Reply to NY times op ed on the teacher crisis

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I work in a classroom as a specialist and I think teachers are so burnt out that they don’t think clearly. They waste a lot of time not using human and technological resources such as coteachers who are constantly in and out of their rooms (and end up, sitting on their asses observing all the time because the teachers want to have control). They spend their planning periods complaining about how hard they have it. They waste a ton of time on trying to keep kids quiet instead of working with how they are naturally wired.[/quote]

Huh. 
I get 38 minutes of planning a day (and that includes my lunch time). I don’t have time to complain or even TALK to another adult.

Co-teachers? What are those? I have 150 students, over 40 with IEPs or 504s. I haven’t seen another adult even check on them. I’m responsible for all that paperwork on my own.

Keeping kids quiet? That’s kind of necessary every now and then. I am responsible for delivering content, after all. And those activities that appreciate how kids are wired? I do those… and they take huge chunks of my weekends to plan.

If you understand this SO MUCH BETTER than a classroom teacher, then step up and take over a classroom. We need you to show us how it’s done. [/quote]

Not a teacher.  But I do have kids in public middle school.  The days of teachers standing in front of class and actually teaching the entire hour are gone.  Much of the time the kids are told to do canned online programs like Lexia, IXL, or blooket for the class period. Or they have a short lesson then are told to do those time filler programs. So I just don’t get how teachers are so busy with all this “planning.” Maybe plan a real lesson while the kids sit on IXL for an hour? [/quote]

I’m the PP and a high school teacher. I don’t use IXL or any other online program. I teach AP coursework and I’m responsible for developing my entire curriculum.

Do not assume anything based on your narrow view of what teachers do. (You are aware they have to examine that IXL data and course correct future lessons, correct?)

DCUM is certainly supporting this teacher shortage by providing a forum for comments like the one above.[/quote]

I feel like I recognize your posts. I'm not sure you are actually a teacher. If you were, you would know that AP provides a huge bank of resources for teachers. And you can literally google any lesson plan, or use TpT or one of the packaged curriculums.

I teach AP classes too. [/quote]

I’m actually a teacher. What I find online and on TPT is often subpar. It doesn’t fit the needs of my classroom. Even if I’m going to borrow someone else’s work, I’m still going to tailor it to my students’ needs. That’s what good teachers do. As for AP’s resources, of course I spend time tailoring those, as well.

And then I tweak it all the following year, because my students are always different.

If you are able to use a “one size fits all” approach in your classroom, then good for you. I spend a bit more time than that making sure my lessons hit home.[/quote]

But you’re quitting at the end of the year right?

Do you really think it’s worth not seeing your family? So you can be 10% better than good enough? [/quote]

I’m not okay with “good enough”. If I’m going to do a job, I’m going to do it correctly.

So yes, I’m quitting. I’d stay if the profession would change so students (and teachers) don’t have to settle for “good enough”. I want better for my students, my own children, and myself.

It can be done. Changing the profession to support teachers can be done. I view this exodus as a way of forcing it to happen. When those of us who want more than “good enough” (which isn’t really good at all within education) leave, then change may finally occur. [/quote]

I know a lot of teachers including those who don't have kids and make the job their life. You are still an extreme outlier. Leaving like that will do nothing. I imagine your colleagues have the same impression of you that I do. You're doing it to yourself.

I'm all for changing teaching, however. But it's sad to see someone who is probably very good at it martyr themselves to the profession and then expect that to be the straw that breaks the camel's back? [/quote]

Wow, you have some nerve to tell someone how they should be doing their job and also to shame them for leaving because it's not what they want.

I thank the PP for being such an excellent teacher who goes above and beyond, and I'm sorry the school system doesn't support you.

One teacher quitting doesn't make a difference, but many teachers quitting just might.[/quote]

I’m the teacher PP who is being called a martyr. Thank you for seeing the situation the way it really is.

I was accused above of doing this to myself. I am simply doing what I HAVE to do in order to do my job well. I can’t respect myself if I shortchange my students. Fortunately, I work at a school full of teachers who feel the same way. We work hard and we deliver results. We are also all burning out.

The PP above thinks one teacher quitting won’t make a difference, but it isn’t just me. I’m one of many leaving, and it WILL improve education when those of us who truly deliver are all gone. I hate that students will be left without strong teachers, but that’s going to happen anyway through burnout.

Again: thank you, PP, for the support. It doesn’t come that often on DCUM, and it’s refreshing![/quote]

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