to think that teachers are allowed to actually have a life

[stillenacht]

Another post is getting on my nerves a bit - i hate the fact that because of our jobs (vocation whatever...) we have to be society's keepers and society's bitch. It truly pisses me off.

And no wonder so many people are turning to private education, when a teacher cannot use a capital "I" apostrophes, judging by your last post.

If you spark up RIGHT outside the school gates then you could be a better teacher.

Er its called typing quickly.

I spend my days teaching music not typing.

I actually teach in the private sector and in GS.

(Sorry!)

That thread's pissing me off too.

Also, in private schools you actually do not need a teaching certificate and just a standard degree so who is to say who is better - don't be fooled that private school teachers are 'better' educated than non private school teachers.

You can type quickly and show some basic comprehension of the rules of the English language.

You teach in a private school? Hopefully not the one I plan to send DS to.

I'm sure SN feels exactly the same way....

You want RESPECT for prioritising your own urge for nicotine above the impression you mght be setting a young pupil??? YOu want respect for that?!?!?! GET REAL

I have nothing but complete respect for the teachers at my dc's school. REading some of the selfish smokers' rights over children's well-being BOLLIX that I've read on mn tonight, I realise how lucky I am now that they have wonderful teachers. Luckily, the sight of one of my dc's teachers smoking right outside the school gate is just not one I can conjure up.

Oh stop bickering georgimama - you're being petty.

I hope so too

Am I? Do you really think being concerned about whether a teacher, who claims to be such a great one, understands the English language properly, is petty? Fine.

I expect she does MB, after all, why would she want pupils whose parents have expectations of professionalism and competence.

Georgimama, you sound like a prize dick in that last post of yours.

I'm sure you're not. I'm just giving you the heads-up

OMG you just don't get it do you liffey

Smoking outside school doesn't make you a crap teacher, it doesn't make you a good teacher.....its nothing to do with it

(did you read what i said about inspiring my pupils, urging them to succeed and overcome problems etc...thats whats makes a good teacher imo)

LOL at georgimama. There are teachers in independent schools too, right?

"No its not just about smoking - its everything. All the time we get slagged off for every little thing and i have had enough of it. Too much slagging off of the profession and too little respect shown to us - its no wonder that there are 1,000's of jobs going begging in the TES every week."

That is very tough on those of us who rely on our kids teachers, and who have never, and probably would never, except in exceptional circumstances, complain about their dcs teachers. I have never "slagged off" a teacher and have never "shown no respect". I hope I have some understanding of what teachers do (from my own close friends) and from the general contentment and appreciation I feel towards my dcs school.

And yet I would still prefer them not to smoke outside the school gates. Wouldn't complain about it, wouldn't start a Mumsnet thread about it, and yet would prefer not to see teachers smoking very close to school property.

I really don't think that makes me unreasonable?

Perhaps it does?

I don't know why people are so keen to bring up the smoking thing here - it's not just that is it? It's the teacher told my DC santa claus doesn't exist or the teacher has a baby but isn't married or...

The idea that teachers personal lives have to be seemlessly perfect (in the eyes of the parents) to be good teachers, and that their attitudes and those they teach your DC also always have to be the same as parents. They can't be it's not possible - because teachers are people, they come with their own individual views, bias and life stance - this is a GOOD THING for children. If you disagree with something about your teachers life it's not a reason to complain to the head, it's a reason to talk to your DC about why you disagree, so that they grow up with a little bit of tolerance, understanding and that ever important knowledge that people are different.

This is why I totally agree with the OP. It's idiotic to say otherwise IMO.

at Desiderata.

I HATE when I parents saying 'just wait till you get to school - your teacher'll sort you out' Like teachers haven't got enough to do without sorting out the little buggers angels behaviour and lack of parental discipline.

I too had parents complaining when I was off work for 3 weeks - had a severe throat infection, fever and was on AB's and couldn't speak. With that class of little neds they'd have been swinging from the sodding lights!! In fact they went through 7 supply teachers as every one refused to come back after a day and the head ended up taking them after that. Funnily enough she never complained about the 'quality' of my teaching after that (spent most of the year trying to contain them )

I'm sure I'm going to see some of their faces on Crimewatch on of these days

Well if you choose to work with children then you have to uphold some kind of moral responsibility, and be seen to be setting a good example dont you think?

Or do you think your morals should stay in the classroom once the bell goes?

How can you chastise one of your pupils for smoking when you yourself (not you but speaking hypathetically) smoke freely infront of them (ie outside school gates)

All jobs come with somesort of shit, i work in IT and people automaically ring me when their computers break down thinking i can fix anything if you dont like the shit it brings change your job

Oh, this has moved on...

Now roffling at "expectations of professionalism and competence".

not been other thread but i dot like if teahcers smoke at school area anyway.

Professionalism and competence...

I have educated over 13,000 children and have seen many go on to careers in music (education, performing, arts admin etc). You have no idea what you are talking about georgimama.

Gosh, thanks Desiderata, I mean, what will I do now? You think I sounds like a dick, Go, how will I cope?

Well I read it sn, but I wasn't inspired by it because I thought, that's a cop out.

There's more to being a teacher than precisely what you teach in your classroom.

Hanging about the fucking school gates with a fag in your paw is crap and you actually know it!!! Hence, the thread about the thread to defend yourself and tell us all how we should really respect you.

I'd respect you a lot more if you said, yeah, smoking outside the school gates is a bit shabby. Probably better not to do that.

PMSL that on a thread that bemoans the fact that teachers are not allowed any vices a teacher is hauled over the coals for the incorrect use of 'i' instead of 'I'.

And this in the teachers own time, mark you!

Where will the witch-hunt end?

Whippings for missing full stops?