So while I write this, I am currently an unemployed middle school teacher who is certified in both Language Arts and Social Studies. I’m continuously trying to find a job in either subject area, and it is very difficult.
The most frustrating thing about it all, is that I have seen some really bad teachers while I finished up my Masters and had to do my teaching internship. Yet, those teachers will continue to stay in the classroom and leave a negative imprint on the future of this country. It truly saddens me.
I saw Waiting for Superman, I do agree that there needs to be some changes to education in this country, but I am not quite sure what needs to happen. Education funding definitely needs to stop being cut. I know that here there are ridiculous amounts of hiring freezes because of education funding. People do not understand. It kills me. They don’t think its a big deal to have 40 kids in a classroom. Trust me it is not smart. Every student brings something different to the table, not everyone learns the same. You have to adapt your lesson plans so that everyone is able to learn the curriculum. The more students you have the harder that becomes to give the attention needed so that not one student falls through the cracks. I am sick of teachers being blames for things though.
The problem with education in The United States is not just teachers. It is also not just parents, although, I do think parents are a growing problem. What happened to parents wanting to raise their children? Now it seems they pass their kids to schools to teach them everything they should be learning at home on top of their studies. They then get upset when things don’t happen the way they want. I’m shocked at how the change in respect that is given to education now. I remember when I was a kid, it did not really matter what I said to my parents, had I cheated on something or gotten in trouble and my teacher told my parents, whether or not I had done it they would take the word of the teacher over mine. Now as a teacher, you have to write statements, have witnesses write statements, etc., and even then most credit goes to the student no matter what. It’s ridiculous. I’m appalled by how some of these kids talk to their elders and their parents. What happened to respect for elders?
I guess I’ll save that question for my next blog entry.
