When did teacher bashing become acceptable?

[SavvyMom]

I don't need a fireman every day or a policeman every day....I need a teacher who will show up every day and teach my child. I pay over $12K a year to do that and I don't get that service.

I have had to call the police once in my life and they responded in 5 minutes. By the same token, I have left messages for children's teachers to call me back. I have gotten no response. My sons teacher was to busy being pregnant to teach and I could not get her to call me back when he was having difficulty with Alegbra. I was forced to call the principal. However she was not available to come to the meeting. Seems she was out that day...seems she was out half the year....


No I don't dislike all teachers,.My kids have had great ones. I would pay more taxes if we could boot out all the bad ones and just keep the good ones.

I would pay premium for the best. Unfortunately I pay premium now and only have half the best. In high school it is the role of the dice whom you get...
and if it is a bad one...my DH & myself wind up teaching him/her the subject matter so that they can pass.

And you call this fair?

and btw, I would love to retire at 55 with just 25 yrs of service. I am 52, with no pension so it seems like I will have to work till 75 just to make ends meet.

I would be in heaven if I was in your situation

I am so sorry that you had a teacher that did you felt did not do his/her job.

Teachers pay taxes too. Teachers have children too. Teachers buy groceries and gas and clothes too. Teachers have babies and get sick and have their children and parents get sick too. Teachers get burnt out and overwhelmed and just plain pissed off too.

I'm sorry. I really am. I want nothing more than to make people understand that teachers are human and do the best they can with what they are given. Some teachers suck. I'm sorry for that. Some teachers need to retire. I'm sorry for that too. Most teachers want to make sure that every child has equal advantages.

Give us a break. We work really hard and give all we have - physically and emotionally. We love your children. We love our jobs. Please give us the same consideration you give others. That's all we ask.

 

[mickeymedic]

and for the record, I think it is horrible that homeowners without children are forced to pay the same tax as parents. It is totally wrong. Our government needs to address this issue and do a whole revamp on taxes. okay I am done ranting for the evening

DH and I have no children, but I have no problem paying school taxes. Part of the reason we bought our house in the area we did was because of the good school system. Good schools = higher property values. All property owners in a school district benefit (or suffer) based on school performance. Now, higher taxes don't always result in better performance, but that's a whole other debate.

 

[Daxx]

Our only "true" vacation day would be a snow day.

Honestly, I don't even find those a "true" vacation day. I have to rearrange all my plans and double up on work. Even though I'm at home, I am thinking what I'm going to combine and how I'm going to fit it in. It's more work than anything when it all boils down!

We have 5 alloted snow days at my school. We live in Buffalo -- talk about snow!!!! If we go beyond the 5 days, we have to make up for the remaining days. We lost a week and a half of school last year due to a freak October snow storm that knocked out power in the city and outlying area for a week and a half plus (for some more than 2 weeks). We were declared a national disaster area. B/c of all the downed trees and downed power lines, the schools couldn't have the kids waiting at the bus stops for fear of a tree branch falling, getting zapped by a power line. Plus, there was so much debris in the middle of the streets that the bus couldn't even get down them! We blew through our allocated 5 days in record time! We had some bad weather in Feb. and had to close schools for 3 additional days. We ended up having to add 6 days to the school year. Thankfully, our principal ended up taking some teacher in-service days away making them full days at school. We also cut spring break short. Some schools took away the entire mid-winter break week that they get in Feb.! Since we don't have the mid-winter break, we couldn't do that. It had to come from elsewhere.

 

[Daxx]

and for the record, I think it is horrible that homeowners without children are forced to pay the same tax as parents. It is totally wrong. Our government needs to address this issue and do a whole revamp on taxes. okay I am done ranting for the evening

NYS has a STAR program for reduced school taxes. I can't quite remember how it works, but it's reduced taxes for homeowners who are below a specific income level and either have no children attending school currently or have no children at all. It's not a full tax write-off, but it is nice tax break for those who qualify. Again, we haven't ever used it but I know it's available. If you want specifics, google it. I don't happen to have them.

 

[jemiaule]

trust me you would feel differently if you had children and you seen them with a teacher who should be fire.


and for the record, I think it is horrible that homeowners without children are forced to pay the same tax as parents. It is totally wrong. Our government needs to address this issue and do a whole revamp on taxes. okay I am done ranting for the evening

I pay taxes for roads I don't drive on.

I pay taxes for improvements in my state in locations I will never be.

I pay taxes for lots and lots of things I will never use.

I pay taxes for that go to public education but I also pay tuition for my kids private school. I have no problem with this; I don't want the next generation of kids to be nincompoops, I want them to be educated!

Welcome to America where we all pay our share so all of our citizens can derive the benefits.

 

[Daxx]

so all of our citizens can derive the benefits.

And some of our non-citizens, too. But that's an entirely different topic for another day!

 

[minijeanie]

Guess you picked the wrong profession then. And those taxes you pay don't just go towards education. And the portion that does is not just going toward teacher salaries. Again, a bad experience with a teacher is setting up a negative image of teachers in general. That horrible teacher...How dare her get pregnant, what was she thinking. I guess that will be the next contract item we fight over. Ladies, you may not start families until you have reached the retirement age, but don't worry because your benefits will still be available for you.

okay I am forced to retaliate here. I have no problem with anyone getting pregnant. but if you cannot work, take off....don't come in one day a week and force your students to have substitutes with no lesson plan for the other 4 days

How would you like your child to have 3 different teachers every week for 6 months?????????? :


and if you are asking...half the class failed the final exam..

but then again,,, tenured teachers have rights

but students and their parents who pay their salaries do not

tell me where this is fair

 

[MushyMushy]

but students and their parents who pay their salaries do not

tell me where this is fair

I always get a chuckle out of the old "I pay your salary" bit. Do teachers not pay taxes??? Then, they are paying their own salaries. They can do what they damn well please by those standards.

 

[minijeanie]

I always get a chuckle out of the old "I pay your salary" bit. Do teachers not pay taxes??? Then, they are paying their own salaries. They can do what they damn well please by those standards.

thanks for the enlightenment

now I understand why they are entitled

 

[Daxx]

okay I am forced to retaliate here. I have no problem with anyone getting pregnant. but if you cannot work, take off....don't come in one day a week and force your students to have substitutes with no lesson plan for the other 4 days

How would you like your child to have 3 different teachers every week for 6 months?????????? :


and if you are asking...half the class failed the final exam..

but then again,,, tenured teachers have rights

but students and their parents who pay their salaries do not

tell me where this is fair

Exactly whose fault is it that the kids had 3 different teachers every week for 6 months? Shouldn't blame be put upon the school/administration for not finding a long-term substitute? Isn't it up to the school to find an appropriate teacher to fill in the space?

As far as lesson plans, I know that it varies by school. At my school, we have to leave one weeks worth of lesson plans and materials (ie: worksheets, photocopies from teacher edition books, etc.) in a folder in the office just in case we happen to be out for a day or a week and a sub has to come in and take over. The folder has to contain materials relevant to meet curriculum. We have to plan one week out in our lesson plans so that a sub can come in and pick up. If she can't follow those plans or find the materials, then the office hands over the prepared folder.

I should post my lesson plan here from when I had to go out of town. Hey -- maybe I will and then you can see how things should be done!

 

[Daxx]

As promised, this lesson plan was from when I taught a COMBINED Pre-K/K class:

CURRICULUM


PHONICS – Letter Sound X (ks) – Worksheet pgs. 141 & 142 - Introduce the letter x sound (ks – like the sound when water hits a hot iron). Review the sound (x-ray, middle of word sounds like extra). Call on students and ask them if each of the pictures starts with the X sound. If it does, have them circle the picture on the worksheets. Correct and send home.

** PLEASE WORK ON MATH AFTER GYM! **
If you need to skip Pre-K math due to time constraints, feel free to skip it! I’ll catch them up on Tuesday!

KINDERGARTEN MATH – Halves & Fourths – Workbook pgs. 215 & 216, “Stirring Sauce” and “Toss It Up” worksheets – Break into groups as follows:

Kdg. Math 1: Jimmy, Jason, Diana, Vincent, Joshua
Kdg. Math 2: Brian, Krystal, Taylor-Anne, Izabella

While working w/one group, put the other group and PK students on headphones. Explain to students that half means to divide equally into two even, equal pieces or two groups with the same number. Using M&M’s (near my desk), put out 6 M&M’s. Tell one student that you want to share them. Ask him/her to help you split them into two equal groups and tell him/her that you need to divide them in half. Show how to go about this (one for you, one for me … is there enough to give each of us another? Repeat until divided equally). Do this w/each student, varying the amount of M&M’s, so they can see how it works. To explain fourths, remind students that fourth is four, so it’s four pieces that are the same size. Use the illustrations attached and quiz students on whether they’re equal/same size fourths or not. Then, mix it up w/some pizzas split in half and ask if they’re half or fourths. Once they have the concept, proceed to the workbook and worksheet pages. Correct and send home. Switch groups out. Pre-K will NOT be doing this.

PRE-K MATH – Shapes – Dinosaur Shapes worksheets –

Pre-K Math: Paige, Lacey, Ella, Anthony, Angeliyah, Grace

With each worksheet, review the shape that is shown. Have children trace the dotted shape on the worksheet. Then, they can cut out the strip with the shapes on the bottom, find the shapes that match the outlined shape and glue them on in the boxes. There aren’t glue sticks, so put some liquid glue on a piece of paper and let them use their finger to put the glue on. Liquid glue is on my desk. If you run out, there’s some in the armoire near the windows. Correct and send home.

READING – I Want A Lunchbox – Gather students on the mat. Before you start reading, do the Activate Prior Knowledge (photocopy in folder) questions with the students. When you’re done, read the story to them. The book is on the front chalkboard. After you’re done reading, you can go over the Reader Response and Oral Language/Vocabulary (on paper in folder).

LANGUAGE ARTS - Worksheet pages 185 & 186 –
Page 185: Letter X sound. Since you’ve done this with phonics, it’s a repeat. Students can work on it on their own or you can work as a group and do it together w/students following along. Your choice.
Page 186: discuss that we’ve read many books this year. Explain that the worksheet shows three of the books we’ve read. Tell the students to pick a different book – not one that’s already shown - (either one we read or one that they enjoyed reading elsewhere) and draw the book cover of their favorite book.
Correct papers and send home.

PRINTING – Letter Lowercase m – Practice Master 57 - Model how to print this letter on the chalkboard. Students have learned how to print the letter lowercase n. Remind them it’s the same steps as the lowercase n, but they’re adding an extra hump! Help any students that may need assistance. Correct and send home.

RELIGION – Jesus and Friends – Workbook pages 225 & 226 – Discuss friends – who they are, what they do, what you do for them. Discuss other friends (teachers, Jesus, neighbors, relatives, pets, etc.). Read and review pg. 225. Read story on pg. 226.

REFRESHER WORK – Basically extra if you need it! There is a “Follow The Alphabet” worksheet in the folder. Students may work on that. Also, desk near the table has some worksheets that the kids can work on. Feel free to use anything in that desk. In the substitute folder, there are extra worksheets that you can do if you choose to.

If it’s nice, take the children on the playground. You need to let the office know that you’re going out. To get back into the building, go the long way to the school’s main entrance and get buzzed in through the front door. Feel free to pop in a video or let the kids work on puzzles in small groups.

 

[Feralpeg]

Wow! What a thread!

I worked for 30 years in the IT industry. I spent many nights on call and managed a lot of people with a lot of problems. When I retired, I was making $120k. I was fortunate enough that my company provided enough in retirement benefits that I could retire at age 52.

Then, for some crazy reason, I decided to try teaching. Believe me, teaching today is nothing like it was 30 years ago. Don't get me wrong, I loved the kids and it was a rewarding experience. It made my 30 years in the IT industry seem like a walk in the park! Oddly enough, it really wasn't the kids that were the problem. The parents drove me nuts! I won't bore anyone with the details, but one year was enough for me. For my efforts, I received $26k before taxes. I received no medical and no retirement benefits. I taught at a private school.

It just seems so strange to me that people try to compare their jobs and even discuss how much worse one is than another. What does it matter? We all have things we don't like about our jobs and none of us are ever paid enough for our efforts.

The one thing I don't understand is the mentality in this country toward education. As parents, we want our kids to have the best. Yet, many people do not want to work with their children's' teachers nor do anything to make sure that the best possible people are in the teaching profession. The people teaching our children today will make a huge difference in the type of people our children will become. Yet, many good teachers will not remain in the teaching profession due to the type of misinformation and attitudes displayed on this thread. IMHO, that is a sad thing.

 

[jemiaule]

My question was why is it so acceptable to bash the person that has dedicated his/her life to the education of your child? When I was a kid, my teacher was right no matter what. I was required by my parents to respect my teacher as a symbol of authority. This is not the case anymore. Teachers are just one more target. Do I deserve unquestionable respect? No, of course not.

Just because someone complains about some teachers does not mean they are saying they all deserve the ire. Just as when someone compliments some teachers it is not to say all teachers deserve that same compliment.

When is it right to bash the person - when that person is not doing what their job requires. I am sorry but I am not going to give someone respect that they do not deserve.

No offense, but every profession gets bashed because there will always be some idiot out there that does something stupid. I think you need to grow a thicker skin and stop taking the criticism personally.

Now if you personally are getting bashed for something that you feel is untrue then maybe you should say so, and ask for advice, rather than telling a message board that all teachers should be looked at as a symbol of authority and respected.

Every job deserves respect - and not every job gets it. Welcome to life, I truly am glad you are here and a teacher

 

[jemiaule]

And some of our non-citizens, too. But that's an entirely different topic for another day!

LOL, I knew when I posted that this would come up. No fair thread-jacking though

 

[surfergrl31]

I think that is all any teacher is trying to say, but feel the flames everytime it is said.

To anyone that had a problem with that chicken noodle style of poetry I posted earlier I have one thing to say. Maybe all these little inspirational poems/stories about teachers wouldn't be floating around if the general attitude towards teachers were such as some of those on this board.

The poem was intended for teachers and something you could not understand unless you were one yourself. Your ineffective imitation of good posting style only serves to illuminate your lack of understanding.

 

[Daxx]

And some of our non-citizens, too. But that's an entirely different topic for another day!

LOL, I knew when I posted that this would come up. No fair thread-jacking though

LOL! That's why I wrote the part that is bolded above!! I am so not thread-jacking this baby!

 

[Daxx]

Maybe all these little inspirational poems/stories about teachers wouldn't be floating around if the general attitude towards teachers were such as some of those on this board.

Interesting point!

 

[RitaZ.]

Probably the same time it became acceptable to bash any other profession. For example.

People hate lawyers

People think some doctors are quacks

People don't like how they are treated by tech support

People think mechanics rip them off

People get mad because they have to wait while a customer service rep figures out their problem and calls the person an idiot, etc.

All of us have seen threads on DIS where people complain about every profession; including various CMs in all sorts of positions at our beloved Disney Parks.


As a student I had some amazing teachers I loved and some that just sucked. My kids have been fortunate to have had excellent teachers so far; some of whom we now consider friends. At the same time there have been a couple of teachers at their school that were terrible and have gotten their rears canned.

Some teachers suck, some teachers are amazing, and some people are going to whine and complain no matter how awesome a teacher is because that is their nature and the kind of people they are. Like the rest of us in other professions; you gotta just ignore the bashers if you know in your heart you are doing a good job.

Good post. The last sentence is right on!

 

[manning]

A toast.

Here's to you as good as you are

Here's to me as bad as I am

As good as you are

And as bad as I am

I'm as good as you are

As you are as bad as I am

 

[MushyMushy]

thanks for the enlightenment

now I understand why they are entitled

Well, that's the logic you're using.