For those practitioners of the world’s second-oldest profession, teaching, who assume that knuckle-dragging Neanderthal wingnuts are the only ones consumed by the desired to destroy public education, think again. While listening to ‘progressive’ KPFA (Berkeley) on the way home Tuesday, I heard a discussion about the mess the Oakland schools are in, partly as a result of the most recent attempts at school ‘reform’ in that city.
One of the young contributors to the discourse, a high school student, made the unsubstantiated claim that, “There are a lot of bad teachers out there!” The show’s host dutifully parroted this remark. Really? There are that many bad teachers out there? Exactly how many bad teachers would a lot be? So I thought and thought, and I came to the sad realization that, my God, I am possibly one of those bad teachers too!
About 55% of the students in my four Foundations of Art classes are flunking. Some kids have accumulated less than 25% of the points possible! And they don’t care and they are rather proud of their dysfunction.
BUT I’M A BAD TEACHER BECAUSE . . .
Many kids think a 24 oz. Monster energy drink and a bag of Cheetohs constitutes a perfectly proper breakfast.
AND I’M A BAD TEACHER
Many kids are habitually tardy and miss valuable class time. When their parents are contacted, they blame it on the teacher or just don’t care.
AND I’M A BAD TEACHER
A large percentage of the kids just don’t give a shit about their education. They don’t think they are going to need it. They are totally unmotivated. They will NEVER be motivated. They think that just ‘turning in the work’ is enough to garner them a decent score.
AND I’M A BAD TEACHER
They can’t write a complete sentence to save their lives. They act indignant when they are required to use proper grammar and basic writing conventions in their written work.
AND I’M A BAD TEACHER
They would rather ‘secretly’ send message on their phones than do work in class. Some even spend class time working on their face makeup!
AND I’M A BAD TEACHER
Some are basically pigs and expect their mothers to clean up after themselves. Their mothers aren’t here.
AND I’M A BAD TEACHER
One kid told me he doesn’t need a high school diploma or college degree because he is such a good basketball player, the NBA is going to sign him up right out of high school. He’s 5’ 7”!
AND I’M A BAD TEACHER
They can’t understand why I expect them to keep their mouths shut while I’m trying to teach. They are rude little monsters and have never been taught how to be otherwise.
AND I’M A BAD TEACHER
Many students drop out of school because of mindless, state-mandated canned curriculum, and senseless, standardized tests that measure absolutely nothing.
AND I’M A BAD TEACHER
A student’s mind is not on her class work because her second child is at home sick, being watched by her loser, twenty-five-year-old boyfriend.
AND I’M A BAD TEACHER
The Camp is populated with groups of 14-year-old girls sharing tales of teenage angst and spewing unbelievable profanity like an NBA point guard.
AND I’M A BAD TEACHER
Many of our campers at Camp Nickleby head down to Mexico and add an additional two or three weeks onto their normal winter break of three weeks. When asked why, they reply, “Family is more important than education.” Some parents actually tell the camp they will be going to the motherland, then just stay home for a few extra weeks!
AND I’M A BAD TEACHER
I am a teachers' union member.
AND I’M A BAD TEACHER
1 comment:
"I am a teachers' union member.
AND I’M A BAD TEACHER "
No, not a bad teacher. A bad thinker!
As soon as you become a true professional, (and drop your labor mindset), you will do not only yourself, but also parents and students, a huge favor.
By becoming a professional, you will be able to "fire" clients (in your case students) who don't believe you have anything to offer. This will free up your time to work with those who truly care to learn.
This is not cruel. Those who take up your valuable time sleeping, acting up, etc. aren't leaning anything anyway. No loss to them in being fired. It may even wake some of them up!
I'm inclined to believe most teachers are good but they can't shine under the restrictive bureaucracy that is the public school system. Only by becoming professionals and calling their own shots can teachers demonstrate what they're truly made of.
What baffles me is why every (yes every!) teacher I've talked to believes in government running the schools. Wouldn't it be better for all concerned if teachers like yourself ran their classrooms and, by extension, the schools?
If not why not?
A post addressing that question would be one where even I might learn something.
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