Quirky Teacher: 'How I wish more parents would read my blog'

[allchildrenreading]

wp.me/p5b7Us-4w

This teache is always worth reading but this one is particularly relevant for parents - it's a good read, too! It will be interesting to hear Mumsnetters' response.

[Soveryupset]

Brilliant - I have had complaints about pretty much everything on the list....

[HayFeverHell]

I would have followed the blog if there had been a "bloglovin" button, that's my personal blog reader.

[TalkinPeace]

they sound right up their own arse IMHO

[ladygracie]

Totally agree TalkinPeace.

[Soveryupset]

They are quite patronising overall, I agree.

However they do make some points which I have personally experienced.

[MissDexter]

OP, are you the teacher?

[rabbitstew]

Well, I wouldn't want that person teaching my children - he appears to think everyone's an idiot, bar himself, of course.

[lljkk]

There is something very weird about that Quirky blog, I think it's an attempt at mind control, because it makes my eyes go very squiffy.

It reads like a home-educating evangelist so why they're in the mainstream sector baffles me.

[tyto]

What TalkinPeace said.
I remember the boys/writing thread from the other day. This person comes across as a teacher who is really struggling with the job and is looking for someone to blame.

[HayFeverHell]

I don't agree with everything I read, but I like getting different opinions and ideas.

[snowmummy]

What the blogger says about teachers' hands being tied by policies for just about everything is true in my experience of primary education in particular. I've taught in secondary too but that didn't seem so bad. I'm not a fan of the UK education system as either a parent or a teacher.

[kesstrel]

I agree with Hayfever Hell. It's easy to feel that blogs (which don't have the normal social cues you get from talking) sound patronising or whatever when you don't agree with the ideas in them. As for the idea that someone who is critical of the way things are done in a primary school must be struggling with their job, I find that attitude quite shockingly complacent. Several teachers on here have already said they agree with some of the criticisms, and there are plenty more out there in the blogosphere saying similar things.

Also, let's not forget that huge numbers of educationalists and teachers were opposed to the introduction of phonics, despite the scientific consensus in support of that method of reading instruction. The status quo isn't always right, just because it's what was/is being taught in teacher training institutions and currently being done in schools.

Also, the OP is definitely not Quirky teacher (and neither am I, before anyone makes that suggestion!).

[canny1234]

I've just read this and yes he is angry.Quite rightfully so I think.It must be so frustrating trying to teach with one hand tied behind your back.
I have exactly the same criticisms ( mostly,not all) of my kids state primary.Yes have sat in corridors waiting to go in for parents evening hearing the teacher telling the parents of the child at the bottom of the class that he is doing well.The child with issues passed from teacher to teacher and eventually told to sit on a chair and be quiet.Child with a very good reading ability kept on very low reading books .
The trouble is other parents really don't like to complain and I'm sure I have been considered a troublemaker.What surprises me is that 3 of mine have still succeeded in being 'above average' one hasn't.Mediocre teaching still works with bright kids.
However this blog is also very patronising - especially regarding Rousseau and his theory of education.

[DrankSangriaInThePark]

How smug can smug get? "I am read all over the world" Yep, so is the Daily Mail, doesn't mean it's any good.

Hope it's not you OP, because it's very bad form to just promote yourself without being part of the MN Blogger's Network and just put a link in for the clicks.

[DrankSangriaInThePark]

I can see from the blog that the OP isn't the blogger (unless he likes talking to himself of course) You have inadvertently outed your (I presume) real life name though OP, so you might want to do something about that.

My comments about his smugness stand. And the blog page design is horrific. Red on black? I agree it comes across like some weirdy satanic cult.

[Aquilla]

Nail. On. Head.
I've never heard of this blog so thanks, OP.

[holmessweetholmes]

Smug tone, admittedly. I agree with almost all of what the blogger says us wrong, but it would be very silly to think you could sum up how to solve those problems by just saying 'return to traditional teaching'.

I'm a teacher who generally leans towards the traditional end of the spectrum, and there are many, many things about the current education system which I find unbelievably frustrating. Many of those things could easily be got rid of, making teachers' and pupils' lives better.

But some of the changes have been in response to social changes. Traditional teaching methods, particularly those relating to behaviour, simply would not work on today's pupils.

The blogger is dead right about the low status of teachers though, and that certainly has a major effect on behaviour in the classroom. I have no idea how anyone's going to change that though.