Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

I don't often get involved in these threads but as a teacher for 13 years and the daughter of a retired one, I have thought a lot about why the public opinion of teachers has seemed so low as of late ...

I thought long and hard about becoming a teacher because, to be honest, as a graduate of a very expensive, very competitive university, I wasn't sure how I would tell my college friends that I decided to become a teacher since it didn't have the prestige of the jobs they were choosing. Then I thought about my mom and realized that didn't and shouldn't matter to me. It was the best decision I've ever made because it really is my calling.

That being said, as hard as I work and as much as I absolutely love what I do, the reason I think some people do have such low opinions of teachers is -- put simply -- because they once were students. And the mentality seems to be that anyone can teach because if you were once in a classroom, then you know what to do. It's so blatantly and obviously not true to any logical person, but there are a lot of illogical people, a lot of angry people, a lot of people who simply see it as babysitting and who don't understand that just having been in a classroom once doesn't mean they can understand what it means to move to the other side of the desk.

I understand the anger because of how high taxes are. What gets me there every time, though, is the fact that those shouting the loudest seem to forget that teachers pay taxes, too...

Sorry to be so long winded.

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

I worked for 5 years in the corporate world after college before deciding to become a teacher. I did it because I was very unhappy with my field. Sitting behind a computer all day wasn't for me. Teaching really is what I am meant to do. That's why I made the switch. That being said, it is wonderful to be able to pick my son up from daycare at 4 instead of at 6 or later like other moms I know. And I worked 60+ hour weeks with weekends and some crazy busy times so I knew what working late is like. But I can tell you that despite the shorter hours I do not have a cushy job now. Teaching is NOT easy. It angers me when people who have never done it think they have it all figured out. I understand that teachers are public employees and I know I will have my own expectations for my son's teachers. But the general teacher bashing and disrespect that I often hear is disgusting. It's a tough enough profession without having to feel completely unappreciated and disrespected by those on the outside. I think part of the problem is adults think teaching is what it was when they were in school. But the profession is so different today. Teachers no longer use the same plans from year to year. Even the most experienced teachers in my school are forced to learn new programs/methods. There is no sitting at your desk and giving assignments. You are expected to teach in a million different ways to reach every kid and address every issue they may have. I don't sit at my desk all day. And forget about the city schools where you are expected to get a kid who has only been in the US for a year, knows barely any English, and does no homework to get the same grades as the other kids. And you must document everything because you must be able to prove yourself. And in the end all that matters is a standardized test that you have no input in. This is not how it was years ago. And the best part is that teachers years ago got so much more respect than they do now. So sometimes I really feel like people need to get a clue before talking down about something they know nothing about.

Low Opinion of Teachers?

I wouldn't say I have a low opinions of teachers. Yeah they get a lot of extras. Sure I am jealous of some of their perks, but I wouldn't wanna do their job. Dealing with nightmare parents, being tormented and abused by unruly students, grading papers and doing stuff for work at home when ya wanna watch tv, and the summer ain't all that long to have off. I think it's takes a lot of character and dignity to be a teacher and I respect that. Of course as with any Profession there are jerks as well, but I think it's a very rough job to be in these days...

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

I went to one of the top public schools on Long Island, and we had an excellent program. I had 12 college credits from Syracuse University before I even graduated HS.

Although, there were a great majority of parents who felt their special little snowflake was "entitled" to everything, for the most part, parents were INVOLVED.

I don't know how teachers do it these days. They need to be babysitters and educators. Look, I'm disabled... I was picked on TONS. The type of torment kids go through these days? I'm just floored by what kids do to other kids. It's teachers that have to handle and mitigate that... ALL WHILE TEACHING YOUR KID SOMETHING.

I was mainstreamed as a child into the public school, and I'm a big proponent of continued inclusion. However, in this day and age, some students are mainstreamed that shouldn't be, and it takes away the teacher's focus from the rest of the class. I believe that's a detriment to the public school system.

It's rough being a teacher in this day and age. Kids (and most times parents, too) have less and less respect for authority. It's not easy. Even with summers off, reduced hours, and all those vacations. I wouldn't have the patience for 100s of screaming, disrespectful children along with the bureaucracy of the school system and I commend those who do.

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

I come from a family, and extended family, of teachers. Obviously they do not have negative opinions. I teach in a top-tier district on Long Island and at work, I am NEVER made to feel inferior about my job. Most of my students' parents are doctors, lawyers, financiers, entrepreneurs, etc. They respect me and my professional opinion every day, never complaining about the very HIGH taxes that they pay. I think they feel the taxes are justified because they see the care, attention and education that their children receive. My friends also have high opinions of teachers (or at least they do to my face ). The negative opinion of teachers I see is in the media and on past threads of LIF. Let's see about this one.

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

I think some of it also is when teachers state, "You don't know how much work I have to bring HOME," or, "I work well into the evening grading papers etc." When in reality, 90% of your private sector counterparts do those same things every week year round. And most of them get paid less with the same amount of education as you.

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

Low Opinion of Teachers?

Every job has people that disrespect it...lawyers, janitors, retail managers, chiropractors, etc. That's life. Why do we all need to be patted on the back? Almost every profession has its perks and hardships.

We all chose our profession. Those in the public sector typically know their salary/benefits going in, and still chose that path. If you don't like it, do something else! I have nothing agaist teachers, but it seems that is the profession that most often has these issues.

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

Message edited 8/4/2012 11:05:29 AM.

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

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Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

Message edited 8/4/2012 12:39:14 PM.

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

Watched American Teacher docu a few months back.

These people make pennies. There are no unions. No breaks. They eat lunch with students.

It compared how we treat teachers vs. worldwide.

Asian countries treat them like doctors.

The teachers I know tend to be on anti depressents and like their wine at night.
Not a sweeping generalizaton, but the ones that I am friends with or neighbors of seemed really overwhelmed at night.

Parent participation is low. There are no funds. Kids are texting while someone is trying to teach them.

I don't think low of teachers. I think a lot of parents do not want to be with their own kids 8 hours a day...these teachers are with yours and 20 of your neighbors kids...plus at night their own.

i cannot imagine the task of teaching 23 kindergarteners to read write
add
make friends
keep them safe

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

haha....average salary outside NY is 30k.

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

In general, I don't have a low opinion of teachers. I have some issues with the way employment of teachers is handled on LI. For one - tenure. There is no other profession I can think of where your job is guaranteed simply because you've been there a certain number of years. I was at my job over 22 years and was let go because of a reorganization. I've seen tenured teachers (young and old) who dial it in because they know they won't get fired. Also, for those who complain about having to obtain additional college credits and degrees - teaching is also the only profession that I know of that actually gives you a raise and/or bonus when you complete credits (my friend's wife was a teacher who told me this - not sure if it's the same in all districts). Many in the private sector need to obtain college credits or a designation in their field and they get paid bupkus as a reward. They do it to stay competitive in their field and it should be no different with teaching. Also, getting paid extra to be a club moderator or class moderator or bus monitor or whatever? Total bull. Most everyone in the corporate world has to do extras (work on a committee, go to after hours seminars, etc) that is not in their job description and they get paid no extra - it is just expected as part of the job. I think it should be the same with teachers - part of the job.

All that being said - I do not begrudge teachers for these benefits. I could have been a teacher and chose not to be. But as a taxpayer, I do not agree with all these, especially when I hear LI teachers, who are probably the highest paid in the nation, complaining. I don't feel that we are getting our money's worth most of the time (partially because I don't always agree with how the budget is being spent). We do have some good teachers and we have some bad ones - some who work very hard and some who don't. I know it's the unions that worked out all these benefits for them, but I don't agree with them.

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

Lets be real. The cost of living outside of NY is much less.

We can not take extra jobs during the school day and get paid for it. Its double dipping. The 3 mornings I volunteered to give up my before school time to run an intramural program and the one lunch per week I spent mentoring a student were all because I wanted to. Unpaid.

Its just sad. We know the grass is often greener on the other side. I know I have a wonderful job and thats why I chose it. It just stinks that people often throw out false facts and others run with it.

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

Message edited 8/4/2012 2:19:19 PM.

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?

I had a parent call me 8:30 pm on my cellphone and she started the conversation by saying, " I just wanted to ask you a quick question, I know how you teachers don't like to work once school is done."

Re: Low Opinion of Teachers?