TEACHERS Unite!!!

[Kitty 34]

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.

ITA. Changing the word bashing to parent stories for example, would certainly calm some down, I think.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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--.

No starting a thread in reaction to "teacher bashing" threads and saying let's bash the parents was the wrong way to start the thread.


I have yet to see a parent post a thread on the dis talking about their kid's ugly pregnant teacher with buck teeth.


If any person is saying mean things to you in your profession it is just WRONG. ALWAYS.

And it happens to just more than teachers so it not exclusive to that profession.

FTR--all experiences posted here are legitimate complaints about unruly parents. It would be a bash to say "All my parents are mean and rude". (no one did--I just felt that was the gist of the OP's invite to parent bash).

 

[Dina]

No starting a thread in reaction to "teacher bashing" threads and saying let's bash the parents was the wrong way to start the thread.


I have yet to see a parent post a thread on the dis talking about their kid's ugly pregnant teacher with buck teeth.

Ok-- I understand what you're saying

 

[DVC Jen]

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.

I left a job as a homemaker when I didn't have to work ( I am very fortunate) because I felt that same calling.

Now I KNOW it was gas. LOLOLOL



I am kidding.. I absolutely love my job and the precious gifts (children) I work with. I am just facing some nasty ghosts, thanks to a parent, this school year..but I will face them head-on because I am not going to let one bad apple chase me away from something I truly cherish and love.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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.

I just do due to bad experiences.


Nothing wrong with that, is there?

 

[Dina]

I just do due to bad experiences.


Nothing wrong with that, is there?

That's a shame. No, nothing wrong with that, I just don't think that a person would see anything wrong with homeschooling just because they're a teacher. Just didn't think you should worry about them asking-- sorry if you've had a bad experience.

 

[MushyMushy]

I made a big mistake opening this thread.

I've spent the past two days as a first-time student teacher and I'm really depressed about it. I'm nervous and not at all sure if this is what I want to do now.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I made a big mistake opening this thread.

I've spent the past two days as a first-time student teacher and I'm really depressed about it. I'm nervous and not at all sure if this is what I want to do now.

Is this your first time?

I'm not a teacher--but I have found with any career change...doing something new is always scary for me until the routine sinks in and things become second nature.

I'd give it time.

 

[Blondy876]

I made a big mistake opening this thread.

I've spent the past two days as a first-time student teacher and I'm really depressed about it. I'm nervous and not at all sure if this is what I want to do now.

No, please don't let this scare you. The first few days of school are not indicative of anything. Your nervous, the kids are nervous, nobody knows anyone else and things are all mixed up. Give it time. You will get into a routine. I have been teaching for 10 years and the first few days are almost always tough.

 

[MushyMushy]

Is this your first time?

I'm not a teacher--but I have found with any career change...doing something new is always scary for me until the routine sinks in and things become second nature.

I'd give it time.

Yes, and I haven't even met the kids yet. They come back to school on Monday.

I've never felt more unprepared for anything in my life. I haven't worked full-time in over 11 years.

 

[Dina]

I made a big mistake opening this thread.

I've spent the past two days as a first-time student teacher and I'm really depressed about it. I'm nervous and not at all sure if this is what I want to do now.

Just get through student-teaching. I found student teaching (and subbing) much much harder than teaching in my own classroom. It's totally totally different. I had a miserable experience student teaching-- I was nervous all of the time, kids hated me, people were always watching me writing things down as I taught. Just get through it-- it really doesn't give you a feel for what teaching is going to be like. I decided teaching wasn't for me while I was student teaching. Went to grad school for a year (with no clue what I wanted to do)-- then my DH proposed and I had to get a job (so we could get a house and pay for a wedding). So, I subbed-- still hated it, but it was a little better than student teaching. Luckily I only subbed for 2 weeks and was given a long term sub job for the rest of the year (this was two weeks into the school year)-- which was great. The kids never got to know their "real" teacher (so they didn't treat me like a sub), I had my own classroom. That's when I realized what it would be like to be a teacher-- and it was great! I loved it!!!! My advice is just get through student teaching, get a job, then see if you really like it.
My Co-op (who was great) always told me, not to worry. Just show up every day, keep treating everyone respectfully, put lots of effort into it, and I'll still get the "A." I had a 3.8gpa and I was so nervous about my grade as well as everything else. He kept telling me noone expects me to be this phenomenal teacher-- just keep trying, interact with the kids, and be professional and you'll be fine. He was right.

 

[MushyMushy]

Thank you so much, Dina.

My cooperating teacher is absolutely wonderful. I just feel as though my university has thrust me into this with extremely inadequate preparation. The department has another student teacher from a different college and he's been working ALL SUMMER on lesson plans and such. We just found out our placements a week ago! He's ready to dive right in, and my friend and I are just like fish out of water.


Anyway, sorry for hijacking this thread to whine, but I just got home from the high school and I'm so overwhelmed.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Seriously
I cannot believe that we are not even to SEPTEMBER yet and we already have the Teachers VS Parents going at each other on the DIS.

I'll just say hey all you teachers - hope this year goes wonderfully for all of you.

 

[Dina]

Thank you so much, Dina.

My cooperating teacher is absolutely wonderful. I just feel as though my university has thrust me into this with extremely inadequate preparation. The department has another student teacher from a different college and he's been working ALL SUMMER on lesson plans and such. We just found out our placements a week ago! He's ready to dive right in, and my friend and I are just like fish out of water.


Anyway, sorry for hijacking this thread to whine, but I just got home from the high school and I'm so overwhelmed.

I know that feeling. Are you from PA-- I saw your license plate? You don't happen to go to Widener do you? It's weird to ask, but I felt the exact same way. I felt very unprepared (I absolutely loved the school, but not the education program). We also got the placement a week before- I had to keep calling the school for them to give me my placment. Then when I got the placement and called the teacher-- he had no idea he was getting a student teacher.

I've also been a co-op to a student teacher. She wasn't prepared either (and didn't go to Widener hehe) I didn't care that she needed my help with lesson planning or making tests. She had a real hard time too-- but that's to be expected. The only time I had a problem was when she was late (for two weeks straight). She just decided that she didn't need to be there for homeroom (she literally lived around the corner from the school), since she wasn't taking over homeroom until the next week. I kept asking her-- don't you want to at least see what we do in homeroom before you take it over??? She said, I'm just taking attendance-- I went to this school, so I remember. But really as long as she came on time, and gave a good bit of effort-- I was happy to help with the rest! We had a talk after the homeroom thing, and no problems. She hadn't planned anythign before she got there either-- I think that's normal. Don't worry!!

 

[polyfan]

Just an aside- here is something that has come up for us this year. We have been told we are no longer going to have a soda machine in the teachers lounge. All sodas have been removed and we are not to have them at school even if brought from home). Also we are no longer allowed to have pizza parties as rewards, cannot bring in cookies or cupcakes as treats, and we can not give any type of candy(for example many teacher will give a piece of candy out when kids are playing review games, etc..) Is anyone else being told this?

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Just an aside- here is something that has come up for us this year. We have been told we are no longer going to have a soda machine in the teachers lounge. All sodas have been removed and we are not to have them at school even if brought from home). Also we are no longer allowed to have pizza parties as rewards, cannot bring in cookies or cupcakes as treats, and we can not give any type of candy(for example many teacher will give a piece of candy out when kids are playing review games, etc..) Is anyone else being told this?

What part of Virginia are you from? This might be part of the healthy kid initiative that has prompted high schools to take soda out and some of the high caloric foods out of the vending machines.

 

[Dina]

I just wanted to post as a parent for a sec. My son's teacher (pre-k) used to give out candy for rewards. She knew he was allergic to peanuts but didn't read the fine print on the candy she was giving out. She gave out little packs of m&ms as rewards (knowing not to give him peanut m&ms). So, he won something and got a pack of m&ms-- he asked her if it had peanuts, she told him it didn't. He ate them and broke out in hives all over his body (and became really lethargic)-- this was happening as I picked him up. I asked her what he ate, and she said M&Ms. All m&ms have peanuts even the plain ones (its says on the bag may contain peanuts). She felt so bad, and he was ok-- thank god-- I always have benedryl and epi pen. I think alot of teachers are being asked not to give out candy (I know we were where I was student teaching) because of allergies and choking hazard-- its a bit of a liability for the school. I don't understand why no soda machine in the lounge though-- that's bizarre. My thought was also the healthy kid initiative-- but why in the teacher lounge??

 

[Blondy876]

Just an aside- here is something that has come up for us this year. We have been told we are no longer going to have a soda machine in the teachers lounge. All sodas have been removed and we are not to have them at school even if brought from home). Also we are no longer allowed to have pizza parties as rewards, cannot bring in cookies or cupcakes as treats, and we can not give any type of candy(for example many teacher will give a piece of candy out when kids are playing review games, etc..) Is anyone else being told this?

WOW! We are allowed to have those things in the teachers lounge but not outside. The only things we are allowed to have in front of the children is whatever the children are having. I don't know about the parties etc as I have been to district orientation yet. I have never given out food as a reward so that won't be a problem but if I couldn't have a chocolate fix some afternoons I think I would just cry.

 

[Becky2005]

do any schools still do 'take your parents to school day'? i remember these from when i was in elementary school. we had our normal class schedual and the parents that could attend sat next to us to see what the day was realy like (vs. the version we kids related to them). i remember getting a huge kick out of seeing our parents have to raise their hands and ask permission to use the restroom, get all their 'assignments' done in the alloted time, adhere to all the rules and procedures that ensured the classroom functioned well. i remember my mom being so impressed with how the teacher managed to settle us down so quickly and focus our attention right after an insane and active recess

At our Middle School they do -- not at elementary though. However, it's 1/2 day and it's pretty much relaxed schedule. Since 90% of our kids are bussed & they only tell you to show up for Parent/Teacher conferences if there is a problem, it's the only time you actually are there when the kids are. The do have a Back-to-School night though before that.

Anyway..I'm not a teacher but I don't see any problem with this thread.

I'm sure DS-9's 2nd grade teacher thought I was a parent that sent in a sick child. I didn't but that child had the most bizarre things that year & usually showed up AT school when I had no idea he was not 100% -- ended up with Roseola, end up having an itching attack so was in the nurse's office (we think an allergic reaction after racking my brain), broke his arm that year and a few other things that came up. I got on first name basis with the school nurse that year, I never blamed the teacher though. I just figured they thought we were weird by the end of the year & had our number on speed dial.

 

[Daxx]

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

I teach in a Catholic school, so we can def. do Easter, Christmas, St. Pat's, Valentine's day, Thanksgiving, etc. I also teach Kwannza, Passover, Hannuhkah, Chinese New Year and a variety of other ethnic celebrations. Of course, I always give a background on why the holidays are important. Even though we're a Catholic school, we do up Halloween! My Dad used to go to the school I teach in ... and he remembers that on Halloween, they had to dress up as their favorite saint!!!! Nowadays, as long as it's not gross or offensive (blood and guts stuff), they can wear it - although they can't wear masks or carry weapons.