Could we ask MN for no more teacher bashing threads do you think?

[pinkrocker]

It's hard enough without being told we're "twiddling thumbs"
I'm really, honestly trying so hard right now. And I'm sure thousands more are as well.
I don't want to make excuses or feel sad for myself or start championing us, but can we just have a break please?
MN is full of arguments against us, angry justifications of opinions from both sides.
I understand why people are frustrated, but could we ask MN for people to take a break, please

My youngest dc was a problematic sleeper until he went to school. Now I'm the problematic sleeper! My body clock has been ruined. Where I'm used to being on the move all the time to now being quite sedentary in comparison my body is even worse than normal. Frustrating.

Also leave school holidays alone . Teachers don’t get all 6 weeks off but being a kid you always look forward to this time . Parents often don’t want it due to childcare but even if they split it out over the year same amount of childcare just not in one go but you know it’s coming so account for if. But I know when I was a kid I loved the summer school holiday so wouldn’t want this to change for my kids

I totally agree that all teachers are different and we can't condemn most very hard working teachers for the behaviour of a few.

The logic of the reverse being true does appear to be being missed on this thread. If all teachers are different, why would a poster who maintains a teacher she knows has taken up surfing, be lying? That doesn't mean ALL teachers are, but you can't have it both ways.

And sorry, but to ask MNHQ to stop threads "bashing" teachers is absolutely outrageous. Yes, you are having a hard time of it at the moment due to people not understanding your work behind the scenes. But to not allow any criticism at all? Come off it! Teachers interact with our children on a daily basis. Sometimes (because they are all different, remember) some teachers do or say things which merit criticism.

You are not some protected, above criticism occupation, OP.

Also I’m well aware teachers don’t get all these holidays off as they will be doing planning etc so the summer one is probably the longest one they get to have a couple weeks off

In response to OP, I do think that MNHQ could stop staffroom threads from appearing in active threads. Then the staffroom could REALLY be a staffroom...where teachers can be found in all sorts of states, ready to be supported by other TEACHERS.

I don't agree that teachers are only paid during term time.

This made me laugh so much. It's the confidence of the pronouncement: I have said it so it is so! Reminded me of this poem by the wonderful Wendy Cope (which is even funnier if yellowshirt is in fact male):

HE TELLS HER
He tells her that the earth is flat —
He knows the facts, and that is that.
In altercations fierce and long
She tries her best to prove him wrong.
But he has learned to argue well.
He calls her arguments unsound
And often asks her not to yell.
She cannot win. He stands his ground.

The planet goes on being round.

I hide all the teacher bashing threads. It's much better that way. Some people have been told time and again what teachers are doing. They have been told time and again what other schools are doing. They have a problem with their own childs school, take it up with them. My kids schools sent home loads of work for mine. We get a newsletter and communication daily. On top of still running the school for key workers kids. If you sent your kid to a school where you think the teachers are sunning themselves in the garden and you want more work, speak to the head.

@SirChing I don’t have any issue with deserved criticism but we do seem to be a profession that’s particularly singled out for blame for everything. I don’t see many lawyer bashing threads, or IT consultant bashing threads, or HR bashing threads, etc. But everyone has been to school, all those with kids have interactions with teachers on a daily basis and this seems to bring a peculiar kind of behaviour that means many of those who have no respect for teachers appear to think that they are an expert on how the profession works and the stresses and strains of the job.

Of course there are crap teachers! Like there are people in every walk of life who are shit at their jobs! But some of the accusations levelled against are crazy - and often based on the word of their child and their child alone. “My child wouldn’t lie” is an oft repeated phrase and of course one we have heard many times being yelled in our faces when we’re being accused of something.

Anyway, we are fallible. We make mistakes. And we’re struggling to deal with this new normal at the moment just like everyone else is. For every parent who thinks we’re setting too much work there is another who thinks we’re setting too little. As always a teacher’s place is in the wrong. Plus ça change.

why would a poster who maintains a teacher she knows has taken up surfing, be lying?

Because we’re in the middle of a lockdown where anything but essential travel is banned? Gatherings are banned? Surf England is telling even accomplished surfers to stay at home?

Maybe the surfing teacher also has a picnic on the beach and catches up on a bit of sunbathing before going onto a quick flashmob in Trafalgar Square, then relaxing in the pub. I’ve definitely heard of a teacher who has taken that all up as a new hobby.

Inset days for teacher training could be done in the 6 weeks holidays. I am not asking for the children to not have that time off. I don’t think the teacher who’s doing a display board warrants a whole school to shut down. Front line workers don’t get to shut there service down for training.

The other alternative when your off for two weeks at Easter staff come in the Friday before you come back and have 9 days off instead of 10. Parents find it hard enough to cover without theses extra days or do training in your no contact time.

If you want INSET done during the summer, that would make the summer holidays 7 weeks long.

No I meant teachers don’t need 6 weeks off in the summer.

Glitterbug have you read goingtotheWinchester's post of 03.42 because it nails everything that's happening here. Are you angry with the way our government is handling this or is it just the teacher who you've heard from a third party may have taken up surfing that rattles you?

Giving teachers 28 days holiday like everyone else may feel fairer but it wouldn't work. INSET days were taken from holiday time in the first place when first introduced so that doesn't need to happen again. And no training can't be done in 'non-contact' time because in secondary that's the odd hour here and there and training needs to e done over a longer period of time with everyone present. Why assert things about a profession that you know very little about?

I and every teacher I know spend a good portion of the holidays working. When would those tasks be done if we were in school all the time simply to appease poorly informed people? It's not just putting up displays - it can mock marking (huge task in my subject), long and medium term planning, report writing and many other things that are essential parts of the job that often get left to the holidays because there's no time during term-time. Why can't we respect educators in this country like they do in many other countries?

And of course, if teaching is so easy why is there a retention crisis?

My sis is an icu nurse who is taking 3 months off to shield her severely disabled child. Husband is living away to keep them safe. She got a text from her SIL criticising her for not going to work as she was vital to the CV fight, and not sending her child to school.

Most teachers I know are doing distance teaching.

Yes Glitter, but what you fail to understand is that INSET days were originally taken from teachers’ holidays. Teachers and kids used to be in for 190 days, now kids are in for 190 and teachers in for 195.

What you are proposing is kids going in for 195 and teachers for 200.

The truth is we could never do enough or satisfy everyone. It doesn't matter how many times a teacher comes on and tries to defend themselves and talks about all of the things they are doing at home as it will never satisfy everyone on Mumsnet.

I think teachers on mass should boycott all the threads like that, people will all just agree we are rubbish and the thread will get boring and die out.

There cant be many jobs that havent been subject to change (if they still exist at all) in the last month. Its stressful for everyone!

Some of the teachers on mumsnet are the most aggressive posters of all. It's a heady mix of having a stressful job, but equally plenty of time to post on social media. I try to avoid teacher's threads -.some of the comments from supposed teachers about private schools and private school parents are borderline abusive and yet we can't mention your long holidays?!

There is just so much bitterness and jealous towards teacher. Simple answer is always if it’s so easy become one! Then you can enjoy all these hours of rest, holidays, high pay and love the life of luxury! 😂😂.

You try to avoid teachers' threads by posting in the staffroom, Tony?

@Tonyaster long holidays don’t exist that’s why! The only time most of us can actually venture abroad is the summer as we are in all the others one. And even then it’s restricted to the first couple of weeks. It’s not as black and white as people love to make it.

Some of the teachers on mumsnet are the most aggressive posters of all

Go to AIBU and post a thread asking if it is ok to go to the beach for a family barbecue today and then report back.

Goldpartyhat
I hope your niece is keeping well and staying safe your sister does not deserve that comment from her SIL.
My cousins son is severely autistic and not being in the routine has thrown him so much. The school have offered no outreach support.

If he has an EHCP then he’s allowed to go to school.