"I Don't Want to be a Teacher Any More"

[Haven]

We had such a great discussion in this thread:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/are-you-sick-of-highly-paid-teachers.157036/

So, I thought it would be interesting to share this article with everyone, too:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/02/26/950079/-I-Dont-Want-to-be-a-Teacher-Any-More

The gist:
A teacher of 34 years reflects on the changes in the school system that have led her to think a previously unthinkable thought: I don't want to be a teacher anymore. She considers the events that may have led to this shocking result, and reflects on how a changing system has dramatically altered the way we teach, and what our children learn.

 

[Miss Sparkly]

That is heartbreaking and exactly what I was seeing when I was in school (not so long ago). Because of the no child left behind act my school, after I had taken the classes, cut world history to include another year of American history Teaching to test scores is ridiculous and only creates incapable drones of students. This article articulated far better than I ever could why it is more important to filter money properly through the school system into class sizes, extra programs, etc than give the teachers raises. Paying a teacher more will not reduce class sizes, will not strengthen a students confidence and sense of self (like music and sports programs) and will not improve test scores. I firmly believe that it's not how much you are paid, it's how much you love what you do that's important. I would love to see teachers regain their enthusiasm, I just don't know how to make that possible

 

[MichelleCarmen]

These threads confuse me a bit. I am reading the frustrations of teachers but kind of feel like this is an inside-the-teaching discussion only. As a parent, I would want my kids' teachers talking to me about their opinions and being open to resolving problems. One of my older son's teachers is extremely admired/loved in the school and everyone hopes their child(ren) get her. I found that she was very straight forward with advice. She also was the one who made sure students were split into groups that focused on them working with other students who were at similar reading levels. Nobody was "left behind," because of that. Actually all the teachers do that. Luckily we have many parent volunteers to help out.

I just wanted to mention those two things. I find it a bit disturbing that only the teachers/educators are really accepted in participating in these threads. Am I on the bad team b/c I'm a parent? It kind of bugs me.

 

[Haven]

MC--I'm not sure what you're talking about. What gave you the impression that only teachers are invited to comment on these threads? I know I certainly never said such a thing.

(ETA And when you say you want your child's teacher to be open with you about her opinions--what opinions do you mean, exactly? About the problems with education? Or opinions about your child's progress and needs?

Parents are the key to a child's education, in my opinion.

SparklyBlonde--I'm sorry to hear about your experience, and it's a perfect example of how the system is flawed. I absolutely agree that we need more funding in education to reduce class sizes and keep enrichment programs in the schools. As for teacher pay, I don't think that just because we need funding for some areas (such as lower class size and enrichment programs) that negates the need for funding in other areas (such as teacher pay). I know we already exhausted the discussion of teacher pay in the other thread, though, so I won't bore anyone in this one.

(By the way, cutting world history is crazy. That's a basic grad requirement in my state!)

 

[MichelleCarmen]

MC--I'm not sure what you're talking about. What gave you the impression that only teachers are invited to comment on these threads? I know I certainly never said such a thing.
quote]

It was the thread about the teacher who blogged negative comments about her students. I had made a small response about how I'd be pissed if a teacher talked crap about my kids. Yeah, I phrased it in a rather blunt sort of way and had hoped that someone (aka an educator) would respond. Later, I noticed another member posted similar sentiment and nobody responded to her comment (that I recall) at any point. I feel like, unless someone responded supporting that woman, a parental view doesn't count (especially if someone doesn't believe 100% in free speech - people use 'freedom' to say whatever they please w/out thinking of the consequences).

It's not that anyone said anything, it's more like what wasn't said. Maybe I'm just being overly sensitive b/c I'm not a super-educated person who's aware of all the behind-the-scenes details of the educational system nor have a master's degree to back my simple comments and sometimes my grammer is off.

 

[Puppmom]

As a parent, one of the things in particular that disturbs me is the teaching to the standardized tests. We live in a highly rated school district (based on test scores) and, ever since No Child Left Behind, they've been scrambling to find ways to INCREASE our already stellar test scores. As a result, for several weeks prior to the tests, the normal curriculum is tossed and the children are taught standardized test specific things. In addition, they make such a BIG DEAL out of the tests - I'm talking pep rallies and motivational speakers. DD gets so stressed out! Then, when all is said and done, they just mail you the test results 6-12 months after the fact. No one contacts you if your child performs poorly or just out of line for what's expected of them - nothing.

...gosh, I wish there was a Save as Draft function. DS is up from his nap so I have to run!

 

[Haven]

MC--It sounds like you feel you have no voice in these threads because people don't respond directly to your comments. Is that what you're saying? I know that I often post things that don't get a response, but I take that to mean that people either agree with what I said, or they don't disagree enough to quote it and make any sort of reply. I DON'T think you should take that experience to mean that people don't care to read what you write just because you are a parent.

I don't think anyone's formal educational background or career makes their ideas more or less important. Others' may disagree, but in my eyes you are important and your opinions are important. I like reading what you have to say, and I think the fact that you are a parent is a good thing--you have a perspective on the education system that I don't have, and that is interesting to me.

puppmom--Yikes--pep rallies and motivational speakers about standardized exams. Sounds like the premise of a parody about the state of education today! I'm sad to hear that's going on in your district, but not surprised. I attended a similar high school--highly ranked due to test scores and their AP program, and desperate to maintain that rank. I am a ridiculously good test taker as a result, a skill that is completely useless to me as an adult.

 

[VapidLapid]

I am not a teacher though I did teach at university for a year about a decade ago. However, for many years I was a student. School by school or classroom by classroom we need to RAISE OUR STANDARDS. Every generation faces a mare challenging technologically mediated world. Our education has to grow with every graduating class just to keep up, let alone compete. I suppose some interests prefer a less educated population since the votes of fools and philosophers are weighted the same. Those who are supported by fools are likely to dominate. The fools will be pandered to and lied to as they will be most susceptible to these tactics. True freedom comes from the application of knowledge and intelligence and has to be earned every day.

 

[ksinger]

MC--I'm not sure what you're talking about. What gave you the impression that only teachers are invited to comment on these threads? I know I certainly never said such a thing.
quote]

It was the thread about the teacher who blogged negative comments about her students. I had made a small response about how I'd be pissed if a teacher talked crap about my kids. Yeah, I phrased it in a rather blunt sort of way and had hoped that someone (aka an educator) would respond. Later, I noticed another member posted similar sentiment and nobody responded to her comment (that I recall) at any point. I feel like, unless someone responded supporting that woman, a parental view doesn't count (especially if someone doesn't believe 100% in free speech - people use 'freedom' to say whatever they please w/out thinking of the consequences).

It's not that anyone said anything, it's more like what wasn't said. Maybe I'm just being overly sensitive b/c I'm not a super-educated person who's aware of all the behind-the-scenes details of the educational system nor have a master's degree to back my simple comments and sometimes my grammer is off.

MC, I really don't know what thread you were reading. The one I read was a least half and probably MORE against the blogging teacher, even granting that there were 2 discussions going on at the same time in there - one having to do with the frustrations of teachers, and the other discussing the appropriateness/legality of the teacher saying the things she said where they could be "heard" so to speak.

Please don't try to make these threads out to be some sort of conspiring gang-up. They are not. Sometimes people agree, sometimes not. Sometimes you're with the majority in a thread, sometimes you're not. And if people don't respond to your posts, it is pointless the get your knickers in a twist about it or make it self-referent. LIFE is happening outside these threads. My father passed away last week for example. I can only imagine all sorts of other dramas large and small are going on with others.

In any case, parents have far FAR more power than the teachers. (It also helps to remember that the majority of teachers are parents too, so they can and do change hats) The woman lost her job did she not? What more do you want as a parent who is pissed at the whole thing? How much more must the parental view "count" than that?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

MC--It sounds like you feel you have no voice in these threads because people don't respond directly to your comments. Is that what you're saying? I know that I often post things that don't get a response, but I take that to mean that people either agree with what I said, or they don't disagree enough to quote it and make any sort of reply. I DON'T think you should take that experience to mean that people don't care to read what you write just because you are a parent.

I don't think anyone's formal educational background or career makes their ideas more or less important. Others' may disagree, but in my eyes you are important and your opinions are important. I like reading what you have to say, and I think the fact that you are a parent is a good thing--you have a perspective on the education system that I don't have, and that is interesting to me.

puppmom--Yikes--pep rallies and motivational speakers about standardized exams. Sounds like the premise of a parody about the state of education today! I'm sad to hear that's going on in your district, but not surprised. I attended a similar high school--highly ranked due to test scores and their AP program, and desperate to maintain that rank. I am a ridiculously good test taker as a result, a skill that is completely useless to me as an adult.

Okay, thanks Haven! (eta - yep, I feel like b/c nobody response, my posts aren't making an impact in the threads...guess I am just over analyzing the entire thing.)

 

[MichelleCarmen]

MC--I'm not sure what you're talking about. What gave you the impression that only teachers are invited to comment on these threads? I know I certainly never said such a thing.
quote]

It was the thread about the teacher who blogged negative comments about her students. I had made a small response about how I'd be pissed if a teacher talked crap about my kids. Yeah, I phrased it in a rather blunt sort of way and had hoped that someone (aka an educator) would respond. Later, I noticed another member posted similar sentiment and nobody responded to her comment (that I recall) at any point. I feel like, unless someone responded supporting that woman, a parental view doesn't count (especially if someone doesn't believe 100% in free speech - people use 'freedom' to say whatever they please w/out thinking of the consequences).

It's not that anyone said anything, it's more like what wasn't said. Maybe I'm just being overly sensitive b/c I'm not a super-educated person who's aware of all the behind-the-scenes details of the educational system nor have a master's degree to back my simple comments and sometimes my grammer is off.

MC, I really don't know what thread you were reading. The one I read was a least half and probably MORE against the blogging teacher, even granting that there were 2 discussions going on at the same time in there - one having to do with the frustrations of teachers, and the other discussing the appropriateness/legality of the teacher saying the things she said where they could be "heard" so to speak.

Please don't try to make these threads out to be some sort of conspiring gang-up. They are not. Sometimes people agree, sometimes not. Sometimes you're with the majority in a thread, sometimes you're not. And if people don't respond to your posts, it is pointless the get your knickers in a twist about it or make it self-referent. LIFE is happening outside these threads. My father passed away last week for example. I can only imagine all sorts of other dramas large and small are going on with others.

In any case, parents have far FAR more power than the teachers. (It also helps to remember that the majority of teachers are parents too, so they can and do change hats) The woman lost her job did she not? What more do you want as a parent who is pissed at the whole thing? How much more must the parental view "count" than that?

Thanks for your response, Ksinger... Sorry about your father.

 

[swimmer]

Oh Karen, hugs to you and your family.

Haven, I read this article this morning and really got me thinking.

 

[Haven]

Ksinger--I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[ksinger]

Thanks you guys, you're all very kind. Although, I really wasn't posting that for sympathy, just to make a point that you never know the real reasons that people may not reply to things. They may not see it, be really tired, out of time at that moment, or life may be throwing them a curve. You never know. It's good not to read too much in, you know?

 

[katamari]

KSinger, so sorry to read about your loss.

--

IMO, and I believe this really is the teacher's point, too, teachers don't need more money but more autonomy. They need to be trusted to do their jobs how they best see fit, a reward afforded to most other professionals.

 

[movie zombie]

sorry about your loss, Ksinger.

MoZo