Posted as a comment...
I posted this as a comment on another blog and it occurred to me that it's longer than some of my own posts! So here it is...
Someone "from the trenches" here, as I'm a middle school science teacher...
The reality of the situation is that the vast majority of school funding is local, not national. So much of the resources that a school has available are generated by local property taxes, bond issues, etc. A national program (particularly one as underfunded as this one is likely to be) cannot solve many of the problems we are having--it is such a small percentage of our funding.
If you ask me, one of the main reasons our kids are not doing well in math and science is that good teachers are leaving the profession. Here's why:
1. You can make more money in my state as a plumber than as a teacher. I know one incredible high school science teacher who left for just that reason. Many other jobs in math and science are more lucrative than teaching, and you don't have to deal with kids all day long. (I happen to like the kids, though...)
2. Many of the factors that influence how well our students will do are out of our immediate control. Poverty, parents' educational level, and lack of motivation can be difficult to overcome. We try our best, but sometimes it isn't enough.
3. Respect (lack thereof). When everyone is questioning how well you do your job every day, it takes a toll. Since everyone went to school, everyone has an opinion. Parents believe their kids over the teachers.
Don't get me wrong, I love my job. It just drives me nuts that people think that they can legislate about schools when they have never tried teaching.
Someone "from the trenches" here, as I'm a middle school science teacher...
The reality of the situation is that the vast majority of school funding is local, not national. So much of the resources that a school has available are generated by local property taxes, bond issues, etc. A national program (particularly one as underfunded as this one is likely to be) cannot solve many of the problems we are having--it is such a small percentage of our funding.
If you ask me, one of the main reasons our kids are not doing well in math and science is that good teachers are leaving the profession. Here's why:
1. You can make more money in my state as a plumber than as a teacher. I know one incredible high school science teacher who left for just that reason. Many other jobs in math and science are more lucrative than teaching, and you don't have to deal with kids all day long. (I happen to like the kids, though...)
2. Many of the factors that influence how well our students will do are out of our immediate control. Poverty, parents' educational level, and lack of motivation can be difficult to overcome. We try our best, but sometimes it isn't enough.
3. Respect (lack thereof). When everyone is questioning how well you do your job every day, it takes a toll. Since everyone went to school, everyone has an opinion. Parents believe their kids over the teachers.
Don't get me wrong, I love my job. It just drives me nuts that people think that they can legislate about schools when they have never tried teaching.
posted by Suzy at 7:41 AM
2 Comments:
Amen, Sister! I share many of those same frustrations. I'd challenge anyone who thinks that teaching is easy to come into my classroom any day of the week and teach music to children with a 10-year (or nearly) age span! On Wednesdays, I go from 3-6 year olds to 9-12 year olds in 5 minutes. I have a master's degree for crying out loud! I didn't just decide to become a teacher and then get a classroom! I would make so much more money with my education level in any other profession, but I teach because I love the kids and I love my job. I get to sing songs and play games all day and get PAID for it!? Cool!
Like you mentioned, another thing that really affects how successful students are is their parents' involvement. The odds are against any student whose parent(s) don't value education, don't get involved with the school work, and who don't instill that value in their children. It's a vicious cycle!
I feel the same way when 'they' put their noses into healthcare. Try going through medical school before you start judging doctors.
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