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?

We got our own board on MN because we asked, just like the Preppers have their own section. Instead of sitting in our arses complaining that everyone else gets nice things and it’s not fairrrrrr.

IRL, I’ve rarely had a parent come storming in, incandescent and shrieking about something though, they usually just ask and listen to the answer, and then explain. A conversation.
Whereas online it’s like being a target in a Mad Max extravaganza.
I live in the city I teach in, often meet parents and pupils past and present and they are almost always pleased to see me. Not had a hostile one in years. So maybe it’s mostly online aggression.

@grimalkins

I doubt a lot of the posters on mumsnet behave in real life as they do on mumsnet! There seems to be a lot of pent up anger and aggression on here.

You get “those parents” just like you get “ those teachers”. I’ve met teachers who refuse to be challenged on anything and are shockingly bad at dealing with parents/children. Some who seem miserable doing the job and clearly feel it’s not for them. Some are in it because they like authority. Then there are amazing, inspirational teachers who are very good st what they do. They change childrens’ lives. I’ve met some of the most annoying parents who keep needling at teachers about every god damn thing from their precious pippa’s stick man scribble not being given first prize to refusing to believe their child is actually a little shite and not an angel after all. Then there are parents who are neglectful who don’t care, then some who do care but let the school manage the pupils. Then there are supportive parents too who make teachers jobs easier by bringing their children up to be polite and respectful. You can’t just demonise or make teachers in to heroes. It’s not black and white.

Yes but what’s driving’s the anger? They don’t seem to realise that we want every child to do well

Nobody is asking you to make teachers heroes. Just don’t spew daily venom and hatred on them. That’s not a lot to ask.

I don’t see anger but I’ve only seen one teaching post which was more about holidays than anything. I see some parents get angry when they think their child is getting picked on by a teacher, or unfairly blamed but these are often “ those parents “. It must be annoying as a teacher dealing with that shit. There’s no hate from me

They don’t seem to realise that we want every child to do well

You can't speak for all teachers.

It's also not just about wanting them to do well. It's treating them fairly. Which not all teachers do.

As many have said...it's a parenting forum and us parents come into contact with teachers regularly and our DC tell us things about incidents st school that we choose to seek advice on.

I find many teachers on MN defend other teachers and dispute what the parent posting says...because a teacher couldn't possibly be wrong.

I recall a thread where the mum said her DS was hit on the head with a book by the teacher ... yet teachers on here still thought it was okay...because her DS had been talking in class.

There are excellent teachers, good teachers, average ones and poor ones.

Just like in any other profession.

Pamplemousecat Yeah there are no daily anti teacher threads

I think it’s jealousy of supposedly working family friendly hours and getting more holidays than any other profession. They don’t see the reality that teachers don’t just work 8.30am - 3pm and that, aside from being at home (often working) during the holidays, it isn’t really a family friendly job at all. They don’t understand how much the education system has changed since they were at school and how pay progression is linked to exam results. The UK’s children are now some of the unhappiest in the world and it’s teachers who have to deal with hundreds of them (if you teach secondary) per day. Most teachers love the teaching part but they hate all the extra crap that comes with the job. But they are also not allowed to vent because that attracts more negativity from parents. It’s a vicious circle.

Ah jealousy? Ok that does make some sense.

No matter anyone's personal opinion. Teachers in UK are leaving in droves, for a reason. Not doing that in other countries. Pay more, more holidays, less criticism. That's what every country with a successful educational system does. They reduced teachers hours, they pay more . Fucking obvious.

Nothing in the threads I've read indicate jealousy.

I find it irritating that the suggestion of speaking to a teacher about an incident or making a complaint, means you become "that parent".

If not speaking up for my child when they are treated unfairly makes me that parent ... then so be it.

I have 2 SILS who are teachers and used to be a school governor. I know it's a challenging job with resources reducing all the time.... i know some of the kids are a PITA. I've seen it when I used to help with reading support and on school trips but where a parent has a valid issue, then seeking opinions or venting on MN is pretty normal for ppl who use the site.

Shit happens it’s like you’re spoiling for a fight. You don’t really want to hear the responses you just pounce gleefully on something unpleasant like the word jealousy with odd smugness. I’m certainly not jealous of teachers. I wouldn’t like it as a job under any circumstances.

Pamplemoose feel free not to add to this thread then.

Jealousy makes sense as tbh it’s the only thing that would explain it.

The only reason I say jealousy is because of all the times I’ve seen comments like “I wish I only worked from 8.30 -3pm and got paid 35k for the privilege ”, “try being a and having to work nights/Christmas/12 hour shifts and not getting 14 weeks annual leave each year ”. “Ha! You think teaching is stressful? Try doing MY job/trying to arrange childcare.”
Etc etc. I’ve seen it many times on here and in real life.

Of course not everyone is jealous of teachers but IMO some of the nastiest comments are from people who are. But only really because they don’t have a clue about the realities of the job and think it’s a far cushier number than it is.

I think there are also enough teacher supporters and teachers who tell the truth about the realities on websites like this to more than counteract the nastier attitudes.

Obviously as everyone went to school they are themselves experts in all things educational.

I played operation as a child and likewise I feel that I am well equipped to carry out most major surgeries.

You seem so bitter shit. Do you not enjoy your job?

Oh and I’ll feel free to comment if I want to or not. You might be a teacher but you don’t get to dictate what goes here

I don't think its jealousy. Some have genuine issues with teachers, others don't. That's pretty much it. You get good and bad teachers, just like you get good and bad in every other profession.

I don’t think it’s jealousy so much as having a captive audience to rant at. Like the number of women I’ve met who think their child’s teacher fancies them, or they fancy him because he’s polite to them.
There are a lot of unhappy women out there feeling inadequate in most of the spheres they move in, and getting stroppy with a teacher is an easy release.
Yes, sometimes the anger is valid, sometimes they’ve misunderstood situation and once explained and interpreted (as long as it’s not done in a patronising manner) they’re feeling much more secure.
But sometimes they just want to yell about something that’s their fault and they aren’t happy about it and looking to deflect and dump. Those are the tricky issues, because they go round in circles.

I’ve apologised numerous times in my long career, but like Southern rail, an apology is worth nothing if it’s not backed up with positive action.

I've just done teacher training as s mature student and one of the best pieces of advice from a lecturer was when asked what you do make up a job, he says he designs golf courses as everyone has an opinion about teaching and education as everyone has done it whether good or bad.

I think some people are more invested in their child than others & don't understand the demands of trying to juggle several classes per day plus extras like duty, meetings, planning. So they don't realise how difficult it is to prioritise their child.

They get annoyed about

• having to find childcare in the holidays.
• INSET days
• holidays costing more during school hols

They don't comprehend that many teachers are also parents that

• they need childcare themselves in term time so they can be there by 8/8.15
• they never get a break from children
• they will always have to pay top whack for a holiday even when their kids are grown up

Yes the level of moaning about teachers is high. I think they should all give it a go if it's that amazing.

Teachers; private landlords; travellers; anyone of faith - you can almost set your calendar by the negative threads about them.