Why the "Martyr" Perception Amongst Teachers?

[MM27]

Teachers go into teaching knowing up front what is involved - what the pay scale is - and with a good idea of how much time they will have to put into their job in order to be successful.. Grumbling now and then is fine - even acceptable - but sometimes it really does fall into the "suffering martyr" syndrome and that gets old really fast.

Honestly, I didn't go in knowing up front what was involved. You don't know pay scales until you are hired because around here every town has their own salary scale and they can be quite different from town to town even in the same state. I also had no idea how much time and money I would put in. They just don't tell you that kind of thing in college. Even student teaching doesn't prepare you for having your own classroom.

When I get to the point that I don't think it's for me anymore, then I'll know it's time to change careers. Right now I love what I do. If you want to talk about getting old really fast, that's kind of how I feel about teacher bashers. There are some people that use every chance they get, if it's a teacher related thread to point out how they hate us (maybe in not so many words, but you get the point)

I've had NIGHTMARE problems with teachers both as a student and as a parent and even I, as hyper prejudiced as I am, (JK) know that not all teachers are like that. The problem is that you have given all your power over to the unions who will always defend the bad apples even to the detriment of the good teachers. You will never again receive the respect you deserve until you demand that the truly awful teachers are gotten rid of.

The union has nothing to do with it. These teachers are still in the classroom because there are administrators that are not doing their jobs or the teachers are somehow connected to them whether friend, relative, etc. If an administrator gives them an acceptable evaluation and observations, what would you expect the union to do? Union doesn't get involved at all in that.

My Superintendent was around last week to do observations. They were random as far as what classes he came to, but we were told in advance that he would be coming on a particular day. Personally, I would just show up without notice, but to each his own right? My feeling is, there is no need to be nervous if you are doing what you are supposed to be doing. One of the teachers that I am talking about was so nervous before he came and I think it all stems from the fact that she knows she doesn't do her job the way she is supposed to. Again, not a union issue, but rather an admin. issue.

 

[C.Ann]

Honestly, I didn't go in knowing up front what was involved. You don't know pay scales until you are hired because around here every town has their own salary scale and they can be quite different from town to town even in the same state. I also had no idea how much time and money I would put in. They just don't tell you that kind of thing in college. Even student teaching doesn't prepare you for having your own classroom.

When I get to the point that I don't think it's for me anymore, then I'll know it's time to change careers. Right now I love what I do. If you want to talk about getting old really fast, that's kind of how I feel about teacher bashers. There are some people that use every chance they get, if it's a teacher related thread to point out how they hate us (maybe in not so many words, but you get the point).

Again, whatever the chosen profession may be, there are people who are very good at it and people who are very bad at it.. To label "every" teacher as bad (or the only one responsible for a given situation) is painting every teacher with the same broad brush.. Not a good idea.. And I'm sure not every teacher suffers from the "martyr syndrome" - yet some do.. I was simply pointing out that any profession could voice the same complaints that teachers do and in that respect, it doesn't make teachers unique..

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Honestly, I didn't go in knowing up front what was involved. You don't know pay scales until you are hired because around here every town has their own salary scale and they can be quite different from town to town even in the same state. I also had no idea how much time and money I would put in. They just don't tell you that kind of thing in college. Even student teaching doesn't prepare you for having your own classroom.

When I get to the point that I don't think it's for me anymore, then I'll know it's time to change careers. Right now I love what I do. If you want to talk about getting old really fast, that's kind of how I feel about teacher bashers. There are some people that use every chance they get, if it's a teacher related thread to point out how they hate us (maybe in not so many words, but you get the point)


The union has nothing to do with it. These teachers are still in the classroom because there are administrators that are not doing their jobs or the teachers are somehow connected to them whether friend, relative, etc. If an administrator gives them an acceptable evaluation and observations, what would you expect the union to do? Union doesn't get involved at all in that.

My Superintendent was around last week to do observations. They were random as far as what classes he came to, but we were told in advance that he would be coming on a particular day. Personally, I would just show up without notice, but to each his own right? My feeling is, there is no need to be nervous if you are doing what you are supposed to be doing. One of the teachers that I am talking about was so nervous before he came and I think it all stems from the fact that she knows she doesn't do her job the way she is supposed to. Again, not a union issue, but rather an admin. issue.

Teachers salaries are public record. It would have been very easy to look them up. They have to be public because they are payed through taxes. Saying the college didn't tell you imo is just an excuse.

I am glad though that you like your job and I do understand what you have to deal with as far as administration. I would imagine that it is very frustrating.

 

[MM27]

Teachers salaries are public record. It would have been very easy to look them up. They have to be public because they are payed through taxes. Saying the college didn't tell you imo is just an excuse.

I am glad though that you like your job and I do understand what you have to deal with as far as administration. I would imagine that it is very frustrating.

An excuse for what? Someone said that teachers knew what it was like going in and I said that I didn't know everything going in. No excuses, just the truth. I also didn't know that I would need to spend many nights and weekends grading, planning, etc. I guess you can say, I thought of teachers the way many non-teachers do I'm not complaining about it. I am a perfectionist and I take my job seriously. I could do the bare minimum like some people do and just collect a paycheck, but that's not who I am.

It's true that salaries are public. In NJ we have a website that lists salaries for teachers, police and firemen. All you have to do is enter the persons name. Doesn't really work if you don't know someone to type in though.

They are public record but unless there was one standard pay guide, it's kind of hard to say where you'll be. When I started teaching, there were districts that were starting in the 50s, some in the 40s, and some in the 30s. That's a huge range of salaries. My guide has changed 3 times since I've been in my district because with each new contract they realign the steps. With our last contract they condensed our steps which made everyone drop one step.

I love my job. For all the frustrations, there are those moments that balance it out when you realize that you are making the difference in a kids life. I work in an urban district. I can't tell you the number of kids that beg to stay at school when the day is over. I'm teaching a Saturday Academy this month and we've had a tremendous turnout partly because the kids know they have a place to go where people care about them. I love that I am able to build a relationship with my students where they feel safe, they feel loved and they know they are important.

 

[portocall]

Just wanted to chime in to say that teacher pay varies school to school around here now. If you are just exiting college, how are you to know which school is going to hire you? Therefore you wouldn't know what the salary was until you figured that part out. They don't tend to hire you until you have a degree. Yes, they would fall in a range, but that is about as specific as you will get around here.