Anybody who is still teaching in an American classroom in this day and age is woefully underpaid given the risks they're taking and the amount of work they're putting out. I'm making four times more money now than I made when I was teaching... and I'll tell you one thing, I worked twice as hard as a teacher, not to mention being physically threatened with violence more than once. (Which doesn't work on me, my Cajun comes up, but still... ).
I got tired of dealing with rude, violent, disrespectful people every day... and those were the parents and my principal. Good riddance to all of them. A pity about the kids, but shit, if their parents gave a fuck, teachers would make six figure salaries in the first place. I don't feel bad at all about the fact th at now an English teacher is "teaching" the Algebra and Geometry classes I once taught. We get the school system we want -- and deserve.
-BT
That's the same kind of crap that made me leave the police department: the belief that we -- "the system", "the oppressors" -- had to do the job of the parents when the parents were either too lazy or unable to do their job themselves. And yet, when we tried to do that very same job, the one abandoned by the parents, the parents were the first in line to criticize (and sue).
ReplyDeleteThis is about the only area where I tend to agree with the mouth-breathers: kids are not taught to be responsible, because the parents -- that's OUR generation, boys and girls -- came up through the 60's and 70's, with their emphasis on personal freedom.
My 12-year-old son got caught with an I-Pod in school (my ex bought if for him, without my knowledge). He complained to me when the teacher took it; the teacher returned it to me... and I took down to the workshop, and smashed it.
Until the upcoming generation learns responsibility, I fear for our nation. This "entitlement" mentality, of which george bush is the prime example, is destroying us.
I don't think giving them more pay is the answer, everyone always thinks they aren't making enough money, people are just never happy with what they have.
ReplyDeleteReduce the pay of the administrators they make way to damn much and have way too many stupid ideas.
Give the classrooms back to the teachers so they can have some control over the kids, don't give them too much work, and if the spoiled parents don't like it they can put their kids in private schools.
Well, BBC, the most I ever made as a teacher was $21,700 per year. If I had been making twice that, I would have stayed in teaching. Crap, I'd be coming up on retirement now, I'd have been stupid to leave teaching (despite the workload and physical risks) given the 20 year retirement benefits and all that jazz.
ReplyDeleteWIth the salaries so low, nobody's going to put up with all the crap teachers have to put up with unless they're stupid or desperate or just plain nuts. And any of us with a degree in mathematics are neither stupid nor desperate, there's just too many people willing to throw money at us.
We get the schools we want -- and deserve.
The most I ever made in a year was 23 grand, with no benefits. It got me by just fine.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm retired and live on 956 a month, and it is enough also. It just depends on how you look at and do things.
You can pay a teacher 80 grand a year, but then a carpenter or mechanic will cost you 200 an hour.
No solution there.
I know a couple that both just retired from teaching. They say they are so glad to get out now, because of all the problems.
ReplyDeletethe trouble is in this little district trying to find replacements.
How's fault is it? I think it's simplistic to just blame teachers or parents or students. We all have to take some responsibility.
I don't think simply raising the pay would encourage teachers to stay. I am just finishing my last and only year of teaching, and I don't think you could pay me enough to deal with the stress, disrespect, and workload of teaching. I agree that the main problem is parents. If they raised their kids to know how to follow rules instead of complaining that the teacher obviously has it out for their children whenever the teacher disciplined, perhaps more teachers could get through the first five years.
ReplyDeleteI just quit today. I worked in a pretty good district and always felt that I was fairly compensated. But no amount of money was worth enduring the daily disrespect of students no matter how many good students I had. I'm looking forward to working with grown-ups from now on.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to corporal punishment? I laugh about it now, but long before I became a teacher, I remember my days of being sent to the prinicpal's office. We would sit outside and wait for the sentence (i.e. the 1 1/2" thick board with holes drilled in it) to be handed down to us.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of consequences for one's actions have long since gone out the window. Kids (even up to the age of 25 now) expect everything without having to do ANYTHING! I know I am preaching to the choir on this blog, but I have just about had it. I teach at the college level because I refuse to teach primary or intermediate, and guess what — the students are no better. I've got adult twenty and even thirty-something year-old students on facebook, chatting away, blabbing while I'm talking. And when I reprimand them, they look at me like I just kicked a puppy.
My take on teaching is, if they want to learn, then teach them. If they don't, then let their minds rot. Motivating students with potential is one thing; but, fighting disrespect and plain old laziness is, and never will be my job...not until they give me the authority to bring in my own pine board, that is.
I'm a newbie teacher, and i just can't stand it, like anonymous said the one that just quit, i agreed. No amount of money is worth, though teachers have flexible timing, long holidays and all that shits, what ever. I'm ready to quit next month, and ready to work with grown up too (which i had done before, much more relaxing).
ReplyDeleteI just quit teaching at the end of this year, I was so sick of all the red-tape that came along with teaching. I left working with adults, and as I search for new employment, I am looking forward to working with adults again. I was so tired of being stressed, gaining more and more weight, and having increased health problems. ALL attributed to teaching. I am glad I can leave that behind me and move forward to more opportunities!
ReplyDeleteI was a newbie teacher. I only lasted half a year teaching. I was fresh out of college thinking it was going to be challenging but great. I was so wrong. I was placed teaching ninth grade English. I had students that were so so bad and disrespectful. I dreaded everyday and hated that I had to bring it all with me at night. I was sick to my stomach all the time and depressed. Finally I told my family and resigned during Christmas break. I am now looking for jobs w/ grown ups. My family wants me to teach little kids. Even the little kids are becoming hateful. I can't stand it. Anyone have any luck finding a job out of teaching? Im having an awlul time. jessicarengland@gmail.com
ReplyDelete