I love my sons' teachers!

[mzteris]

I think most teachers are wonderful people who do their damndest to educate kids in spite of all the freaking red-tape, regulations, law-suits, low-pay, long-hours, undisciplined kids, non-supportive parents, and clueless politicians, schoolboards, and administors.

Teachers need higher pay, better support, better (free) training, more cross-training, more freedom, smaller classes, improved training programs (all "new" teachers must work as an assistant with a 'proven teacher' in a classroom for at least two years before being allowed their own class - and still closely mentored for a few years after that.


While I may have my own opinions about some of the "hows" of education - and I whole-heartedly support alternative forms of education because one size does not fit all - I don't "blame" the teachers for the current failures inherent in the system.

I think a lot of our teachers believe they are being PERSONALLY blamed for all the ills and that should not be the case. Let's hear it for support our teachers for the sacrifices they make every single day. For those who work with love and determination and hope to change the lives of their charges for the better. The ones who shed tears over their students and sweat blood trying to help them in any way they can.

[Odin2005]

1. In my experience teachers were either amzing or they sucked horriblely.

But it ticks me off that the amazing teachers are being attacked because of the sucky teachers. It's a load of crap.

[mzteris]

5. It certainly seems they're being attacked sometimes.

I don't think they're really meant to be - I think it's more of a general frustration and lashing out at "schools" - and it gets interpreted as "teachers". People tend to take criticism of their "thing" as a criticism of themselves. I think that's not a productive way to progress. To assume that the the criticism is directed at you - personally (not you, Odin, but general you) - when it's directed at a greater scheme is a natural tendency, but not very productive in the long run.

My PERSONAL experience - I had only a couple of really good teachers, but I will confess that for the most part - they were so-so or abysmally BAD. My sons have had teachers that are - for the most part, good. A couple of so-so, and some victims themselves of a very vicious principal who weren't ALLOWED to be a good teacher to my son. (That's a whole 'nother story...) Lately - they've all been pretty GREAT!

I just hate that the real debate has become sidetracked into some sort of "fingerpointing" and CYA and digging in the trenches instead of open and embracing dialogue that focuses on the REAL problems instead of the political footballs.

I hate that teachers think they're being blamed.

I REALLY hate when people DO blame "teachers" - as in general "teachers" (not those specific ones who in some cases most definitely should be "blamed", ya know?).


edit for clarification. In my attempt to try and be precise, I confuse people, evidently. :(

[proud patriot]

2. I work with teachers everyday

I love our Teachers

[monmouth]

3. Half the time I don't remember what I ate for breakfast, but I do remember

every teacher I ever had. Each one contributed to my rounded education, both scholarly and socially. Love your OP..

[Zoigal]

4. Thank you, mzteris,

from a teacher (forty years) and all the rest of them who aren't seeing your post....z

[mzteris]

6. I think I've ticked off too many,

unfortunately . . .