Why do I hate Teaching?!?!

ataglance wrote:

Because this is a thread about teachers. I guess that's why he ACTUALLY STAYED ON TOPIC.

Doctors have been brought up in this thread. As have other professions, as part of the "merit-based" compensation debate. So I'm pretty much right on topic, chief.

My point remains. You label teacher compensation systems as flawed and morally reprehensible, as if they're the only profession to use such a system - leeches on the taxpayers' body. Yet, it's a system based on the military's method of pay. So what's the big deal?

If you're against any kind of rank and experience compensation system, then I say you're a hypocrit if you don't call for its removal in all professions... not just education.

stupidest thing ever said wrote:

I realize you were critizing statements like this, but let me interject something:

This is quite possibly the most ignorant statement ever uttered by a human.

It suggests that teaching - an art unto itself, requiring incredible patience, tolerance, creativity, interpersonal skills, etc., etc. - is something all people can do.

In the end, it's as easy as this: experts in the field make horrible teachers. Teaching is very specialized skill set. And frankly, the vast majority of the population don't have what it takes. Not even close..

I just wanted to point out I'm 100% on board with you, and that the statement you quoted as meant to be criticized in the strongest terms. I think my post made that clear, but what I MEAN to write isn't always what gets on the page. I apologize if anyone thought I meant "teachers are only teachers because they suck at everything else" was anything other than ignorant.

grizz wrote:

I just wanted to point out I'm 100% on board with you, and that the statement you quoted as meant to be criticized in the strongest terms. I think my post made that clear, but what I MEAN to write isn't always what gets on the page. I apologize if anyone thought I meant "teachers are only teachers because they suck at everything else" was anything other than ignorant.

grizz... I'm with you. I didn't think otherwise. Your post was clear.

Still, even when I hear that quoted... it gets me rollin. It floors me that there are people out there who believe that you simply must be a subject expert in order to teach well.

I didn't even bring this up, but it's my favorite response to idiots who use the "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach" crap:

What exactly does a person who "can" help a 6 year old learn to read actually "do" in their real-world job? I mean, those who "can't" are teaching 1st grade, right? I just wonder what those who actually CAN do this skill outside of a school are DOing... hmm.

I wish we only worked 8 hours a day... unfortunately, it's more like 9-10 hours, plus you don't get a lunch break, you are prepping, collecting data, etc during that time. Then you are at the school on Saturday or Sunday getting ready for the next week. So...teachers don't work 8 hour days, they work much longer.

This is true, teaching takes up so much time. It's not one of those jobs where "when you're off, you're off." You basically are at the school from 7-4 with no lunch break. then you have to go home grade papers and plan lessons. Then on the weekends, you plan lessons for the next week. It's more like you are working 60 hr weeks. Then it is emotionally draining, you are expected to impact the lives of a lot of students, you are expected to get to know each and every one and be a friend and mentor to them. Wayyy too much emotion involved for me. Then there are always difficult students who are looking for attention and disrupting class. I have a degree in biology and I am applying to med school this year. I though I could teach during my gap year and make some money, I taught for a grand total of two months and quit. Too much work, not enough reward. Starting pay for teachers in my state is 31k.

KitFit wrote:

I wish we only worked 8 hours a day... unfortunately, it's more like 9-10 hours, plus you don't get a lunch break, you are prepping, collecting data, etc during that time. Then you are at the school on Saturday or Sunday getting ready for the next week. So...teachers don't work 8 hour days, they work much longer.

If teachers made the same amount annually, but their salaries were paid out over nine months instead of 12, would people still complain about them getting the summers "off?"

The problem is public education as we know it.

Why don't parents care about their children's education? Because they don't pay for the educational product. Schools are all mostly the same and they don't have to shop around for the educational product that best meets their needs.

Why are teachers under/overpaid? Because the amount that they are paid is arbitrary, determined by bureaucratic mandate instead of market forces.

Why is American education the laughingstock of the world? Because, being controlled by the government, it's ultimate ends are to secure more funding and administer standardized tests as an end in itself. Whether children become better able to function in the world as a result if public education is not an issue that governments take into consideration.

Things will never get better as long as we are suck with socialism in education.

lol I want to be a teacher but it seems so impractical because the job market for teachers is terrible and I don't want to go to school for two more years to take worthless fluff educational psychology classes to get a masterbator's degree. I'm also 30 now so it seems a tad late. But I think I would love teaching.

the problem is that effective teaching requires a level of TALENT, CHARACTER and EMPATHY that most people don't possess (especially the experts that routinely pile into these threads to bash everything about teachers and the profession itself. Can you imagine any of these people with your kids? lol.).

and many of those who do have the right qualities are just wary of the whole idea, because the perception is it is a living hell.

i don't think we are doing much to get talented people into the profession...and never did really. our society is way too selfish...again, read the comments in these threads talking about teaching like it is one long paid vacation.

i repeat our COUNTRY does not have THE CHARACTER TO EDUCATE ITS CITIZENS ANYMORE. look at how many idiots what to ruin the economy because a few million more americans now have access to health insurance. A country in which this is tolerated will never have a good system of education.

^^yep, raise taxes and throw more money into public education, that's a new and daring idea that's never done before! It it also absolutely true that "spending more on education" and "edicating our citizens" are EXACTLY THE SAME THING!

Hahahahahahahaha, "look at how many idiots what [sic] to ruin the economy because a few million more americans now have access to health insurance," hahahahahahahaha.

Why did this get bumped?

This thread is long and full of the usual teacher bashing. Good points have been made by both sides.

I have been a teacher for quite a while. In the current economy we have watched many of you "real world" workers adopt teaching as a second career due to downsizing and layoffs. This is also to combat the growing shortage of teachers especially in our low performing (Economically Disadvantaged neighborhoods) schools.

The same arrogant, dissmisive attitude is prevalent in those first workdays leading up to the arrival of students as the posts in this thread. We try to pass along advice on what should be done and what to expect only to be looked at like we're stupid. "You do realize I was in the business world for x number of years." "I do have a Masters in Chemistry with x number of years in research." Blah, Blah, Blah.

The majority don't make it to Christmas. The few who stick it out are humbled.

So continue with the bashing. I won't change your mind. However, you'd be in the few if you even made it to Christmas.

Lots of people bash teachers because at some level we have all been students, we've at least been in their workplace. Since we've been there we think we know what's going on.

You wont find too many bashing engineers, doctors, lawyers, or CPAs because we have NO idea how those jobs work or how their day is arranged. Also those jobs are primarily in the private sector so it doesnt really matter what we think of them.

this is a misconception, teachers do not get paid over the summer. You are paid for the months you teach and it is given to you in equal increments throughout the year. In many states you can elect to only receive a paycheck during months that school is in session, but then you obviously have to deal with the risk of not receiving the paycheck in the summer.

sssssssss wrote:

Because you don't think that 3 months of paid vacation is enough?

I went back and read through this thread since I remembered contributing to it.

Someone should edit it down and make it required reading for all those runners thinking of becoming "an XC coach and oh yeah a teacher too!"

I was fired from a teaching job after one year. It was a total shock because all my reviews had high marks.

The principal actually said "You should be at your best the first year because you're right out of school and you havent had time to become jaded." Hand to my heart.. my jaw dropped.

Most teachers are whiney and jealous of actual successful people and there fore vote for Oba$tard to redistribute wealth they also post dumb @$$ articles on Facebook about how teachers in Sweden are paid as much as doctors. Go to Sweden then dip$hit and let's get some real teChers in your job so our kids aren't $tupid like you.

This thread was OK.

This podcast speaks to it.

http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/education/2013/11/schooled_podcast_confessions_of_a_bad_teacher.html