Why does no one acknowledge how overworked teachers are?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Returning to this thread:

If you read the first 20-odd pages, there are a lot of people saying that indeed teachers do work hard. The first few posts are about how people DO, in fact, acknowledge how hard teachers work.

There are a couple of posters who did poop on teachers, true.

There were also posters that said, "hey we are all overworked." (Which is not saying that teachers AREN'T overworked, its' saying other people are overworked as well.)

There are also a couple of teachers who are ridiculously dug in to the narrative that they have the hardest job ever (worse apparently than poop scuba divers).

Oh yeah, there's the "parents suck" teacher as well, who always chimes in to just keep everything positive.

This is just a summary so no one thinks this entire thread is just "teachers have easy jobs."

Yet there are plenty of posts that refuse to acknowledge that teaching can be demanding, and the tired “but summers” argument is the usual go-to.

There are staggering misconceptions about teaching throughout this thread. I wouldn’t presume to know what it’s like to be a doctor or a “poop scuba diver,” but it’s clearly okay to assume what teaching is like. We’ve all been in classrooms, after all. We’ve all seen teachers in our daily lives. I guess that makes all of us on this thread clear experts in the education field. Sigh.

There is one (hopefully one) teacher who is suggesting that indeed they do know what every job entails, and that they do all of it as a teacher. And upthread there are plenty of comments where teachers presume to know what other jobs do or what the conditions are (and why their jobs are worse). This is part of why this thread won't die.

I think the main problem, as described numerous times upthread, is the phrasing of the OP. It's such a "what about me?" statement, despite the fact that there are teacher appreciation weeks, national news articles about teachers being overworked (suggesting they acknowledge that teachers are overworked), threads all the time here about how to appreciate teachers, etc.

DP. I'm assuming that poster is a troll, because I don't think anyone with more than a high school education would actually believe that poop divers and teachers have overlapping sanitation skills.

Not a troll and if you think I haven't had to clean up pretty much every bodily function out of my classroom you'd be wrong. I'm not diving 20,000 leagues to get it, but it is there on occasion.

Right, yes…this is a completely, COMPLETELY different story. Not even close to comparable. That you would imply that is laughable…what grade do you teach?

Also, like...it's not even unique? Most of us here are parents. We've all seen blowouts. Are we supposed to be impressed by the fact that you've dealt with poop?

DP but are you really going to equate handling your own infant's diaper changes with the poop of an elementary schooler unrelated to you? Classic case of parents thinking they do everything teachers do... but don't you dare close the schools during a pandemic, we need that babysitting

I think you missed the original comparison being made. Let me help!!

Cleaning up the poop of a child by an adult, either a parent or a teacher: relatively similar task. Swimming in poopie while wielding a fiery tool: not similar to either of the above. Hopefully you understand now. You're welcome!

Not a troll checking in. The fact that you have to go as extreme as a scuba welder to try to find something we don't do is proving my original point. The fact that you think its acceptable that someone with a masters has to clean up strangers childs poop are comparing it to cleaning up after your own kid, aka parenting, is even better.

???? There were SO many other examples provided (…at which point the teacher PP - who kept demanding examples of skills people performed in other jobs that she doesn’t perform as a teacher, INSISTENT that she does everything every other jobs does - slunk off with simply “I don’t have time to respond to this, I have papers to grade”…lol). Please read the context, as you would - I sincerely hope - teach a student to do.

The poop scuba diver point is here because the teacher claimed that since she occasionally deals with poop in her (…above water. Lol.) classroom, she does the same thing as the poop scuba diver. Idiocy

I decided to go back and look at that list. Some of it (flying airplanes, designing architecture, performing surgery) I feel are clearly cherrypicked to be specialized. The greater point is that we do components of many jobs. I'm not designing architecture, but I have to set up my classroom in a way that allows for 30 people to function in a room built for 20. I don't sell software, but I have to sell myself to get grants and donations. I don't dig ditches, but I do have to work with my hands often doing physical labor because we don't have enough custodians.

Again, the fact that the PP had to go to such hyperspecialized occupations to find things that aren't part of our job is only further proving the point of how many things we have to do.

Omg hahahaahhshs. I am dying. Surely you cannot be serious right now….lollll. Take a step back and muster up a wee bit of self awareness, you sound NUTS.

PP who is a teacher:
Another teacher here. This poster won’t understand your point because he has never been responsible for a classroom. I do understand your point, and I don’t think you sound nuts. I know exactly what you mean.

oh wow there are two of you. you seem very...sheltered.

i keep seeing teachers say that you have to try teaching to understand it. i think it's clear that these two teachers here need to get out of the classroom for a bit and learn what the rest of the world is doing at work.

I’m the PP who posted support.
I’m a career changer, so I’ve seen “the rest of the world.” I worked 20-22 hours a week at my office job. I spent the rest of the time playing online, talking to colleagues, coming in late, and leaving early. I was paid more than I am now, and I was one of the lowest paid in that office.

So I have seen what it can be like outside of teaching. Your turn. Want to join us in the classroom for a while? To learn what we do at work?

Hahahaha WHAT?! Wtf kind of job was that?

I'd like to hear why PP quit that cushy job for more hours and less pay.

No, no you guys. Stop being so mean to her! It's probably true! People really do give up wonderful things to support their ideals.

Like, I once was a billionaire, but I gave up all of that in order to live just like the rest of you plebes because I believe in equality or something. I promise. I wouldn't just LIE on the internet.

I’m the PP. You’re welcome to mock me. I have a pretty thick skin, which teachers need.

I left because I was bored. Period. And I happen to know that job isn’t unique. There are plenty of threads right here on DCUM about how many hours people really work a week. Tons of posters saying they only work half their 40 hours. There are threads with posters admitting that’s why they love being able to work from home.

So, mock away. It doesn’t change a thing, except I suppose you feel better about yourself.

To PPs point: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/75/1125099.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Returning to this thread:

If you read the first 20-odd pages, there are a lot of people saying that indeed teachers do work hard. The first few posts are about how people DO, in fact, acknowledge how hard teachers work.

There are a couple of posters who did poop on teachers, true.

There were also posters that said, "hey we are all overworked." (Which is not saying that teachers AREN'T overworked, its' saying other people are overworked as well.)

There are also a couple of teachers who are ridiculously dug in to the narrative that they have the hardest job ever (worse apparently than poop scuba divers).

Oh yeah, there's the "parents suck" teacher as well, who always chimes in to just keep everything positive.

This is just a summary so no one thinks this entire thread is just "teachers have easy jobs."

Yet there are plenty of posts that refuse to acknowledge that teaching can be demanding, and the tired “but summers” argument is the usual go-to.

There are staggering misconceptions about teaching throughout this thread. I wouldn’t presume to know what it’s like to be a doctor or a “poop scuba diver,” but it’s clearly okay to assume what teaching is like. We’ve all been in classrooms, after all. We’ve all seen teachers in our daily lives. I guess that makes all of us on this thread clear experts in the education field. Sigh.

There is one (hopefully one) teacher who is suggesting that indeed they do know what every job entails, and that they do all of it as a teacher. And upthread there are plenty of comments where teachers presume to know what other jobs do or what the conditions are (and why their jobs are worse). This is part of why this thread won't die.

I think the main problem, as described numerous times upthread, is the phrasing of the OP. It's such a "what about me?" statement, despite the fact that there are teacher appreciation weeks, national news articles about teachers being overworked (suggesting they acknowledge that teachers are overworked), threads all the time here about how to appreciate teachers, etc.

DP. I'm assuming that poster is a troll, because I don't think anyone with more than a high school education would actually believe that poop divers and teachers have overlapping sanitation skills.

Not a troll and if you think I haven't had to clean up pretty much every bodily function out of my classroom you'd be wrong. I'm not diving 20,000 leagues to get it, but it is there on occasion.

Right, yes…this is a completely, COMPLETELY different story. Not even close to comparable. That you would imply that is laughable…what grade do you teach?

Also, like...it's not even unique? Most of us here are parents. We've all seen blowouts. Are we supposed to be impressed by the fact that you've dealt with poop?

DP but are you really going to equate handling your own infant's diaper changes with the poop of an elementary schooler unrelated to you? Classic case of parents thinking they do everything teachers do... but don't you dare close the schools during a pandemic, we need that babysitting

I think you missed the original comparison being made. Let me help!!

Cleaning up the poop of a child by an adult, either a parent or a teacher: relatively similar task. Swimming in poopie while wielding a fiery tool: not similar to either of the above. Hopefully you understand now. You're welcome!

Not a troll checking in. The fact that you have to go as extreme as a scuba welder to try to find something we don't do is proving my original point. The fact that you think its acceptable that someone with a masters has to clean up strangers childs poop are comparing it to cleaning up after your own kid, aka parenting, is even better.

???? There were SO many other examples provided (…at which point the teacher PP - who kept demanding examples of skills people performed in other jobs that she doesn’t perform as a teacher, INSISTENT that she does everything every other jobs does - slunk off with simply “I don’t have time to respond to this, I have papers to grade”…lol). Please read the context, as you would - I sincerely hope - teach a student to do.

The poop scuba diver point is here because the teacher claimed that since she occasionally deals with poop in her (…above water. Lol.) classroom, she does the same thing as the poop scuba diver. Idiocy

I decided to go back and look at that list. Some of it (flying airplanes, designing architecture, performing surgery) I feel are clearly cherrypicked to be specialized. The greater point is that we do components of many jobs. I'm not designing architecture, but I have to set up my classroom in a way that allows for 30 people to function in a room built for 20. I don't sell software, but I have to sell myself to get grants and donations. I don't dig ditches, but I do have to work with my hands often doing physical labor because we don't have enough custodians.

Again, the fact that the PP had to go to such hyperspecialized occupations to find things that aren't part of our job is only further proving the point of how many things we have to do.

Omg hahahaahhshs. I am dying. Surely you cannot be serious right now….lollll. Take a step back and muster up a wee bit of self awareness, you sound NUTS.

PP who is a teacher:
Another teacher here. This poster won’t understand your point because he has never been responsible for a classroom. I do understand your point, and I don’t think you sound nuts. I know exactly what you mean.

oh wow there are two of you. you seem very...sheltered.

i keep seeing teachers say that you have to try teaching to understand it. i think it's clear that these two teachers here need to get out of the classroom for a bit and learn what the rest of the world is doing at work.

I’m the PP who posted support.
I’m a career changer, so I’ve seen “the rest of the world.” I worked 20-22 hours a week at my office job. I spent the rest of the time playing online, talking to colleagues, coming in late, and leaving early. I was paid more than I am now, and I was one of the lowest paid in that office.

So I have seen what it can be like outside of teaching. Your turn. Want to join us in the classroom for a while? To learn what we do at work?

Hahahaha WHAT?! Wtf kind of job was that?

I'd like to hear why PP quit that cushy job for more hours and less pay.

No, no you guys. Stop being so mean to her! It's probably true! People really do give up wonderful things to support their ideals.

Like, I once was a billionaire, but I gave up all of that in order to live just like the rest of you plebes because I believe in equality or something. I promise. I wouldn't just LIE on the internet.

I’m the PP. You’re welcome to mock me. I have a pretty thick skin, which teachers need.

I left because I was bored. Period. And I happen to know that job isn’t unique. There are plenty of threads right here on DCUM about how many hours people really work a week. Tons of posters saying they only work half their 40 hours. There are threads with posters admitting that’s why they love being able to work from home.

So, mock away. It doesn’t change a thing, except I suppose you feel better about yourself.

Shouldn't you be teaching right now? ...or are you goofing off from your job?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Returning to this thread:

If you read the first 20-odd pages, there are a lot of people saying that indeed teachers do work hard. The first few posts are about how people DO, in fact, acknowledge how hard teachers work.

There are a couple of posters who did poop on teachers, true.

There were also posters that said, "hey we are all overworked." (Which is not saying that teachers AREN'T overworked, its' saying other people are overworked as well.)

There are also a couple of teachers who are ridiculously dug in to the narrative that they have the hardest job ever (worse apparently than poop scuba divers).

Oh yeah, there's the "parents suck" teacher as well, who always chimes in to just keep everything positive.

This is just a summary so no one thinks this entire thread is just "teachers have easy jobs."

Yet there are plenty of posts that refuse to acknowledge that teaching can be demanding, and the tired “but summers” argument is the usual go-to.

There are staggering misconceptions about teaching throughout this thread. I wouldn’t presume to know what it’s like to be a doctor or a “poop scuba diver,” but it’s clearly okay to assume what teaching is like. We’ve all been in classrooms, after all. We’ve all seen teachers in our daily lives. I guess that makes all of us on this thread clear experts in the education field. Sigh.

There is one (hopefully one) teacher who is suggesting that indeed they do know what every job entails, and that they do all of it as a teacher. And upthread there are plenty of comments where teachers presume to know what other jobs do or what the conditions are (and why their jobs are worse). This is part of why this thread won't die.

I think the main problem, as described numerous times upthread, is the phrasing of the OP. It's such a "what about me?" statement, despite the fact that there are teacher appreciation weeks, national news articles about teachers being overworked (suggesting they acknowledge that teachers are overworked), threads all the time here about how to appreciate teachers, etc.

DP. I'm assuming that poster is a troll, because I don't think anyone with more than a high school education would actually believe that poop divers and teachers have overlapping sanitation skills.

Not a troll and if you think I haven't had to clean up pretty much every bodily function out of my classroom you'd be wrong. I'm not diving 20,000 leagues to get it, but it is there on occasion.

Right, yes…this is a completely, COMPLETELY different story. Not even close to comparable. That you would imply that is laughable…what grade do you teach?

Also, like...it's not even unique? Most of us here are parents. We've all seen blowouts. Are we supposed to be impressed by the fact that you've dealt with poop?

DP but are you really going to equate handling your own infant's diaper changes with the poop of an elementary schooler unrelated to you? Classic case of parents thinking they do everything teachers do... but don't you dare close the schools during a pandemic, we need that babysitting

I think you missed the original comparison being made. Let me help!!

Cleaning up the poop of a child by an adult, either a parent or a teacher: relatively similar task. Swimming in poopie while wielding a fiery tool: not similar to either of the above. Hopefully you understand now. You're welcome!

Not a troll checking in. The fact that you have to go as extreme as a scuba welder to try to find something we don't do is proving my original point. The fact that you think its acceptable that someone with a masters has to clean up strangers childs poop are comparing it to cleaning up after your own kid, aka parenting, is even better.

???? There were SO many other examples provided (…at which point the teacher PP - who kept demanding examples of skills people performed in other jobs that she doesn’t perform as a teacher, INSISTENT that she does everything every other jobs does - slunk off with simply “I don’t have time to respond to this, I have papers to grade”…lol). Please read the context, as you would - I sincerely hope - teach a student to do.

The poop scuba diver point is here because the teacher claimed that since she occasionally deals with poop in her (…above water. Lol.) classroom, she does the same thing as the poop scuba diver. Idiocy

I decided to go back and look at that list. Some of it (flying airplanes, designing architecture, performing surgery) I feel are clearly cherrypicked to be specialized. The greater point is that we do components of many jobs. I'm not designing architecture, but I have to set up my classroom in a way that allows for 30 people to function in a room built for 20. I don't sell software, but I have to sell myself to get grants and donations. I don't dig ditches, but I do have to work with my hands often doing physical labor because we don't have enough custodians.

Again, the fact that the PP had to go to such hyperspecialized occupations to find things that aren't part of our job is only further proving the point of how many things we have to do.

Omg hahahaahhshs. I am dying. Surely you cannot be serious right now….lollll. Take a step back and muster up a wee bit of self awareness, you sound NUTS.

PP who is a teacher:
Another teacher here. This poster won’t understand your point because he has never been responsible for a classroom. I do understand your point, and I don’t think you sound nuts. I know exactly what you mean.

oh wow there are two of you. you seem very...sheltered.

i keep seeing teachers say that you have to try teaching to understand it. i think it's clear that these two teachers here need to get out of the classroom for a bit and learn what the rest of the world is doing at work.

I’m the PP who posted support.
I’m a career changer, so I’ve seen “the rest of the world.” I worked 20-22 hours a week at my office job. I spent the rest of the time playing online, talking to colleagues, coming in late, and leaving early. I was paid more than I am now, and I was one of the lowest paid in that office.

So I have seen what it can be like outside of teaching. Your turn. Want to join us in the classroom for a while? To learn what we do at work?

Hahahaha WHAT?! Wtf kind of job was that?

I'd like to hear why PP quit that cushy job for more hours and less pay.

No, no you guys. Stop being so mean to her! It's probably true! People really do give up wonderful things to support their ideals.

Like, I once was a billionaire, but I gave up all of that in order to live just like the rest of you plebes because I believe in equality or something. I promise. I wouldn't just LIE on the internet.

I’m the PP. You’re welcome to mock me. I have a pretty thick skin, which teachers need.

I left because I was bored. Period. And I happen to know that job isn’t unique. There are plenty of threads right here on DCUM about how many hours people really work a week. Tons of posters saying they only work half their 40 hours. There are threads with posters admitting that’s why they love being able to work from home.

So, mock away. It doesn’t change a thing, except I suppose you feel better about yourself.

so, tell us what the job was. what field?

if you were bored at your job and so tired of making SO MUCH MONEY, that's really on you man.

it sounds like you wanted a harder and more meaningful job and that's a good thing for you. so, like, i guess that's a benefit which makes up for whatever it is you lost at your old cushy dream job. you could go back (unless you got fired for slacking off or burned bridges, i guess), but you don't want to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Returning to this thread:

If you read the first 20-odd pages, there are a lot of people saying that indeed teachers do work hard. The first few posts are about how people DO, in fact, acknowledge how hard teachers work.

There are a couple of posters who did poop on teachers, true.

There were also posters that said, "hey we are all overworked." (Which is not saying that teachers AREN'T overworked, its' saying other people are overworked as well.)

There are also a couple of teachers who are ridiculously dug in to the narrative that they have the hardest job ever (worse apparently than poop scuba divers).

Oh yeah, there's the "parents suck" teacher as well, who always chimes in to just keep everything positive.

This is just a summary so no one thinks this entire thread is just "teachers have easy jobs."

Yet there are plenty of posts that refuse to acknowledge that teaching can be demanding, and the tired “but summers” argument is the usual go-to.

There are staggering misconceptions about teaching throughout this thread. I wouldn’t presume to know what it’s like to be a doctor or a “poop scuba diver,” but it’s clearly okay to assume what teaching is like. We’ve all been in classrooms, after all. We’ve all seen teachers in our daily lives. I guess that makes all of us on this thread clear experts in the education field. Sigh.

There is one (hopefully one) teacher who is suggesting that indeed they do know what every job entails, and that they do all of it as a teacher. And upthread there are plenty of comments where teachers presume to know what other jobs do or what the conditions are (and why their jobs are worse). This is part of why this thread won't die.

I think the main problem, as described numerous times upthread, is the phrasing of the OP. It's such a "what about me?" statement, despite the fact that there are teacher appreciation weeks, national news articles about teachers being overworked (suggesting they acknowledge that teachers are overworked), threads all the time here about how to appreciate teachers, etc.

DP. I'm assuming that poster is a troll, because I don't think anyone with more than a high school education would actually believe that poop divers and teachers have overlapping sanitation skills.

Not a troll and if you think I haven't had to clean up pretty much every bodily function out of my classroom you'd be wrong. I'm not diving 20,000 leagues to get it, but it is there on occasion.

Right, yes…this is a completely, COMPLETELY different story. Not even close to comparable. That you would imply that is laughable…what grade do you teach?

Also, like...it's not even unique? Most of us here are parents. We've all seen blowouts. Are we supposed to be impressed by the fact that you've dealt with poop?

DP but are you really going to equate handling your own infant's diaper changes with the poop of an elementary schooler unrelated to you? Classic case of parents thinking they do everything teachers do... but don't you dare close the schools during a pandemic, we need that babysitting

I think you missed the original comparison being made. Let me help!!

Cleaning up the poop of a child by an adult, either a parent or a teacher: relatively similar task. Swimming in poopie while wielding a fiery tool: not similar to either of the above. Hopefully you understand now. You're welcome!

Not a troll checking in. The fact that you have to go as extreme as a scuba welder to try to find something we don't do is proving my original point. The fact that you think its acceptable that someone with a masters has to clean up strangers childs poop are comparing it to cleaning up after your own kid, aka parenting, is even better.

???? There were SO many other examples provided (…at which point the teacher PP - who kept demanding examples of skills people performed in other jobs that she doesn’t perform as a teacher, INSISTENT that she does everything every other jobs does - slunk off with simply “I don’t have time to respond to this, I have papers to grade”…lol). Please read the context, as you would - I sincerely hope - teach a student to do.

The poop scuba diver point is here because the teacher claimed that since she occasionally deals with poop in her (…above water. Lol.) classroom, she does the same thing as the poop scuba diver. Idiocy

I decided to go back and look at that list. Some of it (flying airplanes, designing architecture, performing surgery) I feel are clearly cherrypicked to be specialized. The greater point is that we do components of many jobs. I'm not designing architecture, but I have to set up my classroom in a way that allows for 30 people to function in a room built for 20. I don't sell software, but I have to sell myself to get grants and donations. I don't dig ditches, but I do have to work with my hands often doing physical labor because we don't have enough custodians.

Again, the fact that the PP had to go to such hyperspecialized occupations to find things that aren't part of our job is only further proving the point of how many things we have to do.

Omg hahahaahhshs. I am dying. Surely you cannot be serious right now….lollll. Take a step back and muster up a wee bit of self awareness, you sound NUTS.

PP who is a teacher:
Another teacher here. This poster won’t understand your point because he has never been responsible for a classroom. I do understand your point, and I don’t think you sound nuts. I know exactly what you mean.

oh wow there are two of you. you seem very...sheltered.

i keep seeing teachers say that you have to try teaching to understand it. i think it's clear that these two teachers here need to get out of the classroom for a bit and learn what the rest of the world is doing at work.

I’m the PP who posted support.
I’m a career changer, so I’ve seen “the rest of the world.” I worked 20-22 hours a week at my office job. I spent the rest of the time playing online, talking to colleagues, coming in late, and leaving early. I was paid more than I am now, and I was one of the lowest paid in that office.

So I have seen what it can be like outside of teaching. Your turn. Want to join us in the classroom for a while? To learn what we do at work?

Hahahaha WHAT?! Wtf kind of job was that?

I'd like to hear why PP quit that cushy job for more hours and less pay.

No, no you guys. Stop being so mean to her! It's probably true! People really do give up wonderful things to support their ideals.

Like, I once was a billionaire, but I gave up all of that in order to live just like the rest of you plebes because I believe in equality or something. I promise. I wouldn't just LIE on the internet.

I’m the PP. You’re welcome to mock me. I have a pretty thick skin, which teachers need.

I left because I was bored. Period. And I happen to know that job isn’t unique. There are plenty of threads right here on DCUM about how many hours people really work a week. Tons of posters saying they only work half their 40 hours. There are threads with posters admitting that’s why they love being able to work from home.

So, mock away. It doesn’t change a thing, except I suppose you feel better about yourself.

To PPs point: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/75/1125099.page

OK "PP"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Returning to this thread:

If you read the first 20-odd pages, there are a lot of people saying that indeed teachers do work hard. The first few posts are about how people DO, in fact, acknowledge how hard teachers work.

There are a couple of posters who did poop on teachers, true.

There were also posters that said, "hey we are all overworked." (Which is not saying that teachers AREN'T overworked, its' saying other people are overworked as well.)

There are also a couple of teachers who are ridiculously dug in to the narrative that they have the hardest job ever (worse apparently than poop scuba divers).

Oh yeah, there's the "parents suck" teacher as well, who always chimes in to just keep everything positive.

This is just a summary so no one thinks this entire thread is just "teachers have easy jobs."

Yet there are plenty of posts that refuse to acknowledge that teaching can be demanding, and the tired “but summers” argument is the usual go-to.

There are staggering misconceptions about teaching throughout this thread. I wouldn’t presume to know what it’s like to be a doctor or a “poop scuba diver,” but it’s clearly okay to assume what teaching is like. We’ve all been in classrooms, after all. We’ve all seen teachers in our daily lives. I guess that makes all of us on this thread clear experts in the education field. Sigh.

There is one (hopefully one) teacher who is suggesting that indeed they do know what every job entails, and that they do all of it as a teacher. And upthread there are plenty of comments where teachers presume to know what other jobs do or what the conditions are (and why their jobs are worse). This is part of why this thread won't die.

I think the main problem, as described numerous times upthread, is the phrasing of the OP. It's such a "what about me?" statement, despite the fact that there are teacher appreciation weeks, national news articles about teachers being overworked (suggesting they acknowledge that teachers are overworked), threads all the time here about how to appreciate teachers, etc.

DP. I'm assuming that poster is a troll, because I don't think anyone with more than a high school education would actually believe that poop divers and teachers have overlapping sanitation skills.

Not a troll and if you think I haven't had to clean up pretty much every bodily function out of my classroom you'd be wrong. I'm not diving 20,000 leagues to get it, but it is there on occasion.

Right, yes…this is a completely, COMPLETELY different story. Not even close to comparable. That you would imply that is laughable…what grade do you teach?

Also, like...it's not even unique? Most of us here are parents. We've all seen blowouts. Are we supposed to be impressed by the fact that you've dealt with poop?

DP but are you really going to equate handling your own infant's diaper changes with the poop of an elementary schooler unrelated to you? Classic case of parents thinking they do everything teachers do... but don't you dare close the schools during a pandemic, we need that babysitting

I think you missed the original comparison being made. Let me help!!

Cleaning up the poop of a child by an adult, either a parent or a teacher: relatively similar task. Swimming in poopie while wielding a fiery tool: not similar to either of the above. Hopefully you understand now. You're welcome!

Not a troll checking in. The fact that you have to go as extreme as a scuba welder to try to find something we don't do is proving my original point. The fact that you think its acceptable that someone with a masters has to clean up strangers childs poop are comparing it to cleaning up after your own kid, aka parenting, is even better.

???? There were SO many other examples provided (…at which point the teacher PP - who kept demanding examples of skills people performed in other jobs that she doesn’t perform as a teacher, INSISTENT that she does everything every other jobs does - slunk off with simply “I don’t have time to respond to this, I have papers to grade”…lol). Please read the context, as you would - I sincerely hope - teach a student to do.

The poop scuba diver point is here because the teacher claimed that since she occasionally deals with poop in her (…above water. Lol.) classroom, she does the same thing as the poop scuba diver. Idiocy

I decided to go back and look at that list. Some of it (flying airplanes, designing architecture, performing surgery) I feel are clearly cherrypicked to be specialized. The greater point is that we do components of many jobs. I'm not designing architecture, but I have to set up my classroom in a way that allows for 30 people to function in a room built for 20. I don't sell software, but I have to sell myself to get grants and donations. I don't dig ditches, but I do have to work with my hands often doing physical labor because we don't have enough custodians.

Again, the fact that the PP had to go to such hyperspecialized occupations to find things that aren't part of our job is only further proving the point of how many things we have to do.

Omg hahahaahhshs. I am dying. Surely you cannot be serious right now….lollll. Take a step back and muster up a wee bit of self awareness, you sound NUTS.

PP who is a teacher:
Another teacher here. This poster won’t understand your point because he has never been responsible for a classroom. I do understand your point, and I don’t think you sound nuts. I know exactly what you mean.

oh wow there are two of you. you seem very...sheltered.

i keep seeing teachers say that you have to try teaching to understand it. i think it's clear that these two teachers here need to get out of the classroom for a bit and learn what the rest of the world is doing at work.

I’m the PP who posted support.
I’m a career changer, so I’ve seen “the rest of the world.” I worked 20-22 hours a week at my office job. I spent the rest of the time playing online, talking to colleagues, coming in late, and leaving early. I was paid more than I am now, and I was one of the lowest paid in that office.

So I have seen what it can be like outside of teaching. Your turn. Want to join us in the classroom for a while? To learn what we do at work?

Hahahaha WHAT?! Wtf kind of job was that?

I'd like to hear why PP quit that cushy job for more hours and less pay.

No, no you guys. Stop being so mean to her! It's probably true! People really do give up wonderful things to support their ideals.

Like, I once was a billionaire, but I gave up all of that in order to live just like the rest of you plebes because I believe in equality or something. I promise. I wouldn't just LIE on the internet.

I’m the PP. You’re welcome to mock me. I have a pretty thick skin, which teachers need.

I left because I was bored. Period. And I happen to know that job isn’t unique. There are plenty of threads right here on DCUM about how many hours people really work a week. Tons of posters saying they only work half their 40 hours. There are threads with posters admitting that’s why they love being able to work from home.

So, mock away. It doesn’t change a thing, except I suppose you feel better about yourself.

Ok but this does take away from the overall point that teachers need something different. If they are CHOOSING lower pay and longer hours for some lack-of-boredom component, that would suggest they are being 'compensated' with that fulfillment. I mean, I get it. I also could make way more money than I do now with my skill set, but I choose to make less because I can have somewhat more reasonable hours and I find the job more fulfilling. This means, however, that I'm not complaining about my hours/pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is important to point out that teachers have very little control. A Pilot can choose not to take off if their is a problem. He can remove problem passengers. A surgeon can choose who he wants to operate on. Teachers have very little choice day to day. Other people facing positions face similar stresses. This is why teaching is often compared to stressful nursing positions. Very little control compared to most jobs.

Wait. I’m sorry. I’m remembering my own surgeon father fighting with insurance companies, hospital administration, patients who somehow thought no food before surgery meant some food before surgery. Then there were the nurses setting the surgery schedules without consideration for what was actually needed and the attendants who regularly lost patients in the hospital as in parked them by the elevator and left them there for hours. Being screamed at for not being able to make God-like changes in people’s lives, berated by family members. Trying to switch mentally from being a seamstress only with human body parts to psychiatrist to grief counselor. Then deciding the fights for insurance reimbursement wasn’t worth it and starting their own practice having to now be an entrepreneur, hire custodians, be a building manager, etc. And yes, you get to choose who to operate on like you choose who to teach. If you are heartless, you say no. But surgeons took the Hippocratic oath. Then there are the lawsuits. There’s nothing like having to defend your surgical decisions to a room full of people who know nothing about medicine, especially after you sacrificed family time, sleep and money trying to save the patient.

Teachers are overworked. So are a lot of people. It’d be better to band together to fight problematic systems than argue over who is more overworked

DCUM doesn't understand systems vs. individual blame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is important to point out that teachers have very little control. A Pilot can choose not to take off if their is a problem. He can remove problem passengers. A surgeon can choose who he wants to operate on. Teachers have very little choice day to day. Other people facing positions face similar stresses. This is why teaching is often compared to stressful nursing positions. Very little control compared to most jobs.

Wait. I’m sorry. I’m remembering my own surgeon father fighting with insurance companies, hospital administration, patients who somehow thought no food before surgery meant some food before surgery. Then there were the nurses setting the surgery schedules without consideration for what was actually needed and the attendants who regularly lost patients in the hospital as in parked them by the elevator and left them there for hours. Being screamed at for not being able to make God-like changes in people’s lives, berated by family members. Trying to switch mentally from being a seamstress only with human body parts to psychiatrist to grief counselor. Then deciding the fights for insurance reimbursement wasn’t worth it and starting their own practice having to now be an entrepreneur, hire custodians, be a building manager, etc. And yes, you get to choose who to operate on like you choose who to teach. If you are heartless, you say no. But surgeons took the Hippocratic oath. Then there are the lawsuits. There’s nothing like having to defend your surgical decisions to a room full of people who know nothing about medicine, especially after you sacrificed family time, sleep and money trying to save the patient.

Teachers are overworked. So are a lot of people. It’d be better to band together to fight problematic systems than argue over who is more overworked

DCUM doesn't understand systems vs. individual blame.

I can tell. This is the reason why these types of discussions are unending and circular without any productive conclusions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This generation of teachers is the most under-worked and over-entitled ever.

In the 1970s my mother would carry bags of books home with her every single night and sit up grading her HS kids French homework, putting in corrections and encouragement and grades. Every single night.

Homework just doesn't exist on that level any more. You'r'e lucky if the teacher checks its been done, but they don't engage with it at all.

I do this. Every single night. I work every Saturday. Every Sunday. I am comfortable estimating I work 70 hours at least one week a month and never under 60. My coworkers are quitting because of the workload and I’m seriously considering it.

I’m underworked and over-entitled?

You teach Elementary. there is a world of difference between Elementary and High School in terms of workload and rigor. You are basically spending your weekend putting smiley faces on bad pictures.

Now this right here is a troll. I'd encourage others to ignore going forward

No. What I am is a critic. I am the original poster of the mother who was a teacher in the 70s who bust a nut every night for her HS students. I'm also a parent of 2 kids in the US education system and I've met exactly 1 excellent teacher in their ES experience and 0 in their MS experience and probably 2 maybe 3 excellent teachers in their HS experience. The rest have been bottom-feeders, bottom feeders who are uninspiring and entitled, who think staying after school for 30 mins is a HUGE impingement on their lives, who literally don't give a F about the individuals in their class.

[Anonymous]

^^ Just to add, my 2 HS kids are currently ranking #1 in their HS classes, taking multiple APs with a bunch of unusual ECs. So no, they really aren't the IEP kids you hoped they'd be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ Just to add, my 2 HS kids are currently ranking #1 in their HS classes, taking multiple APs with a bunch of unusual ECs. So no, they really aren't the IEP kids you hoped they'd be.

“Critic,”
Your negativity isn’t helping this excellent teacher stay in the profession. As you (and others) lump me in with the “bottom feeders,” I’m less and less inclined to give up my own life to be this excellent at what I do.

I don’t need accolades, but it would be nice if you could refrain from trashing me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ Just to add, my 2 HS kids are currently ranking #1 in their HS classes, taking multiple APs with a bunch of unusual ECs. So no, they really aren't the IEP kids you hoped they'd be.

“Critic,”
Your negativity isn’t helping this excellent teacher stay in the profession. As you (and others) lump me in with the “bottom feeders,” I’m less and less inclined to give up my own life to be this excellent at what I do.

I don’t need accolades, but it would be nice if you could refrain from trashing me.

Oh my heart bleeds. Here's a teeny tiny violin playing just.for.you.

This isn't about you. How do you not recognize that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ Just to add, my 2 HS kids are currently ranking #1 in their HS classes, taking multiple APs with a bunch of unusual ECs. So no, they really aren't the IEP kids you hoped they'd be.

“Critic,”
Your negativity isn’t helping this excellent teacher stay in the profession. As you (and others) lump me in with the “bottom feeders,” I’m less and less inclined to give up my own life to be this excellent at what I do.

I don’t need accolades, but it would be nice if you could refrain from trashing me.

Oh my heart bleeds. Here's a teeny tiny violin playing just.for.you.

This isn't about you. How do you not recognize that?

How do you not see that lumping everyone together and criticizing them / calling them “bottom feeders” can be considered insulting?

And since you are criticizing my profession, this is about me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ Just to add, my 2 HS kids are currently ranking #1 in their HS classes, taking multiple APs with a bunch of unusual ECs. So no, they really aren't the IEP kids you hoped they'd be.

“Critic,”
Your negativity isn’t helping this excellent teacher stay in the profession. As you (and others) lump me in with the “bottom feeders,” I’m less and less inclined to give up my own life to be this excellent at what I do.

I don’t need accolades, but it would be nice if you could refrain from trashing me.

Oh my heart bleeds. Here's a teeny tiny violin playing just.for.you.

This isn't about you. How do you not recognize that?

How do you not see that lumping everyone together and criticizing them / calling them “bottom feeders” can be considered insulting?

And since you are criticizing my profession, this is about me.

You only need to be better than the majority. It's not hard. Carry on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This generation of teachers is the most under-worked and over-entitled ever.

In the 1970s my mother would carry bags of books home with her every single night and sit up grading her HS kids French homework, putting in corrections and encouragement and grades. Every single night.

Homework just doesn't exist on that level any more. You'r'e lucky if the teacher checks its been done, but they don't engage with it at all.

I do this. Every single night. I work every Saturday. Every Sunday. I am comfortable estimating I work 70 hours at least one week a month and never under 60. My coworkers are quitting because of the workload and I’m seriously considering it.

I’m underworked and over-entitled?

You teach Elementary. there is a world of difference between Elementary and High School in terms of workload and rigor. You are basically spending your weekend putting smiley faces on bad pictures.

Now this right here is a troll. I'd encourage others to ignore going forward

No. What I am is a critic. I am the original poster of the mother who was a teacher in the 70s who bust a nut every night for her HS students. I'm also a parent of 2 kids in the US education system and I've met exactly 1 excellent teacher in their ES experience and 0 in their MS experience and probably 2 maybe 3 excellent teachers in their HS experience. The rest have been bottom-feeders, bottom feeders who are uninspiring and entitled, who think staying after school for 30 mins is a HUGE impingement on their lives, who literally don't give a F about the individuals in their class.

Who in their right mind would become a teacher these days? Nothing but contempt from parents, orders from the school system, all for low pay and high stress. In the past, it was a women's job, because women couldn't become rocket scientists, computer programmers, politicians, etc. Now they can. The best and the brightest are NOT going into education

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This generation of teachers is the most under-worked and over-entitled ever.

In the 1970s my mother would carry bags of books home with her every single night and sit up grading her HS kids French homework, putting in corrections and encouragement and grades. Every single night.

Homework just doesn't exist on that level any more. You'r'e lucky if the teacher checks its been done, but they don't engage with it at all.

I do this. Every single night. I work every Saturday. Every Sunday. I am comfortable estimating I work 70 hours at least one week a month and never under 60. My coworkers are quitting because of the workload and I’m seriously considering it.

I’m underworked and over-entitled?

You teach Elementary. there is a world of difference between Elementary and High School in terms of workload and rigor. You are basically spending your weekend putting smiley faces on bad pictures.

Now this right here is a troll. I'd encourage others to ignore going forward

No. What I am is a critic. I am the original poster of the mother who was a teacher in the 70s who bust a nut every night for her HS students. I'm also a parent of 2 kids in the US education system and I've met exactly 1 excellent teacher in their ES experience and 0 in their MS experience and probably 2 maybe 3 excellent teachers in their HS experience. The rest have been bottom-feeders, bottom feeders who are uninspiring and entitled, who think staying after school for 30 mins is a HUGE impingement on their lives, who literally don't give a F about the individuals in their class.

Who in their right mind would become a teacher these days? Nothing but contempt from parents, orders from the school system, all for low pay and high stress. In the past, it was a women's job, because women couldn't become rocket scientists, computer programmers, politicians, etc. Now they can. The best and the brightest are NOT going into education

Exactly... parents like this are quick to point out how horrible their children's teachers are and use this as the reason why they don't respect teachers overall. So I guess we should just continue to make teaching as miserable as possible and make absolutely sure that no talented young people enter the profession at all now?