Posted on 12/09/2004 6:49:31 PM PST by mysonsfuture
Most Americans are busting their bottoms to make it in today's world. They have little to no vacation, little free time, tons of travel AND they are paying lots of taxes!
Some Americans are getting shot at and the get less benefits and less perks and less pay than the average public school teacher.
I am tired of the whining!
In North Dakota, the Teachers' Union backed the Republican for Governor! Nontheless, I meet all my daughter's teachers, and instruct her on which ones she's allowed to ignore. I'd rather she take a "B" than compromise principles in class.
Ditto.
But, to expand, keep my money and leave me alone....
I'll pay the tribute. Maybe someday there will be some integrity and honesty and neutrality in govenment over such issues. Until then, I'll not be seeking one of their teats.
Right on Marinefamilyx3,
Just because a teacher is represented by the NEA doens't mean that they agree with their practices and by no means does it mean that they pay union dues either.
I'd love to know how many of you public school bashers will mention the rating of their school district when they list their homes for sale. I think it would be an interesting study to find out the demographics (by locale) of who hates public schools - it seems that the closer to the city one is the more they hate the public school system - JMO.
I've been saying it for years. No comparison between home-schooled and Government-schooled...
All teachers who support the NEA are liberals- no matter who they voted for.
Again.. reading comp for you... I never said all teachers or all schools.. anything.
Couple of suggestions; make paragraphs to break up the type block. White space makes it easier to read.
As to your chose profession, seems like you are not real happy there. Have you read John Taylor Gatto? NYC Teacher of the Year, I think...
Got fed up with the built in BS of the whole thing and has some pretty good ideas on how to do it better.
And his kids go... where?
See, this is just over the top. There are always threads like this here. It's not about "hating" public school. It's about exposing the shortcomings.
Uh, wait a minute, Jessee has built a career off tacking the H word on that.
Never mind.
The NEA does not represent anyone who does not pay dues.
That's what you said Diva. You said you home school and you don't get a vacation.
You also said all members of the NEA are wacko liberals. Absolutely FALSE logic. I personally know members of the NEA who are Christian conservatives. They have their own reasons for remaining members but that is none of my business.
Don-o, I love teaching, I don't like teacher bashers who don't know what they're talking about.
Who has bashed a teacher?
Answer: No one has bashed a teacher.
Question: Why does this thread make you angry?
I still pay taxes to pay your salary and your benefits and your time off.
That is ok.. I am not complaining because I chose to educate my children, and buy ALL the supplies they need - and live in America- where I have responsibilities like paying your salary and for your benefits and time off.
Is it beginning to make sense to you now?
Anyone who supports the NEA-(no matter their religious affiliation)is part of the problem in education for public schools.
re: the lower learning
I whole heartedly agree. You run into a problem as an educator in the public school system if you actually try to teach. The system wasn't actually designed for that.
It's a warehouse for children where we train future workers/consumers.
Any learning that occurs is a flaw in the system...hehe.
Honestly, I have known some excellent teachers in my time, and I can only imagine what they could have accomplished if left unfettered.
When it comes to low standards in our schools, here's my humble take:
1. We don't expect much out of kids in public school anymore. If they refrain from stabbing their neighbor, they get an "A" in works well with others. Half the kids in your classroom come from broken/dysfunctional homes. Drugs/Alchohol abuse are common. Half the kids have a sense of morality, the rest vary from slightly twisted kids to future inmates.
2. We don't expect much from the family anymore.
It's easy to blame the kids, but you won't once you see the parents. Half the parents show up to parent-teacher conferences. As can be expected, their kids are doing fine. The other half of parents can't be dragged away from the TV or bar to see how little Johnny is doing. School, for many, many parents, is free babysitting-nothing more.
3. We don't expect much of teachers anymore.
While I have seen brilliant teachers, I have also witnessed teachers who I wouldn't hire to organize a rummage sale. Sadly, they're both teaching your children.
The teachers who do, end up doing too much, and leave.
The rest, wait for retirement or find a less irritating job.
4. We expect too much of "The Government"
Overregulation hurts schools as much as it hurts business. Many of the same parents who don't care about their kids education, really care about what the government is doing about their kids education. It's an abdication of responsibility, but at least they're consistent....
Thus we get self-esteem programs, condoms on cucumbers, Gay Proms....but the kids can't read the invitation.
What is lost in this scenario:
1. Good teachers leave the profession.
They didn't dream of lesson plans, assessments, and meetings without purpose. They wanted to teach. They were willing to take lower wages in exchange for teaching kids. If they are no longer teaching kids, why not make more money sitting in boring meetings somewhere else?
2. The kids dropout.
Not only physically, but mentally. Nothing is more frustrating than seeing a bright young person who is ground down in this environment. After dodging gang-bangers in the hall, and having their classes "dummied" down to the lowest possible level--they lose interest.
They stare out the window and dream of something better. But with a few more years of public education, even this longing will be beaten out of them, and they'll just want to leave this environment that alternately ignores them, and insults them.
Saying that people who support the NEA are bad is not bashing teachers. IT is bashing people who extort money from the American taxpayer....
My daughter has had a great many wonderful teachers in the public school system. I am very grateful for them. She has also had a great many teachers who think it's their business to drive their political agenda home (in Home Economics if you can believe it). It's unfortunate that these outnumber the other. I worked for the district myself for a number of years. The plight of teachers is familiar to me. I don't think teachers don't work, they work hard. So do I. However, I would say you are underpaid since I wrote checks to teachers in the 100,000's out here in California (I was PAYROLL). Benefits are excellent with the district, and you can arrange to have your salary disbursed over 12 months to ease the pain of summer vacation. That's this district of course. I think it's clear the political leaning of most instructors through college level tends to be liberal. It's refreshing to see someone on here that deviates. A working teacher on FR. Amen. Don't take the topic personally. That's probably easy to say, however, not so easy to put up with..... Some of us single parents depend pretty heavily on teachers like you.
Since the thread started about Hannity encouraging evacuating the PS - wonder if he might get Gatto as a guest?
A little heavy for his usual fluff content; doubt he would dare.
Oooh! Betsy lands a logical right hook!
Great thread folks - check it in the morning. Anyone with an "in" see if Hannity will get Gatto on his show.
G'night.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.