TEACHERS/anyone who works in education...

iRun4wine

NOT trying to start a debate here, just want to share an article I read and found thought-provoking and interesting- enjoy:flowerforyou: :


In what other profession...
August 27th, 2010 by David Reber
Topeka Examiner

I’m going to step out of my usual third-person writing voice for a moment. As a parent I received a letter last week from the Kansas State Board of Education, informing me that my children’s school district had been placed on “improvement” status for failing to meet “adequate yearly progress” under the No Child Left Behind law.

I thought it ironic that our schools were judged inadequate by people who haven’t set foot in them, so I wrote a letter to my local newspaper. Predictably, my letter elicited a deluge of comments in the paper’s online forum. Many remarks came from armchair educators and anti-teacher, anti-public school evangelists quick to discredit anything I had to say under the rationale of “he’s a teacher.” What could a teacher possibly know about education?

Countless arguments used to denigrate public school teachers begin with the phrase “in what other profession….” and conclude with practically anything the anti-teacher pundits find offensive about public education. Due process and collective bargaining are favorite targets, as are the erroneous but tightly held beliefs that teachers are under-worked, over-paid (earning million-dollar pensions), and not accountable for anything.

In what other profession, indeed.

In what other profession are the licensed professionals considered the LEAST knowledgeable about the job? You seldom if ever hear “that guy couldn’t possibly know a thing about law enforcement – he’s a police officer”, or “she can’t be trusted talking about fire safety – she’s a firefighter.”

In what other profession is experience viewed as a liability rather than an asset? You won’t find a contractor advertising “choose me – I’ve never done this before”, and your doctor won’t recommend a surgeon on the basis of her “having very little experience with the procedure”.

In what other profession is the desire for competitive salary viewed as proof of callous indifference towards the job? You won’t hear many say “that lawyer charges a lot of money, she obviously doesn’t care about her clients”, or “that coach earns millions – clearly he doesn’t care about the team.”

But look around. You’ll find droves of armchair educators who summarily dismiss any statement about education when it comes from a teacher. Likewise, it’s easy to find politicians, pundits, and profiteers who refer to our veteran teachers as ineffective, overpriced “dead wood”. Only the rookies could possibly be any good, or worth the food-stamp-eligible starting salaries we pay them.

And if teachers dare ask for a raise, this is taken by many as clear evidence that teachers don’t give a porcupine’s posterior about kids. In fact, some say if teachers really cared about their students they would insist on earning LESS money.

If that entire attitude weren’t bad enough, what other profession is legally held to PERFECTION by 2014? Are police required to eliminate all crime? Are firefighters required to eliminate all fires? Are doctors required to cure all patients? Are lawyers required to win all cases? Are coaches required to win all games? Of course they aren’t.

For no other profession do so many outsiders refuse to accept the realities of an imperfect world. Crime happens. Fire happens. Illness happens. As for lawyers and coaches, where there’s a winner there must also be a loser. People accept all these realities, until they apply to public education.

If a poverty-stricken, drug-addled meth-cooker burns down his house, suffers third degree burns, and then goes to jail; we don’t blame the police, fire department, doctors, and defense attorneys for his predicament. But if that kid doesn’t graduate high school, it’s clearly the teacher’s fault.

And if someone – anyone - tries to tell you otherwise; don’t listen. He must be a teacher.

jabdye

Sad that THAT is reality. I am very thankful that there are people with the knowledge and patience to teach. I know I couldn't do it -- it takes a very special person -- and for all of you that do it -- THANK YOU!!!!! :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: Not everyone blames the teacher -- some of us are truly grateful!

tabbydog

That was interesting reading, thanks for sharing. I too, could never be a teacher. I don't have the stomach for it. It isn't the kids. It is that one parent in every class. You know the one, I am sure. Maybe there is even more than one. :noway:

cdl8

WOW!!!! Well said is all I will say to this. I am very proud to announce that I am a teacher and still love my job after 13 years. I could never do anything else. But it's finally nice to hear someone speak the truth loud and clear instead of be critical of every move we make . . . especially when they have NEVER stepped foot in a classroom.
PS My daughter is sick today which is why I am not teaching now! LOL

jabdye

Well - on behalf of parents that realize how difficult your job is.....THANKS for all you do!!! And hope your daughter feels better soon! :flowerforyou:

the_journeyman

Interesting read! I teach middle school, and our school has had the opportunity, thanks the No Child Left Behind to carry BOTH the label of "School of Disctinction" and School of Improvement at the same time. It's weird in our profession. Our salaries have been frozen for nearly four years here. I just glad I've got a job with all the co-workers being told "there is no longer funding for your position."

JM

iRun4wine

If a poverty-stricken, drug-addled meth-cooker burns down his house, suffers third degree burns, and then goes to jail; we don’t blame the police, fire department, doctors, and defense attorneys for his predicament. But if that kid doesn’t graduate high school, it’s clearly the teacher’s fault.

This is my favorite part.

jluter925

Thank you for sharing this... I am a teacher in Missouri and I appreciate parents that understand what we really do. I hate that we are held to different standards and "government officials" are the ones making the decisions when they are not the ones in the trenches or their children do not go to a public school. I love my school and my kids and they are why I continue teaching. It must take a different kind of person to teach and I guess I am that one! :flowerforyou:

stebs1984

My aunt emailed me this awhile back...

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.
You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)
'I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life."
(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)
"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant. You want to know what I make?
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make Mr. CEO?"
His jaw dropped, and he went silent.

brindlechewy

Sad but true. :sad:

the_journeyman

That pretty much sums it up. Teachers are the enemy if we give a bad grade. It's immediately "Why don't you like me?" or "Why did you give me such a bad grade?" and so on. Funny thing is I never have to justify the A's & B's I give out, but I'm ALWAYS having to pull out my grade book and prove it when I send home an F or D.

JM