Have the teachers gotten worse over the years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there are a lot more inexperienced teachers than before. It’s simply not as competitive of a job anymore. Enrollment in teacher prep programs is down about 30 percent from 2010.

I suspect this is because people aren’t staying in the profession for long.

Teaching is now a revolving door. We bring in fresh teachers, often through alternative certification programs instead of universities. Then we quickly burn them out and they quit. And so we replace them with a new set of teachers. Repeat.

The job used to be sustainable for a full career. Yes, it was competitive then.

But it isn’t now, and people aren’t willing to put up with the long hours, overstimulating work environment, neverending stress, and undeserved disrespect. (Just look at the posts above. Take leave and prepare to be judged harshly.) So no, it isn’t competitive anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers in my childhood (I’m a millennial so, boomers and some Gen X taught me) had much much more authority and dignity. Its all about social media. Teachers now have their Disney vacations on their Insta, are complaining constantly in group chats, post begging links to Facebook. None of that makes the parent body respect them, which obviously impacts how students see them. By high school the students are mocking them too.

In my childhood if you saw a teacher out in public it was an event. Now everyone knows everything that they did at the weekend and it leads to disdain.

I don't see how a teacher posting about their Disney vacation makes one lose respect for them. We're allowed to have our own lives outside of the classroom. The mysticism you mention (that seeing a teacher in public was an "event") comes from the childish idea that teachers belong in one environment: the classroom. If social media did anything at all, it simply exposed teachers as fellow human beings. I don't see that as a bad thing at all.

The real problem you expose is that parents might seem comfortable mocking teachers in front of their children. I'm a Gen X teacher. I model respect in my home. If you're witnessing parents mocking teachers, and therefore encouraging their children to be equally rude, then that's not a "teacher" problem. That's a family relationship problem.

Because its while the class is taught by a sub and the school is preaching about absences.

This doesn’t bother me. Teachers are professionals and they are entitled to leave.

I don’t subscribe to the idea that teachers must sacrifice their own lives because they work with children. We don’t treat other professions like that.

And the “school” is not the “teacher.” Don’t get the two confused.

This bothers me. Teachers get 10+ weeks off in the summer, 1 week for spring break, 2 weeks for Xmas, MLK day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, mid winder break, a few others in there as well. That should be the time they use for vacations, routine health appts, and whatever other personal matters that need attention. Just as kids are expected to be in school daily and to plan their vacations and Dr appt around time off. Obv they should get sick days and days for emergent reasons- but my child’s first grade teacher went on a week vacation during the school year. Plus a bunch of other random days she took off during the year. That’s ridiculous

I’m a teacher and I no longer feel guilty for using my leave. I did for many years. I missed weddings and family reunions. I missed the opportunity to see my own child’s major presentation on her college campus. I missed taking her to college in the first place. I never used my leave because I was afraid of how I would be perceived, putting my own family above my students.

I no longer do that. My family comes first, as it should. If all things are equal, I’ll arrange my family vacations during the summer. But if an event happens during the school year, I’m going to be there.

I regret the many times I put work first. I’m a mother before I’m a teacher, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

That’s all very nice. But when your students are being taught by subs for the fourth time that month, you can’t expect the narrative to be about your professionalism, dedication, and work ethic.

AI is another example. Teachers tell students they can’t use it, and then post obviously AI generated slides.

Teachers are on their cell phones all day in school.

These hypocrisies add up, and families do not consider teachers credible, and they certainly don’t have the respect and authority they did in my childhood.

Are you the poster from above, saying that Gen X and Boomer teachers were more respectable?

I don’t see what you see, and I actually work in a school. Teachers instruct students in how to use AI. Teachers place their phones in the same wall pockets as the students, to model behavior.

And yes, teachers use their granted leave. Sometimes because they’re sick. Sometimes because they have an event that can’t wait until summer, like taking care of a family member in the hospital. Sometimes it’s because they want to celebrate a part of their life that isn’t teaching, because they have loved ones.

When you stop looking for reasons to disrespect teachers, you open yourself up to seeing them as hard-working professionals balancing a ridiculously hard job as well as the challenges of home life. And then you can find reasons to respect them. But it starts by removing the filter from your own eyes that makes you want to see them in one bad light.

Crazy counterpoint if you can see around your own filter: some teachers use phones and AI and absences inappropriately. In a world of social media that conducts spreads much further and has a larger reputational impact than the one teacher who is bucking the administration on screen time or the one who is really focused on handwriting notes. Since EVERYONE knows about the Disney trip and the AI slides (not to mention the abuse scandals), total respect for teachers diminishes.

Sure, some teachers do. The difference between us is that I don’t condemn the entire profession for the actions of the few. I had a lousy, negligent, and lazy doctor once who missed a serious issue during my exam. I don’t think she represents the medical profession as a whole. That would be extremely irresponsible and short-sighted of me, to judge the whole based on her inaction.

I do know a teacher who took a Disney trip during the school year. I also happen to know the deeply tragic family experience that sparked that trip. I’m not going to fault her for choosing life and love over 3 days at work. But someone from the outside probably condemned her for that, too.

After this I assume you changed doctors? Or filed a complaint with the state board? Parents aren’t allowed to change teachers to avoid the bad apples and complaints go nowhere. This further erodes confidence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers in my childhood (I’m a millennial so, boomers and some Gen X taught me) had much much more authority and dignity. Its all about social media. Teachers now have their Disney vacations on their Insta, are complaining constantly in group chats, post begging links to Facebook. None of that makes the parent body respect them, which obviously impacts how students see them. By high school the students are mocking them too.

In my childhood if you saw a teacher out in public it was an event. Now everyone knows everything that they did at the weekend and it leads to disdain.

I don't see how a teacher posting about their Disney vacation makes one lose respect for them. We're allowed to have our own lives outside of the classroom. The mysticism you mention (that seeing a teacher in public was an "event") comes from the childish idea that teachers belong in one environment: the classroom. If social media did anything at all, it simply exposed teachers as fellow human beings. I don't see that as a bad thing at all.

The real problem you expose is that parents might seem comfortable mocking teachers in front of their children. I'm a Gen X teacher. I model respect in my home. If you're witnessing parents mocking teachers, and therefore encouraging their children to be equally rude, then that's not a "teacher" problem. That's a family relationship problem.

Because its while the class is taught by a sub and the school is preaching about absences.

This doesn’t bother me. Teachers are professionals and they are entitled to leave.

I don’t subscribe to the idea that teachers must sacrifice their own lives because they work with children. We don’t treat other professions like that.

And the “school” is not the “teacher.” Don’t get the two confused.

This bothers me. Teachers get 10+ weeks off in the summer, 1 week for spring break, 2 weeks for Xmas, MLK day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, mid winder break, a few others in there as well. That should be the time they use for vacations, routine health appts, and whatever other personal matters that need attention. Just as kids are expected to be in school daily and to plan their vacations and Dr appt around time off. Obv they should get sick days and days for emergent reasons- but my child’s first grade teacher went on a week vacation during the school year. Plus a bunch of other random days she took off during the year. That’s ridiculous

I’m a teacher and I no longer feel guilty for using my leave. I did for many years. I missed weddings and family reunions. I missed the opportunity to see my own child’s major presentation on her college campus. I missed taking her to college in the first place. I never used my leave because I was afraid of how I would be perceived, putting my own family above my students.

I no longer do that. My family comes first, as it should. If all things are equal, I’ll arrange my family vacations during the summer. But if an event happens during the school year, I’m going to be there.

I regret the many times I put work first. I’m a mother before I’m a teacher, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Since when are weddings and family reunions M-F during the school year? Kids are dropped off at colleges usually before k-12 school year starts and always on weekends. Again- teachers have more time off than literally any other profession

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers in my childhood (I’m a millennial so, boomers and some Gen X taught me) had much much more authority and dignity. Its all about social media. Teachers now have their Disney vacations on their Insta, are complaining constantly in group chats, post begging links to Facebook. None of that makes the parent body respect them, which obviously impacts how students see them. By high school the students are mocking them too.

In my childhood if you saw a teacher out in public it was an event. Now everyone knows everything that they did at the weekend and it leads to disdain.

I don't see how a teacher posting about their Disney vacation makes one lose respect for them. We're allowed to have our own lives outside of the classroom. The mysticism you mention (that seeing a teacher in public was an "event") comes from the childish idea that teachers belong in one environment: the classroom. If social media did anything at all, it simply exposed teachers as fellow human beings. I don't see that as a bad thing at all.

The real problem you expose is that parents might seem comfortable mocking teachers in front of their children. I'm a Gen X teacher. I model respect in my home. If you're witnessing parents mocking teachers, and therefore encouraging their children to be equally rude, then that's not a "teacher" problem. That's a family relationship problem.

Because its while the class is taught by a sub and the school is preaching about absences.

This doesn’t bother me. Teachers are professionals and they are entitled to leave.

I don’t subscribe to the idea that teachers must sacrifice their own lives because they work with children. We don’t treat other professions like that.

And the “school” is not the “teacher.” Don’t get the two confused.

This bothers me. Teachers get 10+ weeks off in the summer, 1 week for spring break, 2 weeks for Xmas, MLK day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, mid winder break, a few others in there as well. That should be the time they use for vacations, routine health appts, and whatever other personal matters that need attention. Just as kids are expected to be in school daily and to plan their vacations and Dr appt around time off. Obv they should get sick days and days for emergent reasons- but my child’s first grade teacher went on a week vacation during the school year. Plus a bunch of other random days she took off during the year. That’s ridiculous

I’m a teacher and I no longer feel guilty for using my leave. I did for many years. I missed weddings and family reunions. I missed the opportunity to see my own child’s major presentation on her college campus. I missed taking her to college in the first place. I never used my leave because I was afraid of how I would be perceived, putting my own family above my students.

I no longer do that. My family comes first, as it should. If all things are equal, I’ll arrange my family vacations during the summer. But if an event happens during the school year, I’m going to be there.

I regret the many times I put work first. I’m a mother before I’m a teacher, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Since when are weddings and family reunions M-F during the school year? Kids are dropped off at colleges usually before k-12 school year starts and always on weekends. Again- teachers have more time off than literally any other profession

A Friday evening on the west coast (with a Thursday evening rehearsal dinner) when I live here requires that I take leave.

Her move-in date seven states away was on a Tuesday after school began.

Don’t presume to know somebody else’s life. You’ll be proven wrong almost every time.

And as I said before: I will no longer sacrifice my family, especially since I will never give enough to make certain people happy. This was a lesson I wish I learned at the start of my career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers in my childhood (I’m a millennial so, boomers and some Gen X taught me) had much much more authority and dignity. Its all about social media. Teachers now have their Disney vacations on their Insta, are complaining constantly in group chats, post begging links to Facebook. None of that makes the parent body respect them, which obviously impacts how students see them. By high school the students are mocking them too.

In my childhood if you saw a teacher out in public it was an event. Now everyone knows everything that they did at the weekend and it leads to disdain.

I don't see how a teacher posting about their Disney vacation makes one lose respect for them. We're allowed to have our own lives outside of the classroom. The mysticism you mention (that seeing a teacher in public was an "event") comes from the childish idea that teachers belong in one environment: the classroom. If social media did anything at all, it simply exposed teachers as fellow human beings. I don't see that as a bad thing at all.

The real problem you expose is that parents might seem comfortable mocking teachers in front of their children. I'm a Gen X teacher. I model respect in my home. If you're witnessing parents mocking teachers, and therefore encouraging their children to be equally rude, then that's not a "teacher" problem. That's a family relationship problem.

Because its while the class is taught by a sub and the school is preaching about absences.

This doesn’t bother me. Teachers are professionals and they are entitled to leave.

I don’t subscribe to the idea that teachers must sacrifice their own lives because they work with children. We don’t treat other professions like that.

And the “school” is not the “teacher.” Don’t get the two confused.

This bothers me. Teachers get 10+ weeks off in the summer, 1 week for spring break, 2 weeks for Xmas, MLK day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, mid winder break, a few others in there as well. That should be the time they use for vacations, routine health appts, and whatever other personal matters that need attention. Just as kids are expected to be in school daily and to plan their vacations and Dr appt around time off. Obv they should get sick days and days for emergent reasons- but my child’s first grade teacher went on a week vacation during the school year. Plus a bunch of other random days she took off during the year. That’s ridiculous

I’m a teacher and I no longer feel guilty for using my leave. I did for many years. I missed weddings and family reunions. I missed the opportunity to see my own child’s major presentation on her college campus. I missed taking her to college in the first place. I never used my leave because I was afraid of how I would be perceived, putting my own family above my students.

I no longer do that. My family comes first, as it should. If all things are equal, I’ll arrange my family vacations during the summer. But if an event happens during the school year, I’m going to be there.

I regret the many times I put work first. I’m a mother before I’m a teacher, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Since when are weddings and family reunions M-F during the school year? Kids are dropped off at colleges usually before k-12 school year starts and always on weekends. Again- teachers have more time off than literally any other profession

A Friday evening on the west coast (with a Thursday evening rehearsal dinner) when I live here requires that I take leave.

Her move-in date seven states away was on a Tuesday after school began.

Don’t presume to know somebody else’s life. You’ll be proven wrong almost every time.

And as I said before: I will no longer sacrifice my family, especially since I will never give enough to make certain people happy. This was a lesson I wish I learned at the start of my career.

Right. Right. The vast majority of these types of things are happening on weekends or time off already. There is zero reason to habitually miss class time for stuff like this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers in my childhood (I’m a millennial so, boomers and some Gen X taught me) had much much more authority and dignity. Its all about social media. Teachers now have their Disney vacations on their Insta, are complaining constantly in group chats, post begging links to Facebook. None of that makes the parent body respect them, which obviously impacts how students see them. By high school the students are mocking them too.

In my childhood if you saw a teacher out in public it was an event. Now everyone knows everything that they did at the weekend and it leads to disdain.

I don't see how a teacher posting about their Disney vacation makes one lose respect for them. We're allowed to have our own lives outside of the classroom. The mysticism you mention (that seeing a teacher in public was an "event") comes from the childish idea that teachers belong in one environment: the classroom. If social media did anything at all, it simply exposed teachers as fellow human beings. I don't see that as a bad thing at all.

The real problem you expose is that parents might seem comfortable mocking teachers in front of their children. I'm a Gen X teacher. I model respect in my home. If you're witnessing parents mocking teachers, and therefore encouraging their children to be equally rude, then that's not a "teacher" problem. That's a family relationship problem.

Because its while the class is taught by a sub and the school is preaching about absences.

This doesn’t bother me. Teachers are professionals and they are entitled to leave.

I don’t subscribe to the idea that teachers must sacrifice their own lives because they work with children. We don’t treat other professions like that.

And the “school” is not the “teacher.” Don’t get the two confused.

This bothers me. Teachers get 10+ weeks off in the summer, 1 week for spring break, 2 weeks for Xmas, MLK day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, mid winder break, a few others in there as well. That should be the time they use for vacations, routine health appts, and whatever other personal matters that need attention. Just as kids are expected to be in school daily and to plan their vacations and Dr appt around time off. Obv they should get sick days and days for emergent reasons- but my child’s first grade teacher went on a week vacation during the school year. Plus a bunch of other random days she took off during the year. That’s ridiculous

I’m a teacher and I no longer feel guilty for using my leave. I did for many years. I missed weddings and family reunions. I missed the opportunity to see my own child’s major presentation on her college campus. I missed taking her to college in the first place. I never used my leave because I was afraid of how I would be perceived, putting my own family above my students.

I no longer do that. My family comes first, as it should. If all things are equal, I’ll arrange my family vacations during the summer. But if an event happens during the school year, I’m going to be there.

I regret the many times I put work first. I’m a mother before I’m a teacher, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Since when are weddings and family reunions M-F during the school year? Kids are dropped off at colleges usually before k-12 school year starts and always on weekends. Again- teachers have more time off than literally any other profession

A Friday evening on the west coast (with a Thursday evening rehearsal dinner) when I live here requires that I take leave.

Her move-in date seven states away was on a Tuesday after school began.

Don’t presume to know somebody else’s life. You’ll be proven wrong almost every time.

And as I said before: I will no longer sacrifice my family, especially since I will never give enough to make certain people happy. This was a lesson I wish I learned at the start of my career.

Us too. And since teachers don’t prioritize presence over life events, I certainly see absolutely no reason our family should.

[Anonymous]

It's got to be a larger cultural problem, since the same phenomenon (educational outcomes getting worse) is happening in UK, Europe, Australia, Canada. In this context, tech/parenting seems like the most plausible explanation (both the proliferation of EdTech and personal devices at home + increased behaviors). You go on teacher boards and teachers in all these countries complain that the job has changed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers in my childhood (I’m a millennial so, boomers and some Gen X taught me) had much much more authority and dignity. Its all about social media. Teachers now have their Disney vacations on their Insta, are complaining constantly in group chats, post begging links to Facebook. None of that makes the parent body respect them, which obviously impacts how students see them. By high school the students are mocking them too.

In my childhood if you saw a teacher out in public it was an event. Now everyone knows everything that they did at the weekend and it leads to disdain.

I don't see how a teacher posting about their Disney vacation makes one lose respect for them. We're allowed to have our own lives outside of the classroom. The mysticism you mention (that seeing a teacher in public was an "event") comes from the childish idea that teachers belong in one environment: the classroom. If social media did anything at all, it simply exposed teachers as fellow human beings. I don't see that as a bad thing at all.

The real problem you expose is that parents might seem comfortable mocking teachers in front of their children. I'm a Gen X teacher. I model respect in my home. If you're witnessing parents mocking teachers, and therefore encouraging their children to be equally rude, then that's not a "teacher" problem. That's a family relationship problem.

Because its while the class is taught by a sub and the school is preaching about absences.

This doesn’t bother me. Teachers are professionals and they are entitled to leave.

I don’t subscribe to the idea that teachers must sacrifice their own lives because they work with children. We don’t treat other professions like that.

And the “school” is not the “teacher.” Don’t get the two confused.

This bothers me. Teachers get 10+ weeks off in the summer, 1 week for spring break, 2 weeks for Xmas, MLK day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, mid winder break, a few others in there as well. That should be the time they use for vacations, routine health appts, and whatever other personal matters that need attention. Just as kids are expected to be in school daily and to plan their vacations and Dr appt around time off. Obv they should get sick days and days for emergent reasons- but my child’s first grade teacher went on a week vacation during the school year. Plus a bunch of other random days she took off during the year. That’s ridiculous

I’m a teacher and I no longer feel guilty for using my leave. I did for many years. I missed weddings and family reunions. I missed the opportunity to see my own child’s major presentation on her college campus. I missed taking her to college in the first place. I never used my leave because I was afraid of how I would be perceived, putting my own family above my students.

I no longer do that. My family comes first, as it should. If all things are equal, I’ll arrange my family vacations during the summer. But if an event happens during the school year, I’m going to be there.

I regret the many times I put work first. I’m a mother before I’m a teacher, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Since when are weddings and family reunions M-F during the school year? Kids are dropped off at colleges usually before k-12 school year starts and always on weekends. Again- teachers have more time off than literally any other profession

A Friday evening on the west coast (with a Thursday evening rehearsal dinner) when I live here requires that I take leave.

Her move-in date seven states away was on a Tuesday after school began.

Don’t presume to know somebody else’s life. You’ll be proven wrong almost every time.

And as I said before: I will no longer sacrifice my family, especially since I will never give enough to make certain people happy. This was a lesson I wish I learned at the start of my career.

Right. Right. The vast majority of these types of things are happening on weekends or time off already. There is zero reason to habitually miss class time for stuff like this

I think you’re missing the point.

Nobody says they are doing these things habitually. The comments upthread, however, argue that teachers have lost respect and credibility because they use their personal leave for things like Disney, etc.

There are many teachers who sacrifice far too much of their own lives. They grade every night. They skip activities on weekends to stay home and plan. They RSVP “no” to important life events for fear of taking leave.

I am a mentor teacher and I routinely tell younger teachers to go to that wedding or attend that family event. We need to normalize that teachers are parents / children / community members first and teachers second. When teachers find balance, they tend to stay in the profession. And that is far more important than whether a teacher takes a day of leave here or there for personal reasons.

[Anonymous]

The newer teachers are the ones going into with a healthier attitude about taking personal and such days. Good for them.

We get one personal day per year and 15 sick days. We can use three unused sick days as personal days. Our district only pays us for 1/4 of our unused sick days so yeah, we are going to use them because otherwise, we will forfeit them. If the district would pay us for more than 1/4 of them, maybe we wouldn’t use them. I have over 100 unused sick days and I’m going to use them because I can. Teaching is a job and if I dropped over dead in the middle of class, my district wouldn’t care. You can’t take it with you so I’m telling my days as I go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers in my childhood (I’m a millennial so, boomers and some Gen X taught me) had much much more authority and dignity. Its all about social media. Teachers now have their Disney vacations on their Insta, are complaining constantly in group chats, post begging links to Facebook. None of that makes the parent body respect them, which obviously impacts how students see them. By high school the students are mocking them too.

In my childhood if you saw a teacher out in public it was an event. Now everyone knows everything that they did at the weekend and it leads to disdain.

I don't see how a teacher posting about their Disney vacation makes one lose respect for them. We're allowed to have our own lives outside of the classroom. The mysticism you mention (that seeing a teacher in public was an "event") comes from the childish idea that teachers belong in one environment: the classroom. If social media did anything at all, it simply exposed teachers as fellow human beings. I don't see that as a bad thing at all.

The real problem you expose is that parents might seem comfortable mocking teachers in front of their children. I'm a Gen X teacher. I model respect in my home. If you're witnessing parents mocking teachers, and therefore encouraging their children to be equally rude, then that's not a "teacher" problem. That's a family relationship problem.

Because its while the class is taught by a sub and the school is preaching about absences.

This doesn’t bother me. Teachers are professionals and they are entitled to leave.

I don’t subscribe to the idea that teachers must sacrifice their own lives because they work with children. We don’t treat other professions like that.

And the “school” is not the “teacher.” Don’t get the two confused.

This bothers me. Teachers get 10+ weeks off in the summer, 1 week for spring break, 2 weeks for Xmas, MLK day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, mid winder break, a few others in there as well. That should be the time they use for vacations, routine health appts, and whatever other personal matters that need attention. Just as kids are expected to be in school daily and to plan their vacations and Dr appt around time off. Obv they should get sick days and days for emergent reasons- but my child’s first grade teacher went on a week vacation during the school year. Plus a bunch of other random days she took off during the year. That’s ridiculous

I’m a teacher and I no longer feel guilty for using my leave. I did for many years. I missed weddings and family reunions. I missed the opportunity to see my own child’s major presentation on her college campus. I missed taking her to college in the first place. I never used my leave because I was afraid of how I would be perceived, putting my own family above my students.

I no longer do that. My family comes first, as it should. If all things are equal, I’ll arrange my family vacations during the summer. But if an event happens during the school year, I’m going to be there.

I regret the many times I put work first. I’m a mother before I’m a teacher, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Since when are weddings and family reunions M-F during the school year? Kids are dropped off at colleges usually before k-12 school year starts and always on weekends. Again- teachers have more time off than literally any other profession

A Friday evening on the west coast (with a Thursday evening rehearsal dinner) when I live here requires that I take leave.

Her move-in date seven states away was on a Tuesday after school began.

Don’t presume to know somebody else’s life. You’ll be proven wrong almost every time.

And as I said before: I will no longer sacrifice my family, especially since I will never give enough to make certain people happy. This was a lesson I wish I learned at the start of my career.

Us too. And since teachers don’t prioritize presence over life events, I certainly see absolutely no reason our family should.

You should prioritize family, too. See how that works? Mutual respect.

I regularly work with students who are absent for family reasons. I tutor after school and I create independent units that travel well.

You can make this an altercation or we can work together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The newer teachers are the ones going into with a healthier attitude about taking personal and such days. Good for them.

We get one personal day per year and 15 sick days. We can use three unused sick days as personal days. Our district only pays us for 1/4 of our unused sick days so yeah, we are going to use them because otherwise, we will forfeit them. If the district would pay us for more than 1/4 of them, maybe we wouldn’t use them. I have over 100 unused sick days and I’m going to use them because I can. Teaching is a job and if I dropped over dead in the middle of class, my district wouldn’t care. You can’t take it with you so I’m telling my days as I go.

16 days of 180 is an insane level of absenteeism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers in my childhood (I’m a millennial so, boomers and some Gen X taught me) had much much more authority and dignity. Its all about social media. Teachers now have their Disney vacations on their Insta, are complaining constantly in group chats, post begging links to Facebook. None of that makes the parent body respect them, which obviously impacts how students see them. By high school the students are mocking them too.

In my childhood if you saw a teacher out in public it was an event. Now everyone knows everything that they did at the weekend and it leads to disdain.

I don't see how a teacher posting about their Disney vacation makes one lose respect for them. We're allowed to have our own lives outside of the classroom. The mysticism you mention (that seeing a teacher in public was an "event") comes from the childish idea that teachers belong in one environment: the classroom. If social media did anything at all, it simply exposed teachers as fellow human beings. I don't see that as a bad thing at all.

The real problem you expose is that parents might seem comfortable mocking teachers in front of their children. I'm a Gen X teacher. I model respect in my home. If you're witnessing parents mocking teachers, and therefore encouraging their children to be equally rude, then that's not a "teacher" problem. That's a family relationship problem.

Because its while the class is taught by a sub and the school is preaching about absences.

This doesn’t bother me. Teachers are professionals and they are entitled to leave.

I don’t subscribe to the idea that teachers must sacrifice their own lives because they work with children. We don’t treat other professions like that.

And the “school” is not the “teacher.” Don’t get the two confused.

This bothers me. Teachers get 10+ weeks off in the summer, 1 week for spring break, 2 weeks for Xmas, MLK day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, mid winder break, a few others in there as well. That should be the time they use for vacations, routine health appts, and whatever other personal matters that need attention. Just as kids are expected to be in school daily and to plan their vacations and Dr appt around time off. Obv they should get sick days and days for emergent reasons- but my child’s first grade teacher went on a week vacation during the school year. Plus a bunch of other random days she took off during the year. That’s ridiculous

I’m a teacher and I no longer feel guilty for using my leave. I did for many years. I missed weddings and family reunions. I missed the opportunity to see my own child’s major presentation on her college campus. I missed taking her to college in the first place. I never used my leave because I was afraid of how I would be perceived, putting my own family above my students.

I no longer do that. My family comes first, as it should. If all things are equal, I’ll arrange my family vacations during the summer. But if an event happens during the school year, I’m going to be there.

I regret the many times I put work first. I’m a mother before I’m a teacher, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Since when are weddings and family reunions M-F during the school year? Kids are dropped off at colleges usually before k-12 school year starts and always on weekends. Again- teachers have more time off than literally any other profession

A Friday evening on the west coast (with a Thursday evening rehearsal dinner) when I live here requires that I take leave.

Her move-in date seven states away was on a Tuesday after school began.

Don’t presume to know somebody else’s life. You’ll be proven wrong almost every time.

And as I said before: I will no longer sacrifice my family, especially since I will never give enough to make certain people happy. This was a lesson I wish I learned at the start of my career.

Us too. And since teachers don’t prioritize presence over life events, I certainly see absolutely no reason our family should.

You should prioritize family, too. See how that works? Mutual respect.

I regularly work with students who are absent for family reasons. I tutor after school and I create independent units that travel well.

You can make this an altercation or we can work together.

Maybe this is the difference. None of the teachers of my childhood would have written out a normal part of their job and expected that everyone would be so impressed….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers in my childhood (I’m a millennial so, boomers and some Gen X taught me) had much much more authority and dignity. Its all about social media. Teachers now have their Disney vacations on their Insta, are complaining constantly in group chats, post begging links to Facebook. None of that makes the parent body respect them, which obviously impacts how students see them. By high school the students are mocking them too.

In my childhood if you saw a teacher out in public it was an event. Now everyone knows everything that they did at the weekend and it leads to disdain.

I don't see how a teacher posting about their Disney vacation makes one lose respect for them. We're allowed to have our own lives outside of the classroom. The mysticism you mention (that seeing a teacher in public was an "event") comes from the childish idea that teachers belong in one environment: the classroom. If social media did anything at all, it simply exposed teachers as fellow human beings. I don't see that as a bad thing at all.

The real problem you expose is that parents might seem comfortable mocking teachers in front of their children. I'm a Gen X teacher. I model respect in my home. If you're witnessing parents mocking teachers, and therefore encouraging their children to be equally rude, then that's not a "teacher" problem. That's a family relationship problem.

Because its while the class is taught by a sub and the school is preaching about absences.

This doesn’t bother me. Teachers are professionals and they are entitled to leave.

I don’t subscribe to the idea that teachers must sacrifice their own lives because they work with children. We don’t treat other professions like that.

And the “school” is not the “teacher.” Don’t get the two confused.

This bothers me. Teachers get 10+ weeks off in the summer, 1 week for spring break, 2 weeks for Xmas, MLK day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, mid winder break, a few others in there as well. That should be the time they use for vacations, routine health appts, and whatever other personal matters that need attention. Just as kids are expected to be in school daily and to plan their vacations and Dr appt around time off. Obv they should get sick days and days for emergent reasons- but my child’s first grade teacher went on a week vacation during the school year. Plus a bunch of other random days she took off during the year. That’s ridiculous

I’m a teacher and I no longer feel guilty for using my leave. I did for many years. I missed weddings and family reunions. I missed the opportunity to see my own child’s major presentation on her college campus. I missed taking her to college in the first place. I never used my leave because I was afraid of how I would be perceived, putting my own family above my students.

I no longer do that. My family comes first, as it should. If all things are equal, I’ll arrange my family vacations during the summer. But if an event happens during the school year, I’m going to be there.

I regret the many times I put work first. I’m a mother before I’m a teacher, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Since when are weddings and family reunions M-F during the school year? Kids are dropped off at colleges usually before k-12 school year starts and always on weekends. Again- teachers have more time off than literally any other profession

A Friday evening on the west coast (with a Thursday evening rehearsal dinner) when I live here requires that I take leave.

Her move-in date seven states away was on a Tuesday after school began.

Don’t presume to know somebody else’s life. You’ll be proven wrong almost every time.

And as I said before: I will no longer sacrifice my family, especially since I will never give enough to make certain people happy. This was a lesson I wish I learned at the start of my career.

Right. Right. The vast majority of these types of things are happening on weekends or time off already. There is zero reason to habitually miss class time for stuff like this

I think you’re missing the point.

Nobody says they are doing these things habitually. The comments upthread, however, argue that teachers have lost respect and credibility because they use their personal leave for things like Disney, etc.

There are many teachers who sacrifice far too much of their own lives. They grade every night. They skip activities on weekends to stay home and plan. They RSVP “no” to important life events for fear of taking leave.

I am a mentor teacher and I routinely tell younger teachers to go to that wedding or attend that family event. We need to normalize that teachers are parents / children / community members first and teachers second. When teachers find balance, they tend to stay in the profession. And that is far more important than whether a teacher takes a day of leave here or there for personal reasons.

It’s not a day here and there. Teachers are gone a ton. Every single year my kid has a sub at least once per month or more. That’s ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers in my childhood (I’m a millennial so, boomers and some Gen X taught me) had much much more authority and dignity. Its all about social media. Teachers now have their Disney vacations on their Insta, are complaining constantly in group chats, post begging links to Facebook. None of that makes the parent body respect them, which obviously impacts how students see them. By high school the students are mocking them too.

In my childhood if you saw a teacher out in public it was an event. Now everyone knows everything that they did at the weekend and it leads to disdain.

I don't see how a teacher posting about their Disney vacation makes one lose respect for them. We're allowed to have our own lives outside of the classroom. The mysticism you mention (that seeing a teacher in public was an "event") comes from the childish idea that teachers belong in one environment: the classroom. If social media did anything at all, it simply exposed teachers as fellow human beings. I don't see that as a bad thing at all.

The real problem you expose is that parents might seem comfortable mocking teachers in front of their children. I'm a Gen X teacher. I model respect in my home. If you're witnessing parents mocking teachers, and therefore encouraging their children to be equally rude, then that's not a "teacher" problem. That's a family relationship problem.

Because its while the class is taught by a sub and the school is preaching about absences.

This doesn’t bother me. Teachers are professionals and they are entitled to leave.

I don’t subscribe to the idea that teachers must sacrifice their own lives because they work with children. We don’t treat other professions like that.

And the “school” is not the “teacher.” Don’t get the two confused.

This bothers me. Teachers get 10+ weeks off in the summer, 1 week for spring break, 2 weeks for Xmas, MLK day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, mid winder break, a few others in there as well. That should be the time they use for vacations, routine health appts, and whatever other personal matters that need attention. Just as kids are expected to be in school daily and to plan their vacations and Dr appt around time off. Obv they should get sick days and days for emergent reasons- but my child’s first grade teacher went on a week vacation during the school year. Plus a bunch of other random days she took off during the year. That’s ridiculous

I’m a teacher and I no longer feel guilty for using my leave. I did for many years. I missed weddings and family reunions. I missed the opportunity to see my own child’s major presentation on her college campus. I missed taking her to college in the first place. I never used my leave because I was afraid of how I would be perceived, putting my own family above my students.

I no longer do that. My family comes first, as it should. If all things are equal, I’ll arrange my family vacations during the summer. But if an event happens during the school year, I’m going to be there.

I regret the many times I put work first. I’m a mother before I’m a teacher, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Since when are weddings and family reunions M-F during the school year? Kids are dropped off at colleges usually before k-12 school year starts and always on weekends. Again- teachers have more time off than literally any other profession

A Friday evening on the west coast (with a Thursday evening rehearsal dinner) when I live here requires that I take leave.

Her move-in date seven states away was on a Tuesday after school began.

Don’t presume to know somebody else’s life. You’ll be proven wrong almost every time.

And as I said before: I will no longer sacrifice my family, especially since I will never give enough to make certain people happy. This was a lesson I wish I learned at the start of my career.

Us too. And since teachers don’t prioritize presence over life events, I certainly see absolutely no reason our family should.

You should prioritize family, too. See how that works? Mutual respect.

I regularly work with students who are absent for family reasons. I tutor after school and I create independent units that travel well.

You can make this an altercation or we can work together.

Maybe this is the difference. None of the teachers of my childhood would have written out a normal part of their job and expected that everyone would be so impressed….

Did I ask you for accolades? Fairly certain I didn’t.

I simply commented on your statement above. Yes, your family is important and yes, I’ll honor your need for travel as much as I honor my own.

Nowhere in there did I ask you to be impressed. That’s entirely fabricated by you. So perhaps your poor impression of teachers is also based on fabrication.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The newer teachers are the ones going into with a healthier attitude about taking personal and such days. Good for them.

We get one personal day per year and 15 sick days. We can use three unused sick days as personal days. Our district only pays us for 1/4 of our unused sick days so yeah, we are going to use them because otherwise, we will forfeit them. If the district would pay us for more than 1/4 of them, maybe we wouldn’t use them. I have over 100 unused sick days and I’m going to use them because I can. Teaching is a job and if I dropped over dead in the middle of class, my district wouldn’t care. You can’t take it with you so I’m telling my days as I go.

Right, and it’s a job that only requires you to be there for 180 days per year. Seems like that leaves plenty of personal time left in the year. 16 sick days is insane.