Why are teachers fair game on MN?

[shithappens123]

Seriously the daily amount of goady teaching baiting posts are ridiculous.

I really want to know why are teachers such an easy target on here? AIBU to suggest that there is disproportionate attacks teachers like there is no other profession on MN?

During the school year, I'd hardly exchange more than a few words with most parents; then there would be the ones where you couldn't do right, and you began to think all the parents felt that way!
Then, come the end of term, lovely kind messages, thoughtful gifts, warm thanks....the majority were perfectly happy, or were able to sort out blips easily. But why would they post on Mumsnet? "My DC had a lovely day today, and is progressing well". Not very newsworthy!

Because a parent has one (maybe 2-3) children. They are there world and revolve their life around them.

Teachers are responsible for up to 30 pupils - secondary teachers may see over 100 pupils in a day.

To a teacher your child is just a number and some parents (I suspect the portion who rant about teachers online) can't understand/accept that.

BTW - I'm not a teacher.

Because teachers are fair game in real life.
Everyone went to school and there is a certain type of person who thinks that it gives them special information about how to do your job.
I taught for 30 years, and whilst many parents understand that you have the best interests of their child at heart there are some who can't wait to come in and make their feelings known. Some even go straight to the Head because they don't like you 'telling off' their child. Even a mild rebuke like 'Please don't throw the rubber across the table Tamara.' becomes a major issue for some parents.
Unfortunately there were no lectures on how to deal with parents when I trained, and I am pretty sure there aren't now.
It goes with the territory I am afraid.

It’s also part of the performance/defensive mode of parenting. Anything that distresses, upsets or annoys your child needs to be annihilated. Blasted out of existence until there’s nothing left but a greasy spot. Otherwise you are a Bad, indifferent Parent and will be judged by your peers.
Doesn’t matter that they are one of thirty, that you never taught them to compromise or that manners are a good thing. Or that their property wasn’t named.
Teachers are fair game because like retail staff, we can’t tell the truth or refuse to interact, and often SLT are too busy covering their own arses.
Yes, the holidays are over. Let the frothing, threats of violence and insults begin! Gladiators Ready!

But why should teachers put up with it? These are same parents that can’t deal with spending time with their own children in the holidays.

Not saying it’s acceptable but it’s an emotive subject. Teachers are taking care of their kid during the day and have an impact on how well they do in life.

When I saw this thread I knew it would be you that started it

Because as a parent, you get bossed around by teachers just as you did as a kid, and it's annoying. You put up with it so as not to be slagged off in the playground or have your kid suffer, but mumsnet is for venting. Obviously not all teachers boss parents about just as not all parents moan about teachers on mumsnet.

@thepurpledinosaur

Have I missed something?

Let it flow over you. One in ten complaints will be significant and needs serious thinking, for the rest, make comforting, sympathetic noises until their fury dies down and you can see what the real problem is.
Over the years, you will see the same types reincarnated over and over again. I no longer take it personally, sometimes they just need to yell at someone and you are the cannon fodder.

Start with the resentment over 13 weeks holiday and just pile the rest on.

@thepurpledinosaur Your point being? Yes I’m a teacher aren’t we allowed to have feelings?

Because they believe that little Tarquin and Jemima can do no wrong and these nasty, nasty teachers are totally picking on their precious darlings?
Because they were shit pupils themselves?
Because mummy and daddy never taught them respect for teachers?
Because there's been a shift in how children are brought up, all rights and no responsibilities?

I have enormous respect for teachers. In a situation of conflict, I would back the teacher rather than my child (unless the teacher was clearly in the wrong, but even then, I wouldn't actually say that to my child, I'd discuss it with the teacher). My kid knows not to come crying to me if he gets a bad comment in his diary for misbehaviour - mama will probably tell him off for said misbehaviour. Unfortunately far too many kids are dragged up to become bloody horrible, selfish, entitled and disrespectful brats with no boundaries. By their equally entitled parents.

Don’t take it personally.
There is a strata that dislike female nurses too.

You often say that everyone has it on for teachers. They don't.

On was meant to say in.

I used to be a teacher (10 years) .
It's bloody hard at any age group and it's getting harder. Until anyone has been a teacher, they haven't a clue.
I'm so glad I got out.

Criticism of teachers is completely out of order. After all, who has ever met a teacher who moans incessantly about:
Working hours
Marking
Lesson plans
Their salary
Expensive holidays
Targets
The government
Management
Exam boards
Etc etc.

No, me neither!

And as for getting thirteen weeks annual leave when everyone else gets four or five, it’s an outrageously small allowiance!

Actually nobody is allowed to speak ill of any teacher on mumsnet under any circumstances. They are the holiest of holy and should be revered by all. Bow down!
Teachers make mistakes, people come on mumsnet to moan.
Doctors make mistakes, people come on mumsnet to moan.
Trains are late/flight was delayed/ dog walkers in park. Everybody is fair game on mumsnet so chill out.
It is a sounding board, honestly stop being so precious. The Ladys little daughter didn’t have lunch today, I would be mighty pissed off too.

I think it's because they are always moaning and wanting sympathy for their workload. Everyobody is busy and we dont all get to work term time only. The fact that they constantly complain is madness. My mother in law is a teacher but she never complains. She loves her job and always says how amazing it was to always be around during the school holidays with her kids and now with her grandchildren.

If some teachers feel they are being hard done by, then they should just leave, they are obviously unsuitable.

Teachers are always moaning?! Oh yeah sorry I can’t recall seeing those daily threads

If some teachers feel they are being hard done by, then they should just leave, they are obviously unsuitable

They have, in droves.

Which part of the massive retention and recruitment crisis have you missed?

Funnily enough, I often think MN is biased towards teachers.

I’ve always wondered why teachers have their own forum on here when other occupations don’t.

Sadly, it's not just on Mumsnet. Teacher bashing is an Olympic sport where I live. They are all lazy underpaid losers with too much time off. The old adage "if you can, do, if you can't, teach" comes to mind.

My DH was a high school teacher. I know how hard he worked. Usually he spent several hours on Sunday marking and prepping. He had to work with very difficult kids with not much support. He coached sports teams after school and took kids on field trips.

The fact that he only had specified dates off made it difficult for us to travel anywhere because the prices skyrocketed. We vacationed near home for that reason.

But it had its rewards. Years later he still has former students stop him, with a "hi Mr. D." He gets caught up on their lives, and usually gets told he was a favourite.

We have a Christmas tree ornament he was give that says "if you can, teach."

Maybe because some teachers on MN don't seem to be able to accept that a teacher has got it wrong? That no parent can ever have legitimate grounds for complaint, and are being precious and That Parent, and their child's (diagnosed) SEN does not exist and is simply an excuse for bad behaviour?

Luckily IRL most teachers are realistic about their profession, and can see that (like every profession) it has some members that are incompetent/ uncaring - while others (reasonably) are overwhelmed by the workload, bureaucracy, etc or simply sometimes have a bad day. Most do an excellent job with fewer and fewer resources.