I began my career as a teacher in the 70s- and left after a year because of the dismal pay. It is even more dismal today, in an atmosphere so challenging that you'd think everyone would understand why teachers- most with 6+ years of higher education- are leaving in droves. After retiring from a 30+ year corporate career, I returned to teaching last year, but could only find a substitute position. This has had the add value, though, of exposing me to classrooms in multiple districts, many grade levels and numerous curriculum designs. While I love the art and science of teaching, this experience has cured me of the regret of not having stayed in the profession. I would have burned out long ago, even though I was able to thrive in the cut-throat world of corporate America. My final salary was three twice what the average teacher makes even after a lifetime of service. I would never suggest my children enter the field- it's overrun now by corporate interests, for-profit greed, incompetent administrators and an endless stream of reformists who don't know a thing about the field. I challenge every politician or journalist who utters or writes a word about 'what's wrong with the system' to spend one week in a classroom- not as a 'guest observer,' but as a teacher. While we can do a better job in teacher education and the upfront selection process, the problem with education today is certainly not the teachers.
59
Long ago I thought of teaching. Actually got my certificate and did substitution for a bit while working on a few other graduate degrees. My two biggest gripes were well, one...unions. As a substitute teacher I didn't have to part of one, but if I was to be a teacher I would have to join one. I risk having the second issue drown out by my preference not to join a union however..I've had this discussion before with people..we can just agree to disagree. I do not want to be part of a union.
The second thing is actually more of a influence on the decision to be a teacher or not than the issue of unions and that is you have to teach to the curriculum. The curriculum is fine as a guide but it would be nice to be able to deviate from it some. I knew a guy who got reprimanded for providing his class with a suggested reading list that attempted to counter what he saw was a bias and relatively shallow curriculum. Those are my two main reasons why I decided not to teach. Though I no longer substitute teach, nonetheless I often recommend it to people as the flexibility is nice.
The second thing is actually more of a influence on the decision to be a teacher or not than the issue of unions and that is you have to teach to the curriculum. The curriculum is fine as a guide but it would be nice to be able to deviate from it some. I knew a guy who got reprimanded for providing his class with a suggested reading list that attempted to counter what he saw was a bias and relatively shallow curriculum. Those are my two main reasons why I decided not to teach. Though I no longer substitute teach, nonetheless I often recommend it to people as the flexibility is nice.
6
Heritage and AEI are not left wing, but not chopped liver either. This is what they had to say in 2011.
Are public school teachers overpaid? That’s the topic of discussion [in 2011 in ...] “Assessing the Compensation of Public-School Teachers.”
.... Teachers who change to non-teaching jobs, on the other hand, see their wages decrease by roughly 3 percent. This is the opposite of what one would expect if teachers were underpaid.”
While their salaries are comparable to “similarly skilled private sector workers,” when fringe benefits are thrown into the mix — overgenerous pensions, extensive retiree health care, and job security — public school teachers “make total compensation 52 percent greater than fair market levels, equivalent to more than $120 billion overcharged to taxpayers each year.”
Are public school teachers overpaid? That’s the topic of discussion [in 2011 in ...] “Assessing the Compensation of Public-School Teachers.”
.... Teachers who change to non-teaching jobs, on the other hand, see their wages decrease by roughly 3 percent. This is the opposite of what one would expect if teachers were underpaid.”
While their salaries are comparable to “similarly skilled private sector workers,” when fringe benefits are thrown into the mix — overgenerous pensions, extensive retiree health care, and job security — public school teachers “make total compensation 52 percent greater than fair market levels, equivalent to more than $120 billion overcharged to taxpayers each year.”
9
As a former teacher now making a great wage doing something besides teaching i will tell you what the problem is. The politicians write laws for the teachers because they can not legislate good parenting. In 25 years of teaching the only thing I ever lacked was a good salary. The next thing is because of all the lawyers have scared off all the administrators so no one in the system has a backbone to make kids behave which includes the parents. Until you address the real problem in America which is a lack of good parenting you are not going to fix the problem. If you let little Johnny stay up 1/2 the night and then send him to school don't expect him to learn he will be sleeping in someone's class.
127
Perhaps the NY Times needs to think about the implications of all their anti-teacher anti-union editorials over the years, of which Mr. Bruni has been front and center? Teachers are leaving the classroom in droves! Foreign corporations (ie Pearson) are making their greed-centric moves, none of which are aimed at improving the foundation of education, which is and remains the teacher/student nexus. The chickens are coming home to roost. But don't worry too much, it's only our kids who will be impacted, not important people like Wall Street Bankers who want to set Ed-policy :-(
132
Public employees in this country are routinely looked down upon. The attitude is that anyone can do those jobs. Furthermore, their pay comes from taxes, and most Americans think that the less they pay in taxes, the better. The Republican Party believes that "government is the problem," and they want to "starve the beast." Another term for public employee is public servant. Who respects a servant? Who wants to pay a servant very much? Anyone can be a servant? Teachers fall into this category. Until Americans value intellectual achievement as much as monetary success, nothing will change. And that will be a long, long time.
101
The way we treat teachers in the US is a national disgrace. This has been going on a long time, and we are reaping what we've sown.
In my state, the teachers are scapegoats for perceived "failures" to educate the poorest students; for this crime, all teachers are treated like serfs. There is a cohort of Republican ideologues and privatizers who believe that everything "public" is evil and must be destroyed, so they can create some sort of bubble selling instant education to credulous investors who don't have a clue how to educate and think education really could be run like business.
It was always hard to be a teacher--coming into school early to set up for the day, dealing with every conceivable personality type and problem among children, taking home piles of stuff to grade at the end of the day. But it's becoming worse and worse.
I worked for years for a large Fortune 500 corporation and our department made a point to call in former teachers for interviews and hire them whenever possible. They worked hard, understood how to present information to customers, and found the working conditions to be heavenly. (They could go to the bathroom when they wanted, etc.)
Now teachers are punching bags for ideologues who see the chance to destroy yet another public institution with the delusion that they can get rich quick teaching kids. (Ha! Fat chance.) We are heading down the wrong path on this, and it's hard to blame young people for staying away.
In my state, the teachers are scapegoats for perceived "failures" to educate the poorest students; for this crime, all teachers are treated like serfs. There is a cohort of Republican ideologues and privatizers who believe that everything "public" is evil and must be destroyed, so they can create some sort of bubble selling instant education to credulous investors who don't have a clue how to educate and think education really could be run like business.
It was always hard to be a teacher--coming into school early to set up for the day, dealing with every conceivable personality type and problem among children, taking home piles of stuff to grade at the end of the day. But it's becoming worse and worse.
I worked for years for a large Fortune 500 corporation and our department made a point to call in former teachers for interviews and hire them whenever possible. They worked hard, understood how to present information to customers, and found the working conditions to be heavenly. (They could go to the bathroom when they wanted, etc.)
Now teachers are punching bags for ideologues who see the chance to destroy yet another public institution with the delusion that they can get rich quick teaching kids. (Ha! Fat chance.) We are heading down the wrong path on this, and it's hard to blame young people for staying away.
217
I am a veteran educator facing a new academic year with the proverbial mixed emotions of joy and dread. I don't know how much longer I will be able to hold onto the joy. It's funny that Mr. Bruni who has joined in the public "stoning" of teachers now asks if anyone is interested in becoming one! I tell my senior students not to consider education as a career choice...not now. They see for themselves that educators are denigrated regularly by the politicians, mass media and in some cases their own parents. And for those who believe that an educators union membership is to blame for the anti-intellectualism that dominates all facets of American life, I can only shake my head. Those who don't know their history are doomed to repeat it. This race to the bottom must end. I have little faith that we will see it end soon.
Despite the continued vitriol, I will continue to push myself, my students and my colleagues on the quest for an education that inspires all of us to progress. Good luck with your search. You are going to need it!
Despite the continued vitriol, I will continue to push myself, my students and my colleagues on the quest for an education that inspires all of us to progress. Good luck with your search. You are going to need it!
160
If I were running a school district in need of teachers, i would make a major effort to recruit retired people with teaching credentials, or to encourage retired people to get teaching credentials. Too many kids have no elder role models, many retired people are healthy and would be happy to work again. They would also bring a lot of life knowledge into the classroom that younger teachers don't have.
63
It would help if the educrats doing the hiring would pay close attention to the applications they receive. My daughter graduated Magna Cum Lauda from the University of Texas in San Antonio with a degree in Special Education and glowing recommendations but cannot get the administration at the San Antonio Independent School District to even grant her an interview. That is where she did her student teaching and got a very positive review at an inner city school. I hear whining from schools about not being able to find qualified teachers for math, science or special education, but it appears they do not recognize an excellent candidate who loves teaching special needs kids when she applies, calls, etc.
50
I went to school for secondary education and left within 5 years, and the largest factor was pay. I went from making less than 28,000 a year teaching in a private school, to making over 2 times the amount working in the pharma industry. I have had colleagues talk about going to back to school to become teachers, and I usually respond by saying "It must be nice to need the money." Some are under the impression that they would only be taking a small decrease in salary, and I encourage them to do better research before taking the leap. I have to laugh any time people say teachers are overpaid - if they were, I wouldn't have left for a job that is less draining and pays much better.
106
If you're at all bright, do anything rather than teach K-12. The pay's terrible, the benefits are shrinking, and the autonomy's practically non-existent. Oh yes, and the job gets harder each year.
64
I am so glad I went to school when I did when my teachers were creative and challenging in what they taught. In one class our home room teacher taught a week of Chinese Poetry and a week of French surrealism existentialism. She also met with each student individually to customize individual reading lists to expand our horizons, bolster our character and address psychological needs.
And this was in public high school in Lewiston, Idaho!
Today she would be teaching to some test and dying a slow spiritual death.
And this was in public high school in Lewiston, Idaho!
Today she would be teaching to some test and dying a slow spiritual death.
77
Bruni is writing about classroom teachers, who teach much the same way today as in say, 1950. There are many examples of improved student learning, when those students learn from computers. Students can move ahead or slow down the pace of learning. The future of learning is computers, not classroom teachers.
4
I've known several young, idealistic teachers who have gamely gone into inner cities to teach underprivileged children. Unfortunately, each and every one of these teachers quit after several months saying that their inner-city pupils were both too unruly and didn't care about learning. While it's easy to blame the government and those in charge, I believe that the country as a whole must address the failure of many parents, white and black, to emphasize the importance of education to their children. There are no winners politically from this debacle; it's an existential threat to the United States.
94
My mother and father and my daughter are teachers. All of them agree that teaching has gotten progressively more difficult and less rewarding as critics like Cuomo devalue their work and hold them to standards that are not only unattainable, but are unclear. Cuomo would never be able to meet a similar standard as governor, but teachers are under the gun because private interests want to funnel that public education money to their own interests. The first step is to devalue public schools and teachers and try to break the unions. Cuomo is well on his way. He is doing for public schools what he did for the Moreland Commission.
71
Nobody gets rich at teaching, but you should include the health benefits, retirement plan $, and the time off teachers get. My son taught his first year last year in Brooklyn and the value of his combined health ins., retirement and salary was over $70K. He's spending 6 weeks in Europe this summer. 2 months off! Every federal holiday off. Xmas and Spring breaks. Yes: Hard work, meaningful work, a life about more than chasing pieces of paper with dead presidents on them. He's paying his student loans off with the Income Based Repayment option – it ain't killing his dreams. His life is good.
18
And for many teachers a significant percentage of that time off is spent getting caught up on grading or preparing new lesson plans for a new year. It's not all pure vacation as you seem to suggest.
70
Good column. Pay teachers more, and also respect them more, but this would have to counter American anti-intellectualism, which we see so prominent in the GOP. We should expect teachers to be good at school, to be at the top of the class--but we also need to respect and admire intellectual achievement, and in our extreme Capitalist system in which only money talks, that will be a hard thing to change.
61
I wish critics of public education would actually spend a day in a classroom and see what teachers have to put up with in order to do their jobs. Good teachers use the municipal-driven and Common Core curriculum as a guide, and create lesson plans that are effective for their students. Master teachers will teach as they are told to, and then reteach in a more engaging manner to get kids excited about what they're learning. Oh, and it does require more than a 7 1/2 hour day to do it.
47
Maybe if we didn't have candidates for president saying things like they'd like to punch teachers in the face, more people would want to be teachers?
And maybe if the rest of us---who have been shamelessly silent about such remarks---absolutely and LOUDLY verbalized our outrage and disgust at the people who say them, it might help change the current hostile and mean attitudes some propagate against our K-12 educators.
And maybe if the rest of us---who have been shamelessly silent about such remarks---absolutely and LOUDLY verbalized our outrage and disgust at the people who say them, it might help change the current hostile and mean attitudes some propagate against our K-12 educators.
80
I'm not a teacher, but I would never want to be a teacher judged by how my students did on tests. We have to make sure that teaching is a job that good people (who have alternatives) will want to do. If it's too much grief/aggravation, good people won't do it (or they'll just go teach at some private school).
9
One response to this column is "please let's keep politics out of the discussion." Mr. Bruni has kept politics out of the discussion here even though he must know that it is a huge factor in how we treat and fund our schools and our teachers. Republicans control a majority of the state legislatures. There is no appetite in todays Republican Party for putting more resources into schools or increasing teacher pay. Scott Walker in Wiscosin is only the most extream example.
I went to public school in the 1950s and college in the 60s. My family could not help me finance college but I was able to graduate from a state university by working in the summers. The cost of college back then made this possible.
The downward slide began in California under Ronald Reagan. He cut taxes and basically trashed one of the best public school systems in the country. Prop 13 came along and finished the job. Since then it has become Republican orthdoxy that all public budgets need to be cut and that the teachers and their unions are the enemy.
In this political environment how do we accomplish the worthy goals that Mr. Bruni lays out here? It appears to me to be impossible.
I went to public school in the 1950s and college in the 60s. My family could not help me finance college but I was able to graduate from a state university by working in the summers. The cost of college back then made this possible.
The downward slide began in California under Ronald Reagan. He cut taxes and basically trashed one of the best public school systems in the country. Prop 13 came along and finished the job. Since then it has become Republican orthdoxy that all public budgets need to be cut and that the teachers and their unions are the enemy.
In this political environment how do we accomplish the worthy goals that Mr. Bruni lays out here? It appears to me to be impossible.
19
I work in higher ed but interact with K-12 educators quite a bit. I also have kids in college. In discussing the teacher shortage - quantity and quality with my colleagues in K-12 and the lack of interest in entering teaching with my kids and their friends; I hear a couple of themes:
Teacher unions that value seniority over ability and protect the weak and ineffective are not something milllenials want representing them. For all the talk about exemplary teachers, unions have fought (here in Minnesota, fought hard) to keep first in first out rules and protect bad teachers at the cost of losing good teachers. This generation is not interested in that paradigm. They want to be judged on their own merits. Business offers this opportunity.
On the administration side, this teacher shortage should scare a lot of school boards. I agree that people are avoiding teaching because of all the requirements that bind them before they even start to teach (performance requirements, teaching to the test, etc...). Who wants to enter a profession with so many rules? But, if young people don't enter it, there will be far fewere principals and superintendents in the future. Those aren'tjobs that you walk into unprepared. So, it isn't just a a pipeline to the classroom bur also to the principal's office that is lost.
Teacher unions that value seniority over ability and protect the weak and ineffective are not something milllenials want representing them. For all the talk about exemplary teachers, unions have fought (here in Minnesota, fought hard) to keep first in first out rules and protect bad teachers at the cost of losing good teachers. This generation is not interested in that paradigm. They want to be judged on their own merits. Business offers this opportunity.
On the administration side, this teacher shortage should scare a lot of school boards. I agree that people are avoiding teaching because of all the requirements that bind them before they even start to teach (performance requirements, teaching to the test, etc...). Who wants to enter a profession with so many rules? But, if young people don't enter it, there will be far fewere principals and superintendents in the future. Those aren'tjobs that you walk into unprepared. So, it isn't just a a pipeline to the classroom bur also to the principal's office that is lost.
3
I'm retired after 38 years of teaching. Mine was not the easiest major on campus, I'd wager. While it behooves no one to list 'easy' majors, I'd say from a life of observation, there were slackers learning every profession, yep lawyers, CPA's, finance and business, some I knew never read a book. SO let's talk competence. Professors at every university have the where-with-all to muster poor candidates out. Principals in every school have the where-with-all to not hire inferior candidates, and to document and release teachers not doing their job. Superintendents in every district can set policy for teacher support and development, and incentives to encourage in a positive way, teacher effectiveness and student success. The high paid Supers and Principals have dodged, for some reason, the beatings for the teachers until "morale improved". Attacking teacher unions, career teachers and teacher education schools, President Obama carefully crafted this teacher shortage with his very bad selection of Arne Duncan as Ed. Secretary, and his unenlightened understanding of education, teachers and the plight of modern families. For the record, my life work, along with my teacher husband's, as afforded us a barely get by retirement, so there goes that mythical perk. This empty teacher's desk inconvenience is quite deserved for the treatment good teachers have been through.
46
You can interest me in teaching. You can't interest me in playing punching bag for a bunch of spoiled psychopathic brats that I'm not allowed to defend myself against.
37
Do you mean the students, the parents, the administrators, the school boards, or the electorate?
79
With so many disillusioned educators, I wonder how that attitude is being interpreted by the students? If so many teachers hate their job, how does that make a student feel?
17
Believe me, the students come in with the attitude that teachers are worthless; they've heard it echoing in the nation just like you have, Marge. And teachers who are disillusioned usually do not bring that into the classroom; they often love teaching itself, and care for their students well and truly. It's why many have stayed--the reward for them lies there and nowhere else.
54
JSD should step up and try teaching. There are many like JSD who think anybody can teach. However, I have yet to have a colleague who came to teaching from another profession who lasted more than a year. I taught for six years and then went to law school. I have been a litigator and an intellectual property attorney, and the stress I felt as an attorney is nothing compared to teaching junior English and Advanced Placement English Language in a Title I school where gangs are common, English is the second language of numerous students, large numbers of students haven't passed the mandated tests in the previous two years and now both the teacher and students are confronted with the snowballing requirements that must be met if the students are to graduate. The time requirement for teaching and practicing law are about the same - the big difference is being able to take essays and composition books home to grade instead of putting the hours in at the office where the senior partner can see you working. So the real benefit in terms of time is flexibility. My summer started with two weeks of curriculum writing, reading and outlining four books on instructional strategies and then moved on to design new lessons my 11th. grade team and I plan to try next year. That left me July until this Friday as vacation. Pay teachers the average doctor's, lawyer's, or engineer's salary minus six weeks and I'm sure they'll be happy. Oh, and FYI, it's "fewer" hours not "less."
54
I am 57. When I was finishing college, I wanted to teach math. I looked into it. The University of Chicago had a great sounding program which granted both a teaching credential and a masters. A little more investigation, however, showed that I would be allowed to decide NEITHER what to teach nor how to teach it. Say what? Yes, it was true. That was all it took to put me 100% OFF teaching. I went to medical school instead, became a teacher and a research physician, and did years of original research. I am now happily engaged in biotechnology. I still want to teach math and/or science, but the rules are still preposterous. It is too bad. I am sure there are many like me. Please do not tell me a need a "credential" to teach. I already know I can teach - that is part of why I want to do so. Can this never be cleared up?
34
I left high school teaching (chemistry) after four years in the early 1960s. It was difficult and frustrating then with a pompous administration and school board who seemed to despise the teaching staff treating them more like worker slaves complete with 20 minute lunch periods and forced coaching after the regular school day.
Today, as yesterday, public education is and was the national punching bag seemingly responsible for all of the ills of this country. If you paid a teacher the same hourly rate as a baby-sitter at $10 or more an hour times 30 students, they should make $300 an hour. That's what a good teacher is worth. The focus on national test scores instigated by one of the most stupid and vapid presidents in history, GW Bush, has contributed to the demise of a noble profession where nearly 50% now leave after five years.
I went on to community college where I doubled my salary, was treated with respect by students, colleagues, and community alike. The difference was night and day.
It's no wonder that there is a terrific shortage of teachers at the K-12 levels. Poor pay, poor working conditions, vindictive administrators, and too many conservative, Republican school boards.
Let's face it, we have become a nation that would rather make war, sell guns, educate by placing a third of black males in prison, and elect fat, idiot, ignorant politicians who are betoken to the corporate money stream. And citizens wonder why we have problems in America?
Today, as yesterday, public education is and was the national punching bag seemingly responsible for all of the ills of this country. If you paid a teacher the same hourly rate as a baby-sitter at $10 or more an hour times 30 students, they should make $300 an hour. That's what a good teacher is worth. The focus on national test scores instigated by one of the most stupid and vapid presidents in history, GW Bush, has contributed to the demise of a noble profession where nearly 50% now leave after five years.
I went on to community college where I doubled my salary, was treated with respect by students, colleagues, and community alike. The difference was night and day.
It's no wonder that there is a terrific shortage of teachers at the K-12 levels. Poor pay, poor working conditions, vindictive administrators, and too many conservative, Republican school boards.
Let's face it, we have become a nation that would rather make war, sell guns, educate by placing a third of black males in prison, and elect fat, idiot, ignorant politicians who are betoken to the corporate money stream. And citizens wonder why we have problems in America?
49
The problem with education in America?
A person could argue all day with others about this question, but what I find strange is how so many people--in fact pretty much all people--seem incapable of recalling all the years they in fact spent in the system being educated, which is to say they seem incapable of describing exactly what they did in the system to be able to give an honest critique of the system. This is really peculiar because critiquing the educational system should be extremely easy for almost anyone because the educational system, unlike any other work environment in America, is a work environment we all we were raised in (imagine a child growing up in a garage and therefore with obvious ability to give an impression of operations of car mechanics).
I think if a person is honest the person will mention that most people in school were not that bright, had discipline problems, often had problems at home and that the teachers were somehow supposed to solve all these problems at once. Impossible task. I doubt education can really be fixed without working on the parental end of things, solving discipline problems and being honest about student abilities so the children can be sorted into classes where there is a close match between teacher capacity and interest and student capacity and interest.
I remember a chemistry teacher in high school named Mr. Pritchard and I seriously doubt my failure in chemistry had anything to do with his capacity as a teacher.
A person could argue all day with others about this question, but what I find strange is how so many people--in fact pretty much all people--seem incapable of recalling all the years they in fact spent in the system being educated, which is to say they seem incapable of describing exactly what they did in the system to be able to give an honest critique of the system. This is really peculiar because critiquing the educational system should be extremely easy for almost anyone because the educational system, unlike any other work environment in America, is a work environment we all we were raised in (imagine a child growing up in a garage and therefore with obvious ability to give an impression of operations of car mechanics).
I think if a person is honest the person will mention that most people in school were not that bright, had discipline problems, often had problems at home and that the teachers were somehow supposed to solve all these problems at once. Impossible task. I doubt education can really be fixed without working on the parental end of things, solving discipline problems and being honest about student abilities so the children can be sorted into classes where there is a close match between teacher capacity and interest and student capacity and interest.
I remember a chemistry teacher in high school named Mr. Pritchard and I seriously doubt my failure in chemistry had anything to do with his capacity as a teacher.
16
Many schools — particularly in places with growing populations and difficult working conditions — are having an especially tough time getting enough teachers to fill all their jobs. Districts say they're struggling the most in areas like math, science, special education and foreign languages.
Low pay, more mandatory tests, funding cuts and what some educators believe are more demands from policymakers are among the reasons cited by departing teachers, and by administrators trying to replace them.
In the scramble, some teachers are taking on new subjects. Oklahoma officials have issued 215 emergency certifications to allow teachers to instruct outside their areas of expertise, compared to just 71 at the same time last year.
While teacher shortages aren't appearing everywhere, they do tend to pose challenges in faster-growing states and those with budget problems, education researchers say. Remote areas, and high-poverty districts like Detroit with uncertain budgets and difficult working conditions, also have trouble.
Some school districts have been trying new approaches. The Clark County School District in Nevada, which includes Las Vegas, has offered bonuses, sent recruiters to colleges and job fairs around the country, and launched a "Calling All Heroes" campaign that included billboards in Times Square to fill its hundreds of vacancies.
Low pay, more mandatory tests, funding cuts and what some educators believe are more demands from policymakers are among the reasons cited by departing teachers, and by administrators trying to replace them.
In the scramble, some teachers are taking on new subjects. Oklahoma officials have issued 215 emergency certifications to allow teachers to instruct outside their areas of expertise, compared to just 71 at the same time last year.
While teacher shortages aren't appearing everywhere, they do tend to pose challenges in faster-growing states and those with budget problems, education researchers say. Remote areas, and high-poverty districts like Detroit with uncertain budgets and difficult working conditions, also have trouble.
Some school districts have been trying new approaches. The Clark County School District in Nevada, which includes Las Vegas, has offered bonuses, sent recruiters to colleges and job fairs around the country, and launched a "Calling All Heroes" campaign that included billboards in Times Square to fill its hundreds of vacancies.
6
Calling all Heroes is code for "come work like a dog and be treated like dirt for peanuts."
Bonuses are a one-time blip followed by years of stagnant salary.
Teachers aren't heroes; we're human beings. We're smart human beings who see the downside to "bonuses" and being called a "hero."
Bonuses are a one-time blip followed by years of stagnant salary.
Teachers aren't heroes; we're human beings. We're smart human beings who see the downside to "bonuses" and being called a "hero."
6
Schools need to focus on mid-career professionals who are disillusioned or find themselves out of a job. Such professionals likely already have savings built up and student loans paid off, so salary isn't as much of an immediate concern. They also have decades of life experience on recent college grads. Hiring older teachers also helps alleviate spiraling pension costs.
5
Who would go into teaching with the constant drum roll of FOX New, Republican governors etc. dumping on teachers and schools? See Gov. Walker's war on education. Then, if they do go into education, they are forced to use those dumbed down textbooks, and teach students to pass tests, not learn.
27
I just retired after 31 years in the classroom. I would like those who think teaching is easy to spend one week in a public school classroom. I had 100 kids a day go through my room. I had less than 20 minutes for lunch. I could go on. See for your self how easy the job is...you won't last a day.
36
Be sure to include the 50 tests and 50 compositions in your briefcase as homework, and get those lesson plans, materials, "accountability reports", and the rest done at night and on the weekend, and then, yea! It's Monday and you do it all again. Those who think it's a cushiony existence must wonder why half of new hires quit in the first five years.
9
I love the story my son's father-in-law tells about teaching. He proudly says "I didn't last past lunchtime. I went to the principal at the break and said,
'This is not for me.' " He established his own business and made a ton of money.
He loves to tell that story and it always gets a big laugh.
'This is not for me.' " He established his own business and made a ton of money.
He loves to tell that story and it always gets a big laugh.
3
I've been a teacher for 13 years. I have a master's in education. It is the best career I can imagine. It challenges me every day, is meaningful and worthwhile, and (contrary to what many say) really doesn't stress me out very often. The first six years were a lot of work as I spent long days planning and grading papers and taking education classes at night. But at this point, I have my routine down so well it isn't that demanding of a job. I work hard while I'm at work, but I rarely have to take anything home with me anymore.
The pay isn't great, but now that I've got my craft down, the hours, benefits and vacation time are fantastic. And one of the perks of being a teacher is that there is absolutely no pressure to keep up with the Joneses. I went to a state school and didn't take out any student loans. I drive a 99 Corolla and have a budget wardrobe, and nobody judges me for it. I work in a very expensive area and buying a condo here is going to take a lot of scrimping and saving, but we think we'll be able to do it in a year or two.
My husband is a social worker...also a job with shortages and without prestige. And yet we have a wonderful work/life balance and want for nothing. I wouldn't trade my career for anything.
The pay isn't great, but now that I've got my craft down, the hours, benefits and vacation time are fantastic. And one of the perks of being a teacher is that there is absolutely no pressure to keep up with the Joneses. I went to a state school and didn't take out any student loans. I drive a 99 Corolla and have a budget wardrobe, and nobody judges me for it. I work in a very expensive area and buying a condo here is going to take a lot of scrimping and saving, but we think we'll be able to do it in a year or two.
My husband is a social worker...also a job with shortages and without prestige. And yet we have a wonderful work/life balance and want for nothing. I wouldn't trade my career for anything.
15
Career ladders? Maybe for some. But, better than a "career ladder," in 32 years of teaching I found myself doing new things about every 7 years, without leaving the classroom--some came from seeking new ways to teach, especially with the National Writing Project, some from accepting new assignments such as a change in grade or classes I switched to or created (like a 12-week elective course in Shakespeare for any highschooler who chose to take it) or moving from debate coach to yearbook advisor, some from changing schools. A lot of the freedom and encouragement I had to keep my teaching fresh came from some basic respect for the teaching staff as professionals, while a lot came from colleagues also free to ask questions, try things, look at results and adjust. Protection for our work came from our union, our local Education Association. But NCLB, destructive use of testing to punish rather than inform, distrust of teachers and contempt built into a lot of what's said by education reformers have destroyed that academic freedom. I'm glad to see Bruni call for professional discretion.
6
Mr. Bruni, I went to your link and saw the national teacher's union's (who you didn't identify as the authors) calculation of average salary and asked myself a question. Why average? Just ask any economist or statistician who works with wage and salary data, you never use the average to describe what's happening to wage data. You use the median.
The average introduces just way too many distortions. High or low wage numbers can distort the average. Also, no one gets paid the average, but the median let's us know what the "person in the middle" makes.
I then thought about who the authors were of your study and became highly skeptical of any of the arguments that you made based upon that data. They always like to talk about the introductory salary level, while leaving out how quickly that number is accelerated and how pensions, after just two or three decades of teaching, are based upon the highest salary levels. Oh, and don't ask them to quantify the value of tenure.
To be frank, all reporters should have taken at least one advanced statistics course as an undergraduate. Or just ask someone who did.
The average introduces just way too many distortions. High or low wage numbers can distort the average. Also, no one gets paid the average, but the median let's us know what the "person in the middle" makes.
I then thought about who the authors were of your study and became highly skeptical of any of the arguments that you made based upon that data. They always like to talk about the introductory salary level, while leaving out how quickly that number is accelerated and how pensions, after just two or three decades of teaching, are based upon the highest salary levels. Oh, and don't ask them to quantify the value of tenure.
To be frank, all reporters should have taken at least one advanced statistics course as an undergraduate. Or just ask someone who did.
8
I'm a teacher, not a journalist. There are only two reasons to enter primary or secondary teaching today: an irrational desire to teach children, or an inability to find better employment. There are two reasons to leave teaching: the parents and the administrators. I would love to believe that my union supports me, protects me from the irrational demands of administrators who exist only to protect their jobs, but that's hardly the case. Further, my union protects me only from getting fired, not from the consequences of bad parenting; the helicopters who threaten me if their child doesn't get an A, and those who have so abandoned their children that violent rebels sit in my class.
With that as a foundation, is it no surprise that we end up with two types of teachers: the incompetent and the burnt out? The competent ones, the intellectually curious, those who are passionate about education leave after a few years. We're left with the incompetent and the burnt out (me). This, then reinforces the negative cycle; the breakroom is the most toxic place in the school.
the only solution to this, and will take years and a political bludgeon, is to raise the bar on teaching. We force the teaching schools to flunk out those who become marginal teachers. Remove the financial incentive to the universities to go from a D in calc I to the education school. Create a corps of teachers who are adequately educated, informed and motivated to push back against the insane bureaucracies.
With that as a foundation, is it no surprise that we end up with two types of teachers: the incompetent and the burnt out? The competent ones, the intellectually curious, those who are passionate about education leave after a few years. We're left with the incompetent and the burnt out (me). This, then reinforces the negative cycle; the breakroom is the most toxic place in the school.
the only solution to this, and will take years and a political bludgeon, is to raise the bar on teaching. We force the teaching schools to flunk out those who become marginal teachers. Remove the financial incentive to the universities to go from a D in calc I to the education school. Create a corps of teachers who are adequately educated, informed and motivated to push back against the insane bureaucracies.
9
A few additional thoughts:
1) When I got my Masters in Education in 1979 I was required to take classes in curriculum development, tests and measurements, as well as educational statistics. Today, because I do not have a Masters in Educational Leadership, I am not considered a viable candidate for most administrative positions even though I often have to explain basic math and statistics to my superiors. I answer to someone who was my student teacher seven years ago.
2) We need to use every available source of information to create environments in which students learn to think first. If we did that, all the standardized tests would take care of themselves. Instead, we scramble to look good on paper and pander to students and parents. We double block athletics, band, and drill team while teachers in core subjects struggle to teach the material and skills students will need in life as well as on the tests. This despite the fact that relatively few students will go on to be professional athletes, musicians, and dancers but all will need to handle employment applications, interviews, and finances. On top of this, we start high school at a time when students brains are telling them they should still be sleeping thereby ensuring that they under-perform in their early morning classes. But hey, this is Texas. Athletics is the last period of each day followed by practice after school so the kids are awake enough to do well on the field and this is what really matters.
1) When I got my Masters in Education in 1979 I was required to take classes in curriculum development, tests and measurements, as well as educational statistics. Today, because I do not have a Masters in Educational Leadership, I am not considered a viable candidate for most administrative positions even though I often have to explain basic math and statistics to my superiors. I answer to someone who was my student teacher seven years ago.
2) We need to use every available source of information to create environments in which students learn to think first. If we did that, all the standardized tests would take care of themselves. Instead, we scramble to look good on paper and pander to students and parents. We double block athletics, band, and drill team while teachers in core subjects struggle to teach the material and skills students will need in life as well as on the tests. This despite the fact that relatively few students will go on to be professional athletes, musicians, and dancers but all will need to handle employment applications, interviews, and finances. On top of this, we start high school at a time when students brains are telling them they should still be sleeping thereby ensuring that they under-perform in their early morning classes. But hey, this is Texas. Athletics is the last period of each day followed by practice after school so the kids are awake enough to do well on the field and this is what really matters.
14
I was a NY State teacher for 10 years, but a few years ago I couldn't take it anymore and I quit. Do you have any idea what it's like to be told all day, every day, that everything that is wrong with education in America is you, the teacher? If you look carefully at every argument or issue in education, it all comes back to the teachers. Low test scores, more standardized tests in general, the lack of teachers, low teacher pay, "lazy" teachers, common core requirements, constant teacher evaluations etc etc etc. The irony of it, is that most teachers I know, LOVE the students and the act of teaching itself. But what drives most of us to quit is all the nonsense that goes on in Albany, Washington and the media. Better pay and more autonomy would help greatly. A little respect and trust would be good too.
25
I am easily in the top 0.1% of mathematical ability and am quite capable of holding the interest of a Nobel Prize winner with sciences discussions. I would never be a teacher (tutoring aside).
The reason is because I wouldn't want to work someplace where pay and merit are not related. If I deserve more, I demand more.
One of my sisters taught elementary school and regularly obtained the highest performing class. She moved to another state and can't get a job. Why? Because union rules say she has to get paid so much based on her graduate degree and experience, and districts don't have the budget for that. She will work for entry level pay, but union rules prohibit that. So she goes without a job.
My other sister went to school for 4 years to be able to teach middle school math. She lasted three months and quit forever. Why? Because there is no discipline in the school.
If you want to fix the teacher shortage, ban teachers unions. Allow principals to hire and fire at will and the ability to set pay.
The reason is because I wouldn't want to work someplace where pay and merit are not related. If I deserve more, I demand more.
One of my sisters taught elementary school and regularly obtained the highest performing class. She moved to another state and can't get a job. Why? Because union rules say she has to get paid so much based on her graduate degree and experience, and districts don't have the budget for that. She will work for entry level pay, but union rules prohibit that. So she goes without a job.
My other sister went to school for 4 years to be able to teach middle school math. She lasted three months and quit forever. Why? Because there is no discipline in the school.
If you want to fix the teacher shortage, ban teachers unions. Allow principals to hire and fire at will and the ability to set pay.
8
"If you want to fix the teacher shortage, ban teachers unions. Allow principals to hire and fire at will and the ability to set pay."
Not top .1 percent in logic, management, or human nature. About three standard deviations on the wrong side of the curve on these measures. Principles are administrative employees, typically answering to a politicized Board, with little real authority, and huge budgeting and personnel problems and priority to sports most places. Not rocket science. Not news.
But, as shallow as confident of a pointlessnon solution that is currently the cause of major problems in the war in public schools by sulking republicans who want creationism and politically correct history and science.
Not top .1 percent in logic, management, or human nature. About three standard deviations on the wrong side of the curve on these measures. Principles are administrative employees, typically answering to a politicized Board, with little real authority, and huge budgeting and personnel problems and priority to sports most places. Not rocket science. Not news.
But, as shallow as confident of a pointlessnon solution that is currently the cause of major problems in the war in public schools by sulking republicans who want creationism and politically correct history and science.
3
Why would anyone expect that a society that denigrates intellectual accomplishment would value education?
33
Can we interest you in teaching? I hope not--for scarcity may be the only solution-- the catalyst of desperately needed change.
The answer is not charter schools--their push is funded by wealthy hedge fund managers.
The pay could definitely be better, but it is the utter lack of respect from parents, students, and society that is emptying our classrooms.
Our extended family represents over 200 years of educational experience and expertise and, sadly, not one of these veterans is recommending this valuable and formerly rewarding job to the next generation.
The answer is not charter schools--their push is funded by wealthy hedge fund managers.
The pay could definitely be better, but it is the utter lack of respect from parents, students, and society that is emptying our classrooms.
Our extended family represents over 200 years of educational experience and expertise and, sadly, not one of these veterans is recommending this valuable and formerly rewarding job to the next generation.
20
You write teacher-blaming screeds arguing that teachers don't deserve job security and that teacher quality is lacking, and then you wonder why more people aren't attracted to the profession?
30
When (not if) we get the Uber-ization of education the kids will benefit, society will benefit, the existing schools and teachers (like the existing cab drivers) will not. I think the point is to have the kids and society as a whole benefit, so I'm looking forward to this happening.
2
There is no correlation between the level of knowledge, intelligence, and success a person may have and his ability to communicate the fundamentals of his area of specialization to today's typical high school student. I very much suspect that neither Bill Gates nor Mark Zuckerberg (both of whom were admitted to Harvard) would last a week in a high school classroom. First of all, less than half of the students who enrolled even in an elective computer science class would be likely to have any real interest in actually becoming proficient in the discipline. It is altogether likely that Gates would deliver himself of a brilliant intuitive description of the logic needed to write a good computer program, something that practitioners would pay thousands to have the right to listen to, and still, one 16 year-old in the back of the class would raise his hand and say, "Is this going to be on the test?"
There is an art to teaching. I've worked with high school classes and clubs for a number of years, and I am bowled over by the professionalism of the sponsoring teachers. The tips they give me on how to present to teenagers always make a huge difference in the students' involvement. Teachers recognize that kids of different ages have different mental abilities, and kids need to be taught using a variety of methods, because different kids have different optimum ways of learning.
A good teacher is worth 100 Kardashians. Where are our values?
There is an art to teaching. I've worked with high school classes and clubs for a number of years, and I am bowled over by the professionalism of the sponsoring teachers. The tips they give me on how to present to teenagers always make a huge difference in the students' involvement. Teachers recognize that kids of different ages have different mental abilities, and kids need to be taught using a variety of methods, because different kids have different optimum ways of learning.
A good teacher is worth 100 Kardashians. Where are our values?
30
I've been teaching for nearly 20 years. I quit after the first three and worked as a graphic designer. Then when my youngest reached middle school, I returned to the classroom, where I've been since 1999. I have some observations on hiring. It used to be that new teachers were placed in elementary or middle school positions mainly because it truly takes three years on the job to become comfortable with the process. Now we have 22 year olds being given jobs on high school campuses where some of the older kids may be only 3 years younger. I think this accounts for the huge number of illicit relationships we hear about in the news. Most of these new hires haven't been in a classroom on their own and some of them due to the nature of the job are isolated from friends. As a result they adopt students as a peer group, which is always a bad idea. There's also some questionable use of compensation for new hires vs. old. As I said, I've taught for nearly 20 years and I'm teaching AP level courses. Yet a new hire with no experience is only making $4000 less than I am. Of course if I was a coach, this would be different. But the way experienced, tried and true teachers are treated in comparison to new teachers really is pretty appalling. That the majority of these new hires will leave by the third year really makes one wonder what districts really want in terms of a professional in the classroom.
16
As a 18 year veteran teacher my biggest complaint is that alleged "education experts" who would not be caught dead in a classroom unless they were chained to a wall in D.C., Austin, colleges, the media, and think tanks are telling me how I should be doing my job, and that "research" shows how I should be teaching. It's irritating that none of the alleged "education experts" never seem to ask us teachers what really works in our classroom. Maybe if they did, they would actually understand what we are doing.
22
Thats teach for america. Less than 20% are still in the classroom after 5 years. Id bet most go into educational consulting, but havent looked for the data to cite.
1
And TFA charges a fee for every teacher they place. So money is taken from poor kids and paid to TFA as a head-hunting fee.
And you wonder why Wendy Kopp is so rich?
And you wonder why Wendy Kopp is so rich?
3
Where is the student mentioned in this discussion? A customer focused approach is in order. Teachers that are customer (student) focused seem to be most successful in the classroom. And most satisfied with their careers.
15
Students aren't "customers" nor "consumers". They're not in a mall.
They're not purchasing anything. They're not on a shopping spree.
It's this type of thinking---where absolutely everything in our culture has to be commercialized, monetized and commoditized---that has brought us to our present state of affairs, where the value of knowledge, wisdom and informed judgment that education can develop and nurture, has been overlooked completely in our mania about "making a living" and maximizing our personal gain.
In our present day culture, here in the US, the mediocre student, the "do the bare minimum to pass" guy, the college dropout---who somehow still achieve financial success later in life are FAR more respected than the diligent Rhodes scholar who ends up in a life with few creature comforts, an average income, but achieves wide praise for his or her seminal accomplishments in fields that add much to humanity but pay quite modestly.
Or, to put it in terms we're more familiar with: "Money Talks!" "And if you're so smart, how come I can buy and sell you ten times over?!?!"
They're not purchasing anything. They're not on a shopping spree.
It's this type of thinking---where absolutely everything in our culture has to be commercialized, monetized and commoditized---that has brought us to our present state of affairs, where the value of knowledge, wisdom and informed judgment that education can develop and nurture, has been overlooked completely in our mania about "making a living" and maximizing our personal gain.
In our present day culture, here in the US, the mediocre student, the "do the bare minimum to pass" guy, the college dropout---who somehow still achieve financial success later in life are FAR more respected than the diligent Rhodes scholar who ends up in a life with few creature comforts, an average income, but achieves wide praise for his or her seminal accomplishments in fields that add much to humanity but pay quite modestly.
Or, to put it in terms we're more familiar with: "Money Talks!" "And if you're so smart, how come I can buy and sell you ten times over?!?!"
4
I can only imagine you have never been a teacher. While as a community college teacher I don't teach at the K12 level, I work with many in the K12 system and at four year schools. One can be student centered and also understand and embrace the transactional nature of teaching, because there is a transaction. However, this is much different than when I go to my local bike shop for a quid. I don't have to work to learn anything. I just give money and walk away with what I need. This is not how learning works and why the notion of a student as a customer is shortsighted, simplistic and silly.
5
“Teachers crave better opportunities for career growth. Evan Stone, one of the chief executives of Educators 4 Excellence, which represents about 17,000 teachers nationwide, called for “career ladders for teachers to move into specialist roles, master-teacher roles.”
How about nurturing a commitment to stay in the classroom? “Education reform” is diminishing and devaluing the role of the classroom teacher, relegating it to an entry level position akin to the corporate world that will lead to a “managerial” position in the guise of a coach, assistant principal, principal, etc. If these teachers are so wonderful, they should stay in the classroom so that students may benefit from their instruction. Consequently, schools are now populated with inexperienced so-called instructional coaches and administrators and who have fled the classroom, usually because classroom teaching is much hard work for not much money.
Moreover, conspicuously absent from the article is any mention of the war against teachers being waged by an agenda to dismantle the teachers’ union and teachers’ protections, most prominently with evaluations tied to student test scores. I have students who cannot read because their parents can’t seem to get it together so that they come to school every day or read at home. They will fail the test. How can I compensate for the cognitive deprivation that is inflicted by their, usually, single mother? Why should I be penalized for parents who neglect their children?
How about nurturing a commitment to stay in the classroom? “Education reform” is diminishing and devaluing the role of the classroom teacher, relegating it to an entry level position akin to the corporate world that will lead to a “managerial” position in the guise of a coach, assistant principal, principal, etc. If these teachers are so wonderful, they should stay in the classroom so that students may benefit from their instruction. Consequently, schools are now populated with inexperienced so-called instructional coaches and administrators and who have fled the classroom, usually because classroom teaching is much hard work for not much money.
Moreover, conspicuously absent from the article is any mention of the war against teachers being waged by an agenda to dismantle the teachers’ union and teachers’ protections, most prominently with evaluations tied to student test scores. I have students who cannot read because their parents can’t seem to get it together so that they come to school every day or read at home. They will fail the test. How can I compensate for the cognitive deprivation that is inflicted by their, usually, single mother? Why should I be penalized for parents who neglect their children?
23
Some of us have tried and found we really weren't very good at it. It was not the money, which was fine.
5
If people are true Christians, they will remember that Jesus was called by his disciples "Rabboni" which means my beloved teacher in certain contexts, or master teacher. It is a sacred duty to mold young minds and should never have been disparaged as it has in this country. I had the calling to be a teacher but I cannot in good conscious due to health reasons sign up to be a teacher in this country, as I would be perpetuating a form of pedagogical malpractice on children.
Basically parents should organize and file a class action suite against the establishment because we have people like Arne Duncan forming policy with no real educational science background. It's like we have herbalists manning medical organizations. This is CRAZY.
Get the non-professionals OUT OF POLICY MAKING. Education should be an APOLITICAL public health issue. We should only measure ourselves against other countries in terms of spending on the factors that affect educational attainment.
On top of that, no administrator in any educational setting that is non-profit should be making MORE MONEY than the front-line educators. That is a perversion.
Basically parents should organize and file a class action suite against the establishment because we have people like Arne Duncan forming policy with no real educational science background. It's like we have herbalists manning medical organizations. This is CRAZY.
Get the non-professionals OUT OF POLICY MAKING. Education should be an APOLITICAL public health issue. We should only measure ourselves against other countries in terms of spending on the factors that affect educational attainment.
On top of that, no administrator in any educational setting that is non-profit should be making MORE MONEY than the front-line educators. That is a perversion.
6
Speaking as an AP English teacher of 35 years' experience, I'd say a major problem is the education course racket. Too many schools are "led" by Education course doctors who know next to nothing about the classroom and, in fact, can become jeslous of teachers who are comfortable there. Unions should be strengthened, not weakened, to protect teachers from cheap political games.
12
When you have right-to-work state governors, like Wisconsin's Scott Walker, firing teachers as a badge of courage if they don't agree with him politically, and New Jersey governor, Chris Christie, threatening to punch teachers' unions "in the face", why would anyone in their right mind decide to enter the teaching profession? Add years of funding cuts from the "starve government in the bathtub crowd", the threat of charter schools, lack of respect from administrators/parents/students, and the myriad social problems steming from wars, austerity, the Great Recession, and the beloved No Child Left Behind law that elevates testing above the goal of educating, is it any wonder that the teaching profession is shrinking?
12
Esp when you have a masters degree in a specialist field. For some reason ppl assume teachers cant do any other job when most are highly educated enough to do most ppls jobs.
1
Oh, my goodness, when Scott Walker broke the public employees union in WI,or Chris Christie yelled in a teacher's face, it seemed the whole country turned against teachers. Teachers! It's like turning against grandmothers! I've tried to teach and it is the hardest job I ever had. I admire and even revere my children's teachers, but our school district doesn't. Unfortunately the corporate race to privatize public schools is eliminating the professional teacher. The USA is facing an alarming brain drain.
Teachers need tenure and they need unions because school administrators come and go and cannot be trusted not to fire people over personal vendettas. When they have that support they can truly begin to shine, but this is more that a job it is a vocation and one that take time to learn and master.
In return for their dedication, teachers deserve their time off and their job security, because the pay is definitely not going to improve.
Teachers need tenure and they need unions because school administrators come and go and cannot be trusted not to fire people over personal vendettas. When they have that support they can truly begin to shine, but this is more that a job it is a vocation and one that take time to learn and master.
In return for their dedication, teachers deserve their time off and their job security, because the pay is definitely not going to improve.
13
I would love to teach. I have JD/MBA from prestigious universities, and am fairly certain I could handle a high school civics or economics course. However, I am told I would need a teaching certificate on top of my previous education. I have enough student debt to pay off as it is (I'm 30 years old.). I've had a hard enough time finding a job as is in this economy, but I am not willing to take on even more student debt so that I can teach public school.
72
Private schools exist for you to join and get certification. And cities like nyc allow for experienced ppl to go to in need schools and get certified. While you may master the topic, you never mentioned having to deal with 150 high schoolers and their parents - which should give you pause - since thats way more draining than the subject matter. 50% quit not because of the topics taught.
4
Kristin: There are High Schools here in Texas that offer Dual Credit Programs, Law Magnets, AP Political Science etc. that would love to have you as a teacher. Starting salary wold be about $52,000. In fact some are still looking for someone with your credentials.
1
Yes, you will. And I'm reliably informed it's worthless.
It used to be the students who were each just another brick in the wall. Now it is the students and the teachers. Standard testing, standard curriculum, both controlled by big money.
3
The unrealistic and almost farcical educational requirements to teach, especially in high school, are a barrier to getting motivated young people who love kids into the classroom. A master's degree to teach 3rd graders? Really? I'll take a motivated associate degree holder any day. My kid had a PhD as a math teacher in middle school; that's right, middle school. Useless as a teacher. Have a question? Here, fill out this worksheet and don't bother me. The teachers' union-ed- school industrial complex has piled on this ridiculous credentialing over the years, mostly in support of more pay. Talented associate degree holders are quite capable of teaching high school and should be given the opportunity We should eliminate the farce of highly advanced degrees teaching on that level. They're not needed. More than the embellished credentialing of the teacher, the child's home environment is the most important factor. It all starts at home. Everything else will take care of itself.
3
As a professor at a community college, associate degree is no where near ready to take over the demands of high performing schools. not only the topic, but the psychological needs of students, the professional decorum with parents and a host of other issues. Remember the first two years of college are mostly gen eds. Few ed classes, few higher level math, a smattering of science and history maybe one adolescent or youth psych course.
4
You can give teachers more money just as soon as the rest of us get 10 weeks off over the summer.
7
Most teachers work during the summer to supplement their income, teach summer school or go back to school to earn credentials. They don't sit twiddling their thumbs.
7
I'm not a teacher, but in response to your obtuse and snarky comment I'll say this:
1) Are you willing to compensate teachers with an HOURLY wage instead of a yearly salary? If so, even at a modest hourly pay rate, given the many evenings and weekends they have to work, throughout most of the year, I'm certain it would exceed their currently meager earnings.
2) Instead of envying teachers for their longer vacations, why not see their working arrangement as a model for your own workplace. We ALL need more time off---there's no doubt about that and you can learn more about such efforts led by this group: www.takebackyourtime.org
3) Resenting teachers, or implying that we should take away their long vacations so they can be just as time-starved as the rest of us, won't improve your own lack of personal and family time granted by your employer. Use your time, energy and outrage to fight for a country where ALL who work get ample paid time off, as they do in almost every other country on this planet.
1) Are you willing to compensate teachers with an HOURLY wage instead of a yearly salary? If so, even at a modest hourly pay rate, given the many evenings and weekends they have to work, throughout most of the year, I'm certain it would exceed their currently meager earnings.
2) Instead of envying teachers for their longer vacations, why not see their working arrangement as a model for your own workplace. We ALL need more time off---there's no doubt about that and you can learn more about such efforts led by this group: www.takebackyourtime.org
3) Resenting teachers, or implying that we should take away their long vacations so they can be just as time-starved as the rest of us, won't improve your own lack of personal and family time granted by your employer. Use your time, energy and outrage to fight for a country where ALL who work get ample paid time off, as they do in almost every other country on this planet.
11
Teaching pays so badly, especially the first 10 years or so, that practically no teacher can afford not to work the summer months either in summer school programs or elsewhere.
5
Real labor unions for teachers.
13
Bruni got it right when he said, "The political battles over education, along with the shifting vogues about what’s best, have left many teachers feeling like pawns and punching bags." Every cheap shot politician, billionaire, media commentator, and school district administrator thinks they know how to get better results in the classroom, yet their actual classroom experience is very little. Teachers need more pay, more prestige, more autonomy, more relevant professional development, and much less emphasis on skill-centered multiple choice tests that make so-called educational companies rich, but offer very little guidance to actual classroom teachers.
15
Yep!
Also bring back 20-1
Trying to teach 32+ children in class is not working.
Also bring back 20-1
Trying to teach 32+ children in class is not working.
3
A couple of final thoughts on this topic, not of which will be popular:
(i) Teaching is in fact easier than other profession. Teachers need to face the harsh fact that most engineers, doctors, lawyers, dentists, etc. could (with minimal training) do what teachers do. However, most teachers could not do what any of these other professionals do. You do not see any other professions allowing a one year transition program like Teach for America or NYC Teaching Fellows. Getting in front of a class is not rocket science and teachers pay generally reflects the lack of scarcity in the skills they bring to the table.
(ii) Much of the dissatisfaction that teachers have is not unique to teaching. You say you don’t like the attitudes of students, parents and administrators? Have you ever had to deal with clients? Opposing lawyers? C-suite executives? Every professional is diminished, undervalued, constricted and unfairly evaluated in manners small and large. It is just teachers who constantly complain about it.
(iii) In some ways, teaching jobs are pretty cushy. Teachers work less hours (even including after-hour and weekend work are factored in), have more vacation, get better benefits and pensions, and have employment rights and job protections not afforded to any other profession. Teachers need to remember that when they whine about their jobs, they are generally whining to people who can be terminated at any time for any reason without appeal.
(i) Teaching is in fact easier than other profession. Teachers need to face the harsh fact that most engineers, doctors, lawyers, dentists, etc. could (with minimal training) do what teachers do. However, most teachers could not do what any of these other professionals do. You do not see any other professions allowing a one year transition program like Teach for America or NYC Teaching Fellows. Getting in front of a class is not rocket science and teachers pay generally reflects the lack of scarcity in the skills they bring to the table.
(ii) Much of the dissatisfaction that teachers have is not unique to teaching. You say you don’t like the attitudes of students, parents and administrators? Have you ever had to deal with clients? Opposing lawyers? C-suite executives? Every professional is diminished, undervalued, constricted and unfairly evaluated in manners small and large. It is just teachers who constantly complain about it.
(iii) In some ways, teaching jobs are pretty cushy. Teachers work less hours (even including after-hour and weekend work are factored in), have more vacation, get better benefits and pensions, and have employment rights and job protections not afforded to any other profession. Teachers need to remember that when they whine about their jobs, they are generally whining to people who can be terminated at any time for any reason without appeal.
9
You must be delusional. Teaching is one of the hardest professions that we have. NO, a doctor or engineer would not easily step into a teaching position and automatically do a good or even adequate job. Teaching takes skills that you can't even comprehend, especially in the current cultural climate in America. Teachers are paid far less than you think. As for the 10 weeks off in the summer, most teachers I know either teach summer school or work at 1 or 2 jobs during the summer to make up for the pay they do not get for those 10 weeks. Teachers complain far less about money than the fact that they have no decision making choices about what is best for the students that they see very day, sometimes for longer than the parents do. Administrators, school boards, and other politicians make demands and decisions based on factors that have nothing to do with educating children and all to do with satisfying the people who vote them in office. Teachers cannot receive Social Security when they retire and schools do not put equal money into their retirement - teachers pay their own retirement.
8
that would be "fewer" hours. Not "less". Clearly you never had the opportunity to have great teachers. I did. And then I became one. And gave up because the pay was too low, and I got sick of the hit to my self esteem caused by the world's assumption that i wasn't smart enough to be doing anything else.
7
Have you ever been in front of a class? It is quite difficult to manage a classroom, and many people are downright terrible at it. And the folks who do TFA or the other short teacher prep programs are often woefully unprepared, many not finishing even one school year because they can't handle it. Teaching is a skill, and not one that can necessarily be acquired with minimal training. The countries with revered programs tend to treat it as a very serious profession, not as something any ol' fool could pursue, which is closer to what we do in the U.S.
6
I respect public school teachers 1000% and believe they should be respected, well paid, permitted autonomy. So much is wrong.
The charter school movement at its outset did present some great alternatives, however its really not the time in the USA saga to channel $$$ away from public school. So many of the crazies, fanatics and simply dishonest people quickly developed hard to monitor schools - with unconstitutional religious motivations as well as simple embezzling, too much oppty for an already overburdened system to go astray.
Its nuts and always been nuts to fund public schools through real estate taxation. This only ensures that poor kids will be poor adults etc etc.
Now would be a good time to retrench, to thoroughly fund public schooling from pre-K through state universities, to simplify, to cut admin levels when cutting is necessary, to allow the many true teachers to teach, to listen to teachers and good administrators, to punch Chris Christie and that loco Scott Walker from Wisconsin where it hurts. Its time for the USA to strive for a better country.
And everybody is responsible for paying for education! I am so sick of older people with assets complaining about school taxes and then complaining about their grandkids unemployment and crime and incarceration rates. My late aunt and uncle from CA were both teachers, she was pro prop 13, he was a progressive and opposed. I wish she were here today to see the damage, Uncle Andy you were right!
The charter school movement at its outset did present some great alternatives, however its really not the time in the USA saga to channel $$$ away from public school. So many of the crazies, fanatics and simply dishonest people quickly developed hard to monitor schools - with unconstitutional religious motivations as well as simple embezzling, too much oppty for an already overburdened system to go astray.
Its nuts and always been nuts to fund public schools through real estate taxation. This only ensures that poor kids will be poor adults etc etc.
Now would be a good time to retrench, to thoroughly fund public schooling from pre-K through state universities, to simplify, to cut admin levels when cutting is necessary, to allow the many true teachers to teach, to listen to teachers and good administrators, to punch Chris Christie and that loco Scott Walker from Wisconsin where it hurts. Its time for the USA to strive for a better country.
And everybody is responsible for paying for education! I am so sick of older people with assets complaining about school taxes and then complaining about their grandkids unemployment and crime and incarceration rates. My late aunt and uncle from CA were both teachers, she was pro prop 13, he was a progressive and opposed. I wish she were here today to see the damage, Uncle Andy you were right!
10
Dear Mr. Bruni,
I do not often agree with you. I am, however a teacher. Your article gets it right. Money is important, but what drives most teachers crazy, especially now, in the era of Common Core, is that educrats in Albany and Washington are making the decisions that local districts and classroom teachers ought to make.
I do not often agree with you. I am, however a teacher. Your article gets it right. Money is important, but what drives most teachers crazy, especially now, in the era of Common Core, is that educrats in Albany and Washington are making the decisions that local districts and classroom teachers ought to make.
9
True. Education has always been about fashion of the day. The worst words a teacher can hear upon returning to school in the Fall is "The administrators have been to a conference." I can't even remember all the various expensive games we applied from Whole Language to Kurzweil to Common Core to Open Classroom to Compartmentalized Learning. Please, stop spending money, stop making us go to meaningless pep rallies and "Professional Development" classes and let us set up our classrooms and TEACH.
2
The beginning of the end of good education in America was the 60's, when the business and political establishments realized that an educated populace might be inconvenient--and they were right... but wrong-headed. The Flower Children were one of the best-educated generations in American history--and they were educated enough to be hard to fool: about civil rights and about Vietnam, in particular. And they were smart enough to drive a crooked President from office!
Ever since, education has gotten the short end of the stick, and the dumbing down of the populace has progressed to the point that Jay Leno could always get laughs just by asking simple questions of college students.
It's the "reverse Sputnik" effect... and what does that say about our longterm survival as a culture??
Ever since, education has gotten the short end of the stick, and the dumbing down of the populace has progressed to the point that Jay Leno could always get laughs just by asking simple questions of college students.
It's the "reverse Sputnik" effect... and what does that say about our longterm survival as a culture??
12
After having taught 60 hour weeks at my labor of love, I can only look back in anger that we have a political party that has built its hateful anti-tax platform upon teachers and other public service workers. Their success is not tied to reason, logic, or even the vast majority of former students but a calculated smear campaign run by a few, but parroted by many including Christie and Walker. There seems to be no consequence for this rhetoric in the short term- in fact it polls well- but I am saddened by the fact that our next generation of teachers will be comprised of a few blessed altruists and too many C students all struggling to reach our grandkids sometime after the next meeting about the tests.
12
I think Mr. Bruni should take a semester off and teach in either Robeson High School or Harper High School in Mr. Obama's Chicago. 11th grade math proficiency = 2%.
Gates Foundation did the research and concluded, 90% of problem is need to fire bad teachers and pay good ones more, unions and politicians won't allow it, so they (Gates Foundation) just moved on. Politicians would rather take payoffs (campaign donations) from teachers unions, than put our kids first.
Gates Foundation did the research and concluded, 90% of problem is need to fire bad teachers and pay good ones more, unions and politicians won't allow it, so they (Gates Foundation) just moved on. Politicians would rather take payoffs (campaign donations) from teachers unions, than put our kids first.
2
Your narrative is cliched, confused and completely inaccurate. I won't waste my time refuting every one of your confounded claims, but I will ask you for any evidence that the Gates Foundation has "moved on" regarding their intrusion into our public schools.
If only! The real evidence shows that they're "doubling down" on all this, with more negative outcomes.
Funny how all of the very, very rich people funding this attempt to Privatize our Public Schools are the ones who NEVER send their own children there.
If their charter "schools" are so "wonderful" than why are they denying their own precious progeny the "benefits" of this magnificent educational experience? Anyone, anyone?
If only! The real evidence shows that they're "doubling down" on all this, with more negative outcomes.
Funny how all of the very, very rich people funding this attempt to Privatize our Public Schools are the ones who NEVER send their own children there.
If their charter "schools" are so "wonderful" than why are they denying their own precious progeny the "benefits" of this magnificent educational experience? Anyone, anyone?
2
Charter schools, who can hire anyone they want snd fire them anytime, dont perform any better than public schools. Class of student is far more indicative than the teacher or the union
(See public schools like bronx science, or many long island districts like garden city and ward melville)
Sorry your 90% is the teachers fault is simply untrue.
(See public schools like bronx science, or many long island districts like garden city and ward melville)
Sorry your 90% is the teachers fault is simply untrue.
2
Republicans have bad-mouthed teachers and public education for years. They have wanted to "run education like a business." They have largely been successful. We have largely abandoned physical education, music, art, and civics, in favor to teaching to the tests. Our school cafeterias are a joke. We spend a fortune on the tests. We also have too many high-paid administrators, who justify their salaries by changing teaching methods every year or two. Good teachers are frustrated by administrators trying to change everything they effectively do in the classroom. Like businesses today, cutting costs is a priority and getting rid of experienced, higher-paid teachers in favor of inexperienced, cheaper ones is a priority for the business-minded. Districts often pay bonuses for experienced teachers to retire earlier. Just like businesses, management then increases its costs to manage the inexperienced employees to follow whatever the new procedures management came up with. Meanwhile, teachers are underpaid more and more and constantly under attack from the right, which wants to privatize public education, along with everything else government does.
18
How will teaching ever attract the best if first they are drawn from the ranks of education majors rather than those educated in the fields they teach? Secondly, unless teaching pays a reasonable salary, or we return to the 1950s when women could mainly be nurses and teachers, we will never get quality people in the classroom.
3
There would probably be a lot more people interested in teaching if billionaires like Bill Gates and Bloomberg would quit talking about how lousy they are and get over the idea that schools should run like businesses. Being a billionaire is probably a great confidence builder, but having a billion dollars doesn't make you an expert in everything.
When I was teaching, I got really sick of hearing. "If you can't do, teach." and other such demeaning statements. Bloomberg and Gates have simply amplified that totally erroneous old saw. Eventually I quit, changed professions, made more money and got to sleep at night instead of grading papers and tests.
When I was teaching, I got really sick of hearing. "If you can't do, teach." and other such demeaning statements. Bloomberg and Gates have simply amplified that totally erroneous old saw. Eventually I quit, changed professions, made more money and got to sleep at night instead of grading papers and tests.
38
I retired from university as a tenured professor of medicine and physiology, having taught courses from the freshman undergraduate level to that of the postdoctoral. Since I had been involved in public school policy matters, I was aware of a local shortage of qualified teachers in the sciences, so I looked into helping out as a volunteer. I made inquiry and received application forms from three local school districts.
Each application asked for transcripts of grades from college and, yes, high school. Not having those at hand, this then 75 year-old man (I'm now 83 and still capable and willing) called asking if medical school transcript would suffice, a record of which I'm proud having graduated with honors and election to the medical school honorary society.
"No," I was told. The rules called for high school and college records, and there could be no exceptions. Even pursuing the matter at the state level was to no avail.
I belong to a local organization, the ScienTech Club established in 1910, that is made up of people engaged (or just interested) in science and engineering. Many of those retired might be available and willing to teach but for the barriers I met and others have mentioned earlier.
As for me, I became a guest lecturer at two local private colleges and a biomechanics institute. In those situation I deal with people with little or no prior science exposure, not much different, truth be told, from those in high school.
Each application asked for transcripts of grades from college and, yes, high school. Not having those at hand, this then 75 year-old man (I'm now 83 and still capable and willing) called asking if medical school transcript would suffice, a record of which I'm proud having graduated with honors and election to the medical school honorary society.
"No," I was told. The rules called for high school and college records, and there could be no exceptions. Even pursuing the matter at the state level was to no avail.
I belong to a local organization, the ScienTech Club established in 1910, that is made up of people engaged (or just interested) in science and engineering. Many of those retired might be available and willing to teach but for the barriers I met and others have mentioned earlier.
As for me, I became a guest lecturer at two local private colleges and a biomechanics institute. In those situation I deal with people with little or no prior science exposure, not much different, truth be told, from those in high school.
20
Excellent example of issues with school systems that have nothing to do with teachers.
10
Interesting. I have kicked around the idea of doing some teaching but if they want to dig up the old high school records I guess I am unqualified. I did manage to complete a bachelor's and a master's degree later in life - despite my lackadaisical high school record.
The brightest and best went into teaching in the 60's and 70's and many did not find it challenging (not to mention the lack of respect by the students or their parents) so they went into other areas of business. The benefits were always great (healthcare, sabbatical, tenure, sick days accumulation, no age discrimination like corporate america). It is not a vocation for anyone/everyone and please do not make the argument political or place blame on a political party.
1
But there is a certain political party that is doing its best to take away the great benefits leaving what exactly? Look at how educators are being treated in Wisconsin, Kansas, Louisiana, etc... and tell me that there is not room to place blame on a political party. And that has to change from within that party.
3
All professionals (doctors, dentists, professors, clergy etc.) essentially "do the same thing" thirty years later as they do on their first day. The difference for these professionals, as well as teachers, is that the people they serve change, along with the specific challenges.
It is time for K-12 teaching to be a full profession in the same way that college teaching is. A person who gets a master's degree and passes various tests to earn a teaching credential has the right to participate in decision-making at her school. By that I mean she, along with the principal teacher and the rest of the faculty, should make most of the decisions regarding hiring, promotions, curriculum and instruction. And yes, teachers need a professional salary and reasonable job security. After passing her examinations and becoming certified, she should be evaluated by her peers, as all other professionals are.
I don't know a single young person who is preparing to be a teacher. Hopefully, those who aspire to enter this critical field will insist on fully professional treatment. The days of the young woman from Berkeley working under the direction of the semi-literate principal with a degree from National University should be over.
I always knew our country would suffer from the unconscionable teacher bashing of the last few years but I didn't expect it to happen so soon. And this time, they'll be no women without career options to fill our classrooms. Yeah!!!
It is time for K-12 teaching to be a full profession in the same way that college teaching is. A person who gets a master's degree and passes various tests to earn a teaching credential has the right to participate in decision-making at her school. By that I mean she, along with the principal teacher and the rest of the faculty, should make most of the decisions regarding hiring, promotions, curriculum and instruction. And yes, teachers need a professional salary and reasonable job security. After passing her examinations and becoming certified, she should be evaluated by her peers, as all other professionals are.
I don't know a single young person who is preparing to be a teacher. Hopefully, those who aspire to enter this critical field will insist on fully professional treatment. The days of the young woman from Berkeley working under the direction of the semi-literate principal with a degree from National University should be over.
I always knew our country would suffer from the unconscionable teacher bashing of the last few years but I didn't expect it to happen so soon. And this time, they'll be no women without career options to fill our classrooms. Yeah!!!
20
Here in Wisconsin, teachers have been and are still being vilified by a coordinated GOP/Gov. Walker attack which has resulted in a huge decrease in the number of available qualified/trained teachers. They have ben stripped of their professional dignity and classrooom control. School districts are been hamstrung from paying adequate salaries and the 'government' is pushing to allow anyone being hired for a classroom that supposedly has 'real world' experience, even without professional training or certification in childhood development needs. This from a governor that never completed his education is apparently deemed successful governance. Really, really sad.
33
Teachers in NY State are well paid. A friend of mine makes slightly over $100,000/yr as a Special Education teacher and isn't even 40 years old. Another aqaintence is a 27 year old math teacher with tenure and earns $71,000 the salary having increased by $26,000 in 4 years.
7
Is that math teacher a professor at a college? I just ask because I was not aware of tenured positions at the K12 level. Also, I don't know the specifics of your 100k friend but that is an outlier from average teacher salaries in NY State according to http://www.teacherportal.com/teacher-salaries-by-state/ I would expect and hope that NY City teachers would make more money due to a higher cost of living. Finally, another possibility, are you including benefits as salary? Because those are usually separate items. In the military they used to give us an annual statement that claimed your housing, insurance, food allowances, etc...meant you were really making way more money than you thought - but we were not - it just made the number higher compared to private sector salaries that did not include benefits as "salary."
2
Policy decisions based on personal---and apparently biased---anecdotes?
I don't think so. Ronald Reagan tried to govern that way and paved the road to the mess we find ourselves in now.
Try facts and evidence---verifiable things, like numbers. I'll be more inclined to believe you then.
I don't think so. Ronald Reagan tried to govern that way and paved the road to the mess we find ourselves in now.
Try facts and evidence---verifiable things, like numbers. I'll be more inclined to believe you then.
2
A broader picture than your two friends:
In New York, "Starting teacher salaries range from $45,530 (bachelor's degree, no prior teaching experience) to $74,796 (bachelor's degree, master's degree plus 30 credits, 7.5+ years teaching experience). Teachers who have a master's degree but no teaching experience will start at $51,425."
That's a lot higher than it is in most states, like mine--(under $40K to start)--but I understand it costs more to live in NY. So I'm not sure the salaries are so great there.
Teacher Salary - New York City Department of Education
schools.nyc.gov/nr/.../salary.pdf
New York City Department of Edu
In New York, "Starting teacher salaries range from $45,530 (bachelor's degree, no prior teaching experience) to $74,796 (bachelor's degree, master's degree plus 30 credits, 7.5+ years teaching experience). Teachers who have a master's degree but no teaching experience will start at $51,425."
That's a lot higher than it is in most states, like mine--(under $40K to start)--but I understand it costs more to live in NY. So I'm not sure the salaries are so great there.
Teacher Salary - New York City Department of Education
schools.nyc.gov/nr/.../salary.pdf
New York City Department of Edu
3
I recently retired from the teaching profession after having taught the most challenging students in NYC, but that was my choice. I spent most of my adult life in private business, so academics was a third career. Even though the work was daunting, it was often quite rewarding. That said, the inner city schools have indigent children from households that often struggle. With the ravages of poverty so prevalent, it becomes a nearly impossible task for teachers to educate. Unless the vestiges of poverty are attacked and eliminated, our students and teachers will suffer. Achievement gaps declined in the 1970's because anti-poverty programs flourished, but politics stopped that. We must have a multi-modal approach that eliminates the variables that prevents academic success. I'm old school, so teaching is about foundational knowledge, not gimmicks brought on by years of failure. You want great teachers? Pay them, support them, honor them, and make sure that ALL PARENTS are involved in their children's future. Thank you, Dr. John Marvul.
19
Odd, according to Mr. Bruni, we are all affluent. He writes, "The health of our democracy and the perpetuation of our prosperity depend on teaching...." Apparently "we" are prosperous and only need to maintain our prosperity. Has Mr. Bruni spent any time in America lately?
1
Is it me or Mr Bruni has somewhat mellowed from a previous column regarding the same subject.There,he quotes Mr Klein,a past NYC school chancellor, at length regarding the evils of teachers unions and poor teacher quality
.http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/29/opinion/frank-bruni-toward-better-teac...?
Mr Bruni,let me tell you what I know
I live in a large Active Adult Community in a small north Jersey town.
Our small school district has aproximately 1000 students.Pay and benefits is about average for the area However every school budget gets rejected and on every school budget meeting a number of residents ,with no children in the system,come with a bunch of meaningless information trying to explain how our teachers make too much money, benefits are too generous and taxes are too high.The saddest part is our Tbag Governor caters to these individuals
.http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/29/opinion/frank-bruni-toward-better-teac...?
Mr Bruni,let me tell you what I know
I live in a large Active Adult Community in a small north Jersey town.
Our small school district has aproximately 1000 students.Pay and benefits is about average for the area However every school budget gets rejected and on every school budget meeting a number of residents ,with no children in the system,come with a bunch of meaningless information trying to explain how our teachers make too much money, benefits are too generous and taxes are too high.The saddest part is our Tbag Governor caters to these individuals
22
Here in WI, Gov Scott Walker and the right wing Republican legislature in 2011 demonized teachers in a political ploy to destroy the teacher unions. They cut benefits and pay for already overworked teachers, made collective bargaining voluntary while giving local school boards no flexibility to pay working wages to their own local teachers. Last year, they cut the University system $250 Mil dollars, assuring that young graduates would continue to leave the state and find teaching and other jobs elsewhere. Then in an ALEC inspired move, they increased the amount of money being drained from public education to voucher schools (70 percent religious) that have no state oversight and can hire teachers with only a high school education and "life experience". Talk about stupid and short sighted. Grade: F.
26
Well, to be fair, they needed that $250 million to keep the Milwaukee Bucks in town. Not sure what happens when the well educated leave. I mean, you need to make a good amount of money to afford to take a family to a basketball game when the lousy seats are costing $40 a pop.
1
The entire system needs to be re-thought. Elementary kids should start school earlier in teh morning and get out earlier. High school kids should start later and get out later. School should be a 12 mos affair with breaks throughout the year for holidays and vacations. We should make more use of on-line learning that allows kids to learn and re-learn at their own pace (within reason). Some kids can easily learn a years worth of trig in 6 mos, for others it may take 16 mos. The system should accomodate both of them. State mandates should be re-thought: should a kid who plays on 3 varsity teams have to take phys ed? That's not a good use of anybody's time. Art and music are great for kids who have an interest in them - for kids who do not those classes are a painful waste of precious time. How about some coursework for kids who are not college bound so we can help them identify where their strengths/interest lie. Politicians (dems and repubs) need to stop pretending that they know what they are doing with their school reform proposals - they dont. Teacher selection and training needs to be more rigorous and the compensation needs to be raised accordingly. End of rant.
14
A rant indeed. And not a very cogent one at that.
Tell us, how long have you been working to undermine public education anyway?
Tell us, how long have you been working to undermine public education anyway?
1
I'm starting my 21st year of teaching today.
People ask if the kids drive me crazy, and I say it's not the kids or their parents, it's the adults I have to work with who drive me crazy. Layers and layers of administratorswho bring nothing to the table but jargon and crazy ideas while pulling down six-figure salaries make my job difficult.
People ask if the kids drive me crazy, and I say it's not the kids or their parents, it's the adults I have to work with who drive me crazy. Layers and layers of administratorswho bring nothing to the table but jargon and crazy ideas while pulling down six-figure salaries make my job difficult.
38
I wish the NYT and other news organizations would take a look at education administrators (and their overhead) and what they do and do not contribute to our kids' education. My hunch is much of this is just bloat that could be reinvested in teachers' continuing education, higher salaries and classroom aides -- things that might make a real difference.
5
As Bruni notes, we have to pay teachers more. For all their talk about market solutions, the GOP does not like to apply to the maxim "You get what you pay for" to teachers. Raise the base pay and then provide incentives for teachers to improve their credentials in addition to merit pay raises.
But money alone will not solve the problem and this is where the Terachers Union needs to embrace change. As with most unions, the Teachers Union works to defend its members against wrongful termination. That's great. But there are regularly instances in any profession in which employees need to be terminated. Maybe they are in the wrong profession, maybe they are just burned out or maybe they are just incompetent. Regardless, children deserve to have engaged, excited, talented and trained teachers who inspire them to learn. In short there is going to be a constant turnover of 5% every year at a minimum. I mean if I were a career teacher, I would WANT to see poor performers fired and held accountable. It raises the rpestige of the job and the schools provide a higher quality product.
This represents an exchange. High pay for teachers. Yes! In return, the union needs to accept some accountability.
But money alone will not solve the problem and this is where the Terachers Union needs to embrace change. As with most unions, the Teachers Union works to defend its members against wrongful termination. That's great. But there are regularly instances in any profession in which employees need to be terminated. Maybe they are in the wrong profession, maybe they are just burned out or maybe they are just incompetent. Regardless, children deserve to have engaged, excited, talented and trained teachers who inspire them to learn. In short there is going to be a constant turnover of 5% every year at a minimum. I mean if I were a career teacher, I would WANT to see poor performers fired and held accountable. It raises the rpestige of the job and the schools provide a higher quality product.
This represents an exchange. High pay for teachers. Yes! In return, the union needs to accept some accountability.
5
Nonsense. My child's elementary school fired two teachers---out of 19---last year for poor performance. How do these baseless and insidious myths get started anyway?
The ONLY thing teacher unions insist upon---and rightfully so---is Due Process; an opportunity for ALL sides to be heard in a fair and impartial way before termination can be enacted. And that's good. Because without it, teachers could be fired on a whim, for any reason, or no reason at all.
If anything ALL workers should have due process prior to any termination. Instead of resenting teachers for having this---which is a human right---we should be fighting for a society where everyone who works has the right to retain their job and not be fired without cause.
I've seen too many careers in the private sector crash and burn not because of bad job performance on the fired employee's part, but because their boss "just felt like it" or had some other agenda from resentment over a refusal of sexual advances to the desire to give someone's job to a friend or relative.
The ONLY thing teacher unions insist upon---and rightfully so---is Due Process; an opportunity for ALL sides to be heard in a fair and impartial way before termination can be enacted. And that's good. Because without it, teachers could be fired on a whim, for any reason, or no reason at all.
If anything ALL workers should have due process prior to any termination. Instead of resenting teachers for having this---which is a human right---we should be fighting for a society where everyone who works has the right to retain their job and not be fired without cause.
I've seen too many careers in the private sector crash and burn not because of bad job performance on the fired employee's part, but because their boss "just felt like it" or had some other agenda from resentment over a refusal of sexual advances to the desire to give someone's job to a friend or relative.
7
I teach in a small college situated in the lower tier of higher learning, meaning that many of our students graduate from high schools with questionable academic standards. True, we get our share of wonderful students, self-motivated and forward-looking but we also have students with many, many needs. Time and again, we see that a substantial number of students with academic challenges begin to flourish when someone pays attention to them, something that apparently doesn't happen in their high schools.
Even though as an institution of higher learning we are also being subjected to many of the ridiculous standards that permeate other pieces of the world of education, we do find ways to help the students and gloriously many respond in ways that constantly surprise us.
In spite of everything, if given half a chance, the generation that is rising is bright, curious, steadfast, passionate, creative, fun and will be ready to take the helm when the time comes.
But like teachers at other levels, I do it because I love it. Our salaries are very low, have not risen, and I remain because at the college level we still have a little flexibility. I write in the hope that this flexibility" trickles down" to teachers at lower levels!!
Even though as an institution of higher learning we are also being subjected to many of the ridiculous standards that permeate other pieces of the world of education, we do find ways to help the students and gloriously many respond in ways that constantly surprise us.
In spite of everything, if given half a chance, the generation that is rising is bright, curious, steadfast, passionate, creative, fun and will be ready to take the helm when the time comes.
But like teachers at other levels, I do it because I love it. Our salaries are very low, have not risen, and I remain because at the college level we still have a little flexibility. I write in the hope that this flexibility" trickles down" to teachers at lower levels!!
8
(1) Make it a 12 month job (with short breaks) for teachers as well as students.
(2) Compensate educators accordingly.
(3) Relegate sports to the "extra-curricular" status that they deserve.
If we are going to try and compete with India and China academically, it is time that we start walking their walk.
(2) Compensate educators accordingly.
(3) Relegate sports to the "extra-curricular" status that they deserve.
If we are going to try and compete with India and China academically, it is time that we start walking their walk.
4
This certainly makes child care a little easier. Plus a longer school day to allow teachers in training to tutor students while teachers do their grading and planning after 3 PM.
Please sign up to substitute for a week in your local high school. Then we'll talk.
3
Teaching credentials, like school spending, have no proportional positive effect on the quality of education. The greatest indicator of public school student success is the level of parental involvement. Period.
3
Reading these comments I feel overwhelmed with hopelessness. It's time to start a war FOR education. Unions should not be treated as enemies. Teachers must be paid wages worthy of their value to society. Student debt for all must become history. Teaching standards -- which have long existed -- are not to be managed by politicians.
10
Lots of good comments and truths about what we as teachers do.
First, I've never known anyone who went into teaching for the money.
Second, for all the talk of "Teachers' Unions" there are many, many of us who have NO representation by any kind of union and, no, my professional teacher association is NOT a union.
Third, part of the pay problem is that there's no differentiation between a weak teacher and a great teacher in pay. If they have a Masters and 20 years experience they make x dollars whether they work their tails off or "phone it in"
The only way even the best teacher can make more money is to rack up more years as the salary inches up or take the leap into administration and leave the classroom.
I have NO interest in being a paper-pusher or a boss over somebody else. I want my 30 years of experience to benefit the children who walk into my class every day and it would be nice if I got more money for all that knowledge and experience.
First, I've never known anyone who went into teaching for the money.
Second, for all the talk of "Teachers' Unions" there are many, many of us who have NO representation by any kind of union and, no, my professional teacher association is NOT a union.
Third, part of the pay problem is that there's no differentiation between a weak teacher and a great teacher in pay. If they have a Masters and 20 years experience they make x dollars whether they work their tails off or "phone it in"
The only way even the best teacher can make more money is to rack up more years as the salary inches up or take the leap into administration and leave the classroom.
I have NO interest in being a paper-pusher or a boss over somebody else. I want my 30 years of experience to benefit the children who walk into my class every day and it would be nice if I got more money for all that knowledge and experience.
16
That's the heartbreaking truth.
2
My mother retired from a tenured teaching position at SUNY in 1993. We figured out that based on the number of hours she worked per week and the number of weeks she worked per year, she earned the annualized equivalent of $160k, in 1993, for doing the same exact same thing year after year. She never updated her lectures or labs.
In addition, shortly AFTER she retired, the State offered an incentive to retire early. She was able to "un-retire" without ever returning to the classroom, collect her incentive and re-retire.
You will never convince me that teachers get a raw deal.
In addition, shortly AFTER she retired, the State offered an incentive to retire early. She was able to "un-retire" without ever returning to the classroom, collect her incentive and re-retire.
You will never convince me that teachers get a raw deal.
2
Since I've taught at the college level and at the K-12 level, you would never convince me you know anything about teaching in a real classroom.
College teachers teach MAYBE 4 classes a day, get even more time outside the classroom than the K-12 folks, get "sabbaticals" (the k-12 folks are asking, "what's that?"), teach mostly kids who have come to school to learn rather than got jerked out of bed, dressed and pushed onto a school bus, AND have fewer students in the classroom AND AND can tell a disruptive kid to "take a hike" (try doing that to a ten-year-old)
And college teacher salaries are way better that what we "in the trenches" get.
Maybe yo mamma didn't deserve her salary, but my K-12 colleagues deserve theirs and more.
College teachers teach MAYBE 4 classes a day, get even more time outside the classroom than the K-12 folks, get "sabbaticals" (the k-12 folks are asking, "what's that?"), teach mostly kids who have come to school to learn rather than got jerked out of bed, dressed and pushed onto a school bus, AND have fewer students in the classroom AND AND can tell a disruptive kid to "take a hike" (try doing that to a ten-year-old)
And college teacher salaries are way better that what we "in the trenches" get.
Maybe yo mamma didn't deserve her salary, but my K-12 colleagues deserve theirs and more.
3
Data is not the plural of anecdote. I spend a full work day every day during my "Vacation" redesigning courses, checking out new readings (only 1 in 10 I end up using in my classroom) and writing articles for journals and conferences. The latter is essential for being a good college teacher. The essence of a college education is that your are studying with somebody who is actively involved in what they teaching. Who would you rather take a course on theater from? An actual director, or someone who use to direct before their teaching load made it impossible for them to do so?
Did you get that figure of 160K by assuming she only worked in the classroom, then multiplying that classroom time to make a 40 hr work week? If your Mom was the kind of lazy teacher you describe, that would still be a dubious procedure. It's completely wrong for those of us who work at least 10 hours outside the classroom for every hour spent in it.
Did you get that figure of 160K by assuming she only worked in the classroom, then multiplying that classroom time to make a 40 hr work week? If your Mom was the kind of lazy teacher you describe, that would still be a dubious procedure. It's completely wrong for those of us who work at least 10 hours outside the classroom for every hour spent in it.
1
If it's university teachers you refer to, you might consider that about 75% are now part-timed, without benefits or raises, and with no chance of advancement. They run school to school, and at full-time hours are lucky to crack $30k a year. They didn't have unions. So be convinced or not, this is the way it is.
4
After reading this distressing article and the many depressing comments by so many justified disgruntled teachers, I want to write a thank note to each one of the high school teachers and college professors (who are still alive) I had that made a huge impact and impression in my life. If it wasn't for their dedication, concern, guidance and support, I would have no doubt, dropped out of school somewhere along the way.
So, until the letters are mailed, THANK YOU to all of my fantastic teachers! You helped mold and shape the kind of person I am today. I owe you so much. Thank you again!
9
Conservatives of most stripes have been engaged on a decades-long project of teaching American society to hate teachers. I can remember when teachers were commonly looked on as civic heroes and accorded respect (if not pay) commensurate with the importance of their role in society. Now they are (according to these conservatives) lazy, protected by corrupt unions, and paid a full-time wage for a part-time job that they're not even very good at. Never mind that the "exorbitant" wages teachers are paid are still not enough to attract the best candidates: any time I point out the starting wage for a teacher in my city (about $35,000), the response I get is "that's a lie. All the teachers I know live in gated communities and drive BMW's." Doesn't matter who I say it to or where they live --- must be a talk-radio meme (like lobster & filet mignon for people on food stamps), because it's always the same.
11
Yep-Faux News and its conservative equivalents are great at promoting the "rich" teacher myth. I actually had a friend recently ask me about the $9,000 bonus I got for teaching Common Core! After I stopped laughing I asked where in the world did she get that bit of "news". Before she could answer, I just shook my head and said. "Fox?" Silence.
3
When I read an article about how easy teachers have it, I wish the person writing it could have seen the hours my mom spent in preparing lesson plans for her students in second grade. They excelled and learned to read and write even though many of their parents spoke minimal English.
When I read articles about the supposedly lavish pension benefits for teachers, they seldom mention that 12% of their pay check is deducted to pay into the pension system. This in addition to income taxes. Teachers are supporting their own retirement from their salaries in the same way that others pay into the social security system.
When I read articles about the supposedly lavish pension benefits for teachers, they seldom mention that 12% of their pay check is deducted to pay into the pension system. This in addition to income taxes. Teachers are supporting their own retirement from their salaries in the same way that others pay into the social security system.
14
A few issues in addition to those Frank raised:
1) Any man who expresses interests in teaching, especially in primary schools is automatically considered a suspect
2) Teachers must teach for the standardized tests which leaves little room for classroom creativity, especially in the public schools.
3) Pop culture is pretty mindless, but any moves to break from pop are resisted by many parents and the administrators. Teachers don't have a chance
4) In underprivileged areas, school needs to be a total immersion effort to catch up with the cultural offerings in the homes of professionals.
Students go home only at night to sleep. This again is costly and against the grain, so the underclass never has much chance to compete with the professional classes.
1) Any man who expresses interests in teaching, especially in primary schools is automatically considered a suspect
2) Teachers must teach for the standardized tests which leaves little room for classroom creativity, especially in the public schools.
3) Pop culture is pretty mindless, but any moves to break from pop are resisted by many parents and the administrators. Teachers don't have a chance
4) In underprivileged areas, school needs to be a total immersion effort to catch up with the cultural offerings in the homes of professionals.
Students go home only at night to sleep. This again is costly and against the grain, so the underclass never has much chance to compete with the professional classes.
3
I was with you until you referenced the Flexner Report. The aura that surrounds physicians today is not what you think it is.
What will even more money buy us? According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, the US spends 35% more per full-time-equivalent student than OECD for primary and secondary education. We spend more per student that Germany, Sweden, Denmark, or Ireland. In my city of Chicago, the average CPS teacher salary is $76,000, plus very generous benefits (as well as the potential for tenure!). Median household income in Chicago is $47k. My feeling is that the behavior of Chicago's teacher's unions which have resisted internal reforms, use of vouchers, and creation of charter schools has done more to damage the image of teaching as a noble profession than low pay. The internal scandals involving kickbacks to suppliers have not helped to make the organization terribly sympathetic to either the taxpayer or the new college grad contemplating teaching versus a job offer from Google.
2
It is undeniable that that teachers deserve better than they get.
However, there are also many well qualified people who would like to teach, but don't have an education degree. That requirement is there for the benefit of the teachers union. If Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg want to take a job teaching intro to Computer Science at their local high school, they are not allowed to do so.
We need to make education about the kids again.
However, there are also many well qualified people who would like to teach, but don't have an education degree. That requirement is there for the benefit of the teachers union. If Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg want to take a job teaching intro to Computer Science at their local high school, they are not allowed to do so.
We need to make education about the kids again.
4
Sigh. Another piece that, while discussing teaching as a whole, marginalizes those of us who teach in private schools. The pay is even worse than public, and teachers are afforded little job security (no tenure; insane admins/boards). But for some, private schools are the last places where a teacher is allowed to actually think, dig deep, and guide small classes of kids who actually still love learning. And that in itself is gold.
8
For a long time we depended on a large talent pool of females whose career prospects were relatively limited; teaching and nursing benefited. That has changed, to the great benefit of our society, our economy and our polity.
Unless tangible and intangible benefits to a teaching career improve we can hardly expect to attract more talent than currently. The column and the comments indicate we know what is required. Neither our politicians nor our voters seem to want to grasp the nettle.
Unless tangible and intangible benefits to a teaching career improve we can hardly expect to attract more talent than currently. The column and the comments indicate we know what is required. Neither our politicians nor our voters seem to want to grasp the nettle.
5
In college I considered teaching until I took some of the terrible education courses. A love of and degree in history is not enough even when earned from fabulous, teacher role models. I wanted to encourage reading by getting non-readers to read books that interested them. I wanted to teach critical thinking with handouts of opposite points of view on subjects from history to current issues. None of this would now be allowed. I'd be required to follow rigid lesson plans geared toward tests that have survived political compromises.
4
Excellent points by those who really know what goes on in today's schools. It is undoubtedly all for naught, as the money people have bought their way into the classroom and the administrators have drunk the kool-aid.
A few points to add:
Students run wild. Its not their fault. There are no expectations otherwise.
Kids are tested, teachers are graded. Huh?
All of the demands are on the teacher, few if any on the kids.
New philosophy of education: Do more with less and demand better results.
Teachers must do what kids want, kids do what they want.
Grades matter, learning doesn't.
If a student deserves a grade they don't like, administration will go over the head of the teacher and change it to a 'better' grade.
Parents used to support teachers, today some student's parents threaten teachers, no matter what the student does.
Racism is not suspending students in a district that is 90% minority, racism is handing out worthless diplomas knowing full well that the student has done virtually nothing to earn it.
If a student may not graduate because they did nothing for four years, calls will be made and pressure will be placed on teachers to make sure the student walks across the stage.
Teachers are scared to death to speak out for fear of being targeted as a 'malcontent' or worse, no matter the merits of their complaint.
Obviously, this list could be endless. If you are thinking of going into teaching, DON'T. You will be a scapegoat for all that ails society.
A few points to add:
Students run wild. Its not their fault. There are no expectations otherwise.
Kids are tested, teachers are graded. Huh?
All of the demands are on the teacher, few if any on the kids.
New philosophy of education: Do more with less and demand better results.
Teachers must do what kids want, kids do what they want.
Grades matter, learning doesn't.
If a student deserves a grade they don't like, administration will go over the head of the teacher and change it to a 'better' grade.
Parents used to support teachers, today some student's parents threaten teachers, no matter what the student does.
Racism is not suspending students in a district that is 90% minority, racism is handing out worthless diplomas knowing full well that the student has done virtually nothing to earn it.
If a student may not graduate because they did nothing for four years, calls will be made and pressure will be placed on teachers to make sure the student walks across the stage.
Teachers are scared to death to speak out for fear of being targeted as a 'malcontent' or worse, no matter the merits of their complaint.
Obviously, this list could be endless. If you are thinking of going into teaching, DON'T. You will be a scapegoat for all that ails society.
12
Most of the commenters on this site can't read or write clearly. And most cannot spell. Behold the problem.
3
Timely article, Mr. bruni. My daughter has wanted to be a to her since she started school. However, in the past few months, now that she is thinking about what college to attend, so is back-pedaling. Not because of the job itself, but becuase in her words 'teachers don't get respect.'
Her in NJ, the governor of our once-great state attacked teachers with in two weeks of taking office. Following public backlash, Mr. Christie turned the tables and went after the teachers unions instead. Teachers in NJ always were respected and the residents of the state realized good teachers make great students and begin training kids to become productive members of society. Not anymore. Since Mr. Christie took office, the respect from public workers, especially teachers, has dropped dramatically. He pitted private sector workers against the lower paid public sector. And he won. The many fools in the state of NJ jumped on that bandwagon.
All public workers were demonized for the work they do. In a manner of speaking, union members against those they forget to realize where they got all they have been given. Sad, but true.
Thanks to the new breed of Republican who are trying to do away with the middle class. And thanks to those former moderate Republican, who have slid on their bellies to the far right, and don't have the backbone to stand up for workers and the middle class, in this country.
Her in NJ, the governor of our once-great state attacked teachers with in two weeks of taking office. Following public backlash, Mr. Christie turned the tables and went after the teachers unions instead. Teachers in NJ always were respected and the residents of the state realized good teachers make great students and begin training kids to become productive members of society. Not anymore. Since Mr. Christie took office, the respect from public workers, especially teachers, has dropped dramatically. He pitted private sector workers against the lower paid public sector. And he won. The many fools in the state of NJ jumped on that bandwagon.
All public workers were demonized for the work they do. In a manner of speaking, union members against those they forget to realize where they got all they have been given. Sad, but true.
Thanks to the new breed of Republican who are trying to do away with the middle class. And thanks to those former moderate Republican, who have slid on their bellies to the far right, and don't have the backbone to stand up for workers and the middle class, in this country.
4
Maybe it would help to have less professors of education. They could teach high school'
also the entry of midcareer people should be allowed without boring them to death with "education courses."
also the entry of midcareer people should be allowed without boring them to death with "education courses."
1
When teaching is far too often coupled with coaching to allow instructors to make ends meet, education suffers. When I was in school, it was far too obvious that my instructors in math and history had their hearts out on the practice fields, not in the classroom with students. Today, my son struggles in math and his instructor, who should be available to help students who don't do as well as they ought, is coaching the girls' track and field team after school. Academics should always come before athletics or other extra-curricular activities, but we have reversed the order in American schools. Hire talented and dedicated teachers, pay them what they deserve, and relegate coaching to a separate line of employment. The skills needed to teach are NOT the skills needed to coach.
4
Sadly, this situation is far from new, even if some elements of the problem (e.g. NCLB) are. If you haven't read Richard Hofstadter's 1964 book "Anti-Intellectualism in American Life", you should. The last third of the book traces American disrespect for education all the way through our history. (In what other country could a fictional teacher like Ichabod Crane exist?) Up until the mid-20th century, there was an essentially-captive population of women who went into teaching because there were few other opportunities. Well, that world is gone. Efforts have to be made to attract qualified teachers and pay them appropriately. The attitude that just anyone can teach (which also fuels the homeschooling movement) does not help, either.
5
Teaching is like a game. Give tests often, including formative ones, to measure what students do or don’t know, keeping myried data records. These tests create data to inform instruction and demonstrate teacher effectiveness. Now use CCSS tests to inform what and how you teach, and add the “reform aspect,” for me, the Danielson Framework, as you plan units and lessons. See both documents below. That’s some game.
Imagine you teach ESL and your state test changes were announced in April, the speaking tests were later that month, and the state test in mid May. You had less than two months to prepare students for the test. That happened in NYS this year. Was that fair to students or teachers?
This game has rules rewritten yearly or even mid year, by politicians, publishers and business people. Thanks to Duncan’s Race To the Top and before that NCLB, the game is increasingly surreal and there are many losers. Would you play this game willingly? Should education be this unfair?
https://danielsongroup.org/framework/
http://www.corestandards.org
Imagine you teach ESL and your state test changes were announced in April, the speaking tests were later that month, and the state test in mid May. You had less than two months to prepare students for the test. That happened in NYS this year. Was that fair to students or teachers?
This game has rules rewritten yearly or even mid year, by politicians, publishers and business people. Thanks to Duncan’s Race To the Top and before that NCLB, the game is increasingly surreal and there are many losers. Would you play this game willingly? Should education be this unfair?
https://danielsongroup.org/framework/
http://www.corestandards.org
3
The federal and states governments' war on teachers and their unions has finally come home to roost. People enter the teaching profession, despite the historically low wages, because they want to teach, i.e., make a difference in the lives of those in their classrooms. But after getting kicked in the teeth once too often, they go elsewhere. It's a wonder that anyone is willing to put up with what many commenters have described here. But those who are willing are the ones teaching your kids now. The federal and state governments see no need to pay teachers well because one doesn't need much of an education to land a McJob. The people who "matter" can afford to go to private schools that take care of their own.
7
I subbed off and on for many years. I felt the lowest janitor (no offense) was more respected than we subs; both in the classroom and in the teachers' lounge.
I'm 59 now--too late for me, but I wish the bright, under appreciated, non Ivy League"Teach for America" types will now get hired.
I'm 59 now--too late for me, but I wish the bright, under appreciated, non Ivy League"Teach for America" types will now get hired.
1
There's a teacher shortage for simple reasons. The pay is low and many people (including Bruni, in other columns) bash teachers and back destructive education policies, sometimes without even knowing enough to realize they're doing it.
Teachers were never paid well, but their pay has failed to keep up with inflation, meaning that it used to be better. They also had professional autonomy and very reasonably job protections that protected that autonomy and partially compensated them for the low pay. Now, the pay is lower and the protections and autonomy are gone, and it's become "common sense" (Bruni has specifically endorsed it) that we should fire teachers for student test scores, which are mostly determined by home factors and outside the teachers' control. Who's going to rack up college debt to go into a job with low pay, low prestige, and no security, where you can be fired for "results" over which you have no control?
Teachers were never paid well, but their pay has failed to keep up with inflation, meaning that it used to be better. They also had professional autonomy and very reasonably job protections that protected that autonomy and partially compensated them for the low pay. Now, the pay is lower and the protections and autonomy are gone, and it's become "common sense" (Bruni has specifically endorsed it) that we should fire teachers for student test scores, which are mostly determined by home factors and outside the teachers' control. Who's going to rack up college debt to go into a job with low pay, low prestige, and no security, where you can be fired for "results" over which you have no control?
14
Our vaunted high tech wizards want there to be such a severe shortage of teachers that school districts are forced to invest in more and more "educational software" to replace them. The future schools will have computer technicians to make sure the hardware and software keeps running and a few "teachers" to provide the intangible "human element" that the engineers can't seem to duplicate. Oh yes, and several administrators to take credit for "fixing" the education problem.
9
I have taught high school for 25 years. I teach because I care about children and the next tax paying citizens that will lead our country. The problems in education are many. The majority of administrators are former jocks/coaches who put loads of money and resources into sports programs, instead of classrooms where students will learn skills that will get them jobs. Bigger gyms not more classrooms are the mantra. There is no way in our district to report problems with administration or staff without being seen as a big problem yourself. When whistle blowers are not protected, you have no way to have checks and balances in the system. It is an old boys club. Abusive teachers are allowed to continue onward with administrators using the excuse of the Union to keep them, when in reality it is the fault of administrators not wanting to do their jobs. No union wants bad teachers as it makes all teachers look bad. People in ivory towers come up with big ideas for education, without having ever taught and misunderstanding the realities of the typical classroom today. We have classroom sizes of 40 plus students. The hardest part of teaching is wanting to make a significant difference in the system and being unable to do that. Most smart teachers have learned to keep their heads down, stay in their classrooms and teach, not trying to make things better in the system as a whole. I have yet to learn that as I still believe in doing what is right, not what is easy.
9
Most public school teachers don't teach the kids of the wealthy. Those kids will go to private schools or charter schools. If the wealthy started to demand better teachers and better pay for teachers in their public schools they would get their demands, as they already do in very wealthy areas where the public schools are deemed just as good or even better than the private schools, and all the kids in the public schools would benefit as a result.
5
We are a small, rural, high poverty public school division in Virginia. We once again will be starting the school year with teacher vacancies. We have been without a library media specialist in our middle school for 3 years; this year we are having difficulty filling elementary positions which are not considered "hard to staff" positions. This year we have recruited as far away as Utah, and we have recruited throughout the year. Title I schools must have "highly qualified" (fully licensed) teachers, but where do we find them?
3
Back in the day, when career options for women were limited, American children (and therefore society) benefited from being taught by women who were often brilliant enough to be anything they chose to be. Well, guess what they're choosing now?
Also, we have this weird cognitive dissonance thing going on in this country now where somehow all these things are true at the same time: (a) teachers are overpaid and should be paid less because their work is just not worth the extravagant amounts they're paid; (b) teaching is incredibly important to America's future and we should do everything we can to attract the best & the brightest; (c) anyone who would willingly work for such low pay is not worthy of our respect.
Also, we have this weird cognitive dissonance thing going on in this country now where somehow all these things are true at the same time: (a) teachers are overpaid and should be paid less because their work is just not worth the extravagant amounts they're paid; (b) teaching is incredibly important to America's future and we should do everything we can to attract the best & the brightest; (c) anyone who would willingly work for such low pay is not worthy of our respect.
11
No, but I was considered it; however, the undisciplined children I would have to "teach" made me think twice. Cheers!
2
Not in a class room dumbed down 2 grade levels, because 1/2 the students are children of functionally illiterate immigrants that our few percent business owner nobility have lured and smuggled into this country to use as the functional equivalent of slaves, and mercenaries to shove us too aware of our rights, uppity, lazy demand a living wage and that jobs not be outsourced to China "natives" into poverty submission. While of course their children go to private and religious schools (can't deny Zionists and wealthy Christians and Muslims the 'right' to their religions excuse) and live in exclusive zip codes where the their kids do not have to run a gauntlet of gangs to get to school
3
Here is one illustration of the problem:
One of my classmates from an elite college graduated with high honors with a double major in Russian Area Studies and German. We all assumed he would go on to a great career in the state department (we all focused on his Russian Area Studies major and not the German). When he decided to teach German in junior high school, everyone said "what a waste".
I am not sure how we got here but, unless we change this perception, it will be hard to improve teachers!
One of my classmates from an elite college graduated with high honors with a double major in Russian Area Studies and German. We all assumed he would go on to a great career in the state department (we all focused on his Russian Area Studies major and not the German). When he decided to teach German in junior high school, everyone said "what a waste".
I am not sure how we got here but, unless we change this perception, it will be hard to improve teachers!
17
Reform # 1: eliminate all PhD programs in "Educational Leadership," and require all educational administrators to have a minimum of 10 years of full-time teaching or its equivalent before they become eligible to be administrators.
Reform #2: cap all administrative salaries at a multiple of faculty salaries, but no more than $250, 000/ year. also, cap or eliminate all administrative perqs.
Reform # 3: require all school board members to a) fully disclose all financial interests, b) provide a full account of their work at the end if every academic year, c) undergo regular evaluation and publish the results.
Reform # 4: limit all football seasons to 10 games; limit all baseball to 25 games; limit all travel for athletes to a 50-mile radius. immediately eliminate all credit-bearing athletic classes, and all mandatory pep rallies.
Reform # 5: immediately do away with all "teach to the script," programs.
Reform #6: make tenure a 4-5 year process, and fix the eval methods.
Reform # 7: institute common core standards nationally. Require the teaching of evolution, art, music, American Gov, and real math/science classea. reinstitute mandatory sex ed and phys edclasses for all.
Reform # 8: generally chop Ed School programs, particularly those by faculty with Ed Leadership and Ed Psych degrees.
reform # 9: require all teachers and counsellors to have at least an MA in an actual subject, and then teach/counsel that.
reform # 10: for crying out loud, money for poor kids.
Reform #2: cap all administrative salaries at a multiple of faculty salaries, but no more than $250, 000/ year. also, cap or eliminate all administrative perqs.
Reform # 3: require all school board members to a) fully disclose all financial interests, b) provide a full account of their work at the end if every academic year, c) undergo regular evaluation and publish the results.
Reform # 4: limit all football seasons to 10 games; limit all baseball to 25 games; limit all travel for athletes to a 50-mile radius. immediately eliminate all credit-bearing athletic classes, and all mandatory pep rallies.
Reform # 5: immediately do away with all "teach to the script," programs.
Reform #6: make tenure a 4-5 year process, and fix the eval methods.
Reform # 7: institute common core standards nationally. Require the teaching of evolution, art, music, American Gov, and real math/science classea. reinstitute mandatory sex ed and phys edclasses for all.
Reform # 8: generally chop Ed School programs, particularly those by faculty with Ed Leadership and Ed Psych degrees.
reform # 9: require all teachers and counsellors to have at least an MA in an actual subject, and then teach/counsel that.
reform # 10: for crying out loud, money for poor kids.
24
Because we all once went to school, and may have children who go to school, it is easy to have an opinion on the state of education and teaching that seems personal and well-informed. But it is no more valid than believing we possess knowledge as to how construction engineers should be educated, evaluated and paid because we've been in a public building. Because public education is in the hands of politicians, whose own survival is dependent on impressing constituents, it is easier for politicians to be bombastic and make rash generalizations about teaching that feed those unfounded opinion than it is for them to acknowledge that education reform is complicated and difficult, and that there are no easy, one-size-fits-all answers. Unfortunately, the loudest voices are not those as thoughtful as Frank Bruni or the readers of the NYT. Opinion based on misinformation seems, sadly, to be the American way, and until that changes it is hard to imagine that any meaningful education reform can occur.
9
I left teaching after 16 years in front of the blackboard. I loved the job, in spite of the difficulties. I have never felt more creative in my life than when I was assembling a great lesson plan and then was able to execute it to a generally enthusiastic reception.
Over the course of my career, I ascended to department chair, I completed 45 hours of study beyond a masters degree and I was credentialed as a bilingual certified educator, all of which provided for a pay differential.
Nevertheless, my three children qualified for the reduced price lunch at their schools as a result of my low income.
I so much want teaching to be a "profession" and not an act of charity. I am so sorry that we can't seem to make it happen.
Over the course of my career, I ascended to department chair, I completed 45 hours of study beyond a masters degree and I was credentialed as a bilingual certified educator, all of which provided for a pay differential.
Nevertheless, my three children qualified for the reduced price lunch at their schools as a result of my low income.
I so much want teaching to be a "profession" and not an act of charity. I am so sorry that we can't seem to make it happen.
37
Wow, that's just incredible, and herein lies the problem. I think salaries are low because it was traditionally a "woman's job" when there were no other opportunities in the workforce. Now that that is no longer true, they're still trying to pay secondary wages, which is why it was cheap all along.
There is a an anti teacher culture in this country and as long as Republicans keep up their nasty rhetoric about NEA and AFT there will be no change.
21
The draft. Make it conscripted.
I'm not a teacher but two of my sisters and several friends are. They all say that students' parents are their biggest frustration: Parents who refuse to accept any suggestion that their children aren't doing the work, are disruptive, are uncivil, are disrespectful, etc. It's always always the teacher's fault. Without support from parents, educating their children is a losing battle.
23
I MIISS THE CLASSROOM ANDi WOULD LIKE TO TEACH AGAIN. I AM A LIFE TIME MEMBER OF THE Ohio eDUCATION aSSOCIATION. I AM ON A DISABILITY RETIREMENT BECAUE OF THE PERCEPTIONS OF MY ILLNESS, I HAVE MULTIPLE SCELROSIS.
I have called many times and each time with a different answer.
I was hoping to get one answer consistently.
I have called many times and each time with a different answer.
I was hoping to get one answer consistently.
1
To get anyone interested in teaching one must make our politicians and everybody else understand one basic rule "Teaching is the only profession that creates all other professionals". IF everyone understands this "clearly" , the next time we have a financial crisis teachers will not be the first ones to get fired just because a city or a county or a state has mismanaged its finances.
And if everyone understands this, teachers will be respected and hopefully they will begin to be paid what is due to them. And if teachers are paid decently , the profession will surely attract more people.
And if everyone understands this, teachers will be respected and hopefully they will begin to be paid what is due to them. And if teachers are paid decently , the profession will surely attract more people.
12
I'm entering my 4th year of teaching, and I definitely see myself in this article. I love teaching, and I would like to stay in the classroom for my entire career, but I also have to consider it's financial limitations. As of now, my hope is to teach a few more years, then transition into one of the much higher-paying (and less stressful) jobs within the field, like curriculum specialist or coach. Our students would benefit from keeping talented and experienced teachers in the classroom, but for too many of us the financial cost is more than we're willing to pay.
8
Sure; when you take the money (BIG MONEY) you use for Football (I love) and pay teachers their due just salaries they SHOULD be paid ..(also cut governor's salary - never have I seen those guys worth their income!)
1
I was reading up on what effect if any Wisconsin's "reforms" that is crippling unions have had on teacher's attitudes and job satisfaction. Some districts have compressed salaries so that they can offer higher pay to beginning teacher thus attracting the most talented. These teachers may tend to leave after 5 or 6 years for better pay from those districts that reward seniority but new talent is in the wings. Another effect of "reforms" is that some districts are in bidding wars since Union contracts don't constrain their offers and teachers are more likely to move to higher paying districts as opposed to staying forever in the same district. I wonder if, in this time of teacher shortage, a more free market approach would result in higher teacher pay and that ironically the Union approach actually suppresses wages. The Republucans talk of student choice, but what about a system that emphasizes teacher choice.
1
To answer your question, we already have the system of some school districts paying higher salaries than others. What it leads to is wealthier districts being able to cherry pick veteran teachers away from poorer districts, and poorer districts constantly hiring novice teachers. It doesn't magically lead to higher salaries across the whole system. Funding cuts to public schools (oh, excuse me, I mean "unicorn reforms") don't help anybody, as much as you might wish to rationalize and believe that.
1
I suspect that "teachers" would be imported from other poorer countries, if a shortage actually looked like it might drive up wages....this is being done in other areas.
Geez Frank, albeit your article is insightful and accurate, after reading it, what sane, reasonable person would want to pursue the path of a teacher?
The only thing more distressing and sad than your article are the many comments by broken down educators. I'm beginning to understand and appreciate the allure of home-schooling.
2
To understand one major reason for the teacher shortage, read the article in today's Washington Post by a teacher who has decided that she needs to leave public education, and then read the comments calling her "whiny". I practiced law for 30 years for a state agency and worked very hard for much less than I could have earned in private practice. My sister in law, who teaches seventh grade history, worked three times as hard as I did for one-third of the money I made, and still does. What other professional career expects you to go out and spend your own limited money to provide basic supplies for your office? Where else can you work an entire career and not be eligible for social security benefits because of a legislative compromise from the 1930s? We have never valued teachers enough in this country, and now we seem to value them even less. It used to work because women had few other options. We have a lot more choices now. Start paying teachers what they are worth, and maybe more people, including more men, will find the profession attractive.
312
The legislative compromise you're talking about came from Reagan and Tip O'Neill, and was elaborated during the first Bush admin.
But yeah, it's kind of exasperating to have the about $800 or so slashed after 22 "qualifying years," paying into social security (plus eight others), when wealthy guys like Trump will get their full SSI checks.
But yeah, it's kind of exasperating to have the about $800 or so slashed after 22 "qualifying years," paying into social security (plus eight others), when wealthy guys like Trump will get their full SSI checks.
Public school teachers in my state pay into the Social Security system and are eligible for its benefits. Too bad Texas (and Ohio, I have heard) didn't value its teachers enough to keep them in the system.
Everything you say is right. In addition it is also the teachers who are blamed when the students don't perform up to standard and the expectation is for them to be social workers and take on the job parents should be doing. In this country teaching is a thankless profession.
1
Oh, after participating in the degradation of teachers and their unions, championing Charter Schools regardless of the costs, you are now attempting to persuade people into the profession?
56
You get what you pay for. It's a capitalistic society. If you pay bad salaries, you get bad teachers. Whenever we vote down a school budget; whenever we scream for lower taxes, we are devaluing our schools by making the teaching profession less and less attractive.
If we wish to ascribe blame, all we have to do is look in the mirror.
If we wish to ascribe blame, all we have to do is look in the mirror.
36
Oversimplification. We pay bad salaries, but we frequently get excellent teachers. We get much more than we pay for.
But the low salaries are still a problem, and teachers are decades overdue for a significant raise.
But the low salaries are still a problem, and teachers are decades overdue for a significant raise.
Just last week, I shared with a colleague my lament about what has happened to teaching during the last 40 years. When I was in high school, in a community whose fortunes were in the prosess of serious reversal, many of my teachers had earned their PhDs, and were earning, in the early 70s, $30-$40K. Most of them had a decade or more of experience, but my Geometry/Calc teacher was just five years into his career. Based on those figures, those teachers would be earning in the low to mid $100K range today, with inflation increases alone. I'm sure there was much that attracted these phenomenal teachers to the profession (I am grateful to then and for my education to this day), but the ability to support their families (many of them were men) must have made it a much more attractive option. And in a struggling, socioeconomically diverse community, in which those in the advanced classes came from the richest families in town to families who received government assistance, and everyone in between, almost all of us attended the most prestigious colleges and universities in the country. Because the salaries attracted the best and the brightest to the profession. When will we put "our money where our mouth is," and begin paying the best and the brightest a sufficient amount to attract them to the profession of teaching again. We need to invest in our children's and grandchildren's futures, and the most important component of that investment is high quality education.
88
oscar; Teachers should also learn to spell and to write short , concise essays
1
Politicians need to understand that our education system is not only the engine of our economy, next to family it is the key to humanizing us---as a country---it helps to make us better, more thoughtful and understanding people. When we reduce that educational process to a number, i.e., when we begin to label teachers (or students) by a single test score, we're taking the humanity out of the process and pretending we can make people into products.
We have the best college and university system in the world---without scripting our professors or standardizing their tests. We must provide teachers with good materials and curriculum---then trust them to teach, and reward them as their professional responsibility merits. If we could only do that, the "problems" in our education system would work themselves out in a few years.
Thank you, Frank Bruni, for your thoughtful commentary.
We have the best college and university system in the world---without scripting our professors or standardizing their tests. We must provide teachers with good materials and curriculum---then trust them to teach, and reward them as their professional responsibility merits. If we could only do that, the "problems" in our education system would work themselves out in a few years.
Thank you, Frank Bruni, for your thoughtful commentary.
6
The teaching problem is obvious complex and impossible to blame on one single problem, issue, or party. Of the many contributing factors, one that always jumps out to me because of its absurdity is illogicality of unions and teachers.
Advocates for teachers want to make teaching a respectable, well paid profession with associated prestige and autonomy (such as Bruni in this article) - these efforts I greatly support. Unfortunately, by its very nature, unionization treats employees as commodities. "Last in, first out" policies, other forms of inflexibility with hiring, firing, and promotions, and tables that determine pay based on a formula are antithetical to professionalism, autonomy, prestige, etc.
Advocates for teachers want to make teaching a respectable, well paid profession with associated prestige and autonomy (such as Bruni in this article) - these efforts I greatly support. Unfortunately, by its very nature, unionization treats employees as commodities. "Last in, first out" policies, other forms of inflexibility with hiring, firing, and promotions, and tables that determine pay based on a formula are antithetical to professionalism, autonomy, prestige, etc.
5
The teachers' unions are the only organized group advocating for good education policy and against bad education policy. If you support what you say you support, you pretty much have to support teachers' unions. If, on the other hand, you oppose teachers' unions, then you don't really want quality education. You're just claiming you do so as to lend weight to your union bashing.
1
Sort of a chicken/egg thing isn't it? You see unionization of teachers as holding them back as professionals. What was holding them, back from being considered professionals before they organized for economic justice? There were teachers in public schools long before there were unions. If we truly valued education and teachers they would never have had to result to industrial style unionism. American has always valued the doer over the thinker/teacher. Throw in the fact that elementary teachers traditionally were women and you have a recipe for a job that is not seen a true profession. If unions were to go away tomorrow teacher compensation would most likely go down in the short run.
Where were all the people ready to compensate teachers as true professionals before they were forced to organize?
Where were all the people ready to compensate teachers as true professionals before they were forced to organize?
2
I never cease to be amazed that people respond to articles about teacher shortages but calling for the profession to become less attractive to potential new recruits. Since teachers aren't highly paid, having a modicum of job security may compensate for that in some young people. And to those who rant on and on about firing bad teachers, where do you suppose their replacements will come from, since, as the article points out, THERE'S A TEACHER SHORTAGE!
If you are going to advocate for less job security, you must also advocate for something else to make the profession more attractive--like higher salaries.
If you are going to advocate for less job security, you must also advocate for something else to make the profession more attractive--like higher salaries.
2
Since Reagan, the whole GOP schtick is to demonize almost everyone and everything in the world. Teachers unfortunately have been at the top of that list. It's amazing to me that anyone other than a clinically diagnosed masochist would go into teaching in the U.S., especially in the GOP states.
20
Ironically, it was the pseudo science of accountability promoted by E4E and NCTQ that caused this mess in the first place. Those "thinktanks" promoted tying teacher evaluation to VAM which the American Statistical Association warned against. Well, they made their bed, now they have to lie in it. I love teaching, really and truly. Under the present paradigms, I wouldn't recommend the profession to any aspiring professional.
12
Did it ever occure to anyone that a lot of teachers don't like to teach what the government mandates? I have a relative who was teaching in the inner city of Baltimore. She quite after about four years. She couldn't fail any students and the discipline amounted to about zero. There are also a whole lot of teachers who, like police officers, should not be doing what they do.
6
It doesn't sound like the content of the curriculum was her problem.
You start with notion that some teachers may not like what the government mandates they teach then immediately cite that she couldn't fail anyone and discipline was non existent. What was it that she had to teach that she didn't like? Would that be reading? Math?
I am a newly certified teacher. After many years of being out of college and raising a family of 4 I went back to school for a degree in education. I was 35 when I basically started all over again. I graduated last spring. While I have some advantages over my younger classmates who also graduated, such as more life experience, 11 year of dealing with school districts as a parent, self-confidence dealing with large groups of students from day one, I also have some disadvantaged such as not being able to relocate to where the jobs are immediately. In my childrens' district there were limited jobs available, mostly in math and in elementary, not areas of my certification.
I wouldn't even have a problem starting out at $30k right now. Many teachers here are deeply unhappy though. While the district is a wonderful place for students, one that I would prefer to keep my 4 children in, I've privately had many teachers tell me that I would be happier working in other districts. Most of my childrens' very well loved teachers have either retired or left the profession in the last few years because of the ridiculous demands placed on them. It is to the point that they feel they can effectively teach because they are hampered by more rules, testing, standards, parents, paperwork. I honestly do want to be in the classroom working and teaching but I'm half-afraid I will regret it 5 years down the road.
I wouldn't even have a problem starting out at $30k right now. Many teachers here are deeply unhappy though. While the district is a wonderful place for students, one that I would prefer to keep my 4 children in, I've privately had many teachers tell me that I would be happier working in other districts. Most of my childrens' very well loved teachers have either retired or left the profession in the last few years because of the ridiculous demands placed on them. It is to the point that they feel they can effectively teach because they are hampered by more rules, testing, standards, parents, paperwork. I honestly do want to be in the classroom working and teaching but I'm half-afraid I will regret it 5 years down the road.
9
Author David McCullough, in a recent interview, had a novel but salient suggestion - get rid of "education" course work and meaningless "certification" requirements.
A person who has sufficient knowledge of the subject matter, engages young people in a meaningful way, and is dedicated to the success of students would fare well. Unfortunately, there exist too many barriers to supplant the current system with any new or different paradigm.
A person who has sufficient knowledge of the subject matter, engages young people in a meaningful way, and is dedicated to the success of students would fare well. Unfortunately, there exist too many barriers to supplant the current system with any new or different paradigm.
13
Of course this is the opposite of the suggestion that it be more difficult to be certified. The real issue is that teaching is low status.
1
This is a novel idea? It's been a central plank of teacher bashers for years. Anyone who thinks that content knowledge alone is sufficient to be a good teacher has clearly not been in a classroom since leaving high school. While you mention engaging students, that comes with years of experience. It's not a God-given talent.
1
My husband just retired from teaching. He hated to do it. He loved teaching history, he loved the kids he taught in the South Bronx, he loved developing creative courses, but he hated the feeling of being a "pawn and a punching bag." The extremely high success rate he had with the kids producing and defending sophisticated research papers wasn't acknowledged; the lack of following a pre-determined script was. A shortage of teachers? How can anyone be surprised by this after years of Bloomberg, Klein, Duncan, etc.? Building career ladders is not the solution -- it's part of the problem. It's not enough today to be a great teacher. The best and brightest young teachers are regularly siphoned off from the classroom to become part of the administrative hierarchy of teacher developers, master teachers, assistant principals, regional consultants, etc. For better or worse, that's where the money, the respect, the autonomy lies -- not in the classroom. Who gets lost in this political gamesmanship? The kids who everyone claims are the reason we need to change. This is not about doing better for our kids. It's about taking control of the profession by non-professionals who care about weakening unions, channeling taxpayer dollars to private corporations and dumbing down the profession so that teachers, who should be the lynchpin of the system become a bunch of interchangeable widgets to be as tightly controlled as a factory assembly line.
29
Excellent comment! Too much money in administration and not enough for teachers. We could cut one third off of administration and hire more teachers and reduce class size.
We could cut one third off of legislatures health care to improve teachers health care. We should cut legislatures' pensions to help teachers' pensions.
We could cut one third off of legislatures health care to improve teachers health care. We should cut legislatures' pensions to help teachers' pensions.
Just before I retired from this noble, to some and ignoble to many more, profession for all of the reasons given so far, I quipped to a colleague,"What will happen when the school year starts and no teachers show up?"
I guess we are about to find out.
I guess we are about to find out.
15
Can we interest you in teaching, Mr. Bruni? Take a year off from being a columnist. Or perhaps, write your columns from the perspective of a first year teacher. Teach in an urban public school. Learn the difficulties of students who come to school without the background you had when you were a student. See just how difficult it is to actually teach young people in the conditions most teachers deal with. See the quality of your colleagues. Feel the abuse heaped on you by people who never tried teaching. I could go on, but you won't try it so why bother.
40
We can only blame state legislatures, and, for the most part, Republicans for this disastrous slump in public education. And honestly the for-profit charter schools are generally no better, not at all.
I tell ALL my students, "Do not go into teaching. Your family deserves better."
I tell ALL my students, "Do not go into teaching. Your family deserves better."
111
"How do we make teaching more rewarding, so that it beckons to not only enough college graduates but to a robust share of the very best of them?"
One idea that would help in many schools would be to reduce the amount of disruption created by students. This would allow the teacher to have more time to teach. Do not expect the quality of education to improve when there is chaos in the classroom and the teacher has no options except their own personality on controlling the students.
If we look at most "just out of college" jobs many of them have little more upward mobility for the vast numbers of employees than teaching. True, the best and the brightest will go on to better jobs, but many will not.
One idea that would help in many schools would be to reduce the amount of disruption created by students. This would allow the teacher to have more time to teach. Do not expect the quality of education to improve when there is chaos in the classroom and the teacher has no options except their own personality on controlling the students.
If we look at most "just out of college" jobs many of them have little more upward mobility for the vast numbers of employees than teaching. True, the best and the brightest will go on to better jobs, but many will not.
6
Teacher pay has to be adequate to enable owning a house in a safe neighborhood, two cars, and to raise two children.
Any who want more than that should forget teaching.
People teach for many reasons. The people to encourage to teach are those who want to help others and who are capable of it.
The biggest factor discouraging would-be teachers or demotivating those who already teach is work environment. Do teachers have control of class-room discipline? Do principals back teachers against parents who believe that they and their children have no responsibilities? Do principals clear out the dry rot or cower before unions? Unions are tough adversaries, whose priority is their convenience, not educating children to a high standard. It takes a tough principal to handle them.
Too many principals are weak leaders, who never before ran anything where they could fail. Then they got their principal jobs thru politics and by earning a PhD from some jack-leg teacher school. They take the easy way out, which is to roll over and do a half-way job.
Any who want more than that should forget teaching.
People teach for many reasons. The people to encourage to teach are those who want to help others and who are capable of it.
The biggest factor discouraging would-be teachers or demotivating those who already teach is work environment. Do teachers have control of class-room discipline? Do principals back teachers against parents who believe that they and their children have no responsibilities? Do principals clear out the dry rot or cower before unions? Unions are tough adversaries, whose priority is their convenience, not educating children to a high standard. It takes a tough principal to handle them.
Too many principals are weak leaders, who never before ran anything where they could fail. Then they got their principal jobs thru politics and by earning a PhD from some jack-leg teacher school. They take the easy way out, which is to roll over and do a half-way job.
5
There needs to be better, more innovative and successful schools. For example, Aviation High Schools starting up in Washington State or Arts-Rich schools throughout the country. The more creative we get with schools the more teachers, students and parents will be eager to stay with the programs. Vision is lacking in Public Schools. It's the same old "let's make all the schools the same" mentality. Well, students are not all the same. Where is the vision to make schools exciting? I've had the opportunity to talk to many teachers that have resigned to teach in private schools because of the constraints in public schools concerning the forced curriculum. Well, if you want those teachers to look toward teaching in the Public Schools then give them a reason. Establish schools in low-income ethnically diverse areas that keep kids in their seats and draw teachers eager to go to schools with vision and goals.
2
I'm really confused by this column. Wondering why bright young college grads don't go into teaching is like asking LGBT why they don't like anti-gay bullies.
28
showing a kid how to take apart a book by the index, or float down a page,
cut down on adjectives(Shrunken/White, sp?), find the pertinent detail in a
biography, that's teaching how to learn, the only power availabe to a maestro.
facts are not the first water of the profession. teaching is the toughest and best thing one can do. high-paying jobs are a chance to be an indentured servant to powers who may or may not know what they are doing. the worst part of the high job is saluting and the stink of rank. the worth of credential's
pledge is the heart itself, not paperwork. the low regard of education today
is due to the begging of admission by a process dismayingly boring and drawn out. one has to expedite the roll of paper until it is a wheel that moves farther
than down the toilet.
cut down on adjectives(Shrunken/White, sp?), find the pertinent detail in a
biography, that's teaching how to learn, the only power availabe to a maestro.
facts are not the first water of the profession. teaching is the toughest and best thing one can do. high-paying jobs are a chance to be an indentured servant to powers who may or may not know what they are doing. the worst part of the high job is saluting and the stink of rank. the worth of credential's
pledge is the heart itself, not paperwork. the low regard of education today
is due to the begging of admission by a process dismayingly boring and drawn out. one has to expedite the roll of paper until it is a wheel that moves farther
than down the toilet.
2
Wow! Wonderful writing! You've nailed it! Three cheers "Shrunken/White!"
I don't know how it works in other states, but in this one if you work for a principal that decides they don't like you, your career is finished. My husband taught Spanish for 15 yrs. He was born is Spain, is completely bilingual, has 2 masters degrees. He graduated magna cum laude, received a perfect score on the Spanish certification test, and scored in the top 10% in the teaching certification test. He's been tenured in 2 school systems and has had many good reviews over the years. Unfortunately, his last job was with a principal who decided early on that all student complaints were somehow justified, and anything my husband did was completely wrong. She informed him that failing students did no work because they "didn't connect " with him, and in general made his life as miserable as possible. He hasn't been able to get a teaching job since. This state claims to need well qualified teachers, but I don't believe it.
13
This has happened to quite a few teachers I've known. The parents or the students complain about a good teacher and the powers that be decide to use that as a reason to get rid of a teacher that they themselves don't like or don't want to pay. This is why teachers (and other employees) need the protection of unions. It's because the good people who do their jobs well and don't give out free A's or say yes to everything are the ones who lose while managers retain the ones who are more pliable, i.e. don't ever say no or ask why. Most good teachers want to stay in the classroom close to the students and the work they love if they are allowed to teach rather than force feed students material for a test.
I hope your husband can find another job at a school which will appreciate him and his talents. If it's possible for you both, perhaps you should try to move to another state. It saddens me whenever I read or hear of a good person being forced out of a field they love. Good luck.
I hope your husband can find another job at a school which will appreciate him and his talents. If it's possible for you both, perhaps you should try to move to another state. It saddens me whenever I read or hear of a good person being forced out of a field they love. Good luck.
5
This does happen elsewhere.
3
I taught in Maine.........same problem here.........teachers' careers are at the mercy of principals and other supervisors who have their own agenda... and it is not hiring, nurturing and retaining the absolute best teachers. It is a strange and sad situation that requires a complete shake-up of the present system..........
3
Education in the US is mostly funded on the local level. If a community wants good education, they will fund it, if not, then you basically need only baby-sitters. The other choice is private schools and home schooling for those that value educating their children.
If one is concerned about the availability of educated workers, we can externalize the cost of education as much as possible. Allow highly educated foreigner the right to work in the US, with a path to citizenship. The other counties would have spent on their education, not the USA, but we can reap the benefits. This also allows the current funding of public schools to fall further, without any detriment to the economy. This is a win-win for the USA. We get the benefits of a good education system and can lower our taxes; although we may want to put more into the school athletic departments so we have an adequate pool of potential player for our sports system.
Don't lament the current state of USA education. It is better and easier to chart its decline than try to shore-up a failing system that only a few people care about.
If one is concerned about the availability of educated workers, we can externalize the cost of education as much as possible. Allow highly educated foreigner the right to work in the US, with a path to citizenship. The other counties would have spent on their education, not the USA, but we can reap the benefits. This also allows the current funding of public schools to fall further, without any detriment to the economy. This is a win-win for the USA. We get the benefits of a good education system and can lower our taxes; although we may want to put more into the school athletic departments so we have an adequate pool of potential player for our sports system.
Don't lament the current state of USA education. It is better and easier to chart its decline than try to shore-up a failing system that only a few people care about.
1
David, What's your recommendation to working poor families who value education and have children who are bright, hardworking, and ambitious students? Should we send them to "babysitters" because their neighborhoods do not generate sufficient tax revenue to fund adequate schools?
This is an appealing notion, although I pity the poor foreign intellectuals confronted with rooms full of brats, their yahoo parents, and administrators as dumb as a bag of hammers.
This is a win-win for the USA.
except for those who are considering entering the profession, in school for it or already in it. Downward pressure on wages lets the market place dictate this.
except for those who are considering entering the profession, in school for it or already in it. Downward pressure on wages lets the market place dictate this.
1
I'm just waiting for Republicans to endorse significant increases in teacher pay, so that the magic of the marketplace can be unleashed to attract our best and brightest young people into such an important profession for our society.
Impoverished school districts have long had difficulty in attracting good educators to teach their children. It won't be long until upper-middle class suburban districts begin to have the same problem. When that happens, we MAY (hopefully) see increased public support for the institutions that attract, educate, and prepare our prospective teachers.
Impoverished school districts have long had difficulty in attracting good educators to teach their children. It won't be long until upper-middle class suburban districts begin to have the same problem. When that happens, we MAY (hopefully) see increased public support for the institutions that attract, educate, and prepare our prospective teachers.
6
This issue tells all. If leadership and voters really cared about the future, children's education would be first on the list of priorities; more so since the US spends more per student than many countries. Where is the cost/benefit analysis?
4
Teachers aren't focused on money, although that is a symbol of respect in our society and respect is valuable. They want to be involved in policy, to have some autonomy so that they can teach from their own strengths and add meaning to the curriculum, and to have smaller classes so they can work with all kids.
Teachers in Finland, spend most of their time practicing teaching. They do it with free tuition, fewer classes, time to reflect, full-time mentor teachers and special schools dedicated to producing good teachers.
There is an extensive free preschool program. The high schools in Finland teach only about 50% of the students while other students get vocational training.
I teach 150 students a day. I have less than 2 minutes per student. This assumes I never taught any content.
I won awards for work I did in my previous career. I won a region-wide award for teaching. I have three advanced degrees. And, I literally have no say within a struggling district that is attempting to educate and help poor and illiterate families. If I propose modifying a program that has been successful elsewhere to fit our needs and culture, giving it a good effort and setting up metrics to evaluate our success or failure, the administrators look at me like I'm speaking Swahili. I'm new to the district so I'm just learning the culture of the management but the VP in charge of me told me to soften my direct way of speaking or, better yet, simply stay out. He meant that as helpful advice.
Teachers in Finland, spend most of their time practicing teaching. They do it with free tuition, fewer classes, time to reflect, full-time mentor teachers and special schools dedicated to producing good teachers.
There is an extensive free preschool program. The high schools in Finland teach only about 50% of the students while other students get vocational training.
I teach 150 students a day. I have less than 2 minutes per student. This assumes I never taught any content.
I won awards for work I did in my previous career. I won a region-wide award for teaching. I have three advanced degrees. And, I literally have no say within a struggling district that is attempting to educate and help poor and illiterate families. If I propose modifying a program that has been successful elsewhere to fit our needs and culture, giving it a good effort and setting up metrics to evaluate our success or failure, the administrators look at me like I'm speaking Swahili. I'm new to the district so I'm just learning the culture of the management but the VP in charge of me told me to soften my direct way of speaking or, better yet, simply stay out. He meant that as helpful advice.
17
Sadly, your story is an all to common one. I was once told by a principal to "bring less to the table" because "others are intimidated by [my] ideas." Somehow, schools have become anti-intellectual spaces.
1
Well, I can't really speak about the rest of the country, but when I have the misfortune of waiting for the subway or getting on the subway with NYC public school kids round 3:30 pm on any weekday (I avoid it if all possible), I can't imagine anyone in their right mind spending 15 minutes with these loud, foul-mouthed, ill-mannered children, much less hours, day after day. I'm sure it could literally drive one insane.
24
makes you wonder what type of cave men and women the parents are! Better parenting would go a long way to solving the teacher "hortage", never mind higher salaries. But we need politicians, especially Republicans, to point out how bad most parents really and trully are.
1
It is hard to imagine...until you actually start building relationships with those kids. Teachers build classroom cultures by establishing rapport, respect, and clear expectations. As a result, most of our classrooms do not look or sound like the subway cars you're experiencing--though they may on the first few days of school. Are some of our kids "rough around the edges"? Yes, they are kids and they are coming from a variety of backgrounds and experiences...in addition to the craziness waged by teenage hormones (I'm assuming you're talking about teenagers). They need adults--lots of adults--in their lives to guide them, establish healthy boundaries and support them so they have the space and resources to grow.
1
So true. I recently did volunteer after-school tutoring for a 4th grader. The lack of respect for, and attention to, me was shocking - even when the parent was present. I can't imagine having to go through that with an entire classroom.
1
I entered the teaching profession because under Gov. Tom Kean, New Jersey offered a scholarship to top high school students, paying college tuition in return for 4 to 6 years of service in NJ public schools upon graduation. I took the money, went to Brown, and did my six years of service. I'm still teaching. Make college affordable for talented students and you will glean a solid pool of career educators.
17
Maybe it is time to start recognizing the fact that there is a systematic effort underway to defund education and deprofessionalize teaching. Everything Mr. Bruni is proposing here is the opposite of what is actually happening in our public schools. Charter teachers await jobs in regular public schools because they have no voice and no security in charter schools and yet charter schools continue to be pushed as a panacea for education. This has not happened by accident. Lawsuits such as Vergara and Fredreichs focus on problems that barely exist. How do you attract qualified teachers while continually demonizing teachers? You don't and this is the preferred method of the Reform Movement to eliminate teachers and make a case for low paid temp workers who simply monitor kids on a computer all day. It is a sytematic plan to ensure that profit can be made from public school dollars.
20
You are so right. Follow the money.
One other impediment for teachers: the constant degradation from Republicans. I remember Mitt Romney saying that class size doesn't matter. Then there's Scott Walker who seems intent on decimating Wisconsin's education system from top to bottom while building a sports stadium for billionaire team owners. That certainly communicates teacher's value, doesn't it? And in Sam Brownback's Kansas, education budget cuts have created a teacher shortage because the pay is so low and teachers are of so little value. And on and on.
I don't know of any other job where the person who is being evaluated has so little control over her/his situation. A teacher has many individuals to work with, each with their own family situation and learning style. Any number of them may be hungry on any given day. It's safe to say that in each classroom in this country, there is at least one student who is experiencing violence at home. Any number of them may have undiagnosed learning disabilities. And yet the teacher is expected to teach each and every one of these students, no matter what. And is somehow expected to get each one of them to perform at top level on a single test on a single day. Right. If the rest of us had to work under such circumstances, we'd quit in a nanosecond.
I don't know of any other job where the person who is being evaluated has so little control over her/his situation. A teacher has many individuals to work with, each with their own family situation and learning style. Any number of them may be hungry on any given day. It's safe to say that in each classroom in this country, there is at least one student who is experiencing violence at home. Any number of them may have undiagnosed learning disabilities. And yet the teacher is expected to teach each and every one of these students, no matter what. And is somehow expected to get each one of them to perform at top level on a single test on a single day. Right. If the rest of us had to work under such circumstances, we'd quit in a nanosecond.
24
Sorry, it's not just Republicans. Arne Duncan also said that class size doesn't matter. Democrats are almost as bad, almost as anti-union. Furthermore, Democrats are fully behind the "reform" movement whose purpose is to privatize public education. Part of the process is to make teaching a less rewarding profession: if teaching becomes a job that college graduates do for a couple years, then quit, then the privatizers can cut their payroll by around 50%. Evaluations based on test results which are highly unpredictable and unfair, attacks upon unions, removal of teachers' autonomy in the classroom, attacks upon pensions, attacks upon tenure -- these are all part of the same picture: it's all about cutting the payroll. Bruni's column and most of these comments reveal terrible naivety or disingenuousness, as the writers ignore the underlying reasons for why the profession has been so damaged. As a teacher, I am convinced that unless our unions end "reluctant" cooperation with the reformers, their routine endorsement of Democrats (AFT endorsing Clinton is insane!) and become militant, our profession is doomed.
2
Mike Barker has a good comment. Too many teachers are expected to do miracles with students who have no motivation to learn or lack the ability. Some of this is due to poor preparation. For example, I taught at college level. One of the classes was part of a special program to help students to adjust to college life as ours is a "commuter college" (Many students live at or near home and stay in daily contact with their friends many of whom did not go to college). These classes were all classified as GE in various areas.
My class was in the literature area and was intended for future science majors who did not like traditional English lit. Students were expected to read 2 novels, one class the other modern, many articles and to report on each of these. There was a formal term paper at the end.
One student never finished reading any of the assignments and never handed in any papers. I tried to help her and to encourage her to make use of the many help offices and programs on campus to no avail. Finally the truth came out: although she had graduated in the top 20% of her high school class, she had never read a full length book with chapters!
How does any student graduate from high school without ever having read and reported on a dull length novel that is divided into chapters? At least a third of the other students in the class had read this book in high school as it is a classic.
My class was in the literature area and was intended for future science majors who did not like traditional English lit. Students were expected to read 2 novels, one class the other modern, many articles and to report on each of these. There was a formal term paper at the end.
One student never finished reading any of the assignments and never handed in any papers. I tried to help her and to encourage her to make use of the many help offices and programs on campus to no avail. Finally the truth came out: although she had graduated in the top 20% of her high school class, she had never read a full length book with chapters!
How does any student graduate from high school without ever having read and reported on a dull length novel that is divided into chapters? At least a third of the other students in the class had read this book in high school as it is a classic.
11
I think people would be quite shocked at what skills, knowledge and critical thinking ability earns students a high school diploma these days. I remember the librarian at one of the local high schools expressing her amazement after a graduation in which she saw kids getting diplomas who she knew to be essentially unable to read. The weak link in this area of Maine are the administrators who refuse to set and adhere to serious standards for earning a high school diploma. I could go on forever with examples, but I am so over it...........sadly...........
1
"Better pay is a must" -
With what money Frank? Surely you are aware that teachers salaries come out of taxpayer money, and as we hear over and over again, we taxpayers are already paying too much.
What is your stand on taxes? You seem to think there are at least some semi-reasonable Republicans somewhere. What do they say about taxes?
With what money Frank? Surely you are aware that teachers salaries come out of taxpayer money, and as we hear over and over again, we taxpayers are already paying too much.
What is your stand on taxes? You seem to think there are at least some semi-reasonable Republicans somewhere. What do they say about taxes?
4
The idea that we are paying too much in taxes is a canard used by dishonest politicians to get themselves elected. We all know there is no such thing as a free lunch, yet politicians on the right ... yes I mean right ... are feeding us these lies every day. Just look at Kansas.
I agree. That's why we need to permit illegal aliens to teach in high schools, just as they currently work in restaurants and farm fields. It would save a fortune (at least in the short run).
1
Since our largest corporations, the ones who whine about the horribly high corporate tax rate, nowadays hardly pay any taxes at all and corporate farmers rake in billions in well fare payments, couldn't we ask them for a tiny share of all their profits?
1
A major factor in teacher disillusionment and dropout rates is that many students see no relevance to their lives in what they are supposed to be learning. We should look to the experience of other countries in which kids' aptitude is determined at an early age and those unlikely to succeed academically are enrolled in programs that teach marketable skills. There's no empirical justification for the view that virtually all students should be aiming for a college degree. College graduates tend to earn more, but that doesn't mean everyone has the intellectual capacity for higher education. And there are plenty of electricians and auto mechanics making more money than college graduates.
2
When I was a child, teachers lined up for positions in our suburban school district even though it paid considerably less than neighboring urban and suburban districts. The deterioration of the quality of teaching corresponds closely to the dismantling of public education and disintegration of the economy.
When I was growing up:
1. It was possible to earn a good quality B.A. and teaching certification without incurring a lifetime burden of debt.
2. There was affordable housing within our community.
3. Teachers in our schools were highly respected as professionals and social equals.
4. Teachers had almost complete autonomy.
5. Standardized tests were "low stakes," used only to develop curricula and guide individualized instruction.
6. There was ample support staff including nurses, physical education teachers, art and music teachers, learning specialists, psychologists, student teachers and more.
7. The corporate plutocrats' program to dismantle public education did not gain momentum until passage of Proposition 13 in California during the ascension of "conservatism" under Reagan.
My children attended those same schools and received even better educations. Tests and other measures show that graduates from our schools today perform as well or better than graduates from any other public or private schools in the world.
Our schools survived the ongoing plot to destroy public education by means of a simple tactic: They are in a very rich suburb. Money does matter.
When I was growing up:
1. It was possible to earn a good quality B.A. and teaching certification without incurring a lifetime burden of debt.
2. There was affordable housing within our community.
3. Teachers in our schools were highly respected as professionals and social equals.
4. Teachers had almost complete autonomy.
5. Standardized tests were "low stakes," used only to develop curricula and guide individualized instruction.
6. There was ample support staff including nurses, physical education teachers, art and music teachers, learning specialists, psychologists, student teachers and more.
7. The corporate plutocrats' program to dismantle public education did not gain momentum until passage of Proposition 13 in California during the ascension of "conservatism" under Reagan.
My children attended those same schools and received even better educations. Tests and other measures show that graduates from our schools today perform as well or better than graduates from any other public or private schools in the world.
Our schools survived the ongoing plot to destroy public education by means of a simple tactic: They are in a very rich suburb. Money does matter.
10
you forgot that many years ago teachers administered corporal punishment, helicopter parents did not exist, the parent never took the side of a student against a teacher and kids were not that spoiled and ADD. THAT was why education was superior then.
2
This is truly pathetic. We as a nation have a disruptive society and distracted - or even disfunctional homes. A large percentage of kids come to school burdened with so much that distracts from learning. Even the ones from better homes often arive at school with no zeal for learning... and even less discipline.
"Who cares! Not our problem! Teachers teach, so make them teach!" This has been our motto for years now: "Poor performing kids are ALWAYS the teacher's problem. They are overpaid with our taxes, underworked, and uninspiring - and don't even get started about teacher's unions or pensions! Kill both of these "perks" and make teachers WORK for a living!"
Sound familiar? It's been America's attitude towards teachers for at least the last ten years, with attitudes before that not so great either. Their reality is far different: underfunded, overworked, grossly over-managed in a constant hyper-critical environment. Teachers have their hands tied when it comes to discipline and course content. We teach to tests, not to topics. Teachers monitor what's politically correct, lest they say something different from what Jonny's pastor said on Sunday. Finally, teachers often spend thousands of their own money properly equipping their classrooms. What other profession makes you buy the supplies that should already be on hand?
Then we wonder why we have a shortage? Seriously? Most people wouldn't last a week! We worked real hard to make this shortage a reality!
"Who cares! Not our problem! Teachers teach, so make them teach!" This has been our motto for years now: "Poor performing kids are ALWAYS the teacher's problem. They are overpaid with our taxes, underworked, and uninspiring - and don't even get started about teacher's unions or pensions! Kill both of these "perks" and make teachers WORK for a living!"
Sound familiar? It's been America's attitude towards teachers for at least the last ten years, with attitudes before that not so great either. Their reality is far different: underfunded, overworked, grossly over-managed in a constant hyper-critical environment. Teachers have their hands tied when it comes to discipline and course content. We teach to tests, not to topics. Teachers monitor what's politically correct, lest they say something different from what Jonny's pastor said on Sunday. Finally, teachers often spend thousands of their own money properly equipping their classrooms. What other profession makes you buy the supplies that should already be on hand?
Then we wonder why we have a shortage? Seriously? Most people wouldn't last a week! We worked real hard to make this shortage a reality!
7
Maybe they should scrap the idea that it takes an advanced degree to teach 5'th grade math.
5
Teaching practice requires far more than knowledge of the content we are teaching. I invite you to teach fifth grade for one full school year. Let's revisit your suggestion in June.
1
Consider the old saying, "You get what you pay for," often used to justify paying too much for something, e.g., executive salaries. Many believe this saying sacred in everything--except public education. Why?
5
Once upon a time the government felt that education was so important they were willing to subsidize the education of teachers. (Granted teaching got a short a boost as a way to avoid the draft during the Vietnam war.) Along with a signed contract to stay teaching for three years or you pay it all back, one could get grants to pay university tuition. Considering what it costs today and the loans some are forced into, sound like it's time to dust off that act, Congress. Surely some Repub running for POTUS wants to distinguish himself as "the education president."
2
So many leave after 4 years because the job is very difficult. Teacher ed programs ARE easy, but the job isn't. That means students who are not actually very good students, who might lack self-discipline and do not like to work very hard, get a degree to get a license to teach in a profession that requires excellent learning/studying skills, advanced self-discipline, and a strong work ethic. It's a wonder that more don't quit. The problem with raising requirements in schools of ed is that we will end up with fewer teachers unless the perceived rewards (salary, prestige, autonomy) also increase. Making it harder to get a low-paid, disrespected job wherein others tell you what to is only going to result in fewer people doing that job. And don't think that increased demand will raise salaries; we already have a shortage and the solution has been to LOWER standards, not RAISE salaries. We are a country that likes to wallow in ignorance. That's why the Kardashians and Trump have such celebrity and name recognition. We are not a nation that values education.
6
Well,...Trump is a graduate of the Wharton School....
I would love it if more men and more people of color (both genders) would consider teaching as a career. Men and teachers of color are in very short supply and wouldn't it be great for students to see people like themselves at the front of the classroom? Teaching is very rewarding to your soul, if not to your finances! What if more people chose teaching as a second career? Would they be able to get hired at age 35, 40 or 50? If districts are chronically short teachers, grow your own, by investing in good training, mentoring by senior staff and offering graduate school or accreditation on site.
1
I believe this "shortage" is contrived. In my school district they "in source/outsource" ( my term) from overseas. Administrators go to a certain country and interview teachers. We have some departments that are primarily filled with teachers on H1b visas and the like. The years of teacher bashing and salary/Benefit reduction was done specifically with this outcome in mind. It's a sad state of affairs that none of the teacher's unions have addressed and much of the public is unaware of this. Of course the higher a school district pays, the less they depend on teachers with H1b visas. Trust me, if the districts wanted to alleviate the shortage, they could call back the older teachers that were forced to take early retirement or forced out due to poor working conditions. They could bring back programs that encouraged school personnel who were not teachers to become teachers. They won't. I guess it's easier to recruit from overseas.....
10
To pick up on SteveRR's point: These days, many dollars "for education" are simply added to underfunded pension plans where they are immediately spent on people who retired in their 50's with $75K + pensions and full health care. So simply paying more to teachers without addressing the problem of the unsustainable cost of their benefits does not really address the situation. Voters, after all, are taxpayers and simply will not continue to pay for benefits at current levels. Similarly, if you raise teachers salaries and continue to let them retire after relatively short careers, you make the retirement problem worse.
2
This is simply nonsense, unless you're talking about administrators. Teachers simply don't make enough to end up with a $75 K pension in their 50s.
6
In what world is a retired teacher receiving a $75K pension + lifetime benefits? I just retired (not in my fifties, but sixties) and my pension is nowhere close to that amount! In addition, my benefits are paid by me, NOT the state.
AND, I did not retire because I no longer felt that I had anything to bring to the table with my teaching. I retired for many of the reasons you have already read-complete lack of respect and autonomy, ridiculous new "mandates" every year, and a growing group of colleagues who were perfectly fine to be told what to say and when to say it, to teach a completely developmentally inappropriate curriculum (since when is it a goal of Kindergarten to be ready for third grade testing?) and who have no confidence in their own skill set. Last year when I looked outside my classroom and saw Kindergarten "opinion writing" samples, that's when I knew it was time to go!
AND, I did not retire because I no longer felt that I had anything to bring to the table with my teaching. I retired for many of the reasons you have already read-complete lack of respect and autonomy, ridiculous new "mandates" every year, and a growing group of colleagues who were perfectly fine to be told what to say and when to say it, to teach a completely developmentally inappropriate curriculum (since when is it a goal of Kindergarten to be ready for third grade testing?) and who have no confidence in their own skill set. Last year when I looked outside my classroom and saw Kindergarten "opinion writing" samples, that's when I knew it was time to go!
1
http://www.heritage.org/research/commentary/2013/2/teacher-pensions-swee...
I don't think taxpayers would have a problem with reasonable ($35K?) pensions without COLA and starting at age 65. The current cohort of retirees in their 50s are pulling down much larger pensions + COLA + health insurance, often derived from pension spiking, double dipping etc. Those folks will empty out the pension funds and leave nothing for the younger people whom we say we want to join the profession. Pay a fair wage to new teachers and give them a 401(k) plan. Just stop pouring more "education" funds into unsustainable pension plans. Take the existing plan assets and use them to pay reasonable pensions based on long careers. Courts can't force the legislature to raise taxes or to appropriate funds. Just say no.
I don't think taxpayers would have a problem with reasonable ($35K?) pensions without COLA and starting at age 65. The current cohort of retirees in their 50s are pulling down much larger pensions + COLA + health insurance, often derived from pension spiking, double dipping etc. Those folks will empty out the pension funds and leave nothing for the younger people whom we say we want to join the profession. Pay a fair wage to new teachers and give them a 401(k) plan. Just stop pouring more "education" funds into unsustainable pension plans. Take the existing plan assets and use them to pay reasonable pensions based on long careers. Courts can't force the legislature to raise taxes or to appropriate funds. Just say no.
These have been persistent challenges plaguing public education for decades. But recruiting talent into the field has become increasingly difficult post recession as pay for tech and finance jobs drastically outpace those in teaching. Folks who were laid off from teaching during the recession likely have retrained our found jobs in other fields, which probably pay more. If we claim to have a first class public education system, we need a multi-faceted approach that raises teacher pay, restructures teacher prep and training, and allows for new and interesting transitions within the job. Until we treat teaching like law or medicine, our students will be outpaced by nations like Finland where teaching is a valued as a true public service.
5
One thing that might help draw more qualified professionals into teaching is to eliminate or at least limit the unions. My own granddaughter, a young woman who by all lights 'was born to teach' teaches at a private school because she found the teacher's unions to be stifling.
The very presence of a union announces that there is a dichotomy or conflict between the professions and management. It will only deepen, become sclerotic over time.
The very presence of a union announces that there is a dichotomy or conflict between the professions and management. It will only deepen, become sclerotic over time.
2
Oh, grow up. "She found the unions to be stifling," my...foot. Of what? Her rights to low pay, lousy health insurance, and no rights?
Politicians form groups to get what they want. school boards ARE a group to get what the public wants. administrators belong to an association.
And teachers can't? please.
Politicians form groups to get what they want. school boards ARE a group to get what the public wants. administrators belong to an association.
And teachers can't? please.
2
Teachers' unions exist because, without them, teachers in public schools would be treated even more like dirt than they already are. There is indeed a vast gaping dichotomy between management, both administrators and politicians, and the professionals. Teachers who are dedicated (or desperate) enough to stick it out need the meager protection that unions still provide, however stifling they may be. Treating teachers ever more like dirt will make things worse.
As a recently retired teacher in North Carolina, I can tell you why people don't want to be teachers. Of course low pay is a significant factor.
More importantly is the politicization of teaching. Teachers are blamed for all of the problems in education which begin with the legislators passing laws without knowing anything about education. When teachers voice objections they are criticized for just not wanting to work hard or accused of making excuses.
In North Carolina our legislature is working to dismantle public education. New state hires as of Jan. 1, 2016 may not have health insurance after retirement. They have taken away the right of due process so that teachers can be fired at will. North Carolina is also giving public money to families to send their children to private schools, schools that are not required to meet the same standards as public schools and have little accountability. School systems jump from one trend to another in order to meet demands from national and state legislation. School spending for supplies and personnel is being reduced.
What is happening in NC is not unusual to our country. Given this and more, why would anyone with concern for their future choose to be a teacher?
More importantly is the politicization of teaching. Teachers are blamed for all of the problems in education which begin with the legislators passing laws without knowing anything about education. When teachers voice objections they are criticized for just not wanting to work hard or accused of making excuses.
In North Carolina our legislature is working to dismantle public education. New state hires as of Jan. 1, 2016 may not have health insurance after retirement. They have taken away the right of due process so that teachers can be fired at will. North Carolina is also giving public money to families to send their children to private schools, schools that are not required to meet the same standards as public schools and have little accountability. School systems jump from one trend to another in order to meet demands from national and state legislation. School spending for supplies and personnel is being reduced.
What is happening in NC is not unusual to our country. Given this and more, why would anyone with concern for their future choose to be a teacher?
20
Let's stop pretending we live in a sensible, egalitarian country. America despises teachers and their unions. America is an incarceration nation, not an education nation. We're getting exactly the country we deserve. President Trump would be the icing on the cake.
10
but Trump went to the university of Pennsylvania!!
A few random thoughts about the teaching profession:
Discipline begins at home, not at the classroom door.
Exemplary teachers deserve remuneration comparable to exemplary surgeons. They influence more lives and their results of their efforts reach decades into the future.
Requiring teachers to use "educational" resources that are in contradiction to reality (speaking particularly of American and World History here; see "Lies My Teacher Told Me" by James W. Loewen) insults the teacher's and, worse, the students' intelligence. Requiring Creationism in science classrooms is oxymoronic.
Athletics belong in the curriculum only in the form of mandatory and universal PE classes. If the major team sports are so important to "individual development," they should be required of all students regardless of innate athletic ability. The position of Athletic Director should be abolished or, if it is so crucial, the pay should in no case exceed the compensation of the highest-paid classroom instructor.
The holder of every school administrative position, to include principal and superintendent, should be required to teach at minimum, one three-day/week class every semester. Impractical, perhaps, but humbling and instructive to the one teaching.
Fire the grossly incompetent. Assist those who, despite their desires and intentions, are ineffective or unsuited to this work to find meaningful employment elsewhere.
Discipline begins at home, not at the classroom door.
Exemplary teachers deserve remuneration comparable to exemplary surgeons. They influence more lives and their results of their efforts reach decades into the future.
Requiring teachers to use "educational" resources that are in contradiction to reality (speaking particularly of American and World History here; see "Lies My Teacher Told Me" by James W. Loewen) insults the teacher's and, worse, the students' intelligence. Requiring Creationism in science classrooms is oxymoronic.
Athletics belong in the curriculum only in the form of mandatory and universal PE classes. If the major team sports are so important to "individual development," they should be required of all students regardless of innate athletic ability. The position of Athletic Director should be abolished or, if it is so crucial, the pay should in no case exceed the compensation of the highest-paid classroom instructor.
The holder of every school administrative position, to include principal and superintendent, should be required to teach at minimum, one three-day/week class every semester. Impractical, perhaps, but humbling and instructive to the one teaching.
Fire the grossly incompetent. Assist those who, despite their desires and intentions, are ineffective or unsuited to this work to find meaningful employment elsewhere.
12
Welcome to the class factory. (In more ways than one.)
4
One modest improvement in Education programs and teacher certification would be a decisive shift towards subject emphases: less time spent on education courses and more time on mastery of subject, the latter will help draw students with a true passion for and engagement with the subjects they are teaching, whether biology, history, mathematics or anything else. That kind of engagement is the best guarantee that future teachers won't be doing the same thing in 30 years as on day one: not because they've become principals or superintendents, but because their engagement with a subject ensures continual growth and change.
2
It boggles the mind to think intelligent people could think that one can attract good teachers with a poverty level salary, yet this philosophy has been going on forever. A college grad must upgrade to a Masters degree even to apply for a position and then be willing to accept 30 to 40 thousand dollars in salary. I taught high school and loved it but I couldn't have raised a family without the support of my husband who earned a good salary as an attorney. The teaching profession today will attract fewer and fewer top quality students who are willing to sacrifice a decent life style to make a difference in the lives of our children. Scott Walker and John Kasich have consistently weakened the educational systems in their states. Most Republican candidates sing the same tune about endorsing charter schools. The United States made public free education the ladder to the top of social mobility. If we let it fail, the whole country will surely fail.
5
Neo-conservatives who attack government are getting what they want. When you attack public employees and hold down wages or simply refuse to provide wage increases for years, you get what you pay for. I could have been a full-time college professor (I have my PhD and 30+ years experience in my field) at a four year state college. Starting pay? $45K a year. My friend who had been there 10 years, worked summers and overload and had grants on the side? $63K. In her prime earning years. I couldn't live on that. I will teach in retirement but I can't live on that little money? I couldn't put my own kid through college earning that. Attack public employees and this is what you get.
8
What a timely, thoughtful piece! Definitely, teachers need to get paid more for their service, just as any other public servants. Yet, teachers who only care and constantly talk about their paychecks in comparison to their private peers on the Wall Street or in Silicon Valley and who then become frustrated with their life are not healthy for education either, whether in grade school or higher education institutions. They signed up as public servants, not as private sector employees.
BTW, I would have like to see some discussion about the need to emphasize more on liberal or general education on university/college campuses. We need better educated - enlightened, thoughtful, analytical, empathetic, and socially conscious - college graduates, whehter you just earned a professional degree (say, family therapy, business, or engineering) or a basic science or arts degree, like biology, sociology, philosophy, or music. We need to educate these good and broadly knowledgeable citizens so that they can lead and change the corrupt and commercialized culture we have ended up having today, which has been suppressing free expressions and discussions and banning reasonable/crucial question raising in the classroom by conscientious and visionary teachers. Good teaching is irrelevant to how many kids you send to college. We need the mainstream culture that believes the classroom be a safe place where all views and beliefs are welcomed and shared with open minds and discussed rationally....
BTW, I would have like to see some discussion about the need to emphasize more on liberal or general education on university/college campuses. We need better educated - enlightened, thoughtful, analytical, empathetic, and socially conscious - college graduates, whehter you just earned a professional degree (say, family therapy, business, or engineering) or a basic science or arts degree, like biology, sociology, philosophy, or music. We need to educate these good and broadly knowledgeable citizens so that they can lead and change the corrupt and commercialized culture we have ended up having today, which has been suppressing free expressions and discussions and banning reasonable/crucial question raising in the classroom by conscientious and visionary teachers. Good teaching is irrelevant to how many kids you send to college. We need the mainstream culture that believes the classroom be a safe place where all views and beliefs are welcomed and shared with open minds and discussed rationally....
3
Mostly spot on, I think. Teachers have a job involving a massive amount of public trust (the country leaves it's children with them on a daily basis) and the exercise of judgment. Yet, just looking at their compensation, they might as well be bagging groceries. That's not a knock on honest work, but teachers are integral to modern society. Grocery baggers are not. The only thing really missing from the article is a serious discussion of accountability. Prestige and accountability are linked in this instance. People respect doctors not just because they have a difficult and important job, but because they do it under a microscope. Doctors are constantly graded based on objective and subjective criteria. Their licenses are just a few negligent steps away from disappearing at any point in their careers. There is no tenure granting them protection from public scrutiny. If the teachers want the same respect as doctors, they must cultivate at least the perception that their profession is willing to bar bad teachers from teaching. What is "bad"? That's the question. But right now, most of the disrespect teachers get stems from the perception that their unions resist any efforts to create objective standards that are more than co-workers grading each other. This is also why so many people like the idea of private schools. They are willing to pay higher salaries, but only if they know that there will be a commitment to results (not effort, results).
It's MONEY! Get it? Oh, that, and the government takes away most of your earned Social Security benefits if you teach (or are a policeman, fireman, etc.).
2
I've taught high school for 17 years, and I'm now encouraging students not to become teachers. It's not that I love teaching any less now than I did when I started. I'm not burned out. I didn't go into teaching for the money, so the fact that I live in a townhouse and can't afford to travel is okay. My students are wonderful. Every year I think, "Wow, I got lucky with this group. They're great!" What's changed for me and the three reasons I warn those I care about away from teaching are 1) the demonizing of teachers in the media, 2) the ever-increasing focus on testing, and 3) the ludicrous teacher evaluations. I didn't become a teacher for the kudos--teenagers can be brutal. Fine. But to regularly hear our education system is failing because of the low quality of teachers hurts. To hear that those issues I associate with society's ills are the teachers' fault, wears on me after a while--especially when we work so hard and care so much. (And when the teachers are more educated than those criticizing us.) Testing. Everyone knows there's too much. Parents, teachers, students. Everyone but the politicians. Just stop already. We spend more time testing than teaching. Now, teaching is not my first professional job. I've been evaluated professionally. The evaluation process now is not only tedious and cumbersome but often not even genuine. It requires time when I could be grading your child's essays. Think about that. I love teaching, but I say, don't do it. Not now.
7
I would insist that all secondary teachers have a degree in a subject with only, at most, a minor in Education. As Bruni points out, teacher pay is the only carrot to dangle in front of better students to make them pursue teaching as a career. Otherwise, forget it--why would they place themselves in that economic position? Back in the day, a lot of my colleagues had what I would call "the martyr syndrome"--brilliant competent teachers who did it "for the kids." Much easier when gas was $1 a gallon and an apartment $300 a month. Those days are gone.
Also, I could never teach secondary school now with all this endless micromanagement; it's sickening. You used to be hired because you had the goods and people believed you would deliver in the classroom: _you_ made most decisions about curriculum and discipline, and people abided by those decisions (including parents). All of that is gone as yuppie offspring believe teachers are their employees. And then this endless teaching to standardized test--who would want to spend the majority of his or her time doing that, your subject matter dying in the process?
Also, I could never teach secondary school now with all this endless micromanagement; it's sickening. You used to be hired because you had the goods and people believed you would deliver in the classroom: _you_ made most decisions about curriculum and discipline, and people abided by those decisions (including parents). All of that is gone as yuppie offspring believe teachers are their employees. And then this endless teaching to standardized test--who would want to spend the majority of his or her time doing that, your subject matter dying in the process?
7
It's quite simple to me. Teacher-bashing has become prevalent in the media, particularly by politicians who seek an overly simplistic answer to the failings of our public education system, which are inextricably linked to the inherent inequities in American society. Why would anyone want to join a profession in which the work is difficult and lengthy, and the pay non-commensurate with the time required to do the job well? (Disclosure: I am a public school high school math teacher.)
6
We will pay one way or another. Undermine and under-pay great teaching and we will get an under-educated population. Pay teachers and support their efforts, and we will get an educated population. Sadly the US chooses the former. We really will get what we pay for.
7
Many many years ago as a young college graduate, I earned a secondary teaching credential. At that time there were an abundance of teachers and obtaining a full time job as a teacher was difficult.
I was persistent, finally landing a job as a high school science teacher in Mammoth Lakes, California. My pay for a full year of teaching in classes of 25 or more was $9,000 per year. I could not afford propane to heat my small cabin. In fact, the Teamsters who drove the school bus bringing my students to me made considerably more than I did. I left teaching after only 3 years.
To be a teacher in America means to take a vow of poverty. For those of us who have grown accustomed to food with our meals, being a teacher became an impossibility. As long as teachers are viewed as some sort of necessary evil and not worthy of respect or a living wage, we will not attract competent, committed worthy individuals to this all important work.
I was persistent, finally landing a job as a high school science teacher in Mammoth Lakes, California. My pay for a full year of teaching in classes of 25 or more was $9,000 per year. I could not afford propane to heat my small cabin. In fact, the Teamsters who drove the school bus bringing my students to me made considerably more than I did. I left teaching after only 3 years.
To be a teacher in America means to take a vow of poverty. For those of us who have grown accustomed to food with our meals, being a teacher became an impossibility. As long as teachers are viewed as some sort of necessary evil and not worthy of respect or a living wage, we will not attract competent, committed worthy individuals to this all important work.
10
Frank Bruni gets it right in this column, though he misses one crucial point. If we are to elevate the teaching profession, we must make Board Certification the norm and expectation for all teachers, as it is for doctors. Based on a rigorous peer review, National Board Certification is created for teachers, by teachers, and it is the highest mark of accomplished teaching granted by the profession. It ensures that teachers have a mastery of the subject they teach and have the ability to improve student learning and achievement. Research shows that the students of Board-certified teachers learn more than their peers in other classrooms. But today only about 3 percent of America's teachers are Board certified. We need better, more rigorous teacher preparation, along the lines of medical residency, that leads teachers to Board certification by design, and not by exception. States and districts need to recognize that the only way to elevate their teaching workforce is to increase their ranks of accomplished teachers and give them real opportunities to lead from the classroom. True professions are defined by accomplished practitioners in that profession, not by policy makers or administrators.
1
As an academic physician who participates in board certification at multiple levels, I am all for boarding. The problem is that there is no indication that increasing the qualifications of teachers will in any way improve their working conditions. The environment in which teachers are forced to work, of low pay, even lower respect, and no autonomy, is entirely the choice of the citizens and their politicians who have established and sustain the system. Boarding would therefore not increase by much either the desirability of teaching as a career or the outcome of teachers' efforts.
I appreciate your shooting off this flare, Mr. Bruni. Here in North Carolina, we teachers often feel as if we are on a sinking ship. And I have to wonder, how many times must we send out distress signals before something is done. WHAT do we have to do?
3
The teaching profession is a loser, plain and simple. Teachers get blamed for things for which they have no control. If Johnny isn't a grade level reader, the teacher gets blamed, never mind that Johnny only has an 78 IQ and will never read on grade level, or that the adult in Johnny's life doesn't think education is important, so Johnny is truant, or is so disruptive that he stops others from learning, or refuses to study or do any sort of work in the classroom. Is a dentist blamed because his patient refuses to brush his teeth and floss and then ends up with a mouth full of cavities? No, but teachers get crucified about test scores all day long. In NYC a police officer only needs 60 college credits and in five years will earn $90K, that is without pay for overtime. NYC teachers need a minimum of a masters degree to earn a permanent teaching certificate, do not get any overtime pay, and must work at least 25 years before a $90K salary is given. Before you say that police have a dangerous job, so do teachers. The same folks the police encounter are the same folks that teachers encounter when they teach in those neighborhoods. The only difference is that teachers are not armed and in no way can defend themselves. Many teachers are assaulted in their classrooms, some quite severely. I knew someone who had her face smashed by a kindergarten student. If you work with special needs students, your chances are even greater. Literally, ANY profession is better.
38
As someone who recently retired and had a career in teaching and in business, I can tell you that people like Frank Bruni are part of the problem. He wrote not so long ago piling on teachers, assuming that teachers weren't being educated enough. Basta! Most teachers I know and knew were talented professionals who were well read and educated and made the best of bad conditions in their schools.
Teachers don't want merit pay. They like to collaborate and wouldn't want a competitive atmosphere. What they do want is respect and support for what they do, fair pay so that they can live a middle-class life in the community in which they teach, a degree of professionalism so that "experts" come to them to learn about the profession and what students are up to.
It is no surprise to me that teaching has fallen out of favor. Who would want to go into a profession where everyone else thinks they can do it better than you (just try it for a week), where the hours go into the nights and weekends all the time, where you have to spend your own money on materials and professional development and where you have become public enemy number one since 2008, the year when our gaze should have been directed at our banking masters.
Teachers don't want merit pay. They like to collaborate and wouldn't want a competitive atmosphere. What they do want is respect and support for what they do, fair pay so that they can live a middle-class life in the community in which they teach, a degree of professionalism so that "experts" come to them to learn about the profession and what students are up to.
It is no surprise to me that teaching has fallen out of favor. Who would want to go into a profession where everyone else thinks they can do it better than you (just try it for a week), where the hours go into the nights and weekends all the time, where you have to spend your own money on materials and professional development and where you have become public enemy number one since 2008, the year when our gaze should have been directed at our banking masters.
43
Here's what I don't get about the merit pay argument - don't we want all our teachers to be good? Who wants their kid to be in a class with the teacher that is on the bottom of the pay scale?
But I don't think having annual bonuses for outstanding teachers are a bad idea. And it should not simply be based on improved scores. Kids/parents know when they are in the presence of a great teacher.
But I don't think having annual bonuses for outstanding teachers are a bad idea. And it should not simply be based on improved scores. Kids/parents know when they are in the presence of a great teacher.
In America, public workers are vilified as lazy mooches.
9
Schools do not need more money.
Instead, we need legislation that prevents most of the money from being spent on $150,000+ salaries for non-teachers and the constant purchasing of yet another software product we don't want or need.
Turn off the spigot that bathes administrators, vendors, test companies and construction companies and there will be plenty of money for more teachers, raises where needed to attract teachers, classroom supplies and tutors to work one-on-one with the neediest children.
Instead, we need legislation that prevents most of the money from being spent on $150,000+ salaries for non-teachers and the constant purchasing of yet another software product we don't want or need.
Turn off the spigot that bathes administrators, vendors, test companies and construction companies and there will be plenty of money for more teachers, raises where needed to attract teachers, classroom supplies and tutors to work one-on-one with the neediest children.
28
how many $150,000 non-teachers does your school district have? Even if we reduce the few taht do get that to half, how much would that permit salaries of teh remaining 99% to go up?
Plus teaching is bad for many non-financial reasons. Bad students, bad parents, lack of school supplies, dangerous environment (in inner cities), low status and constant attacks by all segements of society. Who in their right mind would enter that profession. Only those who lack intelligence or at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder. That who we end up with to a large degree.
Plus teaching is bad for many non-financial reasons. Bad students, bad parents, lack of school supplies, dangerous environment (in inner cities), low status and constant attacks by all segements of society. Who in their right mind would enter that profession. Only those who lack intelligence or at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder. That who we end up with to a large degree.
Countries with highly regarded school systems pay their teachers a lot, offer almost complete autonomy, and set up robust systems for teachers to observe, advise, and assist each other. The United States not only does zero of those things, but we have actually taken steps to accomplish exactly the opposite. Teachers get laid off and their pension funds raided when the economy dips; we layer on ever-more standardized tests and tie teachers' livlihoods more tightly to them; we swoon over programs like Teach For America that parachute underprepared rich kids into impoverished schools instead of improving teaching infrastructure.
As many commenters have noted, Mr. Bruni historically has advocated for all of those disastrous policies and more besides. Well, now it looks like the time has come to reap the whirlwind. When you systematically make a job more difficult and miserable you should not be surprised when people decide that they have better options elsewhere.
As many commenters have noted, Mr. Bruni historically has advocated for all of those disastrous policies and more besides. Well, now it looks like the time has come to reap the whirlwind. When you systematically make a job more difficult and miserable you should not be surprised when people decide that they have better options elsewhere.
21
"... teaching might be ready for its own Flexner Report, an early 1900s document that revolutionized medical schools and raised the bar for American medicine" Yes, there are countries where the bar is higher, teachers are highly respected, well-paid, and have great autonomy. These things come with a price, and M.D.s have shown the way. That said, the vision of education in these other countries tends to be less egalitarian and more elitist than in the U.S. Are we ready to go down that path?
1
I just had this conversation a few days ago with a retired teacher. He stated that he spent 85% of his time with behavior issues. This included riots in the jr high classroom, requiring called security. There was no respect, no discipline and no consequences. These are problems of parental responsibility and our fractured society, and no amount of teaching grants or blaming teachers can fix that.
8
more blame needs to be put on parents
Typical School Year: 180 days *1
Typical Professional Year: 250 days
Typical school day (U.S.): 6.7 Hours *1
Typical professional day (U.S.): 8.8 - 9.2 hours
Typical school pension: Yes, up to 100% after 30 yrs (differs by juris.)
Typical professional pension: Matching 401(k)
Teacher job Security: Tenure (generally after three years; differs by juris.)
Professional job security: You're joking, right?
Teacher grievance procedure: Due Process Rights
Professional grievance procedure: Employee at will
Average teacher cost of health benefit (CA): $8,559 *2
Average professional cost of health benefit (CA): $6,803
Education Degree Completion Rate (4 year deg. in 150% sched.): 52.2%
All Degrees Completion Rate (4 year in 150% sched.): 31.2% *3
*1 U.S. DOE
*2 CALSTRS
*3 U.S. DOE National Center for Education Statistics; Institute of Education Sciences
Typical Professional Year: 250 days
Typical school day (U.S.): 6.7 Hours *1
Typical professional day (U.S.): 8.8 - 9.2 hours
Typical school pension: Yes, up to 100% after 30 yrs (differs by juris.)
Typical professional pension: Matching 401(k)
Teacher job Security: Tenure (generally after three years; differs by juris.)
Professional job security: You're joking, right?
Teacher grievance procedure: Due Process Rights
Professional grievance procedure: Employee at will
Average teacher cost of health benefit (CA): $8,559 *2
Average professional cost of health benefit (CA): $6,803
Education Degree Completion Rate (4 year deg. in 150% sched.): 52.2%
All Degrees Completion Rate (4 year in 150% sched.): 31.2% *3
*1 U.S. DOE
*2 CALSTRS
*3 U.S. DOE National Center for Education Statistics; Institute of Education Sciences
4
This is, of course, complete nonsense from the bit about workdays onward. You ever grade papers, just for starters?
1
Anyone who thinks that a public school teacher only puts in 6.7 hours of work per day has NO IDEA what they are talking about! I guess all of that lesson planning and grading of assignments just magically happens while they are conducting class.
And as for tenure... good luck with that! JSD, you need to get up to date – you are badly misinformed.
And as for tenure... good luck with that! JSD, you need to get up to date – you are badly misinformed.
2
You are really out of touch. You have no idea how hard teachers work. From my experience most teachers work all weekend long grading and preparing for classes and every evening preparing. Your ignorance is breathtaking.
2
Why should I pay high taxes to educate the kids in America when I can hire fully trained workers educated on dollars paid by citizens of India? They accept less pay than the American workers so I save taxes and on salaries. There is no profit increase by putting money into local schools. Besides, the newly minted American workers don't have the hunger and drive of those foreign ones. I am very pleased the American public has been able to be convinced education is unimportant and likely leads to liberal indoctrination so should have its funding cut before it turns out un-patriotic citizens.
4
So the chattering wonk class is always talking about the rewards of teaching and the "psychic income" that supposedly makes up for low pay and all the bureaucratic and political nonsense teachers must endure.
I am sure tossing touchdown passes in the NFL and draining three point shots in the NBA has its own psychic rewards too. Good luck finding the next Aaron Rodgers or Steph Curry for $15 to $20 bucks an hour.
I am sure tossing touchdown passes in the NFL and draining three point shots in the NBA has its own psychic rewards too. Good luck finding the next Aaron Rodgers or Steph Curry for $15 to $20 bucks an hour.
5
Teaching--like being patient and generous--is something people want everybody else to do. The low pay is almost a moot point. A century ago, teaching was a form of indentured servitude: as an employee of the state, teachers were expected to be on call to perform community service on their off-hours. But teachers ruled the classroom; their word was law.
Teachers today are pariahs, considered overpaid babysitters protected by a corrupt union. It's popularly--and very falsely--believed that teachers spend no more time in the classroom than the students. The student's failure is the teacher's, despite how many kids are sent to school unprepared and even unwashed and unfed. Told that teachers pay for supplies out of their own pockets, right-wing pundit Sean Hannity once scoffed, "Oh, boo-hoo, how much does a little construction paper cost?" Which gives you an idea of how long it's been since he's been in a classroom. (Construction paper? Really?)
But if you think there's such a void, Frank, what's stopping you from becoming a teacher? "[F]or all our lip service," indeed!
Teachers today are pariahs, considered overpaid babysitters protected by a corrupt union. It's popularly--and very falsely--believed that teachers spend no more time in the classroom than the students. The student's failure is the teacher's, despite how many kids are sent to school unprepared and even unwashed and unfed. Told that teachers pay for supplies out of their own pockets, right-wing pundit Sean Hannity once scoffed, "Oh, boo-hoo, how much does a little construction paper cost?" Which gives you an idea of how long it's been since he's been in a classroom. (Construction paper? Really?)
But if you think there's such a void, Frank, what's stopping you from becoming a teacher? "[F]or all our lip service," indeed!
10
I want to teach in a public school. I have 15 years experience as a curriculum developer for K-12 schools, writing/editing all sorts of ELA, social studies, and science materials, plus several years developing teacher-training coursework. I work directly with teachers and I keep up with all the current issues in K-12 education. I love working with children and do so as a coach and tutor and classroom volunteer. I have two children of my own and am a firm believer in the power of education. I have no teaching certification, but I do have a degree from an Ivy League university, and I can earn my cert on the fly.
I asked around here in GA, where teachers are sorely needed, and was told that regardless of my background, my starting salary will be in the neighborhood of $40K, or less than half what I currently make. I wasn't expecting to get rich in the education racket, but I don't want to get poor, either, and that's basically what they want me to do. Thanks but no thanks.
I asked around here in GA, where teachers are sorely needed, and was told that regardless of my background, my starting salary will be in the neighborhood of $40K, or less than half what I currently make. I wasn't expecting to get rich in the education racket, but I don't want to get poor, either, and that's basically what they want me to do. Thanks but no thanks.
10
Perhaps the many talented retired scientists and engineers could be coaxed into the classroom to teach science and math. But they will likely want to teach only and not have to deal with chickensh**.
10
Stop expecting teachers to perform miracles with low IQ students.
18
I'm sorry, but the right teachers CAN perform miracles with ANY student. The challenge is to attract talented inductees to the teaching profession but unfortunately our policy-makers are of lower IQ than kids not scoring well on IQ tests. Some of them are brilliant but are never given the learning environment to let their brilliance shine.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
www.endthemadnessnow.org
It is imperative that we stop beating teachers up. As an administrator, my agenda is nearly fully driven by cranky parents who lack any respect whatsoever for my job or the jobs of my talented, dedicated faculty. Talk to those folks who left teaching jobs in those first 5 years, and they will ALL mention parents. We can change that right now. Respect your child's teacher, trust them, partner with them. Disrespectful parents are a very serious problem that must be noted when discussing the problem with attracting and retaining good teachers.
13
I taught for 37 years. I entered the profession in 1972, drawn to the creative aspects of working with students and ideas. For many years I created lessons and courses, traded ideas with colleagues, worked with students of all abilities, and looked on each day as a challenge and as a new frontier. Most days were good days. I hoped to teach until I was 65, but I left the profession at 63. I miss the kids, the people I worked with, and, frankly, the fun of watching young people learn. However, I was being ground into the earth by massive classes. On average, I taught 175 people a day, and sadly, I was one of the teachers with smaller classes - my classes were in the mid-30's as opposed to others who had classes of 40+. I believed in having my students read and write as much as possible. Subsequently, when adding up everything they did from surprise quizzes to major essays, I read and graded roughly 17,000 documents each year. It drove me to distraction. I would feel physically ill at the sight of a pile of papers on my desk. I couldn't keep up the quality of work I expected of myself, so I retired. How could I expect the best of my students if I couldn't give my own? I wanted to be remembered with the phrase, "He was good." as opposed to the phrase, "Remember when he was good?" We need good teachers, but we also need a structure of schools that see teachers as creative and thoughtful people rather than grading machines and bean counters. If we don't, the kids will suffer.
21
While I agree with everything Frank Bruni has to say, no one mentions the elephant in the room. How to effectively evaluate teachers so that the good ones can be rewarded, the mediocre ones mentored to improve, and the poor ones weeded out. The problem with respect for the profession comes from most parent's experience with a totally unqualified teacher being in the classroom with one of their children. We've all seen it - people who don't seem to like children, have no talent for teaching, or are completely burned out. They are rewarded by the schools systems on a par with excellent teachers. Until we solve the teacher evaluation problem, the status quo will prevail.
And, no, I don't think more student testing is the answer. We need a class of master teachers who can evaluate teacher effectiveness on an individual basis. As a corporate middle manager, I have regular discussions with my director about what I've accomplished this quarter, what my challenges have been, and what I need to succeed in the coming quarter. Something like that. Appropriate to the level student and subject being taught.
And, no, I don't think more student testing is the answer. We need a class of master teachers who can evaluate teacher effectiveness on an individual basis. As a corporate middle manager, I have regular discussions with my director about what I've accomplished this quarter, what my challenges have been, and what I need to succeed in the coming quarter. Something like that. Appropriate to the level student and subject being taught.
3
You talk about making the requirements to become a teacher more difficult and cite the Finland system, as they are "survivors of selective screening and rigorous training." Yes, it's a discipline and a profession that warrants a rigorous educational experience - one that's taking place in many of our universities and colleges. But the Finland system also pays attention to qualities beyond high test scores. In fact, the students accepted into the teacher ed programs, according to an article in The Guardian, "represents a diverse range of academic success, and deliberately so" (Sahlberg, 2015). They are looking for people who have a passion to teach, even those students who might not have "the best academic records." In the USA, we are obsessed with academic qualifications as measured numerically by a narrow band of knowledge, skills and dispositions - for our students and our teachers. But to move into something more akin to the Finland model and to pay attention to teacher salaries, will cost money. I'm not sure we're willing, as a nation, to make that kind of investment.
8
Blah blah blah... Politicians are interested in politics. They thrive on politicking. Their goal: scoring big important jobs with prestige and bucks. Politicians strive to make an impression by "schooling" a mindless electorate. Methods: pandering, fear-mongering, blaming.
Teachers are interested in education. They thrive on educating. Their goal: sparking kids' imaginations and seeing "aha" moments. Teachers strive to make an impression by educating a future, thinking electorate. Method: teaching critical thinking and myriad other skills too often ignored at home... along with the requisite "school smarts."
Would I recommend the job that I love to someone that I love? Not a chance! The (nattily-suited) inmates are running the asylum... And there's a good chance you may get "punched in the face." (And not by the kids.)
Teachers are interested in education. They thrive on educating. Their goal: sparking kids' imaginations and seeing "aha" moments. Teachers strive to make an impression by educating a future, thinking electorate. Method: teaching critical thinking and myriad other skills too often ignored at home... along with the requisite "school smarts."
Would I recommend the job that I love to someone that I love? Not a chance! The (nattily-suited) inmates are running the asylum... And there's a good chance you may get "punched in the face." (And not by the kids.)
12
We can thank the Scott Walkers of the U.S. for a large part of this.
15
I can go back to archives and find the same hypocritical babble blah. The real reason people don't teach is job insecurity. Thousands of us seasoned teachers, primarily female, remain committed because we kept our so called "tenure"in Florida. New teachers work in constant fear of losing their jobs and must kowtow silently to curriculists and administrators, losing all autonomy. Earned "Tenure" or Professional Contracts allowed teachers to have a voice and work with autonomy without being fired on a whim, even with low pay. (The only true remark in this article is the bad pay. I've been teaching for over 40 years at the college and secondary levels and the pay is still subsistence.) But I'm one of the lucky ones. I got to keep my grandfathered in professional contract with workplace rights when Florida switched to merit pay. I still do a great job because I am appreciated, not so much with pay but with the knowledge I had recourse to keep my job whenever I disagreed or the administrator changed. I have mentored many new teachers who no longer wait even the 5 years before leaving. They don't want or need to be treated like robots and must jump through hoops for merit pay which is illusive and subjectively evaluated. Would you stay in a profession that now offers no reason to stay?The true research question is how many teachers gave up their professional contracts for merit pay....almost none. That should tell you what's wrong with the profession.
14
The Party of Greed and Stupidity has done a great job trying to destroy teachers and public schools in general. The amazing thing is that the Democrats have gone along with the POGS nonsense. There was never a clear reason for educational reform as there was for reforming health insurance and prison sentencing. The US has the strongest economy in the world and has for a long time. In part this is because of the efforts of teachers. The real reason the POGS want to destroy teachers is that a large part of each state's budget is public education. Okay, I get that the POGS have a morbid fear of taxes, but what is the excuse of Obama and the other reasonably sane people who believe taxes are essential for government?
8
Reading the comments and then checking to see how many people agreed with the comments tells me that this article is not a "hot button" issue with the general readership of the paper, but it should be!!!
It appears from the comments on Mr. Bruni's article that teachers are interested and know what the cure or the bigger part of the cure is for education, but not so much the general public.
It appears from the comments on Mr. Bruni's article that teachers are interested and know what the cure or the bigger part of the cure is for education, but not so much the general public.
5
One consequence of business and political leaders' assault on public education has been the abandonment of public schools by middle class parents - themselves products of public education. While a majority of children in this country are classified as" non-Hispanic white," the majority of children in our public schools today are children of color. In some states, the majority of public school students live in poverty.
It's possible the current teacher shortage is just another facet of the erosion of support for public education by those who have other options. No Child Left Behind? How ironic.
It's possible the current teacher shortage is just another facet of the erosion of support for public education by those who have other options. No Child Left Behind? How ironic.
10
Work backwards, my friends. If teaching were an attractive profession, the caliber of teachers would be more professional. If the caliber of teachers were more professional, public schools would be as good at preparing students for high paying careers as private schools. If public schools were as good at preparing people for high paying careers as private schools, the playing field in competing for the best jobs would be more level between 1%ers who attend private schools, and the other 99%. Which is exactly what policymakers who send their kids to private schools don't want. Moral: You can't "fix the teaching profession" without fixing its social context
9
"If the caliber of teachers were more professional, public schools would be as good at preparing students for high paying careers as private schools"
this assertion is unproven. therefore no valid conclusions can be drawn from your post.
this assertion is unproven. therefore no valid conclusions can be drawn from your post.
There is an absolutely huge roadblock for older, educated people like me would want to do a career change into teaching. Whether it is admitted or not, school systems will typically not even think of hiring older people, who would cost more. Hence it is not worth it to me to go back to get my credentials, when, even with a shortage, the jobs are not there.
12
Rick, I beg to differ, at least locally. I am entering my 25th year in the classroom, a career that started 4 years after I got my B.A. in Government and Politics. Four of the five student teachers I mentored were like me, not a 22 year old doe. The oldest was 58 at the time, another was a 40 year old lawyer. You get the point. All but one got a job teaching. If you want to do it, you can. But you have to want to teach.
I have been teaching for 23 years, and I regularly see "older" educated people transition from other professions into teaching. If you take the time to get the credential, I believe you would be surprised that age would not necessarily be a limiting factor. That being said, many people make the mistake of assuming that because they have expertise in a particular area, they would also be a good teacher in that area. Knowing something is not at all the same as knowing how to teach something. I've known a number of individuals who enter teaching with many misconceptions about what the job is; before teaching, I served in the military, had blue collar and white collar jobs, and teaching is by far the most demanding job I have ever had. However, if you are suited to it, working with young people can be amazingly rewarding.
2
If teachers feel like punching bags and pawns, it's because they are, and you, Mr. Bruni, have been part of the problem. The deep-pocketed privatization movement has funded nothing less than a revolution in the education of our children, aimed at turning public schools private, and you, Mr. Bruni, have bought into message that along with many thousands of others. Teachers make convenient punching bags - just ask Chris Christie - because many are union members and none are perfect.
Is it any wonder that teachers are escaping from careers in which they are repeatedly degraded, their pay is lowered, and any control wrested away from them? Veteran teachers are being penalized for having gifted students who score at the top on standardized tests, because their students then do not demonstrate "sufficient" progress. Evidence: see Sheri Lederman's case in the state of New York being heard today.
Please read over your past columns, Mr. Bruni, and reflect on the tone and message you send to current and prospective teachers. How often have you included the voices of teachers in your columns on education? I hope you recognize the part you have played, however small, in discouraging teachers in their profession.
Is it any wonder that teachers are escaping from careers in which they are repeatedly degraded, their pay is lowered, and any control wrested away from them? Veteran teachers are being penalized for having gifted students who score at the top on standardized tests, because their students then do not demonstrate "sufficient" progress. Evidence: see Sheri Lederman's case in the state of New York being heard today.
Please read over your past columns, Mr. Bruni, and reflect on the tone and message you send to current and prospective teachers. How often have you included the voices of teachers in your columns on education? I hope you recognize the part you have played, however small, in discouraging teachers in their profession.
13
Yes, let's attract new people to the field by firing them at the end of every school year! It would make an interesting high school civics class to examine the reasons, including how budgets are done.
8
No one is talking about how many older (40-60 years) people went back to school earning regular education and advanced education degrees and aren't being hired because of their age. Principals choose younger applicants over them. Why? Are younger people hired because they are easier to manipulate and will not question what they are being told to do? Are politics involved and it's all about who you know? There are also older experienced teachers that left to raise children or care for a sick family member and want to return to the work force. They are being passed over for young, inexperienced, fresh out of school candidates. It's hard to believe that people with years of work left ahead of them aren't being hired. It's ageism pure and simple. There is no teacher shortage. There is just a narrow-minded stubbornness in hiring practices.
Read some of their stories for yourself.
http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/showthread.php?t=227694
Read some of their stories for yourself.
http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/showthread.php?t=227694
10
1. Ronald Reagan started a war on education when he was governor of California, and that war has raged and simmered since, especially where Repubicans are in control: severe budget cuts, union-busting and demonization, disdain for teachers, and distrust of--if not outright hostility to--knowledge.
2. I have taught college courses required of education majors--an intelligent and competent Dean of the School of Education had decided that students should take content courses in colleges of sciences, arts, and humanities; with very few exceptions, the ed. students in my courses were among the weakest in the class.
So education is not attracting enough people to be teachers and not attracting those with the highest potential for achievement. Duh!
2. I have taught college courses required of education majors--an intelligent and competent Dean of the School of Education had decided that students should take content courses in colleges of sciences, arts, and humanities; with very few exceptions, the ed. students in my courses were among the weakest in the class.
So education is not attracting enough people to be teachers and not attracting those with the highest potential for achievement. Duh!
7
And did nobody see this coming. Just since the economic downturn alone, I've listened to teachers report increases in class sizes with corresponding decreases in classroom supports like teacher's aides, and refusal by some administrators to provide adequately for student IEPs, including for children with emotional and behavioral disorders. Parents complain about no take home textbooks or no textbooks period! When I was a school based therapist in the 90s, teachers had to compete with pagers, now they have to deal with smartphones. And of course, teachers are expected to be able to make up for multiple deficits in the home environment that throw up barriers to achievement. Now districts are all but recruiting untrained "teachers" off the street for classroom duty and wondering my actual professionals are leaving profession.
9
It's not just a question of incoherent and inconsistent policy, lack of support, and lack of compensation or independence.
Every family thinks a public teacher is supposed to be a personal tutor.
Is there another profession where you have twenty to thirty clients all demanding personal attention to their specific concerns simultaneously? Can you imagine one doctor giving twenty wellness checks all at the same time, in the same room? What is the solution to that? Computer terminal health-care kiosks? Fifteen minute appointments once a year?
In any other profession that deals with people, what teachers are expected to do, and the solutions people propose would be comical.
Every family thinks a public teacher is supposed to be a personal tutor.
Is there another profession where you have twenty to thirty clients all demanding personal attention to their specific concerns simultaneously? Can you imagine one doctor giving twenty wellness checks all at the same time, in the same room? What is the solution to that? Computer terminal health-care kiosks? Fifteen minute appointments once a year?
In any other profession that deals with people, what teachers are expected to do, and the solutions people propose would be comical.
15
I was a teacher for many years in the adult training area. Now I want to teach young minds. If I can obtain the same resurces and benefits I enjoyed while training adults, I will stay forming the young minds. If not, I will pass this opportunity.
If you tell the truth that nature is utterly indifferent to all human concerns, and all pleas directed at it are exercises in futility, you won't last long in a majority of US school districts.
2
"Teaching can’t compete."
What nonsense. If there is a shortage of teachers you have to pay them more to "compete". It is basic economics. If government institutions are not flexible enough to enact that obvious solution then it needs to be fixed.
What nonsense. If there is a shortage of teachers you have to pay them more to "compete". It is basic economics. If government institutions are not flexible enough to enact that obvious solution then it needs to be fixed.
5
Just follow the money.
Oh, I forgot… Teachers aren't getting their fair share.
Oops.
Oh, I forgot… Teachers aren't getting their fair share.
Oops.
1
Teachers earn an above average salary for working 39 weeks - or 3/4 of a year.
If we annualize their pay - it approaches $75,000.
The reason that young teachers give up or never start is due to the union-guilds. You can't get hired even though you are demonstrably cheaper and more talented. You may have a math degree but you can't displace that math teacher who has never taken a math course in university.
You may have the best assessments - but with unions - last hired is first fired.
You will work with colleagues who desert the school like a sinking ship the moment the final bell sounds - despite their protestation of all of that extra work - visit a school withing 20 minutes of closing time.
In short - the more charter schools we see - the more excited young teachers we will see
If we annualize their pay - it approaches $75,000.
The reason that young teachers give up or never start is due to the union-guilds. You can't get hired even though you are demonstrably cheaper and more talented. You may have a math degree but you can't displace that math teacher who has never taken a math course in university.
You may have the best assessments - but with unions - last hired is first fired.
You will work with colleagues who desert the school like a sinking ship the moment the final bell sounds - despite their protestation of all of that extra work - visit a school withing 20 minutes of closing time.
In short - the more charter schools we see - the more excited young teachers we will see
2
Sorry, but talk to any teacher and you will find that they do *not* work just 39 weeks.
Every teacher I know works evenings and weekends - preparing for the next day, meeting with parents, grading tests, homework and papers and in staff meetings. During their "long" summer vacation they review the previous year and prepare for the next. They attend educational courses and workshops. They return to their classrooms well before the day school starts for students.
In short, teachers work at least as many hours in a year as the rest of us sitting in our cubes. Come summer, they are exhausted and need what vacation they get.
If you think teachers have it so easy, go ahead and try teaching. I dare you.
Full disclosure: my mother is a retired elementary school teacher. Without her work, hundreds of people would be illiterate. How do you put a price on that?
Every teacher I know works evenings and weekends - preparing for the next day, meeting with parents, grading tests, homework and papers and in staff meetings. During their "long" summer vacation they review the previous year and prepare for the next. They attend educational courses and workshops. They return to their classrooms well before the day school starts for students.
In short, teachers work at least as many hours in a year as the rest of us sitting in our cubes. Come summer, they are exhausted and need what vacation they get.
If you think teachers have it so easy, go ahead and try teaching. I dare you.
Full disclosure: my mother is a retired elementary school teacher. Without her work, hundreds of people would be illiterate. How do you put a price on that?
1
Your not making any sense.Teacher pay varies across the country. There are whole regions of the country where the top pay is nowhere close to $75,000. The article is talking about teacher shortages across the country with a lack of math teachers being the most concern.... Also, if you want to help the teaching profession, don't get rid of their unions...... It's about the only entity that sticks up for teachers.
I don't know what public school you observed, but in mine the teachers worked a minimum of ten hours a day. When I went home at the end of the day I carried student writing to which to respond and tests to grade. I attended college course work 1/2 of my summers to maintain my credential. I spent hundreds of dollars supplying materials for special projects and general school materials. We were a union shop. In 22 years I saw the union "defend" one bad teacher out of a few hundred. Had the principal done his job, that teacher would have been let go a year earlier than she was. Poor administration is your issue; not teachers and not their unions.
2
As a non-teacher who worked for many years for a major urban school district, I have seen up close and personal what a demanding, thankless, disrespected, and demeaning job teachers have. With a culture that devalues the teaching profession, compared to the status of teachers in most of the rest of the world, who would want to be a teacher nowadays. Indeed, there are teachers in high cost cities such as San Francisco who cannot afford to live anywhere near where they work. Some of these teachers are actually homeless, living out of their cars, etc. I do not make this up.
20
This is not a hard problem - except for the US. Other countries have it right. We botched it.
74
Spare me the comparisons with Finland, a progressive land with a homogeneous population that respects authority. Asia, same deal. Ever notice who places at the top of U.S. classes? Many times it's those of Asian heritage. Why? The answers go much deeper than teachers and schools. It's all about family and the sacrifices they make to support their children from Day One. Family is at the crux of the child's life, and it begins at birth.
1
Comparing US students to those of other countries is a fallacy.
Frank Bruni lists academic freedom and pay as the biggest teacher complaints, but I would argue that class size and insufficient planning/grading time are the greatest challenge. Middle and high school teachers in my district are given about an hour and a half of prep in their day to research, plan, prep, grade, as well as communicate with students, parents, staff, and accomplish any other duty required of them. That just isn't enough time to deliver a consistently high quality product. Classes of 30 or more students compound the effect. Lessons have to be modified and stretched for individual skill levels, which often represent four grades or more in any one class. Teachers are constantly trying to limit the "creep" of work into evenings, weekends, and holidays, but this is a losing battle for those that really make a sincere effort to create and deliver meaningful curriculum. It's a bit like a treadmill set too fast, and I think many teachers drop off after five years because they can't keep up with that exhausting and discouraging routine.
To attract and keep excellent teachers, more realistic class sizes and planning time are essential.
To attract and keep excellent teachers, more realistic class sizes and planning time are essential.
9
Kids come to school without enough sleep or healthy food and may have problems most adults can't handle, yet the teachers are blamed when they can't pass the fill-in-the-bubble tests! I felt so lucky to be able to retire when I did. Teachers kept being blamed for all that ails the schools and society at large. I loved teaching when I was allowed to give kids new opportunities, use my imagination and guide them through experiences in learning. Then we were ordered to follow only prescribed methods and materials. At the same time we were blamed because those methods and materials didn't bring young people with 3 strikes against them to home base! Why would anyone want such a job!
9
Fully agree with the elimination of obstacles preventing teachers from migrating from one state to another, but getting rid of meaningless additional licensing requirements will not resolve the problem, because pensions are generally not portable, and they are also structured in such a way as to reward longer term employees of a state or a district. This is a big problem, not only for teachers, but for their families, because spouses are tied to a particular state, as well, and others, like my single and childfree sister who is the sole remaining immediate family member in our home state with my very-old parents, will have to remain there even when she is the only one left, rather than moving closer to her siblings and their families.
The concern about doing the same thing after decades as on Day One is misplaced. This occurs in many respected professions, like medicine or dentistry. The main problem is that, regardless of what are viewed as lax entry requirements to the profession, most people do not realize how hard teaching really is or how much time and natural talent it requires.
As an aside, I would note that, while requirements for entry to medical school are still quite high, there are plenty of loopholes such as outright nepotism and Affirmative Action that permit markedly less-well-qualified candidates to slip through. It's rather shocking, frankly.
The concern about doing the same thing after decades as on Day One is misplaced. This occurs in many respected professions, like medicine or dentistry. The main problem is that, regardless of what are viewed as lax entry requirements to the profession, most people do not realize how hard teaching really is or how much time and natural talent it requires.
As an aside, I would note that, while requirements for entry to medical school are still quite high, there are plenty of loopholes such as outright nepotism and Affirmative Action that permit markedly less-well-qualified candidates to slip through. It's rather shocking, frankly.
In a podcast delivered in Toronto, your own David Brooks said something startlingly simple, filled with common sense and, especially for that reason, completely confounding to those in charge of education policy, the so-called "educrats":
"Kids learn from teachers they love."
Confounding, of course, because these PhD's can't find a way to reliably teach teachers how to inspire the love of their students. This failure has in turn led to the cult of curriculum and pedagogy rooted in research that is advertised as scientific (thus reproducible and reliable.)
Next, the experts, both in research and at the various boards of education, go about commanding teachers to drink the cool-aid, to invest their classroom energies in deploying whatever the most recent research has "revealed" about how best kids learn.
It is this that I have most resented as a teacher myself as every commandment from on-high seems to make it harder and harder for me to connect with my students in a human (read: raw and un-researched) manner. According to educrats, the difference made in a kid's life must be attributable to something pedagogical, not emotional.
But kids don't need a teacher so choked with curriculum, grading, and other issues of pedagogy that their natural instincts to inspire the love to which Mr. Brooks referred are crippled and lost.
As workers need to breathe in whatever their chosen field, teaching should not be a first choice. At least not these days.
"Kids learn from teachers they love."
Confounding, of course, because these PhD's can't find a way to reliably teach teachers how to inspire the love of their students. This failure has in turn led to the cult of curriculum and pedagogy rooted in research that is advertised as scientific (thus reproducible and reliable.)
Next, the experts, both in research and at the various boards of education, go about commanding teachers to drink the cool-aid, to invest their classroom energies in deploying whatever the most recent research has "revealed" about how best kids learn.
It is this that I have most resented as a teacher myself as every commandment from on-high seems to make it harder and harder for me to connect with my students in a human (read: raw and un-researched) manner. According to educrats, the difference made in a kid's life must be attributable to something pedagogical, not emotional.
But kids don't need a teacher so choked with curriculum, grading, and other issues of pedagogy that their natural instincts to inspire the love to which Mr. Brooks referred are crippled and lost.
As workers need to breathe in whatever their chosen field, teaching should not be a first choice. At least not these days.
5
RC is correct that teaching is not always about money. I taught for six years before going to law school. When my ex-husband and I split fifteen years ago I was preparing to sit for the patent bar. I was already licensed to practice law in three states. I returned to teaching because I was about to become the single parent of two middle school students and knew that I would have more flexibility to be a parent to them. When I returned to teaching I had a great deal of flexibility. My students always scored well on the state tests because they knew how to think. Fifteen years later, in the same Title I school district, everything is about the latest state test which has changed every year since its inception because the people in Austin who set the requirements don't have the foresight and/or patience to institute new testing programs properly. (Thank you W and NCLB.) If you teach the same subject as others, everyone is expected to be doing the same thing at the same time. In TX part of the accountability formula includes how many students are enrolled in AP classes. The solution has been to place as many students as possible in these classes, particularly US History and AP Language, so that we can look good on paper. No one seems to care about what this does to the AP program or to the students enrolled in these classes, both those who struggle and those who strive to excel. And then the administration is upset because our AP scores are low. No surprise there.
74
....or is the switching tests every year a part of a business plan that includes an ever-moving target. Ask yourself the rhetorical question: Is there any education corporation that would be happy if the students passed every single test? No, because the revenue stream would dry up.
1
My old district did the same thing only they wouldn't even report AP scores because they didn't want the backlash from savvier parents. As a result of this phony approach to "rigor," they became one of the top 1,000 schools in the US.
The College Board is raking in the money that districts or individual families pay to take the tests and buy the curriculum so they have no incentive to reveal how low the standards have become. It's shameful.
The College Board is raking in the money that districts or individual families pay to take the tests and buy the curriculum so they have no incentive to reveal how low the standards have become. It's shameful.
We need mentoring teachers. Once a teacher receives a degree beyond a bachelor's degree, a teacher should be able to be mentored by a senior teacher. Going back to school to earn another master's is not the answer. It is too expensive. A senior teacher can offer another 'master degree" teacher insights and knowledge of his or her experience that build their teaching. Taking statistics again or retaking basic education courses is not the answer. A teacher with a masters degree has already taken those classes. It is expensive and a waste of time particularly if the teacher is currently an active teacher. A master teacher can get to work right away with her background rather than waiting for her classwork to be completed. These speciality teachers can mentor him or her. While I am all about taking classes, it is just too expensive or time consuming. We already have experts in the field who can guide a teacher that has an interest in pursuing a new area of teaching. Stop the madness!
1
Teachers used to get a small honorarium for doing this - a sop for taking on even more work. Congress has cut that too.
1
Since Ronald Reagan was governor of California, Republicans have systematically created a toxic work environment for teachers. Until they stop, there's no chance of improvement.
7
The saddest part about this op-ed is not any of the facts within. They are mostly accurate I suspect. What is the saddest part is that it is one more wonk spouting what he thinks should be done about the sad state of education which wonks like him have created over the past 30+ years. It's just more of the same suggestions that don't work. You can't endow a profession with prestige while attacking it at every opportunity.
No one is going to pay teachers more when they can get retired folk for a lot less. And no one at the top today even wants to pay any more than the market will bear as evidenced by the number of people being routed to NPs and PAs rather than a true physician. Insurance companies oftentimes won't contract with licensed doctoral level psychologists opting instead for the masters level. Independent Physical Therapists are being forced out of business and into hospital clinic settings where they are paid less for their expertise and are at the mercy of administration telling them how to do their jobs. Much like the teacher problem. There's a lot more to his argument than is manifested in the national teacher problem. The professions in this country are taking hit after hit by the businesses which are allowed to operate carte blanche. It's why the middle class is shrinking and the administrative class is growing and getting richer.
No one is going to pay teachers more when they can get retired folk for a lot less. And no one at the top today even wants to pay any more than the market will bear as evidenced by the number of people being routed to NPs and PAs rather than a true physician. Insurance companies oftentimes won't contract with licensed doctoral level psychologists opting instead for the masters level. Independent Physical Therapists are being forced out of business and into hospital clinic settings where they are paid less for their expertise and are at the mercy of administration telling them how to do their jobs. Much like the teacher problem. There's a lot more to his argument than is manifested in the national teacher problem. The professions in this country are taking hit after hit by the businesses which are allowed to operate carte blanche. It's why the middle class is shrinking and the administrative class is growing and getting richer.
As a struggling Millennial teacher, it's refreshing to hear Bruni speak out about many of the challenges that I've faced in my teaching career upon receiving my Masters in Teaching in 2009. When I was seeking my own classroom then, all of the positions were being cut. Now that I'm questioning if I want to remain teaching after a very challenging school year, there are teacher shortages. As Bruni explained, there's not much out there to pull me back into the world of education. This is a serious problem...
2
Recall that in the very recent past, we've been bashing teachers as incompetent, and therefore the cause of our kids low grades. So every five or six years a new 'teaching method' is rolled out purporting to modernize education, to which the teachers are to adapt. The teacher is to learn new methods, upgrade her skills, suffer incessant criticism, observation and scrutiny, defend herself from parental and student accusations, and document all anomalies, in addition to having a grasp of curriculum. Good luck finding eager applicants
6
Don't forget non-supportive administrators - the ones earning six figures -who will do ANYTHING to keep that salary - including throwing their employees (teachers) under the bus with any parent complaint when suzie does 20% of the work and doesn't get an A.
There's a similarity between police work and teaching. Back in the 60's, when I entered LE, I had several friends who went into teaching. Decades later we compared notes. One thing we noted was a change in attitude in the public from that of a cooperative relationship, both police and teachers and the parents working together for the benefit of the kids, to one of confrontation. My teacher friends spent more time confronting behavior than working with parents to resolve it. I found the same in LE. We've gone from talking WITH each other to talking TO each other. Kids have always needed strong role models, a set of rules to live by, and parents/teachers who work together. Today the role models are pathetic, the rules vary from day to day, and people spend their time complaining that all their problems are someone else's fault. (And don't get me started on dress codes) Today I see nothing to indicate a change in this, certainly not in my lifetime.
2
At the private high school my kids attended, the quality of teaching is quite good. I can think of several reasons for this, including small class sizes (no more than 15 students per class), parents who are actively involved with their kids, and minimal discipline problems because disruptive kids are kicked out of school. Most public schools do not have these luxuries.
However, one strategy this school uses is to hire working professionals in the area to come in and teach one class in their areas of expertise. For example, my daughter took a great genetics class taught by a young faculty member at UC San Francisco. Not only did this guy know his stuff, he was incredibly enthused about his subject. My daughter left that class determined to go into medicine, with a specialty in genetics.
It's enormously hard, especially in the sciences, to recruit capable and enthusiastic teachers because the salaries are so much lower than what they'd get working directly in their fields of expertise. However, if we had the equivalent of adjuncts in high school, I suspect we'd get a lot of people who care about the next generation and who possess a commanding knowledge of their subjects.
However, one strategy this school uses is to hire working professionals in the area to come in and teach one class in their areas of expertise. For example, my daughter took a great genetics class taught by a young faculty member at UC San Francisco. Not only did this guy know his stuff, he was incredibly enthused about his subject. My daughter left that class determined to go into medicine, with a specialty in genetics.
It's enormously hard, especially in the sciences, to recruit capable and enthusiastic teachers because the salaries are so much lower than what they'd get working directly in their fields of expertise. However, if we had the equivalent of adjuncts in high school, I suspect we'd get a lot of people who care about the next generation and who possess a commanding knowledge of their subjects.
2
what professional has time to work as an "adjunct" teacher (basically for free). Most professionals today are already working 50 or more hours. Enough is enough.
My niece graduated from Mount Holyoke and was wooed by "Teach for America." She heard such horror stories about, zero professional support, lack of professional training regarding classroom management and coaching for the Common Core Exams Monday through Sunday with intense tutoring and daily tasks centered on "passing the standardized tests," that she opted to pursue management consulting. Moreover, she was told to take the Praxis and never offered assistance to prepare for the state exams. Finally, a friend advised that most participants stayed in TNTP, CityYear, and TFA to build their resumes because the economy is still dreadful. Before opting out, she worked at a "charter school mill" that gave students demerits every second, scolded the teaching assistants routinely, and demanded that they work until 1a.m. to revise daily lesson plans and practice tests to raise achievement scores. Our students and educators deserve better. If we choose not to invest in public education and real teacher professional development, our democracy falters and our society ultimately FAILS!
2
Teachers are public employees, ergo they are hated by the people who push to keep taxes low or lower or eliminated all together. Ask Republicans about teaching and pretty much the first thing that will pop out of their mouths is that we have to get rid of teachers' unions. That's how they see the profession: unionized public workers, something like the people who pick up the garbage but not as essential.
In many places in the USA (most, perhaps) kids are schooled according to the interests and wealth of the parents. In Los Angeles, the country's second-largest school district, pretty much anybody who can afford to sends their kids to private school. Some kids around the country are home-schooled (often in reaction to integration of either the students or the curriculum into the world of reality). The net result is that a majority of public school students are those who can't escape, and the teachers are their minders. And these are the students who are so often the most difficult to reach, impeded as they are by issues of language, poverty, and disability.
Teaching is one profession where you don't have to sell anything for money. This is appealing to some people, but to those in control of the purse strings it carries another type of meaning: valuelessness.
And don't forget: once your own little darlings are safely ensconced in private schools with others just like them, you want to keep the rest of the peons ignorant so you can hoodwink them at the polls.
In many places in the USA (most, perhaps) kids are schooled according to the interests and wealth of the parents. In Los Angeles, the country's second-largest school district, pretty much anybody who can afford to sends their kids to private school. Some kids around the country are home-schooled (often in reaction to integration of either the students or the curriculum into the world of reality). The net result is that a majority of public school students are those who can't escape, and the teachers are their minders. And these are the students who are so often the most difficult to reach, impeded as they are by issues of language, poverty, and disability.
Teaching is one profession where you don't have to sell anything for money. This is appealing to some people, but to those in control of the purse strings it carries another type of meaning: valuelessness.
And don't forget: once your own little darlings are safely ensconced in private schools with others just like them, you want to keep the rest of the peons ignorant so you can hoodwink them at the polls.
It's really not too difficult: increase pay. Issues of prestige and voice will follow. In most European countries, teachers make substantially more, standards for admission to the field are higher, and only the very best college students are eligible for the profession.
Of course teachers are paid out of tax dollars, and Americans, being weirdly short sighted about anything for which they have to pay taxes, will make a million excuses for not increasing teacher pay. Witness the Republicans, who always proclaim the logic of increasing executive pay to recruit better talent, but seem unable to follow the same argument when applied to anything having to do with taxes.
I taught at the college level before turning to high school teaching about 15 years ago. After 10 years, I quit, and went back to college teaching. It was just too much work for too little pay. I was a very dedicated teacher, and putting together good lesson plans for 6 daily hours of teaching required me to put in 60-70 hour weeks. It was exhausting and stressful. My salary? Around $48K, even after 10 years in the profession.
If we continue to pay teachers so little, we should expect to have mediocre teachers who don't do their jobs properly. That is an understandable response: the system doesn't value them, so they don't respect their own profession. Performance declines, and bureaucrats impose onerous testing regimes, worsening the lives of good teachers.
Of course teachers are paid out of tax dollars, and Americans, being weirdly short sighted about anything for which they have to pay taxes, will make a million excuses for not increasing teacher pay. Witness the Republicans, who always proclaim the logic of increasing executive pay to recruit better talent, but seem unable to follow the same argument when applied to anything having to do with taxes.
I taught at the college level before turning to high school teaching about 15 years ago. After 10 years, I quit, and went back to college teaching. It was just too much work for too little pay. I was a very dedicated teacher, and putting together good lesson plans for 6 daily hours of teaching required me to put in 60-70 hour weeks. It was exhausting and stressful. My salary? Around $48K, even after 10 years in the profession.
If we continue to pay teachers so little, we should expect to have mediocre teachers who don't do their jobs properly. That is an understandable response: the system doesn't value them, so they don't respect their own profession. Performance declines, and bureaucrats impose onerous testing regimes, worsening the lives of good teachers.
1
"The health of our democracy and the perpetuation of our prosperity depend on teaching no less than they do on Wall Street’s machinations or Silicon Valley’s innovations."
Actually the health of our democracy depends a lot more on teachers than wall street, and possibly silicon valley as well.
It must be noted that anytime a tyrant takes power in a country the first people he goes after are the intelligentsia and the teachers (many times the same people). Smart people are essential to a democracy, not so much to totalitarianism.
We are trying to run the vast machine that is our Nation on the cheap. The only thing we spend extravagantly on is the military (and we don't do that smart just excessive).
Thomas Jefferson said a democracy depended on an informed electorate and a vigorous press. We are running out of both.
Actually the health of our democracy depends a lot more on teachers than wall street, and possibly silicon valley as well.
It must be noted that anytime a tyrant takes power in a country the first people he goes after are the intelligentsia and the teachers (many times the same people). Smart people are essential to a democracy, not so much to totalitarianism.
We are trying to run the vast machine that is our Nation on the cheap. The only thing we spend extravagantly on is the military (and we don't do that smart just excessive).
Thomas Jefferson said a democracy depended on an informed electorate and a vigorous press. We are running out of both.
1
Certainly a lack of pay is not a huge issue in NYC, and the teacher benefits here are impressive. There are simply some professions that one chooses that don't involve getting rich (social workers and nurses also come to mind), but attract those motivated by passion and a desire to mold young minds, and also get summers off. I would love to teach and have taught at the college-level. My biggest fear about the K-12 years here in NYC are the rules that don't seem to allow teachers latitude in how they reach and teach students. Teaching to tests and social promotion seem to keep a vicious cycle in place. The political battles over mayoral control and charter schools give anyone pause about stepping into the fray.
So many of us can name our favorite and most influential teachers and consider them our first s/heroes. But their numbers will remain few and far between as long as government and unions fight their battle over issues that ultimately do children a disservice.
So many of us can name our favorite and most influential teachers and consider them our first s/heroes. But their numbers will remain few and far between as long as government and unions fight their battle over issues that ultimately do children a disservice.
I seem to recall a city in Massachusetts that laid off about 36% of its teaching staff at the downturn. I personally know highly qualified teachers who were laid off, and have now entered new venues to pay the rent. I also know many people who graduated with teaching credentials and never set foot in the field. As a result I foresee the looming generations, educated by their apps.
1
As a teacher of 38 years I have a few thoughts to add.
1. Stop thinking of summer as time off for teachers. Most of us spend time getting ready for the coming year.
2. Pay matters. I work at the top of the pay scale in San Diego. An article in this mornings paper indicates that I still make $15,000 too little a year to buy a median priced home in the county. That is with a Masters and credentials in high need areas including special ed and math.
3. Planning time needs to increase. I plan for 3 different subjects a day. I also manage the education of 16 students with special education needs. This means that I have to individually test each students progress, write a 20 page report on my findings and meet with the parents to discuss the report and discuss our plan to help that student the next year, a process that requires about 5 hours per student. I get 50 minutes a day to accomplish all of this plus grading papers. I work 10 hours every day.
If you chronically disrespect, overwork and underpay people it is really not surprising that so many don't want to take that job.
1. Stop thinking of summer as time off for teachers. Most of us spend time getting ready for the coming year.
2. Pay matters. I work at the top of the pay scale in San Diego. An article in this mornings paper indicates that I still make $15,000 too little a year to buy a median priced home in the county. That is with a Masters and credentials in high need areas including special ed and math.
3. Planning time needs to increase. I plan for 3 different subjects a day. I also manage the education of 16 students with special education needs. This means that I have to individually test each students progress, write a 20 page report on my findings and meet with the parents to discuss the report and discuss our plan to help that student the next year, a process that requires about 5 hours per student. I get 50 minutes a day to accomplish all of this plus grading papers. I work 10 hours every day.
If you chronically disrespect, overwork and underpay people it is really not surprising that so many don't want to take that job.
7
Let's stop scapegoating teachers for every problem in modern society, implement some real accountability for students and parents, and give teachers decent salary and benefits for the communities they live in.
6
I find Frank Bruni's article spot-on. What I also find alarming is the number of comments made by current, past and retired teachers who write with such despair, anger, disgruntlement and anguish over the career they chose. I agree completely that their attitudes and complaints have merit. What I find most disheartening and depressing is how their once optimistic view on the teaching profession has transformed to such negativity and dare I say, hatred. If this attitude permeates with most teachers in general, is it no wonder why so many kids don't do well in school nor score very high on tests compared to other countries? My God, what have we done to these people? At one time, teaching used to be an honored and coveted profession. I fear it may be too late in restoring that attitude in the current crop of educators and those graduating from college. The biggest losers in this entire story are the kids. Those are the ones I feel the most empathy and fear for.
1
National Certification for Teachers became a incentive to add prestige, a career path and financial incentives to enhance teaching as a real profession. Where did that go?
Our democracy may rely on a well educated public to flourish, but many of our leaders want to return us to a feudal system. It seems they are making great progress.
Teacher pay is one obvious solution to recruiting and retaining better-quality teachers. But teaching has never paid well. The current problem is a lack of respect for the profession. Policy-makers, parents, administrators, pop culture and of course children routinely disrespect teachers, with no consequence. Resources are siphoned from real teaching into for-profit companies, including those who write textbooks and tests for political instead of educational reasons. Only saints and sinners want to teach in this climate.
2
My daughter was making excellent money as a teacher in an urban area (not NYC, but a huge east coast city). She has six certifications and two master's degrees and has won many honors for her teaching. She has made a difference in the lives of countless students in the 15 years she has taught. She is leaving teaching due to what has happened to the profession. She is not being allowed to teach. The fact that the Gates and Broad Foundations are making educational policy, and that people who have never set foot in a classroom are also making educational policy, is discouraging to so many teachers. I cannot tell you the horror stories I have heard, of how evaluations are done by people who are vindictive and don't care one hoot about education or children. Testing is killing these kids. I know that my generation had to take tests, but the tests were baseline tests and did not determine the future of our teachers, and somehow, we were prepared for college. I went to a lower-class school and had great teachers. My kids went to an urban school and had great teachers. The school in which my daughter taught is filled with amazing teaches who could work miracles. And Teach for America is a hindrance, not a help, because the kids become attached to the TFA teachers, and then they leave to go work for Wall Street or whatever, with TFA on their resume. So why not ask great teachers why they are leaving, instead of why it's hard to recruit new ones?
187
Testify! Those who can teach. Those who cannot makes laws about teaching.
Gates never went to a public school and was a millionaire at 16 due to inheritance. Stick to health Bill, and leave teachers alone.
Gates never went to a public school and was a millionaire at 16 due to inheritance. Stick to health Bill, and leave teachers alone.
2
This is silly propaganda. Teachers, just like in any other profession, fall along the bell curve. There are a very small handful of outstanding (or completely incompetent) teachers with the vast majority being various degrees of mediocre.
Also, I think we have over-elevated the importance of teachers and we shouldn't be offering them saint-hoods just yet. I have had lots of education (PhD and MBA) and I am quite successful, and while I've had decent teachers along the way, there want really anyone who really stood out as having made a difference. It was mostly my effort and my family's support.
Also, I think we have over-elevated the importance of teachers and we shouldn't be offering them saint-hoods just yet. I have had lots of education (PhD and MBA) and I am quite successful, and while I've had decent teachers along the way, there want really anyone who really stood out as having made a difference. It was mostly my effort and my family's support.
1
The great teachers I know, with enviable records, are fed up with the profession because of the conservative hate filled war on public education and do not recommend the disdained profession.
Write about that Bruni, though it doesn't square with your republican allegiances.,
Write about that Bruni, though it doesn't square with your republican allegiances.,
12
The poor status of teachers in the US is primarily due to two factors, one of which Mr. Bruni addresses - the poor quality of teacher education programs. Teachers will get the status they deserve when it's as hard to get a degree in teaching as it is hard to get a degree in engineering today.
But the second factor is the teachers' unions. Unions exist where the employees are easily replaceable cogs in a machine and therefore need the union to negotiate pay and benefits. If teachers could succeed based on their own merits they would have higher status and wouldn't need a union.
But the second factor is the teachers' unions. Unions exist where the employees are easily replaceable cogs in a machine and therefore need the union to negotiate pay and benefits. If teachers could succeed based on their own merits they would have higher status and wouldn't need a union.
1
The school budget is always the largest municipal budget line item. Despite decades of talk about enhancing the teaching profession, Governor Sit Down & Shup Up and his kind will always look to cut that expense to spite the future of our society.
Pay isn't an answer. Taking the unions out of the picture isn't either. Minimizing or forgiving student debt, although good for society, isn't going to solve the problem, which is:
We do not know what to teach.
If, as at any historical point in American history, the purpose of education was obvious, we'd know what's going to be needed for those kids' futures. We simply do not know, and therefore can't teach it. Frank, if we really had a handle on the task, as it appears our global competitors do, we'd find plenty of bright, dedicated people to do the job. They might not have funneled through an extended 'teacher' educational process, they might be from real, developing sectors of society, they might not desperately need the vanishing protections of tenure and unions, and they might be able to teach things the children do need, and will need.
We do not do any of that, so we're simply plastering over a few cracks in the structure at the very time it's crumbling around us.
Figure out what to teach, and the rest follows.
We do not know what to teach.
If, as at any historical point in American history, the purpose of education was obvious, we'd know what's going to be needed for those kids' futures. We simply do not know, and therefore can't teach it. Frank, if we really had a handle on the task, as it appears our global competitors do, we'd find plenty of bright, dedicated people to do the job. They might not have funneled through an extended 'teacher' educational process, they might be from real, developing sectors of society, they might not desperately need the vanishing protections of tenure and unions, and they might be able to teach things the children do need, and will need.
We do not do any of that, so we're simply plastering over a few cracks in the structure at the very time it's crumbling around us.
Figure out what to teach, and the rest follows.
Actually, we pretty much do. The politicians just win't shut up.
I was hired back in the 90s to fill in for a 1-year leave of absence high school English teacher. I had been a sub; I knew I would not be given a permanent position (too expensive after a 7-year teaching stint out of college and less experienced teachers are cheaper).
They gave me non-college juniors. I knew the curriculum and recommended coursework. No way were these kids going to sit still for Shakespeare and other classics. The administration pretty much ignored me since I wouldn't be rehired and these were the kids they had written off to the "career center" for technical training.
So I sought more relevant, contemporary literature, bought the books with my own money, then worked really hard assigning writing exercises and essays--lots of them. I taught them grammar using games. Guess what? Every junior was required to take the ACT. 75% of my students outscored even the honors students on the English portions of the exam. A number of my students even considered going to college and transferred into regular English classes as seniors in preparation.
The following year I was hired as a consultant to teach ACT review classes to all the Juniors!
Let the teachers determine the methods and means for their students to reach the goals set and give them the time and money to do it. Do we tell a football coach they must use a set strategy imposed from on high for every game? No, because it doesn't make sense And it doesn't make sense in our classrooms either.
They gave me non-college juniors. I knew the curriculum and recommended coursework. No way were these kids going to sit still for Shakespeare and other classics. The administration pretty much ignored me since I wouldn't be rehired and these were the kids they had written off to the "career center" for technical training.
So I sought more relevant, contemporary literature, bought the books with my own money, then worked really hard assigning writing exercises and essays--lots of them. I taught them grammar using games. Guess what? Every junior was required to take the ACT. 75% of my students outscored even the honors students on the English portions of the exam. A number of my students even considered going to college and transferred into regular English classes as seniors in preparation.
The following year I was hired as a consultant to teach ACT review classes to all the Juniors!
Let the teachers determine the methods and means for their students to reach the goals set and give them the time and money to do it. Do we tell a football coach they must use a set strategy imposed from on high for every game? No, because it doesn't make sense And it doesn't make sense in our classrooms either.
6
The teaching profession in America is not looked at as a profession. Most teachers even now are women especially at the primary level - historically only young unmarried women or spinsters. Therefore they did not need much money. Women had no power hence teachers had no power. Things have not changed much and as money becomes tight education suffers since no one wants their property tax to rise. And why should someone who doesn't have kids in school have to pay for those people who only work part time anyway? So may rationales and yet no connection in people's minds to the increasingly fracturing society and the problems in education.
1
As one of the cheer-leaders for the Charter school industry, and as an instant education expert -- which, to be fair, includes all journalists, all CEOs and all billionaires -- Mr. Bruni has his answer to why this "sad, alarming state of affairs" exists.
In the face of low salaries, endless grandstanding from corporate America and mainstream media and unceasing crisis promotion wholly at odds with the actual facts, who would choose such a profession?
Punditry and tax-leveraged "philanthropy" is so much more rewarding.
In the face of low salaries, endless grandstanding from corporate America and mainstream media and unceasing crisis promotion wholly at odds with the actual facts, who would choose such a profession?
Punditry and tax-leveraged "philanthropy" is so much more rewarding.
5
Some broken systems can't be fixed. The American culture does not value education, and changing that culture is not going to happen. If you as a parent want your children to get a good education, commit to home schooling, create networks to support home schooling, and fight the bureaucrats who want to burden you with meaningless paperwork.
IF you are not willing to do that , then admit what you really want from the educational system is babysitting; or don't have kids
IF you are not willing to do that , then admit what you really want from the educational system is babysitting; or don't have kids
1
Not every parent has the time or intelligence to home school. So even that is discriminating. Better administrators would help but respect and value need to be placed on teachers. It begins at the top level. The way politicians disrespect our sitting president works its way down to the lowest levels. Disrespect is prevalent in every level of society, movies, magazines, TV, music, women, children, elderly, ethnic background, skin color, religion, you name it and there is disrespect. It will take a lot of work to combat this. My husband taught for 35 years and impacted the lives of at least 10,000 children. How many other professions can claim that?
Glad to see this topic. As a retired public school teacher when us old folks get together everyone agrees they would never want to go back to the classroom. Your column touches on many of the reasons. Bu in my view the primary cause is the disastrous "school reforms", of the past thirty years. Teaching is part science and part art. The focus should have been on a better education system for teachers, one that has skilled practitioners (master teachers of whom there are many) doing the educating in real classrooms in real schools (perhaps modeled after the training of doctors). These master teachers should receive the recognition and pay they deserve. The art of teaching can only come with experience and mentoring.
Instead we chose to test kids to death and divide the profession by fostering "alternatives." All of this has demoralized teachers (and parents) further contributing to the erosion of public education. This is a testament to the absurdity of have politicians and big money determine school reform.
Instead we chose to test kids to death and divide the profession by fostering "alternatives." All of this has demoralized teachers (and parents) further contributing to the erosion of public education. This is a testament to the absurdity of have politicians and big money determine school reform.
3
It sometimes seems like teachers are regarded no better than shoe sales-persons, sweating away to find the right fight for kids while parents sit askance shaking their heads. Until teachers are regarded as professionals, in the same league as doctors, prescribing the right diagnosis and medicine for kids to learn, will they get the respect they deserve, and will the "job" become attractive to college students.
6
Although teachers might fear they will be doing the exact same thing 30 years after they started, they will be wrong. The problem is they won't be left alone to do the same thing. New programs will be started before it is clear that the old ones weren't working because administrators, school boards, and legislators want instant success. I taught for 6 years then went back to school and became a school librarian for the next 30 years. The longer I worked, the more I enjoyed my work. Every year brought new and different students into the mix. They were all interesting and engaging. If I didn't enjoy every minute, I did thoroughly enjoy the students and my colleagues overall. I worked before the media frenzy got into full forward press and before legislators started defunding education budgets. My salary was decent and benefits were great. Now there aren't many incentives for anyone to consider teaching as a career. Teachers are denigrated on a daily basis, benefits are being taken away, veteran teacher salaries are stagnant. New teachers start out better but why stick around after five years when they see that they are making no progress in salary and benefits. Teachers still get no respect and no input into what they are teaching and how they teach. When I began teaching, we had free rein within certain parameters. Our children also had greater success in school. Now every child is considered a cog in the great statistical wheel, and it is hard to help individual students.
4
"Can we interest you in teaching?" I'm wondering who the existential "we" is in Mr. Bruni's op-ed title today. If, like in the Greek poet Hesiod's "Works & Days" we is defined as humanity & the times (days) describe the state of civilization or "we". Hesiod in 750 BC categorized humanity's history into 5 distinct period with each being a degradation of the human condition over time indicated symbolically with metals of successively decreasing value due to the corrosion & corruption of mankind: Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, Heroic Age & Iron Age. Obviously the Heroic Age was the only time in which mankind was half God & half human, with "strength, power, good family & good behavior" the ethics of the time. This age died out & then the metal was recast in man's image with mankind living an existence of toil, strife & misery. Children dishonor their parents, brother fights with brother and the social contract between guest and host (xenia) is forgotten. During this age might makes right and bad men use lies to be thought good which later would be called Machiavellianism. At the height of this age, humans no longer feel shame or indignation at wrongdoing and the Gods have forsaken them leaving only power & evil as the theme of the day.
Hesiod hit on the power of Earth's molten lava to shape man rather than the heroic power of learning & transcendence of lofty planes of higher existence. "We" have foregone learning for the power of money & metal.
Hesiod hit on the power of Earth's molten lava to shape man rather than the heroic power of learning & transcendence of lofty planes of higher existence. "We" have foregone learning for the power of money & metal.
The problem with the education system in America?
The more I think about it the more I just have to laugh. When people lament the problems with the educational system routinely "experts" are quoted--teachers themselves, administrators, etc. But the fact is every child who has gone to school for years and even college is valid as an expert because having grown up in the system--just as we would expect a child having grown up in a garage to have quite a bit of insight about car mechanics and gas station oversight.
But for all those millions of children--you and me!--no real honest discussion of education ever occurs...Why not just take the gloves off and ask every adult what is wrong--after all every adult grew up in the d*mn place. My two cents is that there is no real attempt to determine individual student capacity and interest and to align teacher capacity and interest to student. An enlightened education would be one where a variety of teachers and subjects would exist and the students would be more adequately matched to such and there would be a more clean "leading and following" process.
The way things are now students are taken to be all alike and a teacher is supposed to bring them all to knowledge of a subject--but precisely because all students regardless of individual capacity are supposed to be raised to a particular knowledge of subject the subject itself must be dumbed down to where all can grasp it--which is why kindergarten works but not advanced math...
The more I think about it the more I just have to laugh. When people lament the problems with the educational system routinely "experts" are quoted--teachers themselves, administrators, etc. But the fact is every child who has gone to school for years and even college is valid as an expert because having grown up in the system--just as we would expect a child having grown up in a garage to have quite a bit of insight about car mechanics and gas station oversight.
But for all those millions of children--you and me!--no real honest discussion of education ever occurs...Why not just take the gloves off and ask every adult what is wrong--after all every adult grew up in the d*mn place. My two cents is that there is no real attempt to determine individual student capacity and interest and to align teacher capacity and interest to student. An enlightened education would be one where a variety of teachers and subjects would exist and the students would be more adequately matched to such and there would be a more clean "leading and following" process.
The way things are now students are taken to be all alike and a teacher is supposed to bring them all to knowledge of a subject--but precisely because all students regardless of individual capacity are supposed to be raised to a particular knowledge of subject the subject itself must be dumbed down to where all can grasp it--which is why kindergarten works but not advanced math...
1
The corporate profile of the educational environment is part of the problem with teaching. As long as the big pay checks go to the administrators along with powers which should rightly be in the hands of the classroom instructor not much will change in education.
The inflated titles of administrators continue to grow as do the layers of administrators. Recently in one of the largest community colleges in the country and certainly in Texas the administrative titles have gone from "President" to "Chancellor" with commensurate pay increases and title creep even filtered down to "Associate Chairs to the Chairman of the Chair of a Departments." I guess that makes the holder of that particular title sitting on a stool, but his pay for the title is certainly higher than a classroom teacher!
In many other counties the big pay goes to teachers, teachers control the schools, and administrators are few and do the work of administration at pay no where that of the bloated layers of administrators in American education.
Is change coming to give the classroom teacher more power to teach? In 40 years of teaching I have not seen anything in American education change except to see the teacher blamed for the continue decline of public education.
The inflated titles of administrators continue to grow as do the layers of administrators. Recently in one of the largest community colleges in the country and certainly in Texas the administrative titles have gone from "President" to "Chancellor" with commensurate pay increases and title creep even filtered down to "Associate Chairs to the Chairman of the Chair of a Departments." I guess that makes the holder of that particular title sitting on a stool, but his pay for the title is certainly higher than a classroom teacher!
In many other counties the big pay goes to teachers, teachers control the schools, and administrators are few and do the work of administration at pay no where that of the bloated layers of administrators in American education.
Is change coming to give the classroom teacher more power to teach? In 40 years of teaching I have not seen anything in American education change except to see the teacher blamed for the continue decline of public education.
I am a professor and have taught students who went on to become teachers, and most of them have faced very low pay, low respect, and little or no autonomy about what they can teach. These are gifted teachers who should be supported more with adult salaries and genuine respect for a very difficult job that precious few people can do very well. Instead, they are attacked, undercut, and pilloried by GOP demagogues who force stupid (even blatantly commercial) programs and wrong science into their schools. They are forced to teach to tests that make young people into obedient workers who don't know how to ask a good question.
Higher Education is being destroyed right in front of our eyes with 50-70% of all professors living as adjuncts who do not get real salaries, and education for youth is being attacked quite deliberately by a radical GOP that does not want people to be able to think and to connect the facts that they are being collectively exploited and pushed into a permanent lower class of dead-end jobs, failed neighborhoods, schools and militarized policing ; we are creating a new serfdom by just watching all of this happen.
Higher Education is being destroyed right in front of our eyes with 50-70% of all professors living as adjuncts who do not get real salaries, and education for youth is being attacked quite deliberately by a radical GOP that does not want people to be able to think and to connect the facts that they are being collectively exploited and pushed into a permanent lower class of dead-end jobs, failed neighborhoods, schools and militarized policing ; we are creating a new serfdom by just watching all of this happen.
My sister was a high school home economics teacher for 30+ years. A third way through her career, she wanted to obtain a Ph.D. for personal growth reasons - she always held the desire to keep learning and growing in her field of study. The Administration informed her that if she proceeded on that track, she would be let go because obtaining a Ph.D. would automatically put her in a higher pay bracket and the school was not willing to compensate her. She agreed to not take any pay increase, but the Administration would not budge. Needless to say, she never obtained her Ph.D.
One of the biggest dilemmas teachers face is the huge pay disparity between their salaries and those of the Administration. This pay differential is even more pronounced in the college realm, as you thoughtfully and clearly demonstrated in your May article, "Platinum Pay in Ivory Towers".
As you stated Mr. Bruni, "better pay is a must" in obtaining and retaining dedicated and committed teachers - across the board. I think my sister was an exception for staying in the field after being informed that she would be let go if she pursued her advanced degree because her love of teaching and her students triumphed all else. But it's really no surprise that schools aren't retaining teachers if their pay is that or below that of the janitorial staff. Teachers are the most important element in the schools because they are responsible for shaping and educating tomorrow's leaders. They deserve better pay.
1
Money, mentioned first, must be considered after other changes make the field worthy of increased financial support. Additional money should go to teachers with higher qualifications entering the field than to those already in it; an across-the-board increase is unaffordable and increases costs with little increase in educational benefit. Respect comes only with competence: mastery of subject matter and skill in instruction and inter-personal relationships. For this, schools of education need to prioritize course content related to public curriculums which the teachers must teach, and to profile/screen teachers entering the field. States should ensure "alignment" of school of education courses and school curriculums. Autonomy is less important than coherent curriculums which enable teachers to work at roughly the same pace on the same topics and to share classroom materials and suggestions. The resulting collegiality improves professionalism, morale, and teaching. Any questions?
1
This is not a tangent: The reason Adjunct Instructors can be paid so little is that they are thick on the the ground (simple economics of supply and demand). Why couldn't these individuals, all holding Master's degrees and often Ph.D.'s in their subject field, be lured into full-time, secondary school teaching jobs? Several reasons: Teaching at the college level, even for $3,000 per course, affords one much greater academic freedom--to design the course and syllabus, choose the books, write the tests, etc. There are no disciplinary issues or parents to deal with. But after teaching for over a dozen years at the college level (incredibly fun and fulfilling), the major stumbling block is debt. Could I go back to college for a year or more and earn a teaching degree and get NYS certification? Yes. Can I get even further into debt than I have already gotten for my Ph.D., with absolutely no guarantee of a job when I'm finished? No. So far, Saunders Is the only presidential candidate who understands how crippling student loan debt can be and how it overshadows people's lives and affects their decisions.
Scrolling through the comments -- especially those awarded gold shields by Times moderators -- I noticed how poorly written those from teachers (or claiming to be) are. For example: in one comment almost a third of its main paragraph is a run-on sentence 66 words long. At least three topics and subjects. At least six objects (lost count, actually). This spaghetti loaf is stitched together by multiple participles (verbal adjectives) subordinate clauses and correlative conjunctions.
It brings back memories. Back-in-the-day, should I turn in an essay festooned with such a barnacle my teachers invariably raked me over the coals; red ink everywhere. Harsh lessons that stuck, which is why I find such goose eggs in a short essay written by someone claiming to be a teacher inexplicable.
It brings back memories. Back-in-the-day, should I turn in an essay festooned with such a barnacle my teachers invariably raked me over the coals; red ink everywhere. Harsh lessons that stuck, which is why I find such goose eggs in a short essay written by someone claiming to be a teacher inexplicable.
1
Ever rad Milton's "Aeropagitica?" You will find the first sentence instructive.
Could it possibly be that the Teachers' Union is trapping it's public school members into a matrix of mediocrity by refusing to support broader school choice/voucher scholarship programs? Guaranteed that the teachers who are hired into nonpublic schools are both more highly credentialed and more highly paid. And the performance of those schools is unquestionably superior.
Big unions can and do protect the interests of their members. But just like any big bureaucracy (and as we have seen with the big labor unions in Detroit) all too often they get trapped into supporting (and maybe even contributing to) failing systems.
Big unions can and do protect the interests of their members. But just like any big bureaucracy (and as we have seen with the big labor unions in Detroit) all too often they get trapped into supporting (and maybe even contributing to) failing systems.
1
I taught for two years. My contract at a public school was not renewed because I taught evolution in a biology class, as state standards, the law, and professional ethics demand.
Teachers are not allowed to teach. They are micromanaged, weighed down with paperwork, subject to the whims of capricious (and often unqualified) administrators, underpaid, and disrespected.
I did not mind the relatively mediocre pay. I did mind the attitude, held by many parents and principals, that the teaching of science is a dangerous and harmful thing because it might impel kids to ask questions that parents do not want them to ask.
Teachers are not allowed to teach. They are micromanaged, weighed down with paperwork, subject to the whims of capricious (and often unqualified) administrators, underpaid, and disrespected.
I did not mind the relatively mediocre pay. I did mind the attitude, held by many parents and principals, that the teaching of science is a dangerous and harmful thing because it might impel kids to ask questions that parents do not want them to ask.
5
Ever look at these multiple-choice tests that are used to evaluate, not the students taking the tests, but the teachers who had those students for at most one year? There is ZERO evidence that these tests validly evaluate teaching, but STRONG evidence that they're used for this purpose nonetheless. At least if you drive a truck, your employer can reliably tell if you've gotten your cargo to its destination on time and evaluate you accordingly.
Teaching young people can be a tremendous pleasure and good teachers approach it with a sense of vocation. Too bad nobody values what they do and instead blames them for all the ills of society.
Teaching young people can be a tremendous pleasure and good teachers approach it with a sense of vocation. Too bad nobody values what they do and instead blames them for all the ills of society.
6
Let's see:
- Pay people half of what they can make with similar levels of education in other fields.
- Spend decades denigrating the profession and demonizing the people who do it in public speeches.
- Give them no say in how they do their jobs (remember, the typical teacher has 4-6 years of college, a few have doctorates) and basically treat them like idiots when they're demonstrably not.
- Make them work well over 8 hours a day, especially right before holidays.
I am trying to figure out why anyone was surprised that there are not a lot of people lining up to get those jobs.
In high-quality educational systems such as those in Canada, Finland, and Japan, teachers are highly paid and highly respected experts in their field with a lot of freedom to do their job as they see fit. There is a fundamental understanding in those systems that teachers become teachers because they want their students to learn and grow and succeed.
Kay & Peele had the right idea with their recent "TeacherCenter" sketch: We will get great teachers when great teachers are treated like the superstars they are.
- Pay people half of what they can make with similar levels of education in other fields.
- Spend decades denigrating the profession and demonizing the people who do it in public speeches.
- Give them no say in how they do their jobs (remember, the typical teacher has 4-6 years of college, a few have doctorates) and basically treat them like idiots when they're demonstrably not.
- Make them work well over 8 hours a day, especially right before holidays.
I am trying to figure out why anyone was surprised that there are not a lot of people lining up to get those jobs.
In high-quality educational systems such as those in Canada, Finland, and Japan, teachers are highly paid and highly respected experts in their field with a lot of freedom to do their job as they see fit. There is a fundamental understanding in those systems that teachers become teachers because they want their students to learn and grow and succeed.
Kay & Peele had the right idea with their recent "TeacherCenter" sketch: We will get great teachers when great teachers are treated like the superstars they are.
10
Both Frank Bruni in today's column and Motoko Rich on Sunday neglected to cite that the joy has gone out of teaching as the result of so-called "reform" measures created by those who have never had a meaningful experience working with children.
20
I am a high school teacher who graduated phi beta kappa from a top tier university. I started in banking and moved into teaching in Texas about sixteen years ago. I struggle to make ends meet. My job is exhausting and it is MORE stressful than my job on a bank's trading floor. But teachers make bankers, doctors, CEOs, hedge fund managers and the lawmakers who under-fund, over regulate us. Without us, none of these "important" people would be making the big bucks. We are important people, too. And those of us who stay believe in our hearts that our students are important people, too.
But I remember back when I was a kid, that my best friend's dad was a high school teacher. He made a little extra money teaching driving, (but all my single teacher friends work second jobs or projects now), but they had a three bedroom house in a safe neighborhood, two cars and took a vacation every summer--his wife stayed home with my friend and her sister. I have a small condo (that was a struggle to buy) and support a cat.
I am not running away from teaching, but I can't remember taking a vow of poverty, either.
Before I close, let me say that I have a lot of students who have it FAR worse than me--and I stay for them. I am grateful for what I do have and the fact that I have the CHOICE to do what I do. BUT, how many want to make this choice?
But I remember back when I was a kid, that my best friend's dad was a high school teacher. He made a little extra money teaching driving, (but all my single teacher friends work second jobs or projects now), but they had a three bedroom house in a safe neighborhood, two cars and took a vacation every summer--his wife stayed home with my friend and her sister. I have a small condo (that was a struggle to buy) and support a cat.
I am not running away from teaching, but I can't remember taking a vow of poverty, either.
Before I close, let me say that I have a lot of students who have it FAR worse than me--and I stay for them. I am grateful for what I do have and the fact that I have the CHOICE to do what I do. BUT, how many want to make this choice?
35
"I feel you."
It will not put food on your table but it may help to know that you are lucky to be in Austin.
Most of the other Texas districts follow the state school board's pedagogical strategy, which is to mass-produce obedient labor, disengaged voters, and elevate a handful of white kids to be second lieutenants and middle managers.
Your kids genuinely do need you, if for no other reason than to protect them from Texas-style schooling.
It will not put food on your table but it may help to know that you are lucky to be in Austin.
Most of the other Texas districts follow the state school board's pedagogical strategy, which is to mass-produce obedient labor, disengaged voters, and elevate a handful of white kids to be second lieutenants and middle managers.
Your kids genuinely do need you, if for no other reason than to protect them from Texas-style schooling.
One of the biggest issues in my opinion is that the credential requirements for teaching are actually unnecessarily onerous. There's only so much you need to learn to be effective in front of a classroom - as teach for america shows. If I were to try to switch professions and become a teacher, I'd need to go to night school for several years, quit my job one December for 6 months of student teaching, then hope to get a job the next fall.
I have 3 siblings who are teachers, who've all gone through programs to get a masters in teaching for pay raises. All three will bluntly say that those programs are mostly a waste of time.
I don't think that level of instruction is required... I'm a smart professional who spent years coaching children when I was younger. It's now August 12. I think if I started today I could be ready to teach a middle school math class when schools start in 3 weeks, and actually be above average at it.
I'm not saying teaching is easy - I just think that our society needs to evolve away from unnecessary credentials. Today's economy prizes smart people who can be flexible and take on multiple roles, whereas 20-30 years pure rote knowledge and experience was far more important and prized because the internet didn't exist. Teaching as a profession should try to attract those kinds of people as well.
And don't even get me started on our utter failure to provide students with any kind of technology education.
I have 3 siblings who are teachers, who've all gone through programs to get a masters in teaching for pay raises. All three will bluntly say that those programs are mostly a waste of time.
I don't think that level of instruction is required... I'm a smart professional who spent years coaching children when I was younger. It's now August 12. I think if I started today I could be ready to teach a middle school math class when schools start in 3 weeks, and actually be above average at it.
I'm not saying teaching is easy - I just think that our society needs to evolve away from unnecessary credentials. Today's economy prizes smart people who can be flexible and take on multiple roles, whereas 20-30 years pure rote knowledge and experience was far more important and prized because the internet didn't exist. Teaching as a profession should try to attract those kinds of people as well.
And don't even get me started on our utter failure to provide students with any kind of technology education.
4
The value of a masters of education depends upon the quality of the school, and the particular pupils.
I made a career change from a profession and found my masters program to be of enormous value. I was attending a serious program in a well-regarded university and not attending merely for a pay hike.
Many years ago, school systems desperate for teachers (mostly inner city and very rural) began allowing career-changers and recent college graduates to teach with temporary licenses, conditioned upon later taking varying numbers of teaching methods courses. Teach for America is a similar program. However, the results of these necessity-driven programs have been less than stellar, strongly indicating that most new teachers need specialized education and mentoring to teach well.
It is a popular myth - especially among parents - that anyone who has attended school ipso facto knows how to teach. Several decades of experience show that they really cannot and sometimes even do more damage to the students than they do good.
I made a career change from a profession and found my masters program to be of enormous value. I was attending a serious program in a well-regarded university and not attending merely for a pay hike.
Many years ago, school systems desperate for teachers (mostly inner city and very rural) began allowing career-changers and recent college graduates to teach with temporary licenses, conditioned upon later taking varying numbers of teaching methods courses. Teach for America is a similar program. However, the results of these necessity-driven programs have been less than stellar, strongly indicating that most new teachers need specialized education and mentoring to teach well.
It is a popular myth - especially among parents - that anyone who has attended school ipso facto knows how to teach. Several decades of experience show that they really cannot and sometimes even do more damage to the students than they do good.
Ultimately the problem reflects the rigidities of a public school system. Schools with local monopolies have little incentive to maximize the quality of their product. (Yes, voters desire a highly rated school system, but they don’t necessarily want to pay for it.) The result is that, when there is a shortage of qualified teacher candidates, the shortage is addressed by lowering standards rather than raising pay.
1
Your explanation does not explain the vast disparity among school districts. Nor does it explain why unionized schools with contracts regulating working conditions generally produce better pedagogical results than do non-unionized districts.
The problem is not the so-called "monopoly," a status shared by wonderful school districts and terrible school districts alike. Rather, it is the lack of political will in our nation, most states, and many or most communities to adequately fund and democratically [small "d"] organize high quality public education.
The problem is not the so-called "monopoly," a status shared by wonderful school districts and terrible school districts alike. Rather, it is the lack of political will in our nation, most states, and many or most communities to adequately fund and democratically [small "d"] organize high quality public education.
There are over 3.5 million teachers in the US today. That means a Bell curve in competence. To try to devise a system that will accommodate the variation in quality you must expect, and assure that all children will be exposed to some of the best is very difficult. It is amazing that our culture has produced the large number of competent people it has. Back off with some of the criticism. Our society is in many ways a success and still evolving .
1
Can someone please convince Frank Bruni to stop writing about education? He has no expertise or experience, and thus has no idea what is really happening in education. He isn't aware of what most teachers face on a daily basis. He seem to have scant knowledge of the history of education and so commits the common error of education journalism and promotes ideas with a long history of failure. His only qualification seems to be his willingness to parrot the claims of the corporate takeover crowd. Please find knowledgeable, experienced people to write on education. Your columnists aren't experts on everything.
6
I do not get quite as negative an impression of Bruni from this article as do you.
However, it is revealing that Bruni makes the common mistake (unwitting or deliberate?) of focusing entirely on teachers, instead of administrators.
People who seriously follow educational research know that the campus principal is the single most important factor influencing the quality of education in a particular school. Tragically, (but probably purposefully) most campus and district administrators view their principal duty to be wardens fending off discord and maintaining good public image. Research clearly shows that effective administrators view themselves as enablers whose job is to provide the protection, support, resources and conditions, that teachers and students need to perform at their best.
If America really wanted high quality education, we have many private, suburban and magnet schools, and even a few charters schools, that prove we know how to do it.
The problem is a lack of popular political will to demand genuine education (as opposed to schooling) for ALL our children, and a long-term program led by cynically anti-democratic plutocrats (such as the Mellons, DuPonts, Coors and Koch brothers) to defund, dismantle and privatize public education.
However, it is revealing that Bruni makes the common mistake (unwitting or deliberate?) of focusing entirely on teachers, instead of administrators.
People who seriously follow educational research know that the campus principal is the single most important factor influencing the quality of education in a particular school. Tragically, (but probably purposefully) most campus and district administrators view their principal duty to be wardens fending off discord and maintaining good public image. Research clearly shows that effective administrators view themselves as enablers whose job is to provide the protection, support, resources and conditions, that teachers and students need to perform at their best.
If America really wanted high quality education, we have many private, suburban and magnet schools, and even a few charters schools, that prove we know how to do it.
The problem is a lack of popular political will to demand genuine education (as opposed to schooling) for ALL our children, and a long-term program led by cynically anti-democratic plutocrats (such as the Mellons, DuPonts, Coors and Koch brothers) to defund, dismantle and privatize public education.
Thanks for responding to my comments. I didn't make clear that I didn't base my opinion of Mr. Bruni's work from this column, but on the sum of his columns on education. They consistently miss the mark, due to the fact that Mr. Bruni, and most other newspaper editorial columnists, has no more insight on the nature and problems of education than my butcher. The voices of practitioners are rigorously excluded, while the voices of those who aren't even novices--Steven Brill, Frank Bruni--get ample space. What do they offer? Regurgitated talking points apparently produced by those same cynical anti-democratic plutocrats trying to defund, dismantle, and privatize public education that you refer to.
In any event, I agree with your comments on the mistake of focusing on teachers. I would simply add that methods and training are also vital factors deserving of attention. Most columnists, again, have no experience or understanding of these problems and aren't remotely qualified to report on them. And it isn't as fun as scapegoating teachers and denigrating them indiscriminately as low rung mediocrities. Focusing on institutional and structural problems might hit too close to home.
In any event, I agree with your comments on the mistake of focusing on teachers. I would simply add that methods and training are also vital factors deserving of attention. Most columnists, again, have no experience or understanding of these problems and aren't remotely qualified to report on them. And it isn't as fun as scapegoating teachers and denigrating them indiscriminately as low rung mediocrities. Focusing on institutional and structural problems might hit too close to home.
I am in Finance and a multi-millionaire many times over.
My father had an eighth grade education. I went to Harvard.
And I owe it all the the absolutely superb public school teachers that I had all the way through grades K-12 (and my parents, of course).
I am a firm believer that teachers should be well paid for the value they create and investment they are making in society.
My father had an eighth grade education. I went to Harvard.
And I owe it all the the absolutely superb public school teachers that I had all the way through grades K-12 (and my parents, of course).
I am a firm believer that teachers should be well paid for the value they create and investment they are making in society.
23
Then you make a lousy plutocrat.
Thank you for caring about "other peoples' children."
Thank you for caring about "other peoples' children."
You can't balance the budget and give tax breaks to corporations on the backs of educators on the one hand and expect to increase the appeal of teaching careers on the other hand. So far this year, I've seen reporting on deep cuts to education in many states ranging from Wisconsin and Kansas to North Carolina and Texas. The stories always follow the same general script, with minor variations: legislators - usually but not always of the conservative bent - who want to "shrink government" or "cut taxes" do so by laying off teachers, cutting funding to K-12 education, cutting funding to public university systems (some of which were once among the finest in the world) and so on.
No one likes paying more in taxes, but given the choice I'd rather my tax dollars go to subsidizing education (from K-12 through college and even graduate school) than to pay for another war in the Middle East, for another Joint Strike Fighter plane, for another tax break for General Electric or General Motors, or for subsidizing the lower tax rates of the criminals running the Wall Street investment banks.
No one likes paying more in taxes, but given the choice I'd rather my tax dollars go to subsidizing education (from K-12 through college and even graduate school) than to pay for another war in the Middle East, for another Joint Strike Fighter plane, for another tax break for General Electric or General Motors, or for subsidizing the lower tax rates of the criminals running the Wall Street investment banks.
17
I haven't read the comments yet but I'm assuming there will be some TFA bashing. Defense:
1) The overwhelming breakdown of teachers are white, middle aged, middle class white females. Despite how wonderful many of these teachers are, they have trouble relating to minorities, esp. black boys. The latest stats for TFA are that half are minorities, many the first to go to college, and many of them males. The canard that it is largely white ivy leaguers is over.
2) Many of the positions TFA fills are hard to fill spots in hard to fill subjects. Think math, science in rough junior highs. If it were not for TFA, these positions would go unfilled or have a long term sub.
3) TFA only really exists because of the problem Frank has brought up. Raise the salaries, treat the workers better, and high quality students will want to be a teacher. Until then TFA is the best hope for getting strong aptitude leaders in the classroom
4) The incentives are awful. I make nothing and if I keep teaching I make about 400 extra a year (if they don't freeze pay). I like it it eats at you as you pay car payments, loans, and equip. for your classroom, all while dealing with huge class sizes of kids with a wide range of issues.
5) I love my traditional teachers at my school. Many are martyrs. People like this will always exist: they do whatever it takes for the kids. The problem is there are not enough people like this in the US. Other things need to happen for teachers to stay in these conditions.
1) The overwhelming breakdown of teachers are white, middle aged, middle class white females. Despite how wonderful many of these teachers are, they have trouble relating to minorities, esp. black boys. The latest stats for TFA are that half are minorities, many the first to go to college, and many of them males. The canard that it is largely white ivy leaguers is over.
2) Many of the positions TFA fills are hard to fill spots in hard to fill subjects. Think math, science in rough junior highs. If it were not for TFA, these positions would go unfilled or have a long term sub.
3) TFA only really exists because of the problem Frank has brought up. Raise the salaries, treat the workers better, and high quality students will want to be a teacher. Until then TFA is the best hope for getting strong aptitude leaders in the classroom
4) The incentives are awful. I make nothing and if I keep teaching I make about 400 extra a year (if they don't freeze pay). I like it it eats at you as you pay car payments, loans, and equip. for your classroom, all while dealing with huge class sizes of kids with a wide range of issues.
5) I love my traditional teachers at my school. Many are martyrs. People like this will always exist: they do whatever it takes for the kids. The problem is there are not enough people like this in the US. Other things need to happen for teachers to stay in these conditions.
3
Ummm...no to just about every "benefit" you listed about TFA.
The facts have come out and they don't match yours.
The facts have come out and they don't match yours.
Unfortunately, teachers are scapegoats for a failing system, while more and more of them are asked to do more and more, with less and less. Good article to show how Finland and other countries celebrate the teaching profession.
Respect for teachers must me an element of 'reforms'. Good public schools are essential in our present gap in incomes.
Respect for teachers must me an element of 'reforms'. Good public schools are essential in our present gap in incomes.
9
Teacher moral is very low. Teachers and their unions have been vilified by both the Bush and Obama administrations. Diane Ravitch has been criss-crossing the country trying to talk sense to our leaders but they will not listen to her. It is time for people to boycott the profession. Pretty soon we will all be in Kansas.
5
People do not have to boycott the profession. Public educational is being systematically defunded and dismantled.
Those who make the important social and economic decisions in America want a docile citizenry and cheap, obedient labor. The elites also want to minimize competition against their silver-spoon children for admission to prestige universities, executive positions, and high political office.
Quality public education is essential for a healthy democracy and a mortal enemy of oligarchy. America's terrible and declining public schools are not an accident, they are a stunningly successful strategy.
Those who make the important social and economic decisions in America want a docile citizenry and cheap, obedient labor. The elites also want to minimize competition against their silver-spoon children for admission to prestige universities, executive positions, and high political office.
Quality public education is essential for a healthy democracy and a mortal enemy of oligarchy. America's terrible and declining public schools are not an accident, they are a stunningly successful strategy.
My daughter taught high school chemistry and biology for 5 years; in addition to the poor pay she received, she was also saddled with teaching science to two special needs classes (she had no credential for special ed) with the expectation that these kids, most who could not even read or do math at the 2nd grade level, would pass the competencies tests given to all the regular kids (of course, that couldn't happen!). She was given half an aide for support. Then she was expected to coach girls basketball. She rarely got parental support; her 16 hour a day job (yes, it takes that long to teach, plan, correct homework and grade tests in those subjects, and try to reach and converse with parents re the children who won't participate in assignments or who are discipline problems), the extensive write-ups for special needs students, and the poor pay drove my energetic and highly motivated daughter to a different field. While she misses teaching, she will not go back. Poor pay, long hours, lack of support by her students' parents, and a general lack of respect for teaching in general by the community were the driving factors.
20
I live in Montana where the teachers salaries are ludicrously low. My neighbor has been a teacher for over 15 years and spends the school year living in Denver where she earns over TWICE what she would in Montana. Her and her husband rent a house in Denver and come back to Montana for the summer where they own a house. They have been doing this for almost 10 years. They want to retire in northwest Montana.
All the information presented in this article is true. One thing that is not mentioned is how the policy of tenure needs to be addressed. We have MANY unqualified, lazy, retired-in-place teachers that are clogging up the system. Base pay needs to increase for good, performing teachers and bad teachers need to be fired. This may create more of a hole for the number of teachers in general, but the cream will rise to the top. The law of supply and demand will eventually take hold once the unqualified and disenchanted teachers are removed. Incentive pay and bonus programs should be implemented as well.
All the information presented in this article is true. One thing that is not mentioned is how the policy of tenure needs to be addressed. We have MANY unqualified, lazy, retired-in-place teachers that are clogging up the system. Base pay needs to increase for good, performing teachers and bad teachers need to be fired. This may create more of a hole for the number of teachers in general, but the cream will rise to the top. The law of supply and demand will eventually take hold once the unqualified and disenchanted teachers are removed. Incentive pay and bonus programs should be implemented as well.
Sure you've got teachers who won't expend much effort! You pay them half a salary!
No surprise here, Mr. Bruni. Have you heard the two sides of the same dirty coin, Chris Christie and Andrew Cuomo, attack teachers, largely on an ad hominem basis?
My daughter got into teaching on an inadequate training scheme conjured up by Mike Bloomberg, the NYC Teaching Fellows Program, a joint venture of the NYC Department of Education and Americorps. She had zero education classes in college (Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude on a full tuition academic scholarship). She took two 3 credit classes in a summer, had six weeks of half day summer school as her "student teaching experience," and then was adjudged ready to lead a classroom of 12 middle school students classifeid for special education by dint of emotional and behaviorial issues. The Boston teaching fellows program requires a full year of student teaching.
The mentoring and management from administration was not always helpful or supportive.
But she made it through her two years (in the South Bronx) and is getting a fresh start in Alphabet City. Frankly, the only thing that has kept her in teaching has been her undeniable connection with her students. She's done it n her own.
Whenever I hear Christie, Cuomo, Bloomberg or Bill Gates criticize teachers and praise charter schools (with higher teacher turnover than even the NYC schools), I know it to be untruthful bluster loaded with a political agenda.
And don't get me started on Texas' attempts to politicize textbooks and what should be taught.
My daughter got into teaching on an inadequate training scheme conjured up by Mike Bloomberg, the NYC Teaching Fellows Program, a joint venture of the NYC Department of Education and Americorps. She had zero education classes in college (Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude on a full tuition academic scholarship). She took two 3 credit classes in a summer, had six weeks of half day summer school as her "student teaching experience," and then was adjudged ready to lead a classroom of 12 middle school students classifeid for special education by dint of emotional and behaviorial issues. The Boston teaching fellows program requires a full year of student teaching.
The mentoring and management from administration was not always helpful or supportive.
But she made it through her two years (in the South Bronx) and is getting a fresh start in Alphabet City. Frankly, the only thing that has kept her in teaching has been her undeniable connection with her students. She's done it n her own.
Whenever I hear Christie, Cuomo, Bloomberg or Bill Gates criticize teachers and praise charter schools (with higher teacher turnover than even the NYC schools), I know it to be untruthful bluster loaded with a political agenda.
And don't get me started on Texas' attempts to politicize textbooks and what should be taught.
9
Higher pay will go to alleviate much of the shortage. When I graduated from college I briefly considered becoming a teacher but saw the pay and decided not for me. I would have sacrificed some pay to be in such a noble profession but 50% less was too much to ask. Maybe once I have a comfortable nest egg I may decide to be a teacher in my twilight years 55+. It is still a dream of mine to be able to pass on my knowledge to the next generation.
1
A dream is all it will ever be. You will teach to the tests in the style you are told to use. The only way you will pass on your knowledge is when you advise others to stay away from teaching.
Why on earth would anybody want to be a teacher today? Every mother of every child from Kindergarten through High School thinks she knows better than any teacher anywhere what's good for her precious little darling(s). And she's not shy in expressing her opinions, up the ladder of administration if necessary. For the record, I'm not a teacher. I have raised 2 kids within an excellent public school system while listening to the constant complaints leveled against teachers from fellow parents. Maybe it helped that I also worked, mostly full time, during that time. I simply didn't have enough time to listen to all the whining and carrying on. The kids did fine, they're grown and on their own now. You could not pay me enough to become a teacher, ever.
12
The first problem in recruiting competent teachers is reaching them - whether they are private school teachers, retired military or retired public school teachers who want to go back to work. Over the past few days, I have read about numerous systems with a teacher shortage yet contacting them, and applying for a position, is nearly impossible. For example, in Florida, you have to apply system by system or even school by school. Incredibly difficult to even find openings. How about a nationwide website that works it way down to state and then subject matter, allowing a potential applicant to post their resumes and specific needs?
Second, schools should take a look at job-sharing as well letting fine arts teachers instruct in their specialty and rotate the students. That way, a drawing teacher would teach only drawing and painting, not photography or sculpture.
I would go back in a classroom tomorrow if I could teach half-time. So would many educators I know.
Second, schools should take a look at job-sharing as well letting fine arts teachers instruct in their specialty and rotate the students. That way, a drawing teacher would teach only drawing and painting, not photography or sculpture.
I would go back in a classroom tomorrow if I could teach half-time. So would many educators I know.
3
I've looked for work a long time since my business was ruined by Republicans in California under the last Republican Governor there. You remember him, the one with the supermodel-type wife & the pregnant housekeeper. He was a 3rd rate actor who punctuated the decline of California before people there woke up & threw the Republicans out.
Teaching is highly stressful & they're treated like dirt. Then there's guns getting into schools. But stress like that kills.
I considered teaching a lot while I was in Louisiana but decided against it, then Jindahl made vouchers for religious schools into the states policy & parochial schools pay half of what public schools pay. I made the correct decision.
No, I wouldn't become a teacher. Not unless the pay started at double what it is now. I had a parent who had was a teacher & she had to struggle with bills while getting highly paid compared to other teachers plus deal with constant stress from violent schools run by Physical Ed-administers. That was before guns could be found under every rock & long before teachers became the focus of Republican hate groups.
Teaching is highly stressful & they're treated like dirt. Then there's guns getting into schools. But stress like that kills.
I considered teaching a lot while I was in Louisiana but decided against it, then Jindahl made vouchers for religious schools into the states policy & parochial schools pay half of what public schools pay. I made the correct decision.
No, I wouldn't become a teacher. Not unless the pay started at double what it is now. I had a parent who had was a teacher & she had to struggle with bills while getting highly paid compared to other teachers plus deal with constant stress from violent schools run by Physical Ed-administers. That was before guns could be found under every rock & long before teachers became the focus of Republican hate groups.
1
I am entering my 15 year as a teacher. I think I am pretty good and at it, and I do it because making a difference is important to me. If we want to change teaching we need to change the outlook of society, away from the almighty buck, and to what you are passionate about. It breaks my heart to hear a student tell me they are going into a career to make money, and not what they are passionate or care about.
I want to hit people over the head when they don't want to pay taxes to support their school system. Whatever happened to compassion, to giving back, to being a patriotic American. When did this national become so selfish that we balked at the idea of paying an extra couple of hundred dollars so that schools are funded, so that schools can pay a higher income to teachers; was it the '80's.
And last, I am not the person who needs to change if you want to improve children's test scores. Where is the guarantee that a parent is reading with their children before school, where is the guarantee that they talk with their children about the world, nation, state, or local news and events, where is the guarantee that they give more time to their children than their smartphone. We have spent, as a nation, decades trying to legislate teachers and schools; maybe we need to legislate home life instead.
I want to hit people over the head when they don't want to pay taxes to support their school system. Whatever happened to compassion, to giving back, to being a patriotic American. When did this national become so selfish that we balked at the idea of paying an extra couple of hundred dollars so that schools are funded, so that schools can pay a higher income to teachers; was it the '80's.
And last, I am not the person who needs to change if you want to improve children's test scores. Where is the guarantee that a parent is reading with their children before school, where is the guarantee that they talk with their children about the world, nation, state, or local news and events, where is the guarantee that they give more time to their children than their smartphone. We have spent, as a nation, decades trying to legislate teachers and schools; maybe we need to legislate home life instead.
10
American politicians bought the TIMMS and PISA evaluations hook line and sinker. Example: "Secretary Duncan’s statement was similar. The results, he
said, “show that American students are poorly prepared to compete in today’s knowledge economy. … Americans need to wake up to this educational reality—instead of napping at the wheel while emerging competitors prepare their students for economic leadership.”" Whereas, the criteria for these evaluations was misleading: "Because social class inequality is greater in the United States than in any of the countries with which we can reasonably be compared, the relative performance of U.S. adolescents is better than it appears when countries’ national average performance is conventionally compared." Simply stated: American students appear to perform poorly because they are economically disadvantaged. Get it? Inequality is the key factor in our educational system's failure. Duncan is a dunce as are all educational wonks who have mislead America. Administrators went along with this because“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” ( Upton Sinclair )
The sheer gibberish added to nonsensical analysis, gag orders imposed on teachers, tests created by profiteers, all with overt threats to teachers whose classes do "not improve" is so repulsively dishonest that those who should be teaching never will. We need Bernie Sanders.
said, “show that American students are poorly prepared to compete in today’s knowledge economy. … Americans need to wake up to this educational reality—instead of napping at the wheel while emerging competitors prepare their students for economic leadership.”" Whereas, the criteria for these evaluations was misleading: "Because social class inequality is greater in the United States than in any of the countries with which we can reasonably be compared, the relative performance of U.S. adolescents is better than it appears when countries’ national average performance is conventionally compared." Simply stated: American students appear to perform poorly because they are economically disadvantaged. Get it? Inequality is the key factor in our educational system's failure. Duncan is a dunce as are all educational wonks who have mislead America. Administrators went along with this because“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” ( Upton Sinclair )
The sheer gibberish added to nonsensical analysis, gag orders imposed on teachers, tests created by profiteers, all with overt threats to teachers whose classes do "not improve" is so repulsively dishonest that those who should be teaching never will. We need Bernie Sanders.
7
Would you let your child go into a profession that puts the onus on student success on them and not the student and parent? It's absurd to think that teachers are held accountable for test scores but parents and students are viewed as the victim of the system.
7
I loved my students. I devoted hours of my own time to build regional and statewide academic contests. I read new histories constantly. I developed Advanced a Placement and honors courses. I graded essays for hours. What I could not continue to do was work for principals who were not as smart as me. They had no idea how to do my job. They embraced every flakey education fad. They had no idea how to manage competent professionals. They constantly made it harder to teach and they denigrated the very college prep skills (comprehension of complicated texts and content as well as analytical writing) that my former students said they needed. So I took early retirement. In Indiana and especially at my alma matre Indiana University, the solution may be to remove principal training programs from schools of education and give them to schools of business.
10
I just retired from teaching. For two generations many in my family have and continue to teach. Our kids will not.
Pay is only one, and not the most important, issue.
Look to recent and continuing events in Wisconsin to see a caricature of what has been happening to educators (K through higher ed) throughout the country. Supporters of Mr. Walker called teachers overpaid babysitters, capturing the sentiment of many. Mr. Walker recently suggested that professors simply teach another course to mitigate the effects of budget cuts. Again, an example of common perceptions about the efforts required of educators. These attitudes are unlikely to change soon.
A generation out, educators might again be respected. If so, a few in our family may again consider a career in education. This generation will not.
Pay is only one, and not the most important, issue.
Look to recent and continuing events in Wisconsin to see a caricature of what has been happening to educators (K through higher ed) throughout the country. Supporters of Mr. Walker called teachers overpaid babysitters, capturing the sentiment of many. Mr. Walker recently suggested that professors simply teach another course to mitigate the effects of budget cuts. Again, an example of common perceptions about the efforts required of educators. These attitudes are unlikely to change soon.
A generation out, educators might again be respected. If so, a few in our family may again consider a career in education. This generation will not.
8
Southern schools are moving to year-round calendars because they are considered child-care centers first and foremost.
In CA there are plenty of older adults who would enter teaching in the twilight of their working career. But they would sacrifice their right to collect social security they paid into all their lives in other positions. Clearly not worth it. Think of the wisdom that is lost.
4
I think it would be great if older Americans could get a tax reduction for teaching that would not affect her Social Security.
High quality teachers were once attracted to the profession due to academic freedom and protection from political retaliation. In return for a modest salary and pension, teachers enjoyed a degree of autonomy as well as respect from the community. By changing this paradigm, and making everything about money, society is being harmed. Just like with higher-ed.
4
There is teaching, and teaching in a large city system. if you're good, head to a private school and avoid the rest.
3
I am a retired NYC school teacher. Trust me, unless you have a real desire to work in an abusive work place, or like being mistreated and undervalued, stary away from teaching. Today, far to many, teachers are so busy with tasks that have nothing to do with teaching that they function more as monitors than mentors. Also, teaching to tests is NOT teaching.
9
I truly hope that Mr. Bruni will read these comments, and consider--perhaps for the first time--that the people trying to be heard here are telling him the truth, and perhaps he has been consummately wrong in his understanding of the situation up to now.
2
I hear conservatives eagerly plotting to get rid of public schools because they teach evolution and real history. Public schools are objectionable because they do not promote prayer and teach conformism to conservative "values," like reserving all power and wealth to rich white men.
Thus, we are told we need "school choice" - a euphemism for gutted public schools and enriched private schools, illegally paid for with public money.
What of the masses who cannot afford private schools? Well, like the middle class and the poor in general, they do not matter. So computerized education is good enough for them, even though it will fail. The idea is to spend public money to make computer manufacturers and curriculum people rich. It's all about "privatization" which has failed in almost every arena. It really means corporate welfare, Socialism for the rich.
Public education is also seen as a war on unions. Teachers are no longer helping our kids: they are seen as union thugs. Important people's kids can afford private schools. But public schools will be neglected more and more as they evolve into a source of corporate welfare payments.
This is not just about teacher credentials. A decent education is the province of the rich. It's like health care - another area where we have been failing. We are now an oligarchy. 400 families are making the most substantial financial contributions to electing the next president. Democracy is dying.
Thus, we are told we need "school choice" - a euphemism for gutted public schools and enriched private schools, illegally paid for with public money.
What of the masses who cannot afford private schools? Well, like the middle class and the poor in general, they do not matter. So computerized education is good enough for them, even though it will fail. The idea is to spend public money to make computer manufacturers and curriculum people rich. It's all about "privatization" which has failed in almost every arena. It really means corporate welfare, Socialism for the rich.
Public education is also seen as a war on unions. Teachers are no longer helping our kids: they are seen as union thugs. Important people's kids can afford private schools. But public schools will be neglected more and more as they evolve into a source of corporate welfare payments.
This is not just about teacher credentials. A decent education is the province of the rich. It's like health care - another area where we have been failing. We are now an oligarchy. 400 families are making the most substantial financial contributions to electing the next president. Democracy is dying.
7
I am an American teaching in Hong Kong. I am beginning my 12th year as a teacher. This is my 5th year overseas.
My wife laughs at me for many reasons. One of the more frequent is how often I seemingly change my mind about returning "home". I love America or at least aspects of it and that is in part what makes the decision so difficult. Another and more relevant reason is how I am treated as a teacher here in Hong Kong. This is where I agree with at least some of what Mr. Bruni has said.
I taught for 5 years in Arizona. The most I ever made was 35 K per year.
In Hong Kong I make enough to live comfortably, save money and support two other people. I feel respected by parents, students and staff. This morning the head of school asked all of the teachers to stand at the front of the gymnasium. Once we had assembled he lead our student body in thanking us. The expression of thanks was concluded with he and all of the students bowing to us. The respect and support that I felt at that moment was something I had never felt so profoundly before.
My wife laughs at me for many reasons. One of the more frequent is how often I seemingly change my mind about returning "home". I love America or at least aspects of it and that is in part what makes the decision so difficult. Another and more relevant reason is how I am treated as a teacher here in Hong Kong. This is where I agree with at least some of what Mr. Bruni has said.
I taught for 5 years in Arizona. The most I ever made was 35 K per year.
In Hong Kong I make enough to live comfortably, save money and support two other people. I feel respected by parents, students and staff. This morning the head of school asked all of the teachers to stand at the front of the gymnasium. Once we had assembled he lead our student body in thanking us. The expression of thanks was concluded with he and all of the students bowing to us. The respect and support that I felt at that moment was something I had never felt so profoundly before.
8
Wait until they discover spitballs.
One thing that could be done that costs nothing is to stop demonizing them. Articles about Scott Walker's cuts to education in Wisconsin were accompanied by comments from tax payers and government officials about "how easy teachers have it" with their supposed two months off and "generous" benefit packages. Is it any wonder that Wisconsin is suffering one of the worst teaching shortages of all fifty states? Is it rude to say that they are getting what they deserve?
5
TEACHERS have left the profession in great numbers and young people who would make great teacher either cannot find jobs or don't want to work under the extraordinary pressures and toxic work environments that have resulted after decades of feeding frenzy attacking teaching performance and unions. Teachers are now expected to record in minute detail everything that every kid does every day, or at least on each and ever test. On top of that, teachers are expected to be on call 24/7 via phone, e mail or texting to answer the questions that parents may have. Add to that evaluations based upon student performance on standardized tests, it is any surprise that the teaching profession is being avoided like the plague? On top of all that, there are the trends of charter schools and home teaching that further undermine the unifying notion of free public education in this country. Charter schools, on standardized tests, perform no better than public schools. Their teachers are poorly paid because the motivation for charter schools is not to provide the best possible education; their priority is corporate and shareholder profits. On top of all the other burdens teachers must contend with, they now must produce profits beyond the lifetime benefits that their students receive from being educated. The dead elephant in the room in teaching is the fact that the human brain experiences its most dramatic development prenatally and during the first year of life. Help is NOT on the way.
4
Motoko Rich's article and this column are masterpieces of disassociation. Voters across the country have made it clear for years that the future of public education is of no interest to them. They have refused to pay the additional taxes required to maintain their local systems and pay teachers the salaries respected trained professionals would ordinarily expect. They have cheered from the sidelines (or said nothing, same thing) as politicians like Scott Walker sneered at teachers' professional associations, belittled their expertise and work ethic, and used school voucher and charter school programs to turn them into serfs. And now we're supposed to believe they suddenly realize that teachers matter? Oh please…I guarantee that the next community asked to raise property taxes to keep their schools open will have the same reaction: "Don't bother me."
9
My mom was a special ed teacher in the US (a long time ago!). My sister teaches law in Houston. My ex-wife here in Austria is still a teacher. My son is thinking about being a teacher (here). Because we're in Austria, I don't try to dissuade him. A teacher's job in Austria is actually (IMO) a bit too cushy. If we were in the US I'd ask him if he is insane or just a masochist.
The difference between the attitude towards teachers and teaching between the US and Europe couldn't be more stark. Back when I was a wee lad in the US, teaching and teachers were viewed as they are here in Europe now. What changed?
My opinion is that the destruction of the US middle class since the 80's has lead to a search for scapegoats by the architects and beneficiaries of that destruction: (mostly) right wing politicians and the 1%. To the point that the blowhard bully Christie has picked the teachers union as the "one" he would like to punch in the face.
- Children in poverty have stress: Tough for them to learn
- Children in poverty are hungry: Tough for them to learn
- Parents working multiple jobs have no time to read to their kids
- Parents working multiple jobs have no time be involved with their kids education
- Economic issues are a major reason for divorce/relationship breakdown: Tough for kids to learn when going through a divorce
If corporations and the rich start paying their taxes, there would be enough money for education. One candidate understands this: Go Bernie!
The difference between the attitude towards teachers and teaching between the US and Europe couldn't be more stark. Back when I was a wee lad in the US, teaching and teachers were viewed as they are here in Europe now. What changed?
My opinion is that the destruction of the US middle class since the 80's has lead to a search for scapegoats by the architects and beneficiaries of that destruction: (mostly) right wing politicians and the 1%. To the point that the blowhard bully Christie has picked the teachers union as the "one" he would like to punch in the face.
- Children in poverty have stress: Tough for them to learn
- Children in poverty are hungry: Tough for them to learn
- Parents working multiple jobs have no time to read to their kids
- Parents working multiple jobs have no time be involved with their kids education
- Economic issues are a major reason for divorce/relationship breakdown: Tough for kids to learn when going through a divorce
If corporations and the rich start paying their taxes, there would be enough money for education. One candidate understands this: Go Bernie!
13
There is a lot wrong with our schools and it seems if we believe what we are told that it is the terrible teachers who have caused it all. You know those with dubious qualifications; those voiceless professionals who are underpaid.
What we need is less administrative, government (Federal and State) and A.F.T. interference in the class room and more disciplinary, and consequence options for the teacher to take control of the classroom and teach. Pupils cannot be allowed to disrupt the entire class and teachers should not be reprimanded for writing up these kids and getting rid of them.
Parents also need to be held accountable for seeing that homework is completed, not the teachers.
Excessive paperwork and constant program and policy changes need to be eliminated, so that the teacher have time to do what they have been educated to do... teach! Schools are for students and teachers and until we have both in the classroom, no program, no teacher, no administrator, no student, no matter how good... will work.
What we need is less administrative, government (Federal and State) and A.F.T. interference in the class room and more disciplinary, and consequence options for the teacher to take control of the classroom and teach. Pupils cannot be allowed to disrupt the entire class and teachers should not be reprimanded for writing up these kids and getting rid of them.
Parents also need to be held accountable for seeing that homework is completed, not the teachers.
Excessive paperwork and constant program and policy changes need to be eliminated, so that the teacher have time to do what they have been educated to do... teach! Schools are for students and teachers and until we have both in the classroom, no program, no teacher, no administrator, no student, no matter how good... will work.
1
This sounds a lot like some of the charter schools: accept selected students but not everyone who shows up. Throw out the bad apples or slow learners who pull down the curve. Pay teachers as little as possible, burn them out, then find a new crop of victims waiting in line for any job because the economy is lousy and it may be slightly better than burger-flipping or a part-time gig in retail. Try any new scheme to turn out grads like widgets.
Just as long as they don't this to my own kids at St. Grottlesex where admission to the Ivys is high and there is practically a seat at Goldman waiting for every little legacy grad.
I add my voice to those who have also commented critically about the state of education in the USA: we need a big change and we need Bernie Sanders!
Just as long as they don't this to my own kids at St. Grottlesex where admission to the Ivys is high and there is practically a seat at Goldman waiting for every little legacy grad.
I add my voice to those who have also commented critically about the state of education in the USA: we need a big change and we need Bernie Sanders!
Pottree, Thank you for you insight.
I would not throw out the slow learners or those with special needs. They as all students have a right to free education and in some cases special education, trade schooling, IEP's and a different or modified criteria to help them get an education and even a skill. However, a child who takes the right to an education away from other children needs to be disciplined and if that does not work, meet with the parents and if necessary sent home and let the parents home educate the child. Many disruptive children in the classroom can be controlled, if the teachers has some vehicles to properly discipline the child to help the child.
I do not know how you can equate a private school to a public school. If I was paying additional money for my child to go to a private school, she better apply herself or else she will be disciplined.
I would not throw out the slow learners or those with special needs. They as all students have a right to free education and in some cases special education, trade schooling, IEP's and a different or modified criteria to help them get an education and even a skill. However, a child who takes the right to an education away from other children needs to be disciplined and if that does not work, meet with the parents and if necessary sent home and let the parents home educate the child. Many disruptive children in the classroom can be controlled, if the teachers has some vehicles to properly discipline the child to help the child.
I do not know how you can equate a private school to a public school. If I was paying additional money for my child to go to a private school, she better apply herself or else she will be disciplined.
We must treat teachers as the professional's they are. They have to earn livings that can buy the trappings of the middle class: cars; houses health care;college educations for their children. Now those "trappings" are in the hands of only the wealthy.
Who in their right mind would go into teaching now? Only the most selfless and humanity has never had a majority of such folk. This crisis falls in Indiana on our GOP and their absolutely craven use of education as a political whipping boy. Now our state teacher's colleges cannot get enough students. So they, the GOP, sowed the wind and are now reaping the whirlwind.
To me the biggest lie is to those who go to community colleges to be taught by "adjunct teachers". Those teachers have no job security or benefits but they do have college degrees. What example does it set for their students? That you can get that education and have NO better opportunities than you did in fast food. We are " eating the seed corn" of our country's future. You get what you PAY for in this life and we have been running to the cheap, low wages, and now we will have that shoddy life.
Who in their right mind would go into teaching now? Only the most selfless and humanity has never had a majority of such folk. This crisis falls in Indiana on our GOP and their absolutely craven use of education as a political whipping boy. Now our state teacher's colleges cannot get enough students. So they, the GOP, sowed the wind and are now reaping the whirlwind.
To me the biggest lie is to those who go to community colleges to be taught by "adjunct teachers". Those teachers have no job security or benefits but they do have college degrees. What example does it set for their students? That you can get that education and have NO better opportunities than you did in fast food. We are " eating the seed corn" of our country's future. You get what you PAY for in this life and we have been running to the cheap, low wages, and now we will have that shoddy life.
2
I only started teaching when I retired from being a TV producer...as I can now afford to teach....a sad comment on the lack of esteem given this profession. I feel for my young cohorts who work several jobs and long hours to supplement their teaching salaries. I find that teaching is very creative and satisfying. Funny how at parties or such once people hear I'm a teacher their attention wanders elsewhere where they used to perk up when they heard I produced TV. And yet, I feel so fulfilled from my contact with students and wish they could understand how powerful it is to be in the classroom.
8
Here in the US, we value entertainers and entertainment; we do not value teachers or education. Thus, the response you now get at parties.
Of course enrollment is down for teachers, what would you expect when one of the major political parties has for 30+ years vilified teachers and teaching. Since at this point in time most state governments are controlled by republicans that in itself tells a young person there are limited opportunities in the field where your efforts will be appreciated by the public.
I respect anyone who takes up teaching but I seriously would question any one considering teaching in one of the red states. Given the politicians in charge view you as the enemy who are over paid and whose class rooms consume too many resources that could be better directed at more corporate welfare and tax cuts for the wealthy. A state that takes this approach does not view its children as a valuable resource and why would anyone want to get into that sort of mess.
No young people, hedge funds and investment banking, this is what society prices far more than its children, you can tell by the wage scales.
I respect anyone who takes up teaching but I seriously would question any one considering teaching in one of the red states. Given the politicians in charge view you as the enemy who are over paid and whose class rooms consume too many resources that could be better directed at more corporate welfare and tax cuts for the wealthy. A state that takes this approach does not view its children as a valuable resource and why would anyone want to get into that sort of mess.
No young people, hedge funds and investment banking, this is what society prices far more than its children, you can tell by the wage scales.
4
1) How can you expect any "profession" that is controlled by a union to be endowed with prestige? When I think of unions I think of machinists, telephone workers, and government employees. When was the last time you heard of a doctors union, a lawyers union or a financial managers union?
2) Tired of hearing how underpaid teachers are and how hard they work. Note - in CT most teachers start at about $50k. Close relative had a baby last November - her school system gives them the remainder of the school year off as maternity leave so she is just now returning to work (her 2nd child in 3 school years so she has probably worked less than 20 months in 3 school years). As she moans on FB about having to go back to school, all her teacher friends are reminding her that it's only 180 days before summer returns and there is 4 weeks of vacation during the school year. And on top of that, she can retire in under 20 years. If your job is that bad that at 32 yo complain this much, get a different job.
2) Tired of hearing how underpaid teachers are and how hard they work. Note - in CT most teachers start at about $50k. Close relative had a baby last November - her school system gives them the remainder of the school year off as maternity leave so she is just now returning to work (her 2nd child in 3 school years so she has probably worked less than 20 months in 3 school years). As she moans on FB about having to go back to school, all her teacher friends are reminding her that it's only 180 days before summer returns and there is 4 weeks of vacation during the school year. And on top of that, she can retire in under 20 years. If your job is that bad that at 32 yo complain this much, get a different job.
1
Connecticut is a richer state than most and seems to be fairly progressive. What you have is not the norm nationally. So check your facts before painting with such a broad brush. BTW - Unions don't control a profession. They are member groups who speak for the whole. Teacher unions have no power and haven't had any for many years. Before they were villainized by the GOP in an effort to villainize all unions, they created a balance. Without that balance now, you see what is happening and it isn't good for education. I hope you don't have children in the system.
And - they feed her bon bons and have a lackey waving an ostrich feather fan over her head while she teaches long division. Then she's chauffered home in a limo.
Waiting for her is a mortgage banker eager to show how she qualifies for a mortgage in the town where she works, since she is a TEACHER.
Man, that's the life! Sign me up!
Waiting for her is a mortgage banker eager to show how she qualifies for a mortgage in the town where she works, since she is a TEACHER.
Man, that's the life! Sign me up!
Well, it certainly wouldn't hurt if schools of education stopped teaching some of the junk psychology, bizarre history, and loopy educational theories they regularly teach.
It also wouldn't hurt if every teacher was requiired to have a real degree in a specific subject field before they got into Ed school, so that we stopped graduating "teachers," who really didn't know the material they were teaching.
oh, and could we PLEASE do something about the gawdawful recruitment of education of counsellors? Half the time, they're worse than the bad teachers.
It also wouldn't hurt if every teacher was requiired to have a real degree in a specific subject field before they got into Ed school, so that we stopped graduating "teachers," who really didn't know the material they were teaching.
oh, and could we PLEASE do something about the gawdawful recruitment of education of counsellors? Half the time, they're worse than the bad teachers.
1
Agreed - teaching education puts way to much emphasis on "how to teach" (and not even subject specific, just in general) versus actual source material. Graduate education programs (basically required for every teacher in my state) are an echo chamber of educational theories and wishful thinking... and actually mostly just serve to waste money and create a barrier to entry for experienced professionals considering a switch into the profession.
I taught for 4 years in urban schools and quit. Quite simply it was miserable. I tell every young person I know who mentions teaching to STAY AWAY. Until there's a mass exodus nothing will change. Maybe now we'll see a change.
4
You make the mistake of thinking anybody cares.
Too many people are overwhelmed by life and can't be bothered to even think about their kids' schooling.
Too many just want to get rid of teachers and hire an army of baby sitters at minimum wage. Anything, as long as it is favorable to them when it comes to taxes.
And, since they are really somebody else's kids anyway, who cares? They won't grow up to live in the same world as our little darlings who are kept insulated from real life as much and as long as possible.
and really, wouldn't some of those lavish old school be put to better use as nursing homes or swanky B&Bs by someone enterprising?
If there is no quick money in it, who cares?
Too many people are overwhelmed by life and can't be bothered to even think about their kids' schooling.
Too many just want to get rid of teachers and hire an army of baby sitters at minimum wage. Anything, as long as it is favorable to them when it comes to taxes.
And, since they are really somebody else's kids anyway, who cares? They won't grow up to live in the same world as our little darlings who are kept insulated from real life as much and as long as possible.
and really, wouldn't some of those lavish old school be put to better use as nursing homes or swanky B&Bs by someone enterprising?
If there is no quick money in it, who cares?
Educators4Excellence, Kate Walsh, Amanda Ripley?
These are all nothing more than profiteers, shills for those who want to wrest away our system of public schools, which educate 90% of our children, so the public purse can be exploited for private gain.
Ask not what hedge funders can do for the public schools; ask what hedge funders can do for themselves.
These are all nothing more than profiteers, shills for those who want to wrest away our system of public schools, which educate 90% of our children, so the public purse can be exploited for private gain.
Ask not what hedge funders can do for the public schools; ask what hedge funders can do for themselves.
4
Of course, since this was written by a non-teacher, telling us what teachers need, it misses the mark badly. I taught high school for 15 years and I can tell you the number one problem isn't even mentioned.
The worst part about being a teacher is the workload. My last full semester the administrators (who play lip-service to 'quality education', as do so many) gave me 1st period plan, then, 6 classes in a row, with, at it's highest, 178 kids. Crazy-talk. Really? You think we can 'reach' 178 kids and then grade, plan, coordinate, communicate in one 48-minute planning period? Just plain meanness of spirit; no respect for teachers, students or education. That pushed me out.
And, I've not even spoken of number of preps: the different courses a teacher has to prepare for and be an expert in. One to two is probably the best number of preps (I've done both). One prep gives you time for an outstanding lesson plan. It does get a bit boring by the sixth time you go through it. Maybe, two plans are optimal because it's a limited number and you get to have some variety in your day. I'd say have two preps, five classes and two planning periods, with a limit of 24 kids per class, meaning @ 120 per day. There, that's quality education from a real-world, workload perspective.
State law limits daily student loads to 150 (still, far too many), but that doesn't start till Oct.1.
Respect. I don't see it in education. You start with money as the problem. Wrong. Think 50-hour-work-weeks.
The worst part about being a teacher is the workload. My last full semester the administrators (who play lip-service to 'quality education', as do so many) gave me 1st period plan, then, 6 classes in a row, with, at it's highest, 178 kids. Crazy-talk. Really? You think we can 'reach' 178 kids and then grade, plan, coordinate, communicate in one 48-minute planning period? Just plain meanness of spirit; no respect for teachers, students or education. That pushed me out.
And, I've not even spoken of number of preps: the different courses a teacher has to prepare for and be an expert in. One to two is probably the best number of preps (I've done both). One prep gives you time for an outstanding lesson plan. It does get a bit boring by the sixth time you go through it. Maybe, two plans are optimal because it's a limited number and you get to have some variety in your day. I'd say have two preps, five classes and two planning periods, with a limit of 24 kids per class, meaning @ 120 per day. There, that's quality education from a real-world, workload perspective.
State law limits daily student loads to 150 (still, far too many), but that doesn't start till Oct.1.
Respect. I don't see it in education. You start with money as the problem. Wrong. Think 50-hour-work-weeks.
6
Math was not my favorite class, but how much is that an hour?
"The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next." - A. Lincoln
Presently, stateside at least, it appears to be increasingly bureaucratic. Proven scientific methodology, and the research/findings of Piaget, among others is simply stymied by special interests. Standardization trends were rightly identified by L'Engle and other academics, authors, educators, or inspirations whom creatively and constructively questioned, discovered, expressed, and embraced a love for learning, critical thought, and people. Einstein said, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Today's curricula, with political correctness addresses diversity, tolerance, etc. and often "educational" practices are the opposite. Some speakers, such as Roberson are celebrated abroad, but if the status quo in the U.S. is aptly challenged its delegates may vehemently defend it defying logic and reason with perpetuated fallacies. Pharmaceutical drugs, and likely abuses remain severely neglected among added cultural biases and testing that rarely yield sustainable (or relevant following graduation), or holistic results. They probably succeed only in further inundating teachers. In theory, and practice aforementioned relational and facilitator approaches to student learning and involvement may be further taxed because of the sheer scope and sequence.
Presently, stateside at least, it appears to be increasingly bureaucratic. Proven scientific methodology, and the research/findings of Piaget, among others is simply stymied by special interests. Standardization trends were rightly identified by L'Engle and other academics, authors, educators, or inspirations whom creatively and constructively questioned, discovered, expressed, and embraced a love for learning, critical thought, and people. Einstein said, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Today's curricula, with political correctness addresses diversity, tolerance, etc. and often "educational" practices are the opposite. Some speakers, such as Roberson are celebrated abroad, but if the status quo in the U.S. is aptly challenged its delegates may vehemently defend it defying logic and reason with perpetuated fallacies. Pharmaceutical drugs, and likely abuses remain severely neglected among added cultural biases and testing that rarely yield sustainable (or relevant following graduation), or holistic results. They probably succeed only in further inundating teachers. In theory, and practice aforementioned relational and facilitator approaches to student learning and involvement may be further taxed because of the sheer scope and sequence.
I think a (probably small, yet significant) part of the difficulty of getting college students to choose education as their major and their career orientation has to do with education classes themselves. These are often watered-down versions of classes taught to other majors or classes on education per se that appeal in confusing, muddled, or obsolete ways to concepts from other fields such as psychology, linguistics, or even neuroscience. If a student has a strong non-education-specific major in a traditional field of study, including standard general education requirements, it is difficult for me to believe that they couldn't grasp the essentials of how to be an excellent schoolteacher in two to four education-specific classes plus student teaching (obviously there would always be subject-matter specific requirements: for example, to be a chemistry or French teacher you'd have to know chemistry or French). There would no longer be an education major per se. This would reduce requirements for a teaching certificate and increase the depth and breadth of teachers' understanding of subject matter. It would also require less of a commitment: students who think they may want to teach could take the necessary education-specific courses before graduating, or afterwards in a community college, concentrating as they should on the subject matter of their major and minor(s) while they are in college.
Even at the collegiate level, teaching has evolved into a grim affair. Teachers are simply a factor of production, measured and monitored as if they are part of a manufacturing process and deputized into the marketing and branding department as props. In short, the job sucks. Okay?
1
When I was a teacher in the '70's, a portion of of my college loan was forgiven for every year I taught. I don't know if that still applies, but it and some combination of incentives to teach in areas with shortages could help. As long as most state legislatures are controlled by politicians who think no tax increase is a good tax increase, teacher salaries are doomed to remain consistent with those for employees with no more than a high school education.
1
I spent 30 years working in educational systems in the midwest and CA. Each year, things got slightly worse in terms of micromanagement, quality of teaching facilities, and societies negative attitudes towards the educational system. Upon leaving for retirement, there were attacks on teachers unions and attempts to remove tenure laws. Added to that were the relentless threats to cut staff.
Most retired teachers that I've talked to say, "Thank God I'm out !" for the above reasons. I predicted 10 years ago that there would be a teacher shortage. It's here now - and well deserved by this society. So don't go around wringing your hands and acting surprised ! You will get exactly what you deserved. Bottom of the barrel people who will stay in the profession for the money, then leave when something better comes along. What comes around, goes around folks.....
Most retired teachers that I've talked to say, "Thank God I'm out !" for the above reasons. I predicted 10 years ago that there would be a teacher shortage. It's here now - and well deserved by this society. So don't go around wringing your hands and acting surprised ! You will get exactly what you deserved. Bottom of the barrel people who will stay in the profession for the money, then leave when something better comes along. What comes around, goes around folks.....
1
In his run for the presidency Scott Walker is making the claim that he has proved his readiness to handle ISIS and Al Queda by the way he has attacked teachers in Wisconsin. Probably good for the profession when the governor calls you a terrorist.
9
As with most established positions in the US, teaching has become credential-happy. And often the people with the most credentials are simply those who will put in seat time, go to conferences and check all the boxes they can. If we started with meaningful teacher education programs--I'm sure they exist somewhere, like maybe Finland--talent would be developed and recognized and higher pay would not be begrudged. More pay and higher credential requirements without better teacher education will only draw more people who are essentially uneducated. (By the way, some people who are truly educated in other fields can are ready to teach without yet another degree.)
1
If they were only teachers. The problem is not only low pay, but it’s that people who truly want teach are required to do much more than just teach. They must assume the role of counselor, diplomat, babysitter, and punching bag. Teachers must deal with students that are at times violent, angry and undisciplined, and be on guard for the possibility of mass shootings, drug deals, physical and sexual assault against the teacher and among students. They must be prepared to handle complex racial problems and incidents. They deal with students that have whole array of social and psychological problems and issues that can’t be solved in geometry class by a teacher who studied to be a math teacher.
An increase in pay would help, but while teachers are required to respect the students and their challenging and complex background, and protect them in every imaginable way, I ask who is supporting the teachers? Who is helping a teacher who loves to teach biology, but is struggling because the kids are out of control during in class? Who stands by the teacher when parents are giving the teacher a difficult time?
The problems are much deeper than people think and a raise in pay may help, but ultimately a lot more needs to be done to entice people like myself to give up a high paying job in High Tech and teach in a high school. An environment needs to be created in which a teacher can teach and be a respected professional among peers, students, parents and in society.
An increase in pay would help, but while teachers are required to respect the students and their challenging and complex background, and protect them in every imaginable way, I ask who is supporting the teachers? Who is helping a teacher who loves to teach biology, but is struggling because the kids are out of control during in class? Who stands by the teacher when parents are giving the teacher a difficult time?
The problems are much deeper than people think and a raise in pay may help, but ultimately a lot more needs to be done to entice people like myself to give up a high paying job in High Tech and teach in a high school. An environment needs to be created in which a teacher can teach and be a respected professional among peers, students, parents and in society.
10
You can thank Arnie Duncan and his Republican allies for taking all the joy out of a profession that I once loved. Having taught and been an administrator for 40 years I observed first-hand a purposeful strategy to manufacture a crisis in education so they could then pursue their agenda of privatization and destruction of one of the last remaining unions in the country --- great job. Now, that the dust has settled on empty classrooms parents are seeing the direct consequences of the last decade's war on teachers. I do consider myself fortunate in having taught in a golden age when I had the autonomy to experiment with different pedagogical strategies and curriculum designs. Yes, there was not a lot of money in the job, but the daily challenge of helping students make sense out of the subject I was teaching was well worth the trade off. I should add, that, unfortunately, our country is deeply anti-intellectual, and as a consequence holds the teaching profession in low regard--as opposed to other countries (e.g. Japan, Germany, Finland, etc.) who reward and regard teachers like other professions---doctors, lawyers. What concerns me is candidates from both parties continue to promote the myth of failing schools and offering privatization (Mr. Duncan will serve as a consultant), high standards (whatever that means) and more tests (Pearson's stock needs a boost) as their strategy for closing the mythical achievement gaps they have manufactured.
12
Perhaps our government could institute reduction in student loan debt for students who were education majors (particularly with STEM concentrations) in exchange for 10 years service in public schools.
2
After a decade of anti-teacher, anti-Union public bashing by the Republucan Party - the party for which Mr. Bruni recklessly shills - he is suddenly concerned about teacher shortage and extolling the virtues of this noble profession? There is a reason teacher pay has fallen behind private industries and why teaching has become an undesirable profession; the reason is the relentless class warfare, anti-taxation, anti-public sector offensive of the Republican Party and right wing Democrats. Teacher unions have been the one institution that has kept the field competitive in the face of ceaseless budget-cutting.
If we want to encourage young people to become teachers, we need to find our schools, provide fair compensation, and support our teachers and the unions for which they have fought.
Let's start with our own city. CUNY needs a new contract, now. Are you listening, Governor Cuomo?
If we want to encourage young people to become teachers, we need to find our schools, provide fair compensation, and support our teachers and the unions for which they have fought.
Let's start with our own city. CUNY needs a new contract, now. Are you listening, Governor Cuomo?
8
The best teachers I know have their degrees in their subject matter. They are also intelligent, well-read, articulate, passionate about ideas, and funny. They are able to communicate clearly, on whatever level is necessary, and to provide students with the skills they will need.
Schools of education do not, for the most part, attract such people. Their courses and methodology are not geared towards such people.
The results are dismal.
Even private schools, forever seeking the newest thing, look to colleges of education for inspiration and nowadays hire people with degrees in education; but parents scrounging up tuition fees are looking aghast at the difference between what their older children learned even ten years ago and what their younger ones are learning now.
Which isn't to say that parents and students haven't had a hand in our schools' decline. After all, school administrators, teachers, and the teachers of teachers are responding to their customers.
Schools of education do not, for the most part, attract such people. Their courses and methodology are not geared towards such people.
The results are dismal.
Even private schools, forever seeking the newest thing, look to colleges of education for inspiration and nowadays hire people with degrees in education; but parents scrounging up tuition fees are looking aghast at the difference between what their older children learned even ten years ago and what their younger ones are learning now.
Which isn't to say that parents and students haven't had a hand in our schools' decline. After all, school administrators, teachers, and the teachers of teachers are responding to their customers.
2
Their customers? Would that be the case. Even if parents organized, there's no way we could get rid of anyone. The parents and children are caught in the middle of this hopeless battle, as we lack the funding, organization and clout of unions and politicians. Thank goodness there's now a well-financed third party, although I wish it involved more persons of color. I hate that the teachers union has cowled Democratic political leaders to do their bidding or made others too fearful not to give them what they want. I've voted with my pocketbook, keeping my son in Catholic schools.
Certification is a huge problem in moving state to state, especially as the requirements vary so much. Some professions are really feeling the pain of teacher shortages (including my area, Latin). This type of shortage can throw disciplines into crisis. A recent article I co-wrote with Ronnie Ancona of Hunter College details more on this. It can be found in the newest issue of Amphora, a publication of the Society for Classical Studies, or at the link below:
http://apaclassics.org/amphora/there-shortage-of-certified-latin-teacher...
http://apaclassics.org/amphora/there-shortage-of-certified-latin-teacher...
1
Politicians and daytime TV hosts should keep their big long schnozzolas out the teachers' work. I thank God I'm a land surveyor and nobody else on the planet knows how I work so I don't have a problem with opinionated people meddling with my work. But every clown in the circus thinks they know what a teacher does, and like Weird Al Yankovic says, everything they know is wrong.
Also, the pols and TV pundits stop expecting teachers to be social engineers. They are simply not fit or trained for that job. The Times just ran an article that the Arkansas legislature, along with other states, required schools to measure their pupils Body-mass index and report it to their parents in a scolding note. The idea failed miserably. Face it, teachers should teach and not be expected to do anything else like being the Fat Police
Also, the pols and TV pundits stop expecting teachers to be social engineers. They are simply not fit or trained for that job. The Times just ran an article that the Arkansas legislature, along with other states, required schools to measure their pupils Body-mass index and report it to their parents in a scolding note. The idea failed miserably. Face it, teachers should teach and not be expected to do anything else like being the Fat Police
9
Bobby: Please consider running for president. I like the cut of your jib. Bravo!
It's the least professional of the professions. It is the only one to unionize. Teachers are judged and paid by their seniority, not their merit. Despite a revolution in communications technology over the past 30 years, teaching has not changed, in no small part due to the resistance of teachers to reform. In choosing professions, why would you choose one that aims so low? Teaching is for BA grads with no marketable skills.
2
Nope - the AMA and ABA effectively operate as unions. And, many Doctors and Lawyers are self employed so unionizing would make little sense.
It is far from clear that the new communication technology teaches all that well. It certainly changes the dynamic but that is not always a good thing for the students.
BTW - I taught technology for many years, so I'm not resistant to it.
It is far from clear that the new communication technology teaches all that well. It certainly changes the dynamic but that is not always a good thing for the students.
BTW - I taught technology for many years, so I'm not resistant to it.
I think the idea that Education is an 'easy major' is fading slightly. I'm an education major, and between classes on student development, reviewing IEPs, and the concentration you want to teach, teacher programs are getting more and more rigorous. There are not that many of us in my department, and I go to a school of 10,000 students. My roommates are all in programs that are classified as 'hard' but I find that I do a lot more work than them (except the nursing major). I have to worry about history papers and readings, developmental theory explanations and writing and reviewing fake IEPs, plus planning lessons and unit, and learning all the new standards. Education is NOT an easy major, and I think people who go into it thinking that it's going to be a breeze quickly realize it's quite difficult and soon drop out. I think those of us who stay are there because we realize the difficulties facing teachers and the profession and we want to help.
5
Academic freedom was more important to me than the pay. When that was compromised, I moved on to another job. I was excellent at what I did (I had the trophies from coaching speech and debate to prove it, and my classes were always the first to fill everywhere I taught -- colleges and universities.
People who don't like to teach become administrators, hardly a group you would pick to coach you about teaching. My teaching role models came from professors at Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan, respective universities, and taylored my style with my own personaltiy.
I throw this perspective out there only to illustrate the needs of teachers.
People who don't like to teach become administrators, hardly a group you would pick to coach you about teaching. My teaching role models came from professors at Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan, respective universities, and taylored my style with my own personaltiy.
I throw this perspective out there only to illustrate the needs of teachers.
1
This September I will be starting my 34th year of teaching in NYC. I'll soon be eligible to retire. However I would continue to teach a few more years but the profession itself has changed drastically since my first day in this profession-October 1. 1981. Then my pay was paltry ($11,821) and while my pay now is $100K, after 34 years, try buying a home in NYC on that. After 20 years under both the Giuliani and the "We Hate Teachers" Bloomberg administration, I feel like a walking survivor. Teaching is no longer a joy. Teaching is no longer creative. Teaching is drudgery. I would hate to be a student today in any classroom. Every teacher feels degraded and abused by society. The American culture used us as punching bags in songs, movies, and books, as the reason for America's ills. I knew this day of a teacher shortage would arrive. I'm glad it has as a way to get back at the politicians who have made my career into what it is today. My word of advice to all college students is NOT to become a teacher. You'll regret it, and as a 34 year veteran, I can speak from experience.
194
Perfectly said and so sad. I didn't last five years. I have a ten month old and I'm worried about him entering school eventually. God bless anyone who hangs in as a teacher - you have to be 100% instrinsically motivated because all external forces are working against you. It's just depressing.
I'm a teacher in NYC and I do not feel degraded and abused. Of course, I hear and read anti-teacher rhetoric everywhere, but I work hard to not internalize that rhetoric. Shortly before beginning my career as a NYC public school teacher I heard a veteran teacher say "we need to reclaim our calling." Those words really made a deep impression on me. Each morning I meditate and remind myself that all of my efforts are for my students. I cannot attach myself to outcomes, supervisor feedback, or op-ed pieces.
It saddens me when I hear veteran teachers advise their own students and others to steer clear of the teaching profession...surely that sends a strong message to our students that we resent spending our days with them.
Respectfully, it sounds like you need to retire.
It saddens me when I hear veteran teachers advise their own students and others to steer clear of the teaching profession...surely that sends a strong message to our students that we resent spending our days with them.
Respectfully, it sounds like you need to retire.
21 years in the classroom--I love the job. I love the kids. I love the challenge of teaching....but--stagnant salary the last 10 years, healthcare gutted, and coached by "experts" in "Best Practices" who have never been teachers so I can better teach 21st century skills---?? I love to teach but I cant wait to retire or find another job. No job is suppose to be fun but Teaching was at least rewarding (not financially) for my first 10 years. Now it is torture.
9
I'm on the first sentence: Teaching easily competes if teachers are treated with respect instead of treated like dogs by politicians and parents, districts and principals, public schools and charter schools. Someone always looking over the teacher's shoulder, ready to pounce to make himself or herself look good. "accountability" is simply an arms race, "reform" a shell game.
And then there's the media, largely allied with the arms dealers--the rich, the politically connected, the "reformers". All you guys ever want is hocus-pocus, the one great reform, that one great Richard Dreyfuss / Sandra Bullock miracle teacher.
Meanwhile, public education, the light that America first brought into the world, is being--has been destroyed.
And then there's the media, largely allied with the arms dealers--the rich, the politically connected, the "reformers". All you guys ever want is hocus-pocus, the one great reform, that one great Richard Dreyfuss / Sandra Bullock miracle teacher.
Meanwhile, public education, the light that America first brought into the world, is being--has been destroyed.
8
This issue is very simple. Teachers are treated like Vietnam era soldiers were. Who in their right mind would choose to sacrifice their economic welfare and their dignity to serve those who denigrate their service? Capitalism works. Teachers are voting with their feet. Tough luck kids!
12
It comes as no surprise that fewer people want to be teachers. They get no respect, not from students, parents or even the people they work for. They can make far more money in other sectors and often have little or no job security, but are expected to pursue masters degrees to keep their jobs. Their curricula are politicized to the point that they have no autonomy in the classroom and then they are blamed for every child who fails, both educationally or socially. If we took all the money we pay Pearson and other testing agents and put it directly into our public schools and teacher training and pay, public education might look decidedly better.
10
Why would anyone not want to enter the teaching field? Parents expect them to fix everything that is wrong with their child. The legislatures continue to cut funding. The Scott Walkers of the country destroy their bargaining ability. The school administrators receive all of the pay raises.
10
The biggest issue is that as per union rules teachers are paid by time of service, not quality of performance. Why would anyone who thinks they are better than average want to pursue a field where there is little if any opportunity to excel. If you want to improve quality of teachers start by getting rid of the unions which treat teachers like dockworkers not true professionals.
3
My daughter would have loved to go into teaching, but she has seen what a sacrifice it has been for me as a working mother. The long hours, the criticism, the low pay, the unfunded mandates, the discipline problems in my urban school setting, the pay attached to assessment based on student testing,and on and on. I am reaching the end of my career and have never felt so demoralized as I begin one of my last years teaching high school. We do need fundamental changes in teacher recruiting, training, and pay. In addition, we need to differentiate pay and pay teachers not according to outcomes based on dubious standardized tests but according to assignment. Those in urban districts are the ones faced with the arduous tasks and should receive greater pay and support. Listen to veteran teachers to implement real changes that matter!
4
As a NYC public school teacher I concur that raising teacher standards is critical to improved student performance. I would love nothing more than to have a gold standard certification that reflects true mastery of teaching and content.
For ten years I have observed math teachers who cannot perform algebra tasks; English teachers who do not know proper grammar; and in my own subject, of social studies where teachers do not know basic history and geography. I have even worked with paraprofessionals who do not have sufficient reading and writing comprehension.
Sadly, judges rule that certification exams like the ALST discriminates against minorities. In a recent NYT article (6/5/2015), Manhattan Federal District Court Judge Kimba Wood determined that candidates are unfairly “required to demonstrate an understanding of the liberal arts." This in a profession which requires teachers to sometimes teach out of subject due to the very shortage you described.
Additionally, an advocate for lower standards recently complained in a NYT article (8/7/2015) "that while it was important to be a clear, literate communicator, 'the ALST measures how eloquent a person is in the English language.'"
These ludicrous complaints go to the very heart of your question: how can we interest you in teaching when others are fighting the very standards that would make this a prestigious profession?
For ten years I have observed math teachers who cannot perform algebra tasks; English teachers who do not know proper grammar; and in my own subject, of social studies where teachers do not know basic history and geography. I have even worked with paraprofessionals who do not have sufficient reading and writing comprehension.
Sadly, judges rule that certification exams like the ALST discriminates against minorities. In a recent NYT article (6/5/2015), Manhattan Federal District Court Judge Kimba Wood determined that candidates are unfairly “required to demonstrate an understanding of the liberal arts." This in a profession which requires teachers to sometimes teach out of subject due to the very shortage you described.
Additionally, an advocate for lower standards recently complained in a NYT article (8/7/2015) "that while it was important to be a clear, literate communicator, 'the ALST measures how eloquent a person is in the English language.'"
These ludicrous complaints go to the very heart of your question: how can we interest you in teaching when others are fighting the very standards that would make this a prestigious profession?
7
The same old same old. There is an underlying social attitude of which all these problems are symptoms: the basic contempt for education, educators, and the educated.
To understand what is really going on, I think an observation of pop entertainment is useful (Example: over the decades the Star Trek series has had --- in order ---as captains (a) a he-man tough guy, (b) a bald Brit who thinks things through (c) an American black man and (d) a woman.)
In the case of public education, the general stereotype is that teachers are wimps and good students are nerds with thick glasses and bad skin. And is it a coincidence that probably the least qualified presidential wannabe, Scott Walker, has gained his traction by beating up on school-teachers?
I don't know how one would go about altering this but until we at least recognize the basic problem treating the symptoms only will be of no use.
( doubt it is a conscious conspiracy, but if you apply the "qui bono" test to our politicians, it is hard not to notice that some of them do well by bamboozling the least aware, least thoughtful, and least educated populace. And hard not to draw a conclusion. Could a voter with knowledge of history, civics, and political theory could be so entranced with Donald Trump ?
To understand what is really going on, I think an observation of pop entertainment is useful (Example: over the decades the Star Trek series has had --- in order ---as captains (a) a he-man tough guy, (b) a bald Brit who thinks things through (c) an American black man and (d) a woman.)
In the case of public education, the general stereotype is that teachers are wimps and good students are nerds with thick glasses and bad skin. And is it a coincidence that probably the least qualified presidential wannabe, Scott Walker, has gained his traction by beating up on school-teachers?
I don't know how one would go about altering this but until we at least recognize the basic problem treating the symptoms only will be of no use.
( doubt it is a conscious conspiracy, but if you apply the "qui bono" test to our politicians, it is hard not to notice that some of them do well by bamboozling the least aware, least thoughtful, and least educated populace. And hard not to draw a conclusion. Could a voter with knowledge of history, civics, and political theory could be so entranced with Donald Trump ?
4
I pretty much agree with all your points, but as long as we're the cheap skates we are, it's not going to change. Other places offer models of success that we could follow if we were willing to spend, but as long as the legislatures are in control of folks whose priorities are cutting taxes, bad-mouthing anything government-connected, building more prisons, buying more bombs and planes, etc., I'm not holding my breath.
2
Why anyone would go in to teaching in this country is beyond me. Other Commenters have said it well. For school districts crying out for teachers, you get what you sow.
1
Nationwide teacher shortages are the results of short-sighted state governments and educational policymakers who are seeking fast solutions to avoid longer term problems.
1
In recent years public school teachers have been vilified. They have been blamed for many of society's ills. They have seen their benefits cut. Their pay has remained stagnant at best. They have seen public funds drained off into ill conceived voucher programs and charter schools. While many courts have ordered state legislatures to perform their constitutional duty to properly fund public education, those court orders have lead to little or no real change and much legislative evasion. Teacher unions have been attacked and decimated in some states by the political right. Teachers have been required to "teach to the test" and nothing else. The pressure on teachers to have their students "succeed" on "the test" continues to intensify. The ability of teachers to be at all creative has been all but eliminated. With these developments and more like them, is it really a surprise that bright, young students do not want to enter into the teaching profession?
5
Why would anyone want to teach? The United States has a long cultural heritage of contempt for intellectual efforts and of teachers in particular. It mocks teaching, denigrates teachers' efforts, pays them less than any of the people in their communities would accept for their own efforts, and then blames them for not fixing problems created by the whole community. How we manage to maintain the high quality universities that we do while refusing to support teachers and schools for K-12 is actually something that is not really well understood. What is understood is that if you choose teaching, you will be treated like a loser in our society.
5
Why are we trying to re-invent the wheel when there are examples in the world to follow? Japan and Finland come to mind. In both countries, teachers are well trained after going through a rigorous selection process. They are paid well and respected by the cultures as the professionals they are. The results in these countries speak for themselves.
Here, teachers are used as cannon fodder to explain most faults found in our schools. To add to that, they are vilified by the likes of Governor Christie who is a product of the New Jersey school system, which has some work to do.
Here, teachers are used as cannon fodder to explain most faults found in our schools. To add to that, they are vilified by the likes of Governor Christie who is a product of the New Jersey school system, which has some work to do.
1
It is no surprise that few want to be a teacher anymore. It used to be that teaching was a vocation - stressful, difficult and underpaid but still a meaningful, rewarding and stable profession. But those days are gone. The central focus of educational reform has been to blame teachers, threaten to fire them for results that are often beyond their control, treat them like assembly line workers who must follow strict ‘work instructions’ and at the same time increasing their work load and decreasing their already measly compensation. And meanwhile the old challenges remain of working in a hierarchical, politicized and sclerotic bureaucracy and managing a classroom of students who are distracted, hormonally charged and often burdened with the problems of home and society. As we used to say at a Fortune 50 company, “a fish smells from the head down”. It is easy to blame the soldiers for failures in battle but the solution needs to begin with the leadership and the archaic culture of our nation’s public school system. Modern corporations like Google and Facebook have created a culture of inclusion that motivates professionals to creatively overcome challenges but the rigid and unsupportive culture of our public school bureaucracy is more akin to a 1930s General Motors factory where managers are coddled while workers face harsh treatment epitomized by filthy bathrooms with the doors removed from the toilet stalls so they won’t “loaf”.
6
The detraction is really the full package, not the premise. Underpaid, little opportunity for growth, degrading experiences (parents/peers/politics), and probably poor work conditions to boot. A remarkably undistinguished and poorly appreciated career path. We treat teachers like they're in a starter job fresh out of college for their entire career. I'm actually surprised turnover isn't higher.
4
Comment by Jack Allen (Jeanne's husband.) When our daughter Christy Allen White was asked if the fact that both her parents were teachers had influenced her decision to apply for a North Carolina teaching fellows scholarship her reply was, "Actually, they both tried to talk me out of it." As a retired teacher with 40+ years in the classroom my sadly given advice to promising students who wished to consider teaching in the later years of my career was, "Only if you can't be happy doing something else for a living." My experience with teaching was in the states of Ohio and North Carolina. Both states have taken steps and passed legislation that discourage men and women from considering teaching as a career.
4
School site and central office administration needs to stop micromanaging us. I'm an adult, I'm a professional, about to start my 26th year in the classroom, yet every year, we're told in greater and greater detail exactly what we must to do, step by step. Practically scripted teaching. We're treated more like children than adults, and the children are given freer and freer reign to act out with impunity, as punishment options have been taken away by the ACLU and other political organizations.
5
"Better pay is a must. There’s no getting around that. Many teachers in many areas can’t hope to buy a house and support a family on their incomes...The average salary nationally for public school teachers, including those with decades in the classroom, is under $57,000"
The median family income in the US is $52,000 (high by world standards) according to the census bureau and the home ownership rate is 64%. How can a family with at least one person making more than that (on average) for 10 months of work not be considered to be making a decent living? However, That is not to say that teachers are not underpaid. "Underpaid" is not determined by some sense of "fairness" but by the fact that there is a shortage of teachers.
The median family income in the US is $52,000 (high by world standards) according to the census bureau and the home ownership rate is 64%. How can a family with at least one person making more than that (on average) for 10 months of work not be considered to be making a decent living? However, That is not to say that teachers are not underpaid. "Underpaid" is not determined by some sense of "fairness" but by the fact that there is a shortage of teachers.
1
As one who spent nearly 30 years of his life teaching and has just retired, I obviously have some thoughts. The larger society wants to separate the schools and their students from their families. Despite the growing wealth gap and its commensurate rise in childhood poverty rates, the stressed-out, over-worked, underemployed parents, and the decades-old deepening family instability, the larger society expects improved measures of student performance. This separation is ludicrous! Teachers are bearing the burden of the larger society's decline as they become more social workers than instructors. When after-school activities assume even more importance, budget-makers cut the arts, sports, and remedial programs. Most teachers are in the profession because they love working with children, and yet there is little sign of appreciation: from salaries, to parents, to policy-makers. If we expect to retain teachers, we have to show our respect with support. Yes, that's money, but even more important are the conditions that will allow them to succeed: smaller class sizes, more counseling services, better tools, and above all, a societal commitment to support the over-all health of parents, especially low-income parents and the neighborhoods where those families reside.
5
I received my Master's in teaching art 10 years ago, taught for 2 years in a school with a tough population (in New England, for less than $30k), moved to NYC to be closer to my family, and was unable to secure a position for 2 years. At this point, I hoped to transfer to teaching math (because it was a high needs area, and NYC was accepting new teachers without a teaching degree/certification) but the amount of additional courses/professional development that I'd need in order to do so while working a full-time job was unrealistic.
I would have loved to be teaching (as I do love teaching, finding new ways to present material for better understanding, etc) but now that so many years have passed and after years of failing to get a position in the NYC metro area I've come to the sad (and formerly bitter) acceptance that this is not the profession for me. I will have these student loan debts for another 10 years, and every month I feel a pang of sadness that my passion and degree are not being used in the ways that I wanted.
I would have loved to be teaching (as I do love teaching, finding new ways to present material for better understanding, etc) but now that so many years have passed and after years of failing to get a position in the NYC metro area I've come to the sad (and formerly bitter) acceptance that this is not the profession for me. I will have these student loan debts for another 10 years, and every month I feel a pang of sadness that my passion and degree are not being used in the ways that I wanted.
2
We need to significantly expand H1B visas for qualified foreign teachers. This will increase capacity while lowering costs.
2
The author of this article does not mention the many non-monetary reasons for not teaching such as :
a) in inner city schools not having to be robbed, beaten, passed over due to affirmative action programs, dealing with incompetent and threatening parents and having to handle many social problems that are not in the realm (or control of teachers).
b) in the suburbs and "good" areas dealing with helicopter parents, spoiled brats, dealing with incompetent and threatening parents and having to handle many social problems that are not in the realm (or control of teachers).
a) in inner city schools not having to be robbed, beaten, passed over due to affirmative action programs, dealing with incompetent and threatening parents and having to handle many social problems that are not in the realm (or control of teachers).
b) in the suburbs and "good" areas dealing with helicopter parents, spoiled brats, dealing with incompetent and threatening parents and having to handle many social problems that are not in the realm (or control of teachers).
4
I'd love to teach. My mom is a teacher. I considered it briefly. It's an honorable profession. However, it simply doesn't pay enough. I decided to pursue my pharmacy doctorate instead. Aside from the terrible pay, the thought of having to deal with mountains of bureaucratic nonsense, being forced to teach kids how to take ridiculous tests and sapping them of energy and curiousity during the precious years in which their brains are like sponges, I decided that it was too much for too little pay. It doesn't surprise me no one wants to be in that profession anymore.
The sad part is I remember my school experience. I was a precocious, very interested kid who was repeatedly put back in my place by my teachers for being so precocious. It wasn't encouraged because teachers simply didn't have time. Now that I have a newborn son, I've thought long and hard about whether school is even the way anymore during a time in which information is widely available. My wife and her siblings were homeschooled because of the decrepit schools they did have access to. All of her siblings are wildly successful (my wife is a physician). What's incredibly fascinating is that they spent their precious youth learning how to think for themselves, how to develop their own thought processes, their own opinions, and their interests.
It's a gift our schools simply don't have the time or energy to give to our students and it has become worse through testing.
The sad part is I remember my school experience. I was a precocious, very interested kid who was repeatedly put back in my place by my teachers for being so precocious. It wasn't encouraged because teachers simply didn't have time. Now that I have a newborn son, I've thought long and hard about whether school is even the way anymore during a time in which information is widely available. My wife and her siblings were homeschooled because of the decrepit schools they did have access to. All of her siblings are wildly successful (my wife is a physician). What's incredibly fascinating is that they spent their precious youth learning how to think for themselves, how to develop their own thought processes, their own opinions, and their interests.
It's a gift our schools simply don't have the time or energy to give to our students and it has become worse through testing.
2
I taught in NYC public schools for a very short time 20 years ago, and from what I see and hear, things haven't changed for the better. I left the profession when a middle-school student threw a rock at my head and the school administration wouldn't help me. My teacher education program did not teach me how to manage a classroom of 35 urban children. I didn't go into teaching to be a prison guard, and I certainly wasn't paid enough to be one. Today, I see how my own suburban-educated children were pushed through the system with the only concern being their test scores. If I taught in the school district where I live, I wouldn't have gotten the opportunity to teach some of the classic literature that was once a staple of the curriculum because that time was taken instead with test preparation. You can't attract smart, talented people to such an undervalued profession.
4
The first thing that needs to be understood about teaching is that not everyone is suited for the job. You need to like children, you need to want to be around children, and you need to listen to children. You need a person who is excited about September as every child entering the classroom for the first time. The teacher needs to be able to communicate the excitement that is to come over the next few months. To have that excitement, the teacher needs to be free from this rigid system of testing which is putting a straitjacket on our teachers. Looking for creative ways to communicate difficult concepts is the job of the teacher. Sharing the joy with the group that gets that concept is the reward. You need to like, no, love your job.
The teachers union has the difficult task of negotiating with the public a salary that is fair to the teacher and the community. Our schools belong to our communities and should not be a political football for partisan interests. Good schools should unite us, and you can't have good schools without good teachers who above all else, love their jobs.
The teachers union has the difficult task of negotiating with the public a salary that is fair to the teacher and the community. Our schools belong to our communities and should not be a political football for partisan interests. Good schools should unite us, and you can't have good schools without good teachers who above all else, love their jobs.
5
From what I've observed since the Reagan era, the only way your friends in the Republican state legislatures will ever enthusiastically support public K-12 education again is if all the schools become evangelical Christian madrases.
2
It does not seem to occur to Mr. Bruni to actually interview public school teachers like me. It reminds me of old treatises asking 'what a woman really wants,' all written by men.The implicit underlying assumption here is precisely the problem--that we have no voice, that we are slightly stupid, not experts or upper class enough to understand the overlying issues.
In the absence of our voices, we are left with various non-experts promoting their own interests in the guise of speaking for us.
For instance, Mr Bruni quotes Evan Stone, who calls for “career ladders for teachers to move into specialist roles, master-teacher roles...They're worried that they're going to be doing the same thing...30 years in."
No. We're not. We are teachers because we love being career teachers. It is an end goal. Doctors are not 'worried' they'll still be doctors 30 years in. Pilots are not 'worried' they'll still be pilots.
The assertion that we all secretly crave to be administrators reveals a contempt for the career teacher, & a bias in favor of 'leadership' roles, which - unsurprisingly - self appointed 'leaders' extol.
When you return autonomy to teachers, the experts who are fully trained to teach, you will make the career more attractive--for life.The question has *never* been, "how can we fire more teachers,"(testing movement) or "How can we attract more upper class teachers" (TFA)? It's *always* been,"How can we keep career teachers."
Ask us. Let us speak. Don't shut us down.
In the absence of our voices, we are left with various non-experts promoting their own interests in the guise of speaking for us.
For instance, Mr Bruni quotes Evan Stone, who calls for “career ladders for teachers to move into specialist roles, master-teacher roles...They're worried that they're going to be doing the same thing...30 years in."
No. We're not. We are teachers because we love being career teachers. It is an end goal. Doctors are not 'worried' they'll still be doctors 30 years in. Pilots are not 'worried' they'll still be pilots.
The assertion that we all secretly crave to be administrators reveals a contempt for the career teacher, & a bias in favor of 'leadership' roles, which - unsurprisingly - self appointed 'leaders' extol.
When you return autonomy to teachers, the experts who are fully trained to teach, you will make the career more attractive--for life.The question has *never* been, "how can we fire more teachers,"(testing movement) or "How can we attract more upper class teachers" (TFA)? It's *always* been,"How can we keep career teachers."
Ask us. Let us speak. Don't shut us down.
8
As a retired engineer I have thought about part time teaching; math and physics in high school. A friend who is a retired "rocket scientist" (they are all engineers, really) did it for a while.
The problem is discipline. I want to teach kids who show up in class, behave, and want to learn. I have no intention of letting troublemakers disrupt the class and handicap the kids who want to learn math and physics.
The advice I was given was to forget about it. There is no way any principal and administration was going to let me kick troublemakers out of my class.
The problem is discipline. I want to teach kids who show up in class, behave, and want to learn. I have no intention of letting troublemakers disrupt the class and handicap the kids who want to learn math and physics.
The advice I was given was to forget about it. There is no way any principal and administration was going to let me kick troublemakers out of my class.
5
go for it. students who take a class in physics will not be disciplinary problems.
the issue is that there are not enough students in public schools capable of learning physics. then there is the issue of the education establishment and the union's insistence that you take courses in education, which are completely unnecessary to teach classes in subject like physics etc.
the issue is that there are not enough students in public schools capable of learning physics. then there is the issue of the education establishment and the union's insistence that you take courses in education, which are completely unnecessary to teach classes in subject like physics etc.
To get and keep teachers in inner-city public schools: 1. Stop blaming them for society's ills, which are reflected in the school systems. 2. Find a way to impose discipline in the schools so that there is a proper teaching environment, which doesn't exist today. This may involve novel measures; but schools need some disciplinary measures that actually work. 3. Spend more money on schools, books, A/V and computer equipment in every classroom. Restock modern libraries where kids can have books and materials to let their imagination play and develop a love of learning. 4. Spend more money on teacher training and curriculum development by districts (Common Core failed because detailed curricula were not developed by districts, and teachers weren't trained or given detailed lesson plans and materials, primarily because states didn't want to spend money. Teachers can't both teach and figure out brand new Common Core curricula and daily lesson plans.). 5. Spend more money to provide tutors and remedial classes for those below grade level. 6. Spend more money to staff up on social workers to help kids with emotional and developmental needs.
Teachers aren't motivated by salary. Many in public systems are driven out and go to private schools at lower pay. But more pay (especially pay that is competitive with the private sector) would surely help attract more people as teachers.
And did I say "spend more money" and spend it wisely, smartly, not wastefully.
Teachers aren't motivated by salary. Many in public systems are driven out and go to private schools at lower pay. But more pay (especially pay that is competitive with the private sector) would surely help attract more people as teachers.
And did I say "spend more money" and spend it wisely, smartly, not wastefully.
The entire University teaching profession is left out of this discussion. After 41 years I was so glad to leave university teaching. Budget cuts every year, 2-5%, and the constant disrespect by stupid legislators, many of whom never went to a college or university. The over load of administrators, who get huge salaries compared with the WORKING professors and the constant controlling mentality of the legislature and the university administrations makes for a toxic environment for professors. Committees, fund raising, lack of support, all drove me away. I was replaced with a graduate student not yet finished with his degree and had never taught. He has been a disaster. But no matter, he fills a position.
I have two daughters and have told both to not even consider teaching. One takes all honors classes beginning high school at 12 years old and the other is a state champion gymnast at 8 years old. The best and the brightest here will NOT be teachers. The tsunami of education's demise is just beginning. A very sad shortsighted way to treat the next generation. Business leaders should be appalled.
I have two daughters and have told both to not even consider teaching. One takes all honors classes beginning high school at 12 years old and the other is a state champion gymnast at 8 years old. The best and the brightest here will NOT be teachers. The tsunami of education's demise is just beginning. A very sad shortsighted way to treat the next generation. Business leaders should be appalled.
2
Just one suggestion for greater teacher autonomy, accountability and voice - something I experienced in the German state of Lower Saxony. They have state standards, but it is the teacher in the classroom who develops the test which is like the SBAC here in the US. The teacher then grades these tests, which are then regraded by another teacher to insure the standards are being met and followed. So there are standards, a teacher is held accountable, but (s)he is given the respect and autonomy of being a professional who knows how to guide and assess his/her students.
Actually, it is pretty simple. Teachers do not make much money and are consequently not highly respected in society. There is no serious move to "pay teachers more" as they are not highly respected. See? Sad...but simple!
1
Once again, Bruni publishes gibberish on education.
Care to flesh that our or are you just a bomb thrower? You have solutions or complaints? Complaints are USELESS.
1
I would not suggest anyone go into teaching, having left the profession after forty years. Governments express support for you, but want to label you and punish you, and suggest that education is a business. Teachers can't fire students we don't want to teach, but must meet them where they are and bring them to a productive career.
2
I'm midway through what I thought would be a 20-year stint as an English teacher (second career), but I'm looking to get out soon. I enjoy the kids at the middle school where I teach, and I know how to manage and push them, maybe even inspire a few. But NCLB/Common Core, a hostile governor (sorry our union didn't endorse you, Cuomo), lousy administrators who go from teaching kindergartners to micromanaging teachers, and finally, columnists like Bruni who like to bash teachers when they aren't trying to persuade them to teach, have taken the wind out of my sails. Who would want to be a teacher when teachers are scapegoated for everything that's wrong with society, starting with poverty, inattentive parenting, etc. And the tests by which teachers' "value-add" is measured are absurd, subjective garbage, designed to further humiliate teachers (using students to do so, which is despicable.)
Unless you're a masochist, I advise you to avoid a career in teaching!
Unless you're a masochist, I advise you to avoid a career in teaching!
6
If our society invested even a small percentage of the resources in teacher training that is devoted to preparing doctors and lawyers for their professions, we would witness a remarkable improvement in the quality of instruction and in the retention of classroom veterans. I taught school for over thirty years, and I pretty much had to train myself, at the cost of my students during the first few years of my career. My determination enabled me to become highly proficient, but I should have entered my first classroom that way.
I took the minimum number of education courses the state required, because I knew it was far more important to master my teaching field (history). A properly structured school of education, however, would not require that kind of choice. Courses in theory, for example, should rigorously train teachers in the different ways students learn. The rest of the curriculum should provide them with hands-on instruction in discipline, creative teaching strategies, and methods of interacting with parents. These courses should be followed by a full year of student teaching. This would enable the novice to work in different environments with several veteran instructors, who themselves would undergo a rigorous selection process, to ensure that they possessed the requisite skills. Finally, all secondary teachers should major in their teaching field, not education.
I took the minimum number of education courses the state required, because I knew it was far more important to master my teaching field (history). A properly structured school of education, however, would not require that kind of choice. Courses in theory, for example, should rigorously train teachers in the different ways students learn. The rest of the curriculum should provide them with hands-on instruction in discipline, creative teaching strategies, and methods of interacting with parents. These courses should be followed by a full year of student teaching. This would enable the novice to work in different environments with several veteran instructors, who themselves would undergo a rigorous selection process, to ensure that they possessed the requisite skills. Finally, all secondary teachers should major in their teaching field, not education.
3
In addition to salary, it's difficult to entice young teachers when those first years in the classroom require mature emotional strength and the abandon of personal time. The number of hours required for grading, phone calls, emails, lesson planning/lab prep, meetings, and extracurriculars is mostly factored into salary. (True, some extracurriculars are stipend pay, but it doesn't account to much.) Those hours take an emotional and physical toll.
Teaching is a great sacrifice; We deal not just with other adults, but precious minds. It's not just about content, but learning to know our kids and help them through those fast 9-10 months that we know them. We grow to love them, care for them, cry for them, laugh with them. Teaching is a whole-body experience. That's something that a lot of new teachers don't understand, and which they are not properly prepared.
When one looks at friends who are making huge amounts of money in comparison, have far more personal time, and a seemingly better quality of life, the benefits of teaching often cannot outweigh the frustrations. Does it get any easier as time goes on? Not really. The pay increases, but every year we get new kids, new parents, new teachers, new admin, and the process starts over again.
Have I ever thought of giving up? Sure. Would I? I hope not. :-)
Teaching is a great sacrifice; We deal not just with other adults, but precious minds. It's not just about content, but learning to know our kids and help them through those fast 9-10 months that we know them. We grow to love them, care for them, cry for them, laugh with them. Teaching is a whole-body experience. That's something that a lot of new teachers don't understand, and which they are not properly prepared.
When one looks at friends who are making huge amounts of money in comparison, have far more personal time, and a seemingly better quality of life, the benefits of teaching often cannot outweigh the frustrations. Does it get any easier as time goes on? Not really. The pay increases, but every year we get new kids, new parents, new teachers, new admin, and the process starts over again.
Have I ever thought of giving up? Sure. Would I? I hope not. :-)
5
Education degrees are among the easiest curriculum in universities. When teaching becomes the high-paying, revered occupation the author suggest, most people currently in those positions will be forced out by more qualified individuals.
1
this article could a mouthpiece for the teachers union, the UFT. there has been a shortage for decades of science and math teachers because the american educational system produces a dearth of students who major in the sciences and mathematics. the reason teachers drop out is because they burn out. schools lack the ability to discipline students because of political correctness. those with thick skins and don't give a damn attitude survive.
additionally students in the US are graduated from college barely being able to balance a checkbook. they are clueless to the benefits of being a teacher. they have no concept of thinking about the future or the current state of the job market. for a few thousand dollars extra they will take a job which offers no future security.
nyc has no problem attracting teachers except maybe in the sciences. for the record, in nyc teachers with decades of experience make 100k + benefits .
additionally students in the US are graduated from college barely being able to balance a checkbook. they are clueless to the benefits of being a teacher. they have no concept of thinking about the future or the current state of the job market. for a few thousand dollars extra they will take a job which offers no future security.
nyc has no problem attracting teachers except maybe in the sciences. for the record, in nyc teachers with decades of experience make 100k + benefits .
1
Been there.
Done that.
Ready and able to retire.
Soon.
I taught because I loved working with young people and helping them achieve their goals.
I loved having them deconstruct and then reconstruct their existing knowledge and understanding. It's the only way one ever learns. If many reconstructed their knowledge and understanding without learning anything new, at least I tried.
But no one is more undervalued by the American public than are teachers...with the exception of war veterans and 9-11 first responders.
Done that.
Ready and able to retire.
Soon.
I taught because I loved working with young people and helping them achieve their goals.
I loved having them deconstruct and then reconstruct their existing knowledge and understanding. It's the only way one ever learns. If many reconstructed their knowledge and understanding without learning anything new, at least I tried.
But no one is more undervalued by the American public than are teachers...with the exception of war veterans and 9-11 first responders.
6
must disagree: our vets now days are exalted in our militarized culture-- everyone is called a hero. 9-11 first responders got a lot of glory for one horrific event and were able to encourage firefighters all over the USA to win contracts that are now breaking the backs of local government and states.
1
Mr. Bruni pretty much captures the elements of policy related to improving teaching conditions enough for smart young people even to dream of teaching as a long-term career. The thing is, none of these elements applied singly will do an ounce of good.
The much-lauded Finnish teaching profession earns its praise because it thrives in a culture that prizes learning. Finland selects its cohort carefully, accords it autonomous discretion as a community of scholar-practitioners, refrains from demonizing it as scapegoat for ills rooted in bad policy, and pays it according the esteem in which it should be held. Here, none of these conditions apply. Without a massive overhaul of our own cultural values, none ever will.
So we might ask ourselves: Why would any ambitious, smart university graduate be drawn to teaching? As we're asking, we might also marvel at how superbly most American teachers actually perform day in and day out under conditions that are too often grim and demeaning. Blaming teachers unions is nothing but a smokescreen.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
The much-lauded Finnish teaching profession earns its praise because it thrives in a culture that prizes learning. Finland selects its cohort carefully, accords it autonomous discretion as a community of scholar-practitioners, refrains from demonizing it as scapegoat for ills rooted in bad policy, and pays it according the esteem in which it should be held. Here, none of these conditions apply. Without a massive overhaul of our own cultural values, none ever will.
So we might ask ourselves: Why would any ambitious, smart university graduate be drawn to teaching? As we're asking, we might also marvel at how superbly most American teachers actually perform day in and day out under conditions that are too often grim and demeaning. Blaming teachers unions is nothing but a smokescreen.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
4
This will be my 25th of teaching. When I started teaching, I wanted my daughter to go into the profession. As the years rolled by, I wouldn't recommend the job to anyone. Don't get me wrong: I LOVE teaching students. I don't like the constant changes of administration every few years that totally disrupts the flow. We are told to do one thing, then the administrators leave and we're told to do another. There isn't enough consistency, and it's not the teachers that are causing it. I am also tired of the importance of "the test" whichever one is in fashion. Give teachers time to just teach the curriculum! We really can do it, and we really do care. I am also tired of people assuming that teachers don't work hard. I know what is around the corner for me in a few weeks: getting up at 5, getting to school early, working at school for at least 9 - 10 hours a day even though the student day is 7 hours, and then coming home to work an additional hour or two planning lessons and grading papers. (That's not counting the hours I spend working on the weekends.) I don't regret being a teacher. I only regret is that the profession has been devalued since I began my career.
15
As the joke goes on many college campuses, "don't drive by the education department too slowly, or they might try to throw a diploma through your window . . ."
3
That is a joke only to people who have never taught. Its on the par of ethnic or sexist jokes. Only laughed at today by someone without a clue.
You see, this does not matter at all. We have reached a point where all the important people (white, rich, mostly "christian") can afford to fill the private day and private boarding schools, so public schools are of little use to the people who run things here. Since these elite schools will turn out the next group of "leaders" for our country (who else can afford to run for office except rich people?), we no longer need to support our public school systems. They simply waste taxpayer cash that could be used to, well, whatever we WANT it to be used for. The criminals, uneducated "students," and so forth who are products of our terrible public schools will help populate our for-profit prisons and give us fodder during elections to scream about "pulling yourself up..." and all that garbage that successful white people say all the time. Paying so-called "teachers" a living wage is not something that is important. A 20 million-dollar/year HS football coach is IMPORTANT. Question: valid research as shown for the last 50 years or so that high schools should start later since biology (I know, that science crap) studies show that humans that age need more sleep due to physical changes in their bodies. No one cares. In the US, you have to be "tough" and defy nature to get ahead.
"Why, I walked 20 miles, uphill both ways, to school in the freezing sleet every day of my life and I'm worth trillions (thanks, Dad)."
Public schools are for losers and poor people, period.
"Why, I walked 20 miles, uphill both ways, to school in the freezing sleet every day of my life and I'm worth trillions (thanks, Dad)."
Public schools are for losers and poor people, period.
2
No one has yet mentioned the component of special education mainstreaming (good) and inadequate teacher training and support to do so (bad). As a parent of a child with special needs, I have seen teachers who are severely challenged to meet the diverse learning styles of their students, especially in a state like Connecticut where it is all "inclusion" all the time, no matter how appropriate for children's educational, social and emotional needs.
Savvy parental advocates understand their child's civil right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education, as mandated by IDEA, and will rightfully insist on teacher training, classwork modifications, and environmental modifications. Often the parents are the first to publicly acknowledge the burden on teachers to meet these needs without resources. As one seasoned teacher friend told me, "If you were a parent of mine, I would quit teaching."
This shows how impossible a job many teachers have when they are systemically denied the resources to give each child a free and appropriate public education!
Savvy parental advocates understand their child's civil right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education, as mandated by IDEA, and will rightfully insist on teacher training, classwork modifications, and environmental modifications. Often the parents are the first to publicly acknowledge the burden on teachers to meet these needs without resources. As one seasoned teacher friend told me, "If you were a parent of mine, I would quit teaching."
This shows how impossible a job many teachers have when they are systemically denied the resources to give each child a free and appropriate public education!
5
And this tells you how insane education is in this country if mainstreaming a special needs child with a teacher that is not trained in special ed is somehow supposed to be able to provide that child an appropriate education. Its like giving a pathologist a pediatric case of a live sick child and then accusing her of malpractice without letting her pass on treating that patient.
We are a money worshipping culture and everything is measured in dollars & cents; little mystery we don't value children as they don't produce but consume resources with no guarantee of returns. This is the result of the cult of Mammon, a veritable malpractice of a sort in educating children. The love of money is truly the root of all evil... So much harm is now caused by it in so many areas of American society.
We are a money worshipping culture and everything is measured in dollars & cents; little mystery we don't value children as they don't produce but consume resources with no guarantee of returns. This is the result of the cult of Mammon, a veritable malpractice of a sort in educating children. The love of money is truly the root of all evil... So much harm is now caused by it in so many areas of American society.
Why should anyone be surprised there is a looming teacher shortage? America has never truly valued k-12 education. Educators at the k-12 level have always been viewed as part time, mostly women supplementing the wages of their husbands (the real wage earners). Also, teaching at the k-12 level has never had the respect it deserves. People think it is easy, glorified baby sitting, anyone could do it. Remember the "school marm", the unmarried farmer's daughter that could actually read taught the rural children until she got married? Cities have never paid teachers what they are truly worth due to the above mention reasons and budget concerns.
Americans have always honored the doer and denigrated the thinker. Education was something tolerated when the crops and cattle did not need tending to. The cities adopted this summers off practice too, it saved money and kept teaching as a part time job in the minds of everyone.
Teachers were forced to organize for economic justice and now their unions are being blamed for all the problems in k-12 education.
And we wonder why there is a teacher shortage.
Americans have always honored the doer and denigrated the thinker. Education was something tolerated when the crops and cattle did not need tending to. The cities adopted this summers off practice too, it saved money and kept teaching as a part time job in the minds of everyone.
Teachers were forced to organize for economic justice and now their unions are being blamed for all the problems in k-12 education.
And we wonder why there is a teacher shortage.
8
The short version of "What's The Matter With Teaching?" It is a book of few words: Kansas, where the governor and legislature cut the budget so much that schools had to close and others had to cut the school year short; Texas, where the state board of education manipulates the text books to its own version of history (e.g., states rights vs. slavery as the basis of the Civil War) and science (creation vs. evolution); Louisians, where public education monies are siphoned off to support private charter schools; Tuition, which gives a student with inherent skills for being a great teacher no opportunity to choose teaching as a profession. The End.......of us as a mighty nation.
9
Teachers take all the blame and get none of the fiscal rewards for a hard job. Small wonder that competent individuals want to do something else. As long as the public falls for the ideological line of privatization and of attacking teachers and their unions for what are more complex problems, that will continue.
What we really ought to be doing is raising the standards on teaching and raising the commensurate financial rewards and professional autonomy. Teaching was never a get rich quick profession, but it had status in the community and a decent and well deserved pension at the end of the career.
What we really ought to be doing is raising the standards on teaching and raising the commensurate financial rewards and professional autonomy. Teaching was never a get rich quick profession, but it had status in the community and a decent and well deserved pension at the end of the career.
6
Much of the public has responded favorably to governors who do what they can to limit the salaries and benefits of teachers. Governors Christie and Walker in particular are known for putting the squeeze on teachers' livelihoods, and neither of those two gentlemen minds hurling a few insults toward teachers in the process--to the applause of their supporters. And these governors are just the tips of icebergs of teacher-bashing state legislatures. With this kind of animosity toward the profession, I doubt there is any chance in our country for increases in teacher salaries or benefits. On the contrary, the movement seems to be toward snatching pensions, cutting health care benefits, eliminating bargaining power, and breaking unions--in a word, weakening the potential for teachers to improve their livelihoods. The Republican Party, representing half the country, is getting a good response to their propagation of the myth that teachers are ripping off the public. The public is solidly in their corner against teachers, mainly for tax reasons, I suppose. Now, why would a college student choose education as a first choice for his major under these circumstances? And, with fewer students choosing teaching, how could we raise standards for teachers and expect to have enough? And how can teachers stay in the profession? ...when the battle for respect and a middle-class wage is a losing battle against a tide of political and public ill-will.
9
Don't gloss over Andrew Cuomo's relentless attacks on public schools and their teachers and unlimited ardor for charter schools. While the Republicans are more generally hostile to teachers, there are plenty of enemies of the profession on the Democratic side, too.
1
It is less about pay and more about micromanagement of teaching. Many states now employ the bizarre and UNreliable value-added model for teaching or VAM. Students' test scores determine a teacher's pay. Never mind that one teacher may be performing admirably and another adequately, it comes down to how they perform on a single exam. Also never mind all the previous years in that subject. This invention comes courtesy of the state and local BOEs whose expertise in education is suspect to begin with. Lay on a variety of policies, unfunded mandates, and the ever-increasing culture of fear that many admins employ. The Common Core, C3 standards, AP, and endless staff development means summer is reloading for the fall-not time off. And the overall quality of educational leadership has plummeted as good admins retire and far less competent admins whose desire to foster tension and rivalry replace cooperation and community in schools. It is small wonder that teachers, especially the best teachers, fight a tide of negativity and fear at the local level and many are giving up or choosing other professions. Several states are already struggling with teacher shortages and it is easy to see why. DOE is led by an attorney in Arne Duncan and he has managed to kill great programs like "Teaching American History" and replace it with his support of the Common Core and the ill-fated "Race to the Top" which removes money from struggling schools for the supposed panacea of charter schools.
4
It was sobering for my husband and I to discover our newly employed cell phone salesman made a higher salary than he did, and he has been working as a teacher over 20 years. There is no need to artificially make education a more competitive major. If teachers are paid more fairly it will become more competitive. It is especially important to compensate teachers who actually stay in the field and have experience. In Arizona, instead of raises, teachers were given "Career Ladder," additional busywork each year to add income to their salary. With budget cuts Career Ladder is being cut so a teacher with decades of experience could make the same salary as a starting teacher. It is not surprising there is such high turnover in this field.
9
Why has no one mentioned the pensions that teachers get? This is part of their compensation. Maybe those benefits are being reworked, but what I have seen is that for about the same wage withholding as social security payers have, teacher pensions exceed social security by at least $30,000 a year. I'll bet the cell phone salesman has $0 pension. If he wants to have any kind of a retirement he has to save money every year substantially in addition to his social security withholding.
1
So many good comments by my fellow retired teachers. There is little chance I would tell any of my former students to enter the profession, although some have.There are so many problems it's hard to know where to start.
The belief that teaching is about producing a product seems to be at the core of many of the issues. No business would tolerate strangers working on the product during the off hours. All businesses have some sort of quality requirements for their inputs. Yet teachers are expected to produce a product that passes QA under just those conditions.
The pontification by politicians, experts, and commentators is just disheartening. They know literally nothing about the job. I have always wanted to have them dropped into a middle to low income middle school and teach for a month or so. They are all college graduates, right? Should be a snap. The kids would eat most of 'em alive. Subject knowledge is nice and important but the real trick is creating a workable learning environment.
Why would anyone go into a career where "Those who can, do..." is the most recognizable perception of the profession? Who would want to dedicate themselves to a profession which is viewed as a safety net for recently downsized engineers, geologists, or anyone else recently right sized out of the corporate world.
No Frank, I think I'd take my degrees and go be a field biologist and count ducks.
The belief that teaching is about producing a product seems to be at the core of many of the issues. No business would tolerate strangers working on the product during the off hours. All businesses have some sort of quality requirements for their inputs. Yet teachers are expected to produce a product that passes QA under just those conditions.
The pontification by politicians, experts, and commentators is just disheartening. They know literally nothing about the job. I have always wanted to have them dropped into a middle to low income middle school and teach for a month or so. They are all college graduates, right? Should be a snap. The kids would eat most of 'em alive. Subject knowledge is nice and important but the real trick is creating a workable learning environment.
Why would anyone go into a career where "Those who can, do..." is the most recognizable perception of the profession? Who would want to dedicate themselves to a profession which is viewed as a safety net for recently downsized engineers, geologists, or anyone else recently right sized out of the corporate world.
No Frank, I think I'd take my degrees and go be a field biologist and count ducks.
7
Blame high-stakes testing, or at least mention it. And the now need to teach to the test. And the death of being able to actually tach as opposed to parrot what is needed for the kids to pass the inane tests. C'mon. At least mention it.
4
When I read Motoko Rich's article on teacher shortages, I cheered silently and thought "this is what school administrators and parents deserve." (North Carolina in particular is known for its rock-bottom teacher salaries.) Every good teacher I know works at least 60-70 hours a week. Many of us have liberal arts degrees from the best colleges and universities We have turned ourselves inside out in the hope that we might ignite a spark of true interest and wonder in learning. At the same time, we have to contend with very low pay and very little control over our own classrooms. We are evaluated for so many things that are outside of our control. Schools don't want negative ratings for numerous detentions, suspensions, and expulsions, so they rate teachers negatively when they send students out for egregious behavior. I have seen this in urban public schools, charter schools, and suburban schools. The result? Students try to get away with whatever they can because they know that teachers have no real support system for discipline. Administrators actually tell teachers that "if your lesson were more ENGAGING, students wouldn't text, sext, watch porn, etc."
Why is there a teacher shortage in America? Because America does not care about true education. Most teachers are angry all day long. They are paid like janitors, ignored at every turn, abused by administrators, parents, and students alike. It's hard to be angry 24 hours a day.
Why is there a teacher shortage in America? Because America does not care about true education. Most teachers are angry all day long. They are paid like janitors, ignored at every turn, abused by administrators, parents, and students alike. It's hard to be angry 24 hours a day.
14
Look across the Hudson to see how Governor (and aspiring POTUS candidate) Chris Christie has excoriated the public school teachers in his state. And N.J. public schools rank among the top in the country! Reading the comments in various forums his message has been heeded by a not so silent audience.
Teachers from each era have had their challenges. Nowadays state testing and hard to deal with board of eds. have made teaching unattractive to many.
I taught for almost 40 years and have no regrets. I could not have chosen a more rewarding career. I was fortunate to be in the right place and the right time. The professionals around me were wonderful. Morale was high as well. Unfortunately my peers who remained after I retired have not had a happy decade.
Teachers from each era have had their challenges. Nowadays state testing and hard to deal with board of eds. have made teaching unattractive to many.
I taught for almost 40 years and have no regrets. I could not have chosen a more rewarding career. I was fortunate to be in the right place and the right time. The professionals around me were wonderful. Morale was high as well. Unfortunately my peers who remained after I retired have not had a happy decade.
6
Blustering Christie's brother from another mother, Andy Cuomo, has been every bit as hostile to public school teachers on this side of the Hudson. And Arne Duncan is no friend to teachers, either.
1
After years of teaching adjunct courses at universities all over the city, I looked into getting certified to teach in public schools. I was experienced in teaching writing, literature, and foreign language courses. I had an M.A. in literature and was a PhD candidate at the time. Given my experience, education and references, it should have been a quick process to be certified and get into a classroom. Instead, the requirements were ludicrous. I would have had to take courses in pedagogy, child psychology, and -- remarkably -- literature.
I'm not being a snob. I know that teaching middle school and high school students requires different approaches than teaching college students. But a day-long seminar and watching some experienced public school teachers would have been enough for me. I'm a quick study. I didn't want to sit through required college course on pedagogy next to 19-year olds who I had so recently taught, and to pay for it, too! I watched my children suffer through tedious high school English classes with terrible teachers who had, of course, taken those very child psychology and pedagogy courses.
In addition, I was told that I would have a better chance of getting a job if I could coach a sport as well. It would save the school district money. All those European countries with excellent public school teachers: do they want their teachers to double as hockey coaches?
I would have loved teaching middle school and high school English.
I'm not being a snob. I know that teaching middle school and high school students requires different approaches than teaching college students. But a day-long seminar and watching some experienced public school teachers would have been enough for me. I'm a quick study. I didn't want to sit through required college course on pedagogy next to 19-year olds who I had so recently taught, and to pay for it, too! I watched my children suffer through tedious high school English classes with terrible teachers who had, of course, taken those very child psychology and pedagogy courses.
In addition, I was told that I would have a better chance of getting a job if I could coach a sport as well. It would save the school district money. All those European countries with excellent public school teachers: do they want their teachers to double as hockey coaches?
I would have loved teaching middle school and high school English.
5
The measure of a particular good teacher may well not be found in the qualifications required for hiring in a particular state, county or city. One thing you should consider however is that public education requires a broad set of qualifications. Millions of teachers are required to staff the huge number of classrooms each year. Public education is a minefield of highly political agendas. Personnel directors and principals are given little flexibility in decision making. Politicians, often incompetent, make most of the decisions. I labored in the trenches for forty years as a teacher. Just retired, I would never consider entering the profession now. The powers that be only pay lip service to the real needs of children. It's all about union busting and cutting funding. Nothing else really matters to them.
I chose to become a teacher at the age of 19. Young and idealistic. The president of the school of education at the university told my class that teaching was like a religious calling. I certainly didn't choose to do it for the money.
I'm getting ready for my 29th school year. I stuck with it for all of these years because I believe in public service. My profession is just as important as the police or the fire department. Many friends went into more lucractive careers and live in tonier suburbs and bigger houses. i've consoled myself that I will have a good pension that I have contributed to for my entire career waiting for me to enjoy a nice retirement. Now that is constantly in jeopardy as public pension funds become another beachhead in the war on the "takers".
If we can't come to our senses about the role that governent is going to play in all of our lives things are going to continue to deteriorate. People don't want to pay taxes, municipalities can't pay their bills and public education suffers. Things won't improve until we break the spell of the "government bad, taxes bad" mantra. Publlc institutions need public funding. Public education gets lumped in with everything that people have been conditioned to hate about Amercian life over the past three decades.
I'll be given a slew of new strategies and materials to use in my classroom this year as my school district tries to justify its worth our town. Excellence isn't good enough. Now I'm bummed out... Thanks Frank.
I'm getting ready for my 29th school year. I stuck with it for all of these years because I believe in public service. My profession is just as important as the police or the fire department. Many friends went into more lucractive careers and live in tonier suburbs and bigger houses. i've consoled myself that I will have a good pension that I have contributed to for my entire career waiting for me to enjoy a nice retirement. Now that is constantly in jeopardy as public pension funds become another beachhead in the war on the "takers".
If we can't come to our senses about the role that governent is going to play in all of our lives things are going to continue to deteriorate. People don't want to pay taxes, municipalities can't pay their bills and public education suffers. Things won't improve until we break the spell of the "government bad, taxes bad" mantra. Publlc institutions need public funding. Public education gets lumped in with everything that people have been conditioned to hate about Amercian life over the past three decades.
I'll be given a slew of new strategies and materials to use in my classroom this year as my school district tries to justify its worth our town. Excellence isn't good enough. Now I'm bummed out... Thanks Frank.
217
1)Education is not "the major of last resort." Quite a few undergraduate majors feature lower SAT averages than education -- notably public administration (!) See http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-the-average-sat-score-for-every-col... Additionally, many enter education from other areas -- I majored in history and social sciences before I earned my teaching license.
2) How long after the bars have been lowered to allow under-prepared new teachers into the classroom will it be before we will be treated to horror stories in the news about how these newbies handle disciplinary issues ineptly, or worse, are assaulted by or assault their students?
2) How long after the bars have been lowered to allow under-prepared new teachers into the classroom will it be before we will be treated to horror stories in the news about how these newbies handle disciplinary issues ineptly, or worse, are assaulted by or assault their students?
3
I am a retired high school principal. Among the most important reforms needed immediately: Relaxing/eliminating state-exclusive certification, refining (not eliminating) tenure laws and procedures for termination, and increasing educators' voices over the loud and often senseless wails of boards, parents, and the general community. There's no reason why a certified teacher shouldn't be available to a district a few miles away but in another state. Tenure should perpetuate due process while also making it easier to rid schools of "dead wood." And it needs to become commonplace again for the public at large to leave educating to the educators. This last issue, in my opinion, has deflated teachers'/administrators' motivation and is a more contentious matter than salary.
9
I am long done on this matter. No matter what people say teachers and education is not valued by most people. People, rich and poor, say it is up to the schools to teach and the parents are not involved. I have lived in place where people vote down school budgets and then pass special bond issues for new HS football stadiums! My wife and daughter both teach. Both have taught is high end private schools and in intercity-it is all the same. People complain but fail to want to invest time or money.
6
Teachers, along with nurses,are, in my opinion, the noblest professions one could have, a 'calling' for many, to be of service to others. Without health, everything else vanishes to a piddling stop. Without education (instruction plus family and societal values), ignorance and its prejudices do flourish, and faith-based violence takes root. If teaching, other than being 'highly' praised, and recognized for its transformational value, is not compensated well and not allowed some breathing space for innovation, for creativity, then we are not been serious nor honest.
2
Why would anyone want to become a teacher in today's atmosphere. One presidential candidate compared us to Muslim terrorists. The governor of my state will give a chunk of money to Chicago Public Schools but only if the Board agrees to take away the collective bargaining rights of teachers. I am licensed to teach anywhere in the state of Illinois and to earn that license I went back to school, got a masters degree, completed 16 weeks of student teaching ( I had to borrow $8,500 to live on during that time), and passed three 5-hour exams. The majority of those signing on to become teachers in Illinois today cannot pass the Test of Basic Skills.
As a group, teachers have become the punching bag for certain political candidates. Keep it up and school districts will have to recruit overseas to find enough teachers to fill the vacancies around the United States.
As a group, teachers have become the punching bag for certain political candidates. Keep it up and school districts will have to recruit overseas to find enough teachers to fill the vacancies around the United States.
8
When I entered teaching In 1975 there were few jobs but great excitement about transforming education and creating a better world. I spent two years training in England before returning to the US, eager to teach. I taught for 40 consecutive years, 29 at the same school where I return for a six-week maternity leave in September, on these terms: “With you being a retiree your pay would be $169.32 [per diem] retroactive after 5 days to the day that you start.” How is that for 40 years’ experience (with accolades), a Masters degree, and genuine excitement about teaching Greek drama and Shakespeare in those six weeks? Two of my children became teachers, but each left after three years. My daughter loved her students and colleagues, but hated a system that did not allow her to give a book to a child above or below a specified reading level despite the child’s interest in the topic and her knowledge of the child. Her two Ivy League degrees did not confer respect for professional judgment she was never allowed to exercise. After one week on the new job, my daughter said, “Mom, for the first time I feel as if my opinion and judgment are respected.” My son taught AP Biology and when he left teaching he said, “I want a job that allows me to have a life, and not spend every waking moment preparing for lessons and grading labs.” I am sad my children will not know the joys that fed my teaching, and sadder still for the loss to a profession that remains undervalued and under fire.
5
The educational system in America? The problem of attracting quality teachers? Complaints from teachers that the pay is not good, that they have no independence and no respect?
The most fascinating thing about the educational system in America is that it is a workplace (teachers, administration of course) in which every child grows up and therefore every child can see whether such would be an interesting career choice. A child does not grow up in a law firm, does not grow up in a doctor's office--a child grows up within the business of education.
So what do the brightest students--what have the brightest people thought for years--about education as a career? The answer is obvious: It is a dismal career because any child can observe from having grown up in it that the workplace of education is a theoretical absurdity: All those students of different ability just taken as all the same and massed into a classroom and the poor teacher with little pay supposed to elevate them all to particular subject...
No wonder the teacher receives little respect, personal or otherwise, and feels no independence. Teacher ability, interest, etc. must be matched more cleanly to individual student capacity so there is first possibility of leading and following--teaching has to obviously work first. The feeling of "no respect, no independence" is a sign of breakdown of function which no increase of pay can fix. Get workplace functioning correctly and people would even volunteer hours for free.
The most fascinating thing about the educational system in America is that it is a workplace (teachers, administration of course) in which every child grows up and therefore every child can see whether such would be an interesting career choice. A child does not grow up in a law firm, does not grow up in a doctor's office--a child grows up within the business of education.
So what do the brightest students--what have the brightest people thought for years--about education as a career? The answer is obvious: It is a dismal career because any child can observe from having grown up in it that the workplace of education is a theoretical absurdity: All those students of different ability just taken as all the same and massed into a classroom and the poor teacher with little pay supposed to elevate them all to particular subject...
No wonder the teacher receives little respect, personal or otherwise, and feels no independence. Teacher ability, interest, etc. must be matched more cleanly to individual student capacity so there is first possibility of leading and following--teaching has to obviously work first. The feeling of "no respect, no independence" is a sign of breakdown of function which no increase of pay can fix. Get workplace functioning correctly and people would even volunteer hours for free.
5
"...Finland’s teachers are revered in part because they’re the survivors of selective screening and rigorous training." I had not thought about this before, but this is a really good point
Sad to say, but the best and the brightest--or even the fairly smart and curious--in our country are not likely to major in education, nor will those who love to learn interesting "stuff." Weren't some of our best teachers in school those who conveyed a genuine curiosity and thrill of learning?
Other than some human development and psychology of learning courses, there is not much there there substantively in the teacher preparation college curriculum. And perhaps because of this, education as major can become a last resort for some struggling college students. Classroom time in education courses can be pretty much a waste and disappointment.
So what to do?
Now there is a need for teachers in many states, states provide tuition-free college for majoring in education in return for 4 years of teaching in the state after graduation, or pay back the scholarship with interest. The competition for tuition benefits would be rigorous, based on competence and excellence (exams, interviews, resumes).
Allow graduates with majors in other areas a path into teaching by taking several key courses (human development, ed, psy./learning, & a substantive area) + a supervised internship. Unions can't block it. Publicize the opportunity.
Graduates would have good salaries & some autonomy when teaching
Sad to say, but the best and the brightest--or even the fairly smart and curious--in our country are not likely to major in education, nor will those who love to learn interesting "stuff." Weren't some of our best teachers in school those who conveyed a genuine curiosity and thrill of learning?
Other than some human development and psychology of learning courses, there is not much there there substantively in the teacher preparation college curriculum. And perhaps because of this, education as major can become a last resort for some struggling college students. Classroom time in education courses can be pretty much a waste and disappointment.
So what to do?
Now there is a need for teachers in many states, states provide tuition-free college for majoring in education in return for 4 years of teaching in the state after graduation, or pay back the scholarship with interest. The competition for tuition benefits would be rigorous, based on competence and excellence (exams, interviews, resumes).
Allow graduates with majors in other areas a path into teaching by taking several key courses (human development, ed, psy./learning, & a substantive area) + a supervised internship. Unions can't block it. Publicize the opportunity.
Graduates would have good salaries & some autonomy when teaching
1
Parent's (and columnists) need to remember it's the PARENTS responsibility to raise and teach their children; the school system is just there to help them in this task.
Parents need to not over schedule after school activities, make sure home work is done, not undermine teacher's authority, not show up with a lawyer every time junior does something wrong, feed their children, make sure they go to bed on time, monitor their friends so they stay away from drugs and violence, and the list goes on.
Parents need to not over schedule after school activities, make sure home work is done, not undermine teacher's authority, not show up with a lawyer every time junior does something wrong, feed their children, make sure they go to bed on time, monitor their friends so they stay away from drugs and violence, and the list goes on.
5
I am a Physics teacher in Texas going into my 5th year of teaching. I have taught in both public and charter schools and went into teaching after more than twenty years working as an engineer. I am now in a school where the stress is reduced because we have a good supportive administration and a stable, motivated student body. I really enjoy teaching because I feel I can accomplish a lot of good and be myself in the classroom, both of which were constrained in the engineering world, particularly as a female. I would like to see our professional opportunities increase and our salaries rise. I feel I can and do make a difference in teaching critical thinking skills.
My daughter, who has also worked as a NASA engineer, is now going into teaching because she enjoys the sense of accomplishment and challenge in the classroom. But, to do this, she is severely sacrificing her income.
I have often run up against the idea that teaching is a low esteem field. Society needs to change to value the important job that teachers do.
My daughter, who has also worked as a NASA engineer, is now going into teaching because she enjoys the sense of accomplishment and challenge in the classroom. But, to do this, she is severely sacrificing her income.
I have often run up against the idea that teaching is a low esteem field. Society needs to change to value the important job that teachers do.
4
You can design a bridge or a skyscraper, you can be a surgeon or an airline pilot without the government taking any interest in the courses you take for your college degree. Teach third grade and they are all over you. Every aspect of the academic preparation of K-12 teachers is under strict state control.
Those who survive in the profession need a superhuman tolerance to exasperation.
Those who survive in the profession need a superhuman tolerance to exasperation.
8
Oh, and we also need to get rid of tenure. I'm a teacher. In my district, as in most, teachers get tenure after their third year. I regularly see huge changes in the behavior, professionalism, attitude, and overall work ethic of teachers in year four, compared to year three. It's disgusting to see, actually.
I'm an educator, a liberal, and strongly pro-union. But this I will say: teacher tenure, and quite often teacher unions, have nothing but toxic effects in the profession. The worst of the worst tend to go into the union leadership positions, and they will protect their fellow teachers no matter how appalling their professional behavior. This is also disgusting, because it comes at the expense of the children.
I'm an educator, a liberal, and strongly pro-union. But this I will say: teacher tenure, and quite often teacher unions, have nothing but toxic effects in the profession. The worst of the worst tend to go into the union leadership positions, and they will protect their fellow teachers no matter how appalling their professional behavior. This is also disgusting, because it comes at the expense of the children.
4
Everything in this article has been written many times in the last 50 years. The final nail in the coffin is the loss of respect for teachers, the blame that has put on them, and the dsiparagement of the pensions that they contribute to and earn.
I'm no pundit, but I predicted this myself. Time for more than talk.....
I'm no pundit, but I predicted this myself. Time for more than talk.....
3
I love kids and would make a great science teacher but the answer to your question is no.
It is no because the ruling political party has declared war on teachers.
They oppose teachers engaging in collective bargaining.
Very low starting pay for a college educated professional.
They cut funding for education at every turn. They treat schools like some kind of factory where financial efficiency can be measured and improved. Teachers have to pay for basic classroom supplies out of their own pockets.
They impose ridiculous and constant standardized testing upon teachers and use it as club to threaten their jobs. Teachers end up teaching the test, year round. That's not teaching.
They want teachers to carry guns.
Family life has deteriorated to the point that parents are not involved, absent, or are working 80 hours a week and have no time for parenting. Kids run wild and have no respect for the teacher's authority. Classrooms cease to function.
No thanks. I don't need those kinds of headaches.
It is no because the ruling political party has declared war on teachers.
They oppose teachers engaging in collective bargaining.
Very low starting pay for a college educated professional.
They cut funding for education at every turn. They treat schools like some kind of factory where financial efficiency can be measured and improved. Teachers have to pay for basic classroom supplies out of their own pockets.
They impose ridiculous and constant standardized testing upon teachers and use it as club to threaten their jobs. Teachers end up teaching the test, year round. That's not teaching.
They want teachers to carry guns.
Family life has deteriorated to the point that parents are not involved, absent, or are working 80 hours a week and have no time for parenting. Kids run wild and have no respect for the teacher's authority. Classrooms cease to function.
No thanks. I don't need those kinds of headaches.
292
With all due respect to the points about prestige and "having a voice", the problems in education all lead back to money. We (in society) either need to pay higher salaries so we can attract better teachers, or pay more salaries so each teacher is asked to do a little less.
In the current environment, it's easy to pay a consultant to rewrite curriculum or to launch a court challenge to tenure or to raise teacher credentialing requirements. If you're swimming against the economic tide, none of it matters. Get rid of every poor teacher tomorrow, and you'll just get people of the same quality back if you pay the same salary. Raise license requirements without improving the underlying applicant pool, and you just create a bind that can only be eased by watering down the required courses. And changing the order or way that topics are taught won't cut it either.
Until we bite the bullet and start spending more, like 40% more, on education, everything else (tenure, credentials, curriculum, ...) is just a sideshow.
In the current environment, it's easy to pay a consultant to rewrite curriculum or to launch a court challenge to tenure or to raise teacher credentialing requirements. If you're swimming against the economic tide, none of it matters. Get rid of every poor teacher tomorrow, and you'll just get people of the same quality back if you pay the same salary. Raise license requirements without improving the underlying applicant pool, and you just create a bind that can only be eased by watering down the required courses. And changing the order or way that topics are taught won't cut it either.
Until we bite the bullet and start spending more, like 40% more, on education, everything else (tenure, credentials, curriculum, ...) is just a sideshow.
5
I am in my 18th year of teaching and it is clear to me that it is not a simple or normal profession. It is a pursuit one must want. Some people are not fit for it and some people cannot do it for a long time: they just do not have the humility or strength to stick with it and love it.
More money will not fix teaching. Getting paid more will not make me a better teacher. It might keep the bad teachers in teaching and that would be a terrible thing over time. Those who think that a beginning teacher should make as much as a plumber are missing the point that with teaching one gets to work with kids and families and that it can be a perfect life for the right person. People who want more money should go to medical school or become plumbers or chase hedge fund jobs.
More money will not fix teaching. Getting paid more will not make me a better teacher. It might keep the bad teachers in teaching and that would be a terrible thing over time. Those who think that a beginning teacher should make as much as a plumber are missing the point that with teaching one gets to work with kids and families and that it can be a perfect life for the right person. People who want more money should go to medical school or become plumbers or chase hedge fund jobs.
Our teacher recruitment system was designed to attract the educated wives of men who had real salaries. It hasn't worked since women acquired other options back in the 1970s.
Answering the challenge with NCLB testing was absurd. Yes, testing identified schools that were failing, but firing the teachers, when there were few high quality candidates to replace them, was doomed to fail. Privatizing, which was designed to make teachers cheaper, is doomed to fail as well. There are rumblings that teachers in some of the privatized schools are organizing for better pay and other benefits.
We need programs that address the array of needs in failing schools. I agree that we need much better teacher preparation and more rigorous selection, but those measures can't succeed if we also refuse decent pay and benefits.
Most teachers don't do the job for the money and that's a good thing, but it seems foolish to exploit their altruism.
My husband was an excellent teacher and he could have used his leadership skills to be successful in making a lot more money. In retrospect, I think he was being self-indulgent to continue teaching while our family struggled to make ends meet.
None of our children chose teaching as a career path. I think that says a lot.
Yes, the problem extends to other public servants. If the campaign against public employees continues, our society will suffer. It's only one of the consequences of waging war on taxes.
Answering the challenge with NCLB testing was absurd. Yes, testing identified schools that were failing, but firing the teachers, when there were few high quality candidates to replace them, was doomed to fail. Privatizing, which was designed to make teachers cheaper, is doomed to fail as well. There are rumblings that teachers in some of the privatized schools are organizing for better pay and other benefits.
We need programs that address the array of needs in failing schools. I agree that we need much better teacher preparation and more rigorous selection, but those measures can't succeed if we also refuse decent pay and benefits.
Most teachers don't do the job for the money and that's a good thing, but it seems foolish to exploit their altruism.
My husband was an excellent teacher and he could have used his leadership skills to be successful in making a lot more money. In retrospect, I think he was being self-indulgent to continue teaching while our family struggled to make ends meet.
None of our children chose teaching as a career path. I think that says a lot.
Yes, the problem extends to other public servants. If the campaign against public employees continues, our society will suffer. It's only one of the consequences of waging war on taxes.
15
Currently, the pay differences for a year 1 vs. a year 30 teacher are huge. Teachers start at around $30,000, and end at about $80,000 or $90,000. Thus, teachers beyond around year 5 or 6 need to stay where they are no matter what - no matter how lousy a fit it is - because no other school will ever hire them. In my school we don't even consider applicants with more than 7 years experience. Thus, an evening out of the pay, year one to year 30, will help.
Also, we need to raise salaries overall. The top college grads would not even consider going in to teaching. Why would they, with that pay? If you want real professionals in front of your kids in the classroom, you need to pay them as real professionals. Raise salaries significantly, and see the change in the quality of student and person trying to get into the education schools. Over time (a long time - do we have that kind of patience?) we would see big differences in the quality of education.
Occasionally, you get fools who cite "studies" showing that when teachers' salaries are raised, there is no improvement in the education or test scores of their students. Of course there aren't! Just paying a person more isn't going to make that person smarter or better educated! We need a higher quality student going in to the profession.
Also, we need to raise salaries overall. The top college grads would not even consider going in to teaching. Why would they, with that pay? If you want real professionals in front of your kids in the classroom, you need to pay them as real professionals. Raise salaries significantly, and see the change in the quality of student and person trying to get into the education schools. Over time (a long time - do we have that kind of patience?) we would see big differences in the quality of education.
Occasionally, you get fools who cite "studies" showing that when teachers' salaries are raised, there is no improvement in the education or test scores of their students. Of course there aren't! Just paying a person more isn't going to make that person smarter or better educated! We need a higher quality student going in to the profession.
8
Every member of Congress and Legislatures should be required to spend at least one full day handling a public school classroom without assistance, and all teachers should receive the same healthcare plans as elected officials.
10
And so the pendulum swing yet again...
In 2002 Newly minted teachers had job choices, were being courted with perks and signing bonuses.
In 2010 even experienced dual-certified teachers seeking work couldn't even get an assistant position or steady substitute work.
In 2002 Newly minted teachers had job choices, were being courted with perks and signing bonuses.
In 2010 even experienced dual-certified teachers seeking work couldn't even get an assistant position or steady substitute work.
4
More money, for sure. Let the principal hire and fire. if she/he is to build a community of learning, let her/him lead it the best way possible which will include a final say over who stays and who goes. I didn't mind the prospect of doing the same thing for 40 years because each year I was in on the beginning of things like no other profession. Definitely ramp up the training, possibly by initiating an internship program where younger prospects train for it with willing and able mentors. And lastly, hire those who major in the subject they are going to teach and not in education. Degrees in education at the graduate level make sense. At the undergraduate level, I want someone fully prepared in their subject area with some special courses to meet certification standards, not an overdose of educational course work and too little substance in their field of study.
Remove this from the political field of play as much as is humanly possible. For the most part, politicians have never been in a classroom on the other side of the desk, and they cannot possibly relate to the day to day work of the average teacher. Well done, Mr. Bruni.
Remove this from the political field of play as much as is humanly possible. For the most part, politicians have never been in a classroom on the other side of the desk, and they cannot possibly relate to the day to day work of the average teacher. Well done, Mr. Bruni.
3
Maybe we could stop torturing teachers on a national scale and treating them like disposable objects? A little respect goes a long way.
2
I work at a college with what used to be a large School of Education. In the 9 years I've worked there, enrollment in Education has dropped almost by half. To me, that says it all. Why would any bright, motivated student go into a profession that is both vilified and poorly paid?
8
Great article. One piece of evidence left out of the case for why young people are turning away from the teaching profession is parents. That is, self-absorbed, my-kid-can't-do-anything-wrong parents. Many people who become teachers are children of teachers. I would imagine that most parent-teachers are telling their kids to do anything but enter a classroom and subject themselves to dealing with children who are more pampered and protected than professional athletes. If we're going to increase the education requirements for teachers, a degree in psychology would be a good start. Maybe that will lessen some of the burden of dealing with psychopathic parents, who call the superintendent every time little Trevor gets a bad grade or doesn't get picked for the school play, etc.
3
By letting Wall Street and privatizers dictate the conversation around "productivity" in our classrooms, we have further undermined a struggling profession. Most educational professionals agree that we could improve the education our teachers are given (and increase incentives for young people to go into teaching.) Instead, we punish the teachers we have, treat them with scorn and force them out when the earn too much. North Carolina went so far as to remove the pay incentive for earning a masters degree.
Tech and finance may drive our economy, but when it comes to how to live a fulfilling existence, they haven't earned the right to dictate education's terms.
Tech and finance may drive our economy, but when it comes to how to live a fulfilling existence, they haven't earned the right to dictate education's terms.
2
I work in a school system (as an educational technician - think teacher helper). There are two aspects of public education that stand out for me. First, society at large seems to be devaluing education, or more generally, knowledge. Not only is there an increasingly loud anti-science crowd, but public education funding is simply not enough to educate our children sufficiently (Which leads to the equally important discussion what our public education goals are - career prep? diffusion of knowledge? proper societal behaviour? babysitting?...). Second, teachers (at least in my district) are asked to perform more non-educational tasks, it seems every year. If an accountant was told to empty her trash at the end of her work day, what would her reaction be? Or what would a engineer say to being told to water the plants every week? The reason teachers are being so burdened goes back to money. A favorite expression of mine is that businesses always hire two less people than they actually need. It is a sadness to me that government entities (like schools) are subscribing to that principle.
1
The same rhetoric is spewed by all the experts on education. The fact is if you want the best teachers pay them like the professionals you call them. If they are so important pay them as much as an attorney, fireman, policeman. Just stop saying the same things over and over and do nothing.
3
Now that NYS will use the results of State tests to determine 50% of a teacher's rating expect the problem to get worse. To the general public it seems plausible that students of a good teacher will get good results on the tests. If only it was that simple. I've known good teachers who students performed poorly on tests, and I teach in a good school. Imagine schools where the student body are those kids who are tough to teach (a recent NYT editorial called these students "disengaged" from school). How will we get teachers to go into these schools? Would you risk 6-8 years of college knowing that you might get an "ineffective" rating. I taught as an adjunct in a teacher training program, and met alot of teachers on probationary lincenses, and many who taught in tough situations. Overwhelmingly they were dedicated and did their damnedest to help their students. But this new rating system will make it harder to recruit teachers for these schools. Can you blame them?
Test score results are socio-economic indicators. If you swapped the faculty from the highest scoring (wealthy) town with the lowest (poor) town, nothing would change. Children who grow up surrounded by educated people, who have books, attend theatre, museums etc. you have higher scores. Background and parental expectations are very important. The child who grows up knowing he or she will go to college is a successful student. There are things teachers can't control or change.
Unfortunately, the public perception of education has been warped so badly. Teachers are now viewed as polarized exaggerations. We are either believed to be magical figures who can solve poverty, providing a chance for social mobility to the most struggling students, students with little to no support system, students with reading levels years behind, students who may not know where their next meal is coming from.
But at the other end of the spectrum we're greedy, lazy, overpaid, and under-skilled. We're paid too much. Our benefits are too high. Our unions are too strong. We don't care about education, we only care about ourselves.
And so the perception of our occupation has become dominated by these two difficult (and false) identities. Whether we are either taking on the Sisyphean task of correcting the ills of poverty (an unfortunate task subtly assigned to by our politicians who shirk this responsibility) or not, we are demonized.
So naturally, why would anyone want to enter this career? You're set up to fail.
But at the other end of the spectrum we're greedy, lazy, overpaid, and under-skilled. We're paid too much. Our benefits are too high. Our unions are too strong. We don't care about education, we only care about ourselves.
And so the perception of our occupation has become dominated by these two difficult (and false) identities. Whether we are either taking on the Sisyphean task of correcting the ills of poverty (an unfortunate task subtly assigned to by our politicians who shirk this responsibility) or not, we are demonized.
So naturally, why would anyone want to enter this career? You're set up to fail.
5
The last year I was in a classroom, I worked 59 40-hour weeks during that school year. That didn't count the summer work. It's a lethal combination when you take a dedicated person, give them far more work than they can possibly do, and give them no hope of a reasonable, increasing income. I loved what I did and I never woke up wondering about the importance of teaching young people, but even the most passionate and joyful teacher can only keep that up for so long. I saw too many young people burn out.
I tried to convince my children to go into teaching; they are both smart, hard-working, and they care about others. But watching me over the years left them with a sour taste for education.
I tried to convince my children to go into teaching; they are both smart, hard-working, and they care about others. But watching me over the years left them with a sour taste for education.
3
To a great extent, what's good for students is good for teachers. What my NYC students need is adequate access to counseling, family services such as GED classes and job training for their parents, affordable housing, access to medical care outside of an emergency room, and a school disciplinary process that supports rather than punishes. Services like these would go a long way to getting my students ready to learn what I am eager and able to teach. I've been teaching for 15 years. Along with the suggestions others have made that directly impact me (a decent salary and benefits, some degree of autonomy, etc.), services to help my students and their families navigate the world would be the biggest incentive for me to stay until retirement age.
if you take 57,000 and divide it by the number of days teachers work (180 days in most states) that comes to 316.00 a day. That's A LOT of money.
And before you slay this messenger, I live in a town whose average pay for teachers is up around 80,000. THAT's A LOT of money.
Teachers here in ny don't work a full month in september -- the High Holy Days of Judaism give them 2-3 days off, depending on when they fall; In October they get a monday holiday for Columbus; in November there's the 4 day weekend for Thanksgiving, and an "admin" day somewhere; in December they're off for a solid 10 days (last year it was two full weeks) for the Christmas break; January gives them a 3-day weekend for Martin Luther King Jr. day; then, because they're so exhausted from working NOT ONE SINGLE FIVE DAY WEEK in 3 months, the February Winter Break for President's Day comes along where they get another full week off. March can be a crap shoot -- but there's always a holiday there. April -- Easter/Passover and yep, you got it, another week off. May -- Memorial day weekend; and by June (end of the month) they're off. Eight solid weeks of NO WORK in the summer.
Who's kidding whom here?
And before you slay this messenger, I live in a town whose average pay for teachers is up around 80,000. THAT's A LOT of money.
Teachers here in ny don't work a full month in september -- the High Holy Days of Judaism give them 2-3 days off, depending on when they fall; In October they get a monday holiday for Columbus; in November there's the 4 day weekend for Thanksgiving, and an "admin" day somewhere; in December they're off for a solid 10 days (last year it was two full weeks) for the Christmas break; January gives them a 3-day weekend for Martin Luther King Jr. day; then, because they're so exhausted from working NOT ONE SINGLE FIVE DAY WEEK in 3 months, the February Winter Break for President's Day comes along where they get another full week off. March can be a crap shoot -- but there's always a holiday there. April -- Easter/Passover and yep, you got it, another week off. May -- Memorial day weekend; and by June (end of the month) they're off. Eight solid weeks of NO WORK in the summer.
Who's kidding whom here?
1
I'm a veteran teacher and I bring home work every evening, every weekend, and almost all of those days "off" you mentioned, including much of the summer. During the times you identify as work, teachers are teaching and meeting with their students. People who do not teach (and who do not know any teachers, as your comment suggests) have no idea how much preparation it takes to do the basic job, let alone a good job, not to mention giving meaningful feedback on student work. Every essay a student turns in takes between 30-45 minutes to mark, and I have had a (relatively small) average of 80 students for most of my career who turn in essays on a regular basis.
Most of the work of teaching happens outside of the school day.
Most of the work of teaching happens outside of the school day.
So how do you explain the nationwide shortage of teachers?
If the job is so cushy and overpaid, why are so many children sitting in classes where a substitute is texting on the phone while the kids go wild?
I'm sure you could extoll the benefits of being a doctor who accepts Medicare, too, even though the number of those kinds of doctors is falling through the floor.
Obviously, the pay for either job--no matter how good it appears--isn't enough to be worth all of the stresses and disrespect because no one is signing up.
If the job is so cushy and overpaid, why are so many children sitting in classes where a substitute is texting on the phone while the kids go wild?
I'm sure you could extoll the benefits of being a doctor who accepts Medicare, too, even though the number of those kinds of doctors is falling through the floor.
Obviously, the pay for either job--no matter how good it appears--isn't enough to be worth all of the stresses and disrespect because no one is signing up.
I had a friend, a math genius who holds nine U.S. Patents, after months of trying to find work after being laid off in the tech field, answered the call of the great teacher shortage of underserved schools. What he found was a corrupt system of warehoused kids who could not pass the assessments for their grades, administrators who told him not to rock the boat, discipline problems, and resistance to any attempts to proactively try to teach these children to actually learn. But he tried. He lasted about 8 weeks before the powers that be told him it just wasn't working out and he saw the writing on the wall. Some of the kids actually cried to see him go. I don't know what the answer is. I just don't know.
9
It's very hard for people over 50 with no teaching experience to master the classroom management issues--most current teachers older than 50 learned those skills decades ago.
I don't know why this is, but I've rarely seen an older first-year teacher succeed and it's usually due to an inability to juggle content delivery, classroom management, technology-based record keeping at both the district level and state level, and interacting with parents.
Most people think that anyone with a degree can teach; that's simply not true. It's a complex job.
I don't know why this is, but I've rarely seen an older first-year teacher succeed and it's usually due to an inability to juggle content delivery, classroom management, technology-based record keeping at both the district level and state level, and interacting with parents.
Most people think that anyone with a degree can teach; that's simply not true. It's a complex job.
How do we make teaching a more attractive profession?
1. Reduce class sizes to no more than 15:1.
2. Increase or adjust pay to enable teachers to live a comfortable middle class life in their locales.
3. End tenure and the unions.
4. Test for subject matter competence in K-8, and subject matter excellence in 9-12.
5. Structure classes with students of like learning abilities, or abilities that fall within a range.
6. Reintroduce music, languages and art into the curriculum, taught by professionals.
7. Downsize the public school administrative staffs to a skeleton of where they are today.
8. End the near monopoloy on textbooks and teaching materials.
9. Fund textbooks and teaching materials so that teachers aren't required to fund same out of their pockets.
10. Conduct classes year round beginning in high school.
and so on.
The moose on the table of course is parents. Unfortunately, there is no way to mandate that parents read to their children when young, inspect their children's work habits to ensure they do their homework, or attend school conferences to discuss their child's progress with the teachers.
Good teaching is a calling. It's not investment banking. It's not surrogate parenting. It's a profession where good people should be able do good work and live a good life.
1. Reduce class sizes to no more than 15:1.
2. Increase or adjust pay to enable teachers to live a comfortable middle class life in their locales.
3. End tenure and the unions.
4. Test for subject matter competence in K-8, and subject matter excellence in 9-12.
5. Structure classes with students of like learning abilities, or abilities that fall within a range.
6. Reintroduce music, languages and art into the curriculum, taught by professionals.
7. Downsize the public school administrative staffs to a skeleton of where they are today.
8. End the near monopoloy on textbooks and teaching materials.
9. Fund textbooks and teaching materials so that teachers aren't required to fund same out of their pockets.
10. Conduct classes year round beginning in high school.
and so on.
The moose on the table of course is parents. Unfortunately, there is no way to mandate that parents read to their children when young, inspect their children's work habits to ensure they do their homework, or attend school conferences to discuss their child's progress with the teachers.
Good teaching is a calling. It's not investment banking. It's not surrogate parenting. It's a profession where good people should be able do good work and live a good life.
3
Translation: stamp out unions and any other possible opposition to right-wing politics in education, resegregate schools, institute a system of exit exams so we can make sure that poor and working-class students never make it to college, and increase teachers' paid workdays so that we can pretend they're being paid decently.
Ho-hum. it's round up the usual suspects, I guess. And let's do it on the cheap, shall we?
Ho-hum. it's round up the usual suspects, I guess. And let's do it on the cheap, shall we?
End tenure and the unions? And how do you get the rest of your agenda through? Leave it to those good, wise Republicans and Democrats, like Scott Walker and Arne Duncan? Wake up, pal.
The breaking in period for a new teacher can be brutal. It's not like your first computer job or your first nursing job, where you would usually have a supervisor working you into the position and increasing your responsibilities gradually. On day one in many school systems you are up in front of those kids and there is no adjustment period. So much can go wrong -- you overwork yourself, you get no support, you have problems in the classroom, and so on. If this "breaking in" period could be managed better, I think you would see far fewer teachers leaving the profession, and I think you would see an improvement in overall teacher quality. Yes, there may be something innate that helps teachers do well, but I would not stress that as most important. If you care about your students (the absolute Must for teaching) and you have a good knowledge and love of your subject matter, there should be no reason you cannot do well as a teacher -- given the proper support and guidance.
3
Some commenters on this article have pulled up Mr. Bruni on his statement that teachers need to be held accountable.
As a teacher myself, I can tell you that, yes, teachers very much need to be held accountable. Not for test scores - that's just stupid - but for overall job performance, professionalism, etc.
Start by getting rid of tenure, which is morally and professionally corrupting.
Make pay scales less dramatically different, first step to last, so that teachers can easily move from one school to another. As it is, if you are, say, a year-15 teacher, dismissal is a professional death sentence. (No school--unless they are truly desperate--hires a teacher with more than five or so years of experience, because they are too expensive, relative to a year one teacher.) Thus, teachers live in fear of "accountability," when instead they should welcome it, for themselves and their colleagues.
Many teachers have this fantasy that they should be completely independent operators, with no oversight. That doesn't accord with the situation of any other professional in America. Everyone is accountable to someone.
And given the low standards for admission into the teaching profession, believe me, accountability is necessary.
As a teacher myself, I can tell you that, yes, teachers very much need to be held accountable. Not for test scores - that's just stupid - but for overall job performance, professionalism, etc.
Start by getting rid of tenure, which is morally and professionally corrupting.
Make pay scales less dramatically different, first step to last, so that teachers can easily move from one school to another. As it is, if you are, say, a year-15 teacher, dismissal is a professional death sentence. (No school--unless they are truly desperate--hires a teacher with more than five or so years of experience, because they are too expensive, relative to a year one teacher.) Thus, teachers live in fear of "accountability," when instead they should welcome it, for themselves and their colleagues.
Many teachers have this fantasy that they should be completely independent operators, with no oversight. That doesn't accord with the situation of any other professional in America. Everyone is accountable to someone.
And given the low standards for admission into the teaching profession, believe me, accountability is necessary.
2
Tenure is necessary.
How do you prevent a school district which wants to save money from firing a COMPETENT older teacher [who is earning a high salary] and replacing that teacher with a younger teacher who will be paid a much lower salary.
How do you prevent a school district which wants to save money from firing a COMPETENT older teacher [who is earning a high salary] and replacing that teacher with a younger teacher who will be paid a much lower salary.
2
Right, because having teachers constantly afraid that they'll run afoul of admin, the Board, and any random politician or voter isn't "morally corrupting," at all.
There's nothing wrong with tenure after a rigorous eval process that should take at least four years, especially since tenure only gurantees that before they fire you for bad behavior or lousy oerformance, there has to be a process.
Sorry you object to that, Scott Walker.
There's nothing wrong with tenure after a rigorous eval process that should take at least four years, especially since tenure only gurantees that before they fire you for bad behavior or lousy oerformance, there has to be a process.
Sorry you object to that, Scott Walker.
That's what the teachers' unions are for. This hypothetical situation is no different than in any other job. Private industry does the same thing in many cases in bad times--layoff the higher paid workers and keep the lower paid ones to save money.
The neglect of education in terms of proper funding (insufficiency and inequity are the norm) is just another reflection of a society that neglects children.
The ridiculous "reform" movement has added insult to injury.
Massive reallkcation of our societies resources (transfer 50 % of military budget), tax the rich at a fair rate, tax corporations at a fair rate, and funnel this into education with emphasis on equalizing the playing field of high need communities who are currently screwed by funding formulaes
The ridiculous "reform" movement has added insult to injury.
Massive reallkcation of our societies resources (transfer 50 % of military budget), tax the rich at a fair rate, tax corporations at a fair rate, and funnel this into education with emphasis on equalizing the playing field of high need communities who are currently screwed by funding formulaes
Prestige will take care of itself with higher pay. I never met a high-tech programmer who worried about prestige.
My dog walker was trained as a special education teacher. She makes more money caring for dogs. Now, she says, she can pay her bills. Before she couldn't. And the working conditions are better.
A dance teacher also worked temporarily as an aide to special needs children in the public schools in a large city. She loved the work but couldn't afford to stay.
When these kids get into trouble later, there's plenty of money to put them on trial and send them to prison, where (as Jean Harris pointed out) the guards often make much more than most teachers.
My dog walker was trained as a special education teacher. She makes more money caring for dogs. Now, she says, she can pay her bills. Before she couldn't. And the working conditions are better.
A dance teacher also worked temporarily as an aide to special needs children in the public schools in a large city. She loved the work but couldn't afford to stay.
When these kids get into trouble later, there's plenty of money to put them on trial and send them to prison, where (as Jean Harris pointed out) the guards often make much more than most teachers.
5
Yes, we need to pay teachers better, to give them more autonomy and respect, to attract more highly qualified people to the profession (assuming we can still ascribe to it the status of "profession").
But we aren't going to. Because in the USA, we don't want to.
We don't respect, as a rule, the educated and erudite. The strain of know-nothing anti-intellectualism runs deep and wide in most parts of the country--even to a considerable extent in university-saturated "blue" states. We long askance at those people who spend a lot of their time with or in books, suspecting that those people think they are smarter or better than us, and we don't like that. And, most notoriously, teachers tend, in no small part due self-selection and to the environment in which they are trained and then find themselves, to be rather economically and politically liberal, and in many quarters that's a mortal sin. Moreover, if teachers were really independent professionals, in all senses of the word, they might be educating their charges as to the actual societal systems and consequences thereof, with the result that students might start questioning the whole sociopolitical structure. And that threat won't do at all.
The powers that be are far better off with teachers who are mediocre, powerless, and lacking in classroom independence than with the possible alternatives. And that's why we don't REALLY want independent, highly skilled, savvy teachers.
But we aren't going to. Because in the USA, we don't want to.
We don't respect, as a rule, the educated and erudite. The strain of know-nothing anti-intellectualism runs deep and wide in most parts of the country--even to a considerable extent in university-saturated "blue" states. We long askance at those people who spend a lot of their time with or in books, suspecting that those people think they are smarter or better than us, and we don't like that. And, most notoriously, teachers tend, in no small part due self-selection and to the environment in which they are trained and then find themselves, to be rather economically and politically liberal, and in many quarters that's a mortal sin. Moreover, if teachers were really independent professionals, in all senses of the word, they might be educating their charges as to the actual societal systems and consequences thereof, with the result that students might start questioning the whole sociopolitical structure. And that threat won't do at all.
The powers that be are far better off with teachers who are mediocre, powerless, and lacking in classroom independence than with the possible alternatives. And that's why we don't REALLY want independent, highly skilled, savvy teachers.
14
Worthy article. Truth to tell, all people who have career choices (which teachers do) need to imagine that they will have a career that make adult life possible, even enjoyable. While US teacher salaries are generally reasonable (worse in rural areas) the constant condemning of the professions by people who pretend to be political leaders cannot help.
We also need a reformation of licensing and even the creation of an effective way to move folks into teaching from other professions. As a near retiree (age 64) I might like to teach in the years after I retire, but there is no way I can do so.
We also need a reformation of licensing and even the creation of an effective way to move folks into teaching from other professions. As a near retiree (age 64) I might like to teach in the years after I retire, but there is no way I can do so.
1
Problem of a lack of quality teachers in America? Too many quality people prefer other professions because teaching does not bring in enough money, leads to no independence in life and respect from other people?
On the surface, and supposing the general theory and structure of education relatively correct in America, ironically the theory is still suspect because apparently a great many quality people have not learned of the concept of service for all education--too many people are more concerned about money, independence, prestige, etc. (Failure of education to inculcate gratitude for education and nobility of soul in student to point of wanting to return favor).
But the problem is probably much more serious: The educational system is simply a nurture over nature monstrosity, does not even want to learn about individual student capacities to sort students into adequate classes and career routes; you could offer a quality teacher all the money in the world but respect from others and indeed self-respect would suffer, not to mention independence of teacher, because the teacher would have the impossible task of stuffing entire student body--as if cats--into one small bag.
We must begin by examining individual student capacity first. Then sort students. Then a teacher can have independence and self respect and respect from others as teacher abilities and interests are matched to student's capacities. Money earned becomes afterthought if only one's profession works.
On the surface, and supposing the general theory and structure of education relatively correct in America, ironically the theory is still suspect because apparently a great many quality people have not learned of the concept of service for all education--too many people are more concerned about money, independence, prestige, etc. (Failure of education to inculcate gratitude for education and nobility of soul in student to point of wanting to return favor).
But the problem is probably much more serious: The educational system is simply a nurture over nature monstrosity, does not even want to learn about individual student capacities to sort students into adequate classes and career routes; you could offer a quality teacher all the money in the world but respect from others and indeed self-respect would suffer, not to mention independence of teacher, because the teacher would have the impossible task of stuffing entire student body--as if cats--into one small bag.
We must begin by examining individual student capacity first. Then sort students. Then a teacher can have independence and self respect and respect from others as teacher abilities and interests are matched to student's capacities. Money earned becomes afterthought if only one's profession works.
The teaching profession is regularly and predictably excoriated by the Right, which is understandable because a well-educated voter is their worst enemy. But the devaluation of the teaching profession is evident in other more progressive quarters, too, as exemplified by the Teach For America program, which puts amateurs in classrooms with minimal training. Hey, we could use some more doctors. Would anyone consider Surgery For America as a similar program? I think not. But what makes teaching any less demanding? How is it that we've concluded that pretty much anyone can walk in and be a successful educator? It is indicative of a lack of understanding of the skills needed to actually do this job professionally. Until we accept that in this country, we will continue to lag behind countries like Finland who put a premium on the teaching profession.
5
I am a retired public school teacher. And I loved being a teacher. One has to be a little nutty when dealing with teenagers. That's me! I am also openly gay. No problem! I think far too much negative stuff is said about teaching, i.e., salaries. But salaries are really fine.
1
:
To attract better teachers:
Pay them more.
Treat them with respect.
Make sure they know their subject instead of this nonsense that all you have to know is how to teach it.
Make sure they have a sensitivity to kids.
Leave them alone and let them teach.
The problem is we don't really want to educate all children.
Parents want their children to have a better education than OTHER peoples' children and money spent educating OTHER peoples' children is seen as wasted money.
The people who control the funding of the inner city schools of course do not send their kids to these underfunded schools.
Where did Mayor Bloomberg send his children. What was the average class size in that school. What is the average class size in the public schools. Why did Bloomberg initially hire a non-educator [Ms. Black] whose experience was as a financial person.
Since money spent educating OTHER peoples' children is seen as wasted money we try to cut expenditures. We pay low salaries and if that only attracts teachers who don't know their subject matter then so what. We will give them a script they must follow verbatim. We will give them a deficient curriculum where phonics was replaced by whole language {WL} [California's experiment with {WL} was a disaster] and replace computation with constructivist math. When kids don't learn we will blame the teacher.
There are many competent caring teachers who get discouraged when they are treated like assembly line workers and they leave the profession.
To attract better teachers:
Pay them more.
Treat them with respect.
Make sure they know their subject instead of this nonsense that all you have to know is how to teach it.
Make sure they have a sensitivity to kids.
Leave them alone and let them teach.
The problem is we don't really want to educate all children.
Parents want their children to have a better education than OTHER peoples' children and money spent educating OTHER peoples' children is seen as wasted money.
The people who control the funding of the inner city schools of course do not send their kids to these underfunded schools.
Where did Mayor Bloomberg send his children. What was the average class size in that school. What is the average class size in the public schools. Why did Bloomberg initially hire a non-educator [Ms. Black] whose experience was as a financial person.
Since money spent educating OTHER peoples' children is seen as wasted money we try to cut expenditures. We pay low salaries and if that only attracts teachers who don't know their subject matter then so what. We will give them a script they must follow verbatim. We will give them a deficient curriculum where phonics was replaced by whole language {WL} [California's experiment with {WL} was a disaster] and replace computation with constructivist math. When kids don't learn we will blame the teacher.
There are many competent caring teachers who get discouraged when they are treated like assembly line workers and they leave the profession.
12
And let us remember that teachers and firefighters are the teen mothers of this era - responsible for all of America's failures. Listen to Walker: it was the teachers' unions and firefighter unions that caused the financial crisis, not Wall Street. Reform what is broken? No, attack the weak. And No Child Left Behind ,or untested by for-profit donors to GOP politicians, couldn't possibly be responsible for making school a painful exercise in failure for everyone. If we move to 100% testing and no teaching we can prove teachers and poor students are failures due to their own lack of initiative.
The underfunded pensions for municipal employees including teachers were not caused by the employees.
Consider what happened in New Jersey. When Christine Todd Whitman ran against Jim Florio for governor she ran on a program that is was possible to cut taxes but not have a budget deficit. She won but the supply side snake oil economics didn't work and Whitman ran a deficit. So she overestimated the returns the pension funds would earn on its investments and reduced the state's payments to the pension funds. Now there is a crisis Governor Christie wants to "solve" by reducing pensions.
Who is at fault; not the employees.
This same scenario has occurred in other states.
Teachers are picked on because it is believed they are not worth it.
For many years teachers were primarily women and since there were few other job opportunities for women they were underpaid. Those days [fortunately] are gone and now if we want good teachers we will have to pay for them.
The question I raise in my post above is do we want good teachers not only for our own children but also for OTHER peoples' children.
Consider what happened in New Jersey. When Christine Todd Whitman ran against Jim Florio for governor she ran on a program that is was possible to cut taxes but not have a budget deficit. She won but the supply side snake oil economics didn't work and Whitman ran a deficit. So she overestimated the returns the pension funds would earn on its investments and reduced the state's payments to the pension funds. Now there is a crisis Governor Christie wants to "solve" by reducing pensions.
Who is at fault; not the employees.
This same scenario has occurred in other states.
Teachers are picked on because it is believed they are not worth it.
For many years teachers were primarily women and since there were few other job opportunities for women they were underpaid. Those days [fortunately] are gone and now if we want good teachers we will have to pay for them.
The question I raise in my post above is do we want good teachers not only for our own children but also for OTHER peoples' children.
As a teacher in a high performing district in suburban NY, I applaud Mr. Bruni for bringing a spotlight on what so many of us in education have known for quite some time. Politicians have gotten in the way big time with their ideas, but without the $$$ behind it.
Low income districts in NYS are hog tied by the Cuomo tax cap and unfunded federal mandates. Wisconsin teachers have lost their right to collective bargaining. And rightly stated in your column, schools of education are more interested in collecting tuition than bothering to select and interview the actual students who wish to go into teaching to see if they have the right stuff.
Isn't it unusual that education and teachers started to be vilified around the time the economy crashed? Taxpayers are furious that we have pensions...but other professions that mandate masters degrees come out of school with no experience and make easily twice what a teacher makes.
Education is a three way partnership between parents, students, and teachers. One leg of that triangle should not be underrated and blamed for poor student performance if the other legs are not living up to their responsibilities . Education touches every single one of us, and we would not be able to function in life without it. Start championing what we do, and stop thinking of education as something anyone can do, and then we may not have qualified adults running away from it in droves.
Low income districts in NYS are hog tied by the Cuomo tax cap and unfunded federal mandates. Wisconsin teachers have lost their right to collective bargaining. And rightly stated in your column, schools of education are more interested in collecting tuition than bothering to select and interview the actual students who wish to go into teaching to see if they have the right stuff.
Isn't it unusual that education and teachers started to be vilified around the time the economy crashed? Taxpayers are furious that we have pensions...but other professions that mandate masters degrees come out of school with no experience and make easily twice what a teacher makes.
Education is a three way partnership between parents, students, and teachers. One leg of that triangle should not be underrated and blamed for poor student performance if the other legs are not living up to their responsibilities . Education touches every single one of us, and we would not be able to function in life without it. Start championing what we do, and stop thinking of education as something anyone can do, and then we may not have qualified adults running away from it in droves.
6
please list not technical professions coming out of (other than ivy league) grad schools making twice what teachers make. I doubt there are many and there will be no tenure or pension guarantees.
1
To answer the question, no. The pay stinks and the working conditions less than stellar. I don't want to deal with school boards comprised of idiots and irate parents upset with Johnny's grade when in truth Johnny is a lazy dolt.
I also don't want to get yet another degree when I already have 3.
My brother teaches AP high school history. I don't know how he does it. The foolishness he puts up with is amazing.
I also don't want to get yet another degree when I already have 3.
My brother teaches AP high school history. I don't know how he does it. The foolishness he puts up with is amazing.
32
Yes, Matt, high school history that your brother teaches, which is slowly devolving into a Texas version of high school nationalism. I feel for him now that history teachers are going to have to teach "happy history" dealing with the good and not the bad.
I taught my first public school class in 1974 as a fully certificated, highly qualified language arts teacher. I took a cut in wages to take the job because I wanted a career that had meaning and purpose. I liked the idea of lending support and knowledge to students, and giving them a solid academic foundation for their future lives.
I never made much money in the work. After 22 years I quit. Over that time I heard countless negatives about my chosen profession: My skills were unremarkable. My students were failing. My schools were hot beds of drugs and promiscuity. My lessons were either behind or ahead of the times, and never useful. My wages were too high; my time off too long. I heard from many of my country's leaders over the span of my career that I was failing; plain and simple.
The damning mantra continues. A teacher's lot has only worsened since I left the profession. Mandatory testing, and something called "accountability" have become the whipping post of the profession. Teachers, seemingly, know nothing, and cannot be trusted to create an interesting and compelling lesson for their students. They are locked into programmed, test driven curricula, designed by test companies that make billions on the process. I will never return. My lessons were active and compelling and responsive to the needs of my students. They would not be possible in today's classroom.
I never made much money in the work. After 22 years I quit. Over that time I heard countless negatives about my chosen profession: My skills were unremarkable. My students were failing. My schools were hot beds of drugs and promiscuity. My lessons were either behind or ahead of the times, and never useful. My wages were too high; my time off too long. I heard from many of my country's leaders over the span of my career that I was failing; plain and simple.
The damning mantra continues. A teacher's lot has only worsened since I left the profession. Mandatory testing, and something called "accountability" have become the whipping post of the profession. Teachers, seemingly, know nothing, and cannot be trusted to create an interesting and compelling lesson for their students. They are locked into programmed, test driven curricula, designed by test companies that make billions on the process. I will never return. My lessons were active and compelling and responsive to the needs of my students. They would not be possible in today's classroom.
295
Add to your list parents who just don't care.
I think teachers should have lots of discretion and autonomy in the classroom. But at some point the question whether their students learned anything has to be answered. You can't simply ask the teacher.
1
More money-fewer students per class. Put some supervisors back in classroom. With better salaries for all teachers attract a better type of college students; when they hit the schools, the poorer, lazy teachers will improve, or quit. Money brings respect. 70 yrs ago the Legislature voted teachers a raise & then failed to fund it. I joined a union-we were told we could not strike b/c we were professionals, like doctors or lawyers!! My father had to pay my dental bill for me. &0 yrs. later, I am still angry! Muriel Bibbins Manuel
3
There was a line in "The Right Stuff" when the Mercury astronauts were facing budget cuts and one said, "No bucks, no Buck Rogers."
To reform education will take money, lots of money and your party is simply unwilling to raise taxes for anything be it paying teachers more salary or even ensuring that teacher pensions once promised are secure as a contract.
All a prospective student looking at the teaching profession needs to do is look at the modern Republican Party to realize that it is best for them to be as far away from education as possible. Sure, some will join the teaching ranks for altruism and a genuine love for the profession but not nearly enough.
To reform education will take money, lots of money and your party is simply unwilling to raise taxes for anything be it paying teachers more salary or even ensuring that teacher pensions once promised are secure as a contract.
All a prospective student looking at the teaching profession needs to do is look at the modern Republican Party to realize that it is best for them to be as far away from education as possible. Sure, some will join the teaching ranks for altruism and a genuine love for the profession but not nearly enough.
6
You seem to think it's all about teachers needing to to get more and the dastardly Republicans being stingy. My reason for never considering teaching? The hopelessly hideous left-wing stupidity of education-speak and teacher behavior.
We should drop the idea of an "education" major altogether and allow teachers alternate routes to certification rather than learning a bunch of pedagogy.
The majority of teachers in my children's private school are not "certified" teachers but who are experts in their fields. Many of them, particularly in the middle grades, had previous careers. For instance, the math teacher worked in international business and economics for many years; this is "post-retirement" career. The science teacher trained and worked as a microbiologist. My kids learned more about science and scientific-inquiry in one year with her than in 4 at their public school, where science alternated units with social studies (because the focus was on reading and math, 90 min each, every day for better performance on the standardized tests). The computer science teacher was -- you guessed it -- a software engineer.
Neither of these teachers would be qualified to teach in a public school. Instead, particularly in the lower grades, we get generalists who know a little about everything. And who taught my children that the Great Lakes were "man-made" (a horror I learned last week while on vacation near the Great Lakes).
The majority of teachers in my children's private school are not "certified" teachers but who are experts in their fields. Many of them, particularly in the middle grades, had previous careers. For instance, the math teacher worked in international business and economics for many years; this is "post-retirement" career. The science teacher trained and worked as a microbiologist. My kids learned more about science and scientific-inquiry in one year with her than in 4 at their public school, where science alternated units with social studies (because the focus was on reading and math, 90 min each, every day for better performance on the standardized tests). The computer science teacher was -- you guessed it -- a software engineer.
Neither of these teachers would be qualified to teach in a public school. Instead, particularly in the lower grades, we get generalists who know a little about everything. And who taught my children that the Great Lakes were "man-made" (a horror I learned last week while on vacation near the Great Lakes).
7
It hasn't occurred to you that the reason your kids thought the Great Lakes was man-made is because they were being taught by teachers who themselves are poorly educated, don't have certification, never took exams, and never learned how to "actually teach?" These days people are being accepted into college teaching programs who never would have made the cut 10 year ago. Why? Because applications for such programs are down 40-60 percent! When Republican governors pillory and belittle the teaching profession, destroy unions, demand layoffs, cut salaries, and raise health care costs for teachers and their families, there are bound to be consequences. The chickens are coming home to roost!
An article about lack of teachers is almost laughable as Scott Walker brags how he has dismantled the public unions in Wisconsin. Many of those union people have been teachers. The demonization of teachers in the state is proof that not only does the governor of the state, Scott Walker, who does not even have a college degree himself, believe education in Wisconsin is valuable, but his Republican legislators clearly have gone his way also.
As the wife of a veteran, retired teacher, it is not alarming or surprising that young people would choose not to go into teaching. Wisconsin has universities that have turned out some of the most prepared to produce great classrooms, but the legislature has turned on them. The Wisconsin K-12 schools have been defunded by Walker and the UW system itself was defunded by $250 million. This is not to mention the bragging call of union busting - the one "claim to fame" you will hear from Walker time and again in his bid for president.
Our state has gone from some of the highest standards for education to one of leaders not caring about education period. 35 high school principals in the state have written to Walker declaring this basically a state of emergency as to how they are suppose to run their schools.
When you have the consensus from top down caring less about quality education - why would anyone want to pursue a career in teaching?
Kids aren't dumb. On to IT, or healthcare, or.....but not teaching, no thanks.
As the wife of a veteran, retired teacher, it is not alarming or surprising that young people would choose not to go into teaching. Wisconsin has universities that have turned out some of the most prepared to produce great classrooms, but the legislature has turned on them. The Wisconsin K-12 schools have been defunded by Walker and the UW system itself was defunded by $250 million. This is not to mention the bragging call of union busting - the one "claim to fame" you will hear from Walker time and again in his bid for president.
Our state has gone from some of the highest standards for education to one of leaders not caring about education period. 35 high school principals in the state have written to Walker declaring this basically a state of emergency as to how they are suppose to run their schools.
When you have the consensus from top down caring less about quality education - why would anyone want to pursue a career in teaching?
Kids aren't dumb. On to IT, or healthcare, or.....but not teaching, no thanks.
25
Just how little respect teachers get is exemplified by the disgraceful remark Chris Christie made last week about wanting to punch teachers' unions in the nose. Who makes up teacher unions? (So let's just punch all teachers, the dirty bums!) It was a disgraceful remark pandering to one of his big paymasters, the privatization cabal. Ahem, I couldn't help but notice he said nothing about the police or firefighters unions. (He wouldn't dare.) Who in their right mind would want to be a teacher when we are treated with such distain?
35
Christie wouldn't dare attack those unions, as they are male dominated fields. The attack on teachers is an attack on women. By and large, teaching is still a predominantly female career path. Same with nursing. They also are getting similar treatment.
My wife is (was) a teacher in NYC where teachers routinely bring their own toilet paper to work, have to pay for their own classroom materials and guard their classrooms against looters (other teachers who need materials). Also, her experience was that no matter what her students accomplished in the classroom, she got no recognition and was even penalized in small ways for being too successful!
Moving back to MN, she was informed by the University of MN (the gatekeepers) that her master's degree, granted by the same university just 10 years prior, was so out of date she would have to complete almost an entirely new one in order to get a license to teach in MN. At the same time, they are hiring teaching students from Spain and putting them into classrooms to teach bilingual students. My wife is fully bi-lingual.
Her professional career in teaching has bee hideous. She's out and I don't know why anyone would bother to get into it. There are way easier ways to make a paltry salary and earn zero respect.
Moving back to MN, she was informed by the University of MN (the gatekeepers) that her master's degree, granted by the same university just 10 years prior, was so out of date she would have to complete almost an entirely new one in order to get a license to teach in MN. At the same time, they are hiring teaching students from Spain and putting them into classrooms to teach bilingual students. My wife is fully bi-lingual.
Her professional career in teaching has bee hideous. She's out and I don't know why anyone would bother to get into it. There are way easier ways to make a paltry salary and earn zero respect.
22
I see the issues Bruni is mentioning every day. Not as a teacher, but as the father of a teacher. Low pay, no raises, health insurance with high deductibles. My young adult has eight years in the profession, a legitimate Bachelors Degree in Education and a Masters Degree. Given the law of supply and demand, you'd think she would be paid the same as a a young doctor or lawyer, especially since our professional class had to be educated and trained by teachers in the first place, but it seems the public somehow can't grasp this fact. My teacher is barely making $40,000 a year, when if she went into a private endeavor she could easily be making twice that much. However, she is a dedicated educator, paying for supplies out of her own pocket, contacting parents on her private time so as to conform to their schedules. If there ever is an example of professionalism, it shines through brightly in the teaching profession. Yet the disrespect for teachers grow, and the older ones, when they retire, are not being replaced by a younger generation who sees little opportunity. High-stakes testing has taken its toll, too; i wonder how many workers in the general population would like to yearly face the possibility of losing their jobs because some child is having a bad day or week, and you are evaluated against last year's scores from what might have been a much better class than you have this year?
259
It used to be the trade off for that low salary was the three months off , respect, decent medical benefits, respect, a safe pension on retirement, respect, and parental support.
All gone. I too was planning on teaching till I drop. Not any more. I am researching ways to escape California so I can retire, not in poverty.
All gone. I too was planning on teaching till I drop. Not any more. I am researching ways to escape California so I can retire, not in poverty.
2
I face the possibility of losing my job every day: downsizing; age discrimination; the boss doesn't like the shine on my shoes...the list goes on. Teachers, in most cases, are protected by their union. Teachers should adhere to the Republican free market principle. If you don't like your job, get another one. I doubt many will flee the relatively safe confines of union protected Education to take their chances on other careers in our now hollowed out economy. Want change? If all teachers quit their jobs the politicians would be falling all over themselves to improve their lot. After all, who's going to take care of the kids if there's no school? The voters will revolt on that.
1
You want to increase teacher salaries...are you crazy? On Long Island, the home of the $120,000+ a year teacher you want to Increase Salaries? The teachers have Ruined Long Island.
Approximately 65% of property taxes on Long Island go to school taxes. The vast majority of that money goes into salaries and benefits for teachers. High pay, with Little or NO money paid for Medical Benefits; for a job with about 2/3 full time hours!
Please...spare me the malarkey about how the teachers are working their fingers to the bone late at night...it is a bunch of hogwash.
When you buy a house on Long Island you are really buying 2 houses but only getting 1 house. Why you ask? Simple...the property taxes are the equivalent of a second mortgage, one house 2 mortgage payments.
All to fund exorbitant Teacher and Administration salaries and benefits! The high costs have driven a large majority of our young people to other parts of the country, because they cannot afford to purchase homes here!
And we should increase teacher salaries???!!!! Are you Nuts???!!!
Approximately 65% of property taxes on Long Island go to school taxes. The vast majority of that money goes into salaries and benefits for teachers. High pay, with Little or NO money paid for Medical Benefits; for a job with about 2/3 full time hours!
Please...spare me the malarkey about how the teachers are working their fingers to the bone late at night...it is a bunch of hogwash.
When you buy a house on Long Island you are really buying 2 houses but only getting 1 house. Why you ask? Simple...the property taxes are the equivalent of a second mortgage, one house 2 mortgage payments.
All to fund exorbitant Teacher and Administration salaries and benefits! The high costs have driven a large majority of our young people to other parts of the country, because they cannot afford to purchase homes here!
And we should increase teacher salaries???!!!! Are you Nuts???!!!
2
Unless they are in Education Administration, most teachers do not earn upwards $120K per year, regardless of where they live.
2
Judging by the accuracy of this shotgun blast of weird claims, it looks like your math and science teachers did indeed let you down.
Apologies.
Apologies.
1
What about New York City teacher's salary? They are getting around $50,000.00 a year. It is much more difficult to teach and manage high school students in NYC schools than the students in Long Island schools. Living in city is more expensive and inconvinient than living nice Long Island or Westchester. Some time I think why somebody wants to be a teacher in America? They work so hard in school, grading exam. papers at night, calling parents, making curricullum, making plans for students extra carricullar activities etc and get so poor salary, it is ridiculous. The teachers are the punching bag for politicians. Most of the parents in the city do not want to engage and involve in their kid's education and all the burden on the teachers. There is no system to oust or control the unruly teen agers . Most of the teachers are tired and frustrated, The school administration is looking for grades and numbers but the teachers do not get adequate support from them. Blaming and punching the teachers is not the answer for the shortage and that is bad for the kids and future of the country.
1
Teachers have been thrust into the child rearing role ever since Capital decided that no one at home was better than someone at home for its purposes (work force flooding).
we now feed many children, two squares and provide latch key services until a parent can pick them up, tired and bored nearly to death.
Many of the "credentialed" & certified teachers have at least one Master's degree and usually are some hours into a second. The second will almost assuredly be in a teaching specialty like reading or special services.
For all that education, debt acquisition and hard work we reward the teacher with low pay, no budget for supplies and constraining burdens for administrative purposes. It is no wonder that 5 years is enough for many to see the writing on the wall.
in each of the buildings that these teachers work in, there is a Principal, usually brandishing a PhD ED. you rarely here mud being thrown at the supervisor of the teachers over problems with little Julie or Johnny? Why do you think that is? They are, after all, the responsible party in that building and the agent of the Administration of the school.
perhaps our income formula needs an adjustment? perhaps we should continue letting Capital off of the hook for paying its share of the taxes?
How much would it take to make every public school a "high performer"?
then again we could just hold on tight, savor status quo and blame the teachers, their Unions, the children, immigrants, etc... How about the low bidders
we now feed many children, two squares and provide latch key services until a parent can pick them up, tired and bored nearly to death.
Many of the "credentialed" & certified teachers have at least one Master's degree and usually are some hours into a second. The second will almost assuredly be in a teaching specialty like reading or special services.
For all that education, debt acquisition and hard work we reward the teacher with low pay, no budget for supplies and constraining burdens for administrative purposes. It is no wonder that 5 years is enough for many to see the writing on the wall.
in each of the buildings that these teachers work in, there is a Principal, usually brandishing a PhD ED. you rarely here mud being thrown at the supervisor of the teachers over problems with little Julie or Johnny? Why do you think that is? They are, after all, the responsible party in that building and the agent of the Administration of the school.
perhaps our income formula needs an adjustment? perhaps we should continue letting Capital off of the hook for paying its share of the taxes?
How much would it take to make every public school a "high performer"?
then again we could just hold on tight, savor status quo and blame the teachers, their Unions, the children, immigrants, etc... How about the low bidders
3
Better pay, greater autonomy--yes and yes--but here are a few more ideas.
1. Teaching as a profession. There is more to a profession than calling it one. It means professional development and mentoring that lasts a career, actual classroom evaluations, merit pay and promotion based on evals (not surveys), and a process to train up or remove poor performers.
2. Make it easier for "outsiders" to teach. Retirees, those interested in starting a second career--yes there are programs to allow rookies to start teaching. Trouble is most are are overly bureaucratic and some (like Teach Tennessee) went from cumbersome to nonexistent--even as the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported roughly 40% of TN teaching positions went unfilled in the 2013 school year.
I have witnessed many of so-called professional educators who are poor teachers (and many who are excellent). Likewise, many (not all) outsiders have the passion and skill to be great teachers if given the opportunity.
3. Stop calling education a priority and make it a priority--that means using funds to affect teaching, not promoting administrative largess. Historically US K-12 funding ranks at or near the top for developed countries (according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), yet US student outcomes are in decline. If funding per student is adequate, then doesn't that point to a flaw in the current system and demand a change to the current approach?
1. Teaching as a profession. There is more to a profession than calling it one. It means professional development and mentoring that lasts a career, actual classroom evaluations, merit pay and promotion based on evals (not surveys), and a process to train up or remove poor performers.
2. Make it easier for "outsiders" to teach. Retirees, those interested in starting a second career--yes there are programs to allow rookies to start teaching. Trouble is most are are overly bureaucratic and some (like Teach Tennessee) went from cumbersome to nonexistent--even as the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported roughly 40% of TN teaching positions went unfilled in the 2013 school year.
I have witnessed many of so-called professional educators who are poor teachers (and many who are excellent). Likewise, many (not all) outsiders have the passion and skill to be great teachers if given the opportunity.
3. Stop calling education a priority and make it a priority--that means using funds to affect teaching, not promoting administrative largess. Historically US K-12 funding ranks at or near the top for developed countries (according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), yet US student outcomes are in decline. If funding per student is adequate, then doesn't that point to a flaw in the current system and demand a change to the current approach?
5
The problem is a national teaching standard that is undermined at the state and local levels. The death of tenure and retirement benefits in many states has put a chill on the pipeline of teaching talent. Understanding that pay in most areas is relatively modest (yes you hear of 6-figure salaries, but that's rare), the light at the end of the tunnel is a comfortable retirement - certainly a decent tradeoff for the responsibility of educating our future generations.
Take that away, and why would someone with even half a brain enter the field?
Take that away, and why would someone with even half a brain enter the field?
6
I retired from teaching in the NYC schools in the Bronx before I meant to do so because of the administration. It was much like "the beatings will stop when morale improves". NCLB meant that students who could be challenged were not because the administration needed a good class average. There was no support for removing an unruly student from the classroom for a time-out. That wouldn't look good on the statistics. I taught in two high schools in the Bronx. One came with teacher respect and support. Parents could be involved and asked for support. But the city saw fit to close it down. It was too big. The other did not support its teachers in any way but with empty hot air. Parents were not supportive in the second school. Too often they too needed "a good report" or they had given up on their child. I left teaching not because of the kids, but because of an administration that was not held accountable to anything but numbers.
3
Bruni does not mention how difficult and complex the job of a teacher is, which few non-teachers appreciate. I was a part-time professor with a Ph.D. from an Ivy League university before deciding to become an elementary school teacher. My job now is far more difficult day to day, even moment to moment, than anything I have done so far in my life. Managing the learning of 25 unique little people, each with their own history, abilities, and family, economic, or health challenges, while obeying mandates from the state, administrators, is like juggling 30 balls in the air at once. There is virtually no downtime during the school day, apart from perhaps 30 minutes at lunch, which is often taken up with preparation or job-related discussions with colleagues. At it's best, it's exhilarating, creative, intellectually challenging, and deeply satisfying. But all too often, one is left feeling exhausted and unappreciated. Given the importance and difficult nature of the work, and the need to attract individuals of the highest ability to the profession, salaries should be at least doubled.
21
Exactly! I taught high- and middle school kids in Orleans Parish after Katrina, helping to rebuild. We had new books, mounds of pencils and paper, new white boards and laptops. The kids were smart, energetic, but they came to us from slums. There were frequent fights, security guards working in pairs, but also moments of hilarity. We teachers dreamed of the future of our kids, and were saddened whenever one was expelled -- it was our failure, we imagined. It was the most difficult job I had ever done, a job characterized by intense, prolonged frustration which led eventually to emotional exhaustion. I quit and I won't return. I'll always remember the kids for their spirit and promise, and for being made a scapegoat by ignorant politicians for everyone's failures.
Teaching can't compete because the people who make the decisions have opted to keep it that way, whether they admit it or not. For example, when pay raises are tied to seniority rather than to a job well done, talented people become more likely to exercise their option to walk away (or just never show up).
Then there are the lousy textbooks produced by Big Ed companies (especially math & science books), and the national high-stakes test obsession. And don't forget the much-maligned Common Core. The standards (especially the math standards) are just so good. Yes, they are. BUT the textbooks continue to be woeful. IMO, the mistake there was to allow Big Ed to produce textbooks/tests rather than finding knowledgeable people to write them.
Bruni cites low average national salaries as a major barrier to recruiting good teachers. This view is likely simplistic --- in our district, average pay is solidly good at $75K, and yet our schools are still lousy.
Other countries don't have our problem because other countries are honestly serious about educating their children. In America, we're serious about scores on high-stakes tests. When the product of the educational machine is a test score and the kid is just a cog in the works, it's no wonder that we have big problems, and it's no wonder that talented people want no part of any of it.
We get what we ask for, folks.
Then there are the lousy textbooks produced by Big Ed companies (especially math & science books), and the national high-stakes test obsession. And don't forget the much-maligned Common Core. The standards (especially the math standards) are just so good. Yes, they are. BUT the textbooks continue to be woeful. IMO, the mistake there was to allow Big Ed to produce textbooks/tests rather than finding knowledgeable people to write them.
Bruni cites low average national salaries as a major barrier to recruiting good teachers. This view is likely simplistic --- in our district, average pay is solidly good at $75K, and yet our schools are still lousy.
Other countries don't have our problem because other countries are honestly serious about educating their children. In America, we're serious about scores on high-stakes tests. When the product of the educational machine is a test score and the kid is just a cog in the works, it's no wonder that we have big problems, and it's no wonder that talented people want no part of any of it.
We get what we ask for, folks.
3
My sister-in-law teaches in a city school in North Carolina.
I almost don't have to say more.
She can handle the low pay, a least for a while as communities recover financially, and the lack of raises (all pay increases went to get new teachers into the system, so experienced teachers got nothing, except the loss of classroom aides which were cut to make room for raises.)
She can handle parents, although they can be infuriating.
She is having trouble with being openly reviled by the state legislature. With having the state try to wrest local control, because the city wants to spend more. By having no money for supplies - doesn't it seem like a crime that a first world teacher must post pleas for supplies and program materials on facebook? - because the budgets were frozen or cut. By testing - not the necessity to test - with tests that are not well established or well written. By being prevented by all sorts of walls built by requirements, and by lack of funding, from actually being able to do the job she is hired to do. By being assumed by huge swaths of people in her locality as a "taker" intent on ripping off tax payers as she works easy hours doing little or nothing.
Why would anyone sign up for that?
I almost don't have to say more.
She can handle the low pay, a least for a while as communities recover financially, and the lack of raises (all pay increases went to get new teachers into the system, so experienced teachers got nothing, except the loss of classroom aides which were cut to make room for raises.)
She can handle parents, although they can be infuriating.
She is having trouble with being openly reviled by the state legislature. With having the state try to wrest local control, because the city wants to spend more. By having no money for supplies - doesn't it seem like a crime that a first world teacher must post pleas for supplies and program materials on facebook? - because the budgets were frozen or cut. By testing - not the necessity to test - with tests that are not well established or well written. By being prevented by all sorts of walls built by requirements, and by lack of funding, from actually being able to do the job she is hired to do. By being assumed by huge swaths of people in her locality as a "taker" intent on ripping off tax payers as she works easy hours doing little or nothing.
Why would anyone sign up for that?
52
No doubt teaching is a special profession and one that would, ideally, appeal more to those looking for a robust lifelong challenge than to the bottom quartile of the class. We might begin by dramatically restructuring the experience of teaching while we're at it. It's hard to justify a publicly-funded $100,000/year salary for a person who works from 8:30a.m. to 2:15p.m., Monday thru Friday, never has over-time or on-call shifts and has 3-4 months of the year off. And, frankly, vibrant teachers themselves are going to have to step-up and demand more from their lackluster colleagues instead of allowing this deadwood to drift along toward retirement sucking resources from the system.
4
Teachers have overtime. When do you think lessons are planned, resources are garnered, and essays are graded. Teachers have 8 weeks off, generally, in the summer during which time they reorganize lessons, read new books, attend summer classes, and draft college rec letters in addition to whatever they do on their vacations (which often includes working another job). Please tell me your education and teaching experience before you pontificate the self-serving, shortsighted, uninformed, Tea Party line. Because I will be happy to tell you about mine (Ivy education and twenty years classroom experience.)
You've never met a teacher have you? The hours you mentioned are for students, teachers are in the class room before 8:30 and they continue to be there into the evening hours, often taking work home. After school is when papers are graded, lesson plans are made etc.
They don't get 3-4 months off a year and if you read the article you would know that they don't make 100k a year.
They don't get 3-4 months off a year and if you read the article you would know that they don't make 100k a year.
You know nothing about what teaching entails. No teacher's day is EVER done at 2:15. i taught college writing for 25 years, and I assure you that even with many fewer students than any K=12 teacher, the first thing I did in the morning was start reading and responding to student work and the last thing at eleven at night was post assignments and class materials online. Saturdays and Sundays? Catch-up days. Summer? Try to get work done to keep my house from falling apart; can't do that during the school year. (And many teachers attend summer workshops and in-services.)
Try reading and adequately responding to the work of 100+ K-12 students, on daily and weekly assignments, and you'll know a little more about what it's like to be a teacher.
Try reading and adequately responding to the work of 100+ K-12 students, on daily and weekly assignments, and you'll know a little more about what it's like to be a teacher.
Frank's list is good. Basically, who wants to go into a field where there is little but punishment, esp. after accumulating student debt? I say this as someone who left elementary school teaching years ago for a great opportunity handed to me.
A huge problem is the lack of respect for education and teaching in this country. Somehow the concept of "learning" has been almost completely undermined from 4th grade through undergrad ed. A few reasons:
In what other advanced country is a major political party doing everything it can to trash public education, disrespect teachers, dumb down education and the media for public consumption, stand against the 98% of scientists on climate change, and continually vote to slash education budgets (K-12 and higher ed), try to scrap Head Start and block public preschool education for poor children? Jeb! worked hard as Gov. of FL to privatize public ed in the form of "for-profit" charter schools to enrich his cronies; Walker tries to kill one of the best state universities in the nation.
Parents--whether helicopter style or pugnacious--against rather than helping teachers and their children grow and learn; too many parents dislike learning themselves
Undisciplined kids who refuse to study and learn and show off for each other by being disruptive and lazy in school; violence & its threat
Administrators who are scared of parents and kids and don't back up/support teachers or follow through with troubled kids & families
A perfect storm
A huge problem is the lack of respect for education and teaching in this country. Somehow the concept of "learning" has been almost completely undermined from 4th grade through undergrad ed. A few reasons:
In what other advanced country is a major political party doing everything it can to trash public education, disrespect teachers, dumb down education and the media for public consumption, stand against the 98% of scientists on climate change, and continually vote to slash education budgets (K-12 and higher ed), try to scrap Head Start and block public preschool education for poor children? Jeb! worked hard as Gov. of FL to privatize public ed in the form of "for-profit" charter schools to enrich his cronies; Walker tries to kill one of the best state universities in the nation.
Parents--whether helicopter style or pugnacious--against rather than helping teachers and their children grow and learn; too many parents dislike learning themselves
Undisciplined kids who refuse to study and learn and show off for each other by being disruptive and lazy in school; violence & its threat
Administrators who are scared of parents and kids and don't back up/support teachers or follow through with troubled kids & families
A perfect storm
12
I was a teacher in NYC in the 70's -80's. The pressure on public education had already begun. Once Russia launched Sputnik, suddenly everyone- I do mean everyone started to look at and become critical of schools & teachers and methods. From Congress to taxi drivers, everyone weighed in and it wasn't nice.
So today with all the experts who have never been in a classroom, know the challenges from inside , or even like children continue to apply the screws.
Get rid of the Dept. of Education in Washington, let local professional educators create learning environments locally. They know what they are doing. No other profession is put under the microscope like the public schools. Let them do their work. It is noble and very meaningful. Everyone remembers their favorite teachers for life.
So today with all the experts who have never been in a classroom, know the challenges from inside , or even like children continue to apply the screws.
Get rid of the Dept. of Education in Washington, let local professional educators create learning environments locally. They know what they are doing. No other profession is put under the microscope like the public schools. Let them do their work. It is noble and very meaningful. Everyone remembers their favorite teachers for life.
5
Dear Mr. Bruni,
With the teachers becoming "punching bags" for everyone from the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE scrum running for president to the "Gates Foundation" and others promoting "Testing" as the be all and end all in education (And their pocketbooks, I might ad), your column sounds much like a breath of fresh air and, as with most breezes, will be totally ignored until it becomes a hurricane of poorly educated students.
After over 40 years in teaching (First grade, no less), my wife left the profession she loved because of the so-called "remedies" offered in testing, a little more testing, testing even more then, on your OWN time, collating all the "data" collected.
I am amazed that ANYONE would consider entering education as a career.
With the teachers becoming "punching bags" for everyone from the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE scrum running for president to the "Gates Foundation" and others promoting "Testing" as the be all and end all in education (And their pocketbooks, I might ad), your column sounds much like a breath of fresh air and, as with most breezes, will be totally ignored until it becomes a hurricane of poorly educated students.
After over 40 years in teaching (First grade, no less), my wife left the profession she loved because of the so-called "remedies" offered in testing, a little more testing, testing even more then, on your OWN time, collating all the "data" collected.
I am amazed that ANYONE would consider entering education as a career.
10
Wait; politicians, taxpayers and media demonize them; salary is terrible; oversight immense and job satisfaction absent. Why would anyone ever want to be a teacher. Until the US wakes up, why be a teacher? US poor education is damaging economic and defense competitiveness. This will continue until we change. Meanwhile good teachers are wanted abroad and compensated well.
12
It is an insane society that places more value on it's entertainers, it's professional athletes and corporate elites, symbolized by the many multiples of millions they are paid, than it does to those citizenry who hands down have a greater responsibility for societal good, the rearing of its children, its future. We pay them a pittance, and honor them hardly at all. It's a travesty that our State and regional politicians, who typically have little experience and understanding of the art of Teaching, have such overt influence over what is, or what is not, taught (and by whom). Boards of Ed and all the rest that suffer the usual patronage aspects of our politics.
But even so I could live with the latter aspect if society, overall, showed by actions that they truly valued the teachers of their children. We do not. So it comes as little surprise that we now have these issues. They are systemic, and they are endemic to a societal philosophy which, over the longer term, is not sustainable since the core of that philosophy is that it's okay to waste, to eat without thought of the future, your seed-corn.
We should know better.
John~
American Net'Zen
But even so I could live with the latter aspect if society, overall, showed by actions that they truly valued the teachers of their children. We do not. So it comes as little surprise that we now have these issues. They are systemic, and they are endemic to a societal philosophy which, over the longer term, is not sustainable since the core of that philosophy is that it's okay to waste, to eat without thought of the future, your seed-corn.
We should know better.
John~
American Net'Zen
9
It's a little late to be complaining about the state of the teaching profession, after decades of GOP abuse and union trashing.
"“They’re worried that they’re going to be doing the same thing on Day 1 as they’ll be doing 30 years in,” he told me." Says Evan Stone!
This isn't true. No creative teacher repeats himself like a robot. Sounds like Stone hasn't been in many classrooms.
"“They’re worried that they’re going to be doing the same thing on Day 1 as they’ll be doing 30 years in,” he told me." Says Evan Stone!
This isn't true. No creative teacher repeats himself like a robot. Sounds like Stone hasn't been in many classrooms.
4
More rigorous requirements for teaching alone will not make it more prestigious. HIgher pay will make it more prestigious. College professors are accorded little more respect than elementary teachers despite the many years of education and post-doctoral work required. Bling is the sign of success and success breeds respect. When teachers aren't forced to drive 12 year old Volvo's, they will receive more respect, although not yet for the right reasons. Once they have crossed the bling threshold, then MAYBE twe will start to respect them for their knowledge and comittment and the service they provide.
2
I've heard this tale before, and before, and before. We talk a good game, but there is no greater sign of a nation in decline than when it doesn't value the education of the next generation of our children. Schools and education have become political pawns and purveyors of state propaganda. They are patronage centers for building projects and jobs. Every parent is the CEO of their children from inoculation to placement. I cringe ever time I hear the name "Randi" Weingarten, the feckless head of the AFT, or see her all too often appearances on T.V. talk and comedy shows. She should have been canned a long time ago, if for no other reason than having embroiled her membership in partisan politics in such a manner that has rendered those dues payers an acceptable free fire zone for the opposition. We have abandoned educations and public schools to the point that if you think college is expensive going forward, wait to you see the cost you're going to pay for primary education in private schools. We are way past the tipping point here.
2
I was never a member of AFT but I do respect Randi Weingarten for speaking up for teachers. In the past, no one would have heard of Weingarten because teachers were accorded respect and had decent salaries and benefits even if they were never going to be rich. No one had to speak up for teachers. Teachers have been caught up in politics, not because they wanted it, but because politicians have put them there. Keep on trashing Weingarten and teachers and see just how far our country will fall. As Bruni said, no one will want to teach. Education for all has been a goal of the U.S. for many decades, but no more. Very sad!
1
Republicans, starting with Regan have spent decades demonizing teachers and cutting education budgets the second they get in office. The republican agenda was to create a whole generation of people stupid enough to vote against their own best interest and it worked.
This has nothing to do with education or teachers, it was always about political inroads and demoralizing teachers to the point that greedy self interest of for profit schools could take over.
You can talk about teaching all you want but until you admit the REAL agenda and start fighting tooth and nail to wrest it back from the money hungry republicans it will only get worse.
This has nothing to do with education or teachers, it was always about political inroads and demoralizing teachers to the point that greedy self interest of for profit schools could take over.
You can talk about teaching all you want but until you admit the REAL agenda and start fighting tooth and nail to wrest it back from the money hungry republicans it will only get worse.
10
I have an old dusty Bachelors of Arts in Music Education. I never did teach. I got a job in accounting and found I had a talent for Finance. Now nearing the end of my work life I had thought teaching math would be a good way to end it. I love kids and after raising an autistic son mostly on my own I have developed the patience I felt I did not have when young, one of the reasons I did not teach. The way teachers are denigrated and the cuts made to their salaries and benefits often because people believe them undeserving has made me balk at teaching. I wonder that anyone of quality would want to teach. Perhaps in those suburbs where everyone is well off and schools are well funded it might be good but I had always wanted to work with the less advantaged. So instead of teaching I have moved back to a non-profit where I can help people and not be treated as a pariah.
People will fault me and say I am not dedicated. How does one become dedicated in an environment of adversity, finger pointing, abject poverty of their students, budget cuts, violence, ridicule, disrespect and while trying to do a job under those conditions not being able to provide for their own families? No teaching is no longer a profession. It is just a job and a very unfulfilling one for those who would teach in a society that has abandoned the belief in equality and considers the poor enemies of the state.
Kudos to those who would still try.
People will fault me and say I am not dedicated. How does one become dedicated in an environment of adversity, finger pointing, abject poverty of their students, budget cuts, violence, ridicule, disrespect and while trying to do a job under those conditions not being able to provide for their own families? No teaching is no longer a profession. It is just a job and a very unfulfilling one for those who would teach in a society that has abandoned the belief in equality and considers the poor enemies of the state.
Kudos to those who would still try.
185
In some areas of the country young adults who truly love working with children and have teaching credentials can not find employment. http://www.lohud.com/story/news/education/2015/01/23/tough-job-market-te... Many of the charter schools hire students from TFA and other similar programs who may be very bright and motivated, but consider teaching a two-year break between college and a real career, not a profession in itself. As Mr. Bruni stated in the article, it would be wonderful if there was more reciprocity in teaching credentials between the states so that unemployed licensed New York teaching graduates could easily move to California and start their careers.
4
Excellent points. Yet Bruni supports the GOP, which never misses an opportunity to disparage teachers and their representatives. Teachers leave after 5 years? Why do they stay so long in the demonized atmosphere created by that Grand Old Party?
7
Was not Frank Bruni one of the many voices calling for reforms targeting teachers? Why is it seemingly so difficult to see that the attacks on the profession he espoused might discourage others from entering that profession? The damage from the machinations of the educational/industrial complex should be no surprise, but still pundits like Bruni ignore the testimony of the teachers themselves who have been trying desperately for over a decade to warn this nation about the true nature of education "reform." Maybe word about the direction education is taking and what it means for the teaching profession has reached the public through means other than mass media.
7
Have politicians and parents stop using teachers as "the enemy" or "whipping boy" when they have abrogated their responsibilities. How many teachers in Kansas are looking for or have found new positions in other states after the state cut the education budget? The same in Wisconsin.
As for parents, where are they doing to encourage (or force) their children to give as much attention to school work as they do to the TV or the basketball hoop?
Finally, after how many years and how much money spent after Sputnik to develop NUMEROUS NEW programs to teach Science and Math, are the results so dismal? Will the next new one be more successful?
As for parents, where are they doing to encourage (or force) their children to give as much attention to school work as they do to the TV or the basketball hoop?
Finally, after how many years and how much money spent after Sputnik to develop NUMEROUS NEW programs to teach Science and Math, are the results so dismal? Will the next new one be more successful?
5
The lack of respect for teaching is just a reflection of america's attitude at large towards caregiving for children, and caregiving in general. If anyone, young or old, can't support themselves, they are deemed less than, and unworthy. It all stems from a lack of understanding of anyone else but ourselves. And once the home schooling movement took hold, well, anyone can teach, right? So why pay someone to do something that can so easily be done at home?
6
Curious that you didn't once use the word 'tenure'. Having protection from arbitrary firing is a prerequisite for autonomy, and makes up for the relatively low salary. Ask any college professor.
Of course, many people don't like us having tenure either - ask any college administrator, who would love to be able to fire 'difficult' faculty.
Of course, many people don't like us having tenure either - ask any college administrator, who would love to be able to fire 'difficult' faculty.
6
In 2015, only about 25-30% of college/university faculty have tenure or have a full-time position with benefits and a chance to eventually get tenure. Over half of courses nation-wide are taught by faculty who are on a course-by-course or semester-by-semester contract with zero or very limited benefits.
1
We've broken the unions, gotten rid of tenure, and reduced pensions. How can there still be a shortage of well qualified teachers and applicants for teaching jobs.
27
Funny,but you know irony doesn't work on the internet.
Where are the voices of classroom teachers, Mr. Bruni?
13
One of the factors we never seem to look at in the conversations on education improvement in this country is the increasing lack of proper parenting at home. We are counting on our teachers to not only teach, but also parent our children. We don't want to give them actual authority to do so, yet we want to hold them accountable for the task so that we don't have to look in the mirror for blame when little Johny or little Sally fail in school and society. Respect is taught by parents but in today's society, parents are more likely to teach children lack of respect for every one and every thing. With increasingly selfish behaviour among kids that is nurtured and tolerated by their selfish parents from an early age, the teachers are fighting a losing battle to just get attention from their classrooms. No wonder there is no interest in the teaching profession - there is no actual teaching allowed anymore as teachers deal with the parents' ineptitude to be parents. And that is why we have teachers in our schools who will use "your" and "you're" interchangeably; particularly bothersome when that is an English teacher who is supposed to teach my son grammar. I say parents and administrators start to look in that proverbial mirror and take a hard look at the long term impact of how we are raising our children. Giving them everything they want, monetarily, is not doing them any favors.
9
The high school students I work with, almost all of whom hail from low socio-economic backgrounds, have little to no respect for their teachers. This is primarily because they are well aware of the low pay we earn. "Trash collectors make more money than you do," retorted one student who wanted nothing to do with class.
Well, he is right. I have a master's degree in education and several years of teaching experience, yet I earn less than I did 13 years ago as a human resources analyst.
After all this, not to mention the strange loss in prestige, I often wonder why I even went into teaching (oh, yes - it was to make a difference).
And how can you express that to such a student?
Well, he is right. I have a master's degree in education and several years of teaching experience, yet I earn less than I did 13 years ago as a human resources analyst.
After all this, not to mention the strange loss in prestige, I often wonder why I even went into teaching (oh, yes - it was to make a difference).
And how can you express that to such a student?
15
You should get out of NC and move to the Chicago area to teach. In the suburbs of Chicago, HS teachers routinely earn $100k+ by mid career.
1
Republican politicians from Wisconsin and elsewhere love to blame teachers and their unions for everything from laziness and incompetence, protected by tenure systems, to unjustified pay scales that blow state budgets. The attacks have succeeded; unions have been busted, pensions have been cut, programs have been dropped, school funding has been eviscerated, curricula and teaching methods are now controlled by legislators or initiative drafters, and many teachers have been driven out of the profession. For the most part, the attacks are political and have nothing to do with either budgets or education reform. For instance, in Los Angeles, teachers' salaries account for only 16% of the school district's budget (the rest goes to administrators, staff and facilities). Teachers' salaries are to blame for the district's budget crisis? Really? Once we stop attacking teachers, perhaps more talented young folks will consider teaching as a profession. Until then … good luck.
20
When Walker took over and targeted teachers, I was appalled at the anger and venom many people directed towards teachers and other public employees. Who knew?! It was a little frightening. That deep well of hatred is not going to go away soon. Teachers will never be respected and I would advise any young person to stay well away from this profession.
State by state, teaching differs as a career.
Texas is a state income tax free, "Right to Work", state. New York is a highly unionized, heavily taxed, state. Teachers can retire with very large pensions from many locals in New York, but not in Texas.
Considering our low interest rate environment, a New York city pension may be worth millions if interpreted as a lump sum payout. The lump sum payouts one receives from a private corporation, when retiring from a more "glamorous" profession like engineering, is usually "bupkis", when compared to a NYC teacher's pension.
Teaching is not easy. Working in corporate America is often, ridiculous. Universities rarely, if ever paint a picture of, "how things really are", in the postgraduate, working world.
Texas is a state income tax free, "Right to Work", state. New York is a highly unionized, heavily taxed, state. Teachers can retire with very large pensions from many locals in New York, but not in Texas.
Considering our low interest rate environment, a New York city pension may be worth millions if interpreted as a lump sum payout. The lump sum payouts one receives from a private corporation, when retiring from a more "glamorous" profession like engineering, is usually "bupkis", when compared to a NYC teacher's pension.
Teaching is not easy. Working in corporate America is often, ridiculous. Universities rarely, if ever paint a picture of, "how things really are", in the postgraduate, working world.
8
When then they are bullied by politicians like Chris Christie and blamed for being the cause of our educational morass, on top of facing massive budget cuts that force hem to buy their own classroom supplies (including their personal computer which is required to do their job), it is no wonder no one would want anything to do with this career.
12
Attracting and keeping young teachers in Jersey City (a city right across Hudson River from NYC) has a lot to do with economics. In my district teachers (like myself on year 10) have to wait 12 years for their first raise (salary guide step system), pay more for their health care every year without hope for a raise in 1st 12 years, earn what a first year teacher does for first 12 years, and are now being threatened with a loss of their pensions by the state of NJ. With a base salary of 54k and counting in an increasingly expensive urban area I know that to just survive economically, as a teacher we have to sacrifice. Teachers in my district make what the avg. cab driver in NYC makes. So, when administrators tell us to act and dress professional- I think to myself act like a cabdriver in NYC and dress like highly paid professional at Google. I survive by realizing I will never be paid enough to get angry, that my pay doesn't reflect my value as person, my job actually produces a product of value to society, and that by living where I teach I will be part of the community where I live. My advise to young teachers is- Even though you will probably always be broke remember you are your own person, doing an invaluable job, and it is a job that changes lives. It will also give you a lifetime of memories that you can carry with you for free.
3
One other glaring point missed that has been covered in previous news reports and is now the subject of several lawsuits, one on Long Island even, is that given how testing is used to evaluate teachers and how their "value-added" score is based on a theoretically predicted "growth target" (think how stock analysts "predict" earnings on stocks, seemingly pulling the figures out of murky air), the teachers can be rated "ineffective" or even "developing" when their students fail to meet or beat the theoretical target despite those same students scoring at the very TOP -- even with PERFECT scores (similar to how the stock market drives a stock's price down to punish a company for posting fabulous results but those results were only PENNIES off the predicted amount and in a few cases have even exceeded the predicted amount)!
Add that to "it's ALL the teachers' fault" -- the belief that home life, poverty, societal influence, health and host of other factors simply do not exist nor do they have any effect upon a child's learning -- that only teacher affects a child's learning and how dare they expect anyone else to help or be responsible and it is easy to see why teachers are leaving the profession.
Add that to "it's ALL the teachers' fault" -- the belief that home life, poverty, societal influence, health and host of other factors simply do not exist nor do they have any effect upon a child's learning -- that only teacher affects a child's learning and how dare they expect anyone else to help or be responsible and it is easy to see why teachers are leaving the profession.
11
What Randi Weingarten said about teaching is well intentioned, but slightly inaccurate. People who go into teaching have "voice." It's part of what we model and impart to our students. We do it by modeling listening, real listening, and create lessons based on how engaged our students are. A good teacher does not shout down the student, but modifies and adapts the lesson so the student never loses his or her voice in the learning process.
On the opposite side, however, is the data driven administration. They shout down the teacher and consider student learning to be secondary. What is primary, in their jobs, is the average test score. That is the new culture in school. Students and teachers both hate it. Even tenured teachers get tired of being harassed by their supervisors over such priorities.
Undergraduate programs in education do not teach one how to engage students, that must come from within and from experience. And engaging students to find their voices was once a highly respected art.
Quantified education, in opposition to quality education has alienated many students and teachers. After 25 years of engaging students I should feel good about my voice. But it is wasted on the adults who choose to listen with only the dull side of data, and seem to dislike children for their interest and curiosity in learning. This generation of education policy makers will be remembered for having killed wonder in the classroom.
On the opposite side, however, is the data driven administration. They shout down the teacher and consider student learning to be secondary. What is primary, in their jobs, is the average test score. That is the new culture in school. Students and teachers both hate it. Even tenured teachers get tired of being harassed by their supervisors over such priorities.
Undergraduate programs in education do not teach one how to engage students, that must come from within and from experience. And engaging students to find their voices was once a highly respected art.
Quantified education, in opposition to quality education has alienated many students and teachers. After 25 years of engaging students I should feel good about my voice. But it is wasted on the adults who choose to listen with only the dull side of data, and seem to dislike children for their interest and curiosity in learning. This generation of education policy makers will be remembered for having killed wonder in the classroom.
8
Mr. Bruni,
I am a big fan of your and read you religiously. U have to say that today's column disappointed me. You did not take the time to talk with a single classroom teacher, mirroring one of the most critical problems in education today: those who do the work day in and day to have very little voice. The "reform leaders" you spoke with offer the same empty rhetoric. It is incredibly difficult to be a teacher these days - we are responsible for all state budget woes and ills (see Scott Walker and Chris Christie, who wants to "punch in the face" teachers unions - who are, of course, made up of teacher)), we are measured by student performance over which we have limited control (think about what would happen if society held doctors accountable for overweight patients who, despite the doctor's best advice and support, did not lose weight), and the only time society as a whole loves a teacher is when that teacher has thrown his/her body in harm's way to protect students. I love my job, I work very hard at it, but the constant drumroll around me questioning my commitment, demeaning my expertise and judging my work makes it difficult for me to recommend this career to others.
I am a big fan of your and read you religiously. U have to say that today's column disappointed me. You did not take the time to talk with a single classroom teacher, mirroring one of the most critical problems in education today: those who do the work day in and day to have very little voice. The "reform leaders" you spoke with offer the same empty rhetoric. It is incredibly difficult to be a teacher these days - we are responsible for all state budget woes and ills (see Scott Walker and Chris Christie, who wants to "punch in the face" teachers unions - who are, of course, made up of teacher)), we are measured by student performance over which we have limited control (think about what would happen if society held doctors accountable for overweight patients who, despite the doctor's best advice and support, did not lose weight), and the only time society as a whole loves a teacher is when that teacher has thrown his/her body in harm's way to protect students. I love my job, I work very hard at it, but the constant drumroll around me questioning my commitment, demeaning my expertise and judging my work makes it difficult for me to recommend this career to others.
22
Bruni writes as someone who hasn't taught. I recently spoke with an urban public school teacher on summer break. He is disheartened for none of the reasons cited by Bruni. Thanks to powerful teachers' unions, he, and many other public school teachers, are well paid. Instead he faces a mind-numbing daily routine that crushes morale. Students who don't want to learn and/or are just in his class to hang out instead of being on the street take up all of his time with behavioral issues. It is day care for teens (and sometimes those in their early 20s). Bruni's suggestion that this sort of existential problem with public school teaching - what's the point of my being here? - can be resolved by making it even harder to get an education degree is misplaced. Nothing will attract more teachers to teaching than a room full of kids who actually want to be taught something.
13
I was a gifted college student in the late 60's now retired from a thirty year career as a high school teacher and sometimes teacher trainer. It has been a challenging journey and often the question of "why are you wasting your talent ?" ha s been asked. Today when i look back and ask myself what i have contributed to making my stude ts more compassionate and more effective critical thinkers able to express their ideas and imaginations, i know my time has been well spent. When parents a d friends stop telling their children and peers that they are too gifted or talented to become teachers , our schools will have a chance.
1
To get truly serious start a real educational evaluation system that focuses on whole systems not merely teachers and actually uses the data for improvement of student learning instead scoring political points. And while you are at it, pay attention to valid design and measurement. That is what Flexner did for medicine - start paying attention to the empirical stuff, then think about raising the teacher and student bars.
In today's educational world, you can be judged on your performance in classes you never taught. You are a serf, and decisions are made waa-y above you by feudal lords who never once faced a class of young people.
In today's educational world, children have been turned into data-producing units whose vibrant futures dim as they waste time on tests. Taking a test is not learning something. The tests themselves, almost all from one company (Pearson), are products. They sell by the millions to school districts across the country for huge $.
The joy and excitement of learning for its own sake? All learning has been reduced to getting a job. The purpose of school is not just to get a job. We expand our minds so we can develop our own gifts, and live healthy, satisfying lives. Do we not think today's children should learn about music? Or experience making art? It's OK to cancel gym class for growing children because of budgets? Really? Before the 1980's, education budgets were sacrosanct. No sane person would consider cutting an education budget. After Reagonomics that changed. Teachers and other adults in the school who were downsized, have never been replaced, for the last 30 years. Schools are now understaffed and under-resourced.
For the most part, today's educational world is a dry, paltry place. Teachers are like clerks in a discount store, passing out the merchandise and making change. And the students are lined up, waiting to pay.
In today's educational world, children have been turned into data-producing units whose vibrant futures dim as they waste time on tests. Taking a test is not learning something. The tests themselves, almost all from one company (Pearson), are products. They sell by the millions to school districts across the country for huge $.
The joy and excitement of learning for its own sake? All learning has been reduced to getting a job. The purpose of school is not just to get a job. We expand our minds so we can develop our own gifts, and live healthy, satisfying lives. Do we not think today's children should learn about music? Or experience making art? It's OK to cancel gym class for growing children because of budgets? Really? Before the 1980's, education budgets were sacrosanct. No sane person would consider cutting an education budget. After Reagonomics that changed. Teachers and other adults in the school who were downsized, have never been replaced, for the last 30 years. Schools are now understaffed and under-resourced.
For the most part, today's educational world is a dry, paltry place. Teachers are like clerks in a discount store, passing out the merchandise and making change. And the students are lined up, waiting to pay.
157
It started with Reagan in California when he was governor in the 1970s. He got a proposition passed that lowered property taxes enough to defund education, and brought California's schools from being third in the nation to 47th. That was when the right wing began to demonize teachers. My mother was an elementary school teacher and her classroom went from having around 20 students in it to having as many as 36. I remember the stress she experienced, even as a seasoned teacher of about 20 years.
We're falling behind the world in all kinds of ways because of this attitude toward education that has been propagated by those who wish to privatize it. They see it as a way to lower taxes and make more money, and don't care that there will be a large majority of children who will not be able to afford school. It's only about money for the few, education for the few, and the creation of a vast, illiterate, poverty-stricken underclass. Who needs advancements in science when people don't even believe in it anymore? At some point we are going to have to start funding things in our society, and that means taxes, doesn't it? Taxes mean we all chip in to create something good all of us can enjoy and benefit from. And if you are a billionaire or even a millionaire, you should pay a decent proportion to support the society you live in.
But, greed has won, hasn't it. Bill Maher is right: these days being wealthy includes a real sickness, a real immorality.
We're falling behind the world in all kinds of ways because of this attitude toward education that has been propagated by those who wish to privatize it. They see it as a way to lower taxes and make more money, and don't care that there will be a large majority of children who will not be able to afford school. It's only about money for the few, education for the few, and the creation of a vast, illiterate, poverty-stricken underclass. Who needs advancements in science when people don't even believe in it anymore? At some point we are going to have to start funding things in our society, and that means taxes, doesn't it? Taxes mean we all chip in to create something good all of us can enjoy and benefit from. And if you are a billionaire or even a millionaire, you should pay a decent proportion to support the society you live in.
But, greed has won, hasn't it. Bill Maher is right: these days being wealthy includes a real sickness, a real immorality.
1
and how, exactly, does this differ from the private sector? I cannot believe the NY Times made this comment a "pick".
1
Reciprocity for teacher certification to allow easy movement between states already exists. Often just a bunch of paper work and possibly one or two specific local classes (The Glorious History of the Grand Ol' State of ________ ).
Some states and districts will even give credit for pay purposes for prior teaching experience so the transferring teachers do not start over at the bottom of the pay scale.
But, what is NOT portable and truly keeps teachers stuck are their PENSIONS. One starts over at the bottom of the earning pension credits.
Teach 10 years in one state and then transfer to another, you start at 0 in the new state in terms of having earned a pension.
Given that in most states it takes a minimum of 20 and more often even 30 years to a "full" pension, there is a disincentive to move state to state.
A national pension plan needs to be enacted to allow the easy transfer.
Some states and districts will even give credit for pay purposes for prior teaching experience so the transferring teachers do not start over at the bottom of the pay scale.
But, what is NOT portable and truly keeps teachers stuck are their PENSIONS. One starts over at the bottom of the earning pension credits.
Teach 10 years in one state and then transfer to another, you start at 0 in the new state in terms of having earned a pension.
Given that in most states it takes a minimum of 20 and more often even 30 years to a "full" pension, there is a disincentive to move state to state.
A national pension plan needs to be enacted to allow the easy transfer.
7
It is called reciprocity. I was a member of the Retail Clerks Union and later, it's successor, the UFCW. We have had reciprocal agreements between pension plans in most states since the 70's. Furthermore, 5 year vesting is now the law.
Improving the conditions of teachers is a great start, but if we really wanted to leapfrog the world in education for the service and skills-based information economy, we should invite professionals from within the community to come to classrooms and take on students for apprenticeships. This way we can start students early with real skills and job experience, and offload the laughable expectation that a high school diploma is anything more than a certificate to adulthood. If apprenticeships worked well enough in the Bronze Age, there's no reason to believe they can't work now.
Funny that there is all this talk of "that teachers are being rushed into classrooms with dubious qualifications and before they’ve earned their teaching credentials"
Isn't that what TeachForAmerica and the like were about in the first place?
Isn't that what TeachForAmerica and the like were about in the first place?
10
The Sisyphean certification process in this country is to blame chiefly for the lack of bodies in the classroom. Yes, the pay can be lousy and there is ever increasing mission creep of too many administrators into classrooms where they don't belong, but the fact that I can't get a job in a public high school even though I have almost 30 years of college teaching experience should be a real indictment of the certification process - but it isn't. The regulation industry in the U.S. and more specifically in this case teaching certification programs are content to leave things just as they are. Last year I applied and attended the first day of the NYC Teaching Fellows program in New York which labels itself as an alternative method of certification only to learn at the end of that long, hot, wasted day that despite all my experience I would need yet another masters degree on top of the one I already have to be properly qualified to teach in a NYC school! No wonder they can't find nobody!
4
it is incredible that a university professor cannot find work teaching in a high school due to barriers to entry set up via "accreditation". The same applies to many highly qualified individuals (i.e., engineers, etc.) who are unable to teach as a result. Many of these people are far better qualified than many, if not most, of current high school teachers. Yet barriers prevent them from entering the profession. Disgraceful.
1
Strange that a NYC metro paper would be printing a story on a teacher shortage when, if anything, there is a teacher glut in this area, with many highly qualified individuals being unable to break into the profession. Many of them are taking lesser paying Teachers Assistant or on-call subs jobs, hoping that might lead to a Permanent Sub job, which might lead to a leave replacement, which might lead to a full time tenured position should one open up. Recently, thanks to the tax cap legislation, we are seeing even tenured teachers being excessed for budgetary reasons.
We might also note that, due to a drastic slowdown in household formation and house sales, student populations on Long Island will be decreasing on average. In my own district, we are expecting a drop of 10% within the decade. Far less demand for teachers in a region where a large number of our progeny have chosen to pursue education as a career.
Nor should we assume we should throw more money at teachers in order to retain them. The national average for teachers may be $57K, but in my district we just hired several first timers at $51K and it is not unusual for some long timers to get $130K, with lifetime healthcare and pension.
So maybe the problems of which Mr Bruni speaks are serious issues elsewhere (and he does qualify it as pertaining to some areas), but every time an article like this comes out, folk here start thinking it applies to them when it doesn't.
We might also note that, due to a drastic slowdown in household formation and house sales, student populations on Long Island will be decreasing on average. In my own district, we are expecting a drop of 10% within the decade. Far less demand for teachers in a region where a large number of our progeny have chosen to pursue education as a career.
Nor should we assume we should throw more money at teachers in order to retain them. The national average for teachers may be $57K, but in my district we just hired several first timers at $51K and it is not unusual for some long timers to get $130K, with lifetime healthcare and pension.
So maybe the problems of which Mr Bruni speaks are serious issues elsewhere (and he does qualify it as pertaining to some areas), but every time an article like this comes out, folk here start thinking it applies to them when it doesn't.
7
the solution is for those in the NY area to move to areas in the country where there are jobs. simple solution. The fact that many want to be teachers have not figured this out or refuse to do so says plenty (that is negative) about these people.
People think teachers don't do anything in the summers because the public is unaware of what's required of teachers. My aunt was a high school teacher in Texas and my drama teacher also told me this. Maybe things have changed but this is how it was. The high school teachers were required to have a Master's degree within five years of being hired. If they didn't, they lost their job. So the teachers were working nine months, raising kids, and trying to get a graduate level degree at the same time. Texas didn't pay for the extra college so teachers were on their own for tuition. It didn't end there. To stay accredited teachers had to take college classes in the summers or get other approved education by attending conferences. Maybe Texas has changed since I lived there but it used to be tough to stay a teacher. Lots of work.
13
I have been a public school middle school teacher for almost 20 years now, first in a rural community and now in the community where I live. I work hard (even after 20 years, I still find that I have to work nights and weekends to keep up), and I am not rich, but comfortable.
However, teaching is not a low prestige job. I often feel like a celebrity in my own community. When I step into stores, restaurants and the gym, I am often greeted by hugs and smiles of present and former students and parents. There is absolutely nothing better!
Yes, education today has problems, but that is all the more reason for creative, intelligent, reflective people to join us. There is plenty of interesting work to do for those who can roll up sleeves and pitch in!
However, teaching is not a low prestige job. I often feel like a celebrity in my own community. When I step into stores, restaurants and the gym, I am often greeted by hugs and smiles of present and former students and parents. There is absolutely nothing better!
Yes, education today has problems, but that is all the more reason for creative, intelligent, reflective people to join us. There is plenty of interesting work to do for those who can roll up sleeves and pitch in!
9
Why would anyone want to teach when Republicans are engaging in a war on education and educators? Setting aside the tremendous reductions in funds, teachers are blamed for everything that's wrong with kids and give junk curiculum (and I'm not referring to core standards). We're going to be producing a generation that will be unable to compete in the world economy, unable to invent, design, and develop.
36
Frankly, I'm blaming the parents. Overly indulged children make terrible students. My friends who have children will immediately side with their child's complaint against a teacher while ignoring the fact that Little Johnny is a terror. Also the encouragement of every single student to pursue his/her passion as opposed to choosing fields that contribute to the economy are ruining the future generations.
1
Perhaps more important than lacking the skills to drive our economy, students will graduate without the critical thinking skills required to participate in democracy. We are already tasting that bitter fruit. It's a downward spiral, difficult or impossible to arrest.
I would have gone into teaching when I was in college in the mid to late 70s. I didn't because of how I saw my mother, a teacher, and other teachers treated by school officials, parents, and other students. Although the level of disrespect had not reached the heights of today it was fairly high. Parents and others assume that teachers have a cushy job just because they have the summer off and get "long" vacations during the school year. No one seems to consider what they do with their time off. Having known quite a few teachers I can tell you what they do: during the summer many work or go to school. During the school year they are grading papers, making plans, grading tests, thinking about how to challenge their students along with whatever other family or personal matters they have to deal with.
Teaching is not valued in America. Education is not valued. We make fun of nerds, dweebs, and bookworms. We tell smart children to be athletic, not smart. We pay more willingly for athletic fields and transportation than we do for up to date science labs or libraries, comfortable classrooms with adequate heating and ventilation. We're willing to spend thousands on keeping that football field green than on keeping up school buildings, offering advanced courses to students who can use them.
Many people think that being a teacher is easy; after all they've taught their kids. Teaching one is not teaching a classroom. Good teachers are worth more than athletic fields.
Teaching is not valued in America. Education is not valued. We make fun of nerds, dweebs, and bookworms. We tell smart children to be athletic, not smart. We pay more willingly for athletic fields and transportation than we do for up to date science labs or libraries, comfortable classrooms with adequate heating and ventilation. We're willing to spend thousands on keeping that football field green than on keeping up school buildings, offering advanced courses to students who can use them.
Many people think that being a teacher is easy; after all they've taught their kids. Teaching one is not teaching a classroom. Good teachers are worth more than athletic fields.
341
This is an insightful and true comment. I did not work or take classes during summers (I am now retired.) However, I always felt that since I had hardly an hour to myself from late August to mid-June, that, while time off work was evenly spread through the year for non-teachers, it was concentrated into the the summer weeks for teachers, so time off workturns out to be about the same for most workers.
1
Frankly I am tired of this rhetoric that all smart kids are bullied. I graduated from high school in 2006 and university in 2010 (and despite the recession, managed to find a very well paying job). Despite attended the most populated high school in the state and having a pregnant homecoming queen two years in a row, myself and many of my classmates graduated with honors and attended university. We were not only encourage to excel academically but also athletically and socially. I lettered in swimming and track all four years, participated in numerous clubs such as Model UN and drama, and volunteered in my community. My friends and I did these activities and academics together without threat of being bullied by our classmates. Frankly most smart kids realize that working hard in school will pay out dividends in future over the lazy kids who are unwilling to do homework or take education seriously.
Teachers would get paid more if their unions would let bad teachers get fired. Tenure and hostility to teacher testing keep inept teachers in their jobs which suppresses pay. It's supply and demand. There is no shortage of incompetent teachers. "Paying teachers more" won't improve teaching if the "more" just goes to the same teachers we already have. We need to first get rid of bad teachers, after which we would be forced to pay more in order to get good teachers.
1
I would add to all of this: Restore the teacher-student relationship. Give teachers not only autonomy, but power.
Although Socrates, in a famed display of mock humility, said the sibyl proclaimed him the wisest man in Athens because he knew how little he knew, the fact is, the teacher is in front of the room because he (or she, assumed) is at least marginally less ignorant than the students.
Now, between the student-as-consumer mindset, helicopter parenting, and 'everyone has won and all must have prizes', it's assumed the teacher is not only an idiot who must be micromanaged, but that the kids already know everything.
Teachers are expected to give no grade less than A, preferably A+; are graded on whether their students 'like' them; have no power to enforce discipline in the classroom even if the kids are throwing chairs through the windows; in the name of 'egalitarianism' and 'stigma-free', must teach the same material, in the same hour, to 25 kids, ranging from geniuses through severely developmentally disabled, from future presidents to future serial killers. Do they speak English? Hard to tell; they're always texting anyway. Envy-ridden parents meanwhile campaign to strip teachers of their benefits and break their union.
I could go on but I'm running out of characters.My father was a teacher, and all this was beginning to happen even back when he left the classroom around 1971.
To misquote the subliterate Pink Floyd:
Hey, kids! Leave them teachers alone!
;}
Although Socrates, in a famed display of mock humility, said the sibyl proclaimed him the wisest man in Athens because he knew how little he knew, the fact is, the teacher is in front of the room because he (or she, assumed) is at least marginally less ignorant than the students.
Now, between the student-as-consumer mindset, helicopter parenting, and 'everyone has won and all must have prizes', it's assumed the teacher is not only an idiot who must be micromanaged, but that the kids already know everything.
Teachers are expected to give no grade less than A, preferably A+; are graded on whether their students 'like' them; have no power to enforce discipline in the classroom even if the kids are throwing chairs through the windows; in the name of 'egalitarianism' and 'stigma-free', must teach the same material, in the same hour, to 25 kids, ranging from geniuses through severely developmentally disabled, from future presidents to future serial killers. Do they speak English? Hard to tell; they're always texting anyway. Envy-ridden parents meanwhile campaign to strip teachers of their benefits and break their union.
I could go on but I'm running out of characters.My father was a teacher, and all this was beginning to happen even back when he left the classroom around 1971.
To misquote the subliterate Pink Floyd:
Hey, kids! Leave them teachers alone!
;}
53
I wish I could edit my post to change the word in the first paragraph from 'power' to 'autonomy', which is really what I was aiming at. (And also to re-edit the third paragraph to read ''assumed that not only is the teacher an idiot ....')
However, my point doesn't change
However, my point doesn't change
How do I contain my absolute rage about this column without showing disrespect and antipathy towards Frank Bruni? If he truly wants to understand why fewer and fewer people want to teach, and why so many teachers are fleeing the profession after 5 years or less, Bruni should look in the mirror.
Few writers have been more hostile to public schools and educators than Bruni. He perpetuates negative stereotypes of our teachers. He encourages distrust of public education and accepts at face value almost any dubious or obtuse claims about the "success" of virtually any charter "school."
Why did Bruni ignore actual Public School TEACHERS? And did he bother to inquire with the growing number of people---educators, parents, taxpayers---who are increasingly outraged by all of this?
Bruni is also oblivious regarding the threat to our schools from well-funded privatization interests who see the tax dollars we pay to support public education as "future revenue streams" for their private entities---both profit and "non profit"---dubiously called charter "schools." He advocates absolutely awful "reform" policies designed to marginalize, belittle and denigrate the very people who have dedicated their lives to teaching our children.
Bruni has unfortunately been part and parcel of the mendacious narrative we've been hearing for decades about "bad teachers", "unprepared students" and "failing schools." And NOW he laments the teacher shortage he helped to bring about!
Incredible.
Few writers have been more hostile to public schools and educators than Bruni. He perpetuates negative stereotypes of our teachers. He encourages distrust of public education and accepts at face value almost any dubious or obtuse claims about the "success" of virtually any charter "school."
Why did Bruni ignore actual Public School TEACHERS? And did he bother to inquire with the growing number of people---educators, parents, taxpayers---who are increasingly outraged by all of this?
Bruni is also oblivious regarding the threat to our schools from well-funded privatization interests who see the tax dollars we pay to support public education as "future revenue streams" for their private entities---both profit and "non profit"---dubiously called charter "schools." He advocates absolutely awful "reform" policies designed to marginalize, belittle and denigrate the very people who have dedicated their lives to teaching our children.
Bruni has unfortunately been part and parcel of the mendacious narrative we've been hearing for decades about "bad teachers", "unprepared students" and "failing schools." And NOW he laments the teacher shortage he helped to bring about!
Incredible.
502
I was drawn to this article with hope that Bruni had finally awoken, only to be disappointed. While it is true that there is a major shortage of Teachers, Bruni has no clue!
This is only part of the privateer reformers scheme to destroy Public Schools and increase their own profits. Education is no longer controlled by Educators that attempt to improve Education for all but by corporate minions that want to reduce costs of Education and increase profits of private corporations overseeing "charter" schools. Taxpayer monies are stolen daily by the Charter bureaucracy and even more so, by the so called online or virtual schools.
The 'Press" is relatively silent about this destruction of Democracy and the Public should be screaming!!!
This is only part of the privateer reformers scheme to destroy Public Schools and increase their own profits. Education is no longer controlled by Educators that attempt to improve Education for all but by corporate minions that want to reduce costs of Education and increase profits of private corporations overseeing "charter" schools. Taxpayer monies are stolen daily by the Charter bureaucracy and even more so, by the so called online or virtual schools.
The 'Press" is relatively silent about this destruction of Democracy and the Public should be screaming!!!
3
I have two daughters, one a new nurse with a B.S. in nursing and the other a third year teacher with a master's degree from a prestigious university. The nurse's starting salary is $75,000 and the teacher's is $44,000. That says it all!
279
Add to that the fact that in many states teachers have to go on and get master's degrees in their specialty and you can understand why teachers leave the field. Yes, we're beginning to pay teachers more but no other profession receives such low regard for their hard work unless it's minimum wage employees. We don't expect minimum wage employees to have college degrees much less a graduate degree. We don't tell them that they aren't worth paying to do a difficult job like standing up in front of a roomful of sometimes hostile or disinterested students and coercing them into listening so they can pass a test they don't care about but which the teacher's career depends upon. Furthermore, we don't actively undermine minimum wage employees by telling or hinting to our children that the work they do can be done by anyone or that our child deserves an A for no effort.
16
I have to defend your daughter who is a nurse, and receiving more pay than your daughter who is a teacher. After receiving a B.S. in Nursing in the late 70's, I lasted exactly one year. I worked nights, in a floating position, never knowing where my night's assignment would land me: Labor & delivery? ICU? Med/surg? My "days" off were always separate, never two in a row. I got only two weeks vacation per year and had to apply for those precious dates one year in advance. Staffing was always thin. Stress was through the roof every night, keeping me awake during the day when I was supposed to be sleeping. Much of my job was keeping patient visitors and doctors happy, as if I was a Concierge service. Nursing salaries rose out of necessity, because so many of us left then profession, but even with today's more commensurate compensation, I would never return to that life.
Having said that, I do believe teachers today are undervalued, under supported, and are being forced to wear too many hats trying to cure social problems that society dumps into the classroom.
Having said that, I do believe teachers today are undervalued, under supported, and are being forced to wear too many hats trying to cure social problems that society dumps into the classroom.
Not exactly. A nurse works more hours per week and more weeks per year than a teacher.
2