for all teachers:please be honest!aren't the majority of behaviour issues down to 'less than competent' staff?

Question

i've now been teaching english for 4yrs.i had issues as an NQT,but then sorted out the lesson planning,behaviour management,results etc.the so called lack of respect just doesn't apply because i always follow up on any issues.all the lesson planning is done as a department on inset days and meeting times,and we aim not to do anything after 430 or 5 at the latest.why are so many teachers complaining?also,after applying and getting promoted 2yrs in a row,and as head of department at 25 i earn over twice as much as my doctor friends,and hope to keep climbing the ladder to headteacher (110k+ see nut website for full info on teachers pay).
Is it poor organisation?lack of motivation?can i have positive comments from teachers who love their jobs as much as me,please?!

Good pay.good holidays.working with fantastic young people.it's definitely not for everyone,but we chose this profession.if we don't enjoy it why not retrain;we all have good university degrees.comments?

Answer 1

Sorry, but it scares me that you are an English teacher! What would your students think if they saw your question? Kids learn by example.

Behavior issues are the result of a combination of factors, not the least of which is the fact that teachers have virtually no rights as compared to the "rights" of their students. Students aren't punished effectively. I remember there being a wooden paddle in the principal's office, and it was a place you did not want to go. Now, as punishment, students basically get free time, aka "in school suspension," or if they are really bad, they get sent home to play video games for a few days. Another factor is the law-suit happy society, and parents who do not back teachers up. I grew up in a home in which being in trouble at school meant being in trouble (REAL trouble) at home. I also think that students are saturated with examples of bad attitude in today's media.

I have my degree in elementary education and my teaching license as well, and sometimes I wonder why I bother to keep recertifying, because I would rather do anything than teach.

Answer 2

Would love to ask where you teach.

I don't think the majority of problems are down to less than competent staff. That is a factor but there are so many others.

There are behavioural difficulties linked to things such as ADHD- some children for all the best will in the world just cant cope in the current school system and there is very limited support to give them the help they need.

There are 'my childs an angel' parents - who no matter what you tell them refuse to believe that there child could ever do wrong and rush up to the school to complain every time their child is told off. I've known children who have ruthlessly bullied and traumetised other children but when we told the parent we were accused of picking on him.

There is the welfare system. A friend of mine said to a child who was misbehaiving in class that they needed school to get a good job to which they replied - my mum and dad don't have jobs they are on the dole and they have enough money.

There is also the fact that alot of teachers hands are tied - alot of children don't care about the sanctions teachers can enforce and view reward systems as easy as teachers tend to start rewarding them for even a little good behaviour whereas children who are good all the time tend to get overlooked.

I enjoy teaching but I do find it frustrating when so many people blame the teacher for issues such as behaviour when the parents and society are let off scott free.

Answer 3

You teach English? Have you ever heard of capitalization and the proper use of personal pronouns? You also lack typing skills.


You want me, an English teacher in a public school, to agree that the behavioural issues we have with our students is down to our incompetence. I cannot do that. I teach in the academic division of our school. Some teachers see 44 students per day; other see 115. I see about 75 per day. There are behavioural issues because not all the kids like school and they know, by virtue of our laws, there is very little we can do to punish, while they can do almost whatever they want to do. They do try to push the limits all the time. You must teach very well-behaved, intelligent kids who really enjoy coming to school and learning

I am a very good teacher, I know my subject and I teach it with enthusiasm. Most of my students are interested, the others are just killing time. I have behavioural issues with some of them, but they get sorted out in most cases. My students like me and I like most of them, and that is the key to settling many behaviour-related difficulties.

It is not incompetence among staff members that is the problem. It is lack of respect for teachers that is the major problem. The kids don't respect us and the parents can be worse. I'm lucky that most of the parents I deal with back me on the issues I confront them with. They know that their kids are not angels, and they do try to help. Others, though, think that I should do everything for the kid - teach the subject, manners, discipline, respect and tolerance while they (parents) get to go home from work and watch tv and spend little or no time with the kid. If their kid doesn't do well in my subject, it's my fault for not teaching it properly; if the kid does well, the kid is a genius. Either way I get no thanks.

I am glad for you that after 4 years in the profession you have been promoted to Head of Department. I hope you get the promotion to Headteacher or Principal. You will do much better outside the classroom. As for the order of "Good pay, good holidyas, working with fantastic young people", it bothers me that pay and holidays have topped your list. It sems to me that those are the reasons you became a teacher. But you are right - teaching isn't for everyone.

Answer 4

I am in school now getting my secondary education degree. Although I just began this journey, I have done several observation hours and I must say that most of the behavioral problems I witnessed seemed to be coming from children that were struggling with the concepts. It makes me wonder if teachers are paying any attention at all about what children need to be tested for learning disabilities. So to answer your question, I think it could very well be that teachers are not trained well and or not paying attention. This makes me sad, but also helps me focus.

Answer 5

No their not!!! Behaviour problems are down to the environment children our growing up in. It’s now uncommon to see young children of 13 smoking!! Peer pressure has a lot to do with this!! Children are thinking that others will think less of them if their not violent or take illegal substances! But the actual case is their all to scared to say no!! Parents have nothing to do with it either!! Well most don't...you do get a couple!! But most parents can't move house or get better job's so the child's primary socialisation is affected then it's down hill from there!!! People’s life chances aren't there any more!!! We are supposed to live in an open class population yet how can a single mother of 4 go back to education so she can get qualifications??? She can’t!! It’s not the parents or the teachers fault!!! It’s society who’s angered these children.
And to be fair on the person who wrote this question...how many of you are perfect???

Answer 6

Sorry no way can you earn more than a doctor - my friend is an F1 doctor on 35 grand - if teachers started on that they would probably be held in the same high esteem as doctors.
Irresponsible parents = badly behaved children. As the Jesuit fathers said, 'give me a child till the age of 5 and I will give you the man' - children are mostly with their parents - social learning theory !

Answer 7

An English teacher? God help us. You don't know where to put capital letters.

Not being a teacher, I'll say the majority of behaviour issues are down to do gooders, who have given the kids too many rights and the teachers very few regarding discipline.

Answer 8

J D--you are right on! I don't have nearly as many years in the classroom as an English teacher, but I think I have enough to make a comment. I worked in the business world for several years before becoming a teacher, so I have a couple different perspectives.

First off, I'm not so sure we can truly compare the experience of teachers from London (or thereabouts--I'm guessing that is where you are from) and from the U.S. Our educational system is exceptionally challenging. Teachers, unfortunately, are not well-respected in the U.S. I had friends who have taught abroad and they were astonished to see that in some countries teachers are respected, paid well, and treated well. I can't complain--I chose this career. But, as a few relatives have put it--"Aren't you like a garbage collector with a degree?" Um. Ouch.

I love teaching, but unfortunately, as many teacher I am sure will attest to, teaching often has little to do with the "job" you claim to love so much. Let's have a closer look, shall we?

1. In many districts the parents are the customers. Unfortunately, that means we are often put in a position where the parent, thus the child, is always right. The pressure can be overwhelming when it comes to just letting "little Johnny pass" or turning a blind eye to cheating/fighting/other offenses.

2. The administration often has goals that are contradict effective teaching. Raise test scores no matter what. Slash the budget. Fire teachers. Get rid of programs. We are often left with so little. Last year, I spent the bulk of my free time running a program that had been cut (I received no pay). I also bought the vast majority of my supplies. Oh, and they will start charging teachers if you have a fan or any other electric appliance in your room. Um, there is no air conditioning and we get temps up in the 90s for up to a month or more of school.

3. I had 172 students last year and three preps (down from 178 student and four preps the previous year). I was overwhelmed as I taught in my windowless packed classroom. But I had it easy. One of the other teachers had six preps and 188 students. Phew . . .

4. Your pay may be great, but unless you are in a wealthier school district, you really don't make much as a teacher. Many teachers' starting salaries put them below the poverty line.

5. Due to the union/contract, you can be a fantastic teacher and it really doesn't matter. Many people may argue with me here, but I know of several teachers who are not the best at their job, lack motivation, lack classroom management, but because they have been at the school for x number of years, they are "safe." They also make "a lot" more than me (which still isn't much, but definitely more).

6. It is awesome that you plan together. Unfortunately, that is NOT the case for all schools. Many schools just throw their teachers to the wolves and say "good luck!" I planned and created ALL my lessons. I stayed up for hours and hours and worked through the weekends.

7. Summers off. Um, not quite. Yeah, that's what we're told at "teacher school," but that isn't the case. Many teachers take additional jobs in order to make up for their low salaries. Other teachers must complete continuing ed courses to keep their certification. Many more go to workshops and conferences to try to stay current in the classroom--they really do care! By the way, many do this with their own money since many districts won't pay. Others, like me this past year, finally took a breather after my crazy class load (which I handled while pregnant and very pregnant), being a student council advisor, coaching track, and participating in a number of committees. My choice, I know, but I am like many teachers who DO care, DO work hard, DO love teaching, but am realistic about the state of education in the U.S.

8. As for the students. I have many awesome students. I work in a good (though economically disadvantaged) school district in a rural area. I met with probation officers on a weekly basis--several of my students were on probation. I caught and reported kids selling and using drugs. I broke up fights (one nearly broke out when I was six months pregnant). I helped a few students work through deaths in the family, unplanned pregnancies, divorces, break-ups, depression. After I was done teaching, my "job" continued.

Many people came into the profession with hopes and dreams. They wanted to positively impact the lives of students--they wanted to make a difference. They knew the pay wasn't the best (considering their HUGE responsibility). They knew it would be demanding, challenging, and often thankless. Unfortunately, for many teachers it can wear you out.

Not to be dismissive of your experience, but you are quite young and early in your career. I hope you keep the optimism. But, please remember that not everyone has had an experience like yours. We just try to do the best we can . . .

Answer 9

Yes totally agree with you but there is just another major point missing here!
parents!
parents ARE RESPONSIBLE to ensure their child recieves a good education and the way society today, sadly is , it does not always happen.

People just do not seem to care anymore..kids running wild, using schools as day care.........Not all parents but some.

A little, like you get good schools and bad.
You get good teachers and bad.
You get good parents and bad.

So whats the answer?

Maybe soiety should stop being so single minded and sefl,self,self and if people have children then they should always put them first!

same goes for teachers..........if you don't like teaching then get out, otherwise as the norm, the kids who try so hard and need the extra help , do not get it!

Lets not forget that in the UK, once there was only one way to get into teaching and now there is over 12!

Shool senco's and SEN's do not even have to be qualified here and of course so many children, like adults have different learning problems, everyone is uniqe in their own way, everyone learns differently.

Teach a class of 30+ kids in one room?
How ? when everyone learns differntly.....so many get left behind when in fact, they could do so much better if tghey were given the help and time they need!

sandy home eduactor and owner of the KAL HOME EDUACTORS NETWORK

Sorry but i could go on for hours about this, so i won't lol.

Answer 10

Does not the type of school you are teaching in, reflect on the behaviour of the pupils, it is rather narrow minded to speculate that as you are,(according to you), 'doing such a great job' that all other teachers are incompetent. No I am not a teacher but my daughter is!