Teacher Bashing

[shanzone2001]

At what point will people start pointing the finger at the STUDENTS? I have been teaching for 13 years and I am really tired of the whole "public schools are bad so we homeschool" routine.
Fine, I get it that that you are exercising your right to homeschool, but please don't continually criticize teachers...many of whom bust their butts to try and educate kids who for the most part could care less about an education. In the last 13 years, I have had 3 parent volunteers. I get little to no support from home and have to teach kids who stay up past midnight, are surrounded by drugs and drug dealers, have no food in the home, and wear the same dirty clothes for several days in a row.
I understand that this may not be the case where you, the reader, live, but it is increasingly common in this country and instead of people recognizing what teachers have to deal with, they blame the lack of educated children on teachers. Enough!!!
Before you bash teachers, I suggest you spend a day in their shoes and see how hard it is!!!!!

[Sonshine]

For the most part I have nothing but the utmost respect for teachers. I don't care much for all the rules they impose on you and I don't like the fact that when there are bad teachers, if that teacher is a union member, they still stay on and still get paid. I homeschool for several reasons. One is because of my belief that when the Bible tells us we should train up our children in the way that they should go, that means every aspect of training them. Another reason I homeschool is because of my son's special needs. His developmental specialist and his pediatrician have both told me the best thing for him is to homeschool him so he can have that one on one he needs. I don't care much for some of the things that are in the public school's curriculumn, since they go against what I believe the Bible teaches. I do teach things like evolution to my son, but also teach creationism so he will have a chance when he's older to make an informed decision.

[shanzone2001]

I think homeschooling is a wonderful option. When my children were younger, we homeschooled them (my ex husband worked with them while I taught at the public school).
I didn't send my children to public school because of the influence from other children, not because the teachers were not doing a good job with instruction.

[Wags]

I come from a family of teachers - lack of parental involvement has been a problem for at least the last 30 years. Far too many parents have abdicated their God given role to teach and motivate their children and instead expect the schools to do it all.

I don't envy a teacher with 20 or more out of control, disrespectful children in a class room. Which is one of the reasons we home school as there is no way our children would get the instruction they need. Heck the school superintendent for this district home schools his kids!

[plowjockey]

I agree 100% with everything you have said, except your first sentence, pointing a finger at the students.

As you know , students are children, with brains not even fully developed. They going to do what they are going to do, based some on influences from home life, church, parents, drugs, whatever, as you have stated.

Bad Teachers, just leech the system and good Teachers are stuck between a rock and a hard place, with parents, school Politics, etc.

Bad parents are plentiful and good ones carry the Lions share of parental involvement in school.

IMO, BOTH Teachers and Students are the victims, of this big mess.

Thank you for you efforts. It takes great courage to be a good Teacher.

[seedspreader]

There's a lot that could be said about this thread... and I am sure it will be.

A couple of words of advice though... disconnect a bit from criticism or the public schools to taking it personally as criticism of teachers. Even then, when the criticism is of actual teachers... ask yourself... are they talking about me?

There are a LOT of reasons to criticize the public school. I've done both, homeschool and public schools. The kids are in public school right now because the school they go to is a good rural school with some good teachers. One of the 5th grade teachers lives 3 houses down the hill from me. She's a great teacher and a great mom.

That said, I'll be writing a letter to one of the music teachers (and copying the principal) because this young, childless teacher, is teaching the 5th and 6th grade chorus the song "Raise Your Glass" by Pink. She's substituted some milder words but it's the same song in essence. Poor judgment? Yes. Intentional? I don't know, we'll find out. I always want to talk to the teacher and get their side before I believe anything that my kids say (or any other kid) because I've worked with youth and know how they can exaggerate... but it wouldn't surprise me if they are learning it.

There are a LOT of teachers out there that don't have a lick of sense. Many of them don't have kids of their own.

The BIGGEST issue I have with "teachers" as a whole is that THEY'VE bought into the "we're martyrs for YOUR children and you better appreciate us" bit. Like anything... you choose what you want to do. You chose to be a teacher. Be the best one you can be... but remember, sometimes, even people who chose to be the best they can be... well, some of those people SHOULDN'T be teachers.

If it's too overwhelming, or too exhausting, or too demanding, it might not be for you. (not YOU shanzone2001 but "you" in general for teachers) Don't be surprised that a lot of parents get fired up over things like asking their children to sing racy lyrics... it may just be a "mistake" for you, but it's our children that are affected by it so your mistake can be a costly one.

Everyone feels under-valued. I left work Thursday feeling the same way... feeling sorry for myself because no one knew all the things that I went the extra mile to do... but later, when reality caught up with me, I realized it didn't matter. I had a job, I took pay for it, and if I don't like the job, or the pay (and I don't always) I could go elsewhere... and you know what? They would get someone else to do it.

I'm not irreplaceable to anyone except my family.

[bluemoonluck]

My mother is a retired school teacher, and my sister has been teaching for over a decade. I'm an adolescent counselor and I end up doing guest lectures at the middle/high school level from time to time.

Most teachers have to teach for several years before they earn tenure. Once they are tenured, they may not be able to fire them but they can make their lives so miserable that they will quit. For example, my Mother was a reading teacher (master's degree in reading instruction), and she was certified K-12. She had taught 1st grade for a decade before she got her master's degree and she was able to continue working in the elementary school. But if they wanted her to quit, all they would have had to do would be to move her to the high school and she'd have turned in her notice immediately. Tenure or not, union or not, if they want to get rid of you they can find a way.

IMO the biggest problem is the parents. If I hear one more parent say to me "well I know some teenagers lie, but my son always tells ME the truth!" Or "I don't understand why they suspended him. The teacher who says he started that fight was just getting back at him because he hates my son!" Then they always want exceptions to rules made just for their kid, if their kid does something wrong they go in and yell at the teacher and the principal for having the audacity to discipline their kid, etc.

Kids are no longer being taught to accept responsibility for their own actions. They have learned that their parents will swoop in and clean up their messes for them, so they have no accountability.

Teachers are stuck teaching the federal standards (no child left behind, bleh) to always-increasing classes (up to 60 kids per class in some states), trying to get kids who refuse to accept responsibility for their own actions to learn so that they can pass a year-end test that reflects back on the teacher.

And at the end of the day, parents and the general public points their finger at the teacher and demands to know why their students aren't rocket scientists....then won't listen to the explanation

I'd like to see anyone who thinks its an easy job try it. Sign up to be a substitute teacher with your local school district and spend some time as the only adult in a 1st grade class of 32 kids, or in a high school biology class of 60, and tell me what you think.

[shanzone2001]

I enjoy what I do for a living or else I wouldn't be doing it. The kids I work with need someone like me to tell them that they are special and can be successful. My role is more than simply teaching the core curriculum. Yes, it is exhausting, but I do make a difference so I stick with it.
My major frustration is that I can't get all of my students to buy into the importance of an education. It isn't for a lack of trying, that is for sure!
My job is very rewarding and I do feel like a majority of my students appreciate what I do to give them a good educational foundation. That being said, I will always be fighting the negative influences they have at home and running the streets.
My students will never receive the one-on-one attention that a homeschooled child has. They will have to deal with behavior issues disrupting a lesson and regular lock downs. It is sad, but more common than people realize.

[chickenista]

I have the utmost respect for good teachers and am still friends with one of my favorite teachers ever and think of other teachers almost daily. Good teachers are wonderful and they don't print enough money to pay good teachers.

But bad teachers are horrible! They do damage that lasts as long as the wonderful influence of good teachers. We are still repairing damage done to DS by a bad, bully teacher. After we pulled him, she replaced him with another whipping boy and we heard from other parents that she has one every year that she sticks in a corner and berates and encourages other students to berate. And no, the school won't do anything about her.

Good teachers are the most wonderful and powerful things in the world.. and bad teachers are just as powerful.

[Old Vet]

When I went to school I only had one bad teacher and that was for one half of a year. I enjoyed being taught and learned a lot. All of my teachers are now dead but I looked up to each and every one. I went to school before Dr Spock came into view and am glad. If I got into trouble at school and my parents found about it it was Kattie bar the door. I was never beat but the guilt trip they put on me was nothing to look forward to.

[tinknal]

Shan, I have nothing but the utmost respect for teachers. Unfortunately teachers are often stuck in the crab bucket. I know that I couldn't do it. I would be under arrest within a month. I will never forget my first day of first grade. My Dad followed me onto the school bus and told the driver "if this kid gives you any grief just smack him". I knew that it would be of no use to complain to the folks if I was not happy with my educational experience.

I seem to remember a story in the "Little House on the Prairie" series in which a teacher pulls out a bullwhip to subdue the rowdier elements of his class. I would not be opposed to this approach........

[Tricky Grama]

Sonshine & Hans get POTDAs.

[deaconjim]

We chose to homeschool our kids not because of bad teachers or even a bad school system, but because of the conditions under which public schools must operate, and due to our own religious beliefs.

The school system our kids were attending was one of the best in the state, and in fact our school board chairwoman was appointed chairwoman of the state school system by the Governor. Although we had some bad teachers, like all school systems, for the most part they were great teachers who really cared about their students. When we did encounter a "bad" teacher, I was always able to address the issue with either the school principle or the School Superintendent.

Public schools however, operate under conditions that limit what and how they can teach. For instance, there has been much debate about teaching creationism and other aspects of religion in public schools, and some would be surprised to know that I am opposed to public schools teaching anything other than a basic comparitive religion course. My reason is that, since public schools cannot legally hire teachers according to their religious beliefs, I wouldn't want to have my child learn religion at a public school.

Public schools must also teach according to a Bell curve. With a room full of students, the best they can do is teach the average and try to give some extra attention as they can to those on either end of that curve. By homeschooling, we are able to cater to exactly the needs of our children.

Another point would be that public schools are necessarily satisfied with the children learning 70% of the presented material. In our homeschooling, we have the flexibility to stay on a subject until the child has mastered the material. We also have the flexibility to move along faster when they are ready.

There are, of course, those who have chosen to homeschool because had to deal with bad teachers and unresponsive school administrators, and they are certainly right to do so. Naturally, such cases draw a lot of attention when the situation is discussed on a public forum such as this, but please don't take it as everyone having a beef with all teachers. My own mother was a teacher, and many other family members are as well.

[Laura Zone 5]

Originally Posted by shanzone2001

At what point will people start pointing the finger at the STUDENTS? I have been teaching for 13 years and I am really tired of the whole "public schools are bad so we homeschool" routine.
Fine, I get it that that you are exercising your right to homeschool, but please don't continually criticize teachers...many of whom bust their butts to try and educate kids who for the most part could care less about an education.

Shan......don't take it personal. If you are a good teacher, the complaints are not directed towards you.

My son's 2nd grade teacher, was amazing. I could write pages about this woman, and they would all be good.
My youngest child's 1rst grade teacher, was also an amazing educator. Again, I could go on for pages about her.

BUT the rest of them? I could go on for pages about some of the teachers, just paragraphs about others.
But none of them were you!
People are sharing their personal experiences. It's nothing 'personal'.

In the last 13 years, I have had 3 parent volunteers. I get little to no support from home and have to teach kids who stay up past midnight, are surrounded by drugs and drug dealers, have no food in the home, and wear the same dirty clothes for several days in a row.

My kids went to a suburban school Moms lined up around the block to volunteer. "Super Volunteer Mom". You knew who their kids were......they got all the special treatment.
They never experienced any of the things you mentioned here. Yet they had some pretty militant / carppy teachers. Their students (99%) were nothing like you described. So, they are in 'ideal' settings. Wonder why I had such bad experiences with them. They had it coushie compared to what you are dealing with, yet my experiences were still horrible. Wonder why?

I understand that this may not be the case where you, the reader, live, but it is increasingly common in this country and instead of people recognizing what teachers have to deal with, they blame the lack of educated children on teachers. Enough!!!
Before you bash teachers, I suggest you spend a day in their shoes and see how hard it is!!!!!

I will not 'bash teachers' with a broad sweep of a brush.
I only bash the ones that I had personal, and bad, experiences with.

Uneducated kids are the systems fault.
For years, they have been indoctrinated to believe what is put before them. They are tested and graded and judged by what they regurgetate onto the paper.
The system has taught them, there is no right or wrong, there is no God, and to 'trust your feelings'. The system constantly reminds them that it is not "their fault" they act the way that they do. It's not "their fault" their parents are the way they are. NO ONE holds anyone accountable.
So teachers blame parents.
Parents blame teachers.
Kids blame them both.
Because they are watching, and learning.........

We can moan and cry for pages about who's fault it is, or we can do something about it. Everyone can do SOMETHING about it.
I did.
I pulled all 3 of my kids out of the system, and educated them at home.
That was *my* solution.
But I did something......

I do not paint (bash) with a broad brush.
Don't take it personal......you cannot defend "teachers" on the whole. And why would you want to??? I mean, are you really defending the teachers in WI that have TRASHED the statehouse and it's lawn? They WALKED OUT on their jobs, and their precious kids.......
They have been rude, offensive, and have been caught on film shoving, and 'running into' folks trying to work in the statehouse?
Do you want to defend them, and their actions???

[poppy]

I agree with the others. Our education system is failing and the cost of operating it keeps going up. The frustration is not aimed at the average teacher. The system has become a bloated monstrosity. Why does a high school with fewer students than it had in the 60's now need a principal, vice principal, assistant vice principal, and 5 women working in the front office when it used to have a principal ( who also taught a couple classes ) and 2 women working in the front office? Before the advent of the Dept of Education this country turned out some of the brightest people in the world. Since the Dept of Education was formed in ( I think ) in 1979, can anyone show a shred of evidence that education has gotten better? Quite the opposite. The teacher unions also deserve the criticism they get.

[7thswan]

I've had good teachers and bad ones. The worst part was that none would look at what was going on in my home. I realise there was probably nothing they could do about it. It has got to be brutal to be a teacher now. Parents give a kid a party because they graduated Kindergarten? What happened to kids being expected to behave and learn,rather than praised for it.Program being advertised yesterday on tv- 8 yr old going to have a "r0ckstar party" people paying 10 thou, for a birthday. This is what's wrong, kids think they are so Special. Big whoop. not impressed with today's brats. Are they going to into some kind of shock when they find out the world isn't at their fingertips. Poor Teachers are expected to be babysitters and work miracles. But I think we also need to fire bad Teachers-Union or not.

[Tricky Grama]

Originally Posted by poppy

I agree with the others. Our education system is failing and the cost of operating it keeps going up. The frustration is not aimed at the average teacher. The system has become a bloated monstrosity. Why does a high school with fewer students than it had in the 60's now need a principal, vice principal, assistant vice principal, and 5 women working in the front office when it used to have a principal ( who also taught a couple classes ) and 2 women working in the front office? Before the advent of the Dept of Education this country turned out some of the brightest people in the world. Since the Dept of Education was formed in ( I think ) in 1979, can anyone show a shred of evidence that education has gotten better? Quite the opposite. The teacher unions also deserve the criticism they get.

[bowdonkey]

I think the worst part of being a teacher today is the expectation that you have to indoctrinate them with all the good qualities home and church should be doing. And teach on top of it all? Shazzone I don't envy you, it's only going to get worse. It's the times, not the students, or unions.

[LaManchaPaul]

Some of us teach for the joy of teaching. There are few things that equal the sensation a teacher receives when the kid's light turns on as we rejoice that, "he/she understands it!" I don't have to be in a classroom to teach nor does the student have to be a child.

Once I was whining to my teacher mentor that I'd like to take four of the 21 students and put them in an isolated location so that the others could learn and enjoy the learning process. You can imagine the scolding metted on me for even thinking such a thing? Even with all efforts to try, there are students who simply do not want to nor will try to grasp a new idea.

I take the labels of a teacher as bad or as good with a grain of salt. I've never known a teacher who is either 'good' or 'bad' with all students in a classroom or with their parents.

[Riverdale]

We like our school. It's not the district in which we live, but it is closer to our house. We need to transport, but in my estimation, that is far better then the kids spending 1 hr 15 minutes each way to go to the school that is 15 minutes tops.

My 10 y/o had a difficulty with a girl in his class. I talked to the teacher, who ackwoledged that she was a "mean girl" and would move her. She thought he would be able to ignore her.....

Of course, since we transport, we see and talk to the kids's teachers every day.