teacher myths

[palavra]

Okay, back to the original topic:

Myth: The school system provides everything that a teacher needs to do his/her job.

Reality: The out of pocket expenses for classroom supplies can be really overwhelming. Two years ago, our teachers were given $180 for classroom supplies. Last year it was $80, and this year will be even less. I can't even imagine.

I get nothing extra for classroom supplies. I've already spent a couple of hundred dollars in the first week of school to replenish supplies I need for teh classroom.

 

[palavra]

The thing that confuses me is teachers get upset when people express negative thoughts about their jobs. But all I hear are negatives from teachers -- low pay, long hours, teaching to a test, hard to handle students and parents, no lunch breaks. Maybe one part of a sentence says "don't get me wrong, I love my job" and then the next three paragraphs go on about how horrible it is. And I'm supposed to feel, as a parent, that my child isn't picking up on all the negativity from their teachers? I'm supposed to assume that even though you're all obviously miserable, you're doing what's in the best interest of my child and giving it your all? Many of these posts come across as being bitter that they actually chose to be teachers. Am I to assume you didn't know about all the negatives before you chose this line of work? And are you telling me that the summers off were not a consideration when you chose teaching? What exactly drove you to teach and what keeps you there if you're so miserable?

I agree teachers' pay may not be what most would like, and I know they put in longer hours than just the classroom hours. I also realize you have your own families who have needs, but then get out and do something else if it's so horrible. If you come into the year with a chip on your shoulder the kids will pick up on that, especially in the upper grades.

I don't get upset when people express negative opinions about teaching. I get upset when people spread misconceptions and untruths about teaching as a profession. That's why I started this thread.

 

[MELSMICE]

I always wonder why the bashing of teachers all the time. No one ever starts a thread that says:

--My mailman gets paid to much JUST to stick mail in my mailbox.

--The fireman in my community get paid too much.....all they do is stand there & shoot water at flames.

--I can't believe the amount of money a plumber charged me to unclog my drain. All he did was stick some stupid metal wand down the drain to make it work.

We all know it is unrealistic to believe that these professions I mentioned are unimportant. They are important jobs, and fireman especially have dangerous jobs. No one ever starts threads like that.

Those that say teachers continually defend their profession & state how difficult it is..........if your profession was always questioned & being interrogated, wouldn't you defend yourself also?

 

[palavra]

True, but for 9 months' work?

Good Lord, we don't work nine months. My calendar year is beginning of August to beginning of June. This year, I took a week long required class with an out of pocket cost of $125.00 during the summer. Adding in the hours I spent on coursework after the class was over and hours learning a new technology that our school now has (interactive whiteboards), I spent at least one day a week in the summer working, and then went back almost everyday to set up my classroom 2 weeks before we were required to return. And I certainly wasn't alone. There were often teachers at teh school working on classrooms or lesson plans.

 

[palavra]

Maybe this is the case where you teach, but I have friends who are teachers in NJ and no such summer training is required. Also, there are mandatory training days, but they are scheduled during the school year and they close school for teachers to attend. Some schools close early June and open after Labor Days, others close end of June and open after Labor Day. Teachers go back to school a week before the children, so they start back on September 1. So somewhere between 2-3 months off during the summer and that's not counting Christmas break, Spring/Easter break and something they have in NY but not in NJ, mid-winter break. I understand you have class prep and test grading and such, but, at least where I live, you have off 2-3 months in the summer and all the other school closings. Even if you don't get the whole 2-3 months where you are, do you honestly feel your job is a 12 month job? Again, if you're getting $75-$100k and have all that time off, I say quit complaining. Some of us make less than that have off 2-4 weeks vacation max per year.

I have no idea where you live, but in my state, the top salary for a teacher with a master's degree is around $50,000. And in our state, a non-union state, btw, our teachers do a significant amount of work, and take classes required to keep our teaching licenses during the summer months. I would venture to say that most teachers in America do not have jobs like your friends do.

 

[klacey1]

So that's it, huh? Time served, get a Master's (which you can do online quickly these days), and you get $100,000? How about graduation rates? How about extra time spent with students? How about parental reviews/complaints? Seems like these should be in order.

Since my best friend is a teacher, I know A LOT of teachers, and there are plenty who are there just to get their 100K for their "time served."

I'm glad to see people on the DIS are so noble, and are teaching for the intrinsic nature of the vocation, but that's not the way it is everywhere. In our area, the teachers fight, then they strike, then they bargain, then they get their raises and our taxes go up. For the next 4 to 5 years, some (not all) put their feet up and coast, safe in the knowledge that a new contract will be coming around the bend and the same process will result in more money in their pockets, with barely a finger lifted.

This was pages back, but I couldn't agree with you more. I live in the area where I went to high school and have to say that taxes are EXTREMELY high. My A.P. Statistics teacher in twelfth grade (about six or so years ago) made $120,000. She was an absolutely awful teacher. Only a couple of kids in the class scored above a 3 (considered "passing") grade on the test. Yet, because she had tenure, her salary kept rising and her job was secure. As far as I know, she's still there. Horrible teacher, horrible person (cruel, insensitive, I could go on). Yet somehow, she was granted a phenomenal salary. The problem is-- it would be nice to say that all teachers "earn" their salaries, but many don't. Yet, we keep paying perpetually increasing taxes, to support the salaries of many who are undeserving.
I am not a "teacher basher," so please don't get me wrong. I don't think it's the hardest job in the world, but I don't think it's the easiest, either. I think their are things that are easy about the job, and things that are difficult-- just like any job.
The biggest myth I found out was from my good friend (first year teacher, Masters, teaching in NY-- she started with $64,000)-- I had no idea that teachers funded classroom decor/many supplies. Kudos, teachers, for ponying up your own money to give children a better, more comfortable learning environment.

 

[HsvTeacher]

I always wonder why the bashing of teachers all the time. No one ever starts a thread that says:

--My mailman gets paid to much JUST to stick mail in my mailbox.

--The fireman in my community get paid too much.....all they do is stand there & shoot water at flames.

--I can't believe the amount of money a plumber charged me to unclog my drain. All he did was stick some stupid metal wand down the drain to make it work.

We all know it is unrealistic to believe that these professions I mentioned are unimportant. They are important jobs, and fireman especially have dangerous jobs. No one ever starts threads like that.

Those that say teachers continually defend their profession & state how difficult it is..........if your profession was always questioned & being interrogated, wouldn't you defend yourself also?

I ask myself the same question every time I read one of these threads that turns into teacher bashing. I would never make a negative comment on someone else's profession unless it was one I had experienced first-hand. But for some reason, everyone who went to school or has/had a child in school thinks they're an expert on teaching. For the life of me, I'll never understand these people.

 

[Daisy&Max]

Another satisfied teacher here. I teach special ed middle school self contained classrooms. I love my job. Yes there are things I'm not crazy about, but i know that any job I chose I would have things I didn't like or made me crazy. I am contracted for 193 days per year, I have a master's degree, I have 17 years in, and haven't had a raise in 3 years and we aren't expected to get one for 3 more years, yet I still love my job.

I know many people who have other jobs who ***** and moan way more about their job than i do about mine. That's ok. No job is 100% perfect.

The myth I'd like to break is that teaching is just a matter of taking a curriculum and imparting knowledge upon a child and that's it. Granted I have students with disabilities and so that is what I signed up for. That said, I have to deal with kids who are homeless and can't focus on their school work, kids whose parents are in Iraq / Afghanistan or out to sea for 6 - 9 months so they can't focus, and kids I've had to report for abuse. I have kids whose parents do absolutely nothing for them and don't care what happens at school, I have kids whose parents are incarcerated, and many who are being raised by grandma/grandpa/aunts/uncles/foster care. It makes my job difficult and is very frustrating at times and it can leave me in tears. But I'd rather work with kids than work with adults. I can hug a child and tell them how wonderful they are or praise them for a job well done when they finally get a concept. I will fight tooth and nail for my kids (my students but they are MY kids) to make sure they get the best education possible. I spend lots of time trying to figure out how to get through to each child and spend as much time with these kids to give them the best education possible.

Do I get frustrated at times? Yes. Do I threaten to quit at least twice a year because adults torque me off? Oh heck yeah. Do I sometimes think I have the world on my shoulders and no one could do my job? Yes and Yes. I take my job very personally and would expect the next person who comes behind me to take their job just as seriously as I do.

I wish I made more money that is true. But you couldn't pay me enough to work with adults and the public in general. Give me 6th grade kids any day and I'm happy as a clam. I'm tickled to death to be going back to work next week. I'm ready to meet my new students and face my new adventures.

Daisy

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Those that say teachers continually defend their profession & state how difficult it is..........if your profession was always questioned & being interrogated, wouldn't you defend yourself also?

It was a teacher who started this thread. Why was it started? I don't remember any recent teacher bashing threads? Why the need to drudge anything up?

You know parts of my job just plain suck too. I don't think I get paid enough for what I do. I went to work today sicker than a dog because I knew if I didn't , there would be absolutely no one to fill in for me. My boss was nice and let me leave early but I still had to drag myself in, and my boss told me, "good thing you did. "

I get yelled at, belittled and just plain want to cry some days too. But its what I do and I suck it up and do my job. I don't understand all the need for the reassurance with all these teacher threads. No one has a great 100% I love my job all the time, I get paid enough money, and feel appreciated all the time job. You take the good with the bad....period.

Shoot there's been plenty of bashing of my profession too. I remember a high profile woman once stating that we are overpaid and undereducated,,,,hmmmm wonder if she can do what I do,,,doubt it!

 

[Scurvy]

It was a teacher who started this thread. Why was it started? I don't remember any recent teacher bashing threads? Why the need to drudge anything up?

You must have missed them, then, because there are several going on right now.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

You must have missed them, then, because there are several going on right now.

I must have , I was away for a couple days. But why start another? No matter what kind of thread begins about students, school or teachers, it becomes a teacher bashing thread. So why add another to the drama?

 

[torinsmom]

A
Do I get frustrated at times? Yes. Do I threaten to quit at least twice a year because adults torque me off? Oh heck yeah.

LOL, I have been known to say I wished I could be a teacher at an orphanage. Then I could just teach the kids and not have to deal with the parents Luckily, I only have 2-3 per year that drive me crazy. At my previous school, I didn't have such luck---we did not have a special snowflake, we had a blizzard, LOL!

Marsha

 

[HsvTeacher]

It was a teacher who started this thread. Why was it started? I don't remember any recent teacher bashing threads? Why the need to drudge anything up?

You know parts of my job just plain suck too. I don't think I get paid enough for what I do. I went to work today sicker than a dog because I knew if I didn't , there would be absolutely no one to fill in for me. My boss was nice and let me leave early but I still had to drag myself in, and my boss told me, "good thing you did. "

I get yelled at, belittled and just plain want to cry some days too. But its what I do and I suck it up and do my job. I don't understand all the need for the reassurance with all these teacher threads. No one has a great 100% I love my job all the time, I get paid enough money, and feel appreciated all the time job. You take the good with the bad....period.

Shoot there's been plenty of bashing of my profession too. I remember a high profile woman once stating that we are overpaid and undereducated,,,,hmmmm wonder if she can do what I do,,,doubt it!

There are two going on right now on the community board....The Twinkle Toes thread and the why does my child's school assume I'm a SAHM thread.

Over on the budget board, there was a gripe session a couple of weeks ago about the teacher-led conspiracy over school supplies and how we hoard tissues to wipe our own noses and never let the kids use them.

Then, there are always the "Can I take my child out of school?" threads that turn into teacher-bashing. I have read two of those in the past few days.

Take a look around, and you'll find plenty of threads.

 

[palavra]

I must have , I was away for a couple days. But why start another? No matter what kind of thread begins about students, school or teachers, it becomes a teacher bashing thread. So why add another to the drama?

I started it just for the reason I stated in my original post-to clear up a few misconceptions about teaching as a profession. In fact, I asked for other teachers to give their input. Once again, it doesn't frustrate me that people say negative things about my profession, but it does frustrate me when "myths" are stated as fact over and over.

 

[Daisy&Max]

LOL, I have been known to say I wished I could be a teacher at an orphanage. Then I could just teach the kids and not have to deal with the parents Luckily, I only have 2-3 per year that drive me crazy. At my previous school, I didn't have such luck---we did not have a special snowflake, we had a blizzard, LOL!

Marsha

I usually have one special snowflake but then I have other kids that are more like deserts...no one cares about them or wants to do anything with them. I'm not sure which I'd prefer! LOL

Oh and as for hoarding tissues, the only box I hoard is the box of good tissues that i bring in for my use! LOL I buy the cheap ones for the kids and hide the good ones! I'm not ashamed to admit it. I have a delicate nose!

Daisy

 

[torinsmom]

I think some parents have these resentful feelings towards teachers, and it is much easier to express them here than to their child's teachers. I have been teaching for 12 years and have never had a parent tell me that anyone could do my job or that I make too much money for having the summers off. On the contrary, they tell me they don't know how I do it and to enjoy my summer, because I deserve it.

I also think teachers get blamed for things that are not even within their control. These are all things I have read on the DIS in the years I have been here.....

It is the teacher's fault when the school denies a parent's request for a trip to WDW to be counted as an excused absence.

It is the teacher's fault when taxes go up.

It is the teacher's fault when a student gets in trouble for hurting another student.

It is the teacher's fault when there is no lunch money in a child's account and they are embarrassed by being given a PB & J.

It is the teacher's fault when a child falls in the mud and "ruins" his clothes.

It is the teacher's fault when a child is hurt by another child.

It is the teacher's fault when a child gets hurt when they trip over their own feet.

It is the teacher's fault when a child is not reading at grade level.

It is the teacher's fault when a child is not allowed to return to school before they are symptom free for 24 hours.

It is the teacher's fault when a child gets suspended for saying that a package he has could have a bomb in it.

and those are just the ones I remember.

Marsha

 

[torinsmom]

There are two going on right now on the community board....The Twinkle Toes thread and the why does my child's school assume I'm a SAHM thread.

Over on the budget board, there was a gripe session a couple of weeks ago about the teacher-led conspiracy over school supplies and how we hoard tissues to wipe our own noses and never let the kids use them.

Then, there are always the "Can I take my child out of school?" threads that turn into teacher-bashing. I have read two of those in the past few days.

Take a look around, and you'll find plenty of threads.

That was a good one! I remember asking one poster if she thought I was going to stand on the corner and sell the supplies or something What do I want with 20 bottles of hand sanitizer and 40 boxes of tissues? We go through them all too, and the kids are healthier for having those things.

 

[grafxgirl]

So that's it, huh? Time served, get a Master's (which you can do online quickly these days), and you get $100,000? How about graduation rates? How about extra time spent with students? How about parental reviews/complaints? Seems like these should be in order.

LOL! Getting a Master's degree online is no quick and easy task. I should know. I'm currently working on my Masters in Elementary Education, which means "attending class", participating in daily classroom discussions, homework assignments nearly every night, 1 CLP project, and (2) 10 page research papers to write. On top of that I have two kids (ages 3 and 6) to care for, working as a part-time teacher, making time for 185 hours of classroom observations and 16 weeks of student teaching (observations and student teaching are part of my degree requirements). Yeah, it's a total breeze!

 

[grafxgirl]

True, but for 9 months' work?

You do understand that the money made during the 9 months of work has to stretch out for a total of 12 months, right?

 

[PrincessKsMom]

You do understand that the money made during the 9 months of work has to stretch out for a total of 12 months, right?

And you did understand that when you took the job, right?