Some of you -- like me -- may not have known about the remarkable poet and former teacher who wrote the poem "What Teachers Make" presented here: on youtube.com. And if you enjoy this and would like a little more poetry humor, you should watch his proofreading poem also.
What Teachers Make
- Thread starter Jake
- Start date
Many teachers do just that. They inspire, they motivate, they are fondly remembered for making a difference in the lives of their students and of society.
Unfortunately, too many are just there to collect a paycheck, and don't care.
I've had my share of both.
Unfortunately, too many are just there to collect a paycheck, and don't care.
I've had my share of both.
I'm a teacher. I can honestly agree with this. Like any profession, it takes all kinds. However, it is very nearly impossible to explain the behind the scenes nonsense that ties a teacher's hands this day and age. Regardless of perception, take it from someone who knows: it is not an easy job.
I have known many people over the years that were very successful in earlier careers and went into teaching because they felt a calling. The don't earn as much as they used to but they are happy.
This is so true, and teaching is an honorable profession, but it does have a downside.
A friend of mine who I had gone all through school with went into teaching after college. We both worked in the same town we grew up in, he in the schools and I in the police dept. Our paths would seldom cross, but when they would he'd always say how much he loved being a teacher. The years went on, and time did pass. One day after approx. 25 or so years, I was walking into one of the large supermarkets here, and there was my friend collecting the shopping carts from the parking lot. I went up to him and called his name, Tom, I said, what's going on, what are you doing here? He turned with a big smile on his face and said Paul, I retired early and got out of teaching. I'd just had it, with all the changes in everything I couldn't take it anymore, the burnout got me.
I said but this? He replied, hey, this is great, its mindless work with no pressure or stress, and with my early pension and what I make here, I'm at just about the same pay level. I love it and I'm happy.
I guess its true, whatever makes you happy.
I know this is not about money or nuffin but I gotta say, teachers do not make enough.
I never had a really inspiring teacher, so it never donned on me how hard of a job it is until recently when a teacher at a high-school in Brooklyn (recently awarded the honor of being the least safe school in NYC) approached me and some other people about helping the school start a magazine in december. He found a printer to donate the paper and printing but wanted people that work in "real world media" to help. Since then we have spent every monday afternoon with the schools media club, with a bunch of really bright kids who work really hard.
Its amazing how talented some of these kids are and all the stuff they go through, makes me realize how privileged I am to have grown up a comfortable white boy in catholic school.
I spent January planing a shoot with a couple of the kids interested in photography and styling. They really ran with it, they found clothes, friends to model and I offered them the use of my studio, lights, camera, and to help them make it happen.
We asked the teacher if we could do it, and the next day I went out to meet with the administrator whom laid down the most ridiculous amount of red tape I have ever seen. We still have not done the shoot but because of the hard work of this teacher to cut through the red tape we will finally get to do it next weekend... fingers crossed.
There really needs to be a way to reward teachers that go all out like this guy, built into the system to give some of these kids a fighting chance.
I never had a really inspiring teacher, so it never donned on me how hard of a job it is until recently when a teacher at a high-school in Brooklyn (recently awarded the honor of being the least safe school in NYC) approached me and some other people about helping the school start a magazine in december. He found a printer to donate the paper and printing but wanted people that work in "real world media" to help. Since then we have spent every monday afternoon with the schools media club, with a bunch of really bright kids who work really hard.
Its amazing how talented some of these kids are and all the stuff they go through, makes me realize how privileged I am to have grown up a comfortable white boy in catholic school.
I spent January planing a shoot with a couple of the kids interested in photography and styling. They really ran with it, they found clothes, friends to model and I offered them the use of my studio, lights, camera, and to help them make it happen.
We asked the teacher if we could do it, and the next day I went out to meet with the administrator whom laid down the most ridiculous amount of red tape I have ever seen. We still have not done the shoot but because of the hard work of this teacher to cut through the red tape we will finally get to do it next weekend... fingers crossed.
There really needs to be a way to reward teachers that go all out like this guy, built into the system to give some of these kids a fighting chance.
My Father was a teacher for many decades. He got into it in the mid 60s, and continuted for about three & a half decades. He saw a profound change in the way the job was handled and the expectations of what teachers were supposed to do ... and not for the better.
When my father finally retired, he had enough accumulated "sick days" unused that he could have basically "worked" another year just to use up all those sick days (but of course he was too decent to do that) ... and did he get "paid out" for them? even on a percentage? did he get anything for them? Nope. And I don't think he really cared; he was in it for the satisfaction of teaching, and the honour of a job well done. Heck, he coached one of the school basketball teams for his entire career ... extra time for practices, games, road trips ... he never got paid one dime for it and didn't expect to get paid or grumble about it ... he just loved coaching.
But were there some "teachers" who had just given up and were going through the motions? Sure. My Dad was the first to criticise them at the dinner table ... I remember one old fart who I had the misfortune to take Social Studies from one year in highschool ... my father (and plenty of others) called him "Captain Video" because of instead of actually teaching, he'd just play 'instructional' videos all the time.
Some don't get paid near enough, many get paid way too much.
Looking back, I had maybe 3 exceptional teachers between K and Post Grad work. But I had 8 that I put in the bottom 10%. The really good ones were in College and Private Elementry School, Most of the bad were in Public HS, with a couple in College
Looking back, I had maybe 3 exceptional teachers between K and Post Grad work. But I had 8 that I put in the bottom 10%. The really good ones were in College and Private Elementry School, Most of the bad were in Public HS, with a couple in College
The really good teachers who are in it for the right reasons, no matter if it is public or private or religious, are often faced with constant harassment from parents, students and administration. Maybe,a s a former teacher I'm a little bitter. I don't know. But, I do know that today's teacher is greatly unappreciated and can only expect attacks. A teacher isn't supposed to be a babysitter, or a buddy. Unfortunately, really that's all anyone wants now, a buddy-babysitter.
My daughter is in her fifth year of public school teaching.
She teaches kindergarten in an anomalous "inner city" school attached to a reasonably affluent suburban school district. Most of her students come from single parent households (or no parent, being raised by an aunt or grandma or a family friend), all live in multi-family housing, and an exceptionally high percentage qualify for free breakfast and lunch. Many of the children speak only Spanish when they start school; many others have issues related to neglect, child abuse, maternal pre-natal drug and/or alcohol use, etc. Quite a few receive only one present at Christmas - the brightly wrapped board game that their teacher's mother and dad provide for each of the kids.
The only parent who regularly participates in supporting the class by helping with special projects, field trips, and party planning is the teacher's mother!
She is paid a living wage, and has some fringe benefits. The biggest fringe benefit is on the evenings of "open house" at the school, when her former students, now in grades 1 through 4, stream into her classroom to give her a hug and say "I love you, Ms. Vasquez!"
She teaches kindergarten in an anomalous "inner city" school attached to a reasonably affluent suburban school district. Most of her students come from single parent households (or no parent, being raised by an aunt or grandma or a family friend), all live in multi-family housing, and an exceptionally high percentage qualify for free breakfast and lunch. Many of the children speak only Spanish when they start school; many others have issues related to neglect, child abuse, maternal pre-natal drug and/or alcohol use, etc. Quite a few receive only one present at Christmas - the brightly wrapped board game that their teacher's mother and dad provide for each of the kids.
The only parent who regularly participates in supporting the class by helping with special projects, field trips, and party planning is the teacher's mother!
She is paid a living wage, and has some fringe benefits. The biggest fringe benefit is on the evenings of "open house" at the school, when her former students, now in grades 1 through 4, stream into her classroom to give her a hug and say "I love you, Ms. Vasquez!"
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