To think teachers are treated unfairly on Mumsnet?

[Nokidsnoproblem]

Everyday, these boards are filled with parents complaining about their DC's school. Yes, some of the complaints are justified, but many are not.

As far as I can see, most people complaining are not qualified teachers themselves, so probably have little understanding of the rules and procedures teachers (and TAs, heads, etc.) have to follow in order to do their job correctly. I think a lot of people on here undermine teachers and don't respect the education and skills that they have.

I read this article today: www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2015/may/30/secret-teacher-astonished-some-parents-complain-about

From reading this and the comments, it is clear that this is a big problem elsewhere too.

[Soduthen116]

Some parents are stupid and some teachers are crap.

Most arnt though.

Most parents respect most teachers in my experience. Those happy with their schools probably don't bother to post on the internet.

[WorraLiberty]

I agree with Soduthen, most people won't start a thread to say how happy they are with their kid's teachers.

Also, you read a lot of threads where someone has a problem with one particular teacher but that doesn't mean they have a problem with all of them.

[wigglesrock]

I think on MN all jobs get a fairly good pasting at some point or another - over the years I've seen threads on teachers, nurses, childcare staff, supermarket staff, waiting staff, those that work in retail, cleaners, police, fire fighters, GPs, sonographers, call centre staff - and the old favourite GP receptionists. Tbh I'm not sure that teaching staff are given more unfavourable comments than any of the others I've mentioned.

[HerrenaHarridan]

My heart goes out to teachers, there was a thread just recently but an nqt saying she was having second thoughts, it was posted in the staff room and she was encouraged to get out while she still could.

Whenever I have doubts about home ed I go and read threads in the staff room.

[WorraLiberty]

That's a very good point actually wiggles

[monkeymamma]

I really dislike the Secret Moaner articles. Too much special pleading that teaching is somehow harder than any other job. 'I love my job but it's hard'. Said everyone ever.

Any job where you deal with the general public will involve some frankly ludicrous complaints. These sounded far less crazy than some I've dealt with in a consumer facing role.

If you are a teacher and find your role so awful... Why not leave?

[Nanny0gg]

Everyone's an expert re education as everyone has been to school.

Mix in a bit of PFB and there you go...

But to be fair, sometimes they're right!

[PtolemysNeedle]

I agree that this is one of those things where you are only likely to hear the negative stories because people don't tend to bother posting with the positive, but from experience I can also agree that there are plenty of parents that are unreasonable.

It always makes eye rolley on here when as soon as someone posts that they have been spoken to about their child's behaviour by teachers, and the standard advice is 'turn it back on the teacher and ask them what they're going to do to solve the problem'. As if teachers are magical creatures that can solve any problem and have unlimited time and resources to direct purely at the children of MNers.

[GoodbyeToAllOfThat]

I can't understand it, it seems like a pretty hard job.

[Goldmandra]

If someone starts a thread complaining about a teacher there's always an army of MNers in there immediately pointing out how much they have to fit in a day, how many hours they spend in planning and marking time, etc.

I don't think teachers get any more of a hard time than anyone else on MN.

[SaucyJack]

I don't like the attitude of one of the women who works in my local co-op. But I just avoid her till.

My kids spend 1,140 hours a year under the influence of their teachers. If I didn't like their attitude (which I do by the way- you're both great if you're reading this), it'd be a damn sight harder to just ignore it and let it go.

[fiveacres]

I have seen one thread which was ridiculous - poor teacher got torn to shreds.

In general though, I feel teachers take any perceived criticism VERY personally.

[wigglesrock]

That's my one for the week Worra - I may have peaked too early

[JessiePinkman]

We love our teachers and I fully respect what a difficult job it is however I once made the massive mistake of starting an Aibu thread about an awful parents evening where the teacher was monosyllabic got ds name wrong & appeared to know nothing about him & how should I handle it. I immediately got pages of flaming from teachers about how the poor lady was probably tired, yours is not the only child in the class, grow up you bitch, were you expecting to be told he was a genius etc etc. So no, I don't agree at all!

[Ladyflip]

Teachers get their own space to talk to each other on MN, so are getting extra support from MNHQ. Don't see that for Tesco staff, second hand car saleswomen, doctors, vets, etc. In fact, I think its the only profession that gets such assistance.

I think a lot of people on here undermine teachers and don't respect the education and skills that they have

I disagree with this.

[NinkyNonkers]

I think they do in some respects, there is an awful lot of green eyed monster re holidays etc, and an apparent lack of understanding of how much they do from some spheres. Many are sensitive because they get so much of a bashing from other areas they see it everywhere!

[EmmaGellerGreen]

Some teachers are amazing. I could talk for hours about how amazing DS's teacher this year is. I have and will continue to give positive feedback about her.

Last year, his teacher was beyond useless. He made no progress, nor did many others. So yes, I may appear to be harsh in my opinion of her but her poor teaching left most of the class behind and a huge job for amazing teacher this year.

Teachers in general, I don't know them all so couldn't comment about them all.

[bearleftmonkeyright]

I think the biggest problem teachers have is that most complaints are based on second hand information and a perception of what has happened rather than reality. I can't think of any other profession where that is the case and therein lies the biggest problem for teachers and parents.

[Capricorn76]

Some teachers are good, some are shit and in AIBU you're going to hear about the shit ones in the main. I think some teachers have a victim mentality in that they think any criticism of any teacher is an attack on all teachers. It's not. It's like the myth that all nurses are angels, well in my experience they're not and when I complained to a nurse friend about how another nurse treated me she didn't suddenly start getting defensive. She was pissed of with the other nurse.

I work in finance and live in London. These are always being bashed but I don't see it as a personal attack on me.

[Nokidsnoproblem]

Thank you for your replies. I am actually pleasantly surprised, I was expecting a flaming!

[Sidge]

I see the opposite on MN actually - the majority of posters stick up for teachers and acknowledge what an incredible job they do, on the whole.

I have nothing but respect for my children's teachers - I couldn't do what they do. However I do think teachers themselves often think they're really hard done by, more so than other professions - I am just envious that every 6 weeks or so they get time off!

[littlejohnnydory]

I see the opposite on MN - the mantra of 'thou shalt support the school' even if you don't agree with them and people generally assuming that children are lying if a teacher is out of line. There are some wonderful teachers out there but I've seen my fair share of idiots too.

[AtomicDog]

I think perhaps you need to look beyond AIBU. The number of teachers on MN answering questions, giving advice and support is quite high, if you look in the right topics. Invaluable advice too, as majority of them are also parents and understand what you're going through.
My DCs teachers are fab- really 'get' my children, and nurture and support them. Maybe we've been lucky, but no duff ones yet in six years, three children.

[CloserToFiftyThanTwenty]

It's rare that almost all the information about what has or hasn't happened comes through a child (who may either be an unreliable witness or may have an incentive to be short with the truth). So I tend to take lots of the teaching / school posts with a large pinch of salt unless there are others involved beyond the OP's child.