Why does no one acknowledge how overworked teachers are?

[Anonymous]

I think this video is an important reminder for parents and administrators

https://fb.watch/hcxdi1BUVj/?mibextid=0LFGlp

[Anonymous]

I’m a former teacher. My perspective is 1) teachers underestimate how overworked everyone else is. They think they’re uniquely working unpaid overtime when just about anyone in a salaried role is feeling the same pressure, especially if they want to be regarded as good as their job. Same as teachers. 2) A ton of this, teachers bring on themselves. Take decorating rooms. No one is making them do that. You choose to go blow $200 at Michaels and then spend a weekend taping kitschy crap to the walls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a former teacher. My perspective is 1) teachers underestimate how overworked everyone else is. They think they’re uniquely working unpaid overtime when just about anyone in a salaried role is feeling the same pressure, especially if they want to be regarded as good as their job. Same as teachers. 2) A ton of this, teachers bring on themselves. Take decorating rooms. No one is making them do that. You choose to go blow $200 at Michaels and then spend a weekend taping kitschy crap to the walls.

Agree. Plus, everyone always talks about how overworked they are!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a former teacher. My perspective is 1) teachers underestimate how overworked everyone else is. They think they’re uniquely working unpaid overtime when just about anyone in a salaried role is feeling the same pressure, especially if they want to be regarded as good as their job. Same as teachers. 2) A ton of this, teachers bring on themselves. Take decorating rooms. No one is making them do that. You choose to go blow $200 at Michaels and then spend a weekend taping kitschy crap to the walls.

Thank you for this. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone in this forum recognize this reality for other salaried workers, especially non-federal government employees. We earn low wages compared to the private sector and routinely work hours for which we are not compensated.

[Anonymous]

threads on teacher appreciation, on the same page as this thread:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1097827.page

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1097830.page

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1097625.page

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1096992.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a former teacher. My perspective is 1) teachers underestimate how overworked everyone else is. They think they’re uniquely working unpaid overtime when just about anyone in a salaried role is feeling the same pressure, especially if they want to be regarded as good as their job. Same as teachers. 2) A ton of this, teachers bring on themselves. Take decorating rooms. No one is making them do that. You choose to go blow $200 at Michaels and then spend a weekend taping kitschy crap to the walls.

Thank you for this. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone in this forum recognize this reality for other salaried workers, especially non-federal government employees. We earn low wages compared to the private sector and routinely work hours for which we are not compensated.

Right. Teachers, in my experience, tend to compare themselves to more cushy public sector jobs instead of the private sector with a similar education level. There is no pot of gold for someone with a BA (or easy masters plus BA). That said, I think the non teaching public can’t understand how exhausting instruction can be. I find the public speaking aspect so draining that in many ways my next career in biglaw was less exhausting despite being many more hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a former teacher. My perspective is 1) teachers underestimate how overworked everyone else is. They think they’re uniquely working unpaid overtime when just about anyone in a salaried role is feeling the same pressure, especially if they want to be regarded as good as their job. Same as teachers. 2) A ton of this, teachers bring on themselves. Take decorating rooms. No one is making them do that. You choose to go blow $200 at Michaels and then spend a weekend taping kitschy crap to the walls.

Thank you for this. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone in this forum recognize this reality for other salaried workers, especially non-federal government employees. We earn low wages compared to the private sector and routinely work hours for which we are not compensated.

Right. Teachers, in my experience, tend to compare themselves to more cushy public sector jobs instead of the private sector with a similar education level. There is no pot of gold for someone with a BA (or easy masters plus BA). That said, I think the non teaching public can’t understand how exhausting instruction can be. I find the public speaking aspect so draining that in many ways my next career in biglaw was less exhausting despite being many more hours.

That's a fair point, as it the issue of not being able to go to the bathroom.

As to "cushy public sector jobs" I'm not sure there are any anymore. Outside of the federal government, employees in state and local employment routinely work more than 50-60 hours per week for low pay doing important work. Ask anyone working in public health these last three years about being overworked and underpaid. Teachers seem to not understand that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a former teacher. My perspective is 1) teachers underestimate how overworked everyone else is. They think they’re uniquely working unpaid overtime when just about anyone in a salaried role is feeling the same pressure, especially if they want to be regarded as good as their job. Same as teachers. 2) A ton of this, teachers bring on themselves. Take decorating rooms. No one is making them do that. You choose to go blow $200 at Michaels and then spend a weekend taping kitschy crap to the walls.

Thank you for this. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone in this forum recognize this reality for other salaried workers, especially non-federal government employees. We earn low wages compared to the private sector and routinely work hours for which we are not compensated.

Right. Teachers, in my experience, tend to compare themselves to more cushy public sector jobs instead of the private sector with a similar education level. There is no pot of gold for someone with a BA (or easy masters plus BA). That said, I think the non teaching public can’t understand how exhausting instruction can be. I find the public speaking aspect so draining that in many ways my next career in biglaw was less exhausting despite being many more hours.

That's a fair point, as it the issue of not being able to go to the bathroom.

As to "cushy public sector jobs" I'm not sure there are any anymore. Outside of the federal government, employees in state and local employment routinely work more than 50-60 hours per week for low pay doing important work. Ask anyone working in public health these last three years about being overworked and underpaid. Teachers seem to not understand that.

Could be. The teachers I personally have known with this complaint tend to have some cousin or sister in law with some cushy government job where they do nothing and get paid the same as a classroom teacher.

[Anonymous]

I want a job where I’m overworked but am compensated for it. My friends who aren’t teachers work a lot but make over $150k per year. I make $75k. Maybe I’d make that much if I charged for my OT. The job cannot be done with one 45 minute prep period per day. Most days I get zero planning due to meetings and other BS.

[Anonymous]

I mean, if you don't like your pay, everyone -- teacher or not -- can go and try to get that other job that they think shouldn't be paid as much. This is such a weird brick to throw ("you don't deserve your pay, but I do deserve your pay").

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a former teacher. My perspective is 1) teachers underestimate how overworked everyone else is. They think they’re uniquely working unpaid overtime when just about anyone in a salaried role is feeling the same pressure, especially if they want to be regarded as good as their job. Same as teachers. 2) A ton of this, teachers bring on themselves. Take decorating rooms. No one is making them do that. You choose to go blow $200 at Michaels and then spend a weekend taping kitschy crap to the walls.

Thank you for this. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone in this forum recognize this reality for other salaried workers, especially non-federal government employees. We earn low wages compared to the private sector and routinely work hours for which we are not compensated.

Right. Teachers, in my experience, tend to compare themselves to more cushy public sector jobs instead of the private sector with a similar education level. There is no pot of gold for someone with a BA (or easy masters plus BA). That said, I think the non teaching public can’t understand how exhausting instruction can be. I find the public speaking aspect so draining that in many ways my next career in biglaw was less exhausting despite being many more hours.

That's a fair point, as it the issue of not being able to go to the bathroom.

As to "cushy public sector jobs" I'm not sure there are any anymore. Outside of the federal government, employees in state and local employment routinely work more than 50-60 hours per week for low pay doing important work. Ask anyone working in public health these last three years about being overworked and underpaid. Teachers seem to not understand that.

Skip the fed-bashing, okay? Feds jobs just like the other public sector jobs. A mixed bag -- some slacker/low requirement and many working just like those ones that you describe above. Teachers seem not to understand that they're not the only ones not respected and under pressure to do more with less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a former teacher. My perspective is 1) teachers underestimate how overworked everyone else is. They think they’re uniquely working unpaid overtime when just about anyone in a salaried role is feeling the same pressure, especially if they want to be regarded as good as their job. Same as teachers. 2) A ton of this, teachers bring on themselves. Take decorating rooms. No one is making them do that. You choose to go blow $200 at Michaels and then spend a weekend taping kitschy crap to the walls.

Thank you for this. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone in this forum recognize this reality for other salaried workers, especially non-federal government employees. We earn low wages compared to the private sector and routinely work hours for which we are not compensated.

Right. Teachers, in my experience, tend to compare themselves to more cushy public sector jobs instead of the private sector with a similar education level. There is no pot of gold for someone with a BA (or easy masters plus BA). That said, I think the non teaching public can’t understand how exhausting instruction can be. I find the public speaking aspect so draining that in many ways my next career in biglaw was less exhausting despite being many more hours.

That's a fair point, as it the issue of not being able to go to the bathroom.

As to "cushy public sector jobs" I'm not sure there are any anymore. Outside of the federal government, employees in state and local employment routinely work more than 50-60 hours per week for low pay doing important work. Ask anyone working in public health these last three years about being overworked and underpaid. Teachers seem to not understand that.

Skip the fed-bashing, okay? Feds jobs just like the other public sector jobs. A mixed bag -- some slacker/low requirement and many working just like those ones that you describe above. Teachers seem not to understand that they're not the only ones not respected and under pressure to do more with less.

Sorry, I didn't intend to bash feds at all. I just meant that federal salaries are generally higher than in other government areas. That's the primary complaint we hear from teachers - "You might be overworked, but you make so much more money so it's ok that you have to work unreasonable hours."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a former teacher. My perspective is 1) teachers underestimate how overworked everyone else is. They think they’re uniquely working unpaid overtime when just about anyone in a salaried role is feeling the same pressure, especially if they want to be regarded as good as their job. Same as teachers. 2) A ton of this, teachers bring on themselves. Take decorating rooms. No one is making them do that. You choose to go blow $200 at Michaels and then spend a weekend taping kitschy crap to the walls.

Thank you for this. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone in this forum recognize this reality for other salaried workers, especially non-federal government employees. We earn low wages compared to the private sector and routinely work hours for which we are not compensated.

Right. Teachers, in my experience, tend to compare themselves to more cushy public sector jobs instead of the private sector with a similar education level. There is no pot of gold for someone with a BA (or easy masters plus BA). That said, I think the non teaching public can’t understand how exhausting instruction can be. I find the public speaking aspect so draining that in many ways my next career in biglaw was less exhausting despite being many more hours.

That's a fair point, as it the issue of not being able to go to the bathroom.

As to "cushy public sector jobs" I'm not sure there are any anymore. Outside of the federal government, employees in state and local employment routinely work more than 50-60 hours per week for low pay doing important work. Ask anyone working in public health these last three years about being overworked and underpaid. Teachers seem to not understand that.

Skip the fed-bashing, okay? Feds jobs just like the other public sector jobs. A mixed bag -- some slacker/low requirement and many working just like those ones that you describe above. Teachers seem not to understand that they're not the only ones not respected and under pressure to do more with less.

Truly. I have teacher friends that are appalled at the lack of work and effort by some of their teacher colleagues. Every profession has those people who can somehow get by with doing very little.

I have fed friends who work 60+ hours a week and can make 2.5x more in the private sector, but that 60+ hours a weeks is a "better work-life balance."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a former teacher. My perspective is 1) teachers underestimate how overworked everyone else is. They think they’re uniquely working unpaid overtime when just about anyone in a salaried role is feeling the same pressure, especially if they want to be regarded as good as their job. Same as teachers. 2) A ton of this, teachers bring on themselves. Take decorating rooms. No one is making them do that. You choose to go blow $200 at Michaels and then spend a weekend taping kitschy crap to the walls.

I guess things vary — by a lot. I’ve consulted at schools for many years. At one school teachers were required to decorate their rooms AND be responsible for at least one hallway bulletin board. So, yes: someone “is making them do that”.

I’ll add, too, that working with kids, particularly younger children, has emotional and practical responsibilities that most jobs don’t. While everyone may be “overworked “ most people can take an occasional unscheduled bathroom break without worrying about the safety of their coworkers.

It’s wild to read the combination of denigrating belittling of teachers AND the incredible expectations that some parents place on them — right on this very forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a former teacher. My perspective is 1) teachers underestimate how overworked everyone else is. They think they’re uniquely working unpaid overtime when just about anyone in a salaried role is feeling the same pressure, especially if they want to be regarded as good as their job. Same as teachers. 2) A ton of this, teachers bring on themselves. Take decorating rooms. No one is making them do that. You choose to go blow $200 at Michaels and then spend a weekend taping kitschy crap to the walls.

Thank you for this. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone in this forum recognize this reality for other salaried workers, especially non-federal government employees. We earn low wages compared to the private sector and routinely work hours for which we are not compensated.

Right. Teachers, in my experience, tend to compare themselves to more cushy public sector jobs instead of the private sector with a similar education level. There is no pot of gold for someone with a BA (or easy masters plus BA). That said, I think the non teaching public can’t understand how exhausting instruction can be. I find the public speaking aspect so draining that in many ways my next career in biglaw was less exhausting despite being many more hours.

That's a fair point, as it the issue of not being able to go to the bathroom.

As to "cushy public sector jobs" I'm not sure there are any anymore. Outside of the federal government, employees in state and local employment routinely work more than 50-60 hours per week for low pay doing important work. Ask anyone working in public health these last three years about being overworked and underpaid. Teachers seem to not understand that.

Skip the fed-bashing, okay? Feds jobs just like the other public sector jobs. A mixed bag -- some slacker/low requirement and many working just like those ones that you describe above. Teachers seem not to understand that they're not the only ones not respected and under pressure to do more with less.

Sorry, I didn't intend to bash feds at all. I just meant that federal salaries are generally higher than in other government areas. That's the primary complaint we hear from teachers - "You might be overworked, but you make so much more money so it's ok that you have to work unreasonable hours."

A) it's not actually accurate that fed jobs are paid more. Many are paid far less than what the same person could earn in the private sector.
B) Probably there are loafers, just as there are probably loafer teachers.