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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think some teachers are useless and only in the job for a cushy life....

56 replies

DefinitelyPeppa · 26/11/2013 19:22

....and that many many more are doing the best they can in a difficult job and that some are absolute gems who should be paid at least double their salary and given some sort of medal?

Fed up with hearing teacher bashing for no good reason other than "they get lots of holidays so why are they on strike?" - and I say that having met too many shocking teachers so can see reason for criticism at times, but when it's really deserved.

But had parent's evening tonight, first one after dd was HE'd for 1.5 years as teaching at her last school was frankly crap, and dd's teacher seriously ought to get some sort of commendation or at least a bonus. He's always cheerful, always seems to have time for dd and is amazing at focusing on what's she doing right, not what she's doing wrong. Told us dd is doing brilliantly and even though it's not been 3 months there yet can't help thinking much of that is down to him - dd's last report (from old school) was full of how she wasn't doing very well at all and needed to improve just about everything. Am almost in tears at what a difference he's making for her and can't help thinking for every teacher worth complaining about there must be one of him going unmentioned too.

OP posts:
teacherandguideleader · 26/11/2013 21:49

I think there are at least as many good teachers as bad, but people are far more likely to pick up on the bad ones. And like someone else has said, what is good for one person, is bad for another. I didn't train to do what I do now, I kind of fell into it. If you put me back into what I trained to do, I think I'd be pretty crap!

A few years ago I worked with someone who was awful. We shared a class. People knew she was awful but there was a lack of evidence. I did a lot of her work for her as I couldn't stand by and watch the kids fail.

People who go into for a cushy life don't last long!

BlackholesAndRevelations · 26/11/2013 21:59

Cushy life?! Wtaf? Do people still really think that?

Cushy life my arse.

Your DD's new teacher sounds fab, op. Sadly there are teachers out there who have become jaded over time and are stuck in a rut and don't even seem to like kids much actually and it is a shame that they are still allowed to teach but like a pp said, you get good and bad in every profession.

youarewinning · 26/11/2013 22:06

Yabu for thinking even crap teachers have a cushy life. Teaching is not an easy job full stop. In fact, some of the bad teachers put more effort in than the good ones because they are accountable for all progress, or lack of, pupils make.
But like in every profession there are people suited to the job and those that aren't.

I've also seen really bad teachers become outstanding ones because they really do want to do the job, and really do care, so work damn hard at it.

Spinkle · 26/11/2013 22:24

Teaching is harder than it ever has been. You cannot "phone it in" and expect to keep your job these days. You have to be fully committed and expect to make it your lifestyle.

This is not "cushy"

HellonHeels · 26/11/2013 22:33

I'm at a loss to understand what anyone would think was cushy about teaching?

Early starts, after school and evenings taken up with lesson planning, marking, ofsted preps and god knows what else. Behavioural issues (pupils and parents) Keeping up with constantly changing priorities; curriculum interference from the likes of Gove.

Jinsei · 26/11/2013 22:42

YANBU. DD has had four main teachers in her five years at school. I would say that three have been excellent and one has been outstanding. Luckily, we've got the outstanding one again this year - she is incredibly talented and totally committed to what she does. I'm a bit in awe of her tbh.

There are around 14 teachers at dd's school. I've heard rumours that one of them isn't so great, but I've only heard good reports about the others and the general feeling seems to be that they are all brilliant and very dedicated. I feel that teachers are much maligned.

SatinSandals · 27/11/2013 07:59

I agree that some are useless, but if they think it will give a'cushy life' they will soon find out their mistake!!

Eebahgum · 27/11/2013 08:50

Completely agree with autumnwind - it's easy enough to declare that all "bad" teachers should be sacked and all "good" ones given pay rises but who decides good and bad. The government are currently trying to do this - judging us by test results and the progress children have made. And yet some teachers can have great test results and children shaking with fear knowing they are going to their class. Are they good? I'd rather be judged by the opinions of my pupils and parents - but then every teacher has children and parents that don't like their teaching style. And as for cushy... Trust me, no teacher has a cushy life - especially the ones who are deemed to be crap.

BabyMummy29 · 27/11/2013 16:52

I guess it's like any job - those on the outside looking in don't have a clue what actually goes on.

They see kids in school from 9 to 3ish for 195 days of the year and presume teachers do the same.

I've been doing it for 30 years now and it is SO much more demanding and stressful that it was back then.

I can remember teachers walking out at 3.15 with only their handbags and coming in at 8.55

Changed days!

thebody · 27/11/2013 16:58

the best teachers aren't the ones who work the hardest they are the ones who work their pupils the hardest because they care and want them succeed.

1charlie1 · 27/11/2013 17:19

Still laughing (a little bitterly) at the 'all-powerful teaching unions' ability to force the retention of bad teachers comment! Do you know how easy it is for SMT to pursue capability proceedings against pretty much anyone they take against? When my brilliant DH was being horrendously bullied by the toxic SMT at his last school, his union were less than useless, utterly unable to assist in any way, and actually advised DH to 'cooperate with the process' despite DH having loads of evidence that they were talking bollocks. (And the fact that co-operation would actually render him unemployable.) He was given much better support and advice from a not very 'all powerful' education blogger we happened to find on the internet, who was extremely sympathetic - and said DH's experience was all too common.

DH is now once again doing his usual fantastic job in a new school, enjoying better money, immeasurably better conditions (sadly, his experience drove him out of the state sector, never having thought he would go independent) after nearly having his career destroyed by his previous Head while the union just sat back and watched (or rather, didn't watch, because frankly it seemed they either plain couldn't help or just didn't give a toss.)

The might of the 'all powerful teaching union' is as much a lie as the great pensions and cushy hours ones.

scottishmummy · 27/11/2013 21:09

echt you've never seen a moaney teachers post on mn?where have you been?
Teachers are well represented on mn and vocal and vociferious about their perceived malaise

ReluctantBeing · 27/11/2013 21:11

If I wanted a cushy life I would give up teaching.

BlackholesAndRevelations · 27/11/2013 21:28

"vocal and vociferous about their perceived malaise", scottishmummy? What does that even mean?

Hmm Confused

junkfoodaddict · 27/11/2013 21:30

reluctantbeing I am with you on that.
I absolutely LOVE teaching but I DETEST the education system as it is at the moment in this country.
My colleague has just switched to the private sector. It has its pluses and minuses but the positive far outweighs the negatives and there are a lot more positives too (smaller classes - 11 children for a start, more non-teaching time so more time to plan, research and prep outstanding lessons, more time with family and the same salary. The only 'negative' is that the day is slightly longer by about 45 minutes!)

scottishmummy · 27/11/2013 21:32

Go use uncle google,type slowly
Vocal
Vociferous
Malaise
That should kill some time.

BlackholesAndRevelations · 27/11/2013 21:36

Ooh bitchy!

As far as I'm aware "vocal" and "vociferous" are pretty much synonyms therefore no point using them in the same sentence.

"perceived malaise"? People perceive teachers as being uneasy or coming down with something?

Maybe "uncle google" will shed some light for me..... Hmm

walkinghaphazardlybystarlight · 27/11/2013 21:37

Charlies husband's experiences match mine.

I've never known a union stop capability. Mostly the teacher resigns.

scottishmummy · 27/11/2013 21:37

Not at all you're struggling,go start google
Might be just right level

scottishmummy · 27/11/2013 21:39

I'll get you started Malaise in this context is emotional state of discontent,not physical ailment

BlackholesAndRevelations · 27/11/2013 21:41

Please forgive me for not understanding your grammatically incorrect, punctuation-free ramblings, scottishmummy.

scottishmummy · 27/11/2013 21:45

Oh gosh seeing you put it so nicely,polite n'All I forgive you
After all it wouldn't be good form to get arsey about online composition

HopeClearwater · 28/11/2013 00:20

You think it's hard to get rid of a bad teacher? Try getting rid of a bad headteacher. Even if they are persuaded to go, they'll manage to get another job somewhere, often in the county education office. You can't rid the system of them. Perform poorly as a Head at a previously good school? You'll have no trouble getting a job at the sink school down the road.

echt · 28/11/2013 06:03

Perhaps I should have expressed it better, scottishmummy: I have never ever seen a thread started where a teacher moaned about their job or said it was worse than anyone else's, nor have i veer seen a teacher say this. Without exception the posts by teachers have always been in response to threads/posts that state or imply that it's a doss teaching. That is not moaning, it's responding.

Calling it moaning is a way of dismissing the content of the matter, in much the same way that a woman who points out the need for the table to be cleared for the umpteenth time is a nag.

By the way, "perceived malaise"? What does that even mean? Do you mean imagined discontent?

echt · 28/11/2013 06:04

I ever. FFS iPad

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