a teacher's perspective. Read it to see what a single day is like

[demtenjeep]

• I don’t think I can keep my content and literacy objectives updated, finish my CHAMPs posters, differentiate my instruction, update my standards based bulletin board, track all of my behaviors and tardies, make a million and a half parent calls, get ready for conferences, keep track of reading and writing conferences, add AVID and Kagan strategies into my lessons, actually plan my lessons, use student-based technology, do SIOP strategies, add in a few more 21st century skills, grade papers, create and hang up artifacts, make sure my rituals and routines are posted and review, harp on kids about finishing 25 books, and actually teach. Oh, and maybe I should be looking for the solution to hunger, poverty, and war while I’m at it. Sorry, just needed to rant. I feel about half a notch better now. From an anonymous Middle School teacher

[HockeyMom]

1. As a Special Needs TA, I can sympathize

but we have it worse. I have worked with both the profound and the emotionally disturbed; from cleaning up vomit all over, to changing BM diapers from "head to toe", to being hit, bitten, kicked, punched.

I have a degree (Law) and make $13/hour. Do these people really think we do this for the MONEY, or that we cannot do anything else? We do this because we really CARE about these kids, as I am sure, YOU do also.

I cannot tell you how many teachers have said to me that they used to workd with special needs kids, but just couldn't do it any more. There is a lot of burnout in this field.

[proud patriot]

2. Special education assisant here as well

[roguevalley]

10. you know, 90% of what you outlined in your OP is bs. Whatever

happened to actual teachers thinking about teaching and doing it based on their experience and ability? Now you know why I retired. Putting every 'white tower asshole's' pet theory into the day killed teaching for me.

When I started, I taught first grade. I went into an empty room and was left to fend for myself. I had EVERY single one of my first graders reading independently by Christmas because I thought you had to do that. I KILLED myself and did it for eleven years until I couldn't anymore. No one stuck their stupid pet theories onto my day. I did my job the way I was taught to do it. I can't stand education anymore.

[Snoutport]

7. You are a HERO!

I'm a special ed teacher...and I'll tell you, the unsung heroes of education are the TAs. My staff works as hard as I do and never get the credit for it.

I hope your teacher treats you well at least. I treat my TAs better than I treat my Mama!

[pacalo]

3. It really burns me that teachers would be put in the position of defending

themselves! I'm not a teacher but I know a few teachers quite well. I know they have to wear many hats & have enough paperwork to require their own clerks (but, of course, don't get). What have we come to as a nation when, instead of showing gratitude & giving them appropriate pay, teachers get a big slap in the face -- & those who are ignorant & self-destructive to villify teachers are given the airtime on tv as though their backward, assinine thinking is legitimate?!

Go, Wisconsin! This is another good reason to stand your ground!

[demtenjeep]

4. every one of the things mentioned

are every day things we are supposed to do in our district

[Curmudgeoness]

5. You can rant any time you need it. We understand.

My degree is in education, but the bullshit and low starting pay were more than I wanted to deal with. I tell every person who bitches about teachers that after they have done it for three months, I will listen to them. Otherwise, shut the hell up.

You may not be feeling appreciated, but I will just say thank you for doing it.

[Snoutport]

6. Now, STOP EVERYTHING! Time to get ready for state testing.

Hello fellow teacher! I feel for you. I have two IEPs and a triennial review to do this weekend. Last weekend I wrote curriculum. I know how ya feel.

Pats on the back from Oregon.

[Igel]

8. CPE hours, attendance, make sure on-campus suspension

has all the materials for the students there, engage in PLC meetings, deal with cell phones and other technologies, enforce dress codes and stage after-school tutorials.

Then again, doesn't it make it rather easier that in many states schools delete several weeks from the regular curriculum so they can devote time to standardized test review?

Now, if you're a science teacher there's a big one left out: Set up and clean-up for labs.

[demtenjeep]

9. OH yea

I am so frikin sick of the dress code issues...When I have time I will tell you about ours.