Comments on: American High Schools “Not Properly Preparing Kids For Life” http://www.bloggernews.net/116452 High-quality English language analysis and editorial writing on the news. Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:26:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Nicolette Kuff http://www.bloggernews.net/116452#comment-395818 Nicolette Kuff Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:53:44 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/116452#comment-395818 In NYS, the teacher education program is rigorous and difficult. We go through the basics, but we also have to take classes on social justice, racism, etc. in an effort to better prepare for the students we may encounter. I believe that our society is not placing enough emphasis on education - there are so many things that parents have to worry about [money,etc.] that they seem to forget about supporting their kids school-wise. In NYS, the teacher education program is rigorous and difficult. We go through the basics, but we also have to take classes on social justice, racism, etc. in an effort to better prepare for the students we may encounter. I believe that our society is not placing enough emphasis on education - there are so many things that parents have to worry about [money,etc.] that they seem to forget about supporting their kids school-wise.

]]> By: macwriter http://www.bloggernews.net/116452#comment-395799 macwriter Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:17:20 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/116452#comment-395799 At the time I retired from teaching,parents had begun suing teachers if their child didn't get an A, if their child was disciplined,If the child didn't feel the teacher liked them.  This has become consistent pattern at least in my district.  Teachers,parents all of us have to expect that children treat others with respect,take responsibility for their own actions ang their own diligence.   If mom and dad come to the rescue, teachers can't teach and children can,t learn. Some how too many adults in America have formed the notion thatanyone can teach. They also believe that teachers  should be held accountable for test scores. I think we forget that two people are responsible for learning the teacher and the student. Teachers are not building houses, they are working with people who have minds of their own. have to work together to help the child develop maturity.  Those who think teachers "don't know what they are doing are welcome to visit any school and spend the day there. This might lead to greater understanding. At the time I retired from teaching,parents had begun suing teachers if their child didn’t get an A, if their child was disciplined,If the child didn’t feel the teacher liked them.  This has become consistent pattern at least in my district.  Teachers,parents all of us have to expect that children treat others with respect,take responsibility for their own actions ang their own diligence.   If mom and dad come to the rescue, teachers can’t teach and children can,t learn. Some how too many adults in America have formed the notion thatanyone can teach. They also believe that teachers  should be held accountable for test scores. I think we forget that two people are responsible for learning the teacher and the student. Teachers are not building houses, they are working with people who have minds of their own. have to work together to help the child develop maturity.  Those who think teachers “don’t know what they are doing are welcome to visit any school and spend the day there. This might lead to greater understanding.

]]> By: suthrnsol http://www.bloggernews.net/116452#comment-395746 suthrnsol Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:21:41 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/116452#comment-395746 You people are breaking my heart. Websmith, if you are corporate America, then we can thank you for some of today's problems. It is apparent that you are one of the people of whom I spoke: you've never laid eyes on a classroom since the day you graduated. Allow me to enlighten you... Not only do I teach, I mentor, I coach, I sponsor clubs, I make home visits, I work WAY more than the 40 or 50 hours a week "corporate America" works, and you're right- I get paid far less. I speak four languages and instead of being a translator for the government or for some giant corporation somewhere, I choose instead to teach. I know my students far better than their own parents. I have students who have graduated and are in college and call me to ask me about their proposed schedules. I cannot speak for other teachers, but I know what I do for my little corner of the world and the impact I have on it. What do you do for yours? You people are breaking my heart. Websmith, if you are corporate America, then we can thank you for some of today’s problems. It is apparent that you are one of the people of whom I spoke: you’ve never laid eyes on a classroom since the day you graduated. Allow me to enlighten you… Not only do I teach, I mentor, I coach, I sponsor clubs, I make home visits, I work WAY more than the 40 or 50 hours a week “corporate America” works, and you’re right- I get paid far less. I speak four languages and instead of being a translator for the government or for some giant corporation somewhere, I choose instead to teach. I know my students far better than their own parents. I have students who have graduated and are in college and call me to ask me about their proposed schedules. I cannot speak for other teachers, but I know what I do for my little corner of the world and the impact I have on it. What do you do for yours?

]]> By: Kenny http://www.bloggernews.net/116452#comment-395731 Kenny Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:59:09 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/116452#comment-395731 Parents are not willing to help their children with homework is not a surprise. These parents probably cannot do the work themselves. Parents are not willing to help their children with homework is not a surprise. These parents probably cannot do the work themselves.

]]> By: Nicolette Kuff http://www.bloggernews.net/116452#comment-395670 Nicolette Kuff Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:09:41 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/116452#comment-395670 I wanted so badly to be an English teacher...to be the teacher that kids could connect with, the teacher that kids would work really hard for. It's unfortunate that kids of high school age no longer place an emphasis on their education, and that they refuse to form any kind of bond with their educators. When I did a teaching placement in a second grade classroom, the kids embraced me and could not WAIT to learn each and every day. Somewhere between second grade and high school, that enthusiasm dwindles. It's tragic, if you ask me. My Mom is also a teacher - underpaid and overworked, but all she can talk about are her kids. THAT'S a good teacher! I wanted so badly to be an English teacher…to be the teacher that kids could connect with, the teacher that kids would work really hard for. It’s unfortunate that kids of high school age no longer place an emphasis on their education, and that they refuse to form any kind of bond with their educators. When I did a teaching placement in a second grade classroom, the kids embraced me and could not WAIT to learn each and every day. Somewhere between second grade and high school, that enthusiasm dwindles. It’s tragic, if you ask me. My Mom is also a teacher - underpaid and overworked, but all she can talk about are her kids. THAT’S a good teacher!

]]> By: websmith http://www.bloggernews.net/116452#comment-395069 websmith Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:39:31 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/116452#comment-395069 About 30 years ago, just when our schools were the tops, corporate America, in dire need of educated workers as a result of extraordinary growth, raided schools for talent. We were told to look for the best and most ambitious teachers to fill our customer training positions. We were offering a teacher with a four year degree and a couple of years of experience, $60,000 per year. The most ambitious and talented took us up on our offers. The ones who were more comfortable with their tenure stayed. A teacher with a Masters and 10 years of experience still does not make that much money. Our schools used to be more like the Greek educational communities with the teachers not only being presenters but nurturers as well mixing with the students on and off campus. Every week, there was some club meeting at some student's home with teachers in attendance. Now teachers hang out in the teachers' lounge when they are not teaching, until the bell rings. Teachers are suppose to nurture and educate. Instead, they say it is not their job to raise your kids. They are with them longer than you are during the school day and it is their job to nurture. About 30 years ago, just when our schools were the tops, corporate America, in dire need of educated workers as a result of extraordinary growth, raided schools for talent. We were told to look for the best and most ambitious teachers to fill our customer training positions. We were offering a teacher with a four year degree and a couple of years of experience, $60,000 per year.

The most ambitious and talented took us up on our offers. The ones who were more comfortable with their tenure stayed. A teacher with a Masters and 10 years of experience still does not make that much money.

Our schools used to be more like the Greek educational communities with the teachers not only being presenters but nurturers as well mixing with the students on and off campus. Every week, there was some club meeting at some student’s home with teachers in attendance. Now teachers hang out in the teachers’ lounge when they are not teaching, until the bell rings.

Teachers are suppose to nurture and educate. Instead, they say it is not their job to raise your kids. They are with them longer than you are during the school day and it is their job to nurture.

]]> By: suthrnsol http://www.bloggernews.net/116452#comment-394988 suthrnsol Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:07:15 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/116452#comment-394988 How many of "those polled" have ever spent a minute in a classroom after their high school graduation, as a teacher or even a mere observer? Less than half, I'd say. Let them do that, and then come back to me with your poll results. Most of the teachers I know, myself included, work ourselves to death to let our students know what awaits them after high school - that life is not a TV drama, that things are not handed to you on a silver platter, that you may NOT come into work 30 minutes late every day and think you can get away with it, that plagiarism is indeed a crime, and it could possibly cost them their college education or even their job. We do all that, on top of teaching them to read, to write, to calculate, and please God, to think for themselves. Parents who "aren't willing" to help their kids with homework??? Shame on you!!! That's criminal. We aren't paid to raise your kids. Why don't you try investing some time and effort into your kids and then you can criticize my work. How many of “those polled” have ever spent a minute in a classroom after their high school graduation, as a teacher or even a mere observer? Less than half, I’d say. Let them do that, and then come back to me with your poll results. Most of the teachers I know, myself included, work ourselves to death to let our students know what awaits them after high school - that life is not a TV drama, that things are not handed to you on a silver platter, that you may NOT come into work 30 minutes late every day and think you can get away with it, that plagiarism is indeed a crime, and it could possibly cost them their college education or even their job. We do all that, on top of teaching them to read, to write, to calculate, and please God, to think for themselves. Parents who “aren’t willing” to help their kids with homework??? Shame on you!!! That’s criminal. We aren’t paid to raise your kids. Why don’t you try investing some time and effort into your kids and then you can criticize my work.

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