It doesn't work.
Nov. 3rd, 2006 10:10 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
learnteachOn a number of levels, being a teacher doesn't work.
It hurts that it doesn't work, but it doesn't work. Note that this is in the California, USA school system, High School science. (Chemistry right now.)
1. On the work level, the requirements wall is very high--it would take me minimum a year and $10K (minimum!) and more likely 2 years and $20K to get the teaching certificate, and that's not counting the NCLB provisions that continue to roll out.
2. On the government level, I am required by law to enforce laws. Child abuse, drug, behaviour...and there's rumors of a sedition law, that I don't take seriously. But it could easily happen. And then I'd be required to report that.
3. Monetarily. Money does matter; it's not everything, but it is food, shelter, and the biggie, respect. Bull Moose heavily experienced teachers in desired fields make (drumroll) as much as $80K if they are the rockstar of the field. I'm in a desired field, and the total for this year, 11 months worked (internally 1 month off, CHristmas/Spring/Thanksgiving), 8 hour student time days plus preparation etc. (so figure average 10 hour day--plan to work pretty much one day every weekend)
is $42K.
4. Respect. An upset parent will scream at you. The overworked councillors tell you you don't understand how tough these student's lives are. And the administrators are required to squeeze extra work out of you, for the sake of the children. And societies view of you? Is it a respected job? For a few, yes, but not when you go to buy something...
5. Respect. From the students. The slouch wearing rap watching gang backing students who don't chose your class, but are forced into them. Some respect you, but many just plain don't. And the cross culturation makes it worse.
6. Lack of response. If you have a bad day in any way, you are called on it big time. You spend your time fending off requests for money, whines about how hard the work is, aaaaargh--always requests, always in your face.
7. Lowering of standards. Hey, it's manners (which are not emphasised) but it's also the NEA, which now wants us to teach the test, the whole test, and mainly the test.
8. Hardness of learning. Classroom discipline is a difficult thing, when they're not paying money to be there. Especially with the students I have, many of whom have parole officers, etc. They want to win and not work, and will co-operate and team up.
Now, mind you, some of this is an artifact of the school I'm at. And some of it is the culture over here, the East Side San Jose culture. And some is just the fact that this school has had 4 principals in 3 years, moved three times in three years, and is having gang problems. But...the facts above stand.
And "making the difference in one child's life" versus "making $40K more a year for less work".
Um.
It hurts that it doesn't work, but it doesn't work. Note that this is in the California, USA school system, High School science. (Chemistry right now.)
1. On the work level, the requirements wall is very high--it would take me minimum a year and $10K (minimum!) and more likely 2 years and $20K to get the teaching certificate, and that's not counting the NCLB provisions that continue to roll out.
2. On the government level, I am required by law to enforce laws. Child abuse, drug, behaviour...and there's rumors of a sedition law, that I don't take seriously. But it could easily happen. And then I'd be required to report that.
3. Monetarily. Money does matter; it's not everything, but it is food, shelter, and the biggie, respect. Bull Moose heavily experienced teachers in desired fields make (drumroll) as much as $80K if they are the rockstar of the field. I'm in a desired field, and the total for this year, 11 months worked (internally 1 month off, CHristmas/Spring/Thanksgiving), 8 hour student time days plus preparation etc. (so figure average 10 hour day--plan to work pretty much one day every weekend)
is $42K.
4. Respect. An upset parent will scream at you. The overworked councillors tell you you don't understand how tough these student's lives are. And the administrators are required to squeeze extra work out of you, for the sake of the children. And societies view of you? Is it a respected job? For a few, yes, but not when you go to buy something...
5. Respect. From the students. The slouch wearing rap watching gang backing students who don't chose your class, but are forced into them. Some respect you, but many just plain don't. And the cross culturation makes it worse.
6. Lack of response. If you have a bad day in any way, you are called on it big time. You spend your time fending off requests for money, whines about how hard the work is, aaaaargh--always requests, always in your face.
7. Lowering of standards. Hey, it's manners (which are not emphasised) but it's also the NEA, which now wants us to teach the test, the whole test, and mainly the test.
8. Hardness of learning. Classroom discipline is a difficult thing, when they're not paying money to be there. Especially with the students I have, many of whom have parole officers, etc. They want to win and not work, and will co-operate and team up.
Now, mind you, some of this is an artifact of the school I'm at. And some of it is the culture over here, the East Side San Jose culture. And some is just the fact that this school has had 4 principals in 3 years, moved three times in three years, and is having gang problems. But...the facts above stand.
And "making the difference in one child's life" versus "making $40K more a year for less work".
Um.
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no subject
Date: 2006-11-03 06:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-03 07:16 pm (UTC)I also recommend re-reading "Up the Down Staircase", which has become wonderfully naive in some ways, but always resonates in me, and tends to make me want to pursue a teaching career (and then reality sets in and I get over it).
totally unrelated...
Date: 2006-11-03 08:09 pm (UTC)Second, regarding your user name all I can think to say is:
"Quick Henry, the Flit!!"
Re: totally unrelated...
Date: 2006-11-03 08:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-03 08:11 pm (UTC)But whatever you choose, at least you know your friends are all going to understand.
xo
no subject
Date: 2006-11-03 08:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-03 10:36 pm (UTC)I would second the motion of trying another school before giving up entirely. Last year at this time I was working at a failing, poverty-ridden middle school, and felt exactly as you do. These feeling got darker as the year progressed and certain situations (student and administration) decayed.
All that changed with dumping that job and replacing it with two others. One at a private school and another at a public. There is a culture of respect and friendliness in both places. The change has completely restored my faith in humanity and education.
If you have a degree in what you teach, I would especially look into private schools. They do not have to deal with NCLB requirements and generally give teachers a lot more lattitude in what they do in the classroom.
BTW, I believe NCLB is due up for re-authorization during the next Congress.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-05 01:24 am (UTC)If you have decided this is not the population you want to work with and are interested in trying the opposite end of the spectrum next year, I have friends who work for a private school in Saratoga. It is the polar opposite of where you are at. Maybe I could put you in touch.