What is more likely to lead good teachers to their doom, poor administrators or unmotivated students?

Question

I’ve heard of incompetent or uncommitted teachers seeking refuge in easy-admission educational administration programs to continue milking the educational system from the principal’s office. These principals’ power seeking subterfuges, sometimes harassment disguised as supervision, other times jealous and disempowering micro-management, could make a teachers’ work very unrewarding.
On the other hand, disruptive and unmotivated students can make a teacher’s life hell despite empowering school leaders’ support.

Answer 1

Poor administration will do far more harm than unmotivated students. There is not a lot that can be done with the administrative end of things if they are set on doing things their way and will not listed to the rest of the staff for improving things. If a teacher is really a good teacher then motivating the students is half of being a good teacher! Teaching is more than books. It is an understanding of the young and developing minds and an appreciation of the ideas and ideals these young future leaders of america bring to the classroom everyday. Enjoy your students, really listen to them and you will be a great teacher!

Answer 2

I have been a Teacher for 11 years and I have been Teacher of the Year. I don't think the blame goes to anyone - remember, the Teacher, who has a degree, chooses to leave. As an educator, one of the biggest things I hear from other teachers is that the "Administrator did this.." or "The student, parent did that.." or the "...__did this to me".

Teachers are a part of the equation and you have to think about the responsibility of the job at hand. Teaching is NOT easy and NEVER will be if you are good. You have to be in it for the students - and NOT for the money! Yes, the money - the summers off, benefits you won't get anywhere in the world, and the great pay! Also, don't forget the JOB SECURITY - all of the lousy teachers are protected by tenure!

As for Administrators - well, now you can be one with only 3 years of experience! So, people do get jealous if they see someone who is an Administrator and has less experience than they do. You had better work at a place where the Administration has at least 10 years in the classroom, Counseling office, Discipline office, etc. - so that they have an idea of what is going on in your classroom. You should also look for an Administrator who has taught a variety of subjects - not just one or two! They should know about all kinds of areas, too. And, if you are good - go and get your license to be one. If you know you are doing it for the money -again, don't do it!

Teachers have got to take the profession seriously, too. If I see one more colleague wearing a t-shirt, sweats (and I DON'T care if you teacher P.E!), running shoes or flip flops - I am going to scream! It is also embarrassing to speak with teachers who act like kids and discipline their students for the same behaviors. Why in the world would a teacher need to be on "My Space" and then get angry if their student finds them?

By the way, teachers make more than Administrators! So, I would stay in the profession if you are in it. They work only 9 months and from 7 to 3 for example, (and that is a dedicated one nowadays!). Whereas, Administrators make more, but work 12 - 15 hour days and 11 months a year! When it all adds up, Administrators are making about $2 bucks an hour! Teachers make about $50+!

Trust me - I also have an Administrative degree and I got it so that I would make more money - and have a better pension! I am not even thinking about being a Principal - because, truthfully, TEACHERS, PARENTS AND STUDENTS treat Administrators like crap!

Answer 3

Poor administrators which translates into an ineffective Principal is a school's downfall, not only one particular teacher. Student's are "never" the downfall because we group via differentiation based on assessed skill level. But, if you get on a Principal's bad side, she/he can blackball you from ever teaching again. The one question a Principal is always asked after they give you an "average" evaluation is: would you ever hire this employee again? If your Principal states, No. You will never work as a teacher again. A co-worker of mine had this problem last year. I have not stayed in touch with her because she became so depressed, she changed her number and cut the friends she had at the job completely off. It was very sad. All the Principal had to do was non appoint her and pass her on. Sometimes chemistry just does not work between employee and employer -- there is no reason to be evil about it!!

Answer 4

Poor administrators will lead to unmotivated students. This is the worst year teaching in my 10 year career. Before I came to this school, my students had a 90% pasing rate on state test. I was not allowed to use teaching techniques that had made me successful in the pass and the scores showed. Even though they were encouraged during the interview.

Not only did the principal not support me, he cost me a job that I was highly qualified for to do within the district. When the admin supports you, unmotivated students will change. The students know that they will be held accountable for their actions by admin if they respect them. But, if the principal shows the students that he does not support the teacher, then the students will not support the teacher because they will be held accountable for their actions. Plus if you go against the admin, then they will destroy your reputation within the school district or for any recommendation.

Right now, I hate my former principal with a passion to never return to a classroom ever again or to allow my children to attend the school district.

Answer 5

Poor administrators. You're always going to have some students that are disruptive and/or unmotivated. That's part of the package. If you have a good administrator, they will support you in all your efforts to deal with these students. Reaching these kids is part of what makes teaching great. There are dozens of ways someone can be a poor principal. The can be: unsuportive, attempting to make themselves look good at all costs, afraid of parents and their superviors, ignorant to what good teaching is, mental problems, mean-spirited, game player, on and on ...

Answer 6

Poor administration and lack of support from the top do far more damage to teacher morale than unmotivated students. As teachers, we are trained to motivate the unmotivated and to find ways to deal with those difficult students who often times do not want to be reached. However, we aren't trained to deal with difficult administrators and to face the troubles of unruly students and uncooperative parents without a supportive and positive force in the front office.

Answer 7

Poor administrators. I have had both in my career. As a teacher, you can do things to change things in your classroom. If you have a poor administrator, you have to either outlast him or her, or move to a different school. You cannot do anything about an incompetent administrator, some of whom seem to have nothing to do but to make a teacher's life miserable in a variety of ways.

A good administrator is a gem. If you have a good principal, you will have help to handle a disruptive class.

Answer 8

I have to agree that poor administrators are the worse problem. You expect to have problems with your students, but they're just kids, and you are supposedly smarter and more mature than they are.

However, if administrators are against you for any reason, then it's time to start looking elsewhere for a job, because they can and will wear you down, especially the ones who are into control over every other factor of education. They don't care about you or your students; they only care about maintaining the status quo.

Answer 9

I would have to say poor administration. When you work for people that are constantly making bad decisions this gives you additional stress. This additional stress makes it even more difficult to deal with your students. This is exactly what happened to me. I worked at a school that had horrible administration. I'm talking about administrators that never majored in anything remotely near education and were never teachers. They made awful decisions for the staff. When I started to buckle under the stress of dealing with my administrators, I began to take it out on my students. I was under so much additional stress that I just could not deal with them. That was when I knew I had to move on to a new school.

Answer 10

I think a mixture of both can lead to a challenging situation for any teacher. But, it is crucial to have a supportive and capable administration because they will be able to provide you with the support you need in the classroom. Unmotivated or disrespectful students will always exist, so teachers are trained to handle them to a certain extent. But , in extreme cases, you need the administrators to come up with alternative to help ease your burdens in the classroom so that you can "just teach".