Those who can do and those who cant teach?

Question

What the hell does that mean?
I really dont get it. Does this mean that all english teachers are losers who couldnt hack it as writers?

Answer 1

Historically, this phrase comes out of the 60s, when America had a teacher shortage. Colleges encouraged students to take the few extra classes to be eligible for teacher licenses "just in case." When career goals were not met, some college graduates "fell back" to the teaching option--thus, the phrase.

Teaching is too difficult for the phrase to yield any truth nowadays. Instead, I've heard said, "Those who can, teach; and those can't, can't."

Good Luck....

Answer 2

Basically. I think the idea stems from the fact that people can't figure out what they're good at so they stick to school (a comfort zone). It's obviously not true for all teachers, and I would argue that it's not true for most teachers. There are, however, people who become teachers because they like the summers off and haven't been successful elsewhere. It's too easy to become a teacher, and it's even easier to keep a job AS a teacher. Until THAT changes, the phrase you're asking about will continue to be what people think about teachers in America.

Answer 3

It's a stupid phrase coined and continued by people who could never teach. Teachers are a special breed of people who enjoy shaping the future by giving kids the tools they need to learn and grow. The phrase is supposed to say that teachers can't succeed at whatever subject it is they're teaching, just like in your example. I've actually found the opposite to be true and have studied with some very well-established people in their industry. I think the people who use the phrase are ignorant.

Answer 4

Well, that is happen to a lot of people not just you, it doesn't matter you are teacher but somehow you face that problems too! Like some of my friends they are so good at doing the Math, but when I ask and he doesn't know how to explain to me, see?!