Something many of these “conservatives” studiously ignore is that, for good education, parents are a very big part of the equation. I’ve known teachers who have told me of parents blaming them for their children’s bad grades. When they mentioned that the children often didn’t do their homework, the parents said, “Thar doesn’t matter. You are the teacher, so teach them.” Lackluster parents have lackluster children.
My son is a teacher. He loves teaching and works his tail off for those kids. But teacher already had one of the highest burnout rates in the country because of people like Gorrell. Teachers are paid poorly, treated poorly, expected to constantly adjust to the whims of elected school boards populated with people who have never taught before, and to the whims of special interest groups who demand that THEIR hobbyhorse be taught. Add a pandemic into a setting where teacher already have a higher sickness rate than most professions because of their exposure to hundreds of kids every single day. Teachers have a right not to trust administrations that do not care about them. They have a right to demand being vaccinated before they walk into those schools. And frankly, since every kid who goes to school brings home whatever they pick up, most families might want to think about those risks. Oh, and a lot of parents do not want their kids going back until we have reached a much higher level of vaccination. Because, gee, they love their kids.
If you want teachers in the classroom, give them safe classrooms. We expect so much of our teachers and are not willing to give them the equipment and buildings that they need to do their job.
Hey Gorrell, how many years were you a public school teacher? When was the last time you were in a classroom? What private school is raising your children right now?
Do you even understand the health risks public school educators take on a NORMAL day?
In my district we get 10 sick days a year. And many of us need them. Parents send their kids to school SICK, Bobby. This way the kid gets credit for attendance. Once they get to school if they’re sick, we send them home. But not until after they’ve spread whatever it is they’ve got around to every other kid and adult that they’ve come in contact with.
This year? Most of us have stayed pretty healthy. Well, except for the ones already killed by Covid or battling it now.
The one with the cracked bell is YOU, Bobby Boy. You have NO respect for teachers and little understanding what it’s like. For shame.
Interesting how people who have never taught seem to think that teachers are overpaid and have cushy jobs. I was trained as a math teacher and was enthusiastic about the subject. After being blamed by parents for their little darlings’ apathy and laziness I went back to my high-paying corporate job at three times the teachers’ salary with better benefits. I often regret not staying a teacher, and have enhanced respect for a teacher’s dedication, but I am not a martyr or masochist.
People complain about the teachers qualifications and wonder why they leave the teaching position for better pay, while the bitchers complain if they personally don’t get pay raises!
I only have two points to add to the strong defense of teachers and teacher unions presented by so many of the those posting above.
Over three quarters of teachers in the United States are women. That may be part of why the teaching profession ranks so low in pay and prestige in the the US, compared to other professions requiring the same levels of preparation and skill. If our politicians and other leaders wanted to improve the profession, they could start by sincerely honoring it and providing better salary and working conditions.
Teachers are treated with great respect in countries where education and the teaching profession is valued. Predictably, as groups students in those countries outshine US students. I do not believe this to be because students in South Korea or Finland, for examples, are smarter than American students. I believe that the problem lies in the attitude of the nation in believing education to be important to the success and quality of life of the people. In the US of 1950, you could get by in school, get a job in a factory, learn the job and the business and succeed. You need much more education for most occupations today than 70 years ago.
Two more points: As most of you know, wealthy school districts can provide more in the way of salaries and benefits to employees than do poor ones. States and the US government could do much more to support education (and thus provide the citizens with a better future) by seeing that all schools had more resources. In many ways it’s like investing in good infrastructure.
Unlike many other areas of government, the public exercises much more direct, local control of education, including being able to vote budgets up and down. When voters are unhappy with government in general and times are tough, they’ll sometimes vote down school budgets just because it is the only aspect of taxes in which they have a direct say.
Don’t be expecting the government to worry about safe working conditions or working hours. They.. couldn’t care less if you die.. or if your employer wanted 80 hours a week.. or provided a bathroom.. or a lunch room.. or a decent wage. All those amenities that even the white collar non union folk take for granted.. came because of unions standing up to the man.
If it is logical to not prosecute a POTUS for his misdeeds because his term was almost over, then it is just as logical to not open schools at this point since their terms are almost over…
RAGs about 3 years ago
Something many of these “conservatives” studiously ignore is that, for good education, parents are a very big part of the equation. I’ve known teachers who have told me of parents blaming them for their children’s bad grades. When they mentioned that the children often didn’t do their homework, the parents said, “Thar doesn’t matter. You are the teacher, so teach them.” Lackluster parents have lackluster children.
Patjade about 3 years ago
I take it we’d be better off with non-union teachers that fail to meet education requirements that work for poverty wages and grueling hours?
baroden Premium Member about 3 years ago
What exactly is it that you think unions are supposed to do? Protecting their workers is a foundational element of their existence.
cdward about 3 years ago
My son is a teacher. He loves teaching and works his tail off for those kids. But teacher already had one of the highest burnout rates in the country because of people like Gorrell. Teachers are paid poorly, treated poorly, expected to constantly adjust to the whims of elected school boards populated with people who have never taught before, and to the whims of special interest groups who demand that THEIR hobbyhorse be taught. Add a pandemic into a setting where teacher already have a higher sickness rate than most professions because of their exposure to hundreds of kids every single day. Teachers have a right not to trust administrations that do not care about them. They have a right to demand being vaccinated before they walk into those schools. And frankly, since every kid who goes to school brings home whatever they pick up, most families might want to think about those risks. Oh, and a lot of parents do not want their kids going back until we have reached a much higher level of vaccination. Because, gee, they love their kids.
cracker65 about 3 years ago
Teachers are not babysitters, but good ones have a lifelong positive effect on kids.
Valiant1943 Premium Member about 3 years ago
If I were a teacher I’d want to be vaccinated. Teens and adolescents are notorious for not wearing masks
nodjt about 3 years ago
Is it too much to ask to give the teachers the covid vaccine before they return to the classroom?
suzalee about 3 years ago
If you want teachers in the classroom, give them safe classrooms. We expect so much of our teachers and are not willing to give them the equipment and buildings that they need to do their job.
Durak Premium Member about 3 years ago
Hey Gorrell, how many years were you a public school teacher? When was the last time you were in a classroom? What private school is raising your children right now?
Do you even understand the health risks public school educators take on a NORMAL day?
In my district we get 10 sick days a year. And many of us need them. Parents send their kids to school SICK, Bobby. This way the kid gets credit for attendance. Once they get to school if they’re sick, we send them home. But not until after they’ve spread whatever it is they’ve got around to every other kid and adult that they’ve come in contact with.
This year? Most of us have stayed pretty healthy. Well, except for the ones already killed by Covid or battling it now.
The one with the cracked bell is YOU, Bobby Boy. You have NO respect for teachers and little understanding what it’s like. For shame.
Radish the wordsmith about 3 years ago
Republicans in 1956 supported unions and social security and medicare.
Millionaire republican senators today hate unions and try to destroy them.
brit-ed about 3 years ago
Of course a Republican would blame the unions for protecting teachers from a government that doesn’t give a damn…
Newenglandah about 3 years ago
Interesting how people who have never taught seem to think that teachers are overpaid and have cushy jobs. I was trained as a math teacher and was enthusiastic about the subject. After being blamed by parents for their little darlings’ apathy and laziness I went back to my high-paying corporate job at three times the teachers’ salary with better benefits. I often regret not staying a teacher, and have enhanced respect for a teacher’s dedication, but I am not a martyr or masochist.
Sgt. Snorkle about 3 years ago
People complain about the teachers qualifications and wonder why they leave the teaching position for better pay, while the bitchers complain if they personally don’t get pay raises!
piobaire about 3 years ago
I only have two points to add to the strong defense of teachers and teacher unions presented by so many of the those posting above.
Over three quarters of teachers in the United States are women. That may be part of why the teaching profession ranks so low in pay and prestige in the the US, compared to other professions requiring the same levels of preparation and skill. If our politicians and other leaders wanted to improve the profession, they could start by sincerely honoring it and providing better salary and working conditions.
Teachers are treated with great respect in countries where education and the teaching profession is valued. Predictably, as groups students in those countries outshine US students. I do not believe this to be because students in South Korea or Finland, for examples, are smarter than American students. I believe that the problem lies in the attitude of the nation in believing education to be important to the success and quality of life of the people. In the US of 1950, you could get by in school, get a job in a factory, learn the job and the business and succeed. You need much more education for most occupations today than 70 years ago.
piobaire about 3 years ago
Two more points: As most of you know, wealthy school districts can provide more in the way of salaries and benefits to employees than do poor ones. States and the US government could do much more to support education (and thus provide the citizens with a better future) by seeing that all schools had more resources. In many ways it’s like investing in good infrastructure.
Unlike many other areas of government, the public exercises much more direct, local control of education, including being able to vote budgets up and down. When voters are unhappy with government in general and times are tough, they’ll sometimes vote down school budgets just because it is the only aspect of taxes in which they have a direct say.Alberta Oil Premium Member about 3 years ago
Don’t be expecting the government to worry about safe working conditions or working hours. They.. couldn’t care less if you die.. or if your employer wanted 80 hours a week.. or provided a bathroom.. or a lunch room.. or a decent wage. All those amenities that even the white collar non union folk take for granted.. came because of unions standing up to the man.
ferddo about 3 years ago
If it is logical to not prosecute a POTUS for his misdeeds because his term was almost over, then it is just as logical to not open schools at this point since their terms are almost over…
jhayesd31 about 3 years ago
Yes yes we get it Bob.
Teacher union bad
Police union good.
by the way……EAT SHIT BOB