Has teacher appreciation week gotten out of hand?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try solving some sample math PARCC questions PP and then get back to us.

OK. I did. What is that supposed to show me?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HS teacher here. Teacher appreciation week is unacknowledged by our school and students. This attitude doesn't bother me at all. I would much rather people seriously discuss pay raises and perception of teachers (e.g., I feel that teachers should be viewed in the same company as doctors, lawyers, engineers rather than nurses, firefighters, police officers. Changing that uniquely American perspective would attract more people to the profession. But I digress...)

My kids are in elementary school. Every year, I get a flyer talking about teacher appreciation week, and I promptly recycle it. I don't mind if others want to throw a little party for the elementary school staff or give them something each and every day during the week, as long as these others don't pressure me to get involved or call me "lazy-ass."

Teachers are not equal to doctors, lawyers and engineers and are paid more than other professions, such as police officers and social workers. I don't get why teachers want to be put on a pedestal for doing their job. Teachers get plenty of perks and our local school systems pay very well compared to others. It is a public gov't job.

In other countries, teachers are equated with doctors and engineers and other "impressive" jobs. Therefore, the teaching profession attracts a lot of prime candidates. The school systems get to pick the best. They do not tolerate bad teachers. In the U.S., there is a stigma attached to teaching. "Oh, you work as a teacher! That's so noble of you. Is it nice having the summers off?" It is kind of like the military. We "honor" them all over the place, but we do not want our sons and daughters to go into the armed services. We judge people by their careers... when asked to compare a firefighter and an engineer, which one would you assume was the more intelligent one? It is not right, but that is the way it is.

Your average high-flying academically successful high school graduate is much more likely to choose a different career path than teaching. For one, it is not easy to support a family on a teacher's salary. Plus, they would probably rather be admired as a doctor than looked down upon as a teacher.

Sadly, that is just the way it is in our country.

+1 I agree with this perspective. The teaching profession does not necessarily attract the best of the best. It is embarrassingly sad when you consider the number of potential teachers who struggle with the math portion of the Praxis test (a test required for teaching certification). How can we expect teachers to correctly teach our children mathematics when they do not understand it well themselves?

What countries are teachers equated with doctors? If you think it is Finland, you are wrong.

In Finland general practitioners earn, on average, about $70,000 per year, which is less than half of what doctors earn in the United States. The average salary for primary education teachers with 15 years experience in Finland is about $37,500, compared to $45,225 in the United States. Moreover, the cost of living in Finland is about 30% higher.


China pays their teachers $18K a year.

As a matter of fact USA is ranked in the top 2 to 7 countries in every report I looked at. Besides Luxembourg and Korea, there are pretty on par or above most other countries. And NONE of them are on par with a doctor in the same country. It is something Obama talked about a year or so ago and he was gravely misinformed when he spoke. People asked for data after he said it and the White House could not provide it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The average teacher spends $700 of his/her own money on the classroom.

In my profession I have spent close to $2k of my own money on items needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try solving some sample math PARCC questions PP and then get back to us.

Done. Now what?

I'm sorry, but I was an elementary ed major my first two years of college and it is just not a rigorous program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The average teacher spends $700 of his/her own money on the classroom.

In my profession I have spent close to $2k of my own money on items needed.

+1

I am a home nurse and have to buy my own scrubs, shoes, stethoscope and supplies. I usually bring food to the patients I know aren't eating well or who can't cook warm meals. Magazines and newspapers too. Not to mention wear and tear on my car. I can't even begin to think how much money I put in. I think many professions do but most don't complain about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know teachers are underappreciated and they do very important work for little compensation, but I don't remember there ever being even a teacher appreciation day in the past, and now it's a whole week and we're supposed to bring something every day?! Are we really expected to participate in every day of the whole week? Everything these days seems so over the top, whether it's Christmas, birthday parties, and now this.

At our school there is something simple every day but not everyone contributes everyday. There is a sign-up-genius with about 40 slots to fill for a school of 550 students. Sadly, most lazy-ass parents don't have time to fill in one slot and it sounds like you are one of them - and complaining to boot.

A lot of lazy-ass parents have full time jobs in addition to other duties of which you might know nothing. Stop judging others and worry about yourself.

Working full-time does not get you a get-out-of-parenting card. Do you think it is only SAHM that should help or be involved in the school? Our entire PTA board is working parents and many are involved in the school. If you can't bring in a bagels or a fruit platter ONE day a year because you work full time, you are a LAZY-ASS PARENT.

No, I think only rude judgy busy-bodies raised by the monkeys "get involved" in the school. We all know the type very well. The entire school system is financed by our tax money. That's my contribution. You need to chill out and find something else to meddle with.

[Anonymous]

Last year in addition to daily gifts, our class gave a class gift card to a favorite store AND a gift card to her favorite place to buy school supplies. We also asked her what she needed and brought more supplies. She could not be bothered to even email a thank you TO THE CLASS! We're not talking about expecting a handwritten note to each of us. Just a quick email. She has the whole class on one email list. It would take 1 minute tops. So many parents were asking me if she even got all the gifts. I was so afraid they thought I pocketed it all so I sent an email to all verifying she got it and was pleased.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last year in addition to daily gifts, our class gave a class gift card to a favorite store AND a gift card to her favorite place to buy school supplies. We also asked her what she needed and brought more supplies. She could not be bothered to even email a thank you TO THE CLASS! We're not talking about expecting a handwritten note to each of us. Just a quick email. She has the whole class on one email list. It would take 1 minute tops. So many parents were asking me if she even got all the gifts. I was so afraid they thought I pocketed it all so I sent an email to all verifying she got it and was pleased.

Same with mine. I received one direct email two years ago as a thank you. Otherwise none. They are too busy.

[Anonymous]

Ugh... One of my kids teachers has been promoting his birthday, his pregnancy, his baby's gender, her due date, etc...

[Anonymous]

It sounds like some schools are out of control and some teachers take advantage.

I feel like our school has a good balance that allows parents to either give a little time, a little money, both or none.

As for all of the "I have a tough job and I do not get gifts crowd", are you young? It seems like the younger crowd at my work seems to think everything should be fair. Unfortunately, life is not fair. Just because you do not get gifts, does not mean teachers should not. If ypu do not want to participate, don't. But some of us do.

[Anonymous]

Our school asks for a tiny donation ($2) to contribute to a lunch and suggests you do something to acknowledge your teacher during the week. And, you can get free supplies from the parent center if you want to make a card or poster. I love how the PTA makes the event inclusive (Title 1). I have found teachers appreciate a note about what things you like about your kid's class as much as any gifts.

[Anonymous]

Teacher, like anyone else in a profession, are doing their jobs. Not everyone is well suited to the job and its requirements. Not everyone is well suited to become a lawyer either. I thank my children's teacher personally when I see them, for various things I know they have done. I also think many other people in my children's lives - coaches, doctors, etc - who in the course of their jobs are helping my kids. I don't give gifts because I am told to do it. I give gifts when I feel especially moved to do so. The fact that parents need to be told how and when to give gifts for teacher appreciation week is ridiculous and way over the top.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HS teacher here. Teacher appreciation week is unacknowledged by our school and students. This attitude doesn't bother me at all. I would much rather people seriously discuss pay raises and perception of teachers (e.g., I feel that teachers should be viewed in the same company as doctors, lawyers, engineers rather than nurses, firefighters, police officers. Changing that uniquely American perspective would attract more people to the profession. But I digress...)

My kids are in elementary school. Every year, I get a flyer talking about teacher appreciation week, and I promptly recycle it. I don't mind if others want to throw a little party for the elementary school staff or give them something each and every day during the week, as long as these others don't pressure me to get involved or call me "lazy-ass."

Teachers are not equal to doctors, lawyers and engineers and are paid more than other professions, such as police officers and social workers. I don't get why teachers want to be put on a pedestal for doing their job. Teachers get plenty of perks and our local school systems pay very well compared to others. It is a public gov't job.

Agree, they get paid about the same as I do as a nurse and I work weekends, holidays, all summers, have had my arm broken by a drug addict, puked on, urinated on, disimpacted elderly, changed colostomy bags, been yelled out by patients, doctors, family members, worked 30+ hours in a row in snowstorms, and usually never get a lunch break on a normal 13hr shift. But I didn't pick my job for the money. I have held hands with people as they die alone and scared. I have helped many people in many years, just as teachers help kids and that is why I am a nurse. I would never be able to like or live with myself if I was a lawyer. I may have more money but I sure wouldn't be happy. I don't demand a doctor pay scale because I didn't go thru the years of schooling they did, nor do I want that pressure for myself.

Teachers work hard no doubt but they get paid well here and have A LOT of vacation days a year. They get to spend every summer and holiday with their kids. I think there may only be 10 weeks a year, they are working 5 full days. It is very hard to appreciate the ones that feel entitled to more like the above poster.

NP and former preschool teacher here, while it does sound like there are schools that have gone overboard- it seems there is something major you have have missed here- and that is this is a learning opportunity, hence why it is popular in preschool and elementary school. We are teaching your children to appreciate the people who they deal with on a regular basis. That is why it is mostly small simple gestures your children can participate and understand. It isn't about the gifts and making sure the teachers get theirs, just like when we spend time on Mothers day gifts in the classroom, it isn't about the gifts!!

[Anonymous]

I pay their salary through my taxes. Why do they need another dime from me? that's nonsense

[Anonymous]

The teachers make more money than I do. I can't afford to buy them gifts for doing their jobs, so I don't. I do take the time to write thoughtful letters of appreciation to them.