When did teacher bashing become acceptable?

[Lanshark]

I am a teacher of special needs kids. I've met some wonderful teachers. I've met some rotten teachers. I've dealt with some great parents and I've dealt with rotten parents.

I'm not perfect. Neither is anyone else. I make mistakes. So does everyone.

I teach at a private school. I have nightly communication with all of my parents through the child's planner. If a parent has an issue, they're welcome to talk to me about it. I've never turned down a request for a conference yet.

 

[tinkerbell615]

I'm sorry if what I'm about to write is unpopular, but I have to write this. The teaching profession is one of the MOST important jobs in this society. Yes there are many professions, and yes so many in our society work hard, but how many people in America have not been taught by a teacher. Teachers guide individuals into professions. We are the ones that encourage, stimulate, and shape futures. How many other professions out there serve almost every American? A person can go almost their whole life and never see a doctor (until death), never meet the president of the US, never need a plumber, never use a bank, grow their own foods, and so on - but how many people can honestly say that they have NOT been taught (at some point) by a teacher.

Yes there are not so great teachers, and yes some need some counseling themselves but the majority of us work our behinds off. The people that get into the teaching profession do it because they care. We really want to make a difference, and make this world a better place. It’s surely not because of the money. Yes we have summers off, winter breaks, and spring breaks - but many (many being me) don't get paid during that summer break - so we have to stretch that poor salary all year around. With all of that said, many of you can compare how hard you work, your husbands work etc. But how many of you haven't been taught by a teacher at some point of your life? That's how important teacher are?


To the OP, teacher bashing comes into play because few have taken that trust and respect and made of mess of things. Teachers use to have such a high moral status. Now we (I used we, but not me) are disrespecting kids. We talk to them crazy; we come down to a kid level, we sleep with kids, and become their friends instead of their mentors. Because of the indiscretions of some, people (some people) automatically don't trust teachers. Our trust has to be earned.

djm99... I am not a teacher but as I posted on here earlier, DS is going to school to become a teacher and DS and DD have been very blessed to have had wonderful teachers. As I stated in my earlier post, I do believe that teaching is truly a profession of the heart. It is not about the pay or there would not be many teachers (at least where I live). I love your description of teaching and I honestly believe that teachers are very special people. They do definately help form our children into what they become and who they are in the future.

DH is a custodian at an elementary school and he sees first hand the teachers that stay until 6:00 or 7:00 in the evening. I don't think he realized exactly how many hours many of you put in until he actually saw it himself. He always knew it was a tough job but now he can actually see it day after day.

Once again, I thank all of you for "teaching" our children ! Especially to those have have touched and taught my children. Thank You.

 

[friend of pooh]

I have a question for the teachers and the testing they have to do.

Last year our wonderful*typed sarcastically* "demoted" a teacher from 3rd to 2nd grade.

The reason was her test scores were too low.

Why on earth are they doing that to a teacher? Some of the fault should rest with the kids?

This makes no sense to me. Every year the kids are different so scores will be different. Comparing classes or schools makes no sense either. What if you and I both taught 4th grade. Your class of 30 kids includes 7 learning support students and 5 ESL students. My class includes 18 regular education students. Am I a better teacher when my scores are better????

 

[SavvyMom]

This makes no sense to me. Every year the kids are different so scores will be different. Comparing classes or schools makes no sense either. What if you and I both taught 4th grade. Your class of 30 kids includes 7 learning support students and 5 ESL students. My class includes 18 regular education students. Am I a better teacher when my scores are better????

I have 17 EIP (below level), 2 special ed, 5 speech, and 3 ELL students. My scores will probably not "Meet Expectations" even though I will obsess and work very hard to make it so. I will comfort myself by looking at growth of the students.

 

[Minnie_me]

I never understood the "I don't get paid for summers" argument.

10 hours * 190 days = 1900 hours.

Assume that you work an additional 20 hours per month on weekends...so an additional 180 hours (9*20=180)

That is a total of 2080 hours.

The average working person works 52 weeks per year, 5 days per week, 8 hours per day. That is 2080 hours.

(Okay I sooo did not do that on purpose, I was totally putting estimates in your hours.)

While you work like a dog for ~9 months of the year, you have other times where you are NOT putting in all that work. Even if you have to prep before the school year, use some weekend time, perhaps work part of a school vacation....your work life is no different than the average working person except all your hours are condensed into a shorter time period. (since you say your work 190 days....that leaves a good chunk of days you don't work even if you put in a lot of hours in those 190 days).

You aren't necessarily working "harder" all year--you are just working differently as needed for your line of work.


Also--the difference...you don't have one boss...you have 40-60 bosses (2 parents *20 to 30 kids). You must answer to them.

Somewhere there was a huge shift in the space time continuum where parents began evaluating their kids teachers and having opinions on their performance.

Just b/c someone disagrees with what someone in your same profession has done, does not mean they have bashed the profession.
.

I have just a couple of disagreements with what you've written. The average worker does NOT work 52 weeks a year. The average worker gets vacation time. After polling my friends and family, they get between 2 and 10 weeks off each year.

Also, parents are certainly NOT my bosses. I work in partnership with them, with the common goal of the education of their child. The minute one of them treats me like an employee, our partnership is damaged.

This past year, a parent approached me in the hall after school and started scolding me about an issue with her son, wagging her finger in my face - -in front of my daughters, no less! I lowered her hand with my hand and said, "I'm not going to speak to you about this today. You will wait until tomorrow. And when you return tomorrow, you will treat me with the same respect I treat you and your child." She returned the next day and apologized.

 

[SavvyMom]

I never understood the "I don't get paid for summers" argument.

Because we don't get paid for summer, spring break, holidays, or vacation. Nobody ever said teachers work more than anyone else. It's just that we only get paid for the days we are actually on duty at school. I've worked in the business world and I got paid for holidays and vacations. In other words, I got paid for days I did not work. Teachers don't. That's all we want people to understand. Your tax dollars do not pay us for days or hours we do not work. You tax dollars only pay us for days and hours we are at work. I am not complaining about this. It's just the way it is. I am only addressing the misconception that we get paid for a whole year when we aren't at school for a whole year. We don't.

ETA: We do get sick leave. I accrue one day per month. I just want to be completely accurate.

 

[lisa4cookielee]

I think there are good and bad teachers and don't usually accept teacher bashing (and NEVER would from my children) but people are entitled to say as they want.

Teachers work long, hard hours and are failed to be recognized but along with that is there are SOME crappy teachers and like anything else encountering 1 can have an impact on your view of all of them. Think of the one rude waitress that makes you not go back to a restraunt.

I think teachers deserve more credit

 

[djm99]

This argument doesn't make sense to me. I'm not trying to have a power struggle, but I'd like to know what profession is more important than teaching. Before you answer that, consider this, did this profession have teachers/professors, etc. I'll be waiting for a response.

Imagine this world without teachers!!!

 

[jemiaule]

This argument doesn't make sense to me. I'm not trying to have a power struggle, but I'd like to know what profession is more important than teaching. Before you answer that, consider this, did this profession have teachers/professors, etc. I'll be waiting for a response.

Imagine this world without teachers!!!

Farmer - without them I could not eat. I love to read and learn...but I do not want to eat a book.

 

[disney junky]

I have to ask, which teachers HERE, exhibit holier than thou attitudes. I think I read every teacher thread. I don't get that. Perhaps, the occasional vent, but hardly anything I'd describe as holier than thou.

Still waiting

 

[shortbun]

I LOVE teachers!!!! They are amazing individuals. My son's school moved to a new building at the end of last year. The new building is a horrible mess. My family and many other families have been spending lots of time in the school helping the teachers get their rooms in order. They JUST got on the clock. Until yesterday they were working on it unpaid. Some of them have put in several days unpaid. They are buying a lot of their own equipment. The building is horribly dirty, there is no air conditioning. Last week, one of my son's old teachers told me there had been lots of crying amongst the teachers while they worked. When the children get there the teachers will be standing in the classrooms smiling.
They are amazing!!! I have so much respect and admiration for them. Will I complain from time to time this year? Yep. I complain about my husband sometimes too but I love him.

 

[castleview]

My mom is an excellent teacher. She is also a complainer. That's just her personality. It has nothing to do with a holier than thou teacher complex; it's simply because she was raised vy a professional victim. There are many complainers out there. My guess is that it stands out in teaching because people assume that it's a very convenient job.

DH was an engineer before teaching. He doesn't complain about his job or the salary. His only annoyances are the crap that keeps him from doing his job (paperwork, IEPs that really push the limit, stupid edicts regarding lesson plans, the occassional administrator who bows to a parent who just can't accept their child's grade, etc.).

When I go as mom to school board meetings, I am nauseated by the fact that teachers aren't seen as professionals by parents and school board members...and even some administrators.

 

[aprilgail2]

This summer - unemployed but cannot apply for unemployment as my job isn't considered "seasonal". If you were unemployed over the summer, my guess is that you'd receive unemployment.

Around here most of the teachers that want to work in the summer get to-teaching summer school. Many choose not to as they are already making enough to carry them over and they like only working part time and having the summers off. They just choose for their paychecks to be divided over 52 weeks, rather than only getting paid for the time they are actually teaching. My brother gets checks every 2 weeks during the summer (they have bi-weekly pay) this way he has money coming in the whole time he is hanging at the beach, golfing and vacationing in Ireland.

 

[SavvyMom]

Around here most of the teachers that want to work in the summer get to-teaching summer school. Many choose not to as they are already making enough to carry them over and they like only working part time and having the summers off. They just choose for their paychecks to be divided over 52 weeks, rather than only getting paid for the time they are actually teaching. My brother gets checks every 2 weeks during the summer (they have bi-weekly pay) this way he has money coming in the whole time he is hanging at the beach, golfing and vacationing in Ireland.

Let's analyze this. I don't know your brother so I'm going to use Ms. T as the example. Ms. T is mandated by her school board to work at least 40 hours per week, at school, for 190 days. For this she makes $30,000 per year. She can choose $3,000/month for 10 months or she can choose $2,500/month for 12 months. Both choices add up to $30,000. Either way she is only getting paid for the hours/days that she is teaching. That is her contract and it is non-negotiable. Ms. T's contract is in effect from August 9 to June 3. She will be 'laid off' for 8ish weeks during the summer. Of course, she can take a summer job whether it be teaching summer school or running a cash register at Wal Mart. She can also work nights during the school year if she so chooses. Her contract stays the same - $30,000/year for 40 hours/week for 190 days.

This is not a rant. This is a choice that Ms. T made, and she is satisfied with it because it fits her lifestyle. Ms. T feels blessed that she can choose to be at home with her children during the summer. She does not work "part time". She is a full time employee for 190 school days per year. She does not get 8 weeks paid vacation. She does not get any paid vacation. That's okay with her.

 

[Minnie_me]

Around here most of the teachers that want to work in the summer get to-teaching summer school. Many choose not to as they are already making enough to carry them over and they like only working part time and having the summers off. They just choose for their paychecks to be divided over 52 weeks, rather than only getting paid for the time they are actually teaching. My brother gets checks every 2 weeks during the summer (they have bi-weekly pay) this way he has money coming in the whole time he is hanging at the beach, golfing and vacationing in Ireland.

We don't get that option. I go without a paycheck from late June till mid-September.

And as far as your brother's leisure time is concerned - - how the heck does a teacher afford vacations in Ireland?!?! Crap, it took us 5 years to saved up for Disney!

 

[aprilgail2]

We don't get that option. I go without a paycheck from late June till mid-September.

And as far as your brother's leisure time is concerned - - how the heck does a teacher afford vacations in Ireland?!?! Crap, it took us 5 years to saved up for Disney!

He makes 98,000 a year as a teacher, he sure as heck can afford to go on vacations every year...he puts a bunch of money into a college fund for my daughter too which is great for us!

 

[Pinnie]

He makes 98,000 a year as a teacher, he sure as heck can afford to go on vacations every year...he puts a bunch of money into a college fund for my daughter too which is great for us!

$98,000????????? Where does he work?? I want to teach THERE!!!!

I teach. As you can see from my tag, I am working my dream job. I knew going into teaching 31 years ago what it entailed. I have seen a lot of changes in kids, parents and attitudes over the years. I have seen a big swing to "entitlement" by our society.

I will continue to enjoy my job, take my paycheck with the realization that I have made a difference in someone's life.

pinnie

 

[Daxx]

Around here most of the teachers that want to work in the summer get to-teaching summer school. Many choose not to as they are already making enough to carry them over and they like only working part time and having the summers off. They just choose for their paychecks to be divided over 52 weeks, rather than only getting paid for the time they are actually teaching. My brother gets checks every 2 weeks during the summer (they have bi-weekly pay) this way he has money coming in the whole time he is hanging at the beach, golfing and vacationing in Ireland.

Well, around here, the private and parochial schools do not run summer school programs. The public schools do. And if you want a job teaching summer school, you had better work for the public school system b/c those teachers are the ones who get the summer jobs. Those are spoken for long before summer vaca. starts.

Not every school offers the 52 week pay period. I have worked in schools where you are paid for the length of the school year and nothing over summer. Thankfully, the job I have now gives you the option. However, the money I'm receiving is money that was taken out of all my other paychecks. The pay I get for my 8 weeks "vacation" is money that was taken out of my paycheck throughout the year. It's not like it's some extra cash they throw to me just b/c they like me!

Say you worked ANY other job and were considered "seasonal" or were laid off for 8 weeks. You'd be able to collect unemployment. I have a friend who works a seasonal job, gets laid of for 10 weeks and, even though he has a job to return to after those 10 weeks, he can collect unemployment. I, on the other hand, cannot b/c my job isn't considered seasonal even though he and I get "laid off" for 8 (or more) weeks.

I AM NOT looking to collect unemployment as I could def. find a job as a cashier, etc. if I wanted one. I don't. I have a DS to take care of, so teaching means we have the same schedule for summer vaca. I can just enjoy the time I have w/him. I'm not complaining ... I am glad that my job affords me that luxury!

Not many people work a wonderful job that they love and stay home w/their kids all summer long, during Christmas and Spring breaks and on Nat'l. holidays. Although the pay sucks, the benefit of being there for my kid is worth it! You can't put a price on spending the entire summer with your child!

 

[Daxx]

He makes 98,000 a year as a teacher

I think I threw up a little in my mouth.

A principal around here makes about $60K. What the heck teacher makes close to $100K?!!??!

I know some CEO's in this area who don't even make that kind of money!!!!

 

[SavvyMom]

I think I threw up a little in my mouth.

A principal around here makes about $60K. What the heck teacher makes close to $100K?!!??!

I know some CEO's in this area who don't even make that kind of money!!!!

You owe me a new computer monitor. I now have coffee dripping all over it.