Why does no one acknowledge how overworked teachers are?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it that the most mediocre teachers always whine the loudest that they aren't appreeeeeeeeeciated? I mean, you spend all year ignoring 90% of the class to cater to your favorites, and then cry when parents complain to the principal about what an ineffective idiot you are. Go work at Target.

I don't know any teachers like this. We cannot ignore anyone in our class. We have data meetings every single week with our admin. Each student has to make at least one year's growth no matter where they started. If they aren't on track for this a few weeks in a row, we have to have MORE meetings about them. We work our tails off. If there are teachers slacking like this, blame their admin for not doing their jobs.

Are you a new teacher? I’ve taught for twenty years in various types of schools throughout the country. I’ve had lots of mediocre teachers as colleagues and some awful ones. They do ignore some students. This is not uncommon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it that the most mediocre teachers always whine the loudest that they aren't appreeeeeeeeeciated? I mean, you spend all year ignoring 90% of the class to cater to your favorites, and then cry when parents complain to the principal about what an ineffective idiot you are. Go work at Target.

I don't know any teachers like this. We cannot ignore anyone in our class. We have data meetings every single week with our admin. Each student has to make at least one year's growth no matter where they started. If they aren't on track for this a few weeks in a row, we have to have MORE meetings about them. We work our tails off. If there are teachers slacking like this, blame their admin for not doing their jobs.

Are you a new teacher? I’ve taught for twenty years in various types of schools throughout the country. I’ve had lots of mediocre teachers as colleagues and some awful ones. They do ignore some students. This is not uncommon.

I’m a teacher with similar experience. Unfortunately, I agree with you. I’ve worked with some dreadful teachers, and that makes me angry.

Unfortunately, i think it’s going to get worse. Good teachers are quitting because doing this job WELL takes too much long-term sacrifice. Doing it poorly isn’t hard at all. So good teachers burn out, and bad teachers collect easy paychecks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is it that the most mediocre teachers always whine the loudest that they aren't appreeeeeeeeeciated? I mean, you spend all year ignoring 90% of the class to cater to your favorites, and then cry when parents complain to the principal about what an ineffective idiot you are. Go work at Target.

+ 1000
I am a complete convert to this point of view, after my middle and hs kids have suffered through multiple horrible teachers. Just stop with the teacher appreciation gifts. I’ll happy give a gift or warm card to a standout educator, but not a monetary gift to lousy teachers who ignore my kids, input grades late and fail to return grades work or give any feedback that can help kids improve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it that the most mediocre teachers always whine the loudest that they aren't appreeeeeeeeeciated? I mean, you spend all year ignoring 90% of the class to cater to your favorites, and then cry when parents complain to the principal about what an ineffective idiot you are. Go work at Target.

I don't know any teachers like this. We cannot ignore anyone in our class. We have data meetings every single week with our admin. Each student has to make at least one year's growth no matter where they started. If they aren't on track for this a few weeks in a row, we have to have MORE meetings about them. We work our tails off. If there are teachers slacking like this, blame their admin for not doing their jobs.

Are you a new teacher? I’ve taught for twenty years in various types of schools throughout the country. I’ve had lots of mediocre teachers as colleagues and some awful ones. They do ignore some students. This is not uncommon.

No. I just finished my 12th year. Maybe you have lazy admin but ours are always in our meetings and asking about individual students who are struggling. This job drives away anyone who isn't suited for it. I've seen them leave within their first few years. The ones who are left are tough cookies and they mean business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it that the most mediocre teachers always whine the loudest that they aren't appreeeeeeeeeciated? I mean, you spend all year ignoring 90% of the class to cater to your favorites, and then cry when parents complain to the principal about what an ineffective idiot you are. Go work at Target.

+ 1000
I am a complete convert to this point of view, after my middle and hs kids have suffered through multiple horrible teachers. Just stop with the teacher appreciation gifts. I’ll happy give a gift or warm card to a standout educator, but not a monetary gift to lousy teachers who ignore my kids, input grades late and fail to return grades work or give any feedback that can help kids improve.

The attitude of some parents is just atrocious. Look in the mirror, folks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it that the most mediocre teachers always whine the loudest that they aren't appreeeeeeeeeciated? I mean, you spend all year ignoring 90% of the class to cater to your favorites, and then cry when parents complain to the principal about what an ineffective idiot you are. Go work at Target.

I don't know any teachers like this. We cannot ignore anyone in our class. We have data meetings every single week with our admin. Each student has to make at least one year's growth no matter where they started. If they aren't on track for this a few weeks in a row, we have to have MORE meetings about them. We work our tails off. If there are teachers slacking like this, blame their admin for not doing their jobs.

Our school district makes no such demands that students must make a year's worth of growth, so a teacher can safely ignore all the kids who are ahead the entire year and significantly lighten their workload. If a principal tried to break with the district and insist that every student make a year's worth of progress regardless of where they started, the teacher's union would get involved and shut it down. It sounds like you work for a district that cares about its students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it that the most mediocre teachers always whine the loudest that they aren't appreeeeeeeeeciated? I mean, you spend all year ignoring 90% of the class to cater to your favorites, and then cry when parents complain to the principal about what an ineffective idiot you are. Go work at Target.

I don't know any teachers like this. We cannot ignore anyone in our class. We have data meetings every single week with our admin. Each student has to make at least one year's growth no matter where they started. If they aren't on track for this a few weeks in a row, we have to have MORE meetings about them. We work our tails off. If there are teachers slacking like this, blame their admin for not doing their jobs.

Are you a new teacher? I’ve taught for twenty years in various types of schools throughout the country. I’ve had lots of mediocre teachers as colleagues and some awful ones. They do ignore some students. This is not uncommon.

No. I just finished my 12th year. Maybe you have lazy admin but ours are always in our meetings and asking about individual students who are struggling. This job drives away anyone who isn't suited for it. I've seen them leave within their first few years. The ones who are left are tough cookies and they mean business.

That is a huge part of the problem. All the focus is on slow learners. There is no desire on the part of admin or teachers to appropriately stimulate kids who are in the middle of the pack and making moderate progress toward end-of-year goals, and a downright hostile attitude to kids who are ahead. It's all high needs all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it that the most mediocre teachers always whine the loudest that they aren't appreeeeeeeeeciated? I mean, you spend all year ignoring 90% of the class to cater to your favorites, and then cry when parents complain to the principal about what an ineffective idiot you are. Go work at Target.

I don't know any teachers like this. We cannot ignore anyone in our class. We have data meetings every single week with our admin. Each student has to make at least one year's growth no matter where they started. If they aren't on track for this a few weeks in a row, we have to have MORE meetings about them. We work our tails off. If there are teachers slacking like this, blame their admin for not doing their jobs.

Are you a new teacher? I’ve taught for twenty years in various types of schools throughout the country. I’ve had lots of mediocre teachers as colleagues and some awful ones. They do ignore some students. This is not uncommon.

No. I just finished my 12th year. Maybe you have lazy admin but ours are always in our meetings and asking about individual students who are struggling. This job drives away anyone who isn't suited for it. I've seen them leave within their first few years. The ones who are left are tough cookies and they mean business.

That is a huge part of the problem. All the focus is on slow learners. There is no desire on the part of admin or teachers to appropriately stimulate kids who are in the middle of the pack and making moderate progress toward end-of-year goals, and a downright hostile attitude to kids who are ahead. It's all high needs all the time.

Our at and above level readers are also expected to make the end of the year benchmark and the target is always moving so we can’t ignore them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it that the most mediocre teachers always whine the loudest that they aren't appreeeeeeeeeciated? I mean, you spend all year ignoring 90% of the class to cater to your favorites, and then cry when parents complain to the principal about what an ineffective idiot you are. Go work at Target.

I don't know any teachers like this. We cannot ignore anyone in our class. We have data meetings every single week with our admin. Each student has to make at least one year's growth no matter where they started. If they aren't on track for this a few weeks in a row, we have to have MORE meetings about them. We work our tails off. If there are teachers slacking like this, blame their admin for not doing their jobs.

Are you a new teacher? I’ve taught for twenty years in various types of schools throughout the country. I’ve had lots of mediocre teachers as colleagues and some awful ones. They do ignore some students. This is not uncommon.

No. I just finished my 12th year. Maybe you have lazy admin but ours are always in our meetings and asking about individual students who are struggling. This job drives away anyone who isn't suited for it. I've seen them leave within their first few years. The ones who are left are tough cookies and they mean business.

That is a huge part of the problem. All the focus is on slow learners. There is no desire on the part of admin or teachers to appropriately stimulate kids who are in the middle of the pack and making moderate progress toward end-of-year goals, and a downright hostile attitude to kids who are ahead. It's all high needs all the time.

Our at and above level readers are also expected to make the end of the year benchmark and the target is always moving so we can’t ignore them.

It seems that whether or not parents think teachers are overworked -- relative to other professions and relative to the parents themselves who also have to work -- depends on what administrators require of teachers. I guess some teachers work in districts where they have to teach everyone and some work in districts where they can do far less and still get paid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it that the most mediocre teachers always whine the loudest that they aren't appreeeeeeeeeciated? I mean, you spend all year ignoring 90% of the class to cater to your favorites, and then cry when parents complain to the principal about what an ineffective idiot you are. Go work at Target.

I don't know any teachers like this. We cannot ignore anyone in our class. We have data meetings every single week with our admin. Each student has to make at least one year's growth no matter where they started. If they aren't on track for this a few weeks in a row, we have to have MORE meetings about them. We work our tails off. If there are teachers slacking like this, blame their admin for not doing their jobs.

Are you a new teacher? I’ve taught for twenty years in various types of schools throughout the country. I’ve had lots of mediocre teachers as colleagues and some awful ones. They do ignore some students. This is not uncommon.

No. I just finished my 12th year. Maybe you have lazy admin but ours are always in our meetings and asking about individual students who are struggling. This job drives away anyone who isn't suited for it. I've seen them leave within their first few years. The ones who are left are tough cookies and they mean business.

That is a huge part of the problem. All the focus is on slow learners. There is no desire on the part of admin or teachers to appropriately stimulate kids who are in the middle of the pack and making moderate progress toward end-of-year goals, and a downright hostile attitude to kids who are ahead. It's all high needs all the time.

Our at and above level readers are also expected to make the end of the year benchmark and the target is always moving so we can’t ignore them.

It seems that whether or not parents think teachers are overworked -- relative to other professions and relative to the parents themselves who also have to work -- depends on what administrators require of teachers. I guess some teachers work in districts where they have to teach everyone and some work in districts where they can do far less and still get paid.

I disagree. It’s whether a teacher cares to meet every requirement of the job (properly assessing students, offering additional support for students falling behind, creating opportunities for students who need additional challenge, keeping on top of paperwork, etc…). Doing this job PROPERLY takes WAY more than the 40 hours we are paid for and it is mentally/physically/emotionally draining.

But we are so desperate for teachers that poor performers aren’t going to get fired. So the teachers who lazily deliver one-size-fits-all lessons and canned multiple choice assessments (that don’t actually show learning) can work their easy 40 hours. I know a teacher who can’t tell you students’ names at the end of the year.

And we get the same pay and the same (lack of) respect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it that the most mediocre teachers always whine the loudest that they aren't appreeeeeeeeeciated? I mean, you spend all year ignoring 90% of the class to cater to your favorites, and then cry when parents complain to the principal about what an ineffective idiot you are. Go work at Target.

I don't know any teachers like this. We cannot ignore anyone in our class. We have data meetings every single week with our admin. Each student has to make at least one year's growth no matter where they started. If they aren't on track for this a few weeks in a row, we have to have MORE meetings about them. We work our tails off. If there are teachers slacking like this, blame their admin for not doing their jobs.

Are you a new teacher? I’ve taught for twenty years in various types of schools throughout the country. I’ve had lots of mediocre teachers as colleagues and some awful ones. They do ignore some students. This is not uncommon.

No. I just finished my 12th year. Maybe you have lazy admin but ours are always in our meetings and asking about individual students who are struggling. This job drives away anyone who isn't suited for it. I've seen them leave within their first few years. The ones who are left are tough cookies and they mean business.

That is a huge part of the problem. All the focus is on slow learners. There is no desire on the part of admin or teachers to appropriately stimulate kids who are in the middle of the pack and making moderate progress toward end-of-year goals, and a downright hostile attitude to kids who are ahead. It's all high needs all the time.

Our at and above level readers are also expected to make the end of the year benchmark and the target is always moving so we can’t ignore them.

It seems that whether or not parents think teachers are overworked -- relative to other professions and relative to the parents themselves who also have to work -- depends on what administrators require of teachers. I guess some teachers work in districts where they have to teach everyone and some work in districts where they can do far less and still get paid.

Also… according to this statement, an “overworked” teacher is one who meets the requirements of admin.

Doesn’t that statement show we ask too much of teachers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it that the most mediocre teachers always whine the loudest that they aren't appreeeeeeeeeciated? I mean, you spend all year ignoring 90% of the class to cater to your favorites, and then cry when parents complain to the principal about what an ineffective idiot you are. Go work at Target.

I don't know any teachers like this. We cannot ignore anyone in our class. We have data meetings every single week with our admin. Each student has to make at least one year's growth no matter where they started. If they aren't on track for this a few weeks in a row, we have to have MORE meetings about them. We work our tails off. If there are teachers slacking like this, blame their admin for not doing their jobs.

Are you a new teacher? I’ve taught for twenty years in various types of schools throughout the country. I’ve had lots of mediocre teachers as colleagues and some awful ones. They do ignore some students. This is not uncommon.

No. I just finished my 12th year. Maybe you have lazy admin but ours are always in our meetings and asking about individual students who are struggling. This job drives away anyone who isn't suited for it. I've seen them leave within their first few years. The ones who are left are tough cookies and they mean business.

That is a huge part of the problem. All the focus is on slow learners. There is no desire on the part of admin or teachers to appropriately stimulate kids who are in the middle of the pack and making moderate progress toward end-of-year goals, and a downright hostile attitude to kids who are ahead. It's all high needs all the time.

Our at and above level readers are also expected to make the end of the year benchmark and the target is always moving so we can’t ignore them.

It seems that whether or not parents think teachers are overworked -- relative to other professions and relative to the parents themselves who also have to work -- depends on what administrators require of teachers. I guess some teachers work in districts where they have to teach everyone and some work in districts where they can do far less and still get paid.

Also… according to this statement, an “overworked” teacher is one who meets the requirements of admin.

Doesn’t that statement show we ask too much of teachers?

Yes, when class sizes are too high. If classes could be capped at 20 students, I think it is very reasonable to expect teachers to teach every student, and not just the ones who are deemed by administrators to be "high need."