When did teacher bashing become acceptable?

[Pinnie]

I wonder if the grads who went to Michigan state for Agri degrees knew about this Sesame Street diploma?

Really, look at all the money those parents would have saved!!!!!

pinnie

 

[jemiaule]

ah....just not worth it.

 

[MrsPete]

Yes, it is EVERY DAY. It's ridiculous. We have about 90-100 children on each grade level.

We currently have:

Two art teachers
Two music teachers (the best teachers in the whole school, imo)
Two computer teachers plus assistants
One librarian plus two assistants (who read to the children - help with book selection)
Four Phys Ed teachers - they also teach the health class
One Spanish teacher (they double up the class) - this class alternates with another class and I just can't remember what it is - I want to say character education - but I'm not sure.

If they're actually doing all this, then salary isn't the only thing that makes Long Island schools VERY different from the rest of American schools. Keep in mind that this is not representative of our school systems.

Two words - student loans. That's what I had to do. I'm still paying them back . We had to take two classes while we student taught. It was a killer, but it was worth it in the long run.

I'm very much against student loans; while that semester was very difficult financially, so were the first few years of teaching! I'm glad I didn't have to deal with loan repayments during those years. Given the same circumstances, I'd do the same thing again -- I'd be poorer than dirt.

Wow!!!! You learned how to run a business and the science of agriculture before Kindergarten!?!? Just by watching Sesame Street?!? Gee, I thought Sesame Street was mostly about letter and numeral recognition.

Wow. I never watched Sesame Street, nor did my children. Darn it! Now I have to send them to college to catch up to their peers who are more "up" on their pop culture.

Wouldn't that be irregardless?

Nope, let me put on my English teacher hat. Irregardless IS NOT a word; like alot, which many people use, it is ALWAYS 100% incorrect. Irregardless is a double-negative: Regardless already means "instead of" or "anyway", negating whatever's been stated; the prefix ir does the same thing -- using them together is a double-negative. So irregardless falls into the cateogry of "I ain't never done that.", "He don't have none.", and "I can't see no reason to do that." My stepfather uses it constantly, and I grit my teeth everytime he says it.

 

[momto2girls]

Nope, let me put on my English teacher hat. Irregardless IS NOT a word; like alot, which many people use, it is ALWAYS 100% incorrect. Irregardless is a double-negative: Regardless already means "instead of" or "anyway", negating whatever's been stated; the prefix ir does the same thing -- using them together is a double-negative. So irregardless falls into the cateogry of "I ain't never done that.", "He don't have none.", and "I can't see no reason to do that." My stepfather uses it constantly, and I grit my teeth everytime he says it.

Ummm.... I'm pretty sure that the poster was making a joke posting the "word" irregardless. Note the winky emoticon.

 

[Stimpy]

If they're actually doing all this, then salary isn't the only thing that makes Long Island schools VERY different from the rest of American schools. Keep in mind that this is not representative of our school systems.

This is not the case with all Long Island schools. If I remember correctly, the OP lives in an affluent area (I could be thinking of someone else, if I am, I apologize) We live in a middle class/upper middle class/affluent small sized school district and we do not have the same schedule or amount of teachers. Our teachers have no teacher aides. The students have 1 special a day (art, music, library or PE 2xs a week) and computer lab once a week.

Our school has classes on the large size (DS's classes are about 27 kids per teacher in his grade) and we do not have alot of the extra curricular things that other districts do. But we do have some of the best teachers around for the most part.

Although DH would argue that since we pay over $9000 just in school taxes a year, we better have good teachers! (And we aren't in the upper middle class/affluent groups )

 

[4chitlins]

As with any occupation there are good and bad.I work at 2 different Elementary Schools and I can tell you that the majority of the teachers are out the door soon after the bell rings.There are a couple who are as dedicated as you, but that is all.

 

[monsterkitty]

Funny you mention that b/c I was going to write irregardless!!! Since it wasn't a homophone (knew/new, their/there, etc.) I didn't want someone to question my skills and say "You're a crappy teacher -- irregardless is not a homophone!" so I left it as regardless and focused solely on the homophones!

I kind of figured that, but since I am only a specials teacher, I thought I would throw that in.

Nope, let me put on my English teacher hat. Irregardless IS NOT a word; like alot, which many people use, it is ALWAYS 100% incorrect. Irregardless is a double-negative: Regardless already means "instead of" or "anyway", negating whatever's been stated; the prefix ir does the same thing -- using them together is a double-negative. So irregardless falls into the cateogry of "I ain't never done that.", "He don't have none.", and "I can't see no reason to do that." My stepfather uses it constantly, and I grit my teeth everytime he says it.

Yes, irregardless is my pet peeve as well. However, I would like to thank you for the lesson.

Ummm.... I'm pretty sure that the poster was making a joke posting the "word" irregardless. Note the winky emoticon.

Thanks for catching my wink.

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

If they're actually doing all this, then salary isn't the only thing that makes Long Island schools VERY different from the rest of American schools. Keep in mind that this is not representative of our school systems.

Uh, duh, that's why I said more than five times in this thread that a lot of people's opinions may be based on REGIONAL differences.

Second - in my district, they are actually doing this. In other districts on Long Island they actually do this. There are other districts on Long Island which are lucky if they have the money to keep the lights on.

Third, I've met friends who are teachers for lunch (at sit down restaurants in town), so our teachers are very able to go out - especially if one of their free periods backs up to the lunch/recess period. I even have quite a few teachers who pop into my store to buy a gift or browse during their lunch hour.

Finally, I'm glad I've made the decision to home school my daughter. For the time being, I don't have to worry about whether or not her teacher is competent, whether or not they are putting too much pressure on the kids to perform like robots on the standardized tests, whether or not we even like the teacher.

I suppose, at this point, I have nothing further to add to this thread. I believe I have tried to offer insight to the OP as to why, in different parts of the country, many really don't want to hear about the "poor teachers" and their "horrible" working conditions. In other parts of the country, teachers are being treated like garbage and should be vocal and organize.

I try to teach my children to have an open mind and to look at things through other people's eyes. It's a shame that a lot of the teachers who posted here are unable to realize it's a big world out there and things are not the same everywhere.

 

[monsterkitty]

I wonder if the grads who went to Michigan state for Agri degrees knew about this Sesame Street diploma?

I used to cry when I missed Sesame Street. If I wouldn't have missed a few episodes, I wouldn't have had the student loans to pay back!

Oh, and on a side note, hockeymom, I want to be a zamboni driver when I grow up! One day this will be me in a zamboni:

 

[Kath2003]

It's a wonder kids like me from the UK where there's no sesame street can read & write at all. Must be why we get that extra year of school

 

[hildasmuriel]

I even have quite a few teachers who pop into my store to buy a gift or browse during their lunch hour.

In the UK teachers are considered no different from the rest of the working population - what they do in their lunch hour is their own business, whether it's popping home, shopping or dining out.

It's a wonder kids like me from the UK where there's no sesame street can read & write at all. Must be why we get that extra year of school

Perhaps that's why I'm so well educated - when I was growing up Sesame Street was on in the UK.

 

[Minnie_me]

As with any occupation there are good and bad.I work at 2 different Elementary Schools and I can tell you that the majority of the teachers are out the door soon after the bell rings.There are a couple who are as dedicated as you, but that is all.

Why do you equate leaving when the bell rings with being dedicated? If you work your designated hours, you're less of a dedicated teacher??

Just because some teachers work long hours, doesn't mean you HAVE to in order to be "dedicated".

My best friend is the most time-efficient teacher I've ever met. She can get done in a half hour what it takes me 3 hours to do. She manages her time, and the time of everyone around her, like a pro.

She leaves when the bell rings. Big deal! While she's at school, not one single minute is wasted. She is devoted and caring and organized. She also goes into school many Sunday afternoons, which you wouldn't know about if you worked at her school.

 

[monsterkitty]

It's a shame that a lot of the teachers who posted here are unable to realize it's a big world out there and things are not the same everywhere.

I soooo agree that teaching is different everywhere! What you are describing sounds like a dream job to a specials teacher like me, because it shows the importance of our areas as well. However, I really have to cringe at the schedule because our classes should be secondary to the core classes.

I teach in an incredibly poor area. We, as a union, have rejected every pay raise we have been offered the past five years because that raise comes at the expense of our students. If we get a raise, the kids lose art, music, p.e., and sports. It is not worth it to us.

We work an 8 1/2 hour day in our district, with student being there for 8 of those hours. We get a 40 minute plan during the school day, plus 10 minutes at the beginning and end of the day (the other 10 minutes is duty time) and a 30 minute lunch.

Yes I can retire at the age of 55 because I will have 31 years in. However, we do not get full benefits. In fact, we don't get full benefits now. But this doesn't matter to me. I teach because I love it.

I do not consider myself a martyr. In fact, I consider myself lucky to be able to do a job that I love and a job, like many, that does make a difference.

 

[Kath2003]

Perhaps that's why I'm so well educated - when I was growing up Sesame Street was on in the UK.

I attribute my whole degree to Play Bus.

 

[SavvyMom]

As with any occupation there are good and bad.I work at 2 different Elementary Schools and I can tell you that the majority of the teachers are out the door soon after the bell rings.There are a couple who are as dedicated as you, but that is all.

Um, I consider myself dedicated and I leave when I'm allowed to leave usually. Why? I can't get any work done after school! Someone always pops in to discuss this, borrow that, ask about the other thing. Planning/specials is a joke. That's when everybody decides I have "free time" so they can meet with me or ask me things. I do the majority of my planning and grading papers at home or in the van waiting for DD14 to get out of band practice. If I didn't, I would have to work much later. It's a personal choice. I do so admire those teachers that seem to get it all done during planning/after school. I just can't seem to figure out how to do it. I will one day though. I will! I will!

 

[Daxx]

This is how it played out ... just so you're in the know, Mrs. Pete :

•Teachers new what they were getting into when they got into that field so quit griping!

Maybe you'd make more money if you were paying attention to the teacher when she taught the difference between new and knew!

The username itself is actually a spelling error. Shouldn't it be my2cents?

Not knowing the difference between knew and new and sense and cents ... that poster must've been either absent or not listening the week the teacher taught homophones!!!! Or had a crappy teacher. Maybe that's why he/she is so down on teachers ... he/she didn't have any that were good!

Regardless, the person is a coward for posting under a new user name and not being forthright w/their true identity!!!

PS -- how much do you want to bet that if the poster typed the above bolded sentence it'd read like this: "Regardless, the person is a coward for posting under a knew user name and not being fourthwrite w/there true identity"?!!?!?

Wouldn't that be irregardless?

Funny you mention that b/c I was going to write irregardless!!! Since it wasn't a homophone (knew/new, their/there, etc.) I didn't want someone to question my skills and say "You're a crappy teacher -- irregardless is not a homophone!" so I left it as regardless and focused solely on the homophones!

Irregardless IS NOT a word; like alot, which many people use, it is ALWAYS 100% incorrect. Irregardless is a double-negative: Regardless already means "instead of" or "anyway", negating whatever's been stated; the prefix ir does the same thing -- using them together is a double-negative. So irregardless falls into the cateogry of "I ain't never done that.", "He don't have none.", and "I can't see no reason to do that." My stepfather uses it constantly, and I grit my teeth everytime he says it.

Ummm.... I'm pretty sure that the poster was making a joke posting the "word" irregardless. Note the winky emoticon.

Hope this helps clear up any confusion!!!!

 

[#1hockeymom]

Oh, and on a side note, hockeymom, I want to be a zamboni driver when I grow up! One day this will be me in a zamboni:

COOL! Maybe one day I'll see you on the ice! I'd be willing to sing the zamboni song out loud for another DISer!

 

[#1hockeymom]

Who are these people that watch the parking lots thinking they know a teacher's life? Did they follow them? Did it perhaps end with a drive to a college to finish their masters? Did they have to rush home to their own children to get them to their activities? Did they watch them grading papers at games? practices?

I have to say I have NEVER checked out the parking lots of other occupations, chastising them for leaving at the end of a work day. I am, however, one of those people which on certain days of the week has to leave on time in order to meet other obligations. It is also why I am one of the first people into the school each morning on many days. I'm not a morning person, but my schedule dictates I need to be in order to function at my best during my teaching time.

 

[Daxx]

I can tell you that the majority of the teachers are out the door soon after the bell rings.There are a couple who are as dedicated as you, but that is all.

So only dedicated teachers stay after the bell? Gosh, I hope that's not true b/c I am an extremely dedicated teacher and there've been many times when I've skated out as soon as the last student left my classroom! Now, we're supposed to stay a 1/2 hour after bell ... which I usually do ... but if the weather is looking dicey or if I have a need, I'm leaving at the bell!

I have a DS10 who gets home at 2:45 ... I work til 3 pm. I want to get home to him asap so he doesn't have to spend loads of time alone. I take care of things I can't do at home before I leave school (setting things up, tidying up, photocopying, etc.) and I bring a stack of things to work on at home. When DS does homework, I'm correcting papers, tracing things for my Kdgs. to cut out, calling parents, etc.! Miraculous that I can do some things at home w/o being chained to my school desk!!!!

Just b/c I'm not in my classroom til 5 pm or later does not mean that I'm not dedicated!!!! I have been known to go in on Saturdays or Sundays to get some things done. I need to get home to my child. I do what I can as quick as I can and then bring home the rest. What's so wrong w/that?!?!

#1hockeymom -- excellent post BTW!

 

[Minnie_me]

Who are these people that watch the parking lots thinking they know a teacher's life? Did they follow them? Did it perhaps end with a drive to a college to finish their masters? Did they have to rush home to their own children to get them to their activities? Did they watch them grading papers at games? practices?

I have to say I have NEVER checked out the parking lots of other occupations, chastising them for leaving at the end of a work day. I am, however, one of those people which on certain days of the week has to leave on time in order to meet other obligations. It is also why I am one of the first people into the school each morning on many days. I'm not a morning person, but my schedule dictates I need to be in order to function at my best during my teaching time.

Great post. I used to rush out the door behind the buses to drive an hour to my grad classes. And now that I'm a parent, I often rush out the door to get my girls to piano lessons or other activities.

And even though we aren't required to be at school until 8:00 (kids come at 8:55), I'm there at 7:15. That's when I do my best work. My principal knows that. And I don't care if there's a busybody parent or playground monitor who thinks less of me for leaving when I'm allowed to. Get a life, people!!