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Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 | 2:01 a.m.
Have you ever been the only adult in a room with 35-45 children? Do journalists, politicians and other random citizens constantly criticize your entire profession? Do they suggest a multitude of ways to improve the way you do your job when they have no experience with what you do? Imagine that you are in a classroom and you will have five or six different groups of 40 students during your day. Some of the light bulbs have been removed from the room to save electricity, and the students are asking why the room is so cold. You will be teaching ...
Jeremy, thank you for sharing the realities of today.
I think many people who criticize teachers are speaking with the image of experience in the distant past.
While I do agree that outcomes are an aid to evaluating effectiveness, there are many other circumstances that effect both.
We have failed our children and nation by not investing in education and teachers appropriately. What we see now is the result.
Teachers are professionals with a very important role and they should be treated as professionals and given respect.
The system need reforming to reflect the seriousness of the goals of educating our youth. Expectations need to be reflected in the classrooms.
Parents need to be accountable for their role in furthering the education of their children.
Thank you for your efforts Jeremy.
It is your job
You went to college to learn how to teach in this environment
Why the whining
What is the point of this rant?
Clearly they have not understood the E-school future where kids learn and teachers teach using computers
Many many many other business are letting people work from home
When will Nevada wake up
Can you read, Future? The letter writer's point is that he studied to become a teacher, a professional who should be valued for his dedicated service to his community. He deserves better than to be relentlessly criticized by the likes of you.
Nobody said being a teacher is easy. But teachers are not martyrs and treating them like they are is overreach. Teachers have a freedom of choice and free will. They can teach or do something else. Their decision.
CarmineD
Comment removed by moderator. Personal Attack
dlluce says "Can you read, Future? The letter writer's point is that he studied to become a teacher, a professional who should be valued for his dedicated service to his community. He deserves better than to be relentlessly criticized by the likes of you.
WOW such a rant
Jeremy came out of high school knowing the teaching environment that he wanted to get a degree in
For Jeremy to now whine about his work environment is well just whining
Of course Jeremy comports to be a professional - I would expect no less from
But millions go to work everyday and have a tough work environment - how would you like to be a coal miner who may be losing a job because of new EPA rules and regulation
23 million people unemployed - STOP WHINING
Jeff says "Future, regarding your e-school - that is a good idea for the evening and for reinforced learning after school , but for it to become the primary contact with students we will have an elementary school dropout epidemic almost overnight...
Your cheapness knows no bounds.
---
Jeff You confuse me and others by saying E-SCHOOLS are a good idea but that makes you cheap. Really!!!
Jeremy
Thank you for choosing a profession where you receive little of the credit for success but all of the blame for anything less.
Thank you for choosing a profession in a State that views you as burden on taxpayers and offers compensation that provides only an outside chance of repaying your student loans before you retire.
Thank you for being a scapegoat for those with poor parenting skills and little acceptance of responsibility for their children.
And, thank you for drawing the fire of "self-made" commenters who would be the last to admit that a teacher ever made a difference in their life.
And speaking of drawing fire --- how good are you with a Glock?
Nice post, Jim Weber!
Jeremy Christensen is pointing out the truth and all he gets is more criticism from the usual suspects. Pointing something out is not whining. Jeremy puts up with it every day, something we should be thanking him for. I took a leave from teaching when I had my children, fully expecting to go back once they started school. I have since changed my mind as I won't put up with it, but I am very grateful to those who continue to teach our children despite the terrible conditions and the disrespect from the public.
Nothing new coming from Jeremy. Complain, complain.......and.......complain. Previous Las Vegas Sun letter dated May 6th from Jeremy enclosed.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/may...
Teaching is a calling. It is a passion. You do it, naturally, everyday of your life. Some, despite the many issues associated with teaching, select it as their career, their life profession. Most teachers in the United States of America, must complete a university degree and undergo rigorous post teacher credential training (standards vary with states). Because of the uniqueness of each school culture, it is nearly impossible to prepare for all the various scenerios a teacher encounters in a lifetime, ahead of time. The teacher training programs only "touch" upon this, as part of their teacher preparation programs. Much like parenting, some of the trade is learned as you go.
Parents are a child's first and lifelong teacher. Without the cooperation and support of both parent and child, the work of learning what is taught at school cannot effectively be done. Our Lawmakers seem to be BLIND to this, as well as many critics. We all should be working together for the best in our neighborhood schools and our children. How many reading this attend school site planning meeting, school board meetings, or PTA/PTO meetings? How many volunteer at their neighborhood schools?
Teachers have no problem with implementing necessary changes, as long as there is support doing so. Teachers regularly pay for and attend any extra schooling required to do their job as best as possible. They are, afterall, lifelong learners themselves.
For the learning equation to work, it must have SHARED RESPONSIBILITY, with all concerned parties: parents, administration, teachers, and students. Lawmakers need to listen to all involved, in order to best serve all. How has that been working out?
It is now time for the news media to make public and disclose the views of our Lawmakers on pressing educational issues so that the public will be INFORMED. Please do that.
As the Nevada State Legislative Session convenes, let's join together to be heard, and insist that our representatives listen and do what is in the best interest of all. Thank you.
Blessings and Peace,
Star
Absurd and PRETENTIOUS. Until you spend equal time figuring out and listening to what a social worker does, what an accountant does, what a law enforcement officer does this is just stupid to expect that the world is your captive audience. Many K-12 teachers have never performed in another job where they have a basis of comparison with the complexities of ANY occupation. Do you think, for a minute, that we get to share our workload with everybody else? That we can call in people off the street to take over the things we'd rather not do?
It's easy to criticize our teacher's. Who spent so much time and money to get a degree in education, In order to help other's do the same thing.
Talk is cheap and so are the critics. Some of you out there who have all the answers. Might try being a substitute teacher for a while. And than offer some construtive ctiticism. Don't blame the teachers. They already get the lion's share of the blame for the problems facing our school system.
Parents have failed teachers. If a child is a discipline problem, the child shouldn't be the school's problem. Remove the child from the class. From the school. Harsh? Yes. Next issue. Teachers. Do you know how to teach? Are you well trained? Are you committed to your profession? If not, quit.
Moral of the story. We need better students. We need better teachers. If we don't address these two cataclysmic issues, all the money in the world will not fix the dismal public education system in America.
I agree, nice post Jim Weber and Sam Pizzo!!
Thanks for the letter, Jeremy. I used to write letters myself, but now prefer to use my time and energy trying to figure out how to get out of this occupation. Unfortunately, the letters preach to the choir. The rabid and vicious critics who couldn't do the job for a week will never change their minds, and everybody who's ever sat in a classroom thinks he/she knows what teaching entails.
I was one of those people - didn't have much respect for teachers. Believed it wouldn't be that difficult. I came close to having to walk out the first year, maybe into a hospital or doctor's office. The system here dumps so much on teachers over and above teaching, and the students and parents are so coddled, and the system of social promotion is so ridiculous, that teachers really need to get involved.
Teachers could help elicit positive changes, since they are familiar with the problems (such as kids sitting in your classroom who are years below level in skills) but teachers are treated like servants by those above them, many of whom are poorly educated and neither good nor experienced classroom teachers, yet who just love being bosses, bossing people, and being generally bossy, because bossiness is their passion.
Still, keep the letters coming. Keep the reality check out there. I'd like to sit and watch the critics here try to teach ANYTHING with 35 or 40 kids in a room and one of them as the only adult. Now, that would be fun.
There are many teachers who go into teaching after working in other professions. Once again, Roslenda has no clue what she is talking about. Teaching was the hardest job I've ever done. I'm an extremely hard worker and love a challenge, but to deal with some of the things that Jeremy shared in his letter, the bureaucracy, and then add to that the outright disdain that many people in this city express towards teachers well, I'm not going to do a job where I have to fight for a decent wage and get shat upon to boot. Bless those teachers who can ignore the nastiness coming from the community they are working so hard to serve.
Shannon, you are so lucky. If I were younger, if I were married to someone making a decent living...
I believe I recall when you used to speak out when you were still teaching. You might be interested to know that the CCEA has finally awakened.
Meanwhile, some of us are being told what to teach from what material on what day (based on grade level and subject area, not on whether you know what you're doing or not) in support of the SpringBoard program corruption...
...and people who haven't been in the classroom very much - or maybe never in a core class - and who are poorly educated themselves are still becoming bully administrators who think they know better than experienced teachers...
...and the students are still passed on regardless of skills, and they and the parents are still kow-towed to, and we still have students who are disruptive daily and whom we can really do nothing about affecting all the other students...
I'm not happy about the corporate takeover coming down, because often the money is coming from the feds for poor/low kids - so to get the money, keeping the kids poor and low will be a priority. On the other hand, I'm glad some parents will be able to escape their kids from the increasingly dysfunctional public education system.
Escape from public education is becoming something desirable for both teachers and students. What a shame.
Incidentally, Shannon, I have never heard so many teachers tell me they are going to try to get out as I have this year. It used to get worse by the year; now it's getting worse by the month, it seems.
It's all perspective I guess. There's an old saying we can expound on:
I cried because I had no shoes, but then I met a man that had no feet.
I cried because I was a teacher, but then I met a man with 3 kids and a wife that was working part time at McDonalds because it was the only job available after the housing crash caused him to lose his job of 23 years as a carpenter building homes in Las Vegas.
Teacher,
I know it's gotten worse since I've last been in the classroom and I really feel for teachers.
I worked for 17 years in the private sector before I started teaching as well as continued part-time being self-employed while teaching. When I decided not to return to the classroom, I just took on more work to raise my income.
It doesn't surprise me that more and more teachers are planning to leave. Some in the public say that teachers should have known what they were getting into when they became teachers. I went in with eyes wide open, but I didn't sign up for what teachers have to deal with today. As Joe has pointed out before, teachers have many skills and attributes that can translate into other professions. Brainstorm with some friends and see if you can find something that you'd rather be doing. It's never too late to move on to something better and more enjoyable. Life is too short to be miserable all the time because of a job. Wishing you the best.
THIS needs to happen: Legislate and REQUIRE all educational administrators to work as teachers one month of their contractual year!
State Lawmakers should be REQUIRED to volunteer one week at a school (not touring school facilities as many of them do, and trying to count that!).
Then, let's all get together and truly work together.
Blessings and Peace,
Star
Yes, Darth, we all still give thanks for having a job - but that doesn't mean we shouldn't speak out against injustices hurting both teachers and students.
Excellent posts from Shannon and Teacher. Thank you both!
Teacher, please continue with your letters to the editor.
Yes, we have the see me see me commentators, just like in the classroom. I presume they are desperate for attention, just like in a classroom environment.
Thank you to the letter writer and all the teachers who work so hard to provide a proper education and improve the lives of their students.
Brilliant letter!
Sorry Jeremy, but you have some nerve talking about a raise.....this city would rather pay 6 figures to firefrauds to sit around/go to the gym/go the grocery store/play video games/ then pay teachers.
One way or another criticizing takes out the daily abnormalities which are bothering a human/child. Children can start this by saying 'I don't like that, I don't like this'.
Teacher and her/his profession defines the limits of daily work. She/he must follow rules and make children understand too, school has rules one must obey. Criticizing - arguing are two very different aspects. Children and later youth are capable to separate these two after studing more.
"Carmine & future:
Do you guys take pills to wake up perpetually crabby? " @ Jeff
I can't speak for Future BUT can say to YOU: No, I'm just providing the truth. If it hurts, then you need the pills, not me.
CarmineD
"They already get the lion's share of the blame for the problems facing our school system." @ Samspeaks
Not from me, Sam. The blame for failure for our students to achieve academically rests completely on the parents, not the teachers. It is a well known and proven fact that students do better when their parents/guardians are engaged in their academic and scholastic progress. Teachers can only do so much. Without the active partnership of students' parents/caregivers [such as care, concern, and guidance] teachers can't do much more.
CarmineD
Hadn't planned to comment but reading Roslenda's stunningly inane comment forces a response. My wife and I ended our careers teaching high school in Las Vegas, she for five years and me for four. I have worked as a bar swamper/bouncer/bar tender, put myself through school logging, worked in, managed and owned auto and truck repair shops and managed a health care business with 300 employees. No other job that I have had was as time consuming or challenging as teaching. Roberta, it is clear that you do not like teachers nor do you respect what they do. Your irrational responses to education issues [and immigration, BTW] render your viewpoints as little more than bird droppings on the paper of discussion.
Go, Pat Hayes!
"No other job that I have had was as time consuming or challenging as teaching." @ Hayes
While that may be true for you, it is not necessarily true for all others. I opine Roslenda saw and read this link below, when posted here before, and I suggest you do the same if you haven't. And reread if you have.
http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2008/03/art4...
CarmineD
Unlike you, Carmine, we are speaking from experience.
First of all, we work here, in the CCSD, not in some American average.
Secondly,
I work about 60 hours a week during the worst parts of the year, about 50 during the best, and there are many teachers who routinely put in about 10 more than I do. My guess is that elementary teachers here average about 70 or 70+ per week.
Incidentally, the link caused a computer freeze.
Jeremy, take solice in the fact that the majority of the public sees through the current attack on teachers as the devil in today's world. Wealthy business owners have targeted education as the next place to make large amounts of money, and they see attacking teachers as the way to get there. They will continue to have the few sheep, such as the repetitive commentators on this site, who swallow their arguments hook, line and sinker.
There are problems in public education. The majority of those problems lie at the feet of corrupt and incompetent management and administration. More than half of CCSD employees do not work in classrooms. The answers lie in putting more of the money that they already have into classrooms instead of wasteful products and positions that have nothing to do with educating students.
Like the wharfrat, I too felt inclined to remark about Roslenda's frequent teacher bashing, particularly her blatantly disconnected comments about the relatively reclusive life of a teacher, separate from other roles in our society.
I've done a number of other jobs too from farming and home building, property developing, real estate, mortgages and training groups in several walks also but spent a few years teaching school in Nevada among other places.
And like wharfrat and Star make clear, this teaching thing is not really for the faint of heart or lazy and disinterested. It requires more than a person can handle, stretches your heart and mind daily, and rewards with things money can't buy.
It may just be beyond the rosie's ability to imagine the motivation or feel comfortable in a helping role that makes her wail so against those who bring the warmth and understanding every day to perfect stranger because they can.
Carmine,
"Not from me Sam. The blame for failure for our students to achieve academically rests completely on parents, not the teachers."
I would have to disagree with you on blaming the parents for failure of students who do not achieve academically in school.I will agree with you that it isn't the teachers fault either.
We the state of Nevada have the lowest school rateing in the country. It can't be that Nevada has the worst parents in the country. Who you say deserve to get all the blame for failing students. Nevada has some serious problems to tackle.Trying to improve our school system for a better education for all our kids is a whole community involvement matter. Where to start is anyone's guess,how is another?
Sam:
If the parents/guardians show no interest in their children's grades and academic achievement, the children won't either. Show me a student who is achieving beyond his/her capacity, and I'll show you a parent/guardian/mentor who is directly and actively involved in that's student's school studies. Ask any teacher, anywhere, and the teacher will tell you the same as me. Involved parents/guardians, better students. Non-caring, non-concerned parents/guardians, poor students.
My grandfather lived with us when I was a youngster. He couldn't speak much English. Just Italian. When I took my report card home from first grade, he always wanted to see it and it made him happy when I did well. He even signed on occasion. I was 6 when he died, and I remember 2 things about him very distinctly. He read the Bible every day [in Italian] and always asked me about school.
CarmineD
"Unlike you, Carmine, we are speaking from experience." @ Teacher
If you only knew rather than just think you do.
CarmineD
"Incidentally, the link caused a computer freeze." @ Teacher
Sounds like an ostrich defense. Or the 3 monkeys. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
CarmineD
Carmine,
Parents play a big part in all things that involve their children.I still can't agree with you that the parents are the main cause of Nevada ranking as the lowest performing school district in the country.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan said on Jan 17, 2013 that 3.1 million students nationwide earned their high school diploma in 2010. With 78 percent of students finishing on time,that's the best since the school year of 1976.
Nevada on the other hand had only a 62 percent of our students graduate from high school in the same year of 2010.This cannot be all because of the parents, lack of interest in their children.