Be honest - what do you think of teachers?

[Anonymous]

I think some of the most amazing people I have met have been teachers and some of the most bitter, cynical and laziest people I have met have also been teachers. It is such a large field it attracts both kinds. However I do believe the system (unions and administrations) rewards the latter group and punishes the first group causing many to leave. Many people mention Finland, Japan and Korea where teachers are held in high regard, they are also some to the best educated and innovative in those societies. What I worry about is that our education system pushes against innovation within the classroom and politicizes the classroom increasing the number of cynical, bitter teachers.

[Anonymous]

I think that most of them should be happy that they have jobs.

[Anonymous]

I think a bunch are going to end up unemployed with the federal deficit deal. Hold on tight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I taught in NYC///// My solution? (And now that I'm no longer teaching, it can't be deemed self-serving...) Keep teacher salaries the same, but make them tax-exempt. Doing so would serve two purposes. It would increase teacher salaries (and not do much in the way of the economy, since the salaries are so low--we're not talking high-end here...), and it would elevate teachers to a special status, as elite because of what they do.

What about cops and firefighters and nurses and military. They are all heroes and deserve elite status too. And small businesspeople. And daycare workers. And garbage men. And prison guards..... You get my point? Lots of really important work does not pay well. Really all workers making under 50k in some places, 100k in others, should be tax free. that's why we need progressive taxation, a higher minimum wage, elimination of the FICA max so high earners pay their fair share for SS, and a more simple tax code.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a bunch are going to end up unemployed with the federal deficit deal. Hold on tight.

You certainly don't know how things work, do you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that most of them should be happy that they have jobs.

You're the type who makes things worse for teachers b/c of your ignorance.

[Anonymous]

To 15.44 and the other posters who think teaching (esp little kids) is easy....As a Montessori primary teacher, I ask YOU if you could manage a classroom of 20 mixed aged preschoolers, ranging in age between 3 and 6? Do you think you could engage all of these students of varying intellectual and physical capabilities, attention spans, and interest levels? Could you teach your students effectively enough so that they are ready for the next class they will be in? (This includes reading,handwriting, addition, subtraction, geography, science, art, social studies, and so on.....) Do you think you could handle multi tasking "housekeeping" duties for 20 childre? (Wiping noses, tying shoes, reminders to use the bathroom, opening juice boxes, making sure the right children go to afternoon programs or playdates when they do not know themselves, zipping jackets, and so on. ) Do you think that you would be able to help your studentslearn to navigate social issues with their peers (sharing, kindness, inclusion, and so on) ? Could you handle administrative tasks, such as parent teacher conferences, staff meetings, team meetings, lesson plans, keeping the classroom environment in order, writing narratives for student reports, etc? Do you think you would be able to please the parents of all of these students because you are THE most important person in these kid's lives for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week? Could you nurture these children and be attentive to all of their emotional/physical needs? I love my job but it is not easy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To 15.44 and the other posters who think teaching (esp little kids) is easy....As a Montessori primary teacher, I ask YOU if you could manage a classroom of 20 mixed aged preschoolers, ranging in age between 3 and 6? Do you think you could engage all of these students of varying intellectual and physical capabilities, attention spans, and interest levels? Could you teach your students effectively enough so that they are ready for the next class they will be in? (This includes reading,handwriting, addition, subtraction, geography, science, art, social studies, and so on.....) Do you think you could handle multi tasking "housekeeping" duties for 20 childre? (Wiping noses, tying shoes, reminders to use the bathroom, opening juice boxes, making sure the right children go to afternoon programs or playdates when they do not know themselves, zipping jackets, and so on. ) Do you think that you would be able to help your studentslearn to navigate social issues with their peers (sharing, kindness, inclusion, and so on) ? Could you handle administrative tasks, such as parent teacher conferences, staff meetings, team meetings, lesson plans, keeping the classroom environment in order, writing narratives for student reports, etc? Do you think you would be able to please the parents of all of these students because you are THE most important person in these kid's lives for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week? Could you nurture these children and be attentive to all of their emotional/physical needs? I love my job but it is not easy!

My daughter LOVED her montessori. She's now 7 and doing very well in elementary school. (I did well in montessori, too, many many moons ago.)

Signed,
a high school teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of the people I knew in college who majored in education weren't terribly bright. Many of them seemed more interested in getting married than having a career.

With that said, I do believe there are lots of bright, committed teachers out there and I don't believe the profession gets the pay or respect it deserves.

Since I don't have school-aged kids I don't feel like I have a clear sense of how demanding the job is. I'd imagine parents can be very difficult to deal with at times.

In general I agree with this, but many teachers didn't major in education. My DH teaches elementary school. He majored in biology, then went back to school and got a graduate degree in education. He taught MS science for awhile, then became certified to teach elementary school.

[Anonymous]

But really, be honest - what do you think of lawyers?

[Anonymous]

I respect the many hard working teachers that dedicate their lives to educating and caring for our children. There are many in our society that have the energy or interest to instill in their children an appreciation for education and the school end up being a babysitting service. Teachers are saddled with pupils who do not come to school ready and eager to learn and on top of that are pressured to make them pass tests per the No Child Left Behind legacy. It is sad. It would be nice to be able to recruit, retain, and reward excellent and well educated teachers and pay them a fantastic salary. They have one of the most important jobs in the world and yet for many their education levels don't reflect it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But really, be honest - what do you think of lawyers?

I've known quite a few who have left law to pursue teaching. (high school level)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I respect the many hard working teachers that dedicate their lives to educating and caring for our children. There are many in our society that have the energy or interest to instill in their children an appreciation for education and the school end up being a babysitting service. Teachers are saddled with pupils who do not come to school ready and eager to learn and on top of that are pressured to make them pass tests per the No Child Left Behind legacy. It is sad. It would be nice to be able to recruit, retain, and reward excellent and well educated teachers and pay them a fantastic salary. They have one of the most important jobs in the world and yet for many their education levels don't reflect it.

I don't understand how people can make this "claim" w/o providing evidence.

I have yet to meet a teacher w/o a degree. Most have masters in MCPS. If you look at Schools at a Glance for any school, you'll see a percentage of teachers who are HQ versus those who aren't. I just randomly clicked on an elementary school - 94.8% HQ vs. 5.2%. Even in one of our low-performing middles schools, 91.9% are HQ.

Here is the definition of HQ:
The federal[b] definition of a "Highly Qualified" teacher is one who is: fully certified and/or licensed by the state; holds at least a bachelor's degree from a four-year institution; and demonstrates competence in each core academic subject area in which the teacher teaches.

Federal - So it's a nationwide requirement. In order to update certification, we're required to earn credits toward a masters +30. You can max out, however, at a +60 (or PhD).

I have 3 degrees and am at a masters +30. In our system, I am the norm. My husband has a masters +60, and I have quite a few friends and colleagues with PhDs.

It's disturbing to read such inaccurate statements again and again.

[Anonymous]

middle

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I respect the many hard working teachers that dedicate their lives to educating and caring for our children. There are many in our society that have the energy or interest to instill in their children an appreciation for education and the school end up being a babysitting service. Teachers are saddled with pupils who do not come to school ready and eager to learn and on top of that are pressured to make them pass tests per the No Child Left Behind legacy. It is sad. It would be nice to be able to recruit, retain, and reward excellent and well educated teachers and pay them a fantastic salary. They have one of the most important jobs in the world and yet for many their education levels don't reflect it.

I don't understand how people can make this "claim" w/o providing evidence.

I have yet to meet a teacher w/o a degree. Most have masters in MCPS. If you look at Schools at a Glance for any school, you'll see a percentage of teachers who are HQ versus those who aren't. I just randomly clicked on an elementary school - 94.8% HQ vs. 5.2%. Even in one of our low-performing middles schools, 91.9% are HQ.

Here is the definition of HQ:
The[u] federal[b] definition of a "Highly Qualified" teacher is one who is: fully certified and/or licensed by the state; holds at least a bachelor's degree from a four-year institution; and demonstrates competence in each core academic subject area in which the teacher teaches.

Federal - So it's a nationwide requirement. In order to update certification, we're required to earn credits toward a masters +30. You can max out, however, at a +60 (or PhD).

I have 3 degrees and am at a masters +30. In our system, I am the norm. My husband has a masters +60, and I have quite a few friends and colleagues with PhDs.

It's disturbing to read such inaccurate statements again and again.

[Anonymous]

Another teacher here w/ a masters degree.