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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - Teachers

191 replies

LouBlue1507 · 14/12/2016 15:44

Hi everyone!

I am so fed up of reading all the teacher bashing threads lately! Most people have no idea the amount of word they have to do and the stress they are under! Angry

So please share positive stories/experiences of teachers!

Show the appreciation! Grin

OP posts:
MooPointCowsOpinion · 14/12/2016 17:44

I'm a teacher and where I am now the parents are behind us, 100%. It's wonderful. I love teaching, and I easily work 50 hours a week, with at least 15 of those hours being a bit of a waste in terms of actually making a difference to a child's life, and I still love it.

Parents emailing me telling me their kid's face lights up when talking about me, kids writing in their Xmas cards how much they enjoy being in my classroom... It's just awesome. Teachers make every other profession, we are kind of a big deal. Wink

CupofTeaTime · 14/12/2016 17:49

Teachers are brilliant and work hard but they chose to do that job! And get paid well. I have two friends who are teachers. I don't understand all this over the top praise we are expected to give them all the time! If I was to give that to anyone it would be the midwives and nurses in our NHS, who have a more stressful job, work more hours and have to deal with death on a frequent basis. Teachers are not saints

Idiotxit · 14/12/2016 17:53

They care. That's the big thing. They really want the best for the children.
stop bashing them pls!

I've never made a teacher bashing comment ever and I come from a family with plenty of teachers in it, but still I have to say that it's true that lots of teachers care, but really, it's not all of them.

People are quick to criticise and slow to applaud no matter what profession is in question, but the teaching profession is - like any other - a mixed bag of people, in which there is good, bad and indifferent.

It's a tougher job than some, not as tough as others, with highs and lows and responsibility. I don't expect teachers to be saints or martyrs.

Some deserve the criticism, some deserve way more praise than they get. I have to say that I've haven't encountered the slew of 'teacher bashing' threads referred to, but if there has been, then redressing the balance in a realistic manner is not BU.

Mumzypopz · 14/12/2016 17:58

"Teachers make every other profession" Not on your own you don't!!!! Think parents have a lot to do with that as well!? Don't get me wrong, I have a lot if praise for what you do, managing a classroom, educating etc, but that expression is going a wee bit far I think. Midwives bring people into the world, Doctors save people, Policemen keep law and order and save us too in certain situations. It's a good profession and yes restore the balance a bit from teacher bashing, but teachers aren't the best if the best, they are human like the rest if us and make mistakes like the rest if us. Defo not beyond reproach.

MooPointCowsOpinion · 14/12/2016 18:00

Midwives doctors and policemen were all students once... With a teacher.

PlayOnWurtz · 14/12/2016 18:04

boundaries perhaps start a thread about atos staff, social services, the police...Basically any role where people have to make difficult decisions that aren't always popular and you'll find people slamming them.

Teachers, nurses, paramedics, fire fighters...only praise will do.

It's boring.

Mumzypopz · 14/12/2016 18:07

We've all been educated by different people, family, parents, life experiences and yes teachers....but the teachers can't take full responsibility......if they do take full responsibility for how people turn out,cwhat about murderers, thieves, drug addicts etc, do you also take full responsibility for that? Bet not!!!!!

Mumzypopz · 14/12/2016 18:09

Thought teachers these days talk about "working in partnership with parents?"

PlayOnWurtz · 14/12/2016 18:10

By the time they get to year 6 most kids barely get to see their teacher until after sats. Most primary teaching seems to be done by ta's these days or at least in our school it was!

Mumzypopz · 14/12/2016 18:11

Every profession has good and bad people in it, ....whilst I've heard of some excellent teachers who I have nothing but praise for (they didn't save the world) and there are also some bad teachers out there who do a lot of damage.

jellyfrizz · 14/12/2016 18:12

This is going well Hmm

wasonthelist · 14/12/2016 18:12

YANBU - a lot of ignorant teacher bashing has gone on.

I hated school but have fond memories of the teachers (the majority) who tolerated me and persisted in spite of my childish and immature misbehaviour and daftness.

I am sure it's a vocation - I couldn't do it if it was the last job on earth.

Italiangreyhound · 14/12/2016 18:13

My son has had some toileting issues and his amazing teacher and TA have been brilliant. I am so grateful for their work on his behalf. He has three amazing teachers in three years and I am so pleased.

HorseyHorseyTwat · 14/12/2016 18:13

I was at my daughter's nativity today and i was so impressed with how good it was and how much work had obviously gone into it. Splendid job by all the staff!

Lazyafternoon · 14/12/2016 18:15

I think teachers are amazing! I did a PGCE with the aim of entering teaching. OMG!!!! Most exhausting, mentally draining, stressful year of my entire life! I honestly don't know how anyone does it day in day out. Having responsibility for 30 small people pretty much all day every day AND being expected to keep them in some sort of disciplined form AND actually TEACH them stuff AND having parents moan at you constantly about something or other AND all the sodding planning and paperwork that takes every hour left in the day. Then your 'mates' take the piss about what an easy life you've got - forgetting in their job they can nip to the loo or make a cup of tea pretty much any time they like and aren't restricted to ridiculously expensive school holidays to go away. Oh and no you can't take a Friday off to go on a girls weekend away... I have to teach those children of yours...
I never did take to teaching myself. Not for me!!! But I admire anyone that does xxx

HaveNoSocks · 14/12/2016 18:16

Bloody hell OP asked for positive stories and there are still people coming to basically put teachers down. I'm not a teacher but people some people do have weird attitudes and begrudge teachers a bit of praise for doing a very hard job for not much pay. Of course other people deserve praise too (social workers, nurses, care workers and many others) but praise isn't in limited supply.

bloodymincepiez · 14/12/2016 18:16

Usually, though, people aren't bashing teachers as a profession but rather expressing concerns - which may or may not be grounded - with a particular teacher. I'm not too comfortable with the view that teachers can never be challenged (and to do so may risk making you a mockery in the staff room.)

AlmaMartyr · 14/12/2016 18:17

My kids have had absolutely amazing teachers. My DS has SEN and every one of his teachers so far has been totally fantastic. I know he's extremely lucky to get the help that he gets and am very grateful to the school.

We watched the Year 2 nativity yesterday - all 90 kids or so, all doing something. All I could think of was how difficult it must be to get them all a role they're happy with, make their costumes, teach them their lines, get them all in the right place etc. So impressive to pull it off.

HaveNoSocks · 14/12/2016 18:19

bloodymincepiez I don't think teachers can't be criticised if there is a specific problem but OP asked for one thread with some positive stories in it and still people come to moan at teachers.

Mumzypopz · 14/12/2016 18:19

They should be absolutely good at their job, they care for our little ones and that is what they are paid for and yes it is a vocation, they have to love kids to do it....however the teacher bashing comes into play when they are not good at their job, and where they get it wrong....which they often do,because they are human like the rest if us. Nothing wrong with a bit of teacher bashing, if the situation is right to do so.

Idiotxit · 14/12/2016 18:21

Bloody hell OP asked for positive stories and there are still people coming to basically put teachers down

I don't really see anyone putting teachers down here to be honest. Quite a few people have said basically, there's good and bad like any other profession. That's not really a put down, though. Hope not anyway. It all seems fairly balanced so far...

MissDuke · 14/12/2016 18:24

I think it is ok to criticise someone for doing a poor job - whether they are a waitress, hairdresser, nurse or indeed teacher. That doesn't mean everyone in that profession is crap!!

My dd had an awful year last year with a substitute teacher - she was not good at all, it was their final year in primary and most of the children were miserable. On their last day, my dd got up and literally ran out the door and didn't look back - made me very sad.

Dd2 was to then get the same teacher this year for her first year of primary as maternity cover and I was absolutely gutted - I burst into tears when I read the letter..... However this teacher is absolutely brilliant in p1, I honestly couldn't be happier and don't want her to leave when the permanent teacher comes back. I love her! I have been shouting it from the roof tops as I did (for the first time ever) complain a lot about this teacher to friends and even the head at one point. I am now raving about her to everyone and told her as much to her face. I have spent a fair bit on her Christmas present because I am so grateful for the genuine affection she has shown my dd and the way she has made learning so much fun.

So not only is it stupid to tar all teachers with the same brush.... it is even stupid to make assumptions about an individual teacher. This teacher clearly is more suited to ks1, she told me that herself, and needed to be given a chance to prove herself.

bloodymincepiez · 14/12/2016 18:28

Op has claimed to be "fed up" of reading the teacher bashing threads because "most people have no idea of the work they have to do."

Yes, we all know teachers work hard, because they make sure we know it! Yet retail staff being asked to work minimum wage in Boxing Day - well, they signed up to do it. Madness!

MrsFozziwig · 14/12/2016 18:29

Most primary teaching seems to be done by ta's these days or at least in our school it was!

Most?

Really?

Actually most?

So someone getting paid around £13k with a Level 1 or 2 qualification was doing most of the teaching in your school?

Bollocks.

CaraAspen · 14/12/2016 18:32

OP:
Yes, good luck with this invitation!!
Everyone hates teachers because everyone remembers a teacher they hated, no!?