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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]What would you tell a college kid who is considering teaching?  My HS senior daughter is trying to figure out what she'd like to do for a career.  She gravitates toward teaching.  I think she worries about the salary.  But more than that, most of her HS teachers have been telling her to absolutely not do it.

They have different reasons, but the most salient seem to be unruly kids and entitled parents.  Most recently, a teacher told her that so many parents push and complain and threaten to sue and actually sue that the job is terrible.  She said that some kids just don't do the smallest amount of work and their parents tell the teacher not to push them due to mental health concerns and they want the kid to graduate but the kid has turned in almost nothing all semester.

It sounds like when teachers try to encourage kids to challenge themselves and learn, they are thwarted.  Making an already difficult job completely unsatisfying.

This was the most recent conversation she's had, but she's been reporting teacher comments discouraging the teaching profession since freshman year.

Is she just catching teachers venting at times of stress (which we all face) or is this a real thing such that kids should avoid the profession?[/quote]

OP here....

I've thought a lot about how to answer this. My own child has expressed interest in teaching. I will absolutely encourage them to pursue something else. I would avoid the profession at this point. There's an old saying that apparently people still say, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach" Like wtf? That's what people think of teachers.

Student behavior/parent entitlement is one of the reasons I would avoid it. The workload and salary is another. I agree with everything you mentioned that her HS teachers have said above. I've been teaching 15+ years and it's all true. Parents also send their sick kids to school constantly. I often feel like a glorified babysitter. Also....have you read through all the comments on this thread?? More and more of my students have IEPs and 504s...it's hard to provide all the accommodations and supports for all of them.

Something that wasn't mentioned is also how we are treated like incompetent unprofessional babies by administration and higher ups in the MCPS. Just bc I work with kids all day doesn't mean I need to be treated like a child at our professional development meetings and trainings etc with stupid ice breakers and activities that are a waste of time. I have a Master's degree and have lots of experience in the field and still feel that I am micromanaged. Many meetings that should have been emails. Many meetings for the sake of having meetings. I actually have loved all my principals and admin, and still feel this way.

Also...there is only so much we can do for children at school. It's a heavy emotional load to carry and I think about/worry about my students after the school day and long after they're in my class. If parents aren't on board or supportive, we are SOL. Sad but true. No one wants to admit it and they think we can just work harder and student achievement will go up. It's a lot of pressure.

I think this has been a little all over the place...I hope I answered your question. [/quote]

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