When did teacher bashing become acceptable?

[SavvyMom]

Here we have to pay our subs for our personal days, and depending on the reason, don't get paid ourselves---so here, it's possible to end up paying for your days away.
That's crazy!

I don't mind, I just don't take them---but for people who feel that we have so many days off...it's not the same everywhere.
And I have yet to have free health insurance, although I do feel decently compensated, particularly considering the community I work in (although there are both extremes there).

I think we have one or two folks on each "side" that get everybody going, and then everyone (who would normally probably get along) feel lumped in with either indiscriminate bashers or lazy teachers...both of which are groups that certainly exist. Anyway, since the majority of those here do not really belong to either group, this gets our collective undies in a bundle, and the few people that enjoy the drama fan the flames.
Happens every time. Mostly rational people being pushed on by a few that want to fight.
I'm sure that's true.

As a teacher, I can confirm that it's not always easy, but neither is any other profession. I can also acknowledge that there are great teachers and truly awful ones, and most of us don't appreciate the protection unions provide for our lazy colleagues. As someone who teaches an elective course (and is still last hired, first fired), seeing numbers drop because of one lazy, thoughtless teacher is FRUSTRATING.

Well said. We don't have unions here, so I don't know anything about that. We don't even have tenure. I believe we're the only state in the union that doesn't.

 

[spaceacewannabe]

Well said. We don't have unions here, so I don't know anything about that. We don't even have tenure. I believe we're the only state in the union that doesn't.

Wow...I don't know if I feel for you or I'm jealous. I'm starting my fourth year, third year in this district, so I will be "tenured" after this year. I didn't know it was anything official until my colleague got it at the end of the year---I thought at the end of year three, you were just off probation. Nope, tenure---OR extended supervision, which another colleague got (thank goodness).

I really don't see it as an issue in my district because there are SO few bad teachers where I am now. The union operates in a totally different way than other places---thank goodness or I'd really resent paying my membership. The union does negotiate our contracts but doesn't generally ask for anything crazy or out of line. Beyond that, the union provides scholarships to HS seniors, co-funds the district's new teacher/mentor program, and funds various extra programs for kids. They jump in to come up with money for "nice to have's" that the district might not be able to fully fund. I think they also do classroom grants...I KNOW they give money to a community foundation that does. Principals, while not part of the union, encourage us to participate because ours DOES look out for kids.

The district I taught in my first year was a disaster. The union & the district had a very adversarial relationship. It was all about bargaining and protecting the oldest teachers. I was verbally abused (in front of students), emotionally abused, physically intimidated, and at one point, sexually harassed by a colleague who'd been there 20 years. The reaction from the administration (the superintendent, specifically) was that if I couldn't stand it, I should find a different job---she had been there too long and they weren't about to bother disciplining her. While there were union reps that felt for me, the larger union leadership wasn't looking out for anyone who was 3+ decades away from retirement. This teacher had also spread rumors (!!!) about students and publicly humiliated ones she didn't like.

And this is all in the same state. I think it really depends on the local leadership, too.

 

[tinkerbell615]

As a parent of a high school student and a parent of a college student, I would personally like to THANK all of you teachers out there for all you do!

My DS is on his way to becoming a teacher. He will teach special education. The reason... he was truly touched by an elementary teacher. She told him... "You will be an excellent teacher someday." You know what, I believe she was right. When he graduated from HS he sent her a graduation announcement and a letter telling her how much she had meant to him. She sent him a card and $10.00 and told him that she knew he would succeed.

DD had a 2nd grade teacher that so touched her that she also is thinking of teaching someday. She had a teacher in both 7th and 8th grade that she still sends e-mails to when she needs help or suggestions and she answers!

We have been so fortunate and blessed to have wonderful teachers. I truly believe that teaching is a profession of the heart. I believe that teachers do so much more than teach. They parent, teach, love and do so much more for our children. They are the people that I trust my most valued treasures with each and every school day. Teachers are such a big part of what our children become.

Once again. THANK YOU so much for all you do!

 

[SavvyMom]

Wow Tinkerbell615. Thank you for taking the time to say that. Good luck to your new teachers in the family!

 

[lisajl]

While I have been known to bash a few teachers, I have been known to praise them as well.

My son has had two of the worst teachers ever.

The rest have been wonderful!! I let them know how wonderful they are.
I have spoken to the ones that were terrible and they think they did nothing wrong.
I'm sorry, but pushing my son past his breaking point and letting him sit under a desk all day, not a good thing. This went on for most of the year without me knowing. My son never told me, he just retreated into himself and the teacher gave him glowing reports at p/t conferences.
It was not until another girl in his class spoke to her mother, then her mother spoke to me that I found out about it.
Can you say angry? Yep...I thought you could.
Nothing was done to the teacher, nothing was done to help my son.
Luckily, it was his last year at elementary and he moved on to 5/6 and had two great years with 4 great teachers!

Good teachers make a difference, are worth their weight in gold, bad teachers, can break a child, make them feel worthless. Just ask my 13 year old son. We are working hard to rebuild his self esteem with the help of a psychologist.

Thanks to all the wonderful teachers that care.

Lisa

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Greetings, fellow teachers. Just returned from "Meet the Teacher" night and, after meeting my new babies, what it's all about is once again evident. Hope y'all have a great year, regardless of what the negative Nellies say.

 

[MrsPete]

How many teachers do you know personally who make $60,000?

How many do I personally know? One.

In North Carolina, a teacher with only a bachelor's degree will never make $60,000.
A teacher with a masters' degree will never make $60,000.
A teacher with BOTH a masters' degree AND National Board Certification will make $60,000 once he or she has 28 years of experience.

So in North Carolina, a teacher who graduated as young as reasonably possible, who didn't take any time off to have children, and who earned a masters' degree and National Board while working full-time could expect to make $60,000 just after age 50. But don't take my word for it. Here's the state salary scale from the Department of Public Instruction: http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/docs/fbs/finance/salary/schedules/2007-08schedules.pdf

. . . thus far ANY issues I have had with ANY teachers I been able to resolve simply by asking for and getting a parent/teacher conference to include the guidance counselor and at least a vice principal and asking one question "What do you need from my husband & I to help make my child successful in your class?" Yep you heard it hear folks - I actually get involved in my childrens' education and I do all this without bashing anyone.

Thank you! Your children will be sooo much better off because you take an active part in their education. If all parents did this, the school system would be 99% perfect.

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

We all reap the benefits of living in a society in which the vast majority of Americans can read and write, and those who wish to be gainfully employed can do so. Public education is responsible for many of the people whose services you use every day: your accountant, your doctor, even your cashier at Wendy's. And because of public education, EVERY American child has an opportunity to make something of himself. Do you really want to live in a world in which little girls of a certain social class have no options but prostitution? A world in which little boys are forced to turn to violence and drugs because they have no job skills? Sure, we have some of that in America today . . . but how much would we have without the school system? Just look at third-world countries; what's the real difference between us and them? We educate everyone. Sure, our system has room for improvement . . . but it's a whole lot better than many other places around the globe!

Maybe I see it that way because I grew up in poverty. If not for the public school system, I don't know what I'd be doing today.

that's $6,000 a year out of our pockets. I think that entitles us to complain when a teachers sucks.

If you have a really bad teacher, you're entitled to complain regardless of what you're paying in property taxes, but no amount of money entitles you to make general complaints as if they applied to ALL teachers in ALL schools across America.

Now I also believe that instead of just paying on scale teachers should be rewarded and paid by performance.

On paper that sounds like a great idea; however, it would screw over the people like me who teach low-level classes. My high school students come to me already behind grade level, already well-aquainted with failure, and with huge chips on their shoulders. Many of them are from poor households and are dealing with very difficult home situations in addition to working too many hours in their attempt to keep up with their more fortunate peers. I'd like to believe I have some success with many of them . . . but their test scores will never equal those of the students in the advanced classes -- you know, the ones whose parents provided them with enriching educational activities from the very beginning, the ones to whom reading came easily, and the ones who are accustomed to being "winners". On paper I look like my classes are achieving less than others, but I'm good at working with this level of student.

I don't pretend to have the answer to the difficult question of how to fairly compensate teachers (or any other profession); I'm just pointing out that it isn't always as simple as paying more for what looks like success (or even just more hours). Sometimes that success is a matter of the student occasionally feeling good about something he's written, or actually reading a book cover-to-cover, or just simply improving social skills within the classroom; sometimes these successes don't translate to better grades.

I've also seen a few girls in my own district that were not given new contracts because they had babies before tenure.

I have never seen this; in fact, I was pregnant with my first child my first year of teaching. I had no problem getting a second-year contract -- but then, I'd done a good job my first year!

 

[tiggersmom2]

I have been very, very fortunate that my children have had stellar and I do mean STELLAR teachers. Not only are they wonderful people, but many have become personal friends.

When I was in school, I had a horrible experience. I am going to go all out and name names and schools.....

My parents are very involved in politics in our community, always have been. I was sent to the best private school in central GA - Stratford Academy. In fourth grade, I was "lucky" enough to gain entrance into Mr. Freelin's classroom. I was elated. He taught in somewhat of a montessori setting and had an unconventional classroom. Little did I know he was a "crunchy" liberal type and HATED conservatives (which my parents are) with a passion....hell, I was in *4th* grade, how could I know that?!!!

He knew who my parents were and treated me differently from all the other kids. Stratford was and is a very liberal school, which was not a problem with my parents at all, they wanted me to be well rounded and think for myself.

We went on "fieldtrips" all the time to out of way places. One time we went to "Falling Creek" camp in NC. We were hiking and took a break.....I sat down on the grass. Mr. Freelin piped up "Class!! Why is it that Ms. _____ gets to live, but the grass her fat *** is sitting on gets to die?!" I was 9/10 years old!!!! I just cried in silence....

We were climbing trees the next day and then swinging from a rope with some type of bar between our legs. To get up the tree, we had to be helped b/c the pegs started about 4 feet up. Mr. Freelin helped all the kids to the first peg, when it was my turn, he acted like he couldn't push me up. I was 9 years old and maybe 80 lbs. He told me I was "too damn fat". I was crushed, ashamed and just wanted to die. I ran back to the cabins and just cried by myself.

He constantly ridiculed me and I never understood it was b/c he hated my parents. One day, during parent's day - the crunchy fool decided to take the class out during a thunder storm. GUESS WHAT?!! Mr. Freelin and one of my classmates were struck by lightening (this was 1986 or 87). My classmate suffered sever brain damage. Mr. Freeling suffered severe migraines and soon quit teaching.

I couldn't find much sympathy in my heart for him. I should have told my parents of the abuse I suffered at his hands, but I didn't. I would never allow that to go on with my children and I always make a point to form a relationship with their teachers.

I was scarred, seriously SCARRED by this horrid, horrid man( I had body image issues for years) and I will make sure this doesn't happen to my children.

 

[mrsltg]

I'm a teacher, and I see so much teacher bashing on all message boards. People complain about incompetent teachers, teacher salaries and teachers' hours.

I never hear anyone complaining about another profession as much.

I've been in my classroom getting ready for the new school year for about 60 hours so far. Unpaid. I'll be in for about 60 more before school starts. Every single teacher in my building works at least a full week before school. Name another occupation that does that.

I deal with angry parents who blame me for everything that's wrong with their child. I've even had death threats made against me, and had to get police involved! And ya just gotta love when a parent tells you, "I pay your salary, so you're actually my employee!" Right. Okay.

My 9-5 friends go on business trips to NYC, get mileage checks, some even get company cars. They go out to lunch. They take random days off, vacation whenever they want to. Lots of them "work from home" a few times a month (which means they take one conference call, and spend the rest of the day doing housework or watching movies). They make more than I do, even though most of them are 5-10 years younger than me with much less education than I have. They get promotions, bonuses, and bigger raises.

But you know what? I'm the lucky one.

I love love love my job. Most of them hate work. I have fun every single day. I sing, I read books, I challenge young minds. I have kids telling me "I love you!" all day long, every day.

So people can bash us all they want. I just wish they tried to understand us more.

First, I work in lobbying. Let me tell you about a profession people have A LOT to say about....

As far as being unpaid for work - Hi. Welcome to the club! As Drew Carey so eloquently put it, "It's called Everybody. We meet at the bar." I have yet to take a vacation without my blackberry. It doesn't matter where I am, what I am doing, or who I am with. When it vibrates, I check to see what's going on. So do all of the other professionals I work with. NONE of us work 9-5 and then check off for the day. None of us get "vacation". Heck, I was e-mailing from my hospital room 12 hours after my daughter was born!!!

Granted, some work from home days are as you described. Guess what? I, and the others I work with, don't get a Christmas Recess, Mid-Winter Break, every Federal Holiday, Spring Break, or Summer Vacation. We just don't. I also don't get to go to work at 8am and leave the building by 4 as many of my teacher friends do. See, it's a trade-off. I made a choice. So did you. Don't expect canonization based on your chosen profession.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Don't expect canonization based on your chosen profession.

BEST line on this thread!! I know all teachers don't expect it, because I do have a lot of friends that are in the profession because they were just born to do it. Even THEY talk about the martyr complex that some of their co-workers have!!

Let's face it folks-there is good and bad in every job. We ALL have to learn to take it with a smile or make a change.

 

[Camicar]

Your children will be sooo much better off because you take an active part in their education. If all parents did this, the school system would be 99% perfect.

I am sorry but such a comment makes me very angry. I have over and over and over again tried to take an active part and work with teachers and deal with the admin with the problems my dd has had with school -- specifically incompetent/uncaring teachers. The response each time, "Don't like it? Then move out of the district."

Believe me, if we could sell our house, we would.

So please do not assume that ALL school system problems can be solved by parental involvement. When the unions exist solely to protect tenured teachers and for no other reason and the admin backs them up, then the parents have no immediate power to change the system for the better.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Parental involvement is important, mostly because it is the only way to ensure that your child will do well. I make a point of introducing myself to every teacher during the first week of school, giving my email address, and asking them to contact me when necessary. I'm not one of those parents who is constantly contacting the teacher, but I contact each one here and there during the school year to touch base and I've always gotten the impression that they appreciate the interest.

I was thinking about this thread last night (I have a life, I swear). DS will be in 8th grade this year, and by my calculation he's had 20 teachers in his life thus far. Of those 20, I'd rate only two of them as poor, with one of them being completely worthless. He's had 4 absolutely incredible teachers. The rest are somewhere in the fair to good category.

 

[Daxx]

I have something to ask ....

For those of you who have dealt w/lousy teachers, what have you done about it?

I ask this b/c we have had two of THE WORST first grade teacher sin my school. There's only one first grade class. The first teacher was a new hire, fresh out of school. She walked into that classroom and was all roses and sunshine and never laid out any of the rules. She never established that she was the one in charge and lost control of the classroom. She would scream at them constantly. Her mentor did nothing to help her (but mentor says she tried but new teacher wouldn't listen). Principal put me in as new mentor and gave the teacher a one month probation period. I sat in her class for a few hours and found many problems as well as things she did right. I talked to her, gave her the good and the bad, and she quickly changed some things (ie: desk positioning) but not the others (handling discipline). Many parents came to me and said that they were thinking of pulling their kids out b/c they were v. unhappy w/the teacher. She was doing v. little school work w/them and the work she was doing was far to advanced for them. First grade spelling included mammal, amphibian, neighborhood (not bonus words, either). I went to the principal the day that one of the parents caught me in the parking lot w/his crying child and said "Would you give Noah a pencil? He couldn't find his y'day and Ms. R said that she wouldn't give him a new one if he couldnt find it!" I said "Of course!". What teacher does that to a first grader?!?!!? I told the principal about the parking lot incident along w/what parents said to me about pulling their kids. I also told the parents that they needed to voice it to the principal, pastor and, if necessary, the Diocese. There was an incident where the teacher got into a child's face and screamed at him in the cafeteria. Sooo many better ways to handle it and she didn't choose any of them. I was there and was so disgusted by her behavior that I wanted to vomit on the spot. I immediately went to the principal and explained what happened and how upset I was over it. I said it was unacceptable and that child did nothing to deserve that kind of treatment. The lunch lady was v. friendly w/the boy's father and called him. He immediately came into the school and it wasn't pretty. At the end of the week, the teacher was given the choice to leave on her own w/a letter of recommendation or be fired.

Well, shortly after, another new teacher was hired. I guess you wouldn't want to hire an experienced teacher for this class . This one was fresh out of college and she did her student teaching at our school. She's also the daughter of another teacher in the school (go figure, eh?). Well, she was no better. Like the teacher before her, she established zero control in the room. I have nicknamed this new teacher "The Screamer" b/c she was louder than the teacher before her. The Screamer's classroom resides around the corner and down a long hall from my classroom. Her method of discipline and getting students attention (or whatever) is screaming at the top of her lungs at the kids. I can hear her all the way in my classroom when she lets loose. I keep my door closed but still can hear her screaming at them. I don't know ... maybe she thinks that if she screams they will listen to her? There were two kids that could be a handful, but somehow other teachers (art, gym, etc.) didn't have issues w/them. I got so tired of the screaming. The first grade parents who were going to pull their kids out complained about this new teacher as well. I can't blame them b/c the other teachers in her corridor would complain to me about her screaming interrupting their classrooms, too.

What did I do about it? Went to the principal AGAIN, told him about the parents AND the teachers complaints. My principal's office is catty-corner from The Screamer's classroom and I know that he heard her screaming. I'd be in his office and she'd go on a screaming marathon and I'd say "What are you going to do about it?" He'd roll his eyes and say "What can I do -- hire another teacher when we just hired her?" Uh, yeah - why not? Plus, I think being another teacher's daughter, he didn't want to offend. Whatever. I don't know why, when he knew that the two new kids were so unruly, he hired another inexperienced teacher. I know we all have to cut our teeth somewhere -- but if a teacher's behavior is inappropriate, I think he/she needs to leave.

Now, I told the parents that their line of complaint order was the principal, the Pastor, the Diocese. I don't think that anyone complained b/c she's back this year. I am just waiting b/c we have a new principal and I don't think she's going to tolerate a screamer.

When we can, we teachers will step up when it comes to a poor teacher. However, just b/c we say something doesn't mean anything is done about it.

Soooo ... do you parents sit back,watch it and gripe to your friends/this board/etc. or do you try to do something about it? If you've done something about it, how high did you have to take it? Have you been successful?

 

[Daxx]

I also don't get to go to work at 8am and leave the building by 4 as many of my teacher friends do.

Are you really that misguided?!

Why does everyone think that a teacher's job is 8 - 4?!?! I don't think that everyone else's job is 9-5! I know better b/c I've worked other jobs!!! Heck, I've worked jobs that were supposed to be 9-5 but turned out 7 am- 2 am (and even more when we've got a huge presentation).

Why does everyone think that once a teacher leaves the school, their work is done? I just do not get this! Can someone explain?!?! I take work home w/me every single stinking day after school and finish it after I tuck DS into bed at night. I know better to think that most professions aren't done when they leave their office and know they bring paperwork home w/them.

Why does everyone think that we just walk out of that building empty handed?!?! Just as you leave w/a briefcase full or work or phone messages to return, I leave w/the same ... papers to correct, plans to be made, parents calls to return. I don't do it all in the classroom -- if I did, I'd prob. never leave the place. I'm sure you could say the same thing about your office.

Do your teacher friends seriously do NOTHING at home? Maybe they just have loads of prep time at school to complete their work. My guess is that if you asked them if they had 8-4 jobs, they'd tell you no, that they bring home tests to grade, assignments to correct and things to plan. I'd guess that you have a few teacher friends that you THINK have an 8-4 job. I bet if you asked them, they'd tell you they put in hours when they get home and over the weekends, too.

Guess what? I, and the others I work with, don't get a Christmas Recess, Mid-Winter Break, every Federal Holiday, Spring Break, or Summer Vacation. We just don't.

Guess what? I don't get paid for that time off. You work those days and get freaking paid for putting the time in. I'd rather be teaching and get paid to work those days than have that time off. My guess is that you get a paid vacation. I don't. Any days I don't work I don't get paid for even if they're federal holidays. 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.

 

[Kath2003]

It's because those maths exercises mark themselves, dontchaknow.

 

[Daxx]

It's because those maths exercises mark themselves, dontchaknow.

Yep -- it's the elves that come out and correct the papers, do the planning, call the parents, and get things ready for the next day so that we can have an 8-4 job, right?!

 

[mrsltg]

Are you really that misguided?!

Why does everyone think that a teacher's job is 8 - 4?!?! I don't think that everyone else's job is 9-5! I know better b/c I've worked other jobs!!! Heck, I've worked jobs that were supposed to be 9-5 but turned out 7 am- 2 am (and even more when we've got a huge presentation).

Why does everyone think that once a teacher leaves the school, their work is done? I just do not get this! Can someone explain?!?! I take work home w/me every single stinking day after school and finish it after I tuck DS into bed at night. I know better to think that most professions aren't done when they leave their office and know they bring paperwork home w/them.

Why does everyone think that we just walk out of that building empty handed?!?! Just as you leave w/a briefcase full or work or phone messages to return, I leave w/the same ... papers to correct, plans to be made, parents calls to return. I don't do it all in the classroom -- if I did, I'd prob. never leave the place. I'm sure you could say the same thing about your office.

Do your teacher friends seriously do NOTHING at home? Maybe they just have loads of prep time at school to complete their work. My guess is that if you asked them if they had 8-4 jobs, they'd tell you no, that they bring home tests to grade, assignments to correct and things to plan. I'd guess that you have a few teacher friends that you THINK have an 8-4 job. I bet if you asked them, they'd tell you they put in hours when they get home and over the weekends, too.

I didn't say they leave empty handed. I said they leave. Many jobs don't give that luxury. As a teacher you should be reading for comprehension - not picking at choosing what fits your goal. Actually, I sit next to some of these women at our dd's dance class. Many times they sit and grade papers as we chat - while I'm dealing with e-mails and phone calls. So am I misguided? No. I happen to disagree with the holier than thou attitude displayed by SOME teachers - specifically here. The point is, no one has a cake-walk job.

 

[Daxx]

I didn't say they leave empty handed. I said they leave.

Yes, I leave ... just as many other people leave their office at whatever time they choose to. You seem to think that nobody else is allowed out of the office before 4 pm!?!?

Many jobs don't give that luxury.

Yes, but many jobs give you the luxury of coming in late if you worked a long night.

I also don't get to go to work at 8am and leave the building by 4 as many of my teacher friends do.

As a teacher you should be reading for comprehension - not picking at choosing what fits your goal.

You posted that you don't get to work at 8 am and leave at 4 as many of your teacher friends do. I comprehend that you think our jobs are 8 to 4 b/c it's what your friends do. What's not to comprehend in that simple statement!? Hey -- lots of people leave their jobs early and work from home. You think it's a slim amount of people who stay in the office all day?! Thanks to cell phones, computers, etc. people can and do leave work early and work from home. More people do this than stay chained to their desks. Thanks to all the new technology, many jobs that required that you be in the office all day no longer require that. I know more people who leave their jobs early to pick their kids up from school, or to get them to soccer practice, etc. are leaving the office early and will work the rest of the day from home or from the soccer practice. The 9-5 chained to the desk thing isn't what everybody does anymore thanks to all the wonderful technological advancements.

Actually, I sit next to some of these women at our dd's dance class. Many times they sit and grade papers as we chat - while I'm dealing with e-mails and phone calls. So am I misguided? No. I happen to disagree with the holier than thou attitude displayed by SOME teachers - specifically here. The point is, no one has a cake-walk job.[/QUOTE]
They're doing their work, you're doing yours. While they may "only be" correcting papers while you're taking phone calls, aren't you both doing YOUR JOB!?!??! Maybe they're just doing the corrections part at the dance studio b/c a teacher will take those papers and they will show her if she needs to reteach something, if she can move along to the next unit, if the kids are progressing. A teacher looks at those papers for the progress of each student. It's not just checking off wrong answers ... it's seeing how they made their mistakes, who made them and mentally jotting down who needs extra help. If you think that correcting papers is just putting a check mark here and there you're wrong. While they may just "correct papers" at dance, my guess is that they take them home and gather their insights on how these children scored. If I just corrected and said "Oh, Tommy got 10 wrong, Susie got 12 wrong and Johnny got 15 wrong" then I am not a good teacher. Any homework or test shows me what the child is capable of doing. It's not correcting to put a check mark down. Anyway, what it ends up is that you're both doing jobs. You're on the phone/email and the teachers are correcting and looking at progress, etc.

I don't have a cake-walk job, you don't either and nor does any other Tom, Rick or Mary. I think that your statement that teachers leave their buildings at 4 on the nose is def. misguided. Your implication is that our jobs end the instant we walk out of that school. Whether you meant it or not, that's how it read. And, I'm sure I'm not the only one who read it that way. I am no more holy than anyone else on these boards for what I choose to do for a living.

 

[mrsltg]

They're doing their work, you're doing yours. While they may "only be" correcting papers while you're taking phone calls, aren't you both doing YOUR JOB!?!??! Maybe they're just doing the corrections part at the dance studio b/c a teacher will take those papers and they will show her if she needs to reteach something, if she can move along to the next unit, if the kids are progressing. A teacher looks at those papers for the progress of each student. It's not just checking off wrong answers ... it's seeing how they made their mistakes, who made them and mentally jotting down who needs extra help. If you think that correcting papers is just putting a check mark here and there you're wrong. While they may just "correct papers" at dance, my guess is that they take them home and gather their insights on how these children scored. If I just corrected and said "Oh, Tommy got 10 wrong, Susie got 12 wrong and Johnny got 15 wrong" then I am not a good teacher. Any homework or test shows me what the child is capable of doing. It's not correcting to put a check mark down. Anyway, what it ends up is that you're both doing jobs. You're on the phone/email and the teachers are correcting and looking at progress, etc.

I don't have a cake-walk job, you don't either and nor does any other Tom, Rick or Mary. I think that your statement that teachers leave their buildings at 4 on the nose is def. misguided. Your implication is that our jobs end the instant we walk out of that school. Whether you meant it or not, that's how it read. And, I'm sure I'm not the only one who read it that way. I am no more holy than anyone else on these boards for what I choose to do for a living.

Who said they are "only" correcting papers? I said, we do work while sitting together. That's all. Dear Lord - thicken the skin. There was nothing negative said there. There was no implication. There was no subversive message. Nothing. Simply, we sit together and we work. No more. No less. If you read it any other way, you were looking for a problem.

 

[disney junky]

So am I misguided? No. I happen to disagree with the holier than thou attitude displayed by SOME teachers - specifically here. The point is, no one has a cake-walk job.

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.