I’ve written about the few teachers who bully students. But what about the teachers- good teachers, the best and the brightest, who get bullied?
Teaching is not only a thankless but also dangerous job in times like these. In my opinion, teachers should get hazard pay, maybe even combat pay! With the school climate what it is today, teachers risk being harmed, maimed, also murdered, and many don’t make it to retirement.
I’ve seen many teachers quit and opt for second careers because of the many issues in schools and communities. I can’t say I blame them. Teachers get paid a pittance for what they must put up with and they don’t get the support from parents, principals, and higher school officials they did decades ago.
And teacher’s unions are a complete joke! They don’t care about the kids much less the teachers. In my opinion, teacher’s unions are a big money racket and political activist group! I wouldn’t be a teacher if someone offered me triple the salary!
Along with crappy pay, teachers are held responsible for the poor performance and failing grades of their students. And let’s be real here. Many kids are lazy, and many parents are too busy being the child’s BFF rather than being a parent and making their children hit the books. So why is this the teacher’s fault?
Teachers also have a truckload of homework themselves, often having to grade test papers and assignments at home on their own time. And if parents can’t buy the necessary school supplies for their children to bring to class, teachers end up having to dig into their own pockets to provide for these kids. Couple that with the shoddy pay, and these teachers get a pretty raw deal.
Child abuse with the eye of a young boy or girl with a single tear crying due to the fear of violence or depression caused by hunger and poverty and being afraid of bullying at school.
Many teachers also get bullied, not only by their fellow teachers and staff but by students and their parents as well. And when it’s the child who bullies the teacher, how’s that teacher supposed to handle it effectively if he/she doesn’t have support from the principal, the school district, and parents?
A lot of kids are disrespectful and unruly these days. Many of today’s parents have an overinflated sense of their own entitlement, so it makes sense that they would raise kids with the same pathetic attitude.
Lots of times, the parents of these kids will overlook the behavior at school and, yes- even encourage it because they feel that their child is “entitled” and that the teacher transgressed against their kid by disciplining him.
Also, schools and their districts often encourage teachers to give the kid a passing grade even if the student doesn’t earn it, all in an attempt to keep the school’s performance ratings up and the government off their backs. If the teacher happens to be an honest person and doesn’t comply, she’s fired.
I’ve both heard and read of instances when the teacher disciplined a student for disruptive behavior. The teacher only made the child leave the classroom and stand in the hall or sent the kid to the principal’s office, and an angry and hostile parent confronted him/her later.
And when a student failed a test, the teacher gave the kid a bad grade, only to have an enraged parent storm into their classroom the next day, demanding to know why. Some parents go so far as to threaten physical harm!
Understand that kids aren’t stupid, especially kids who bully. These kids are often socially intelligent beyond their years, and they pick up on these things- things that other kids their age often miss. These children know that these days, teachers can’t do much about their bad behavior, and they take full advantage of it. It’s just what kids do.
Pushing boundaries to see what you can get away with is only a part of being a kid. Kids do either what their parents allow or aren’t aware of, and they imitate what they see at home and what they see peers do. And teachers don’t get near the support they should. Is it any wonder there’s a mass shortage of teachers in this country?
It takes a special kind of person to be a teacher in today’s world. If you’re one of those brave, caring, and awesome people, know you have my utmost respect.
Know that the hard work and sacrifices you make haven’t gone unnoticed. You are one in a million and though you may not know it, I and so many others salute you!
I know of teachers who have quit for these very reasons.
I do too, Rebecca and it’s so sad that they get bullied out of their jobs like they do. And it’s sad for the kids too because all the good teachers get bullied out and they get stuck with teachers who don’t give a crap.
Very true. I have a relative who was a teacher, she dealt with everything you mentioned, fought the good fight then gave up. Her mental health was more important for her and her kids.
She did the right thing, Rebecca. At the end of the day, you have to look out for number one.
Another great topic! Yes, I saw this happen in both middle school and high school with the nicer, more sensitive teachers. Broke my heart.
It sure does break your heart. Not only is it sad for the teachers that have to quit just to preserve their sanity, but also the kids. Because it’s the kids who will be stuck with teachers who are cliquey and who don’t give a crap.
I taught in a secondary school, (UK equivalent to junior high and high school) for one term. When I tried to discipline a child, I became the subject of a false allegation but instead of dealing with the issue, the school encouraged both the pupil and me to simply drop the case. At least in elementary school, the kids have less attitude, although you do get some right ones. It’s why I now don’t teach full time but do substitute teaching around my full time job. At least if I have a bad day, I don’t have to worry about going back.
A good book I can recommend is “Rupture” by Simon Lelic. I think you and your reader will like it.
I’m sorry you endured such lies. And I’m glad things have worked out for you. I will definitely check out that book! Thank you so much for the recommendation.
No problem, I’m glad that whatever the problem was with WordPress seems to be sorted and I can comment on your posts now.
Oh, me too! Another blogger finally told me how to fix that! Thank you so much for mentioning that.
Cherie, several years ago in Windsor, Ontario there is a school, named after a general, where the teachers were in fear of going to class. Some were beaten up and others threatened. It wasn’t the parents, but it was the students.
My best friend is a retired teacher from the sixties and seventies tells me, he would not teach in this environment today. He has many reasons for this, but he just feels it is not a safe place to be.
Wow, Dwain! I can’t say I blame that teacher one bit! Just from reading the tone of your post, it sounds like a bad place.
This is so true and sad. This needs to change.
It sure does. I feel terrible for the good teachers today.
Pretty much…
Amen.
Thank you for highlighting this. A teacher is a rare gem these days, and the society didn’t make it better by making them an easy target.
Exactly 💯
Thank you for recognizing the struggle. These problems exist at the college level, t
You’re so welcome. And yes, they exist at all levels.
Teaching is thankless? Have you seen a teacher’s pension? I’d have to have a cool $2 Million in the bank for to retire in style like that. That seems like a pretty big thanks to me!
In all seriousness, it can be a brutal job, and you make an excellent several points. Just felt it necessary to chime in.
You’re so right, Jim. It’s one of the most thankless job in the entire working world. It’s sad and appalling.
Unfortunately, this is so true that a teacher can be the target. I’ve experienced it first-hand.
My heart goes out to you. I’m not a teacher but I can only imagine from what I’ve read and heard about. It’s like the good teachers get bullied out and the kids get stuck with only the teachers who don’t give a crap. It’s sad.
This is exactly why I shower my kid’s teachers with gifts. They deserve so much.
I could not do what they do and I think dealing with parents would be a freakin nightmare.
Girl! You’re right on the money with that one! Some parents are nutty as a fruit cake! And I so admire you for what you do for your kids’ teachers! Because that’s a hard job, and a thankless one too! ❤
I couldn’t do it!!! So I believe they should get paid triple of their current amount.
I would end up on the 6 o’clock news wearing handcuffs if I was a teacher. LOL
Girl! What you said right there! 💯
Having taught in public schools for many years myself, I can attest to the fact that a teacher’s total compensation package is actually quite decent in most states. Beginning teachers who are doing an excellent job get shorted, however. The union likes everyone to believe teachers aren’t not paid well, but considering the time off, excellent health benefits and pensions it is a good living. No amount of pay could ever compensate for the enormously difficult task of teaching in today’s public schools. I love teachers who are giving it their all. Do you realize teachers actually need to be “rescued” from their own union? Many of the discipline policies that have left teachers without support are championed by the teachers’ own union! You can find out more in my book, titled Publicly Schooled, due out in May 2021. Let’s help our teachers by empowering them with the truth about their own unions!
Wow! I had no idea that teachers got paid well and I’m glad that they do for the crap they put up with. I solute you for the job you do because I couldn’t do it. Also, I knew that teacher’s unions were worthless because of the bullying many teachers suffer. Teacher’s unions care nothing about the teachers nor the kids. They’re only Leftist organizations bent on money, power, and control and I believe they are the reason bullying is so rampant in the schools and have been for decades. Thank you so much for your input, It’s so, so appreciated!
At some point I plan to do a blog post about this very thing.
I also am glad teachers have good compensation packages. I would like to see the salary schedules changed to reward excellence and effort…That would also boost teacher morale. I will look for your next post!
Thank you so much. And salary schedules sound like a great idea. 🙂
Oops! I meant “Salary Schedule Changes.” LOL
And I will definitely order your book!
Thank you! I’m excited to share it with you.