Anonymous wrote:It used to be that teaching was one of the best jobs around — decent pay, good work–life balance, and a fulfilling career with three months of paid vacation. Yet when I talk to current teachers, they don’t seem to feel that way anymore in any of these areas.

What exactly has changed in recent years that turned teaching from a dream job into such a difficult one? Do you think teachers now see students, administrators, and parents as ungrateful?

Easy. They moved sped into and kept the crazies in general ed. Parents can't even take the time to teach their one or two kids how to sit still, be quiet, and learn. How is it that people expect teachers to do that with 25 kids (probably with a knowledge range of 5 grade levels) when they're not even allowed to punish them?

On the other hand, I do blame teachers a lot because they don't open their mouths and complain loudly, or make their union leaders do it for them. I know many parents that would have defended these teachers and their complaints, because we were making these complaints for them while talking to principals and administrators.

Anonymous wrote:My DH argues with me about overtime. He works in a field that gives him time and a half pay for anything over 40 hours. He’s frustrated that I’m grading at 7pm on a Tuesday, 6am on a Saturday, noon on a Sunday, etc.

The worlds are just different. To me, it’s normal to answer parent emails before I go to bed. It’s normal to grade papers in the car on every weekend trip (and at the hotel when we get there).

He thinks it’s exploitation and that the only reason my employer gets away with it is because I keep doing it. I can’t get him to understand how much harder my job is when I show up unprepared, and I need my off hours to prepare.

Ex-teacher here and I can relate to this.

Anonymous wrote:I've been a teacher for 32 years. I don't get the debate on this board... both teachers and parents can be good; both teachers and parents can suck.

If you're a teacher working 80 hours a week, then you're doing something very wrong. Figure it out. Let go of your control issues and understand that you are not a savior.

If you're a parent always bashing teachers, then you're doing something very wrong. Kids are different now, even your snowflakes. Teachers cannot (and should not) be all things to all people. We're not their parents.

If you’re a teacher working 70-80 hours a week, then I’m guessing you teach high school English. That’s one of the reasons teachers can be bitter. We get paid on the same salary scale, but the jobs aren’t equal. At all. Not remotely.

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Anonymous wrote:I’m not even a teacher. I’m a parent volunteer. Most of the parents are great. Several have become lifelong friends. But some parents are so entitled. They demand everything from childcare during events to specific events. They never think to themselves, “I can also volunteer and do these things for my community.” They just demand existing volunteers.

I have a demanding full-time job, a marriage and a mother of 3. The work I do for the school is unpaid.

I can’t imagine being a teacher. A few parents are so awful they ruin what would otherwise be meaningful and pleasant.

Most parents are lovely! I have over 20 years of experiences (parent/teacher conferences, community events) that remind me of the many supportive parents who see teachers as partners, not adversaries.

Unfortunately, the few hostile ones sour the work environment with insults and unreasonable demands. I constantly remind myself that you simply can’t make some people happy, no matter how much you give them.

Thank you for your support, both on this site and at your school!

Most parents are nice, but you can’t be a lovely person if you always just sit back quietly while other people behave badly.

I’m not a Fed. Neither is DH. I defend Feds all the time in whatever setting someone disparages them.

I’m not sure I understand your point.

If someone is disparaging good teachers, I always speak up. Is that your point? To speak up for teachers?

On a group chat a bunch of mean girl moms were complaining about a teacher and trying to get her fired so I emailed the principal to defend her. I wish others would do the same but they all seem to want to be part of that clique so they were all "ill keep my eyes open!"

Anonymous wrote:I've been a teacher for 32 years. I don't get the debate on this board... both teachers and parents can be good; both teachers and parents can suck.

If you're a teacher working 80 hours a week, then you're doing something very wrong. Figure it out. Let go of your control issues and understand that you are not a savior.

If you're a parent always bashing teachers, then you're doing something very wrong. Kids are different now, even your snowflakes. Teachers cannot (and should not) be all things to all people. We're not their parents.

+100

I’ve been doing it for over 20 years. Admin makes many of us bitter.

Most people who become teachers have a positive correlation to it, fond memories of being in K-12. The smartest people I know in life -- the ones who could truly impart a lot of knowledge -- did not enjoy K-12 much at all. They might have a Ph.D. but they hated K-12. I have female relatives who teach grade school and they were popular girls who loved K-8. So the profession self selects a certain type of person. It makes sense why so many teachers miss the signs of bullying, etc. They never experienced it personally. I think it is an aspect we don't talk much about and why teachers think the way they do.

I've been a teacher for 32 years. I don't get the debate on this board... both teachers and parents can be good; both teachers and parents can suck.

If you're a teacher working 80 hours a week, then you're doing something very wrong. Figure it out. Let go of your control issues and understand that you are not a savior.

If you're a parent always bashing teachers, then you're doing something very wrong. Kids are different now, even your snowflakes. Teachers cannot (and should not) be all things to all people. We're not their parents.

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:It used to be that teaching was one of the best jobs around — decent pay, good work–life balance, and a fulfilling career with three months of paid vacation. Yet when I talk to current teachers, they don’t seem to feel that way anymore in any of these areas.

What exactly has changed in recent years that turned teaching from a dream job into such a difficult one? Do you think teachers now see students, administrators, and parents as ungrateful?

Lack of autonomy in the classroom.
Lack of discipline and not being able to discipline problem students.
Federal funding addiction creating problem students who destroy classrooms and schools since they won't kick them out.
Political Correctness stifling a creative learning environment.
Mandatory "continuing education" bs during summer vacations.
Summer vacations cut from 3 months to barely 2 now.
Teacher's unions in many states sucking up their paychecks.

The list goes on.

cry me a river, lol

One of the main reasons people go into teaching is the summers off with the kids. It be what it be.

Pay more and the shorter summer vacation wouldn't be such a thing. Teachers get around $15 per hour as it is. $20-25 per hour average if you work at an inner city school like in The Substitute movies where you deal with stabbings and gang fights.

Yep, summers off with their kids. Plus all the breaks, extra holidays, snow days etc.

When a friend (who was a teacher) and I (who worked in an office) retired, I calculated that I had worked in essence 7 more years - based on her summer's off. You can't put a price on those 2 months off, every single year.

But you were paid for 12 months of work. She was paid for 10.

And when you work 60 hour weeks as a teacher, you work more hours in 10 months than many work in a full 12. My husband works 50 weeks a year; I pull more hours in 40 weeks than he does in 50 weeks.

So that unpaid summer is a perk on one way: it gives teachers the chance to breathe after a 10-month marathon of overstimulating days, exhausted nights, and weekend work.

She was paid for 10 months because she worked for 10 months. She also didn’t have to pay for childcare over the summer.

And you are paid for 12 months because you work for 12 months. I’m guessing you got paid considerably more, too.

And, as a teacher who has worked most summers of my career, I still pay for childcare for the summer.

There are misconceptions about teaching are all over this thread. There seems to be this thought that we have 7.5 hour, relaxing days and then some glorious paid summer where we sit around with margaritas.

The reality for many of us is 10-12 hour days as well as unpaid trainings and work sessions over the summer.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It used to be that teaching was one of the best jobs around — decent pay, good work–life balance, and a fulfilling career with three months of paid vacation. Yet when I talk to current teachers, they don’t seem to feel that way anymore in any of these areas.

What exactly has changed in recent years that turned teaching from a dream job into such a difficult one? Do you think teachers now see students, administrators, and parents as ungrateful?

Lack of autonomy in the classroom.
Lack of discipline and not being able to discipline problem students.
Federal funding addiction creating problem students who destroy classrooms and schools since they won't kick them out.
Political Correctness stifling a creative learning environment.
Mandatory "continuing education" bs during summer vacations.
Summer vacations cut from 3 months to barely 2 now.
Teacher's unions in many states sucking up their paychecks.

The list goes on.

cry me a river, lol

One of the main reasons people go into teaching is the summers off with the kids. It be what it be.

Pay more and the shorter summer vacation wouldn't be such a thing. Teachers get around $15 per hour as it is. $20-25 per hour average if you work at an inner city school like in The Substitute movies where you deal with stabbings and gang fights.

Yep, summers off with their kids. Plus all the breaks, extra holidays, snow days etc.

When a friend (who was a teacher) and I (who worked in an office) retired, I calculated that I had worked in essence 7 more years - based on her summer's off. You can't put a price on those 2 months off, every single year.

But you were paid for 12 months of work. She was paid for 10.

And when you work 60 hour weeks as a teacher, you work more hours in 10 months than many work in a full 12. My husband works 50 weeks a year; I pull more hours in 40 weeks than he does in 50 weeks.

So that unpaid summer is a perk on one way: it gives teachers the chance to breathe after a 10-month marathon of overstimulating days, exhausted nights, and weekend work.

She was paid for 10 months because she worked for 10 months. She also didn’t have to pay for childcare over the summer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not even a teacher. I’m a parent volunteer. Most of the parents are great. Several have become lifelong friends. But some parents are so entitled. They demand everything from childcare during events to specific events. They never think to themselves, “I can also volunteer and do these things for my community.” They just demand existing volunteers.

I have a demanding full-time job, a marriage and a mother of 3. The work I do for the school is unpaid.

I can’t imagine being a teacher. A few parents are so awful they ruin what would otherwise be meaningful and pleasant.

Most parents are lovely! I have over 20 years of experiences (parent/teacher conferences, community events) that remind me of the many supportive parents who see teachers as partners, not adversaries.

Unfortunately, the few hostile ones sour the work environment with insults and unreasonable demands. I constantly remind myself that you simply can’t make some people happy, no matter how much you give them.

Thank you for your support, both on this site and at your school!

Most parents are nice, but you can’t be a lovely person if you always just sit back quietly while other people behave badly.

I’m not a Fed. Neither is DH. I defend Feds all the time in whatever setting someone disparages them.

I’m not sure I understand your point.

If someone is disparaging good teachers, I always speak up. Is that your point? To speak up for teachers?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not even a teacher. I’m a parent volunteer. Most of the parents are great. Several have become lifelong friends. But some parents are so entitled. They demand everything from childcare during events to specific events. They never think to themselves, “I can also volunteer and do these things for my community.” They just demand existing volunteers.

I have a demanding full-time job, a marriage and a mother of 3. The work I do for the school is unpaid.

I can’t imagine being a teacher. A few parents are so awful they ruin what would otherwise be meaningful and pleasant.

Most parents are lovely! I have over 20 years of experiences (parent/teacher conferences, community events) that remind me of the many supportive parents who see teachers as partners, not adversaries.

Unfortunately, the few hostile ones sour the work environment with insults and unreasonable demands. I constantly remind myself that you simply can’t make some people happy, no matter how much you give them.

Thank you for your support, both on this site and at your school!

Most parents are nice, but you can’t be a lovely person if you always just sit back quietly while other people behave badly.

I’m not a Fed. Neither is DH. I defend Feds all the time in whatever setting someone disparages them.

An anecdote I typically get to school 20-30 minutes early since I need more than the 20 minutes they give us to “get ready” for the day. (Back in the old days I would get their even earlier to make photocopies.)

I leave about 30 minutes after school because I hate responding to emails at home. After dinner I usually grade for an hour or so while watching TV. I don’t get paid for this extra 1-2 hours a day, and there is not time during the school day. I hate having meetings or trainings in my off periods since that just means more work later.

We don’t get paid in the summer. Yes the time is nice but typically 1-3 weeks is lost to training or grad school courses to keep our credentials. Oh don’t forget the parents, students and admin without boundaries who email me during the summer. Sped has it the worst regarding that issue even being asked to attend meetings.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It used to be that teaching was one of the best jobs around — decent pay, good work–life balance, and a fulfilling career with three months of paid vacation. Yet when I talk to current teachers, they don’t seem to feel that way anymore in any of these areas.

What exactly has changed in recent years that turned teaching from a dream job into such a difficult one? Do you think teachers now see students, administrators, and parents as ungrateful?

Lack of autonomy in the classroom.
Lack of discipline and not being able to discipline problem students.
Federal funding addiction creating problem students who destroy classrooms and schools since they won't kick them out.
Political Correctness stifling a creative learning environment.
Mandatory "continuing education" bs during summer vacations.
Summer vacations cut from 3 months to barely 2 now.
Teacher's unions in many states sucking up their paychecks.

The list goes on.

cry me a river, lol

One of the main reasons people go into teaching is the summers off with the kids. It be what it be.

Pay more and the shorter summer vacation wouldn't be such a thing. Teachers get around $15 per hour as it is. $20-25 per hour average if you work at an inner city school like in The Substitute movies where you deal with stabbings and gang fights.

Yep, summers off with their kids. Plus all the breaks, extra holidays, snow days etc.

When a friend (who was a teacher) and I (who worked in an office) retired, I calculated that I had worked in essence 7 more years - based on her summer's off. You can't put a price on those 2 months off, every single year.

But you were paid for 12 months of work. She was paid for 10.

And when you work 60 hour weeks as a teacher, you work more hours in 10 months than many work in a full 12. My husband works 50 weeks a year; I pull more hours in 40 weeks than he does in 50 weeks.

So that unpaid summer is a perk on one way: it gives teachers the chance to breathe after a 10-month marathon of overstimulating days, exhausted nights, and weekend work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It used to be that teaching was one of the best jobs around — decent pay, good work–life balance, and a fulfilling career with three months of paid vacation. Yet when I talk to current teachers, they don’t seem to feel that way anymore in any of these areas.

What exactly has changed in recent years that turned teaching from a dream job into such a difficult one? Do you think teachers now see students, administrators, and parents as ungrateful?

Lack of autonomy in the classroom.
Lack of discipline and not being able to discipline problem students.
Federal funding addiction creating problem students who destroy classrooms and schools since they won't kick them out.
Political Correctness stifling a creative learning environment.
Mandatory "continuing education" bs during summer vacations.
Summer vacations cut from 3 months to barely 2 now.
Teacher's unions in many states sucking up their paychecks.

The list goes on.

cry me a river, lol

One of the main reasons people go into teaching is the summers off with the kids. It be what it be.

Pay more and the shorter summer vacation wouldn't be such a thing. Teachers get around $15 per hour as it is. $20-25 per hour average if you work at an inner city school like in The Substitute movies where you deal with stabbings and gang fights.

Yep, summers off with their kids. Plus all the breaks, extra holidays, snow days etc.

When a friend (who was a teacher) and I (who worked in an office) retired, I calculated that I had worked in essence 7 more years - based on her summer's off. You can't put a price on those 2 months off, every single year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The teachers aren’t well trained either. They present worksheets with incorrect spelling. They don’t know how to teach phonics. They are poor in math skills and even poorer in explaining concepts. They don’t understand higher level math and how they should be better supporting it. They don’t prepare kids adequately for the next grade. They are inexperienced and think that grabbing worksheets off TpT website is a best practice! I’ve not seen much creativity in the method of teaching in 9+ years.

I think this is correct, but I also think there are too many kids in a normal class that are quite literally incapable of learning at grade level and it sidetracks the whole class. I don’t know which problem came first

I went to Harvard and I have also have a Masters degree in my subject. Not an M. Ed, but a "real" Masters degree. I understand my subject better than the majority of the parents of my students AND my students' AP exam scores are consistently higher than those of any other teachers' classes at our school.

But it is very clear to me that the majority of parents view me as a sort of unintelligent servant. This is why I'm moving out of the profession. You people wonder why there are so many inexperienced young teachers who struggle with subject content? It's because you make the conditions of the job so miserable that anybody with options gets out.


you mean you have a masters. in a content area, not an MED which is a "real" masters. are you confusing MAT - also a real degree.

I’m the poster you responded to here.

No, I also have an M Ed, and it was fluff, a clear cash cow for universities. It was nowhere as rigorous as my real MA. You would not realize this if you only have an M Ed. Sorry.