Really interesting op-ed in The Times this weekend...

When Teachers Talk Outside of School

I have to say... I agree with a lot of what he says. If teachers exercise their freedom of speech this irresponsibly, then I can understand where the bad rep would come from. I do think we should be allowed to vent; I do NOT think it should be done online the way it is. To me, that's like that stupid ratemyteachers website... where you get discussed and have no recourse. And the kids didn't ask to be in the classroom; we're the ones who chose this job.

Re: Really interesting op-ed in The Times this weekend...

I actually posted a comment in the comments section over there (first time ever -- kind of feels like I got published by the Times. ) I'll just repost that here, basically what I thought when I first read it:

Teaching can be a frustrating profession when it's constantly under attack and scrutiny. But that's not the students' fault. Anyone who chose this profession should have known, going in, that working with kids has its ups and dowsn. If the students are misbehaving, then yes, it's an added source of frustration, but it's also an indication of their upbringing; it's something that teachers, as adults, need to keep in mind.

I've been teaching for over 11 years now. I can honestly say I love my job and that I can't imagine ever complaining about the kids on a public forum. Off the internet? Sure. But it seems obvious to me, at least, that if we, as teachers, hate being demonized so much these days, that we shouldn't be doing the same to others. The kids are not the ones leading the attack on teachers; they should be the reason we chose this job. They were, for me. And to criticize them publicly in a forum where they cannot defend themselves... well, that sounds an awful lot like what teachers are going through right now. And it makes us hypocrites.

We should be allowed to complain all we want. We do have freedom of speech. That doesn't give us the freedom to be irresponsible and cruel about it and then expect to keep our jobs. There are standards, and we should want that. We should also realize that these standards are not unreasonable, and it doesn't take all that much effort to maintain them -- just common sense.

Re: Really interesting op-ed in The Times this weekend...

I agree with you...we are all under immense pressure and scrutiny all of a sudden and it is unfair a lot of the time but I always say we will not gain any more respect if we do not behave as the professionals we want to be treated as. Going on Facebook, etc, and demeaning anyone is not going to gain that respect...save the venting for people you trust!

Re: Really interesting op-ed in The Times this weekend...

I used to go to lunch with a teacher who would vent about the students at the local pizzeria. I would constantly have to tell her to shut up b/c we don't know who the other people around us are. I can't imagine doing it online!

it's all about professionalism.