Teacher not giving class any work at high school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:We had a similar experience in a Marshall STEM design class. I'm not sure FCPS has teachers qualified to teach this type of curriculum.

Agree. DS took an 8th grade class that was similar. These are lucrative fields and it’s hard to find teachers who are interested and can stay on top of changing innovations etc.

If you’re qualified to teach (properly) a STEM Design/Engineering class you’re also qualified to make a lot more money working in actual Engineering, so why take the pay cut to put up with having to be a teacher?

Someone like my DH would probably enjoy teaching a course like that. He's the kind of guy that programs in his spare time "for fun", loves robotics and AI, and having motivated students that are into the same sort of thing would be something he'd really enjoy. I have talked to him about teaching (for both of us), after we retire. The money is no longer a motivating factor, obviously.

This is a very romanticized idea of teaching. The reality of the job is quite different. It’s stressful, time-consuming, and exhausting. Teaching is about 40% of what you do. The other 60% is planning, grading, contacting parents, attending meetings, attending trainings, performing duty after duty, covering other teachers’ classes, etc.

There’s a reason we have such a tremendous shortage right now.

I agree totally, but some of those elective positions do seem relatively cushy for people that have expertise in those areas. There aren’t a lot of those spots but I suspect teaching stem design and maybe computers in art or something like that at Langley would not be overly crazy.

You don't get to teach one class usually. Electives teachers are fighting for their FTE and so are often teaching Art 1; Art 2&3 and AP in one class combined; computers in art and darkroom photography. So they have to have skills in all the areas and keep up with all the purchasing supplies for all the classes etc. And run the art clubs and put up all the exhibitions and help kids put their portfolios together.

Exactly, it seems cushy until you have 4 preps.

That was my thought, too. It sounds great, but then that class becomes only 15% of your job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can email the secondary specialist for your region and ask that they provide the teacher with needed supports. That will get some action.

OP here. Thank you. I will do this.

I think the teacher is struggling. His back-to-school night video lasted all of thirty seconds and didn't give any information about the course.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:My 9th grader is taking an elective at high school. Unfortunately, the teacher seems to have no idea what the class is about and there appears to be no syllabus. DS has contacted his counsellor about the class but has had no response. I've spoken to the teacher directly, and he informed me that they will be doing some "nice things" with some "nice computer packages". Would it be appropriate to contact the principal? In my country, the schooling is left up to the teachers and the parents don't get involved, so I've no idea what I should or shouldn't do.

Thank you.

Troll.

Yep

I'm not a troll. The class is STEM Design at Langley. Most of the class is spent doing nothing. My kid wants to learn something.

So, anyone have a good answer?

My kid is taking this at FHS. All work is in the class, unless you don't finish it. Seems to be working so far and she's had one pretty cool project as of this point.

[Anonymous]

It could be the teacher is forgoing homework for equity reasons. Did you consider that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had a similar experience in a Marshall STEM design class. I'm not sure FCPS has teachers qualified to teach this type of curriculum.

Agree. DS took an 8th grade class that was similar. These are lucrative fields and it’s hard to find teachers who are interested and can stay on top of changing innovations etc.

If you’re qualified to teach (properly) a STEM Design/Engineering class you’re also qualified to make a lot more money working in actual Engineering, so why take the pay cut to put up with having to be a teacher?

Someone like my DH would probably enjoy teaching a course like that. He's the kind of guy that programs in his spare time "for fun", loves robotics and AI, and having motivated students that are into the same sort of thing would be something he'd really enjoy. I have talked to him about teaching (for both of us), after we retire. The money is no longer a motivating factor, obviously.

Your DH would be much better off trying to adjunct at a local university. Way fewer hoops to jump through and contracts are done by the course. The pay is low but it’s great for someone who wants to teach on the side or as they ease into retirement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had a similar experience in a Marshall STEM design class. I'm not sure FCPS has teachers qualified to teach this type of curriculum.

Agree. DS took an 8th grade class that was similar. These are lucrative fields and it’s hard to find teachers who are interested and can stay on top of changing innovations etc.

If you’re qualified to teach (properly) a STEM Design/Engineering class you’re also qualified to make a lot more money working in actual Engineering, so why take the pay cut to put up with having to be a teacher?

Someone like my DH would probably enjoy teaching a course like that. He's the kind of guy that programs in his spare time "for fun", loves robotics and AI, and having motivated students that are into the same sort of thing would be something he'd really enjoy. I have talked to him about teaching (for both of us), after we retire. The money is no longer a motivating factor, obviously.

Oh please. Your DH is never going to become a teacher. He is never going to get certified, take classes, then deal with the bs that comes with teaching. He is never going to deal with differentiation and all the 504s/IEPs. He is going to also have unmotivated students in his class - and guess what? Principals won't allow him to fail them. And it is really, really offensive to us teachers when the privileged class talks about money not being "the motivating factor". Should he become a teacher, see how many teachers respect him. Ugh.

+1,000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had a similar experience in a Marshall STEM design class. I'm not sure FCPS has teachers qualified to teach this type of curriculum.

Agree. DS took an 8th grade class that was similar. These are lucrative fields and it’s hard to find teachers who are interested and can stay on top of changing innovations etc.

If you’re qualified to teach (properly) a STEM Design/Engineering class you’re also qualified to make a lot more money working in actual Engineering, so why take the pay cut to put up with having to be a teacher?

Someone like my DH would probably enjoy teaching a course like that. He's the kind of guy that programs in his spare time "for fun", loves robotics and AI, and having motivated students that are into the same sort of thing would be something he'd really enjoy. I have talked to him about teaching (for both of us), after we retire. The money is no longer a motivating factor, obviously.

Oh please. Your DH is never going to become a teacher. He is never going to get certified, take classes, then deal with the bs that comes with teaching. He is never going to deal with differentiation and all the 504s/IEPs. He is going to also have unmotivated students in his class - and guess what? Principals won't allow him to fail them. And it is really, really offensive to us teachers when the privileged class talks about money not being "the motivating factor". Should he become a teacher, see how many teachers respect him. Ugh.

This is how I feel about all the SAHM parent subs I see at the school. They aren’t there for the money, but because it’s “fun.”

[Anonymous]

Teacher here. The county is so large that many, many situations get overlooked. You really have to reach out to the region to get things solved, if an appeal to the principal doesn’t work. There are many supports available to struggling teachers. Unfortunately, the teachers are often not aware of them. Don’t assume the admin knows and is working on it.

[Anonymous]

Homework itself is the problem.

It’s extremely un-equitable.

Think of all the single-parent households out there.

Homework really needs to be banned county wide, for equity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Homework itself is the problem.

It’s extremely un-equitable.

Think of all the single-parent households out there.

Homework really needs to be banned county wide, for equity.

Sorry. An older kid should be getting some homework. How will they ever learn executive functioning skills for a job? High Schoolers should be getting HW. We are preparing them to go into a workforce with deadlines and strong work ethic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Homework itself is the problem.

It’s extremely un-equitable.

Think of all the single-parent households out there.

Homework really needs to be banned county wide, for equity.

What does being a single parent have to do with your child not being able to do homework? I have 3 kids all of the time by myself and they get their homework done. Stop making excuses for everyone. It isn't going to help them.

[Anonymous]

Homework should be given but not graded. That way, those who wish to practice can and those who don't, won't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It could be the teacher is forgoing homework for equity reasons. Did you consider that?

What do you mean? He is giving minimal classwork DURING the class. This has nothing to do with equity.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like the parents who are angry about STEM design are the same parents who pupil placed at Langley after their child did not get admitted to TJ.

Guess what folks? Langley is not a special special place. It has the same courses as other high schools in FCPS. If you truly came to Langley for the Russian, then lean into Russian and stop complaining to everyone about Stem Design.

BTW - the Stem Design teacher was hired at the 11th hour. He’s still learning the ropes and is a first year teacher. This is not TJ so please don’t expect it to be. It’s not fair to anyone.