Teaching Peeves 101

I have many pet peeves. One of them is teacher-bashing (verbal and otherwise). No I am not a fully qualified teacher yet but I have and continue to work in schools with professionals, students and their parents.
Parents, fuelled primarily by media, seem to think that teachers need to solve society's problems. It seems to be education that is to blame for rape, poverty, misbehaviour and a million other things. Schools are also becoming more expected to fix all of these problems, as well as teach children the curriculum and how to become good citizens. Um, hello? 


Yes, teachers are there to teach. We truly do love every child in our class. They have so many things to cover; compulsory tests, reporting to parents and Boards, actual learning, ICT, professional development (which helps us keep up to date with new skills and identifying new needs of every type of student). When a parent complains that we don't send piles of homework every other night, it pisses me off. Read the newspaper with your child. Read to them. Discuss what you have read. Watch the news with them. So some baking (excellent maths skills in measurement, time etc.). That is all learning and so beneficial to them. I ask, what is the point in sending boring maths equations and spelling words home every night? It has no context, so will be boring for them. They most likely won't take it in. If they fly through it, they aren't leaning anything. 


It is also not JUST teachers' faults that people are poor. I should not have to feed your child. But if you can't afford $3.00 for a box of wheat biscuits then your child WILL go hungry and WILL switch off at school. No matter how awesome we make our lessons, if they have no energy, they will not be able to keep up.


If you have serious issues at home, I can't solve them in the classroom. I also should not be teaching basic manners or social graces to 10 year old people who should know not to swear, hit, pick their nose, sneeze on other people. They should know to say please and thank you and that stealing is not acceptable. It takes up too much of mine and every other student's time. If your child is being abused at home, I will report it. 


Everybody is responsible for our children. Parents, schools, teachers, the government. We need to stop scapegoating and collectively work to help all our children flourish. 


Rant over.