Quote:
Originally Posted by ASUADPi
Hmm where to start on my comments....
Someone mentioned the teachers wanting a higher salary and that they shouldn't even be asking for it in this economy. No offense, but are you effin kidding me! So just because I'm a teacher and the economy sucks, I should demand the respect and pay I deserve for my profession? I don't think so. Until you have stepped into the shoes of a teacher, you don't understand what teacher has to put up with. You may think you do because you have friends or family members who are teachers, but you will never truly understand until you've walked a mile in our shoes.
In today's society and because of NCLB teachers are BLAMED for EVERYTHING. It's OUR FAULT that the kids test scores suck. It's OUR FAULT that their grades suck. It's OUR FAULT that the kids don't graduate. It's OUR FAULT that the kids don't speak English. No offense, but when the hell did all these problems (and thensome) because my fault as a teacher?
I've taught in low-income, predominately Hispanic (like 80%) and of that 80% Hispanic, I would say 50-60% are ESL students. I CANNOT make a child learn English. I CANNOT force the parents to learn English and therefore help their child. I CANNOT make the parents actually give a crap about their child's education. I can only do so much!!!!!
When did it become the teachers fault for everything?
When is some of the responsibility going to fall on the student and the parents? I'm guessing when hell freezes over. We live in a society were absolutely no blame falls onto the student. We live in a society where personal responsibility isn't taught and accepted.
As for the firing of all the teachers, it's not going to fix anything. The superintendent and the board are stupid as hell if they think that getting all new teachers will "magically fix" the problem. The district obviously has many problems, but a whole new staff isn't going to fix it. In fact, I'd bet my bottom dollar that if the district decides to fire them all, that their test scores will plummet next year.
|
Well said. Particularly the bolded part. When I moved abroad and started teaching in a private, well off school I was surprised by how much more areas and depth I can cover my curriculum. Right off the bat, I don't spend my time having to discipline or stop every 5 minutes to remind students that books are not weapons or something. When the parents are supportive and encourage their children, it is amazing what can be done. For the first time, the teacher-student-parent relationship is working as it should. Generally, it takes one email or phone call to the parent to tell them the child missed an assignment or has slipping grades and the problem is solved. 75% of the time back in the States, I couldn't even get a working number for a parent and if I did, it was a toss up if the parent even cared. Not to say there are zero problems in my classroom/school, because student responsibility is still an issue, but when parents are active and care about their child's education the difference is astounding.
I'd be surprised if they will fill all the spots next year. There will be a few people who apply, but personally, I wouldn't apply to work in a district where I could just be fired at will. If RI is anything like the job market my friends have back in Jersey, the teachers who are desperate for jobs (elementary, history, English) will fill, but those teachers who have other options because they are high demand areas (math, science, special education) will not apply.