Do any teachers find that when you talk about education many people are not interested?

Question

I'm a education major. I have found that when I talk to my family or friends about education they act interested at first but eventually they glaze over and ignore me. Why are people so indifferent about education when it is so important?

Peach Pie I assume you would rather talk about shoes and alcoholic beverages.

Answer 1

Yeah, being a recent education graduate, I know that all too well. Overall teaching is definitely not a "glamorous" job so it never really does excite too many people. Also since everyone has had exposure to teachers their whole lives a lot of people seem to think that they know everything that teachers do. People much rather hear about what they consider the unknown or rare. We all have our own tastes, if I meet someone and they tell me that they're an accountant or some other office job I tend to do that same small talk leading into boredom look.

The good news is, from what I have seen and experienced the teaching community is a great one. You will find people interested in your stories and days and have people to reflect upon your ideas etc. These are the people who also know how important education is.

Answer 2

Generally, I think the people answering your question have it right. Education is something you are interested in. Right now, with all the education classes you are taking and the learning of new ideas, you have a passion for education and may go overboard when trying to relate these new thoughts to your family and friends. It is a way for you to get a handle on your thoughts and put things in order in your own mind.

People do think they know about education because they have been in a classroom (sometimes a looooooong time ago). When people find out I'm a teacher, they feel they have a right to tell me what is wrong with education. It is usually based on their own experience or something they heard, but it also based on selective memory (only the bad ones). I'm a teacher and I can't remember many good experiences while I was in K - 12. Spend a little time listening to their side of the story, without debate! Even a bad idea helps if you can think of some alternatives.

Keep the passion, but remember to keep the tongue in check, too. Teaching is about learning, for everyone.

Answer 3

Perhaps because they ARE interested in an interesting succint conversation - but when you start to lecture them, they lose interest.

They perhaps want to see you as a friend - not someone banging on about a pet subject all the time.

I think it is important that people have homes to live in, how many hours would like me to bvang on about financing property and dealing with equity increases - v - interest rate increases - and why LIBOR is not the same as capped and how a BTL mortgage at 85% can be convert to one at 100% with very little effort.

Bored yet or shall I drone on for another hour or so.

Teaching IS very important - so is breathing and drinking water - but I would have no interst in listening to someone telling me about water purification plants for what seems like an eternity.

The fact they you are a major means nothing from a conversation point of view - sorry but get over yourself.

If everyone is giving the same effect - just possibly the fault may not lie with them................

Mark

** Bless, lets all vote a thumbs down for the truth because we don't like it, fab!

I also take it you did not major in English, I'm *AN* educ.....

Answer 4

I have found that if I am discussing education they are interested. When I start to pontificate about my personal educational beliefs and reasons for them they start to tune out after the first 2 minutes! It is important as a teacher to learn to listen to their input and understand their take on things. Education is one of the few majors where everybody has a "background" in it because we've all been in a classroom and usually we've all had to teach somebody how to do something. As a teacher I have garnered the active interest of parents by asking them to tell me about their child before discussing any problems or concerns I have about them.

I am a professionally trained and professionally experienced teacher who has experienced a great deal of classroom success. Yet my husband has more knowledge about how our sons minds work and their learning motivations than I do!

So if you really want to talk about education with people make sure you are giving them ample opportunity to discuss their experiences good and bad.

Answer 5

Because most people can't move past their own educations. Most adults only think about how they were educated and don't really care about the methods and issues that are import once they have graduated from school. Once in awhile you will find someone who is interested, but usually it's the people who work in education.

Answer 6

some people just find it boring, dang, why are you shoving it down every ones throats.

hahaha, well i do like shoes and drinking with friends, but i like alot of different things too. maybe when you talk, people glaze over because you have an attitude like you are just so smart and know everything. That kind of thing irritates people. Don't shove your education in others faces. Some people can't afford college and don't give a rats ***. just by reading this question I can tell you are pompous and rude.

Answer 7

Honestly, it IS boring to an extent. People who don't want to be teachers don't care about the philosophies of teaching any more than people who don't want to be electricians care about...um, electricity. :P Education IS important, and your friends and family no doubt recognize that. But it doesn't pertain to them directly, and unless you have a funny or heart-wrenching story to tell them, they're not interested. Marry a fellow teacher. It's what I did (and even HE gets bored w/my stories). :D