I agree to an extent. I think many teachers don't get paid enough. A starting salary in the 30k area with a master's is not acceptable to me. I think many teachers think they are better than everyone else for some odd reason. They also like to complain about the downsides of being a teacher. Which makes no sense to me you know what you are getting into when you decide to become a teacher. I would think most people becoming teachers aren't doing it for the perks like the summer off but more because they want to help kids succeed. I can't stand the idea of tenure it makes me want to kill a baby cow. For anyone who doesn't know what tenure is, it's pretty much teacher is hired works for a few years and gets "Tenure" after this it is nearly impossible to get rid of said teacher. Pretty much the only way this person can get fired is if they break the law and still its not guaranteed. A teacher and assistant principal at my old high school both just got in trouble with abusing prescription drugs. They both still have jobs. This isn't really the problem with Tenure its the fact a teacher could be an average teacher for a few years get Tenure and lose motivation and just stop teaching. Students aren't learning anything and you can't do anything to the teacher. Tenure is a joke, teachers are the only career with it and they refuse to get rid of it. If teachers do their job like everyone else they don't have to worry about being fired.
Coming from a family of teachers I don't necessarily agree that they are overrated. It is a job just like any other job, and teachers choose that profession. Your argument that they only work half the year is not true, summer is 2 months long and teachers do a lot of work outside of the classroom. They grade papers, prepare lesson plans, meet with parents, attend workshops. They work hard and deserve their pay, even though they do get 2 months off a year, I can guarantee that pretty much every teacher is doing some sort of school related thing during that time, and they don't make much money so I wouldn't say something like they never work or are over payed. As for calling them heros, that is a bit much. While it is true that many teachers enjoy their job, I doubt any would do it for free, they still get paid just like any other job. I think people put them on such a pedestal because, most people could not do that job, or want to do that job. Also, like it or not, that teacher is going to have a significant impact on a child's life. As a parent, or even any member of society you have to realize the importance of their profession and that their job is making a difference in people's lives.
I don't think the number of day of the year someone works has much bearing; it has to do more with the value of their job. Teachers are charged with one of the arguably most important tasks in society, and that's educating our children---the future. If anything, I think that the importance of teachers is taken forgranted.
However, that's not to say that all teachers are great and inspiring. There are many problems within the school system---the school system itself isn't that great and teachers have to work with what they're given and what they're allowed to do (i.e. overcrowded classrooms, having to stick to curriculum that might not be very good itself, being expected to use traditional teaching methods that aren't very effective, etc.). And there are also problems with evaluating teachers and being able to fire teachers who are ineffective.
I don't think we glorify them to the point that we value teachers over doctors, engineers, scientists, etc., but I get where you're coming from. However, maybe it's not really a bad thing.
I think part of the reason we praise our teachers so much is that while their jobs aren't the most difficult, they are the ones educating and influencing the younger generation, and so even if what they do isn't terribly hard, it's a very important job. It has a big impact on society and really needs to be performed well. We definitely need more people genuinely interested in their subject that are willing to teach it. So, by holding teachers to high standards and thinking well of them, more people will be attracted to the job and will also probably work harder to meet the expectations set for them. It would help if they were better paid too.
I agree that we want the best and most motivated people becoming teachers, because it is a very important job. But I think that thinking so highly of them actually is detrimental, as it attracts people who float through life and then get to college and decide that they suddenly want to make a difference. People with a passion for teaching will do it regardless of the amount of praise they receive. Lionizing the entire occupation to make it seem more desirable is counterproductive in my opinion.
Well, like I said, I wouldn't quite consider it a job we glorify and worship so much that it's seen as better than some other professions, and it's probably best that way, but at the same time I don't see much wrong in recognizing its value and importance in society. I don't think the problem is thinking of them highly, I think it's not holding them to the expectations we have and instead letting them slip up without consequence.
So in addition to praising the good ones, we must also criticize the bad ones. That makes sense. Thank you for your input. It's very rational and logical.
No problem, and thanks.
I think there are a lot of teachers out there that don't deserve that type of respect.
I think the ones that changed a students view on life, a subject, or had influence on a student do deserve that type of admiration.
Especially, the ones that work during the summer (summer school), help kids with extra help after school, notice patterns in a students work. For instance, I had a teacher who noticed I had a lisp, and he called up the school speech therapist and I went for lessons to correct that for free. My sister was having a problem in school too, and a teacher noticed that she had dyslexia. She would drop lines mix letters around, etc. These teachers do deserve admiration.
Then I met teachers who wouldn't even answer my questions. Those teachers don't deserve to be called teachers.
I agree, there are some very good teachers and they should be recognized. I just dislike the idea of putting all teachers on a pedestal just because of their chosen profession.
Yes, I completely agree. There is good and bad in everything. It's just like cops. Some of them are really good and deserve recognition for all the people they help, and then there are others that are very bad and use their powers for evil.
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No, I still think they're under-acknowledged. It's not like during holidays they aren't doing anything - they still have to prepare for the year to come. They put in heaps of after school hours, have to deal with sh*theaded kids, and are definitely not paid enough. I've had some incredibly influential teachers who did what they did because they loved it, and it had a huge impact on who I am now.
So no, I don't think they are overrated. Not in the slightest.
I think some teachers have to do a lot of work outside of class, but a for a majority it can't be that bad. I mean how hard is it to grade 30 2nd grade math quizzes? I'm sure there are parts of the job that suck, but that can be said about a lot of jobs. I just don't think the combination of necessary job + occasional work done at home = superhero.
It's not a normal job? Why not? Teachers work the same hours every day, go to the same place, deal with the same people, perform the same tasks day after day, year after year. It really doesn't seem that tough to me. And while I agree that they can have a great impact on the lives of others, I think that could be said for lots of professions such as social workers, defense lawyers, and doctors, none of which are heaped with praise simply for doing what they are paid to do.
Doctors aren't praised? Since when? Defense lawyers are demonised. Social workers, I believe, are appreciated muchly. I don't exactly glorify teachers - I recognise that they work a repetitive job - it's just that I think the good ones work exceptionally hard. Or more it's just because of how impatient and unsympathetic I am, I can't imagine being a good teacher myself. *shrugs*
Doctors are respected, but when it comes to having praise heaped upon them, no one gets more attention than teachers with the exception of fire fighters and military personnel. Here in America there are all kinds of national and state awards for teachers. I can't think of any other profession that receives so much attention for such a relatively easy job. I agree that there are some great teachers out there, but on average, they are just normal people.
teachers teach doctors.
@goflipaburger Teachers teach students, doctors teach doctors and medical students.
@Kain, it is easy for several reasons. They work inside in a climate controlled environment. They work with minimal supervision. They are not tied to a desk all day. It is for the most part very safe. They get holidays, weekends, and summers off. They don't have to worry about getting fired. It is not physically demanding. They don't have to make snap decisions. All in all, it is pretty much a low-stress cakewalk.
Told me what? That it is easy? No, of course not, most teachers went from high school, to college, then to teaching. They have absolutely no frame of reference when it comes to comparing job difficulty as they have spent their entire lives in academia.
Yeah. They're overrated. And especially since they are unionized under the moniker of their so-called "Teachers Federation" it's obvious they value money more than what they do nowadays.
In general. There are some good ones. But you do have to look around. But the kids enjoy it when the teachers go on strike. I just won't let my daughter walk the picket lines.
Teachers. Indeed they're overrated.
I think the strike that they had in CA was a poor display of greed and. But in principle no teachers are the educators of a modern society. They are to be respected and valued.
@update. Ur opinion is irrelevant. What they do is fundamentally important to for a society. By the way they work 8 hrs a day. Just because kids are out doesn't mean they are not working. As for summertime they don't get paid for the time off.
How can my opinion be irrelevant when we are discussing peoples opinions on something? Can I just say your opinion is irrelevant and ignore you? As I mentioned below, garbagemen are also very important to society. Let's have both teachers and garbagemen take the summer off and see which one we miss more. Or how about farmers? Or oil Rig operators? Or court Bailiffs? Or Mail carriers? Or bus drivers? Those people are ALL important to our society. It's just another job.
Does everything important must involve a sacrifice? I must ask define important? All the professions you mentioned, you and I would not be able to be here debating this subject as we would not know how to read and write. Sure you can call my opinion irrelevant. But the reality remains the same.
I didn't call your opinion irrelevant, I simply pointed out that it was foolish to call my opinion irrelevant in an opinion based discussion. The point I am making is that just because something is necessary in society, it doesn't mean we should automatically heap praises on people who do that necessary thing.
U asked if they were overrated part time superheroes? My answer is absolutely not. They do a great service ro out society. Should we bend over backwards praising them for the job they signed up to do at every turn? Hell no. As I said they had an uncalled for strike here in CA 2 years ago. When everyone was cutting down and getting laid off. It was a bad display of entitlement and greed.
I don't think so because if it wasn't for teachers, then how would we learn certain stuff?
Nah but like for example math, I don't think some people can learn that on their own, I know I wouldn't.
Don't get me wrong, teachers are necessary, but so are garbagemen and you don't see politicians honoring the best garbageman in the state.
do you have kids motorboat? or have to deal with kids regularly?
No, I don't have kids, but I do deal with kids regularly.
usually just one kid at a time, but sometimes a small group. Or course, I don't get paid for it, so it's not really a valid comparison.
But still imagine having to deal with 30 of those kids 5 times a day 5 days a week. imagine having to stand up in front of them trying to get them to not only pay attention to you, but to actually take in what you are telling them. imagine dealing with delinquents who make it hard for teachers. Also imagine dealing with the parents of such kids telling them that their kid isn't bad at all and it's your teaching that's bad. This is the sh*t teachers deal with man. don't talk like you...
I'll reply to your comments on Tohments answer here because I suspect she doesn't want to keep getting updates.
Am I being hypocritical? No, because I spent many years in school, I have first hand knowledge of what teachers do. This gives me enough experience to make informed statements about what teachers do, at least more so than what teachers know about other professions. Let me tell you some of the things I have had to deal with in my jobs that the avg. teacher doesn't need to worry about.
I had to work outside in the rain, snow, and summer heat.
I've had to stand in one place for hours at a time
I've had to work in a large walk in freezer for 8 hours at a time
I've sat hunched over a workbench fixing tiny circuit boards for 8 hours at a time
I've worked in a food packing plant as a maintenance man, where I often had 12 hour or longer days or come in during evening to fix something that broke.
I've worked at an Iron foundry where the temp would be over 120 degrees.
At the foundry I was burned more times than I can count and my clothes caught on fire 3 times.
I've worked 80 hour weeks in environments that most people won't even want to visit.
I'm not even going to go into detail regarding my time in the Navy, I will only say that all that other stuff was nothing compared the sh*t I dealt with then. In short, I know what makes a job hard, and teaching is NOT hard.
Look I get it you've had it rough in your working life. but that doesn't make what teachers do 'easy' it might be 'easier' in comparison, but it''s still not easy. I would love for you to tell a teacher to their face that they have it easy. They would either laugh in your face or get very offended.
Well I'm not in the habit of picking fights in person (I just do it over the internet) so I wouldn't be so rude to say that to someones face. However, if I were asked I would give my honest opinion. You may be surprised to know that one of my frequent daydream topics is to someday retire from engineering and teach high school, I think it would be a great way to spend retirement.
It just sounds like he's saying "Why do people value teachers and not me?!"
Lol not at all. The only reason I brought up my work experience is because it was relevant to the discussion. I KNOW I have done some very important stuff and I am very self secure in that regard. I just don't understand some things, like bumper stickers that say "if you can read this, thank a teacher" It just seems so pompous and conceited.
Teachers are not valued within our society.
Almost every, if not every state has some sort of teacher of the year award. There are also national awards, and too many local awards to even try and count.
a google search of "teacher of the year award" nets about 8 million results, while the infinitely more generic "employee of the year" gets about 15 million. Unless half of the employees in this country are teachers, I'd say they are getting plenty of attention.
So, you are basing this idea of "overrated" based on google searches? Not the most intellectual variable, but okay. Look up Walmart employee of the year (10,200,000 results); does that mean we value walmart workers? look at McDonald's employee of the year (9,460,000 results), burger king (75,300,000 results), coca cola (27,200,000 results). I think with a little logic, you'll notice how little credit your variable for value is.
If you put quotes around it it searches for the actual phrase. Otherwise it will just return everything that has those words in any order. The phrases you listed actually give the following results "Walmart employee of the year" (19,900) "McDonald's employee of the year" (8080) "Burger King Employee of the year" (9) "Coca-Cola Employee of the year" (6).
Regardless, google doesn't prove value. things like salary, wages, popular approval ratings, the level of public trust, etc would be more telling.
I agree that it is not concrete evidence but you wouldn't get 8 million results for "teacher of the year award" if teachers were not valued in our society. But perhaps since you are the one asserting that they are undervalued, you could find some other profession that receives a much recognition and respect. The only two I can think of is fire fighters and Military personnel, and teaching is definitely not in the same category as either of those jobs.
teachers are valued by their employers, which just so happens to be the schools they work for. not society. Neighborhoods don't go in and decide teacher of the year, nor do they go and post their awards online, the schools do. From my last couple of quick searches on policy databases, no law requires any school to have teacher of the year.
perhaps its because when you tell someone you're going to be a teacher, more so among men, people scoff. maybe its because people often see teaching as their back up plan if they don't do well in their specified career. people see it as a job anyone can do, because we literally let everyone do it.
I completely agree with that last statement.
They're just employees doing their jobs.
That's exactly how I feel. I don't understand why people want to treat them like heroes.
idk...some are..and some aren't...
They aren't valued enough
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