wonderful teachers (not even counting his wonderful preschool experience). When he started kindergarten he was painfully shy but academically ahead. Over 2 years he has learned a ton and, equally important for him, become more comfortable with participating in the classroom. His social "awkwardness" has improved a lot. These teachers treated each child as an individual and found ways to encourage the children's natural curiosity. My son still loves to do "research" on the computer to learn about different topics.

My daughter's pre-K teacher wasn't someone that I particularly liked but she was a very good teacher for my daughter. My daughter had a very good year and I respect her teacher's abilities, even though she wasn't my kind of person (and, trust me, my daughter and the teacher are both completely unaware of my opinion!).

The worst teacher I ever had was my 5th grade teacher. He wanted the students to think he was "cool" and "fun." He didn't much care about how much we learned. I can honestly say I learned almost nothing that year and I was definitely a student who wanted to learn. He also picked favorites (I was way too nerdy and a bit of a know-it-all to be a favorite - think Hermione in Harry Potter!) It was a complete waste of a year (and I thought so at the time). I don't know if my classmates enjoyed that year but I am certain that the parents were universally unhappy. (The parents complained enough that he was transferred to another school a few years later!) Luckily I come from a family that strongly values learning and I didn't get behind!

I consider myself fortunate to have received such a wonderful education over the years and I'm happy to live in a town which is known for its outstanding school system. Thank you to all the teachers out there who go above and beyond each and every day for our children!!!

Amanda

 

[Michele]

List this under 'bad' teacher.

My sons 3rd grade teacher would give the kids quiet time for doing their work, but then when most of the kids were finished and sitting there with nothing to do she would turn on movies for them to watch.

Well, do you think that the remaining kids who were still working could concentrate on doing their work with a movie playing? My son was one of the slower workers and very easily distracted, so his work never got done. To this day he has a hard time concentrating and not being distracted by things going on around him.

 

[Elmo888]

The worst for me was the one who had favourites and showed it, treated me badly because I didn't understand and made me believe I was stupid and that I couldn't achieve. She undid all the achievements of the amazing teacher I had before her.

This exact same thing happened to my daughter two years ago. She has a sensitive soul that other teachers seemed to understand, but this teacher crushed her tiny little learning spirit and this was only in the 4th grade. Luckily, she had a wonderful teacher in fifth grade that was able to make some ground back, although she still isn't as confident in math as she was before that fourth grade teacher (according to testing, math is her strongest area).

Just watch how you say things as much or more than what you say. Even young kids "get" an underlying meaning.

And realize that you might have to teach different kids differently (which is a life lesson - at work, I had to manage different people differently and, at home, I have to parent different kids differently...it is the same thing).

 

[Alexis Green]

I've had both.

One teacher I remember from high school was Mrs. G. She taught childhood education. I have NO interest in being a teacher but now have the respect for educators. I was a cadet teacher for 2nd graders for one year and saw what teachers have to put up with (good and bad). We still keep in touch, and meet up.

I remember having terrible teachers too. My middle school's budget went down the toilet so teachers were moved around. My math teacher was the guy who was in charge of the computer lab. He was HORRIBLE. He gave us those "practice sheets" every day. He sat by his computer and did nothing. Then we spent every Friday goofing off in the computer lab because he needed to be in his office. Really??

 

[softball chick]

I think it is also important for parents to remember that what may be considered a "bad" teacher for some students may be a wonderful teacher for others. Two years ago, my dd got a teacher that was labeled as a "bad" teacher. One parent told me to call the school to get her out of the class before school even began. My husband is a teacher, I taught briefly, and I know that perceptions can be different for different people. As it turns out, my daughter thrived in this teacher's class. She was a very strict teacher and now I know why so many parents didn't like her. She put up with NO NONSENSE. I also know why that particular mom had problems with the teacher. She had a child that could do no wrong. I know differently. I babysat him quite a bit.

This totally describes my experience with one of my high school math teachers. Almost everyone I talk to would say she is a horrible teacher and they can't learn anything from her, but she was honestly the best math teacher I've had there so far.

There were two teachers that I would say I really didn't like all that much. One taught the material, but she did so by assigning an obscene amount of projects (this was in fifth grade) that caused extreme frustration and stress to the point that it was outweighing the lessons being taught. The other was my Trig teacher, and many times she would be doing an example problem facing the board, not saying a word. We were expected to learn the material by watching her solve a problem.

Both my parents have taught at some point, and I plan on becoming a teacher so I respect teachers so much, especially when they are like the countless teachers I've had who have been beyond amazing in too many ways to list here