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Tuesday, March 13, 2012

To Many Teachers, Career Has Failed

Students aren’t the only ones who hate going to school.

An increasing number of teachers don’t like their jobs and are considering a new line of work, according to a major survey by MetLife.

The study, which sampled more than 1,000 instructors in kindergarten through 12th grade, found that only 44 percent of American public school teachers are “very satisfied” with their jobs, down 15 percentage points from 2009 and the lowest figure in more than 20 years.

Nearly 30 percent of teachers - up from 17 percent in 2009 - are now “very or fairly likely” to leave the profession entirely, the report shows. MetLife officials said the poll was the first to reflect how the recent economic downturn and cutbacks in public spending have affected teachers.

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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

teaching used to be a "calling". it was an honorable profession and to my recall the teachers were respected and admired for their tireless work and dedication.

"the product" was; for the most part, very good. the students graduated to go on to be good citizens and they really got a first class education. when they graduated from high school they were prepared for the workforce and "some" went on the college, trade school or the military.

today is different. most teachers, according to research, decide to get a teaching degree because "they think that degree is easy, they think they will like the income and benefits and they don't think this will be a "hard" career choice". they don't chose teaching because they believe it is a "calling". hence, these results.

you can sure tell the difference when a teacher does not really belong in the teaching field. everyone suffers.

Anonymous said...

2:41 is correct. Getting a teaching degree is about the easiest of all college degrees to get, and the job breeds laziness with summers off and only 2 hours classroom time a day.

Anonymous said...

Folks, don't respond to 7:04. He's a troll with his comment that he hopefully isn't mentally deficient enough to actually believe. He's just putting it out there to get a rise out of you. If he does believe it, he wouldn't have the intellecutal capacity to understand the truth.

Anonymous said...

To 2:41 AM Posting

It's the entire educational system that's broke. The entire educational establishment has been broke for quite a few years - gradually it has happened.

No one knows how to approach the politically sensitive issues - and when one does like in Washington, DC - they get ousted by the strong arm tactics of the lawless teachers unions.

I believe you would see quite a difference if all states imposed a right to work law and allowed school vouchers to be issued.

Like I said - the school system as you once knew - I believe is nearing the end of the road.

Anonymous said...

It started with all this "curriculum" BS and standardized testing. Teachers can't use their own creativity anymore.

lmclain said...

A teacher has one of the hardest jobs in the country. A 40 hour work week is scheduled, but grading tests, reading essays, maintaining records (all usually done at home AFTER work) makes the actual work week 55-70 hours. They deal with parents of undisciplined and (painfully obvious) stupid kids who have no interest in learning anything (but the teacher is still REQUIRED to teach -- and pass -- them), are forced to follow a cirriculum that doesn't actually TEACH anything, but merely prepares students to pass a test that will make the SCHOOL look good, and constantly live in fear that your career will end because some student says you hurt their feelings or God forbid, criticized their insolence or put their hands on them trying to stop them from beating a smaller kid to death. LEARNING has become VERY VERY secondary to making sure kids have "self-esteem" and "confidence", which is great until they enter the work force and can't even spell their own name). There goes the self esteem and confidence. Imagine the police being unable to write you a ticket because it will hurt your feelings, or not being able to break up a bar fight without being charged with assault because you "touched" the brawlers. Many pay for critical supplies from their own salary. Books are old and in short supply (many classes SHARE a text book and the kids are NOT allowed to take them home, which is GREAT for learning, huh?). Kids can wander around the classroom, threaten teachers, curse openly, and create mayhem in the class. What happens to them? Generally NOTHING. If they get suspended, the school looks bad (or racist). So, they are usually back in class within the hour (which tells other students that there are really no consequences for telling the teacher you will bitch-slap her if she tells you to sit down again). Quit dogging teachers. Most of you couldn't do the job for one school day. Be (extremely)thankful there are people who are willing to put up with the kids and the parents (who NEVER check their homework or tell their kids to respect teachers or teach their kids that cursing and fighting are NOT admirable behaviors).

Anonymous said...

I'm hearing exactly what 11:14 is saying from my friends that are teachers-all of whom are mid to late 40's and have been teaching for 20+ years.

Anonymous said...

I hear what 11:14 am is saying. But, where is all that property taxes for the schools going to? I live with relatives who were teacher now retired. They were snobs. Thought the wold evolve around them. Even today after retiring, they think they are better then the average working famalies. Teachers may have it hard with these bad azz kids. But, it is only for what, 6 month. If they don't like what they do, they need to get out. For most teachers, it's really all about the dollar bill. The only thing teachers really need to do in 6 months is to teach the kids. That's it. TEACH. Let the administration/unions deal with misbehave kids. Teachers Teach. That's what you are getting paid for.

Anonymous said...

1:18
Lets do the math
Teacher are required to be in school by August 20th Lets not count these 10 days.
September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June (8 days in June so lets not count it) Although if we do add augus and June its about a half of month.
This leaves us with 9 1/2 months.

It's amazing that some people who want to complain can't see the truth.

Now, all teachers are required to earn a Masters Degree with in the first 8 years of teaching, maybe you call this "Easy", well, go to school and try it.

I challenge anyone to serve just one day in a classroom and see (not just talk)about what you don't know