TEACHERS Unite!!!

[barkley]

kinda ot-but i'm blown away by how many teachers are posting about art projects/holiday stuff that the bulk of the public schools here have forbidden any reference to.


the successful cases around here have been-

no halloween references (christians say it's pagen, wikens say it 'puts them in a poor light'). they can study 'harvest'-but absolutly no jack o lanterns.

no christmas or other december holiday references (church and state stuff)-most 'winter concerts' are in november or january-and don't cha dare sing any religious or santa songs.

no st. patrick's day (argued it glorifys a holiday largly now associated with drinking).

no easter-(again church and state).

no mothers or father's day-(argued it may exclude or 'offend' those children/parents in non traditional families).

for the most part the schools do pumpkins & cornacopias in the fall ( but there's always a rumbling of resentment around thanksgiving when some native americans protest about 'revisionist history'), snowflakes in winter, valentines day is celebrated, some flowery stuff in spring but that's about it. allot of the schools do a 'grandparents day' thing (but again-there are schools dropping it for the same reason they cite for no mom/dad days). oh, and they will do special art projects for black history month and cinco de mayo.

it's nice to know that some schools still let kids do halloween parades, make shamrocks, and learn about the multiple december celebrations.

 

[lindalinda]

I'm not a teacher, but I am enjoying the stories. Since some people seem offended...maybe the OP could edit the first post? It doesnt bother me at all, but all the negative comments on the thread seem to be from those people that are opposed to the phrasing used. None of the stories themselves are offensive at all, but rather, thoughtful funny and interesting.

 

[Evil Queen]

kinda ot-but i'm blown away by how many teachers are posting about art projects/holiday stuff that the bulk of the public schools here have forbidden any reference to.


the successful cases around here have been-

no halloween references (christians say it's pagen, wikens say it 'puts them in a poor light'). they can study 'harvest'-but absolutly no jack o lanterns.

no christmas or other december holiday references (church and state stuff)-most 'winter concerts' are in november or january-and don't cha dare sing any religious or santa songs.

no st. patrick's day (argued it glorifys a holiday largly now associated with drinking).

no easter-(again church and state).

no mothers or father's day-(argued it may exclude or 'offend' those children/parents in non traditional families).

for the most part the schools do pumpkins & cornacopias in the fall ( but there's always a rumbling of resentment around thanksgiving when some native americans protest about 'revisionist history'), snowflakes in winter, valentines day is celebrated, some flowery stuff in spring but that's about it. allot of the schools do a 'grandparents day' thing (but again-there are schools dropping it for the same reason they cite for no mom/dad days). oh, and they will do special art projects for black history month and cinco de mayo.

it's nice to know that some schools still let kids do halloween parades, make shamrocks, and learn about the multiple december celebrations.

More or less how my sis does things. Not for "holidays" but seasonal projects.

As for Halloween parade, they call it storybook week, this is school wide. The day that falls on or nearest to Halloween, they are allowed to dress up as their favorite storybook character. No mask allowed in class only in the parade. But most kids know they can still dress up as anything, as long as they have a book relating to it.

As for winter holidays, my son has brought home all sorts of projects.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm not a teacher, but I am enjoying the stories. Since some people seem offended...maybe the OP could edit the first post? It doesnt bother me at all, but all the negative comments on the thread seem to be from those people that are opposed to the phrasing used. None of the stories themselves are offensive at all, but rather, thoughtful funny and interesting.

 

[Dina]

I hadn't read many posts before I posted my story-- I'm the one who was ugly during pregnancy. But, I don't feel I or many posters here are parent bashing. I did say something a little negative about the parent in my story. But, that wasn't a general thing against parents.

But I couldn't parent bash if I wanted to (except for that one instance)-- during the 7 years that I taught, I was blessed with wonderful parents. I have only had two disagreements/complaints made about me by a parent, and I wouldn't bash the parents, I was doing what I was supposed to do, and they didn't agree with the rules, which was their right. My hands were pretty much tied. I would never "bash" them for that. Most of the stories here aren't your general run of the mill-- parents don't return my calls sort of thing--- I think something must have set the OP off to write "parent bashing" and that happens we all need to vent, but I don't think the teachers on this thread have done that at all-- just sharing some funny stories really.

I'm sorry if anyone is offended-- I'm a parent as well, I wouldn't generally parent bash, but there are some really good stories out there.

 

[noodleknitter]

Dina, I was offended by the OP. Bashing parents is as stupid as bashing teachers. The fact that the OP seems to have posted only a dozen times this year and starts a thread with such an idea, seems so sad to me. That is, of course only my opinion.

I think that most of the teachers, just as well as most of the parents do the best job they are able to do within their circumstances.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Truthfully--I don't know what threads are being referenced...but here and IRL I have yet to see a parent begin their complaint about something that happened to their child at school with their teacher with..."OKAY, let's unite, it's teacher bashing time".

Of course you don't. That's because teacher bashing has become an accepted sport in our society. One never has to say it's teacher bashing time to get it started.

 

[Dina]

Dina, I was offended by the OP. Bashing parents is as stupid as bashing teachers. The fact that the OP seems to have posted only a dozen times this year and starts a thread with such an idea, seems so sad to me. That is, of course only my opinion.

I think that most of the teachers, just as well as most of the parents do the best job they are able to do within their circumstances.

I understand what you are saying. A few people posted something about lack of professionalism in teachers that are posting here, and a teacher posted that she loved teaching and would never participate in this (I'm paraphrasing and generalizing, I'm sorry)-- I'm just saying that even though I know what was written in the original post-- this thread really isn't a parent bashing thread. Even if you don't agree with the "parent bashing"-- which I would never do, and it doesn't seem like many people have-- you have to admit it's kind of out there to complain to a teacher about the size of her teeth or that she's not pretty anymore, or that her gifts to kids aren't good enough or that their pregnancy wasn't timed appropriately. If we were all here complaining about general every day stuff-- I could see why people would be upset, but anyone could read some of these posts and find them entertaining. I absolutely loved every day I taught, and I've spent alot of time crying over the fact that my going back to work doesn't really work for our family (it would cost too much to put both my kids in daycare due to the size of my salary, and even once my kids are back in school my husband and I would both be starting our day at 6:30/7am, and my district before school care doesn't even start until 7:45-- so I'm applying to nursing school right now)-- anyway I don't believe I or the other teachers posting their stories are less of a teacher because they have some good parent stories to share.

 

[noodleknitter]

I agree. I guess that i felt it important to reiterate what had bothered me, but forgot to say that I agreed with your post, in general. As someone pointed out yesterday, I sometimes am overly sensitive about stuff here. Working on it.

Have a lovely evening/weekend!

 

[phisigprincess]

Of course you don't. That's because teacher bashing has become an accepted sport in our society. One never has to say it's teacher bashing time to get it started.

Unfortunately it's very true. Being the only non teacher in my family and most of my friends being teachers, I'm very sensitive to the "teacher bashing" as well, and sadly, it happens ALL too often. All you teachers rock in my book!!

 

[Dina]

I am sooo surprised you didn't ask her " so how many daughters do YOU have? Three? Four? Five?"

I would have said something like that, but honest to goodness, I don't think she realized she was being mean. She's a pretty nice woman, just not the sharpest tool in the shed. I'm sorry I know that's mean, but seriously-- I don't know if she realized what she was saying-- she really thought she was having a nice conversation with me. You know sometimes when people say things and they are just don't get what they are saying.

Reminds me of a time in Disney (not a parent)-- I hadn't lost alot of the weight from DS#2, and a woman sitting next to us in Prime Time kept asking me if this one is a boy or a girl. Naturally I thought she was talking about my son sitting next to me rather than my son across from me (he was only a year old and his hair needed to be cut -- it wasn't really long (but I didn't keep it super short because I didn't want him to lose all of that baby fine hair yet). So I kept saying, no he's a boy-- looking at my son. She wasn't giving up, and I wasn't getting it. Finally she said, no the one you're pregnant with now (I wasn't pregnant). DH and I started cracking up, and her face got so white-- and her husband got mad at her. I felt bad, I felt like it ruined her meal. But, she just wasn't getting it, wouldn't you have dropped the question just in case the person wasn't pregnant-- kinda clueless-- I felt bad.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Of course you don't. That's because teacher bashing has become an accepted sport in our society. One never has to say it's teacher bashing time to get it started.

Whatever.

I can accept that my colleagues whereever they may be can be rude at times despite their humanity.

I don't go and ream people that they don't understand how hard a job it is though.

There will always be difficult customers regardless of your occupation (customers being actual customers, or students/parents, patients--whatever....the people whom you serve/work for in your occupation).

I honestly don't think teachers dont' have it any harder than anyone else. Idiots will always exist and in your occupation you will have to encounter them.

Sadly teachers don't carry the respect they once did. That is a travesty.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

you have to admit it's kind of out there to complain to a teacher about the size of her teeth or that she's not pretty anymore, or that her gifts to kids aren't good enough or that their pregnancy wasn't timed appropriately.

FTR this is why this thread began poorly. I have never seen threads started by parents about any of the above.

If you want to complain about how rudely teachers are disrespected--I agree that is just WRONG for people to do those things.

FTR it isn't exclusive to the teaching profession.

Also FTR: One needn't "bash" when communicating a bad experience of someone being rude to them. Bashing is GENERALIZING how all of a set group do this. Communicating a bad experience is NOT a bash.

That would be doctors saying all their patients are fat and lazy expecting miracles.

That would be lawyers saying all their clients lie through their teeth and are just trying to get something for nothing.

The thread began as though ALL parents are guilty of not placing teachers on the pedestal they deserve to be on.

I'm sorry--being a teacher doesn't subject you to the pedestal...nor does it mean that as a public servant, you deserve to have muddy shoes wiped on you so that you can be put in your place.


ETA: Prime example--the whole pregnancy thing--unfortunately people will say rude things to pregnant women regardless of their occupation. That has been going on for years and years.

RUDE is RUDE regardless of your profession and the people you deal with.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Sadly teachers don't carry the respect they once did. That is a travesty.

Unfortunately I agree with you. Teachers do not get the respect that they used to. I also do not think they are paid their worth. But what we all must remember is that teachers are the ones who care for your children 8 hrs a day. They are in the school more than 1/2 of their waking day, that is assuming that most kids under 18 are up approx. 14-16 hrs. a day. These teachers kiss their boo boos, hug them when they are sad, and yes sometimes they have to discipline your children. We can't let them run wild. Give these teachers a break, they deal with a lot of crap, sick kids, neglected kids, and abused kids too! Don't criticize until you have walked a mile in their shoes. Most of them have already been parents so they already see the other side, if only we could stand in their shoes and teach we might all see a different perspective.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Unfortunately I agree with you. Teachers do not get the respect that they used to. I also do not think they are paid their worth. But what we all must remember is that teachers are the ones who care for your children 8 hrs a day. They are in the school more than 1/2 of their waking day, that is assuming that most kids under 18 are up approx. 14-16 hrs. a day. These teachers kiss their boo boos, hug them when they are sad, and yes sometimes they have to discipline your children. We can't let them run wild. Give these teachers a break, they deal with a lot of crap, sick kids, neglected kids, and abused kids too! Don't criticize until you have walked a mile in their shoes. Most of them have already been parents so they already see the other side, if only we could stand in their shoes and teach we might all see a different perspective.

I partly agree, partly disagree.

I had some compassionate teachers and some not so compassionate ones. Really depends on their nature adn some were more maternal/paternal than others.

For me I homeschool...and on the first day of dance class this year--there are 2 moms who are teachers. I already fear the day when they ask what school my kid goes too. While I am not a professional teacher and didn't go to school for it, I can teach my child. And often, I do get treated like an outsider.

 

[Dina]

FTR this is why this thread began poorly. I have never seen threads started by parents about any of the above.

If you want to complain about how rudely teachers are disrespected--I agree that is just WRONG for people to do those things.

FTR it isn't exclusive to the teaching profession.

Also FTR: One needn't "bash" when communicating a bad experience of someone being rude to them. Bashing is GENERALIZING how all of a set group do this. Communicating a bad experience is NOT a bash.

That would be doctors saying all their patients are fat and lazy expecting miracles.

That would be lawyers saying all their clients lie through their teeth and are just trying to get something for nothing.

The thread began as though ALL parents are guilty of not placing teachers on the pedestal they deserve to be on.

I'm sorry--being a teacher doesn't subject you to the pedestal...nor does it mean that as a public servant, you deserve to have muddy shoes wiped on you so that you can be put in your place.


ETA: Prime example--the whole pregnancy thing--unfortunately people will say rude things to pregnant women regardless of their occupation. That has been going on for years and years.

RUDE is RUDE regardless of your profession and the people you deal with.

I am not sure I'm following you. You're saying complaining that people complained about the size of one's teeth or that they weren't pretty is how the thread went wrong-- I think it's kind of funny. Sure you haven't seen threads started in this way-- cause it's nutty. That's why they're good stories. For the record, I wasn't bashing, because I wasn't generalizing all parents as being rude. I was just telling a funny story of one parent. There was actually a parent waiting to talk to me that heard all of this and she was sitting there with her mouth dropped, then we laughed together after the parent left-- I do not think all parents are rude-- not at all, like I said this is one funny experience in 7 years-- not even a bad one, she was a nice person. And, it would have been just as good of a story if I wasn't a teacher and they weren't a parent-- it just so happens that I was, and I saw there was a thread of people talking about parents making weird complaints and I thought I'd share my story. I don't hold myself up on a pedestal for being a teacher-- not at all. I also really didn't feel I was treated rudely as a teacher (again I had a few disagreements with parents about school rules-- but I don't think they were mean to me, or wrong-- they complained about me to the principal which was what they needed to do, and he defended me, but I would never bash them for it).

For the record I wouldn't bash parents, and I've never thought that I was on a pedestal above them-- why would I??? I had a great, fun job. I alwasy considered myself lucky to have a job wher I never looked at a clock (except for when I first went back to work after DS was born) Sure there were alot of days that I left with a headache-- but who doesn't, my husband comes home with alot of them as an electrician-- a job is a job.

 

[disykat]

I have been accused many times on this board of not having a sense of humor and needing to lighten up. Even I could see the spirit in which the word "bashing" was used. I haven't seen anyone bash any parents yet. Surely people have seen enough "every teacher is bad" threads here to see some humor in a "parents are bad" thread? I think it was meant to be a lighthearted, slightly sarcastic way of saying "let's tell some stories from the other side".

Unfortunately teacher bashing does happen on this board. I have no problem with threads where someone is upset with the teacher. I've posted a few myself, even though I'm a teacher! The problem is when a someone comes on and turns it into an "every teacher is bad" thread.

 

[Lanshark]

I like to say I left a high paying job as a systems analyst because I felt a calling to be a teacher.

I'm beginning to think it was gas.

 

[TinkerBess_SnowTori]

I like to say I left a high paying job as a systems analyst because I felt a calling to be a teacher.

I'm beginning to think it was gas.

HA!! That was a good one!!!

I am throughly enjoying this thread and think the teachers have every right to vent all they want -

 

[Dina]

I partly agree, partly disagree.

I had some compassionate teachers and some not so compassionate ones. Really depends on their nature adn some were more maternal/paternal than others.

For me I homeschool...and on the first day of dance class this year--there are 2 moms who are teachers. I already fear the day when they ask what school my kid goes too. While I am not a professional teacher and didn't go to school for it, I can teach my child. And often, I do get treated like an outsider.

Why do you dread the teachers asking you where you send your child to school??? You shouldn't just assume how teachers will react to your homeschooling your children. My cousin homeschooled all 4 of her children with the exception of their senior year of high school. Her oldest then graduated valedictorian of his high school, and just graduated from The Naval Academy in Annapolis. I'm a teacher, but boy I sure don't look down on her for homeschooling -- just the opposite, I truly admire her-- she obviously did one heck of a job.