Why is there so much hostility against teachers on MN?

[Bulb1976]

Is it jealousy? The daily teacher bashing threads on here are ridiculous.

Do you blame us for schools closing?

People on here generally think they know better.

Know what you mean. It's not everyone though.

Ive seriously the hugest of respect for teachers!! Youre epic!!!

I think its because its the one profession most people have had prolonged intimate exposure to themselves, so think they know everything about it.

People bitch and moan about lawyers, accountants, doctors, etc but havent normally spent year upon year in their company, and then had the experience repeated with their own children.

Also, jealousy for the holidays...

I know. For what it's worth, most of my kids' teachers are at the very least decent but mostly really wonderful. I think lots of parents don't know much about pedagogy or how the education system works (which is fair, why would they) but some clearly think they know.

I think it’s because it’s something everyone feels they know something about as everyone has been to school. Also because teaching is not really seen as a profession that should be respected.

I am a teacher and a reasonable one at that but I’m often in awe at the dedication of those I work with.

I think teachers are great! (I'm not a teacher btw!)

I think it’s because the schools are closed and they’re perceived to be having an extended break .

I started a PGDE in primary teaching before I had my children ans left by Christmas because I realised teaching just was not for me (I'm married to a teacher and related to several more). The last week has reminded me with startling clarity why I did it! Teachers are bloody wonderful.

And the holidays . Even though they’re not paid for the holidays .

I see a lot of defence of teachers on here, to be fair. In most cases, I think the majority of posts on a 'teacher bashing thread' side with the teacher. I think overall we get quite a fair hearing on here.

This is going to attract all the people who seem to think that teachers are always saying that they have it hardest.
And loads of teachers will feel they need to justify themselves to the ignorant or hostile.

It's a vocal minority that have a go. Try to just notice the ones who are positive about their kids' teachers, and who stick up for us.

But yeah, everyone thinks they know what teachers do, even though they don't. Then add in how passionate we all are about our kids' welfare, and it's easy to overthink and get our priorities in a twist. Even as a teacher myself, I would sometimes get things out of proportion about my own kids' school experiences.

Because they are paid £££, have a short working day, long holidays, and it's a simple undemanding job. Or at least that's what it looks like.

You haven’t seen what they say about health visitors...sheesh!!

Various reasons.

1. Everyone has been to school, so many people reckon they're an expert on what teachers do and what they should/shouldn't be doing.
2. Lots of people think their child is the only special one, to whom the rules shouldn't apply.
3. Ignorance about teachers' pay and working hours.
4. A complete inability to understand the demands of the job, particularly that of wrangling 30 other people's children at a time all day, even though some of those parents apparently find it tough to look after and discipline their own 1 or 2 children.

It's clear from social media atm that some parents are getting a bit of a wake-up call about this during lockdown. However, others are just using it as another excuse to moan about every piece of distance learning set.

Because they haven't got the first idea about what teachers actually do and because they're horrible people

Because people keep thinking the schools are CLOSED when they're not

Because people don't understand that teachers are on ridiculous performance related pay that relies on YOUR kids performance- so when your kids refuse to do the work/can't do the work the teachers get a pay cut in real terms

Because if I posted that my Dh has been working 15 hour days for the last 2 weeks due to the stuff they NEED to do due to the lockdown then people would just make stupid comments like 'yeah but they chose this/it's a vocation'

Because if I posted that Dh was now going in EVERY day in the Easter holidays as 60% of his staff are sick or have children at home then people would say 'so what, don't you realise the country is in crisis etc etc/ he's a public servant so he has to'

Because if I posted that it looked like all 'holidays' - Easter/May/summer were going to be cancelled and teachers were going to have to go in people would say 'they're getting paid etc etc to stay at home' - no, he'd STILL BE WORKING FLAT OUT

Because parents are now having to attempt to teach their own kids and see how incredibly hard it is 😂 Imagine doing that with 32 of them

Paid 14 weeks holiday and 9-3 work day according to most.

Teachers are fab! After trying to homeschool my 8 year old this week they are worth their weight in gold! How they cope with 30 of the little darlings I’ll never know!

Because parents are finally realising that the teachers are not the problem it's their kids that are and can not stand having them home with them and are seeing how much hard work they are and are mega stressed.

Because MN reads like an outpost of the dreaded DM where teaching's concerned!

I must confess my fellow staff, that I have chuckled when the mums on here can’t even cope with their darling children for just over a week I know I’m terrible