Teacher Participation......

[ccgirl]

Interesting.
Thanks for the responses. I guess I am expecting to much. I guess if they aren't being paid for it, there would be resistance to coming. Perhaps asking them to volunteer next year may get them out. I guess I am crazy in thinking, the teachers may actually WANT to see the kids dressed up, having fun and maybe dance a little "monster mash" with them.....and wouldn't think of it as a chore.

While attending the event may not be the "chore" part, the parent that tries to corner them to speak about their little Susie is. Would you attend every after hours event at your work? I know I don't. I do have a life outside of work.

I am on the PTO at my school. A very small school as well. One class per grade K-8, 250 students. We had our Halloween party two weeks ago. We sold out at 250 - the max due to fire codes. The parents are the ones that volunteer and run it. I would have never expected a teacher to attend or volunteer. The Principal was there for part of the night. I am friends with a teacher. She teaches in the town she lives and even gets cornered at the soccer field every week by parents that want to talk to her about their student. If they went to the functions, then parents complain the papers didn't get graded and everything else. Teachers can't seem to catch a break these days.

 

[mlraabe]

Some thoughts:

* In my district every elem. teacher is required to attend 2 PTO events throughout the year. These dates are assigned in August - PTO meetings, Talent Night, BINGO for books, Family Fun Nights. One of the nights is always the grade level family fun night which the Teachers plan and PTO pays for.

* I have four of my own children in the district, so, I do attend many events outside of school to see my kids but, I also make sure to support any of my students who are participating. That being said, my family is very busy and the thought of just showing up at an event to make an appearance would probably not happen for me. I bring home school work every night, respond to parents' emails or calls, work on grad classes, read the book required for our monthly preofessional mandatory book club, write reports, work on my portfolio that is due at the end of every school year, make special projects for my students: a picture CD in Dec and May, gifts for parents, christmas program events, finalize the month's book order, update my classroom blog, type and weekly newsletter, etc. All of this happens on my own time.
* My husband is an IT dept head, he gets paid triple what I make and has a high stress job. Also, expected to come in when called - at church, night out, the middle of the night. He often has late nights or eve meetings with people from DC. However, he does not bring home the work load that I do every day. Just trying to put into perspective how much a teacher is expected to already do outside of the classroom
* In a month I have 1 faculty meeting, professional book club meeting, 3 team meetings (all after school or very early in the morning), Professional dev. meetings (often start before school hours or go later in the day, parent meetings, three months a year I do parent teacher conferences for 30 students all after hours, plus my PTO obligations.
* I support the PTO in many ways: I always encourage my students and parents to attend the book fairs, shop at santa shop, attend family fun nights. This information is always in my monthly calendar and on the weekly newsletter in addition to what PTO sends out. I like to think that is extra encouragement for my families to attend. With my own kids in the district I also support through them.
* I love my job and I love my students. Since I live in the small town I teach in, I see families all the time and spend time talking with them, etc. But, I agree with PP that often it turns into a conference. Also, I would be really upset if someone was implying that I was not doing my job because I did not show up to a school social event. I think I am very dedicated to my students and their families but sometimes, even teachers need a break!

 

[GatorMommy2007]

As a teacher, I just have to say that I can't make everything. We do a ton of stuff that parents don't see that occurs after hours. Plus, depending on the timing, many teachers don't have anyone to watch their own kids for things like this. Typically, these things also end up being mini parent-teacher conferences when teachers are there, which is hard when you are not prepared and not in a place to do that. It's just really hard for a teacher.

But, teachers do so much work at home and on weekends, that it's really hard for them to attend other events- mainly because it's more time away from families. I am away from my family, or working so not involved with them, more now than when I had a corporate job that had me working many more hours in the office. Plus, I'm not really sure why you'd want the teachers there- just to stand there? If they are not paying to come, it doesn't help your fund for them to be there, so they'd be just there. If they are expected to pay, then think about all the money they already put into the school and do not get reimbursed for. As much as I love my school, most extra money goes to help the schools my kids go to. And teachers tend to need to have some order and control, which they wouldn't be allowed to do- it's very frustrating to see the kids running around and parents doing nothing about it. I would expect that this would be the case a little as well. Sorry that this was all over the place- just typed as my brain jumped around!

This exactly! And a school dance, IMO doesn't scream school spirit.

 

[pfeifferdcat]

I just want to add in my 2 cents. While I agree that at our school, none of the teachers are expected to go to any PTA or extra-curricular activities, I love it when they do. DD's teacher last year is pretty much the only one that I see at any activities. She's worked the table at an ice skating fundraiser & I've seen her at PTA meetings. I know the kids love to see their teachers outside of school too. DD's current teacher also showed up at the soccer field one day. That was great. I just get a warm fuzzy feeling from the teachers that show an interest. But I also appreciate the other teachers that don't.

 

[daisyduck123]

For sure! Spouses and children welcome to attend.

Not exactly how my 12th grader & 7th grader want to spend their evening. Nope.

 

[mlraabe]

I just want to add in my 2 cents. While I agree that at our school, none of the teachers are expected to go to any PTA or extra-curricular activities, I love it when they do. DD's teacher last year is pretty much the only one that I see at any activities. She's worked the table at an ice skating fundraiser & I've seen her at PTA meetings. I know the kids love to see their teachers outside of school too. DD's current teacher also showed up at the soccer field one day. That was great. I just get a warm fuzzy feeling from the teachers that show an interest. But I also appreciate the other teachers that don't.

And I agree with you! My students love to see me at events outside of school and I enjoy seeing them and their families. However, if my own kids were in a different district/town and were not involved in my school's activities I would probably not be making an appearance.

 

[DawnM]

I was very involved in after school/evening activities before I had kids and I taught for 10 years before I had kids, so I did a lot.

Once I started a family it became much more difficult. I felt I had very little time with my little ones and did not go to as many games or dances or events.

So, I feel I did put in my "time" and it was time for another teacher without a young family to put in time.

Dawn

 

[Nicoleclaw]

Yes, but a lot of teachers have children themeselves, and are also trying to do the same thing you are doing for their OWN children! Teachers do things outside of school all the time for their students, whether parents know it or not. It's not fair to expect the teachers to leave their own family behind so that they can put everything they have into your children. I understand that their families were invited, but it's not the same for the teachers as it is for other parents bringing their children. Even though you say the teachers have no responsibility at the events, a lot of parents still expect them to keep the event under control. There are a lot of parents out there that will see that the teacher is there and just assume that they are watching their kids. Sure the teachers want to see their students having fun, but they don't want to be in charge of them all the time. At the same time, the teachers also want to see their own children and families having a good time. Unless you can somehow guarantee that the parents aren't going to be coming up to them all night talking about how their little johnny is doing in reading, they aren't going to be able to enjoy their own family at the event. Teachers need and deserve a break once in awhile too!

Thank you for typing all that so I didn't have to...if it is a Halloween function, chances are their own kids have a function to go to as well.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

I totally agree- that's why I would never imagine to ask a teacher to go to all the dances, activities, sporting events, etc. All I am asking for is 1 - 2 hours once or twice a year. That's it. That's ALL I would expect. And even that, if there are circumstances in a given year that make it impossible to do so that year, even less on occassion.

Oh and I attend almost every PTO event as a board member, and I am very knowledgeable about our teacher participation. We have Board meetings and discuss it (and one of us is at every event).

We all need to spend time with our families, but we all have jobs to do too. And if an organization made your job easier/better AND saved you a bunch of money that you likely would have spent on buying extras for your classrooms (I know so many teachers who do this), then yes, I expect some support for that organization.

Now if a PTO was doing nothing to make working at that school better and doing nothing to improve the classrooms or anything like that - then I wouldn't expect it. But ours does make their jobs better, and yes I expect some support - very, very LITTLE amount of support, but some.

I never said teachers don't do a ton of work and school stuff after hours, as I know they do. But I still think they should give back a little bit to the PTO.

I personally try to attend atleast one dance a year (where we are chaperoning, not just going for "fun", graduation, the play, and and art show or concert. I used to go to everything before I had my own kids. I dont mind showing up here and there. However, I am not sure how parents showing up at this Halloween dance would show support if they are not "working" by chaperoning or running something, and they are not paying to get it.

 

[Leajess99]

Just wondering what some of your thoughts are on this......

Our Parent School Association, held a halloween dance at our elementary school a few weeks ago. It was well attended by students and their parents. However, the only three teachers that attended were there as parents and NOT teachers. Are we, as a parent organization asking too much of our teachers, by wanting them to attend a two hour after school function?? They were not asked to work or chaperone at all, just to come out and share in some school spirit. I realize contractually they are not obligated but how do we expect students to attend such fundraisers, if the teachers won't even attend?? Maybe I'm off base.........

I'm not a teacher but honestly, most of the teachers here have families themselves. That extra 2 hours may take away from something their child has going on. We also have teachers that leave their teaching job and go to their second job of tutoring or working at a store or whatnot. My youngest daughter's teacher could not stay those 2 hours as he has to pick his daughter up from another elementary school in our district. He also has a son in another school that he has to pick up as well. Just something to think about as some (not saying you in specific) forget that teachers do often have families as well.

 

[JackJack08]

Because maybe after school, they have their own family and kids' activities to attend to. Maybe they really aren't into having fun with their students and families. There is nothing wrong with that.



I suspect that he may have been paid some overtime to clean up after the dance.

No, actually SHE sold tickets at the door and welcomed the kids and their families in. There is a night staff for clean up.

 

[JackJack08]

Frankly Op, it's really none of your business why teachers didn't attend this particular function.
They have lives just like everyone else, they should not have to account for how they spend their free time.

I wasn't really interested in WHY they didn't attend, I just stated that they didn't. I couldn't care less what they were doing, just asking that they support an organization, that gives them hundreds of dollars, to spend in their classrooms every year.

 

[JackJack08]

I was very involved in after school/evening activities before I had kids and I taught for 10 years before I had kids, so I did a lot.

Once I started a family it became much more difficult. I felt I had very little time with my little ones and did not go to as many games or dances or events.

So, I feel I did put in my "time" and it was time for another teacher without a young family to put in time.

Dawn

Exactly. I know that teachers have their own kids to run around......and some of them, may have had activities at their kids schools on this particular night. But, like one of the PP's said we do not expect much, just a couple of hours, a couple times a year wouldn't kill them. Teachers do work hard.....and they also get paid well for it. There is no doubt about it, and no one is disputing that.

 

[daisyduck123]

Teachers do work hard.....and they also get paid well for it. There is no doubt about it, and no one is disputing that.

I have to dispute the part about "getting paid well for it".

There are some areas of the country that pay well, but the vast majority of us are not paid well.

 

[JackJack08]

I have to dispute the part about "getting paid well for it".

There are some areas of the country that pay well, but the vast majority of us are not paid well.

I stand corrected. In my area, they are paid VERY well.

 

[EKW]

all of them. First, I will say that I've taught in 9 schools over the past 27 years...and I've never taught at a school where the teachers don't attend PTA events. That seems odd to me.

I haven't read what the other posters said, but here's my take on this:

Yes, I do attend events. But, do I attend ALL events? No way. That would be a minimum of 6 nights a month at elementary school. When I was teaching in Middle School it would have been that many nights...plus every weekend day and night for the variety of sports.

When I first started teaching I also attended dance recitals, sporting events, church plays, and went to student's homes for dinners and religious celebrations. All of that ended nearly 20 years ago. Every year we have to attend mandatory sexual-preditor classes. One thing they tell everyone who works in schools to watch for are adults who attempt to establish a personal relationship with students. When I started teaching it was common to give a kid who missed the bus a ride home...or buy shoes for the kid whose family couldn't afford a new pair...or support a student's outside interest. Doing those things now will get you hotlined...and on a 7 year watch list as a suspected child abuser. I will have to admit that, given the choice of attending an educational event or a social one, I'll likely choose the former just to protect myself.

In addition, I now have children of my own. We have church and sporting activities of our own. I also have the social and educational events at their schools that I need to attend. It's fairly common for me to have three events scheduled on the same night.

I'm not making excuses. I will say that it's fairly common for the PTO/A to plan things without teacher input...and when teachers look at the plan they think, "Oh, my!" Some thoughts...do you have your planning sessions at times when teachers can attend? For the past decade I've worked in schools where the PTO met during the school day...effectively cutting teachers out of the group. If you involve teachers, ask for their input, and they still don't participate, you might want to put together a survey to find out why...then let them know that you'd really love for them to be a part of your activities.

 

[EKW]

I wasn't really interested in WHY they didn't attend, I just stated that they didn't. I couldn't care less what they were doing, just asking that they support an organization, that gives them hundreds of dollars, to spend in their classrooms every year.

If you take a step back and look at the tone of your post, you might have a real insight as to why the teachers at your school don't participate.

If I thought the parents at my school view me as their paid help...overpaid help...I would be hesitant to be involved with them, too. If you begrudge your child and the other children the money you give for classroom use, then, as an organization, don't give it. Buy a bench or playground equipment or library books. Don't view it as a personal gift to teacher that causes them to be indebted to your organization.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

If you take a step back and look at the tone of your post, you might have a real insight as to why the teachers at your school don't participate.

If I thought the parents at my school view me as their paid help...overpaid help...I would be hesitant to be involved with them, too. If you begrudge your child and the other children the money you give for classroom use, then, as an organization, don't give it. Buy a bench or playground equipment or library books. Don't view it as a personal gift to teacher that causes them to be indebted to your organization.

Great post!!

 

[brymolmom]

If you take a step back and look at the tone of your post, you might have a real insight as to why the teachers at your school don't participate.

If I thought the parents at my school view me as their paid help...overpaid help...I would be hesitant to be involved with them, too. If you begrudge your child and the other children the money you give for classroom use, then, as an organization, don't give it. Buy a bench or playground equipment or library books. Don't view it as a personal gift to teacher that causes them to be indebted to your organization.

I'm not the poster you quoted, but I don't view the teachers as paid help, but I would LOVE to view them as partners to making the school a better place to be and work. Unfortunately, it is pretty much a one-sided partnership. If I had an organization whose function was to make my workplace all-around better, I believe I would participate and support it to the level of my ability - not all the time (like when my own kids have functions) but some of the time (like when an event falls at a time when we don't have other family functions).

I had an in-depth talk with the President of our PTO who also is a school teacher last night. I really thought he'd take more of the 'I need time with my family' approach. But he, instead, was totally on board with agreeing that teachers should participate as much as they can or at least a little bit. I asked him how his own school would be (better, worse) if the PTO didn't exist at all - and he said that it would DEFINITELY be a worse place to be and work. That's why we need the support - to be able to continue to make it a better place.

We bend over backwards to show teachers that they ARE appreciated and not just paid employees by having special celebrations for them, funding things when one of them is ill, and helping them make their classroom better and better able to do their job without their own out-of-pocket expense. So personally I think your post is harsh to someone who volunteers a lot of time and effort to make teachers and their schools feel and be more special.

 

[JackJack08]

My tone, was directed at the rudeness of the post. I do not speak to people the way this poster did at ANY time. On a message board or not. This post was just not very nice........