Wondering why there's so much hate for teachers?

[Nannyogg134]

I've just been reading some responses to another thread concerning teachers and working over summer and there's a real mix of thoughts. I know that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but I'm always very taken back by the amount of negative comments regarding teachers (especially regarding workload and school holidays.)

I've taught in a state secondary school for almost 13 years and I came to the job after working in a care home for a few years. There are pros and cons; the school holidays are great (and yes, they are unpaid- teachers are paid per day of their contract, this is term time only, the wage is delivered over 12 monthly payments for ease of life.) However, there is no flexibility, so I rarely see my own children in sport's day, nativities, or even on parent's evening (if it clashes with something at my school.) Overall, I feel very passionately about giving my best to my students and extra time I spend on them feels mostly worthwhile.

However, whenever there is chat about teaching, the general feeling seems to be very negative. I'm just wondering where this seems to come from? Is it the classic 'horrible teacher' stereotype we see on TV etc.? Or is it a leftover from some of our own school days?

I suppose it's not really AIBU, more of a wondering where this issue comes from and if public view can ever be shifted?

No, it was another poster who posted in response to my statement about teacher's salaries her and said "When you say things like that as if they were fact, it does beg the question as to what else you are just making up". That poster and others who expressed incredulity at my post could have taken about 20 seconds to google 'teacher's salary £42336' and they'd have found out where teachers are paid that amount after 5 years. You then asserted 'most schools don't use that pay scale', by which you actually meant most schools in England - but only latterly confirmed that's what you meant.

Topgub
You said that teachers didn't do much....as quoted
People also know teachers. They know the effort (or lack of) that they put in.

Why can people not say the same about parents?

But I was not quoting that person was I? I was quoting you. And no, it is most in the UK given that most of the UK schools are in England hence most would therefore use the teacher pay scale for England?

@bigfootisreal

I did say teachers didn't do much.

The post you've quoted doesn't say that either.

Regardless, you replied to a comment I made about my kids actual experience with an unfounded personal remark and instead of acknowledging how inappropriate that was, you've doubled down on it trying to justify it.

Topgub
It really did say that, it said they didn't put much effort in...

Yes and I can also make the same remark about the experience of many teachers in relation to parents too. Many didn't put much effort in and wanted spoon feeding...

Seems like you can make personal comments about teachers but when the tables are turned you can't accept the same in return.

Topgub
I say this as my personal experience of parents. Most I know did naff all.

You make your personal experience of teachers apply to all. I make my personal experience of parents apply to all....and you don't like it. Why can I not do the same as you?

No, you were right when you corrected yourself latterly - schools in England don't use that pay scale.

@Topgub teachers/schools wanted protection in place during the pandemic to ensure pupils got as much education provision from qualified staff as possible and try and restrict transmission of the virus.

Our local schools were decimated by the virus in the last year when supposedly everything was getting better. Schools had to send year groups home due to lack of staff. Some staff haven’t returned due to severe illness. Many classes were covered by non-qualified staff, just had a body in the room for safeguarding reasons, so pupils were not getting the best education. Supply teachers were pretty much non existent, and even if any were available there was no budget to pay them.

There was a reason schools were asking for mitigation measures

Schools in England do not use that pay scale. Most schools in the UK are in England. So my point is valid, most schools do not use that pay scale.

@toomuchlaundry

Teaching unions were not concerned with children's welfare

In fact I specifically remember asking why they weren't abd being told, why should they be? Children don't pay their subs.

The unions war cry was putting teachers at risk. Even though they never were

No, it's really not valid. Most schools in the UK don't use that pay scale because education is devolved - and so they exist as separate countries and education systems. It doesn't matter if most schools in the UUK are in England, it's completely irrelevant here.

SirChenjins
Also you make the assumption that teachers automatically move up through the pay scale each year which is not the case for many. Many are prevented from moving up the pay scale whichever that might be due to heads who want to keep costs down so ensure they are not eligible.

@Topgub can you point out the threads where it was said unions didn’t care about children’s welfare as they don’t pay the subs.

Isn't it strange how covid cases have come down again. IJust like they did in April. And December. Weird. If only we could work out what was happening at those times we might be able to control covid better. Mmmmm
I predict a rise in cases in Scotland in late August and in England in late September.
No teacher, ever, said school should be closed. But they did want some safety measures, like opening windows. Still don't have those in my upstairs classroom. Or filtration systems like they have in private schools now. V v selfish of us to not want to get sick.

teachinscotland.scot/why-teach/pay-scales/

You're the only one making assumptions here.

• pay increase for 2022 not shown there. Look at the EIS website for that if you really want to.

SirChenjins
I am not making assumptions, it is from experience that I know many teachers do not move up as you say. Yes I am aware of the pay rises but again many will not get these as there is no money in the budgets as budgets have already been done for this year or else some schools will be forced to merge classes or get rid of support staff to fund them.

Teachers were never at risk?

I don’t know why anyone gives a shit about what jobs other adults do. I often think people talk about it as though we’re all randomly assigned jobs with no choice in the matter.

I am a primary school teacher and I’m usually at work for 10-11 hours a day, but I don’t then work when I get home and I mostly avoid working on weekends. This will probably be less doable next year. I do find it at times very stressful and exhausting and I think people who assume teachers have an easy job or don’t work in the holidays as a blanket rule are objectively wrong. However… I knew full well what the job was like when I applied for teacher training. I could leave if I had enough.

As for the holidays - massive perk! I’m not so fussed about the lack of flexibility. I find it easier to just know when I’ll be off. Again - I knew this when I started training. It’s ok for there to be perks like this of a job. If other people want it, they too can train to become teachers. It’s not like I’m chained to this job that has a decent workload, or other people aren’t allowed to do it if they think it’s easy.

Why moan (beyond reason) about a job you chose or get at people for having a job that you could also choose to do? Mental.

Are there teacher retention issue in Scotland @SirChenjins. Are schools reducing their staffing levels to pay these pay rises?

Of course we were at risk, like anyone who went out of the house to work was, but even I would say there was a lot of talk about how we were the most at risk which just wasn’t true. Sadly I think that’s made a lot of people feel unnecessary hostility towards the profession.

Google or the Scottish Govt enquiry line will answer those questions for you @toomuchlaundry - I’m simply confirming the payscales and progression through the points here.

Here are the payscales for another graduate job where the hours are long, the workplace under-resourced and the general public can be pretty horrible to deal with

www.nurses.co.uk/careers-hub/nursing-pay-guide/

@Sherrystrull my 42 year friend who is now dead from covid would disagree with you. Caught in school when we were told kids couldn't transmit it. Which is a load of crap.

@Sherrystrull sorry ! Tagged wrong person 🥺