why do you think teachers are so mean?

Answer 1

Low pay and high demands.

Answer 2

There is a special class they take at Teacher's College, called Mean 101, that weeds out all the nice people and ensures that only crabs and grouches make it into the teaching profession.

Okay, that's not true, and you already know that. Did you ever think about what it must be like to be a teacher? Most classrooms are overcrowded, and many of the students today don't speak English as their first language. Even some of those who do, speak such poor English that they find it difficult to relate to what they see in their text books. So the teachers are doing regular work with part of the class, remedial work with another part of the class. Then there are the handicapped students, who also need special attention.
There are mounds of paperwork that must be done, for administrative reasons, which means that teachers spend hours and hours at home, marking student work, responding to administrative demands, preparing lesson plans and teaching aids -- oh, yes. And some of them have families of their own that they would like to spend some time with. If they can find the time.
In addition to all this, teachers are expected to continuously upgrade, so they are likely also taking courses to make them better teachers, to keep on top of their specialties, and to enrich their classes.
Do you suppose they are a little stressed by all this?
How do you think they respond when some little twit won't stop talking, or doesn't do assignments, or refuses to pay attention!
The wonder to me, is that teachers are so calm, so rational and so pleasant in the face of what they have to put up with.
That isn't what you wanted to hear, but if you wanted sympathy, you came to the wrong forum.

Answer 3

I would like to "ditto" everything that just_hanging_out said. For those people who think that some teachers may enter the profession because of the money or the vacation, they just don't understand what goes into teaching. I love teaching, and the only reason I have ever considering doing something else is the money. I know that in almost any other career, a professional with an equal degree and years of experience would make more money than a teacher. In most states, there is about a $35,000 differerce between a first year and thirtieth year teacher. I find it hard to believe that a similar difference exists in other professions. As far as my "vacation" this summer, I worked. My husband, who is also a teacher, worked two jobs. This is not to mention that I probably put in as many hours during the school year as many other professionals put in during the full year. Getting back to the question: Why are teachers mean? ...maybe because the work they do is unappreciated. ...maybe because they are sick of people thinking the work they do is easy. ...maybe because they have grown tired with people thinking they are paid too well. ...maybe because they only have so many hours in a day to teach not only a increasingly strict curriculum (BTW... thanks George W.), but also to teach morals, ethics, and manners because many students' parents are too "busy" to do so at home. ...maybe because in trying to challenge their students to do their best, people assume they are being "mean."

Answer 4

I dont think its right to generalize teachers as mean. Though I must agree that there are some teachers out there who really doesnt care about whacking the students or discriminating them.

Some people say its because there are teachers who all old maids, and they dont have kids or husbands. WHile some just have a passion for teaching and discipline, thats why they want to make sure their students wil llearn from them.

Also, they might come off as mean but in the end we'll be thankful to them because if they didnt push us around, we probably wouldnt know a lot of things now.

Answer 5

Many of my students think I'm being "mean" when what I'm actually doing is trying to maintain order and keep the class running like it should. Students forget that it is one teacher against 30+ students. THe odds are highly in their favor. So, if I have to take away some privleges or raise my voice a bit, oh well. The last thing I need is the principal or superintendant walking in with a classroom full of kids out of control. I don't agree with teachers being disrespectful, but then again, I don't agree with students being that way either.

Answer 6

If they are mean, maybe they are discouraged. Sometimes students don't understand how it feels to stand there and be laughed at, ignored, disrespected. I kind of means that the kids who stay on task and are well behaved pay for the behavior of (hopefully) a few.
It is nice that you are concerned. Try to imagine trying to teach your peers. Put your self in your teachers' shoes, you'll figure it out.
I sometimes think that teachers who are mean should not be teaching. You should stop when you stop loving the kids.
God bless you.

Answer 7

You are generalizing. I teach, so I could ask "why are students so lazy?"

Would that be fair to you? Thought not.

Some of my students may think me mean...I get on kids when I think they can do better. We care about the directions our students take with their lives.

For the clown who suggested that teachers teach for the money, you must be utterly insane. I haven't met a teacher yet who teaches for the money, nor have I met a teacher yet who doesn't care about their students. Frustrated, maybe, but teachers almost always think with care and concern about their students.

Answer 8

Not all teachers are mean. Maybe you think they are mean because they are riding your a** so to speak. In that case, get on it and do your job.

Some are stressed out and some are past their prime in terms of doing the job. There are all kinds of reasons.

Answer 9

teachers arent mean. if you act mean to them, they wont treat you the same way they treat nicer students. you just have to try your best and be polite and you might get to like the teacher. who know, the teacher might think of you in a different way then you think.

Answer 10

1. some people get into teaching for the wrong reasons, like the vacations, but they dont really like kids
2. they are burned out or bored with their jobs
3. they are unhappy with the other adults in the building or they are unhappy at home
4. they are just jerks
sadly there are also many people who have no lives outside the classroom and they get off on the power they have in the classroom
a good teacher loves kids, doesnt take his frustrations out on students and ignores all other adults who tick him off

Answer 11

We teachers are all horrible people who love nothing more than to make your lives miserable....just kidding, most of us aren't mean unless we need to be!!!