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?

there are definitely “Union threads”. One poster in particular posts threads based obviously on the campaigns and policy of a teachers union. I think that’s fine but you need to at least explain that it’s the union’s position/ research and not act like it’s something that’s just occurred to you.

I'm not sure that's fair (assuming we are thinking of the same teacher).

There were lots of TV news shots of socially distanced classrooms, and pupils all wearing masks etc. This poster was pointing out that was not the reality in schools. Similarly pointing out that children 'in school' that first term were not being educated as such generally. Similarly when pay rises are announced I think it is fair to make sure parents are aware there is no extra money so in fact these pay rises will mean cuts elsewhere. She also almost always posts links to the source information so people can make up their own minds.

It isn't surprising if a teacher's view corresponds to a teaching union, but to imply this was some kind of undercover union operation is I think unfair.

@TeenDivided i complained numerous times to BBC for their inaccurate images of schools during lockdown. What about that image of Boris talking to 3 or 4 socially distanced pupils in a classroom and then the camera accidentally panned out to show the rest of the class huddled together in a corner!

I also noticed they only went to schools where the buildings were modern and not falling into disrepair

@TeenDivided I’m sure we are. She posts threads on various matters that are Union campaigns and policies but doesn’t ever say anything about unions. She presents them as if they are personal matters. I don’t think it’s a problem to post union material but be transparent and explain where it’s come from.

I don’t know if the union itself are encouraging this or if she just decides to do it on her own but I think the above stands.

doesn’t ever say anything about unions

You really are confident in your total nonsense, aren't you? Hilarious.

This was one of my most recent threads, btw. www.mumsnet.com/talk/coronavirus/4595792-unions-ask-cleverly-to-have-a-covid-plan-for-schools-for-winter

If I'm posting something that comes from a union, I say it is, and link to it.

I don't work for any union, no one tells me what to write, I post whatever I want to.

HTH.

I don’t think it’s at all bad for teachers to post about education funding nor did I ever say anything like that.

I do think it’s bad for a group of people to bully and attack others because they can’t bear any criticism that they perceive is of them or their profession. The threads I am talking about above were of people worried because their children were able to go to school (despite there being reasons why they should) and not getting any schoolwork. @CallmeAngelina and other teachers were attacking the parents, claiming they were lying. They were also bizarrely trying to blame the parents if the schools weren’t giving any work (apparently because the parents hadn’t forced the school- as if somehow they could).

Basically there is a group of angry mn teachers who try to shut down any discussion of education that doesn’t conform to their opinions - active over lockdown in particular. I think that’s not on at all. Education is vitally important to mums and we should be able to discuss a parents perspective on mn.

of course as I stated above- is a particular group on mn. Not all teachers at all (certainly the ones I know irl don’t generally behave like that).

I don’t think it’s at all bad for teachers to post about education funding nor did I ever say anything like that.

I do think it’s bad for a group of people to bully and attack others because they can’t bear any criticism that they perceive is of them or their profession. The threads I am talking about above were of people worried because their children were able to go to school (despite there being reasons why they should) and not getting any schoolwork. @CallmeAngelina and other teachers were attacking the parents, claiming they were lying. They were also bizarrely trying to blame the parents if the schools weren’t giving any work (apparently because the parents hadn’t forced the school- as if somehow they could).

Basically there was a group of angry mn teachers who try to shut down any discussion of education that doesn’t conform to their opinions over lockdown in particular. I think that’s not on at all. Education is vitally important to mums and we should be able to discuss a parents perspective on mn.

of course as I stated above- is a particular group on mn. Not all teachers at all (certainly the ones I know irl don’t generally behave like that).

Gosh - how do you know it was you I was referring to? Description must have been accurate enough.

I've had people throwing total bullshit at me on this site long enough to know exactly who they mean when they don't have the balls to name me....

Same old nonsense.

So @MsPincher when teachers pointed out that it wasn’t possible to get mobile classrooms and the reasons why, was it right that parents then posted that teachers were being lazy, argumentative, putting barriers up and not giving solutions

Teachers seem to get it much more in the neck for education than the Government who are responsible for funding and what mainly happens in schools

MsPincher

Basically there was a group of angry mn teachers who try to shut down any discussion of education that doesn’t conform to their opinions over lockdown in particular.

So teachers shouldn't argue robustly their side of the discussion as its shutting down discussion?

Other than rewriting what actually happened this is just another way of saying that teachers should stfu and get on with it.

Basically there was a group of angry mn teachers who try to shut down any discussion of education that doesn’t conform to their opinions over lockdown in particular

Ah, "shutting down". The bleating of those who views are contradicted.

I thought it was all about a group of angry MN parents who try to shut down any discussion of education (and who are constantly negative about teachers) that does not conform to their opinions, in particular with respect to lockdown (for which they seem, unreasonably, to blame teachers).

There were union posts (not NobleGiraffe) which also mentioned bringing down the government etc. Their motivation was clear; perhaps those concerned weren’t even teachers - the pandemic brought an odd crowd onto MN, haterz of every hue.

Didn’t the DfE wade in at one point. And there was one poster who just posted stats all the time and fawned all over the Government who I was convinced was Gav!

Teachers are awesome- hard working, dedicated, passionate. For some reason they are expected to be a race above. There are some bad ones, like in any profession

Some teachers are shit, no point in acting as if they're all good people. Every group of people contains a few rotten apples. But one primary teacher does teach 30 children a year, and a different set next year. So that are a lot of children and parents who -validly- complain about their teacher.

As for the holidays, my best friend used to call me at the beginning if each holiday saying hahaha, I'm off again and you need to work. I know that he worked long hours during term time but it doesn't help the stigma. Also, I worked in a hospital at the time, lots of colleagues worked long hours for about the same pay as him and only got 5 weeks off. I do think that teachers do a difficult job but having a long summer holiday is a nice perk of the job. Many other jobs are just as hard and underpaid for what they are and don't have that. A bit of recognition goes both ways.

@MsPincher , So, you're suggesting that there was a thread where a mother of a child with additional needs was pouring her heart out, begging for help and that I came onto the thread and told her to fuck off?
If so, then I (or anyone else) would have been rightly deleted. But of course, that didn't happen and it's extremely likely that there was a bit more context that you've described and feelings and opinions would have been running high following the entire teaching profession being crucified on here for things that were, in the main, way beyond their control.

CallmeAngelina

Its a shame that MN makes it so easy for posters to change names, I suspect that if this wasn't the case those that throw such claims about would be recognised for doing the same thing over and over.

And, to add more context, I bend over backwards for the children in my care, as well as to their parents.
This might not fit with your narrative, @MsPincher, but I receive glowing reports and letters of appreciation.
But if you have an issue with the fact that I may have snapped two years ago in the face of unprecedented pressure on and criticism towards my profession, largely undeserved in the vast majority of cases, then crack on.
To he honest, there were more than a few goady fuckers on here at the time that possibly warranted being told to do one.

There seems to be a narrative on this thread that 'some teachers on mn' are horrific and shouldn't be teachers etc.

As well as 'teachers in real life aren't like the ones on mn. They don't moan etc.'

All barbed comments designed to basically say, 'I like teachers that just get on and don't complain', ignoring the fact that what they see is moaning is actually standing up for the teaching profession, or raising awareness, or trying to fight for better for our children.

The best teachers I know are always trying to improve things for the children in their care, sharing the reality of life in schools, asking for mitigations from covid to try and keep schools open.

@CallmeAngelina, you come across as one of those. I've been on many threads with you.

@Sherrystrull

Can you accept that not all teachers come across like that?

Especially when it came to covid?

The pretence that all teachers just cared about kids welfare and keeping schools open is particularly galling

I thought you weren't on mn for long? How can you comment about teachers on mn during covid?

I can't talk about all teachers. I can talk about the teachers I saw posting on mn that I agreed with that were trying to raise awareness on the situation in schools and asking for mitigations to try and keep schools open, while being told they were trying to close schools.

@Sherrystrull

You said the best teachers?

Are only the best teachers on mn?

I do find the idea that teachers on mumsnet were remarkable different from teachers everywhere else on sm a bit funny.

And that they just wanted mitigations to keep schools open like that was the only option even funnier.

What are you on about?4

I have worked with many many amazing teachers. The best ones are always fighting for the children. I see similar traits in teacher posters I agree with on mn.