Teacher on American parenting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it’s hilarious to me that someone could look at problems in school and instead of looking at what the *school* is doing, blame parents! The problem with child behavior in school is due to the school system’s increasing refusal to focus on, you know, teaching kids content. Instead of books, tests, homework, and ambitious expectations, we have group work, endless focus on “concepts”, homework eliminated as “inequitable.” Even putting kids in tables together instead of desks in rows.

My kid had an absolutely fabulous Kindergarten teacher who knew how to keep kids in line and also focused on content (phonics and basic math skills). That was the best year in school he had. Every year since has been worse as teachers seem to be focused on teaching to an imaginary ideal as opposed to actually teaching kids content.

oh, if only the school system would teach kids. That will make all kids behave.



-not a teacher

If the school system focused on the structure of teaching and learning, yet it would help. Instead the system is increasingly full of poorly trained teachers who believe their job is teaching kids “how to think” and “how to be activists” (with of course the former cabined by the latter).

The world definitely went to pot when people stared thinking.

We need to put poor people back in their place.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elite_overproduction

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it’s hilarious to me that someone could look at problems in school and instead of looking at what the *school* is doing, blame parents! The problem with child behavior in school is due to the school system’s increasing refusal to focus on, you know, teaching kids content. Instead of books, tests, homework, and ambitious expectations, we have group work, endless focus on “concepts”, homework eliminated as “inequitable.” Even putting kids in tables together instead of desks in rows.

My kid had an absolutely fabulous Kindergarten teacher who knew how to keep kids in line and also focused on content (phonics and basic math skills). That was the best year in school he had. Every year since has been worse as teachers seem to be focused on teaching to an imaginary ideal as opposed to actually teaching kids content.

What’s “hilarious” to you is actually the conclusion that the vast majority of teachers have come to lately, particularly those who have taught for 20 years or more.

[Anonymous]

This cartoon… it’s funny because it’s true

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/teachers-then-and-now-daryl-cagle.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it’s hilarious to me that someone could look at problems in school and instead of looking at what the *school* is doing, blame parents! The problem with child behavior in school is due to the school system’s increasing refusal to focus on, you know, teaching kids content. Instead of books, tests, homework, and ambitious expectations, we have group work, endless focus on “concepts”, homework eliminated as “inequitable.” Even putting kids in tables together instead of desks in rows.

My kid had an absolutely fabulous Kindergarten teacher who knew how to keep kids in line and also focused on content (phonics and basic math skills). That was the best year in school he had. Every year since has been worse as teachers seem to be focused on teaching to an imaginary ideal as opposed to actually teaching kids content.

What’s “hilarious” to you is actually the conclusion that the vast majority of teachers have come to lately, particularly those who have taught for 20 years or more.

DP. Can you clarify? I think I know what you are trying to say but I'm not sure. I'd be very interested to hear from teachers, particularly those who have been teaching for many years.

[Anonymous]

Agree. I am American but have lived abroad. American parenting (these days) is both too intrusive and too permissive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it’s hilarious to me that someone could look at problems in school and instead of looking at what the *school* is doing, blame parents! The problem with child behavior in school is due to the school system’s increasing refusal to focus on, you know, teaching kids content. Instead of books, tests, homework, and ambitious expectations, we have group work, endless focus on “concepts”, homework eliminated as “inequitable.” Even putting kids in tables together instead of desks in rows.

My kid had an absolutely fabulous Kindergarten teacher who knew how to keep kids in line and also focused on content (phonics and basic math skills). That was the best year in school he had. Every year since has been worse as teachers seem to be focused on teaching to an imaginary ideal as opposed to actually teaching kids content.

What’s “hilarious” to you is actually the conclusion that the vast majority of teachers have come to lately, particularly those who have taught for 20 years or more.

DP. Can you clarify? I think I know what you are trying to say but I'm not sure. I'd be very interested to hear from teachers, particularly those who have been teaching for many years.

Yes, what I meant is that parents and students have changed in some significant ways over the time I have been teaching. Students and parents are less likely to respect teachers. They are more likely to seek exceptions and special treatment for themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it’s hilarious to me that someone could look at problems in school and instead of looking at what the *school* is doing, blame parents! The problem with child behavior in school is due to the school system’s increasing refusal to focus on, you know, teaching kids content. Instead of books, tests, homework, and ambitious expectations, we have group work, endless focus on “concepts”, homework eliminated as “inequitable.” Even putting kids in tables together instead of desks in rows.

My kid had an absolutely fabulous Kindergarten teacher who knew how to keep kids in line and also focused on content (phonics and basic math skills). That was the best year in school he had. Every year since has been worse as teachers seem to be focused on teaching to an imaginary ideal as opposed to actually teaching kids content.

What’s “hilarious” to you is actually the conclusion that the vast majority of teachers have come to lately, particularly those who have taught for 20 years or more.

DP. Can you clarify? I think I know what you are trying to say but I'm not sure. I'd be very interested to hear from teachers, particularly those who have been teaching for many years.

Don't you also think that teachers have changed as well? While some of the changes stem from unreasonable demands put on them, the teaching profession has changed, and that doesn't seem to be acknowledged very often.

Yes, what I meant is that parents and students have changed in some significant ways over the time I have been teaching. Students and parents are less likely to respect teachers. They are more likely to seek exceptions and special treatment for themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it’s hilarious to me that someone could look at problems in school and instead of looking at what the *school* is doing, blame parents! The problem with child behavior in school is due to the school system’s increasing refusal to focus on, you know, teaching kids content. Instead of books, tests, homework, and ambitious expectations, we have group work, endless focus on “concepts”, homework eliminated as “inequitable.” Even putting kids in tables together instead of desks in rows.

My kid had an absolutely fabulous Kindergarten teacher who knew how to keep kids in line and also focused on content (phonics and basic math skills). That was the best year in school he had. Every year since has been worse as teachers seem to be focused on teaching to an imaginary ideal as opposed to actually teaching kids content.

What’s “hilarious” to you is actually the conclusion that the vast majority of teachers have come to lately, particularly those who have taught for 20 years or more.

DP. Can you clarify? I think I know what you are trying to say but I'm not sure. I'd be very interested to hear from teachers, particularly those who have been teaching for many years.

Don't you also think that teachers have changed as well? While some of the changes stem from unreasonable demands put on them, the teaching profession has changed, and that doesn't seem to be acknowledged very often.

Yes, what I meant is that parents and students have changed in some significant ways over the time I have been teaching. Students and parents are less likely to respect teachers. They are more likely to seek exceptions and special treatment for themselves.

Don't you also think that teachers have changed? While some of the changes stem from unreasonable demands put on them, the teaching profession has changed, and that doesn't seem to be acknowledged very often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This 'my kids is special' had been going on in other countries also. Just like constant shopping and snacking, we took over the US parenting as we see it.
As for third graders not knowing how to read and write, you are talking about the children who are already behind at birth. This ABC crap being pushed in prk3/4 is too early for those kids. They should be playing til they are seven and not miss out on early childhood. Play is learning. ABC being put into a song and pushed to kids, is not play. It's interruption of their play.

On a different thread, someone posted an article about Korean teachers who are being harassed both by parents and by their students, rather than being respected, and are committing suicide from the stress.

Parents have gone crazy everywhere, not just here.

[Anonymous]

Yea teachers should literally tell the parents on repeat “you aren’t special.”

I know I did when I taught. And then I explained why they were dumb AF and told the admins to do wtv they wanted to me.

Honey badger that, because white parents today SUCK.

I know because I’m married to one. It’s astonishing how stupidly useless they are at consistent discipline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it’s hilarious to me that someone could look at problems in school and instead of looking at what the *school* is doing, blame parents! The problem with child behavior in school is due to the school system’s increasing refusal to focus on, you know, teaching kids content. Instead of books, tests, homework, and ambitious expectations, we have group work, endless focus on “concepts”, homework eliminated as “inequitable.” Even putting kids in tables together instead of desks in rows.

My kid had an absolutely fabulous Kindergarten teacher who knew how to keep kids in line and also focused on content (phonics and basic math skills). That was the best year in school he had. Every year since has been worse as teachers seem to be focused on teaching to an imaginary ideal as opposed to actually teaching kids content.

What’s “hilarious” to you is actually the conclusion that the vast majority of teachers have come to lately, particularly those who have taught for 20 years or more.

DP. Can you clarify? I think I know what you are trying to say but I'm not sure. I'd be very interested to hear from teachers, particularly those who have been teaching for many years.

Don't you also think that teachers have changed as well? While some of the changes stem from unreasonable demands put on them, the teaching profession has changed, and that doesn't seem to be acknowledged very often.

Yes, what I meant is that parents and students have changed in some significant ways over the time I have been teaching. Students and parents are less likely to respect teachers. They are more likely to seek exceptions and special treatment for themselves.

Don't you also think that teachers have changed? While some of the changes stem from unreasonable demands put on them, the teaching profession has changed, and that doesn't seem to be acknowledged very often.

I don’t know — I haven’t noticed that teachers have changed. What have you seen? I do see that we’re losing lots of teachers, so young ones don’t last as long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it’s hilarious to me that someone could look at problems in school and instead of looking at what the *school* is doing, blame parents! The problem with child behavior in school is due to the school system’s increasing refusal to focus on, you know, teaching kids content. Instead of books, tests, homework, and ambitious expectations, we have group work, endless focus on “concepts”, homework eliminated as “inequitable.” Even putting kids in tables together instead of desks in rows.

My kid had an absolutely fabulous Kindergarten teacher who knew how to keep kids in line and also focused on content (phonics and basic math skills). That was the best year in school he had. Every year since has been worse as teachers seem to be focused on teaching to an imaginary ideal as opposed to actually teaching kids content.

What’s “hilarious” to you is actually the conclusion that the vast majority of teachers have come to lately, particularly those who have taught for 20 years or more.

DP. Can you clarify? I think I know what you are trying to say but I'm not sure. I'd be very interested to hear from teachers, particularly those who have been teaching for many years.

Don't you also think that teachers have changed as well? While some of the changes stem from unreasonable demands put on them, the teaching profession has changed, and that doesn't seem to be acknowledged very often.

Yes, what I meant is that parents and students have changed in some significant ways over the time I have been teaching. Students and parents are less likely to respect teachers. They are more likely to seek exceptions and special treatment for themselves.

Don't you also think that teachers have changed? While some of the changes stem from unreasonable demands put on them, the teaching profession has changed, and that doesn't seem to be acknowledged very often.

I don’t know — I haven’t noticed that teachers have changed. What have you seen? I do see that we’re losing lots of teachers, so young ones don’t last as long.

Teachers are much more permissive today than years ago.

My kids get away with so much more crap than I ever did, and I went to a public school out in CA back in the 70s/80s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it’s hilarious to me that someone could look at problems in school and instead of looking at what the *school* is doing, blame parents! The problem with child behavior in school is due to the school system’s increasing refusal to focus on, you know, teaching kids content. Instead of books, tests, homework, and ambitious expectations, we have group work, endless focus on “concepts”, homework eliminated as “inequitable.” Even putting kids in tables together instead of desks in rows.

My kid had an absolutely fabulous Kindergarten teacher who knew how to keep kids in line and also focused on content (phonics and basic math skills). That was the best year in school he had. Every year since has been worse as teachers seem to be focused on teaching to an imaginary ideal as opposed to actually teaching kids content.

oh, if only the school system would teach kids. That will make all kids behave.



-not a teacher

If the school system focused on the structure of teaching and learning, yet it would help. Instead the system is increasingly full of poorly trained teachers who believe their job is teaching kids “how to think” and “how to be activists” (with of course the former cabined by the latter).

Teaching kids to be open minded is not indoctrination. Also, we do need activists. That's how change is made. How do you think the civil rights came to be? Or do you think colored people should've stayed in their place and not made such a huge stink and just learned the 5 Rs in school via rote memorization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it’s hilarious to me that someone could look at problems in school and instead of looking at what the *school* is doing, blame parents! The problem with child behavior in school is due to the school system’s increasing refusal to focus on, you know, teaching kids content. Instead of books, tests, homework, and ambitious expectations, we have group work, endless focus on “concepts”, homework eliminated as “inequitable.” Even putting kids in tables together instead of desks in rows.

My kid had an absolutely fabulous Kindergarten teacher who knew how to keep kids in line and also focused on content (phonics and basic math skills). That was the best year in school he had. Every year since has been worse as teachers seem to be focused on teaching to an imaginary ideal as opposed to actually teaching kids content.

oh, if only the school system would teach kids. That will make all kids behave.



-not a teacher

If the school system focused on the structure of teaching and learning, yet it would help. Instead the system is increasingly full of poorly trained teachers who believe their job is teaching kids “how to think” and “how to be activists” (with of course the former cabined by the latter).

Teaching kids to be open minded is not indoctrination. Also, we do need activists. That's how change is made. How do you think the civil rights came to be? Or do you think colored people should've stayed in their place and not made such a huge stink and just learned the 5 Rs in school via rote memorization.

DP. Activists are not "made" in school. In school, they learn the 3 Rs and they found their inspiration where they found it. It wasn't taught to them.

Is your post for real? If so, please think more deeply about what school is for, what an education is for, and why and how people are activists and make changes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it’s hilarious to me that someone could look at problems in school and instead of looking at what the *school* is doing, blame parents! The problem with child behavior in school is due to the school system’s increasing refusal to focus on, you know, teaching kids content. Instead of books, tests, homework, and ambitious expectations, we have group work, endless focus on “concepts”, homework eliminated as “inequitable.” Even putting kids in tables together instead of desks in rows.

My kid had an absolutely fabulous Kindergarten teacher who knew how to keep kids in line and also focused on content (phonics and basic math skills). That was the best year in school he had. Every year since has been worse as teachers seem to be focused on teaching to an imaginary ideal as opposed to actually teaching kids content.

What’s “hilarious” to you is actually the conclusion that the vast majority of teachers have come to lately, particularly those who have taught for 20 years or more.

DP. Can you clarify? I think I know what you are trying to say but I'm not sure. I'd be very interested to hear from teachers, particularly those who have been teaching for many years.

Don't you also think that teachers have changed as well? While some of the changes stem from unreasonable demands put on them, the teaching profession has changed, and that doesn't seem to be acknowledged very often.

Yes, what I meant is that parents and students have changed in some significant ways over the time I have been teaching. Students and parents are less likely to respect teachers. They are more likely to seek exceptions and special treatment for themselves.

Don't you also think that teachers have changed? While some of the changes stem from unreasonable demands put on them, the teaching profession has changed, and that doesn't seem to be acknowledged very often.

I don’t know — I haven’t noticed that teachers have changed. What have you seen? I do see that we’re losing lots of teachers, so young ones don’t last as long.

Teachers are much more permissive today than years ago.

My kids get away with so much more crap than I ever did, and I went to a public school out in CA back in the 70s/80s.

DP. I agree teachers are more permissive. I’m more permissive now than I was when I started teaching 20 years ago. Most of it comes down to burnout. I have to fight so much more now - with students, parents, and administrators. When I uphold a policy, even a school-wide one, I often end up in meetings or email threads telling me to stand down. I can spend hours trying to uphold policies, or I can maintain my sanity.

I get push back on everything now. Student cheated? They didn’t know better, so don’t penalize them. Student was disrespectful? I must have done something to deserve it. Student isn’t turning in assignments? I must be giving too many and they are overwhelmed. Stand down and give passing grades. That’s all we are expected to do.

We’ve lowered the bar to our ankles. Try to raise it and you’ll get beat back down.