Comments on: Things Nice People Already Know: Any Teacher Can Tell You Why So Many Are Leaving The Profession

By: Tangram

Tangram — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:15:58 +0000

I realize that this post is older and it is entirely possible that my comment may never be read. However, I couldn’t resist. I have been teaching for 12 years. I really appreciate your post because of this quote: “Teachers who say things like this are few and far between. Not because they aren’t thinking such things 24/7, but because it’s dangerous to speak out.”

I have recently made the decision to take steps to pursue a career outside the classroom because I am tired of the student behavior and feeling that there is nothing I can do. I can jump through all the hoops, make all the documentation and it makes no difference. I had a student threat against me and the student denied it and got a slap on the wrist and are back in the classroom. . .

As I told my Asst. Principal, if I treated the students the way they treat me and the other staff, I’d be fired. He agreed. . .

Until public schools can remove students more easily and reward the good students, we will continue to see it decline. Schools are a reflection of the society. As the family has declined, so have the schools. Until parents step up and do their job, this will continue to be the case.

By: Headless Unicorn Guy

Headless Unicorn Guy — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:02:21 +0000

I think we are so busy paying attention to bad people that we ignore the nice people. Villains have more rights than their victims.

At which point, why be one of “the nice people”, i.e. Suckers?

As one of the “bad kids”, not only do you get to do anything you want (i.e. Anything), you get all the goodies, too. You’re even “entitled” to more goodies than the suckers because of those Important Letters of the Alphabet in your file.

So the lesson is clear: Be a villain. Be a bully. Be a parasite. Be the REAL top of the food chain.

By: Teach08

Teach08 — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:39:02 +0000

Oh, Mamacita! We’re looking for a good Super in Nashville–come on down and apply!

NO WAY would you get it…you make entirely too much sense.

By: Pat

Pat — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:30:35 +0000

You are so right that many teachers think this and are afraid to say it. As a special ed teacher, I also agree with your views on special ed students. Just because they have a disability does not preclude them from following rules. We are supposed to be preparing these students for the real world and the real world laws apply to all people regardless of a disability. If they are so disruptive that learning can’t take place, then they need to be removed to a more restrictive environment. Our school district has also been checking to make sure students qualify for special ed services if their disability interferes with their academic learning. This means they do not recieve special ed services if they have a behavior disorder or oppositional deviant behavior that does not interfere with academic achievement. We need to expect and require all students to follow the rules.Thank you for sharing your post!

By: Corey

Corey — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:11:19 +0000

I didn’t have problems with hyperactive parents, but the discipline problems were the main reason I quit teaching.

Honestly, I think you go too far in this post. But I can certainly empathize with your feelings, and you say quite a few important and valuable things.

By: David

David — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:36:00 +0000

That is the reason I stopped teaching. I had too many brats and not enough support. I had kids who would swear at me and each other. I would send them to the office for serious behavior, but the administration just let them come back the next day. I left, assuming I could get another job, but I have not yet been able to. I left a job I really wanted because of the inability to help those kids who needed it. Now I have a just over minimum wage job and have to live with relatives. That is hard with a wife and two (three in a couple months) kids to care for. I can help any kid pass the WASL–that is easy–but the kid has to want to him- or herself and the environment has to be free from disrupters.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:25:47 +0000

As a former teacher (band director/music) I can completely agree with this. Too many times the disruptive students would ruin any enjoyment of the job. Principals always say document, document, document, but when nothing happens after 4-5 times you kind of lose your faith that anything will. I held the kids accountable and got fed up with parents enabling bad behavior. The phrase “not my kid” comes to mind readily. For now I’m happy being a Stay at Home dad. I’m not sure I’ll go back to teaching. Great post!

By: Polski3

Polski3 — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:00:11 +0000

Things don’t change much do they? Seriously, you should try to get that published by some magazine (Atlantic Monthly ?)

By: Hube

Hube — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:51:54 +0000

This may be possibly the BEST post I’ve ever read. Period!

By: LibbyAnn

LibbyAnn — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:41:25 +0000

Please write a book. PLEASE, oh please, write a book! You are the wisest person in the world.