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?

BritWifeinUSA

My only issue with teachers is that many - not all, but many - are convinced that they are the most over-worked, most stressed, most under-paid people in the world.

I have seen this said about teachers but never heard a teacher say it or even infer it.

But people like to think that they can post anything about teachers (not you as such) and then are pissy when informed otherwise.

@Pentium85, you have made me laugh.
Of course it's not easy. I am well aware that it is a demanding career where much of the work is unseen.

My post was slightly tongue-in-cheek.

It's a vocation not a job.

Teaching is stressful, it's known to be. It's a performance day, whilst being responsible for herding 30 cats an hour towards shared and individual goals.

But it's also bloody fabulous. The stress and intensity of the terms is balanced by the holidays even with exam marking/prep etc.

But it is a bit mad during normal terms.

My only issue with teachers is that many - not all, but many - are convinced that they are the most over-worked, most stressed, most under paid people in the world.

I've only seen this kind of thing on here, usually from teachers defending themselves against a thread started by a parent. We then get jumped on for defending ourselves and told that we're "not special" and don't have the hardest job in the world. When we never said anything like that. But it definitely comes from a defensive point of view imo.

I once posted a Facebook status complaining about parents being 45 minutes late for their parents' evening appointment. Someone replied that "parents work too" and said I'm "not special". It's like no teacher can complain or defend themselves or parents pile on being nasty.

99% of teachers are well aware that we don't work harder nor are more stressed than a lot of other professions. It just doesn't come across when trying to defend ourselves against vitriolic threads. There have been at least 3 or 4 since the lockdown saying that we're not doing anything, we get paid too much for doing said nothing, we shouldn't have our holidays and we're "not special" and just need to shut up and work because that's what the rest of the country are doing, when that's all we've been doing in the first place.

It's really frustrating!

@blackberrysoup is that as nice as cherry soup? I’ve never tried it!

I’m pretty sure that teaching isn’t the most stressful job, although when you’re in the thick of it with 20 rowdy Set 4 Year 11s who really don’t understand why they’re being made to do xyz subject, it can feel very bad.

I’m sure air traffic control, active front line army, police, surgeons holding life and death literally in their hands and loads of other jobs are far more stressful.

Saying that, I’d love to see the ones moaning about teachers thrown into a class full of reluctant learners, just for a day. 😂

Because no ones perfect and people would like to be able to discuss issues they are having with people who have a great deal of influence and responsibility in their children's lives. Teachers are and should not be exempt from discussion and/or criticism. Personally I think many teachers play their part pretty equally in the them and us interactions with parents.

From what I can threads criticising teachers are usually shut down promptly and strenuously and never go very far. Where are all these threads? I've not seen a single one today.

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

Why would you come on here moaning about parents' attitudes to teachers then post something derogatory about parents?

Jesus, Mumsnet is just awash with people making superior judgments of other people or assuming other people are making judgments about them. I feel a flounce coming on. I don't recognise the world you all live in.

At the risk of being flamed, I have had a education moan this weekend and I'd welcome feedback on if iabu or not. My husband is a doctor, I'm a nurse. Our nursery shut on Friday because they decided "it just wasn't worth the risk". I have to admit I cried (a lot) and then was cross. I have no choice, my husband has no choice - we've been putting in 12 hour days for last 2 weeks. Now our beautiful child has no choice but to go somewhere new as those same nursery directors that "didn't want to take the risk" need my husband and I to be at work. I appreciate I am emotional about this because I'm tired but I was so hacked off.

Why would you come on here moaning about parents' attitudes to teachers then post something derogatory about parents?

Indeed. It goes both ways. There's been some lovely threads moaning about parents and their ridiculous expectations, usually on the education boards, but that's ok. They never get shut down or criticised.

Oh and I love having my "little darling" at home - why so sneery by the way? - and would have her here all the time if I could

I don't think there is much hostility towards teachers on MN. I would say in general it is pretty supportive of teachers, much more than the general population

Some teachers are crap, I think most people can remember a teacher they disliked. And yes there is the odd teacher who does the whole 'I work harder than you'', its quite annoying. I think in the general public there is the opinion teachers have it easy, and I do think teachers get quite defensive as a result. And perceive one twat who dislikes their sons teacher as 'teacher bashing'.

I have parents who are teachers, I know how hard they work. Its tough, but it can be frustrating when they tell me they have no time to do things when they have 13 weeks off a year and have been on 8 holidays in the last 12 months. When they book a holiday and expect me to be able to come ( no, its august/christmas/easter. When they tell me they need a break, thankgod its half term ( yes I need a break too)

I think its jealousy too. I am jealous of their holidays, the fact no matter how hard it gets there's always a break after 7 weeks. But to be perfectly honest Im paid better than a teacher, and its a difficult job so Im not going to become one

It does get me though when it comes to the holidays (or lockdown) and people start talking about how they need their DC to go back to school. f you can't cope with your kids all day how do you expect a teacher. Imagine 30 parents who all can't cope with their 2 DC!!

I think overall we get quite a fair hearing on here.

Yes, me too. I don't think we come off any worse than most people - and some people on here seem to think teachers are demi-gods who couldn't possibly do any wrong. They balance out the other end of the spectrum!

Possibly because as in every profession there are bad teachers. There are obviously good ones too but you don't post to complain about good teachers.

I have seen this said about teachers but never heard a teacher say it or even infer it.

Me too.

What tends to happen is someone bitches that teachers are whinge bags who don’t know what it’s like in the real world because they work 9-3/have half the year off on holiday/play in the sand. Then, teachers reply saying, ‘actually, we work quite hard!’ and that same someone says, ‘see, I said all teachers were whinge bags!’

@SallyLovesCheese but its the same with everyone. If I posted a status about how my patients are always fucking late Id get shot down Its not exclusive to teachers.

Its quite unprofessional to post that on FB, what did you expect?. You are never going to defend yourself against parents because of the working relationship.

One of the best pieces of advice I was given on training was when asked what you do is make up a career. He said he designed golf courses, he explained that everyone has an opinion on teachers and teaching as it was one thing most people have an experience of whether positive or negative and usually want to tell you so lie 😂

Surely it's because virtually every child is impacted at some point by having a teacher who isn't very good.

I'm one of those mums who can't cope with her little darlings for just over a week. And I'm a teacher.

Attempting to teach children subjects or year groups you are not trained in, whilst also trying to do your 'real job' is bloody hard. Probably even harder if you've never done any teaching at all.

Have a stressful caring public sector job myself but could not do what teachers do. 100% respect and so sorry you are bombarded with entitled and critical parents...

I am in awe of the staff at my son's school and miss their presence massively now. There are few people more valuable in the world than a caring and dedicated teacher ❤️

I'm sorry you feel that way OP.

I think teachers are fantastic - well the huge majority are!

Teaching is hard, hours are long, pay is not great (and fuck the twats who go on about your long holidays - the point is you're effectively not paid for them!).

Some people are just dicks. Have a box of chocs and a wine on me

To tell you the truth, l’ve given up rising to the bait. 25 years of being told that I wasted my science degree by ‘only’ being a primary school teacher, being told by the world and his dog how easy my job was.

I’ve lost count of the number of parents who have sworn at me snd children who have thrown things at me. I remember every child that I helped to that ‘lightbulb’ moment when they finally understood. I remember the children that I fed when they were to hungry to learn.

I’ve retired now (worked past my ‘official retirement age’ by a few years).

I loved my job and have never regretted my devision to become a teacher but, I have to say given the present environment, I am not sure I would recommend it to anyone. Perhaps all those experts would do it properly?

derr too not to!

I left education last year and have never regretted it. So tired of being attacked physically and verbally by pupils, hounded by appalling parents and offered zero support from SLT. It’s a dreadful job and the teaching assistants/pupil support assistants are treated even worse. Low pay and horrible conditions.

but its the same with everyone. If I posted a status about how my patients are always fucking late Id get shot down Its not exclusive to teachers.

Its quite unprofessional to post that on FB, what did you expect?. You are never going to defend yourself against parents because of the working relationship.

Chill, it was just an example! I never said it was exclusive to teachers - you've kind of proved my point!!

Because they are paid £££, have a short working day, long holidays, and it's a simple undemanding job.

Hahahahahahaaaaaaaa