There have been a lot of posts on Facebook and the internet about teachers and teaching. Teachers who are fed up with low salary, low respect, and low expectations. This is my two cents. Or 5 or 6.
Cent 1: I actually don’t mind what I’m paid. It’s not as much as it probably should be, but it’s not bad and I can live on it. It does bother me that I don’t get paid more, but I knew that when I went in to this.
Cent 2: I love my students. My students are what cheer me up when I am in one of those “Why do I do this to myself?” modes. They always make me smile–sometimes for their thoughts, sometimes for their silliness, but I’m almost always in a better mood after first block.
Cent 3: (Here’s where I start to rant): I want to teach. I don’t want to go to meetings about how to teach, or what to teach. I want to teach. I don’t want to be given another suggestion of how to do what I’m already doing, or another “new” technique that I’ve been using for ten years that is now being called something different.
Cent 4: I don’t want to be trained anymore! I have been trained on how to be a leader. I have been trained on how to write curriculum. I have been trained on how to create assessments. I have been trained on how to use my gradebook. I have been trained on how to use data. I have been trained on how to give tests. And then trained again, and again, and again. Stop training me! Believe me, I’ve got it. Let me do it, and then if I need more training, I’ll come find you.
Cent 5: I don’t want to write lesson plans that are of no use to me. Why do I have to write a lesson plan that someone who is not in my content or in my classroom can read and understand so that they can (supposedly) come and teach my class? Last time I checked, when I have been out, and there’s no subs, those people have not stepped up to fill in and teach my children. I know what I’m teaching and how I’m teaching it, isn’t that enough?
Cent 6: Why is it my fault if a child is failing? When does the onus fall on the student?
Cent 7: Allow me to make choices for my classroom. If I want to allow my students to listen to music while they’re working, because that is what works for me with my students–why does that have to be a negative? “Hey, you’re a great teacher-you know your content, your students are engaged, your test scores are good–but, you let your students listen to music while they’re working independently–shame on you!”
Cent 8 (Yes, I know I said 6 or 7, but I still have more to say): Turn on the stinking heat!
Cent 9: Give the library paper for the copier!
Cent 10: I am paid extra to run a drama club. You kick me out of the space at least once a week without warning. You don’t give me keys. You give me no support, and then have the nerve to look disappointed when I have to cancel a show.
Cent 11: Don’t tell me that the field trips I want to take are not for the “greater good” of the school, so they won’t be approved.
Cent 12: Don’t tell me how to dress. If I’m cleaning my room and hauling books, dress clothes are not required. If I’m hunkered down in the library writing curriculum, I don’t need to be ready for Sunday church. Don’t tell me that my sneakers are not professional dress and expect me to bring in a doctor’s note to prove that I have foot and knee problems.
Cent 13: Give me time to pee and eat. And at my convenience, not yours!
Cent 14: Allow me to use my common sense.
Cent 15 (And I think this is my last one): Make education, teaching and school about the kids, not your agenda.
My Brain . . . 