What are your opinions of teachers?

Question

There seems to be a lot of negative sentiment.

Whatever your opinion, could you please go on to answer the following.

1) What do you think the most difficult aspect of teaching would be?

2) What is the most important thing that kids should learn at school?

3) Have you considered being a teacher? Why or why not.

Any further insight would be much appreciated, I am currently studying to be a teacher.

Amelia, no its not for a report Im doing, its because im interested in other people's opinions. I would ask you what you are doing here if you find that funny.

Answer 1

I've been one for years. The most difficult aspect of teaching is having to deal with the kids who scorn and despise education. Not the apathetic and hopeless ones. . . I'm talking about the ones who think school is a waste of their time and couldn't care less about it except as a social venue. There's a sizable chunk of the population who thinks exactly like that, and they're almost impossible to teach. That's by far the hardest thing you'll face. I think the most important things the kids can learn at school are to love learning for its own sake, and to have character. Those things they take with them for a lifetime, long after they've forgotten the mere facts you told them. I think teaching is a noble calling, but that means it calls for nobility from you too, because a child is swifter than anyone to detect fakeness and insincerity, and they judge it harshly.

Answer 2

You're right, there is a lot of negativity toward teachers. But there's a lot surrounding the whole educational system. Many states and the nation are placing everything on teacher's shoulders with performance based salaries, No Child Left Behind, etc. This often has the opposite effect and discourages rather than motivates teachers because they know they can only do so much and instead of really teaching their students and helping them become better learners and better people they're just having to force facts for a test down their throats.

There are very few aspects of teaching that aren't difficult. All can be made better or worse though by your preparation; the attitude of you, your colleagues, your administrators, your students, and parents, etc.; the area and aims of the place you are teaching in; and many other things.

Ideally, school would be a place where kids would learn school things - things their parents might or might not know that would help them be successful in a changing world. The reality seems to be though, that it's the job of schools to teach manners, patriotism, morals, ethics, good character, life skills, mediation, and a dozen other things that used to be covered at home by a stable family with loving parents. These things are all very important and kids do need to learn them somewhere - but when it falls on teachers to teach these things there is little or no room left for curriculum, which is what everyone is tested and assessed on.

I am currently a teacher. Getting ready to start my 4th full-time year. There are days I absolutely love what I do, and days I absolutely hate it. After a major change the middle of last year, things are starting to look up for me again. I feel like I'm accomplishing a little of what I set out to do - helping kids learn.

The best advice I could offer would be take every opportunity to explore different educational arenas while you're still in school. It will give you an idea of what grade level, district type, school type, etc. that best fits you. Also, be very choosy when looking at jobs. Ask questions of current faculty and students, get the impressions of parents or local business owners, do A LOT of homework into the school and district you are looking at before accepting a job there. When I took my first job I felt like I had to because nothing else might not come along. Although it may not feel like it a lot of the time, there actually is a continuing teacher shortage. Be picky about where you decide to go so you can be happy doing your job once you get there.

Answer 3

1) What do you think the most difficult aspect of teaching would be?

Dealing with overbearing, my kid can do no wrong parents.

2) What is the most important thing that kids should learn at school?

A well rounded education including English, sports, music, art, science and a foreign language. As well as having options for the kids to study deeper into an interesting subject or trade. Things like respect and responsiblity are to be learned at home, something that the parents today are lacking teaching their kids.

3) Have you considered being a teacher? Why or why not.

Yes. I was going to be a chorus teacher. I'm very glad, now that I have a son in school and see how difficult the parents are towards the teachers, that I didn't pursue it.


As far as further insight.....
There are a lot of parents out there that I have seen blame the teachers for their kids misbehaving and not doing well in school when in reality the parents haven't started teaching them that stuff at home, which is where that is to be taught. Don't let these parents bully you. I also had an incident this year with my son's teachers. He was missing 15 hw assignments in one semester and found out because he wasn't bringing home tests and I asked for a breakdown of his test scores and received all the hw's that were missing as well. Do not let it get that far. I took the blame that I had in it, that I trusted my son was being honest when he wasn't (he just wanted to play) and my son was punished for his blame in the situation, but the teachers wouldn't have anything to do with it. After 2 hw's missing is when a letter should go home and if it isn't back the next day signed then a call that night is necessary. Good luck!!!!!

Answer 4

There are several teachers who've made an impact on my life.
To answer your other questions:
1) The most difficult aspect of teaching seems like it would be keeping the students' interested.
2) The most important thing that kids should learn at school should be how to treat others.
3) I've never really thought about teaching in a school setting but I am a teacher of sorts- I teach martial arts to kids.

Answer 5

The most difficult part of beaing a teacher is getting the respect from the students. Only then can they learn from you.

Now looking back, I think the most important skill that needs to be taught in school is the skill to communicate with one another. Kids are going to grow up and deal with people everyday, they need to know how to communicate and except people that are different than themselves.

I have never considered being a teacher, I'm on the opposite side of the spectrum, accounting:-) I'm currently a junior in college doing that.

Good luck on your studies. One thing you should be aware of though is that teaching is a very competitive field. There are not a lot of jobs unless you are willing to relocate. The chances of you finding a position near you is slim, especially if you're in michigan, the jobs here suck! I hope this helps!

Answer 6

Teachers are themost unappreciated people there are. The most difficult aspect will be dealing with all the politics that regulates what and how teachers perform their jobs. If a teacher could get across to his/her students the reason for learning, their job would be much easier. Kids need to understand the causes behind the facts, and how they're going to help in the real world. I sued to be a teacher, and wouldn't go back into it unless corporal punishment was reinstituted. You'll find out why, pretty quickly. You're the bottom of the food chain, and all your personal rights are just about disolved the minute you walk into the classroom.

Answer 7

1) Trying to get through to the kids. Most of them are too ignorant or have no common sense--it would drive me absolutely NUTS.

2) Kids should learn about "the real world" and those skills that will help them; leadership, responsibility, organization, etc. If you're asking more about which classes, I would say English--no matter what job you get, you need to know how to read and write properly.

3) I have. But my answer for #1 has driven me away. I really cannot handle the "stupid" ones (those without any common sense!). I'm afraid that I would become a bad teacher if I had a bad attitude all of the time.

Otherwise, I love children and enjoy teaching others how to do things. It's just so hard to teach the youth of today when they aren't willing to learn--they'd prefer their video games and just hope that someday they'll be recognized for their rapping skills or whatever BS. No work ethic, lol.

Good luck to you! Hope you get a job you like!

Answer 8

Well, first let me congratulate you on choosing such a noble profession! One of the biggest problems overlooked in this country is the lack of decent teachers due to horrible economic situations. We do not put teaching high enough on our list of priorities and it is our children who suffer most because of this.
1. The most difficult aspect of teaching, in my opinion, would be the lack of financial resources. I know a few teachers and know that many times they have had to use their own money for supplies in their classes or teach in less than decent conditions because there was no money to fix physical problems with the building. There are also cases where there aren't enough desks for students or books, etc.
2. I think the most important things kids should learn are the fundamentals of life....balancing checkbooks, how to choose the right career, ethics, parenting, relationship issues, management and organizational skills, along with more up-to-date academic subjects.
3. I have never considered being a teacher because I was never any good in math and felt I might not be able to handle the schooling...:)
Good luck to you and I hope you become one of the good ones!

Answer 9

i think some teachers are ok and then I can't stand some. I hate teachers who don't let you do anything and make class really boring. I love teachers who treat you like adults and form respect and trust with you, and who make class really fun.

I think the most difficult aspect of teaching would be keeping all the kids calm so they could actually teach.

I think the most important things kids should learn at school are math, science and a foreign language.

I would not be a teacher cause I hate talking in front huge groups.


I would sugest teaching 8th grade because that has been my favorite year so far, because we're the oldest grade in middle school and they treated us like adults.

Answer 10

The most difficult aspect of teaching is No Child Left Behind legislation which does not meet the needs of all children. Getting a child tested is nearly impossible, so they do not receive service they need until they are in middle school.
Students should learn to think for themselves and be taught that with reading, writing, and arithmetic a love of learning is much more than what happens within the school's physical building.
I am a teacher, I am beginning my 10th year in two weeks. Good luck you you.