Replies

If we're thinking about reforming education, we may want to consider a more flexible attitude and more respect for teachers as professionals who need flexibility during the year.

You forgot to put the sarcasm tag on that post.

I can't think of any other "profession" that works an average of 200 days a year, yet desires to be paid as if they work "full time".

Further, I can't think of any profession , as a whole, who does less to complete their tasks. Educators are few and far between, that actually are contributing to our children's educations. Most of the "learning" these days is all about feelings, rather than facts and figures. Instead of the 3 R's, we have banana demonstrations of condoms, and lockdowns in the halls.

My younger son is a teacher. He actually cars about the kids. He tells me that there are less than half of the teachers at his school that care about progress in the education of their charges. Most of them are just sitting in a room, getting paid way too much... and bitching!

As for your idea about scheduling, you take vacations when the time is open. In moany industries, they shut down in the middle of the summer for a week or two, and everybody goes at the same time. I guess you think teachers are supposedc to go whenever... I say bullshiite!

I don't think some teachers should complain, neither do I think a LOT of us should complain. And I often wonder why some with children complain so much. If I had the privilege of even raising one child, I would NOT be complaining about it.

Many teachers I know are indeed good, caring individuals who work hard to educate their students. But it is a TEAM effort, requiring parents and the individual efforts of the students as well. That's why I try to work WITH parents and let them know what is going on.

I haven't seen any of the things in your second paragraph here (I don't know about other areas so I will only say it for mine). But I do see lots of the 3 R's being taught every day and not "feelings." I don't have TIME to teach all of that "other" stuff.

I do agree with your first sentence of your last paragraph. You take it when the time is available. And that's how parents do it which I have long since learned, sometimes conflicts with the school year (many times MORE than once or twice a year), but I just do the best I can to help the kid catch up when he or she gets back.

As for me, my vacations are to go back home to see my family. I often smile when some of the kids say they're "only" going to Disneyland this year.

Most of the "learning" these days is all about feelings, rather than facts and figures. Instead of the 3 R's, we have banana demonstrations of condoms, and lockdowns in the halls. My younger son is a teacher.

Does your younger son teach about feelings and do banana demonstrations of condoms?