What about the students? (Letter to the editor, Houston Chronicle)

The Houston Chronicle ^ | 11/13/2002 | J. Kusters, Houston

[Clara Lou]

If I read one more time that teachers are responsible when students fail academically, I am going to be sick right on the doorsteps of the Texas Education Agency.

The politicians who govern TEA and board members Mary Helen Berlanga and Geraldine Miller (who were quoted in the Nov. 9 Chronicle article), would be well-advised to let people who care about children run their agency.

After a 30-year career as an engineer, I'm now in my second year of teaching math at a middle school. I have seen that most teachers are dedicated and work hard for a fraction of private-sector pay.

Those who run our education system overlook the essential factor in the education equation: the students and their parents.

J. Kusters, Houston

[Clara Lou]

It's late in the day for posting anything, but I thought the opinion of a career engineer-turned-teacher might spark some discussion

[Clara Lou]

You posted on the education thread about the autistic child being handcuffed. I thought this letter to the editor in reference to education in general might elicit some response.

[Sungirl]

If I read one more time that teachers are responsible when students fail academically

I blame the parents too! NO DISCILPINE...they need more discipline.

I have seen that most teachers are dedicated and work hard for a fraction of private-sector pay.

This thing about private sector pay kills me. They work less months, get cheap medical...get paid for sick leave..get vacation or personal time! I work very hard too and don't make a fraction of what teachers make! I have a few degrees too....so they can spare me this crap.

[Humidston]

Our schools are collapsing.

Until we get control of the NEA, we can forgo any expectations other than the garbage being taught in publik skools.

If I had a school age child, I wouldn't dream of allowing him/her to be exposed to the junk being foisted on kids today. I'd rather scrub toilets if necessary to earn tuition money for private school, or I'd homeschool!

[LibKill]

I went to public schools in Texas. That was back in the "bad old days" when mouthing off to a teacher (let alone worse offenses) would get you bent over and paddled, HARD.

Even the badass kids did not disrupt learning.

Learning will never return to public schools until discipline returns to public schools.

Until that time, homeschooling, private academy or Christian schools (including Catholic) are the only sane alternative to the LOSER public schools.

Most kids want to learn. But some need their little butts spanked first.

[Gorzaloon]

After a 30-year career as an engineer, I'm now in my second year of teaching math at a middle school. I have seen that most teachers are dedicated and work hard for a fraction of private-sector pay.

Translation: "I failed as an engineer, and now I am going to give NEA Union Speeches about underpaid teachers so that I can fail as a teacher, too."

Those who run our education system overlook the essential factor in the education equation: the students and their parents.

OK, there's a good point. He gets a "C".

[umgud]

Try to picture a brand new school in a tough inter-city environment (democrat controled area). It's built with lots of money and all the bells & whistles and is staffed with the best teachers NEA could trot out. It's pristine and beatiful.

Not long after opening, graffiti and vandalism overwhelms the maint staff who finally throw up their hands and only fix the worst problems. 30% of the student body are gang bangers or wanabees and disrupt anybody else who might want to learn.30% of the other students have already decided they don't need an education because they are either going to be NBA stars, fruit pickers or it ain't cool to emulate white folks by getting an education.

Within a short period of time, this new high dollar school is run down, the best teachers have left and 60% of the students are failing..........and some politician comes along and says the school has failed and the only way to save it is to pour in more money.

All the money in the world is not going to educate kids who don't want to be educated and don't have anyone at home to motivate them to do so. Schools don't fail. Students do. Yup, there are a lot of problems with the school systems (lib indoctrination centers), but we can't go on blaming teachers and the system.

[Sungirl]

I wish Bush could eliminate this tenure facade like he did with federal workers on homeland security (it's similiar!). Then some of these lame 'teachers' would be working all year like most of us.

[Hunble]

have seen that most teachers are dedicated and work hard for a fraction of private-sector pay.

Of course, the term 'private-sector teachers' must refer to private schools. Do Public teachers actually make a fraction of the pay that private school teachers earn?

[Billthedrill]

Take away a layer of administration in union officials, school psychologists, multicultural curriculum pushers and other self-appointed "experts," and let's see how much money might be divvied up among the working teachers. Or don't, and stop b!tching.

[Clara Lou]

You have no basis at all to call this man a failure in his first career. (If anything, the evidence says the opposite.) What a ridiculous comment. Do you frequently make posts like that?

[Clara Lou]

Unions are not effective or active in my part of Texas. We don't have union representatives. We do have an excess of administrative positions, though. A superintendent comes in and brings with him plenty of cronies that he/she hs picked up along the way. "No available position for my pal? Fine, we'll make one." It's pathetic. Bureaucracies are to the detriment of everything they are intended to supervise, IMO, including schools. Principals are also on my bad list this year. Their ineptitude can be horrific.

[Gorzaloon]

You have no basis at all to call this man a failure in his first career. (If anything, the evidence says the opposite.)

How?

Is there something wrong with being a success in one's first career? Do you mean that only by changing one's mind about what they wanted to be guarantees success?

[Clara Lou]

You said this about the author of this letter: Translation: "I failed as an engineer, and now I am going to give NEA Union Speeches about underpaid teachers so that I can fail as a teacher, too."

I'm taking issue with the fact that you call a man who has a 1st career of 30 years "failed." (See above quote.) I say that a person with a 30-year 1st career must have had some degree of success, or the career wouldn't have lasted 30 years. I'm also saying that you have no basis whatsoever for calling the guy a failure. ¿Comprende?

[Gorzaloon]

I say that a person with a 30-year 1st career must have had some degree of success

Good point. I see what you mean, because if they were that bad, they would not have lasted 30 years.

But consider this, for what it is worth:

All of my very best Science teachers left teaching to go into industry or R&D.

None of my best engineering peers left to become teachers. The ones that did leave, should have.

At least this is what I have seen over the years. Does it really make sense to leave a successful career? Not to me. I would think that a successful career is too enjoyable to leave.

(Of course, considering the state of my 401(k) I may well be resigning myself to never retiring, and giving myself a pep talk!....)

[Flyer]

My guess would be this is a second career for the man.

[philman_36]

If I read one more time that teachers are responsible when students fail academically, I am going to be sick right on the doorsteps of the Texas Education Agency.
A classroom of 30 students.
28 receive a passing grade.
How is it "the teachers fault" that two fail?
This is nothing more than "laying blame".
It's not the students fault, they all go to school to learn don't ya know, so someone has to get blamed for that failure.

[Gorzaloon]

Ooohhh...I recall some of these when I was in school.

The kids ate them alive.

I do not think teaching in the current environment would be a particularly serene way of heading for retirement.

But it does appear the individual wasted no time in learning the NEA speech, and that set me off.