There is no way humanly possible to reach each child and give them the attention that they need. If a child doesn't understand a concept, they often fall through the cracks, at little or no fault of the teacher, and continue falling behind.
If anyone thinks that they can accomplish this task, I ask you to step up and give it a shot. If you think that you can teach, discipline, form relationships, mentor, facilitate, and make home connections with the parents of over 35 middle school students in one hour a day, you're delusional.
If you think that you can answer questions, monitor recess, develop fine motors skills, while teaching the alphabet, counting, days of the week, months, and coddling nervous parents of 5 year olds in about six hours a day, you must think you're Super-Teacher. Bottom line - It isn't possible.
So, why are more and more teachers being asked to take on this task? Money. Teacher salaries cost money. Districts don't think they can afford more teachers. So... class sizes increase while teacher numbers decrease.
So, why are more and more teachers being asked to take on this task? Money. Teacher salaries cost money. Districts don't think they can afford more teachers. So... class sizes increase while teacher numbers decrease.
Any administrator that thinks the best way to save money is to cut certified staff should be placed in the classroom for one year. I guarantee that they will be counting down the days until summer vacation, living for the week-end, and praying for snow days. Yet, across the nation these same administrators are treating teachers like they are a dime a dozen.
It isn't that simple. Not just anyone can teach. Everyone has a different set of skills. A different gift. We all excel in different areas. If I've said it once, I've said it a million times... respect your teachers, treat them as professionals, pay them what they are worth. If a school district needs to cut back, they should start at the top. How many superfluous jobs are hidden in the administrative buildings across the nation? A lot. Don't go into the schools and start cutting staff. Look at programs that are a waste of time. Positions that are redundant. Resources that are unnecessary. The truth is... you can't afford to cut teachers.
Our kids need and deserve to have a teacher that has the time and energy to develop those relationships that everyone is raving about. Stop blaming teachers for everything from plummeting test scores to behavior disorders to the rising cost of school lunches. Our teachers deserve the opportunity to shine.
It isn't that simple. Not just anyone can teach. Everyone has a different set of skills. A different gift. We all excel in different areas. If I've said it once, I've said it a million times... respect your teachers, treat them as professionals, pay them what they are worth. If a school district needs to cut back, they should start at the top. How many superfluous jobs are hidden in the administrative buildings across the nation? A lot. Don't go into the schools and start cutting staff. Look at programs that are a waste of time. Positions that are redundant. Resources that are unnecessary. The truth is... you can't afford to cut teachers.
Our kids need and deserve to have a teacher that has the time and energy to develop those relationships that everyone is raving about. Stop blaming teachers for everything from plummeting test scores to behavior disorders to the rising cost of school lunches. Our teachers deserve the opportunity to shine.
(For more of Kim Frencken's writing, check out her blog Chocolate For The Teacher.)
2 comments:
I would definitely challenge you on this point. I am a big proponent if research. There is a lot of research that indicates that, while class size is A factor, it isn't THE ONLY factor when it comes to increasing student achievement. A talented teacher and proven interventions and programs can address student weaknesses very effectively. My current district does this well. As for administrators; I have seen first hand what good leadership can do. We have a great superintendent who does value us as professionals. I would challenge YOU to be in his shoes the rest of the year. I guarantee you you would be the one watching the calendar waiting for the year to be over! Don't pretend to know the stress of that job until you've walked in those shoes. Judging from the complaining in your writing, I don't think you would last a week.
I am not sure, but would be willing to guess that 9:14 is a supervisor or wife of supervisor. Teachers do not have a multitude of staff to do the bidding of the super but they do have to collate the info gathered in order to make a informed decision on plan of action. But let us not forget they also are making about 4 times what a teacher does and they asked for it. Back in the past children were well behaved or else they got punishment. Parents now do not want that as it might ruin the child in the future to become whatever. Believe me we had a lot of punished children, me included, that became model citizens knowing that for every action there was a equal or greater reaction. The olden teacher of yesteryear had discipline in the class and all children were expected to practice at home what was learned in our daily lessons. There again it was the home environment that expected the child to learn and practice what had been presented. Further complications arise as few homes have both parents in residence or both parents work and are taxed to the limit. This begs the next question; why in the hell did you have kids or so many kids you cannot meet the obligations of attending to a child's needs and education. The children of today are left to the teacher in a few short hours in a day and days in a year to do what parents should or did do 365 days a year. Watching children learn at a speed approaching light speed is a sheer joy and teachers went into the vocation for that very reason, but now it mirrors that of being a constable in a prison for the unwanted. Remember that teachers make on average about $1.25 per student per hour and I dare you to find a babysitter for that paltry amount.
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