Why do most teachers seem to hate teaching?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's the parents. not the kids that they don't like.

Well they are free to change jobs, like anyone else.

And you're free not to read their rants

I’m also free to think they are lazy.

Well teachers are human beings too and, like every other profession, a few will be lazy. That goes for lawyers, bus drivers, line cooks, and cops.

True, but are those people on Fb loudly praying that an entire county full of parents will need last minute childcare the next day? Yes, I know school is not daycare and it’s my responsibility, but it’s just really grating to me. I don’t think they realize how they sound to other working parents.

I understand that. I never gloat or say anything about it on social media or to non-teacher friends. Honestly, covering snow days and breaks is one of the top 3 reasons I still work in the school system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't you be happy to get a free day off?
Many people stick with teaching because they love children and learning. It is a calling for some, that doesn't mean that there aren't significant frustrations. Others stick with it because they trained for it, are in debt, or can't find a "better" job.

OP here. I live in Loudoun which gives a ton of pointless snow days, in addition to legitimate ones. It’s fine to secretly celebrate a day off. I think it’s tone deaf to continuously and repeatedly gloat about something that is quite inconvenient to almost anyone that isn’t you. Loudoun teachers in particular seem to really hate working.

Nah, I'm not in Loudoun. I think it is everywhere.

In the past, I have tried to advocate for some flexibility with when snow days fall around the "professional days" and "work days" and asked whether grading can't be done on a snow day rather than a work day. Often, schools are closed due to transportation issues, but every other adult in every other profession is able to safely travel to work (and is expected to). The response is always that teachers can't work on "snow days" because they don't have childcare. Apparently they are the only ones with that problem. Don't worry about other parents who have to use all their vacation days for any number of work days, professional days, and other half days on the regular calendar. If roads are fine for adults in other professions, I just don't see why teachers can't drive to school and do their grading. I'm a big supporter of teachers, but this makes me angry.

[Anonymous]

I don’t hate the teaching part (which is just one part of the job), but it’s a physically, mentally and emotionally draining job. You are “on” all the time. I haven’t been feeling well lately and there were tons of sick kids in school last week and I appreciate the day to rest. Getting a sub and writing sub plans (especially from home) is difficult and time consuming so teachers usually try to avoid unless absolutely necessary.

I really loved teaching until I had my own kids. It became a LOT to never have a break from kid behaviors. It took me a few years to adjust and I had to switch grade levels so that I didn’t completely lose my mind (I used to teach K and moved to 3rd when my kids were preschool/Kindergarten aged). I was using up all my patience on kids at school and had none left for my kids at home.

Teaching is one of those things that you don’t truly understand until you have done it. People think they understand because they’ve attended school, but the part you see is the easy part because we can make that part look easy. It’s like watching a play—you see and appreciate the performance but you don’t think about the months of preparation that led to the performance. Imagine being the lead actor in a play but at the same time you’re performing you’re expected to teach your entire audience how to be a member of an audience. Some sit and watch quietly, some need frequent reteaching and redirection and some have no interest in watching the play but it’s your job to engage them and you’re held responsible if you can’t meet the needs of every audience member during your performance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's the parents. not the kids that they don't like.

Well they are free to change jobs, like anyone else.

And you're free not to read their rants

I’m also free to think they are lazy.

Well teachers are human beings too and, like every other profession, a few will be lazy. That goes for lawyers, bus drivers, line cooks, and cops.

True, but are those people on Fb loudly praying that an entire county full of parents will need last minute childcare the next day? Yes, I know school is not daycare and it’s my responsibility, but it’s just really grating to me. I don’t think they realize how they sound to other working parents.

If this is your complaint, you have a low bar for lazy.

Every teacher I know celebrating the snow day has either been ill and resisting taking a sick day off in the weeks before Winter break or has plans to catch up on grading at home. In my case, I’m doing both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's the parents. not the kids that they don't like.

Well they are free to change jobs, like anyone else.

And you're free not to read their rants

I’m also free to think they are lazy.

Well teachers are human beings too and, like every other profession, a few will be lazy. That goes for lawyers, bus drivers, line cooks, and cops.

True, but are those people on Fb loudly praying that an entire county full of parents will need last minute childcare the next day? Yes, I know school is not daycare and it’s my responsibility, but it’s just really grating to me. I don’t think they realize how they sound to other working parents.

If this is your complaint, you have a low bar for lazy.

Every teacher I know celebrating the snow day has either been ill and resisting taking a sick day off in the weeks before Winter break or has plans to catch up on grading at home. In my case, I’m doing both.

Or we are caring for our own kids who are also off today while still trying to find time to catch up on grading.

No, I do not hate teaching. I’m in it for the long haul - came for the content, stayed for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't you be happy to get a free day off?
Many people stick with teaching because they love children and learning. It is a calling for some, that doesn't mean that there aren't significant frustrations. Others stick with it because they trained for it, are in debt, or can't find a "better" job.

OP here. I live in Loudoun which gives a ton of pointless snow days, in addition to legitimate ones. It’s fine to secretly celebrate a day off. I think it’s tone deaf to continuously and repeatedly gloat about something that is quite inconvenient to almost anyone that isn’t you. Loudoun teachers in particular seem to really hate working.

Nah, I'm not in Loudoun. I think it is everywhere.

In the past, I have tried to advocate for some flexibility with when snow days fall around the "professional days" and "work days" and asked whether grading can't be done on a snow day rather than a work day. Often, schools are closed due to transportation issues, but every other adult in every other profession is able to safely travel to work (and is expected to). The response is always that teachers can't work on "snow days" because they don't have childcare. Apparently they are the only ones with that problem. Don't worry about other parents who have to use all their vacation days for any number of work days, professional days, and other half days on the regular calendar. If roads are fine for adults in other professions, I just don't see why teachers can't drive to school and do their grading. I'm a big supporter of teachers, but this makes me angry.

End of quarter grading can’t always be done on a snow day because teachers can’t predict when a snow day will fall. Here’s an example.

My 7th graders have an essay due on Friday that I planned to grade over winter break. There was a snow day today. I can’t grade it today because I don’t have it yet. Moreover, they are entitled to 5 classes to work on it so now it won’t be due until after Winter Break. I will still need the planned grading day unless a snow day falls between Winter Break ending and the end of the quarter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's the parents. not the kids that they don't like.

Well they are free to change jobs, like anyone else.

And you're free not to read their rants

I’m also free to think they are lazy.

Well teachers are human beings too and, like every other profession, a few will be lazy. That goes for lawyers, bus drivers, line cooks, and cops.

True, but are those people on Fb loudly praying that an entire county full of parents will need last minute childcare the next day? Yes, I know school is not daycare and it’s my responsibility, but it’s just really grating to me. I don’t think they realize how they sound to other working parents.

If this is your complaint, you have a low bar for lazy.

Every teacher I know celebrating the snow day has either been ill and resisting taking a sick day off in the weeks before Winter break or has plans to catch up on grading at home. In my case, I’m doing both.

Or we are caring for our own kids who are also off today while still trying to find time to catch up on grading.

No, I do not hate teaching. I’m in it for the long haul - came for the content, stayed for the kids.

Understood. But surely you can also understand that many parents who don't have a 1 1/2 week break from work coming up might also be sick and/or have work responsibilities they are frantically trying to take care of?

[Anonymous]

Teaching has changed on all levels, from elementary school to university teaching.
Teachers have significantly less autonomy today to make decisions about what goes on in the classroom. THey also have much less room to engage in teaching experiments (ie. "I wonder if the students might learn more about the Constitution by having a debate than by filling in a worksheet.") THis is because of standardization, pacing guides, etc.

Teachers often will say that it's more of an art than a science, but current guidelines implemented on school, district, state and national levels have robbed teachers of the ability to practice their art, and instead overfocus on the science.

Also, class sizes are too large. There are lots of things that are fun to do with 21 students but that are impossible to do with 35.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's the parents. not the kids that they don't like.

Well they are free to change jobs, like anyone else.

And you're free not to read their rants

I’m also free to think they are lazy.

Well teachers are human beings too and, like every other profession, a few will be lazy. That goes for lawyers, bus drivers, line cooks, and cops.

True, but are those people on Fb loudly praying that an entire county full of parents will need last minute childcare the next day? Yes, I know school is not daycare and it’s my responsibility, but it’s just really grating to me. I don’t think they realize how they sound to other working parents.

If this is your complaint, you have a low bar for lazy.

Every teacher I know celebrating the snow day has either been ill and resisting taking a sick day off in the weeks before Winter break or has plans to catch up on grading at home. In my case, I’m doing both.

Or we are caring for our own kids who are also off today while still trying to find time to catch up on grading.

No, I do not hate teaching. I’m in it for the long haul - came for the content, stayed for the kids.

Understood. But surely you can also understand that many parents who don't have a 1 1/2 week break from work coming up might also be sick and/or have work responsibilities they are frantically trying to take care of?

You might not have one now, but, if you are middle class, you do get vacation time with much more flexibility than teachers do. Maybe you took a week of vacation this fall. Or perhaps you’re saving your vacation for February.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's the parents. not the kids that they don't like.

Well they are free to change jobs, like anyone else.

And you're free not to read their rants

I’m also free to think they are lazy.

Well teachers are human beings too and, like every other profession, a few will be lazy. That goes for lawyers, bus drivers, line cooks, and cops.

True, but are those people on Fb loudly praying that an entire county full of parents will need last minute childcare the next day? Yes, I know school is not daycare and it’s my responsibility, but it’s just really grating to me. I don’t think they realize how they sound to other working parents.

If this is your complaint, you have a low bar for lazy.

Every teacher I know celebrating the snow day has either been ill and resisting taking a sick day off in the weeks before Winter break or has plans to catch up on grading at home. In my case, I’m doing both.

Or we are caring for our own kids who are also off today while still trying to find time to catch up on grading.

No, I do not hate teaching. I’m in it for the long haul - came for the content, stayed for the kids.

The maybe just be a little more sensitive to how you sound to other people. It’s not a good look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's the parents. not the kids that they don't like.

Well they are free to change jobs, like anyone else.

And you're free not to read their rants

I’m also free to think they are lazy.

Well teachers are human beings too and, like every other profession, a few will be lazy. That goes for lawyers, bus drivers, line cooks, and cops.

True, but are those people on Fb loudly praying that an entire county full of parents will need last minute childcare the next day? Yes, I know school is not daycare and it’s my responsibility, but it’s just really grating to me. I don’t think they realize how they sound to other working parents.

If this is your complaint, you have a low bar for lazy.

Every teacher I know celebrating the snow day has either been ill and resisting taking a sick day off in the weeks before Winter break or has plans to catch up on grading at home. In my case, I’m doing both.

Or we are caring for our own kids who are also off today while still trying to find time to catch up on grading.

No, I do not hate teaching. I’m in it for the long haul - came for the content, stayed for the kids.

Understood. But surely you can also understand that many parents who don't have a 1 1/2 week break from work coming up might also be sick and/or have work responsibilities they are frantically trying to take care of?

You might not have one now, but, if you are middle class, you do get vacation time with much more flexibility than teachers do. Maybe you took a week of vacation this fall. Or perhaps you’re saving your vacation for February.

Really? If you are actually middle class and don't have family help, you also might need to use your vacation for the many school days off and early dismissals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's the parents. not the kids that they don't like.

Well they are free to change jobs, like anyone else.

And you're free not to read their rants

I’m also free to think they are lazy.

Well teachers are human beings too and, like every other profession, a few will be lazy. That goes for lawyers, bus drivers, line cooks, and cops.

True, but are those people on Fb loudly praying that an entire county full of parents will need last minute childcare the next day? Yes, I know school is not daycare and it’s my responsibility, but it’s just really grating to me. I don’t think they realize how they sound to other working parents.

If this is your complaint, you have a low bar for lazy.

Every teacher I know celebrating the snow day has either been ill and resisting taking a sick day off in the weeks before Winter break or has plans to catch up on grading at home. In my case, I’m doing both.

Or we are caring for our own kids who are also off today while still trying to find time to catch up on grading.

No, I do not hate teaching. I’m in it for the long haul - came for the content, stayed for the kids.

Understood. But surely you can also understand that many parents who don't have a 1 1/2 week break from work coming up might also be sick and/or have work responsibilities they are frantically trying to take care of?

You might not have one now, but, if you are middle class, you do get vacation time with much more flexibility than teachers do. Maybe you took a week of vacation this fall. Or perhaps you’re saving your vacation for February.

Really? If you are actually middle class and don't have family help, you also might need to use your vacation for the many school days off and early dismissals.

You might, but you also just might not want to actually spend time at home with your children rather than stashing them in the Kids Club while you drink and work on your tan by the pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's the parents. not the kids that they don't like.

Well they are free to change jobs, like anyone else.

And you're free not to read their rants

I’m also free to think they are lazy.

Well teachers are human beings too and, like every other profession, a few will be lazy. That goes for lawyers, bus drivers, line cooks, and cops.

True, but are those people on Fb loudly praying that an entire county full of parents will need last minute childcare the next day? Yes, I know school is not daycare and it’s my responsibility, but it’s just really grating to me. I don’t think they realize how they sound to other working parents.

If this is your complaint, you have a low bar for lazy.

Every teacher I know celebrating the snow day has either been ill and resisting taking a sick day off in the weeks before Winter break or has plans to catch up on grading at home. In my case, I’m doing both.

Or we are caring for our own kids who are also off today while still trying to find time to catch up on grading.

No, I do not hate teaching. I’m in it for the long haul - came for the content, stayed for the kids.

Understood. But surely you can also understand that many parents who don't have a 1 1/2 week break from work coming up might also be sick and/or have work responsibilities they are frantically trying to take care of?

Yep, sure can. I had every single day of this week planned for my students, and to be honest, this day off is going to mess that up completely (big project due on Friday, group work happening in class, etc). But here we are, and neither you or I can do a thing about it. I would rather be in my classroom right now, teaching, grading, and planning, instead of at a loud bounce house with my kid. I don’t know why you assume teachers are not also inconvenienced by snow days. Maybe just unfollow the folks who gloat about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't you be happy to get a free day off?
Many people stick with teaching because they love children and learning. It is a calling for some, that doesn't mean that there aren't significant frustrations. Others stick with it because they trained for it, are in debt, or can't find a "better" job.

OP here. I live in Loudoun which gives a ton of pointless snow days, in addition to legitimate ones. It’s fine to secretly celebrate a day off. I think it’s tone deaf to continuously and repeatedly gloat about something that is quite inconvenient to almost anyone that isn’t you. Loudoun teachers in particular seem to really hate working.

Nah, I'm not in Loudoun. I think it is everywhere.

In the past, I have tried to advocate for some flexibility with when snow days fall around the "professional days" and "work days" and asked whether grading can't be done on a snow day rather than a work day. Often, schools are closed due to transportation issues, but every other adult in every other profession is able to safely travel to work (and is expected to). The response is always that teachers can't work on "snow days" because they don't have childcare. Apparently they are the only ones with that problem. Don't worry about other parents who have to use all their vacation days for any number of work days, professional days, and other half days on the regular calendar. If roads are fine for adults in other professions, I just don't see why teachers can't drive to school and do their grading. I'm a big supporter of teachers, but this makes me angry.

End of quarter grading can’t always be done on a snow day because teachers can’t predict when a snow day will fall. Here’s an example.

My 7th graders have an essay due on Friday that I planned to grade over winter break. There was a snow day today. I can’t grade it today because I don’t have it yet. Moreover, they are entitled to 5 classes to work on it so now it won’t be due until after Winter Break. I will still need the planned grading day unless a snow day falls between Winter Break ending and the end of the quarter.

Totally understand. I was talking about some past years when the kids literally had a week off from school due to snow, when the roads were fine, then went back to school for one day, and then had a professional day. Why? Why couldn't the professional day have been moved to the last day off? Most teachers I know hate those days anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it's the parents. not the kids that they don't like.

Not true for me... mutual “love” between parents and I! Not always the case for the school administration.