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by Mindhunt on 10 July 2011 - 21:07
SM, Good thing firefighters and police don't feel the same way about you. And if you think we are overpaid and such, then I am assuming if you have a fire, crime, or other emergency, you won't be expecting them to come running when you need help. Same is true with teachers, if you think so poorly of them, I am guessing if you had kids you home schooled them. People who think that police, firefigthers, (and teachers) are an unnecessary surplus on the system and then cry in indignation when they don't come running when needed are beyond delusional. Unfortunately I am allowing your thought process to annoy me more than it is worth. I am taking my dogs out to play.
by ggturner on 11 July 2011 - 15:07
Mindhunt, SP, and mudwick, thank you for showing support to teachers. As a teacher, I've watched this thread, but refrained from commenting until now. I have a degree in secondary education in Biology and am certified to teach any science course for 6th -12th grade. Currently, I teach at a private school and I teach a couple classes of middle school science (sex ed is in my curriculum), a couple of Physical Science classes, and a couple of Biology classes. I've been teaching for 15 years.
The pay is lower at private schools than public schools because we don't get government funding. I know a lot of teachers (public and private) and not one of them went into it for the money. We all had a passion for teaching that drove us into this career. Administrators do get paid too much. Teachers are generally not respected by students or parents. IT IS NOT A TEACHER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO RAISE OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN!! A teacher's job should not depend on test scores---it's not our fault if children come from homes where their parents don't help them learn. It's not our fault if a student was born with a low IQ. It's not our fault if a student has learning disabilities. It's not our fault if a student does not care and refuses to learn while in our class. It is our responsibility to do all that we can to help students learn, but many times, circumstances are beyond our control. Too often, parents expect miracles from a teacher, but we are only human. By the time I get a student, learning disabilitites, low IQ, behavior problems, etc. have been recognized. Too often, parents stay in denial of these things for a long time and hope that their child will somehow transform into the ideal child/student. Then, when their child does not magically transform, it's usually the teacher's fault. Whenever something goes wrong, it's usually the teachers who take the blame, not the administrators, not the system, and not the parents.
I really think that the future looks very dim for education in our country. Too many good teachers are leaving the educational system and not as many college students are entering the profession. New teacher burnout is about 5 years before they leave the profession. Lack of funding, over-crowding in the classroom, low pay, very little support for teachers, and too much red tape are also hurting education.
SM--shame on you for your comments on teacher's pay and it's their fault for choosing their career path.
The pay is lower at private schools than public schools because we don't get government funding. I know a lot of teachers (public and private) and not one of them went into it for the money. We all had a passion for teaching that drove us into this career. Administrators do get paid too much. Teachers are generally not respected by students or parents. IT IS NOT A TEACHER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO RAISE OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN!! A teacher's job should not depend on test scores---it's not our fault if children come from homes where their parents don't help them learn. It's not our fault if a student was born with a low IQ. It's not our fault if a student has learning disabilities. It's not our fault if a student does not care and refuses to learn while in our class. It is our responsibility to do all that we can to help students learn, but many times, circumstances are beyond our control. Too often, parents expect miracles from a teacher, but we are only human. By the time I get a student, learning disabilitites, low IQ, behavior problems, etc. have been recognized. Too often, parents stay in denial of these things for a long time and hope that their child will somehow transform into the ideal child/student. Then, when their child does not magically transform, it's usually the teacher's fault. Whenever something goes wrong, it's usually the teachers who take the blame, not the administrators, not the system, and not the parents.
I really think that the future looks very dim for education in our country. Too many good teachers are leaving the educational system and not as many college students are entering the profession. New teacher burnout is about 5 years before they leave the profession. Lack of funding, over-crowding in the classroom, low pay, very little support for teachers, and too much red tape are also hurting education.
SM--shame on you for your comments on teacher's pay and it's their fault for choosing their career path.
by beetree on 11 July 2011 - 23:07
I agree, administrator salaries are over priced. And in my area the job hopping is outrageous between Superintendants and their army of assistants and assisstant Deans, and then half the time the Superintendants end up being fired for one reason or another. Never fails really, they sing their praises why they are worth so much money and need to be provided with special perks, and then within three years, they move on. The next hire always seems to get more money than the last one!
PS. GG.--- Here's a clue....SM has no shame. Just looks out for her interests and to hell with the rest of the living who share the planet.
by ggturner on 11 July 2011 - 23:07
Thanks for the "head's up" bee!
by Myracle on 12 July 2011 - 05:07
I am very blessed that my son attends a public school with caring, dedicated, hardworking teachers.
They give 110% to all their students.
Having a son with an IEP, I can easily imagine teachers becoming annoyed with me and/or my son, but the entire staff at his school has been fantastic. The coordination, communication and teamwork is amazing, and it has had a tremendous impact on my son. Because he was diagnosed and began treatment late, he started 1st grade behind his peers academically.
He'll be entering 2nd grade next year, and already tests above 2nd grade proficiency in reading and mathematics.
Meanwhile, the same school fails the state and federal measures of "success" and as a result, the district has given parents the choice to send their children to another school in the district that scores better.
Of course, that other school is in a higher income area.
Hmm... is it the teachers [the same teachers who turned my son around and made a potential failure a complete success who loves learning and school]? Or is it the parents, the home environment, the external stressors that the teachers have ZERO control over?
Maybe the kids from that higher income area school have parents who are around more, involved more, DOING MORE to ensure their children get a great education?
All I know is, my son is getting a fantastic, competitive education in a so-called "bad" school. My son's terrific teachers, his IEP Staff, his Principle... would all be fired based on the recommendations of some. Yet those are the people who have been helping him succeed.
But then again, maybe the fact that I ensured that I was communicating with the school, working on his weaknesses at home, helping him study, giving him the tools to be successful... well maybe that has something to do with it to. You think?
They give 110% to all their students.
Having a son with an IEP, I can easily imagine teachers becoming annoyed with me and/or my son, but the entire staff at his school has been fantastic. The coordination, communication and teamwork is amazing, and it has had a tremendous impact on my son. Because he was diagnosed and began treatment late, he started 1st grade behind his peers academically.
He'll be entering 2nd grade next year, and already tests above 2nd grade proficiency in reading and mathematics.
Meanwhile, the same school fails the state and federal measures of "success" and as a result, the district has given parents the choice to send their children to another school in the district that scores better.
Of course, that other school is in a higher income area.
Hmm... is it the teachers [the same teachers who turned my son around and made a potential failure a complete success who loves learning and school]? Or is it the parents, the home environment, the external stressors that the teachers have ZERO control over?
Maybe the kids from that higher income area school have parents who are around more, involved more, DOING MORE to ensure their children get a great education?
All I know is, my son is getting a fantastic, competitive education in a so-called "bad" school. My son's terrific teachers, his IEP Staff, his Principle... would all be fired based on the recommendations of some. Yet those are the people who have been helping him succeed.
But then again, maybe the fact that I ensured that I was communicating with the school, working on his weaknesses at home, helping him study, giving him the tools to be successful... well maybe that has something to do with it to. You think?
by ggturner on 12 July 2011 - 12:07
Your involvement as a parent mudwick has everything to do with your son's success. It's great that he has good teachers, but nothing can substitute for a good parent(s). Stay involved; sometimes it's not always easy, but your son will continue to benefit from your involvement. Even though I teach at a private school, I think most public schools have better programs for students who need an IEP.
by SitasMom on 12 July 2011 - 14:07
beetree - if you look way back at the beginning of this conversation i mentioned that the administrators are being paid way too much...i'm glad we can agree on something.
...not only that but there are far too many non-teachers per student and its eating up the salaries of the teachers.
as for my nasty comment.....i'm sticking to it - don't like the pay, don't become a teacher, its not apt to change anytime soon - sorry for the reality check.
...not only that but there are far too many non-teachers per student and its eating up the salaries of the teachers.
as for my nasty comment.....i'm sticking to it - don't like the pay, don't become a teacher, its not apt to change anytime soon - sorry for the reality check.
by ggturner on 12 July 2011 - 16:07
"...the reason I decided not to be a teacher is because of the pay."
Reality check: there's more to life than earning money, like making a contribution to society.
Reality check: there's more to life than earning money, like making a contribution to society.
by SitasMom on 12 July 2011 - 17:07
If someone wants to "contribute to society" and feels that "there's more to life then earning money",
then money wouldn't be an issue and they wouldn't be complaining about low pay in the first place.
Your logic escapes me.
by Myracle on 12 July 2011 - 17:07
Oh, I agree, my involvement is definitely an integral part of why my son does well in school.
Via my involvement, he sees that education is a priority to our family. It isn't optional, it isn't just something to be endured- it's something to be seized and utilized to it's maximum, because it is IMPORTANT!!!
He has a positive attitude about learning, and he gets it from us. A child cannot be FORCED to learn- if they don't bring a desire and an interest in learning, well... you can lead a horse to water...
The parents are as much responsible for creating that thirst as the teachers are.
With that said- his school has staff that make it easy and pleasant to be involved. They support and listen to the parents. They work with the parents to facilitate involvement. They make sure lines of communication remain available. I care deeply about my son's education, but I don't know how many times I could be rebuffed or refused by a school before I became apathetic. I haven't had to face that with his school- they desperately want parental involvement, because they know it's a crucial piece of the education puzzle. If more parents were involved, more students would succeed.
Via my involvement, he sees that education is a priority to our family. It isn't optional, it isn't just something to be endured- it's something to be seized and utilized to it's maximum, because it is IMPORTANT!!!
He has a positive attitude about learning, and he gets it from us. A child cannot be FORCED to learn- if they don't bring a desire and an interest in learning, well... you can lead a horse to water...
The parents are as much responsible for creating that thirst as the teachers are.
With that said- his school has staff that make it easy and pleasant to be involved. They support and listen to the parents. They work with the parents to facilitate involvement. They make sure lines of communication remain available. I care deeply about my son's education, but I don't know how many times I could be rebuffed or refused by a school before I became apathetic. I haven't had to face that with his school- they desperately want parental involvement, because they know it's a crucial piece of the education puzzle. If more parents were involved, more students would succeed.
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