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?

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

what does that even mean?

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

Its particularly galling that most of the posters that claimed to give a shit about children's health and wellbeing have stopped posting about children's health and wellbeing since schools went back full time. Its almost as if it was just another stick to beat teachers with. (and to be clear I don't mean those that have been posting about it for years).

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

As you never say where you are seeing these views we will never know and as you weren't on mn during the lockdowns neither will you.

I'm on about how teachers come across and how they came across particularly during covid.

I can't imagine teachers on mumsnet were hugely different than anywhere else on sm. Certainly not if the comments on this thread are representative

Some were concerned about the kids. Lots did not appear to give a shit.

They were far more concerned about their own alleged risk.

That was the unions concern.

Any calls for mitigations I saw were about the perceived risk to teachers than the children's well being

What comments are you referring to on this thread?

Topgub

So you are going to take your subjective annocdata and apply it it a general fashion to all, whilst not being on the forum that people are talking/referring to.

Alleged risk?

My class are a community that I care very much about.

If covid is rife in the classroom then not only could my staff team and their families become poorly, some of whom are CEV but children and their families could become poorly, some of whom are CEV.

As a teacher I feel a real responsibility to try and keep that community as safe as possible. We froze in the winter with windows open, we scrubbed tables and wore masks when we stepped outside the classroom, we held class assemblies each day, we never got a minute break as we looked after the children all day, we bought our own hand gel and toilet roll as the school couldn't get any.

Despite our best efforts, covid spread like wildfire in our school and many families were poorly. One parent died.

Despite this I firmly believe that schools being open is in the best interests of the children. I include my own children in this. Asking for mitigations to achieve this and some understanding about the reality of life in school from people who bleat about 'alleged risks' is not too much to ask for.

I haven't said my risk is more than others, there are many many jobs where people were at a much increased risk I'm sure. It doesn't make the risk in school invalid or imaginary though.

@Sherrystrull

Loads

Loads from teachers being their usual teacher selves. And Loads from posters saying what it was like that are as usual denied and dismissed.

I'm not quoting them all. Even if I did it wouldn't make a difference

I get its frustrating when you work really hard and do your best and it seems its never appreciated. Its soul destroying

But on the other hand teachers never really seem willing to listen to why they are viewed as they are.

I dont remember countless threads from shop workers or delivery drivers about how awful it was and how really, we shouldn't be putting them at risk.

No. It was teachers 'bleating' on about risk and refusing to go to work. Even though all the available evidence showed the risk was no greater than any other workplace.

And that's before you factor in the actual risk of covid.

Schools should never have been closed. The govt is to blame for that, not individual teachers but individual teachers supported it regardless of the harm it caused

They were far more concerned about their own alleged risk.That was the unions concern.Any calls for mitigations I saw were about the perceived risk to teachers than the children's well being

the unions exist for the good of their members. It is not the job of a teaching union to advocate for children.

perceived risk means what, exactly? I’ve had covid 3 times since September 2020 when schools returned. Many of my colleagues have had more covid infections than me. I have seen numerous colleagues unable to work for extended periods, a couple have ended up in hospital and at least two have life changing conditions attributed to covid. I am considered at risk of covid due to age and illness. I have a child who is considered very at risk - he’s been vaccinated 3 times, as have my other children to try and protect him.. My school was able to do precisely zero to protect me, other than to accept my resignation. Tiny window in my classroom to open on 2nd floor. Contact with around 150 kids a day. No expectation (most of the time), that anyone wore masks. Yes, of course NHS colleagues were more at risk, as were those in social care, those working on public transport or in early years education and nurseries. But teachers too were at risk and there was sod all done to protect us - unlike others who at least got the protection of masks and some ventilation and social distancing. Why keep pretending that this didn’t happen? Why do you consider it OK? .

and as the parent of a vulnerable child, not one fuck was given about him - and those like him. Either send him to school or remove him. Those were his options. It is pretty shit being a vulnerable to covid child, that’s for sure.

It was teachers 'bleating' on about risk and refusing to go to work

teachers never refused to go to work. I am not sure where you got that from?

@Ithinkthatisenoughnowthanks

Huh.

Someone earlier in the thread asked for proof things like this had been said.

the unions exist for the good of their members. It is not the job of a teaching union to advocate for children

Can't remember who it was now but there you go.

Yes. Lots of people got covid. Some got long covid. Some died. Most were absolutely fine.

Thats life in a pandemic.

I'm not sure why teachers think they should have been protected tbh. They weren't at particularly high risk.

Many threads were started by parents but teachers were then picked on if they tried to respond.

Teachers tried to ask for mitigation measures because they knew opening schools without any or inadequate ones it would be a shitshow and funnily enough it was for many schools!

Many threads where parents posted showed how little parents knew about the real situation in schools. Just like in other work situations

And why wouldn’t unions want the best for their members, that is what unions are meant to do. That’s what the unions for rail workers are doing at the moment, to the detriment of rail users. Or do you think teachers shouldn’t have a union. And it wasn’t like the Government took any notice of unions or teachers!

@Ithinkthatisenoughnowthanks

From the unions advising teachers not to go back ?

From the teachers who sent template letters copied from the unions saying they weren't coming back?

This individual teacher never supported school closures and worked throughout the closures including doing childcare within the school outside of term time. This additional in-school time was unpaid.
The above statement is information. It is not whinging bleating moaning or claiming anything about any other workers in different contexts.

I'm not sure why teachers think they should have been protected tbh.

Do you think nobody should have been protected?

@howshouldibehave

Ultimately I don't think anyone was, no.

We just spread it out over 2 years.

I dont think any of the wider 'mitigations' put in place were effective other than to flatten and extend the curve of the first couple of waves

The govt argued they were trying to protect those vulnerable to covid (the elderly, mainly) I'm not sure they were.

I'm not sure the damage done was worth it.

Did you read my thread?

Anyone was welcome on mn to start a thread about risks in their workplace.

Teachers talking about risks in school are talking about risks for everyone in that school setting.

This thread is too meta lol

Why do people hate teachers?

No one hates them but they don't always come across that well.

Yes we do!!!

Well, no you don't some times you say xyz and it doesn't come across that great

No way! No one ever says xyz. Ever!!

Someone says xyz

See?

Well why shouldn't we say xyz?!

🤣🤣

@topgub: "Loads from teachers being their usual teacher selves"^

I think this show your clear agenda on here. "Usual teacher selves?" Care to explain?

I think it's you that isn't coming across well to be honest.

@CallmeAngelina

You could read my first comment?

@Sherrystrull

There's a surprise

We just spread it out over 2 years.

And you can’t think of why it might have been a better prospect to get covid in mid 2021 than mid 2020?

Yes, people are posting with the benefit of hindsight, aren't they?
We can "live with it" now, as we have vaccinations. 2 years ago it was a very different story.
I don't have the link to hand as to the stats regarding different professions' relative risks, but I do know that lots of people still like to quote the erroneous ones from early on, stating that teachers weren't any more at risk than anyone else. That was in the days when people also clung to the myth that children either didn't get Covid, or if they did, then it wasn't seriously and that they certainly it didn't pass it on.
And therefore teachers should have STFU and gone back into school with zero mitigations (unlike many other jobs).

Well maybe you should think about how you're coming across rather than accusing other of not realising how they are coming across.

I'd like to ask why you're so determined to constantly mention that school staff and children were not at risk in school.
Surely understanding the risks and not pretending they don't exist will help schools in the future.

I'm not sure why teachers think they should have been protected tbh

is it just teachers you have an issue with? At least in NHS you got masks (and many of us still can’t get a face to face appointment), same for those in social care, bus drivers etc. what do you do? Did you have direct contact with 150 different people everyday you were at work before you were vaccinated? Have you had covid 3 times?

From the unions advising teachers not to go back ? From the teachers who sent template letters copied from the unions saying they weren't coming back?

ah yes, the day after which we were put into lockdown? So we were right? That things were out of hand and schools were not safe places for either staff or students at that point?

@Sherrystrull

I'm not fussed how I come across. I'm confident in opinions.

The thread is about teachers, not me..