Why do so many ignorant people give teachers such a hard time?

Question

The number of people that are making digs at teachers is really unfair. You assume that we are all sitting around in our classrooms doing nothing, but you don't realise the pressure and workload that is actually there. I will talk you through a typical school day, perhaps then you will understand.
My alarm goes off at 5.45, so that I can be at work as early as possible. I arrive at work, usually somewhere between 7.00 and 7.20, in order to set up resources and go through any particularly important events or meetings happening that day.
At 8.30, it's to the staff breifing meeting, where we are given any special instructions for the day.
Then it's out to the playground for duty.
The children arrive in school at 8.50, and we then spend the day teaching using a combination of government iniatives and carefully planned lessons and strategies that have been built up through years or experience and planning.
Very often, there is no lunch break involved -

There are meetings, feedback from lesson observations, clubs to run, follow up from discipline issues. If I am lucky, I will get 10 minutes to eat, while typing with the other hand.
At hometime, there are more meetings to attend, an hour's planning meeting, and I may manage to get one set of books marked.
The rest comes home with me. I regularly bring 60 books home with me, and spend the evening marking them.

All of this goes completely unseen by the parents, and by the ignorant people who think we do nothing all day.

Teachers work damn hard, and I for one am getting sick of defending myself against those who don't have the skills to become teachers themselves. Most of the people who are complaining about the quality of teaching these days would not last 10 minutes in a classroom, so leave us alone!

Point taken about the use of the word 'you', apologies for that. I'm not looking for sympathy though, I am venting some frustration against the likes of this:
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApB5ILmtbuN_y86sAy1VyS8gBgx.?qid=20061231071342AApxwTj&show=7#profile-info-AA11808462

I don't hate my job either, I enjoy it for the most part. I adore my class, and they feel the same about me, so one or two people's answers are quite incorrect.

Answer 1

I'm a teacher too, and felt much the way you did until I realized something really important: there is no need to defend yourself or your job. If you know you are doing a good job and you know you work hard, then why defend yourself? There is no need. It's only when we start believing that there is a reason for others' attacks that we start defending...so be confident, enjoy your job, and let others who slam it do so for whatever reasons they feel the need to do it for. Maybe they are jealous. Maybe they didn't like their teachers. Maybe they are worried they are bad parents and need someone else to blame. Who knows? But why concern yourself with their issues? I know it's tempting--trust me, but in the long run, it just makes you frustrated and that can affect your performance at work. From one teacher to another: keep up the good work--and ignore the naysayers.

Answer 2

hi there

well i home educate my 5 children, I love teachers that inspire a love of the subject they are teaching because they love it.

And take it from me "some" teachers do speak down to parents, and most parents are very defensive when it comes to their children and some just don't give a toss about their kids really, not a fundamentally deep level; recognising their children as individuals with a life path already set inside their spirits.

And some like myself have no issue with teachers just the state of education (which i am sure you will agree has very little to do with the teachers :(

I really feel for you - i wake up each morning with my children when we want lol and teach my kiddies what they want to learn today which often leads to many activities, field trips, discoveries etc - you like you say have the "State" to tell children what they are gonna learn.

Keep going and remember you aren't educating mothers and fathers just their children. Bless you and rest assured even tho i choose the scenic route in educating my children I fully admire and respect teachers in state schools not only do they need to be allowed to teach, they need appreciation for all the hard work they do. and a lunch break lol

xxx

Answer 3

Oh you poor old thing - did anyone force you to be a teacher. My only answer is that possibly some people feel that in their time teachers had larger classes. Desks were in rows and pupils came out of school mostly, being able to write, read and do maths (without a calculator). When you can turn out pupils that do ALL those things then perhaps you will get respect.

Answer 4

lol...............you can tell this is a question from a teacher because it's so bloody long and elaborated!! lol

Even the replies to the question are in essay form

lol

(a trainee teacher)
happy new year all

PS, teachers get a hard time because it's hard to be a parent. You want the best for your child and every parent (including myself) feels their child is unique and special. Combine this with the pressures within teaching and 30 odd kids in a class, there are going to be disagreements. For example, 'my child is being blamed for things', 'my child gets too much work'. 'my child does not get enough attention' etc...you're facing human instinct versus human instinct a.k.a teacher versus parent.............it's going to happen.

Answer 5

Teaching is always a battle. Some students talk back, are defiant, and give you a hard time to get attention. In general, these students don't get enough attention from their own families so they act out in school to get attention. They are uncomfortable with positive attention so they seek negative attention. My advice to you is don't let them. If they give you a hard time, you need to send a message that it is not acceptable. The other students will appreciate when you are mean to the bad ones!

Answer 6

Its hard for them to empathise with teachers for they know nothing of the stress that can accompany the custodianship of a classful of children, each with their own quirks and personalities. Then teachers have to go home, switch off and become parents themselves and somehow manage to convey love and security to their own children.
People who criticise teachers tend to do so as a cover for their own failings as a parent which is why we see so many children idling in groups on the street and seeking mischief. They do so purely through lack of stimulation from family interaction and interest. .... with respect.

Answer 7

When ever someone tells me they think teachers have it easy I respond to them by saying if you really feel that way - why aren't you don't that job? Almost all of them respond the same that they couldn't handle the job. So don't worry about the criticism because in most cases it is jealously that you can do what they know they can't (or perceive that they can't).

Good Luck!!!

Answer 8

Another example, I witnessed my colleague having problems with the same student over and over again. An eighth grader by this time, he would wander around the room, talk to other students, make smart comments, you name it! Every time she addressed him about causing disruptions, he would yell that he didn't have a pencil, like it was her fault. After so many episodes, she called home to his mother, informing her of what was happening.....my colleague (a first year teacher) came back to her room in a frenzy. I had to cover her class while she went to finish bawling her eyes out. She said the mother had talked to her horribly, and in so many words, told her to never chastise her kid or ring her phone about nothing as stupid as him not having a pencil again. Now that is ignorance!

Answer 9

Most teachers do work hard. No question. You're right, the public is not educated on this matter. However, this anger you're showing is odd. Parents will complain- it's their job. They're never going to stop. A lot of teachers out there ARE incompetent. Maybe you're not- I don't know. Parents have to deal with many other teachers that your child has had that are maybe not as good as you. All they want for their child is a quality education.
If you have a problem handling the workload that your job requires- quit. Your education can be used in many other ways. I, for one, find it stuipid you posted on Yahoo! this complaint, as all you are going to get is some sympathy and mostly more complaints. It's just going to agravate you.
And remember, when you're writing these things, don't use the word "you". "I" don't do ANY of this. Stop making it personal.

Answer 10

Maybe because it's easier for the parents to blame someone else for their child's education then look at their responsibilities and roles in the child's development?!