MCPS Teachers Quitting? Who is replacing them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child’s high school has 61 Autism/bridge/ESOL staff and 71 regular teaching staff including phys Ed. Who is being underserved here? The truth is that unless you are troubled or a super star, you are not getting what you need.

That's impressive but the norm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an mcps educator and send my kids to mcps public schools. What I am seeing is disheartening. Teachers are at their breaking point; the behaviors and needs of the kids are unbelievable; Many are quitting even after many years of service; We are hiring whoever we can get- probably subpar people because at this point we need warm bodies; The education is suffering- I see teachers playing a YouTube video of a book read aloud instead of reading the book themselves; Gym and art teachers running their class with videos instead of good direct instruction- I guess they are tired and this isn't forbidden; I work with my own kids on basic facts because I don't trust the system to do a good job. Too many needy kids, burnt out teachers, poor instructional approaches, a growing lack of resources...the list goes on anc on; I truly believe mcps is sinking ship and will continue to decline year over year

As a parent, we are at our breaking point too. Teachers who don’t teach, grade assignments, review assignments and give feedback, don’t return emails from students or parents and do the absolute minimum. My kids are in tutoring for some subjects more than the actual class time because of the lack of instruction and textbooks to teach your self. You need to work with parents instead of complaining and kids will not thrive without a good support system. And enough with the small group projects and discussions. Get back to teaching.

Teacher here and I can’t do any more than I’m doing. Seriously. I’m being asked to do the work of three people and I devote seven days a week to my job.

And my own kids? I tutor them for the reasons you mentioned above.

The difference between us is I’m not blaming their teachers for the deficiencies I see in their educations. I know those teachers are doing their best in a broken system.

I think the above post really reflects the job creep of teaching over the last 20 years. Email, online grading systems, more demanding students and parents has really made teaching more difficult. Paperwork is more, we are expected to teach SEL, manage more behavior issues, deal with more ESOL and SpEd students. State and local testing regimes. We even do SATs during school hours now instead of on weekends like is was done 20 years ago. Expectations to run clubs and after school events.. It just feels like most of my job isn’t actually teaching. And I get dinged if I don’t do it. Whereas good teaching doesn’t get rewarded at all by the powers that be.

Yes, and? That's your job. It's hard, most jobs are. What did you expect when you choose to be a teacher? You cannot complain about kids struggling and behavior and parents not being involved if you refuse to involve them and let them know what's going in the classroom.

You're so ridiculously combative about every single post. We involved parents all of the time. Guess who never responds? Parents. Kids know what is expected of them and know what they need to do. You are being so played by your own kids if you believe that they "just don't know what to do!!" in the classes they spend every day in. It's called learned helplessness and you are teaching it to your kids.

You may involve parents but we haven't had that experience except a few teachers. We respond each and every time, always within a few hours if not immediately.

Please understand that your child’s teachers may go hours before they can check their email. They may have to wait until the evening to respond since there isn’t a minute to spare during the school day. Your email isn’t the only one, either.

Teachers should respond, but it’ll take time. Unless school systems start giving teachers time at work to actually do their work, these delays are going to continue.

I respond to emails after my children go to bed each night. That’s usually the first time since 7:30am I’ve had the chance to review what piled up during my very busy day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an mcps educator and send my kids to mcps public schools. What I am seeing is disheartening. Teachers are at their breaking point; the behaviors and needs of the kids are unbelievable; Many are quitting even after many years of service; We are hiring whoever we can get- probably subpar people because at this point we need warm bodies; The education is suffering- I see teachers playing a YouTube video of a book read aloud instead of reading the book themselves; Gym and art teachers running their class with videos instead of good direct instruction- I guess they are tired and this isn't forbidden; I work with my own kids on basic facts because I don't trust the system to do a good job. Too many needy kids, burnt out teachers, poor instructional approaches, a growing lack of resources...the list goes on anc on; I truly believe mcps is sinking ship and will continue to decline year over year

As a parent, we are at our breaking point too. Teachers who don’t teach, grade assignments, review assignments and give feedback, don’t return emails from students or parents and do the absolute minimum. My kids are in tutoring for some subjects more than the actual class time because of the lack of instruction and textbooks to teach your self. You need to work with parents instead of complaining and kids will not thrive without a good support system. And enough with the small group projects and discussions. Get back to teaching.

Teacher here and I can’t do any more than I’m doing. Seriously. I’m being asked to do the work of three people and I devote seven days a week to my job.

And my own kids? I tutor them for the reasons you mentioned above.

The difference between us is I’m not blaming their teachers for the deficiencies I see in their educations. I know those teachers are doing their best in a broken system.

I think the above post really reflects the job creep of teaching over the last 20 years. Email, online grading systems, more demanding students and parents has really made teaching more difficult. Paperwork is more, we are expected to teach SEL, manage more behavior issues, deal with more ESOL and SpEd students. State and local testing regimes. We even do SATs during school hours now instead of on weekends like is was done 20 years ago. Expectations to run clubs and after school events.. It just feels like most of my job isn’t actually teaching. And I get dinged if I don’t do it. Whereas good teaching doesn’t get rewarded at all by the powers that be.

Yes, and? That's your job. It's hard, most jobs are. What did you expect when you choose to be a teacher? You cannot complain about kids struggling and behavior and parents not being involved if you refuse to involve them and let them know what's going in the classroom.

You're so ridiculously combative about every single post. We involved parents all of the time. Guess who never responds? Parents. Kids know what is expected of them and know what they need to do. You are being so played by your own kids if you believe that they "just don't know what to do!!" in the classes they spend every day in. It's called learned helplessness and you are teaching it to your kids.

You may involve parents but we haven't had that experience except a few teachers. We respond each and every time, always within a few hours if not immediately.

Please understand that your child’s teachers may go hours before they can check their email. They may have to wait until the evening to respond since there isn’t a minute to spare during the school day. Your email isn’t the only one, either.

Teachers should respond, but it’ll take time. Unless school systems start giving teachers time at work to actually do their work, these delays are going to continue.

I respond to emails after my children go to bed each night. That’s usually the first time since 7:30am I’ve had the chance to review what piled up during my very busy day.

They don't respond at all. I'd be thrilled for a response within a week on something not that important. We send multiple emails and none get answered over a few weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child’s high school has 61 Autism/bridge/ESOL staff and 71 regular teaching staff including phys Ed. Who is being underserved here? The truth is that unless you are troubled or a super star, you are not getting what you need.

This is pretty telling.

My kid’s ES has a GT/LD program. The GT/LD program classroom has less than 8 kids and 2 teachers. My kid’s class has 27 kids and one teacher. No para.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an mcps educator and send my kids to mcps public schools. What I am seeing is disheartening. Teachers are at their breaking point; the behaviors and needs of the kids are unbelievable; Many are quitting even after many years of service; We are hiring whoever we can get- probably subpar people because at this point we need warm bodies; The education is suffering- I see teachers playing a YouTube video of a book read aloud instead of reading the book themselves; Gym and art teachers running their class with videos instead of good direct instruction- I guess they are tired and this isn't forbidden; I work with my own kids on basic facts because I don't trust the system to do a good job. Too many needy kids, burnt out teachers, poor instructional approaches, a growing lack of resources...the list goes on anc on; I truly believe mcps is sinking ship and will continue to decline year over year

As a parent, we are at our breaking point too. Teachers who don’t teach, grade assignments, review assignments and give feedback, don’t return emails from students or parents and do the absolute minimum. My kids are in tutoring for some subjects more than the actual class time because of the lack of instruction and textbooks to teach your self. You need to work with parents instead of complaining and kids will not thrive without a good support system. And enough with the small group projects and discussions. Get back to teaching.

Teacher here and I can’t do any more than I’m doing. Seriously. I’m being asked to do the work of three people and I devote seven days a week to my job.

And my own kids? I tutor them for the reasons you mentioned above.

The difference between us is I’m not blaming their teachers for the deficiencies I see in their educations. I know those teachers are doing their best in a broken system.

Thank you.

Teaching used to be a job that you could do in your 60s or with health issues. Not any more. These post-pandemic hours are for young people. I was a career changer at 30 so I always planned to retire after age 60. To be precise, I figured I would retire at 68 when I was eligible for SS. Now, I don’t know anyone over 60 who is hanging on in public classroom teaching if they have an empty nest and aren’t paying for college or supporting another adult for some reason. Meanwhile, my friends in other career fields say they have a new burst of energy professionally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child’s high school has 61 Autism/bridge/ESOL staff and 71 regular teaching staff including phys Ed. Who is being underserved here? The truth is that unless you are troubled or a super star, you are not getting what you need.

This is pretty telling.

My kid’s ES has a GT/LD program. The GT/LD program classroom has less than 8 kids and 2 teachers. My kid’s class has 27 kids and one teacher. No para.

Thank God that your child doesn’t need specialized instruction, maybe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an mcps educator and send my kids to mcps public schools. What I am seeing is disheartening. Teachers are at their breaking point; the behaviors and needs of the kids are unbelievable; Many are quitting even after many years of service; We are hiring whoever we can get- probably subpar people because at this point we need warm bodies; The education is suffering- I see teachers playing a YouTube video of a book read aloud instead of reading the book themselves; Gym and art teachers running their class with videos instead of good direct instruction- I guess they are tired and this isn't forbidden; I work with my own kids on basic facts because I don't trust the system to do a good job. Too many needy kids, burnt out teachers, poor instructional approaches, a growing lack of resources...the list goes on anc on; I truly believe mcps is sinking ship and will continue to decline year over year

As a parent, we are at our breaking point too. Teachers who don’t teach, grade assignments, review assignments and give feedback, don’t return emails from students or parents and do the absolute minimum. My kids are in tutoring for some subjects more than the actual class time because of the lack of instruction and textbooks to teach your self. You need to work with parents instead of complaining and kids will not thrive without a good support system. And enough with the small group projects and discussions. Get back to teaching.

Teacher here and I can’t do any more than I’m doing. Seriously. I’m being asked to do the work of three people and I devote seven days a week to my job.

And my own kids? I tutor them for the reasons you mentioned above.

The difference between us is I’m not blaming their teachers for the deficiencies I see in their educations. I know those teachers are doing their best in a broken system.

I think the above post really reflects the job creep of teaching over the last 20 years. Email, online grading systems, more demanding students and parents has really made teaching more difficult. Paperwork is more, we are expected to teach SEL, manage more behavior issues, deal with more ESOL and SpEd students. State and local testing regimes. We even do SATs during school hours now instead of on weekends like is was done 20 years ago. Expectations to run clubs and after school events.. It just feels like most of my job isn’t actually teaching. And I get dinged if I don’t do it. Whereas good teaching doesn’t get rewarded at all by the powers that be.

Yes, and? That's your job. It's hard, most jobs are. What did you expect when you choose to be a teacher? You cannot complain about kids struggling and behavior and parents not being involved if you refuse to involve them and let them know what's going in the classroom.

You're so ridiculously combative about every single post. We involved parents all of the time. Guess who never responds? Parents. Kids know what is expected of them and know what they need to do. You are being so played by your own kids if you believe that they "just don't know what to do!!" in the classes they spend every day in. It's called learned helplessness and you are teaching it to your kids.

You may involve parents but we haven't had that experience except a few teachers. We respond each and every time, always within a few hours if not immediately.

Not all teachers. Just like not how all parents are uninvolved. Do you see how that works? I understand your frustration but I'm not coming on here and calling you a liar because your experience is different from mine. This is a lesson you need to learn. Instead of replying to the many, multiple posts of teachers sharing their frustrations, all you have been doing is attacking them and saying it's not true because YOU don't see it daily. You need to learn when to listen and when to shut up. Speaking up and telling your story is fine. However, you've been childish and combative all weekend and it's been embarrassing to watch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an mcps educator and send my kids to mcps public schools. What I am seeing is disheartening. Teachers are at their breaking point; the behaviors and needs of the kids are unbelievable; Many are quitting even after many years of service; We are hiring whoever we can get- probably subpar people because at this point we need warm bodies; The education is suffering- I see teachers playing a YouTube video of a book read aloud instead of reading the book themselves; Gym and art teachers running their class with videos instead of good direct instruction- I guess they are tired and this isn't forbidden; I work with my own kids on basic facts because I don't trust the system to do a good job. Too many needy kids, burnt out teachers, poor instructional approaches, a growing lack of resources...the list goes on anc on; I truly believe mcps is sinking ship and will continue to decline year over year

As a parent, we are at our breaking point too. Teachers who don’t teach, grade assignments, review assignments and give feedback, don’t return emails from students or parents and do the absolute minimum. My kids are in tutoring for some subjects more than the actual class time because of the lack of instruction and textbooks to teach your self. You need to work with parents instead of complaining and kids will not thrive without a good support system. And enough with the small group projects and discussions. Get back to teaching.

Teacher here and I can’t do any more than I’m doing. Seriously. I’m being asked to do the work of three people and I devote seven days a week to my job.

And my own kids? I tutor them for the reasons you mentioned above.

The difference between us is I’m not blaming their teachers for the deficiencies I see in their educations. I know those teachers are doing their best in a broken system.

I think the above post really reflects the job creep of teaching over the last 20 years. Email, online grading systems, more demanding students and parents has really made teaching more difficult. Paperwork is more, we are expected to teach SEL, manage more behavior issues, deal with more ESOL and SpEd students. State and local testing regimes. We even do SATs during school hours now instead of on weekends like is was done 20 years ago. Expectations to run clubs and after school events.. It just feels like most of my job isn’t actually teaching. And I get dinged if I don’t do it. Whereas good teaching doesn’t get rewarded at all by the powers that be.

Yes, and? That's your job. It's hard, most jobs are. What did you expect when you choose to be a teacher? You cannot complain about kids struggling and behavior and parents not being involved if you refuse to involve them and let them know what's going in the classroom.

You're so ridiculously combative about every single post. We involved parents all of the time. Guess who never responds? Parents. Kids know what is expected of them and know what they need to do. You are being so played by your own kids if you believe that they "just don't know what to do!!" in the classes they spend every day in. It's called learned helplessness and you are teaching it to your kids.

You may involve parents but we haven't had that experience except a few teachers. We respond each and every time, always within a few hours if not immediately.

Not all teachers. Just like not how all parents are uninvolved. Do you see how that works? I understand your frustration but I'm not coming on here and calling you a liar because your experience is different from mine. This is a lesson you need to learn. Instead of replying to the many, multiple posts of teachers sharing their frustrations, all you have been doing is attacking them and saying it's not true because YOU don't see it daily. You need to learn when to listen and when to shut up. Speaking up and telling your story is fine. However, you've been childish and combative all weekend and it's been embarrassing to watch.

Don’t want to handle the truth? The majority of teachers we’ve had were meh to really bad with just a few good ones. Thank goodness for the tutoring mcps provides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an mcps educator and send my kids to mcps public schools. What I am seeing is disheartening. Teachers are at their breaking point; the behaviors and needs of the kids are unbelievable; Many are quitting even after many years of service; We are hiring whoever we can get- probably subpar people because at this point we need warm bodies; The education is suffering- I see teachers playing a YouTube video of a book read aloud instead of reading the book themselves; Gym and art teachers running their class with videos instead of good direct instruction- I guess they are tired and this isn't forbidden; I work with my own kids on basic facts because I don't trust the system to do a good job. Too many needy kids, burnt out teachers, poor instructional approaches, a growing lack of resources...the list goes on anc on; I truly believe mcps is sinking ship and will continue to decline year over year

As a parent, we are at our breaking point too. Teachers who don’t teach, grade assignments, review assignments and give feedback, don’t return emails from students or parents and do the absolute minimum. My kids are in tutoring for some subjects more than the actual class time because of the lack of instruction and textbooks to teach your self. You need to work with parents instead of complaining and kids will not thrive without a good support system. And enough with the small group projects and discussions. Get back to teaching.

Teacher here and I can’t do any more than I’m doing. Seriously. I’m being asked to do the work of three people and I devote seven days a week to my job.

And my own kids? I tutor them for the reasons you mentioned above.

The difference between us is I’m not blaming their teachers for the deficiencies I see in their educations. I know those teachers are doing their best in a broken system.

I think the above post really reflects the job creep of teaching over the last 20 years. Email, online grading systems, more demanding students and parents has really made teaching more difficult. Paperwork is more, we are expected to teach SEL, manage more behavior issues, deal with more ESOL and SpEd students. State and local testing regimes. We even do SATs during school hours now instead of on weekends like is was done 20 years ago. Expectations to run clubs and after school events.. It just feels like most of my job isn’t actually teaching. And I get dinged if I don’t do it. Whereas good teaching doesn’t get rewarded at all by the powers that be.

Yes, and? That's your job. It's hard, most jobs are. What did you expect when you choose to be a teacher? You cannot complain about kids struggling and behavior and parents not being involved if you refuse to involve them and let them know what's going in the classroom.

You're so ridiculously combative about every single post. We involved parents all of the time. Guess who never responds? Parents. Kids know what is expected of them and know what they need to do. You are being so played by your own kids if you believe that they "just don't know what to do!!" in the classes they spend every day in. It's called learned helplessness and you are teaching it to your kids.

You may involve parents but we haven't had that experience except a few teachers. We respond each and every time, always within a few hours if not immediately.

Not all teachers. Just like not how all parents are uninvolved. Do you see how that works? I understand your frustration but I'm not coming on here and calling you a liar because your experience is different from mine. This is a lesson you need to learn. Instead of replying to the many, multiple posts of teachers sharing their frustrations, all you have been doing is attacking them and saying it's not true because YOU don't see it daily. You need to learn when to listen and when to shut up. Speaking up and telling your story is fine. However, you've been childish and combative all weekend and it's been embarrassing to watch.

Don’t want to handle the truth? The majority of teachers we’ve had were meh to really bad with just a few good ones. Thank goodness for the tutoring mcps provides.

What truth? Your family's singular lived experience vs a myriad of other people here? You truly live in your own world. It's super pathetic and sad to see, but not surprising. There's a whole world that includes people other than you. Maybe that should be your first takeaway. Good lord, you're embarrassing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an mcps educator and send my kids to mcps public schools. What I am seeing is disheartening. Teachers are at their breaking point; the behaviors and needs of the kids are unbelievable; Many are quitting even after many years of service; We are hiring whoever we can get- probably subpar people because at this point we need warm bodies; The education is suffering- I see teachers playing a YouTube video of a book read aloud instead of reading the book themselves; Gym and art teachers running their class with videos instead of good direct instruction- I guess they are tired and this isn't forbidden; I work with my own kids on basic facts because I don't trust the system to do a good job. Too many needy kids, burnt out teachers, poor instructional approaches, a growing lack of resources...the list goes on anc on; I truly believe mcps is sinking ship and will continue to decline year over year

As a parent, we are at our breaking point too. Teachers who don’t teach, grade assignments, review assignments and give feedback, don’t return emails from students or parents and do the absolute minimum. My kids are in tutoring for some subjects more than the actual class time because of the lack of instruction and textbooks to teach your self. You need to work with parents instead of complaining and kids will not thrive without a good support system. And enough with the small group projects and discussions. Get back to teaching.

Teacher here and I can’t do any more than I’m doing. Seriously. I’m being asked to do the work of three people and I devote seven days a week to my job.

And my own kids? I tutor them for the reasons you mentioned above.

The difference between us is I’m not blaming their teachers for the deficiencies I see in their educations. I know those teachers are doing their best in a broken system.

I think the above post really reflects the job creep of teaching over the last 20 years. Email, online grading systems, more demanding students and parents has really made teaching more difficult. Paperwork is more, we are expected to teach SEL, manage more behavior issues, deal with more ESOL and SpEd students. State and local testing regimes. We even do SATs during school hours now instead of on weekends like is was done 20 years ago. Expectations to run clubs and after school events.. It just feels like most of my job isn’t actually teaching. And I get dinged if I don’t do it. Whereas good teaching doesn’t get rewarded at all by the powers that be.

Yes, and? That's your job. It's hard, most jobs are. What did you expect when you choose to be a teacher? You cannot complain about kids struggling and behavior and parents not being involved if you refuse to involve them and let them know what's going in the classroom.

You're so ridiculously combative about every single post. We involved parents all of the time. Guess who never responds? Parents. Kids know what is expected of them and know what they need to do. You are being so played by your own kids if you believe that they "just don't know what to do!!" in the classes they spend every day in. It's called learned helplessness and you are teaching it to your kids.

You may involve parents but we haven't had that experience except a few teachers. We respond each and every time, always within a few hours if not immediately.

Not all teachers. Just like not how all parents are uninvolved. Do you see how that works? I understand your frustration but I'm not coming on here and calling you a liar because your experience is different from mine. This is a lesson you need to learn. Instead of replying to the many, multiple posts of teachers sharing their frustrations, all you have been doing is attacking them and saying it's not true because YOU don't see it daily. You need to learn when to listen and when to shut up. Speaking up and telling your story is fine. However, you've been childish and combative all weekend and it's been embarrassing to watch.

Don’t want to handle the truth? The majority of teachers we’ve had were meh to really bad with just a few good ones. Thank goodness for the tutoring mcps provides.

Given what you are hearing from current teachers (many of them), who exactly are our future teachers going to be?

Most people can work less and get paid significantly more doing nearly anything else, and not have to deal with unavailable/entitled/behavioral problem students, entitled parents, unavailable parents, or horrid administrators who don't have their backs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an mcps educator and send my kids to mcps public schools. What I am seeing is disheartening. Teachers are at their breaking point; the behaviors and needs of the kids are unbelievable; Many are quitting even after many years of service; We are hiring whoever we can get- probably subpar people because at this point we need warm bodies; The education is suffering- I see teachers playing a YouTube video of a book read aloud instead of reading the book themselves; Gym and art teachers running their class with videos instead of good direct instruction- I guess they are tired and this isn't forbidden; I work with my own kids on basic facts because I don't trust the system to do a good job. Too many needy kids, burnt out teachers, poor instructional approaches, a growing lack of resources...the list goes on anc on; I truly believe mcps is sinking ship and will continue to decline year over year

As a parent, we are at our breaking point too. Teachers who don’t teach, grade assignments, review assignments and give feedback, don’t return emails from students or parents and do the absolute minimum. My kids are in tutoring for some subjects more than the actual class time because of the lack of instruction and textbooks to teach your self. You need to work with parents instead of complaining and kids will not thrive without a good support system. And enough with the small group projects and discussions. Get back to teaching.

Teacher here and I can’t do any more than I’m doing. Seriously. I’m being asked to do the work of three people and I devote seven days a week to my job.

And my own kids? I tutor them for the reasons you mentioned above.

The difference between us is I’m not blaming their teachers for the deficiencies I see in their educations. I know those teachers are doing their best in a broken system.

Thank you.

Teaching used to be a job that you could do in your 60s or with health issues. Not any more. These post-pandemic hours are for young people. I was a career changer at 30 so I always planned to retire after age 60. To be precise, I figured I would retire at 68 when I was eligible for SS. Now, I don’t know anyone over 60 who is hanging on in public classroom teaching if they have an empty nest and aren’t paying for college or supporting another adult for some reason. Meanwhile, my friends in other career fields say they have a new burst of energy professionally.

New burst of energy or continued need for income due to no pension and insufficient retirement savings?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an mcps educator and send my kids to mcps public schools. What I am seeing is disheartening. Teachers are at their breaking point; the behaviors and needs of the kids are unbelievable; Many are quitting even after many years of service; We are hiring whoever we can get- probably subpar people because at this point we need warm bodies; The education is suffering- I see teachers playing a YouTube video of a book read aloud instead of reading the book themselves; Gym and art teachers running their class with videos instead of good direct instruction- I guess they are tired and this isn't forbidden; I work with my own kids on basic facts because I don't trust the system to do a good job. Too many needy kids, burnt out teachers, poor instructional approaches, a growing lack of resources...the list goes on anc on; I truly believe mcps is sinking ship and will continue to decline year over year

As a parent, we are at our breaking point too. Teachers who don’t teach, grade assignments, review assignments and give feedback, don’t return emails from students or parents and do the absolute minimum. My kids are in tutoring for some subjects more than the actual class time because of the lack of instruction and textbooks to teach your self. You need to work with parents instead of complaining and kids will not thrive without a good support system. And enough with the small group projects and discussions. Get back to teaching.

No one cares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an mcps educator and send my kids to mcps public schools. What I am seeing is disheartening. Teachers are at their breaking point; the behaviors and needs of the kids are unbelievable; Many are quitting even after many years of service; We are hiring whoever we can get- probably subpar people because at this point we need warm bodies; The education is suffering- I see teachers playing a YouTube video of a book read aloud instead of reading the book themselves; Gym and art teachers running their class with videos instead of good direct instruction- I guess they are tired and this isn't forbidden; I work with my own kids on basic facts because I don't trust the system to do a good job. Too many needy kids, burnt out teachers, poor instructional approaches, a growing lack of resources...the list goes on anc on; I truly believe mcps is sinking ship and will continue to decline year over year

As a parent, we are at our breaking point too. Teachers who don’t teach, grade assignments, review assignments and give feedback, don’t return emails from students or parents and do the absolute minimum. My kids are in tutoring for some subjects more than the actual class time because of the lack of instruction and textbooks to teach your self. You need to work with parents instead of complaining and kids will not thrive without a good support system. And enough with the small group projects and discussions. Get back to teaching.

Cool let me know when they invent a machine that adds more hours to the day. Get back to yelling at the void I guess

Then, don't complain about parents not caring or not being involved when we try and the teachers aren't responsive. This is why so many kids are struggling.

If you're actually doing the proper job of a parent, why are you so incredibly defensive then? I've found that people who are doing their jobs properly know the discussion isn't aimed to them. Defensive people are usually defensive because they know they are guilty.

Nailed it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not in MCPS, but I'm a teacher who quit. I was extremely successful and every single year my students made about a year and a half worth of growth. I was definitely underpaid, results or not. But, I was so demoralized when I left that it's really difficult to come up with a number that might have gotten me to stay. The entire education system has to change.

And I truly believe that in the next 5-10 years, schools won't be able to remain open. I think it is extremely realistic to imagine parents will be getting robo calls on Sunday nights to learn their school won't be able to open that week because there isn't staff to open safely. I think it's realistic to think that high schools won't be able to offer ANY clubs, sports, AP classes, etc, and that academic classes will have 80-200 kids in them, lecture style. I suspect online learning will be the norm for people who can afford a sahp and internet and everyone else will be screwed. I think buildings are going to close, most of the education programs in universities will close (the ones that haven't already). I think students with special needs won't be getting any services. The system is crumbling and is far worse than any parent I know realizes.

This is actually a good thing. Give families the money and the market will educate. New Americans already do this with cram schools - Kumon, mathnasium. In MCPS this is where real education happens anyways. Let’s cut out the middleman. Product of Buffalo public schools and taught kids/used cram schools during pandemic But realize places like MCPS need to close. So much better than public school. RIP.

No, sorry, Right Winger. You want private school or Christian “school,” you pay for it.

Enjoy your 10% tax hike for suboptimal outcomes.

More RW propaganda. Yawn. Next!

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I am an mcps educator and send my kids to mcps public schools. What I am seeing is disheartening. Teachers are at their breaking point; the behaviors and needs of the kids are unbelievable; Many are quitting even after many years of service; We are hiring whoever we can get- probably subpar people because at this point we need warm bodies; The education is suffering- I see teachers playing a YouTube video of a book read aloud instead of reading the book themselves; Gym and art teachers running their class with videos instead of good direct instruction- I guess they are tired and this isn't forbidden; I work with my own kids on basic facts because I don't trust the system to do a good job. Too many needy kids, burnt out teachers, poor instructional approaches, a growing lack of resources...the list goes on anc on; I truly believe mcps is sinking ship and will continue to decline year over year

As a parent, we are at our breaking point too. Teachers who don’t teach, grade assignments, review assignments and give feedback, don’t return emails from students or parents and do the absolute minimum. My kids are in tutoring for some subjects more than the actual class time because of the lack of instruction and textbooks to teach your self. You need to work with parents instead of complaining and kids will not thrive without a good support system. And enough with the small group projects and discussions. Get back to teaching.

Teacher here and I can’t do any more than I’m doing. Seriously. I’m being asked to do the work of three people and I devote seven days a week to my job.

And my own kids? I tutor them for the reasons you mentioned above.

The difference between us is I’m not blaming their teachers for the deficiencies I see in their educations. I know those teachers are doing their best in a broken system.

I think the above post really reflects the job creep of teaching over the last 20 years. Email, online grading systems, more demanding students and parents has really made teaching more difficult. Paperwork is more, we are expected to teach SEL, manage more behavior issues, deal with more ESOL and SpEd students. State and local testing regimes. We even do SATs during school hours now instead of on weekends like is was done 20 years ago. Expectations to run clubs and after school events.. It just feels like most of my job isn’t actually teaching. And I get dinged if I don’t do it. Whereas good teaching doesn’t get rewarded at all by the powers that be.

Yes, and? That's your job. It's hard, most jobs are. What did you expect when you choose to be a teacher? You cannot complain about kids struggling and behavior and parents not being involved if you refuse to involve them and let them know what's going in the classroom.

You're so ridiculously combative about every single post. We involved parents all of the time. Guess who never responds? Parents. Kids know what is expected of them and know what they need to do. You are being so played by your own kids if you believe that they "just don't know what to do!!" in the classes they spend every day in. It's called learned helplessness and you are teaching it to your kids.

You may involve parents but we haven't had that experience except a few teachers. We respond each and every time, always within a few hours if not immediately.

Not all teachers. Just like not how all parents are uninvolved. Do you see how that works? I understand your frustration but I'm not coming on here and calling you a liar because your experience is different from mine. This is a lesson you need to learn. Instead of replying to the many, multiple posts of teachers sharing their frustrations, all you have been doing is attacking them and saying it's not true because YOU don't see it daily. You need to learn when to listen and when to shut up. Speaking up and telling your story is fine. However, you've been childish and combative all weekend and it's been embarrassing to watch.

Don’t want to handle the truth? The majority of teachers we’ve had were meh to really bad with just a few good ones. Thank goodness for the tutoring mcps provides.

It’s not “the truth” and this is not A Few Good Men. Take a seat.