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?

@FrippEnos

Yeah I've no idea what you're saying

@Sherrystrull

Because some teachers go on as though covid is a literal death sentence that only teachers were exposed to.

That schools were the only place anyone could catch covid

I saw people actually say how will you explain to your child they killed their teacher (on Facebook not mn)

@Ithinkthatisenoughnowthanks

I'm not sure the evidence is there to support the idea that schools were massively driving infection and teachers as a group weren't deemed vulnerable because the data showed they weren't

One union did advise their members not to return to work. They got their way but plenty teachers submitted the letters anyway

that doesn't bode well for you.

@FrippEnos

I'm sure I'll survive

One union did advise their members not to return to work. They got their way but plenty teachers submitted the letters anyway

Evidence of the union telling tea hers not to.return?

It's hard to imagine this government bowed down to a single teaching union and closed schools on its say so. You perhaps need to have a bit of a think about that one, and the broader picture in that moment.

I am sure 'plenty' of teachers did. It was a scary time and many teachers are personally vulnerable to covid. It was by no means 'all' teachers, however.

@Ithinkthatisenoughnowthanks

neu.org.uk/press-releases/neu-advises-primary-members-it-unsafe-return-work

I also didn't say the middle bit.

It was a scary time for everyone.

I cant think of any other professional union that reacted as teachers unions did

"Nurses without appropriate PPE, who have ‘exhausted all other measures’, can refuse to treat patients, the Royal College of Nursing has advised."

www.nursinginpractice.com/latest-news/nurses-without-appropriate-ppe-can-refuse-to-treat-says-rcn/

"Transport staff should stop working if they are not provided with adequate safety equipment, a union has advised.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport workers (RMT) union said members who were not given the necessary protection measures must refuse to work."

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-52212143

"The Unite union said it will back any worker who refuses to work within two metres of a colleague without being issued personal protective equipment (PPE).

www.constructionnews.co.uk/health-and-safety/union-calls-for-change-to-site-safety-guidance-on-masks-10-07-2020/

Just on a quick google. Did you try googling?

noblegiraffe

Unfortunately that doesn't fit topgub's narrative.

Lol @noblegiraffe I mean, seriously. LOL

@noblegiraffe

Do you actually think that's comparable?

Lol.

The teaching unions weren't waiting for a last resort.

And it wasn't some thing we had to Google. They never shut up moaning about the imaginary risk.

Ah yes, I somehow suspected that wouldn't be the same thing at all.

@noblegiraffe

There you go then.

I dont think the overall reaction was at all similar

🤷‍♀️

Of course you wouldn't. Even though up till now you were unaware of other unions issuing refuse to work advice.

You don't need to tag me btw.

noblegiraffe

I mentioned it upthread but was told that it didn't happen.

Indeed I was.

Funny that

Issuing last resort advice for individuals not to work if there's no ppe is in no way comparable to calling for whole scale shut downs of all schools.

Incredible that you managed to become an expert on those other workers' working conditions so quickly, and the context in which the advice was issued.

You have already said that children should be sent into schools with unsafe staffing levels though, so I'm not sure you're the best source of opinion on these matters.

Imaginary risk. Haven't we been through this discussion before?

I read your links. Wasn't that why you posted them?

I mostly think (with some exceptions) kids in school with 'unsafe' staffing levels is a better option than schools jumping to closures at the first sign of an issue, yeah.

@Sherrystrull

Yup. My opinion hasn't changed. The level of risk (to teachers) did not warrant closures

There's a difference between a risk large enough to close schools and no risk at all.

Oh and schools close as a last resort when it's incredibly unsafe. Many schools have been operating just above this level for the past two years.

Yup

I mostly think (with some exceptions) kids in school with 'unsafe' staffing levels is a better option than schools jumping to closures at the first sign of an issue, yeah.

How unsafe do you think schools should be before it would be acceptable not to send children into them? If schools shouldn't 'jump to closure' because it's unsafe due to inadequate staff, what other unsafe levels do you think are actually acceptable situations for children?

How about staff who aren't DBS checked? Could we ignore that requirement too, to keep kids in school?

I think anyone who believes it is okay to send children into school with unsafe staffing levels doesn’t have an opinion worth listening to. Fine to send them in with reduced staffing levels on a temporary basis, rather than close schools, but accept they may not be getting much of an education bug not unsafe staffing levels.

I some teachers really gave the profession a bad name during Covid.

I'm absolutely not ok with schools closing. Especially when there's no need.
Other sectors are running on minimal, unsafe staffing and don't close.

So when we had 1 teacher in the whole school - no dinner staff, no TAs, no head teacher, no office staff. That 1 person should've been fine to open because it is surely safe to do so by your standards? Never heard of ratios have you?