Teachers...why are teachers blamed for EVERY problem in the classroom?

Question

I just wonder why the teacher is always blamed?

Answer 1

Many parents are in denial about little Muffy or Buffy.
Administrators don't want to deal with the problem. Their pat response is, " Call the parent".
Principals want the superintendent to think everything is just hunky dory, so discipline is often just shoved in the teacher's face.
Teachers who want children to learn realize that good discipline is crucial in a learning environment. If that teacher tries to discipline, he or she is accused of having
" management problems".
It's just so easy to blame the teacher. After all, everyone has had a teacher... so that makes everyone an expert on teachers and teaching!!

Answer 2

Ultimately the teacher is responsible for all that happens in their classroom. However, students have choices and can opt to misbehave, disrupt, daydream, miss learning opportunities, etc. When there is a problem, the teacher is the one contacted first. This may not be "blame" but a request for information. It is true that many parents are unwilling to admit that their child could possibly be to blame and so they approach the problem with preconceived biases against the teacher.

Answer 3

as the sole adult (usually) in the classroom, what goes on is the teacher's responsiblity. it is SO important to document EVERYTHING that goes on, so that when something goes down, you can show that you have followed all regulations to the best of your ability.

if you have a disruptive kid, document those disruptions. no one can blame you if you have proof that the child CHOOSES that behavior (or has some kind of disability and can't help it), and you have proof that you are trying to do something to help that child (IEP or SST).

if you have a kid who is failing everything, DOCUMENT it! show how you have made modifications for this child. show how you have had conferences and phone conversations with the parent. it isn't YOUR FAULT if you have the paper trail, and you've gone through the steps to try to help the situation.

these are just a couple of examples, but you get the idea. it always helps to back up your case in writing somehow. i had a parent get irate with me becasue i told her child that hot cheetohs are not an acceptable snack. i had her refer to the school handbook, and to the classroom rules i sent out at the beginning of the year.

if you don't take the steps to make sure all bases are covered and something goes down, then in all honesty it IS your fault. you should know better as an adult, and as a professional.

Answer 4

At times, the teacher is responsible for bad things that happen in the classroom. In my experience, though, people don't want to believe that their child is being lazy/irresponsible, not doing the work, or causing problems in class, so it must be the teacher's fault. It's scapegoating at its worst: people blame those who actually want to help their student the most.

Answer 5

Because in the parents eyes their children are prefect, and they remember bad teachers when they were kids, so their kids too must be victims of the evil teachers. Pitty at the lack of responsiblity with the blame game.

Answer 6

Because it is easier to blame the teacher then to hold individuals accountable for their own personal behavior.