Could it be Mrs. Beulah B. Betterthanyou? She comes to class in her most fashionable ensemble. Her hands are bejeweled with rings befitting the queen of England. She appears pristine, elegant and professional. Her grades are based neither upon the mechanics of the task nor upon the information but upon the final opinion rendered. All those agreeing with her are duly rewarded and showered with praise while the dissenters are reviled and impugned. She rails against the immorality of modern students and their horrible, broken families. She preaches from her podium about the ignorance of those who do not follow The Bible to the hilt, while either being seen by various students of all ages exiting the porn room of the local video store or being married to the local swindler who constantly cheats people out of money for land, goods or labor.
Could it be Coach Horace A. Hardcore? He loves badgering children in front of other children. He points out the inadequacies of those who do not participate in the various athletic programs. He also aids children in their hazing of those who appear weaker for the sake of building his athlete's confidence. He eats, lives and breathes the creation of an aristocracy based upon athleticism and all others must be the servitude class. He forces the “undesirables” to do all of the assigned work to make them appear busy and justifies low grades as their laziness even though he's throwing work their work in the trashcan. He tells his athletes to just hand in something; after all, homework is for those “losers.”
Could it be Mrs. Pallid G. Livermore? This is the teacher awaiting an organ donor who sits at her desk scowling at these children. Her husband is wealthy enough that she does not have to work but she does so in order to take up the time in her life with an equally “respectable” job. She arrives home in time to prepare a meal and be home for her own children. Retirement could not arrive fast enough though and is thankful for her tenure so that she does not have to tolerate the peasants who claim she cannot teach. She has no hope in reaching these students and she could not care less either. She feels that most of the children are beneath her but she puts on a great show to outsiders of how much she loves the children. She fondly remembers little Cindy Poplar's mother from her high school days and rewards Cindy with good grades regardless of how scatter-brained she may act. Also she despises little Johnny Porfamly. She sneers at his choice of clothing and belittles the fact that he shops at Gothics-R-Us. He never receives anything above a “C” even though he learned and understood the material.
All of these teachers have contributed to the loss of faith in education at the personal level. These teachers are the few but they exist in every school system. Moreover, they have been around for some time. Parents of today had one or more of these teachers growing up and understand the double standard that exists in education. No one weeds these people out because they appear to be from wealthy or respectable families. If the school system made available the grade distribution from classes at least parents could see which teachers may appear to have double standards.
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User Comments
Being a former student and recent graduate of a Sevier county school, I must say this is right on and Sevier county schools do employ some of these types of teachers. I believe that if School Board members were more attentive to the needs of the students here we would not have to worry about sorry teachers and the mistreatment of kids. I had some teachers who were good and some that were not good with kids at all. If I have kids they will not go to school here.
You do have a vote in the coming election - use it wisely.
Everyone may have a vote at this next election! But no one will have a choice. Temple and McClure are running unopposed in their respective districts.
Often times everything is blamed on the students, but the teachers are the role models and should conduct themselves accordingly. I have had all of the teachers in this article. The school system needs to listen to parents and students grievous when it comes to teachers like these and a red flay must go up when they get too many complaints. I was a substitute teacher for years and have worked under teachers who constantly complained about their student and the parents. They were in a job they detested, but could not find an out.
Bottom line is: A teacher must love children and teaching, always be inspirational, motivating and caring.
They should not just be educators but role models, so the world’s young will be able to look at education and knowledge in a better way.
#4 I agree. There are many times that all things are blamed on the student whether it is the student's fault or not. Teachers who gripe and moan about students and parents ought to seek another profession/job. They are certainly not doing the kids any favors. Too bad, they do not have an oath to uphold, like "first do no harm." It is to bad that many kids are subjected to these poor role models and may or may not have this problem too at home. Kids like this never get a break.
We all are to blame. Stop pointing fingers at everyone else and take responsibility for your own self and your own family or job or system. Get off your assets and do something about the system or your family, if you don't like what you see. Just sitting there blaming everyone else does nothing to solve the problem(s).
It isn't just the school system...there are plenty of exceptional teachers out there who care about their students. There are also plenty of parents who care that their children are getting the best opportunities.
I am a teacher who cares about my students' educations. I see parents who do not care, and as in any work situation I see teachers who would be happier in another job. Most of all though I see teachers, parents, and students who look at each other as the enemy. Education is a team effort. EVERYONE has to be responsible for their own respective part of the student's education. So often I see parents who have not done their own homework, so that they know what is expected from them and what they can expect from the school system. These parents do not involve themselves in the process of education, then sit back and complain about the loss of opportunities for their little darling. Believe it or not, the school system is not responsible for raising your child!
The child learns their attitude and beliefs from the most important person(s) in their own lives....their parent(s). If Suzy or Johnny hears Mom or Dad blame everything on the school system, then they learn to blame the teacher for their own lack of responsibility in the education process.
Let's stop pointing fingers and work together to create opportunities for our children's futures. Get out there and participate: vote, go to parent teacher conferences, get involved with the parent teacher organizations at your schools, volunteer at your child's school, make it your responsibility to know what is going on in your child's life and education. It is your RESPONSIBILITY to get involved!
I've heard of parents being told that there children need to be held back because they weren't good at the current grade level and the parents demanded that the children be moved up. In one instance that I am aware of the mother was very upset thinking her daughter would not cut it in the next grade only to find her daughter doing extremely well in the higher class. If the teacher is "always right" why did the child exceed expectations in the next grade.
On the other hand, I've seen children passed only to find that they fall behind in the next year because they lacked certain skills.
Where is the standard that says a child needs to know this, this, that, and this to be ready for the next year per grade level?
Google the "Tennessee State Standards Education". You will find a website for the curriculum requirements there. Don't be afraid to ask; any teacher worth his/her salt will help you understand what is required. If you don't get satisfactory answers, keep asking. Don't be afraid to request a meeting with the principal, if you have to. Be persistant. Be professional. Do your homework first. Go into the meeting with an open mind and a willingness to work with the teacher, principal, system to find the correct solution for your child's needs. If you go in with both barrels blazing, threatening to contact the Channel 10 News, it will be hard to establish a good working relationship with your child's teachers. Unfortunately, teachers and principals have been made the "bad guys" for so long we are a bit shell-shocked. Remember education is a TEAM EFFORT, not just the responsibility of the school system. GET INVOLVED! :)
I found this site...
http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/stan...
It looks confusing but it is a "guideline" for education. This tells me that the problems in EDUCATION is MY fault. This next site that I've listed links from the above site, take a look at what TENNESSEE (that's everyone here) thinks a kindergartener needs to know for a kindergarten level Social Studies Education:
http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/ss/k...
I loved this comment at the bottom: take a global concern such as pollution, rain forest, and create a class project aiding the concern.
What a bunch of USELESS gobbledy gook! If I understand the writing on the linked page... this was a progression from Kindergarten to 3rd grade even though the heading calls it "Kindergarten - Social Studies." Does anyone seriously think that a kindergarten child needs to stress about population "explosions," the global warming scam, or the destruction of the rainforest in order to "pass" from Kindergarten to 1st grade? Can we not just focus on reading fundamentals and mathematics instead of this inane psycho-babble?
We need to take charge of our own school system by funding it with our own money and telling the state and the federal government to leave us alone. I mean, it's not like the city of Sevierville is "annexing" the highest revenue generating properties from the county and leaving the county without the capability of tax funding for our own school system here...or is it?
Good! Healthy debate!! If you don't like what you see, then it is within your power to change it. But I just want to let you know that each state is given guidelines by the federal government, so this is much larger than just a local or state decision.
By the way (and please correct me if I am wrong---I know you will!) I think the state of Tennessee does not give Sevier County much money because of the money we make from the tourists. I think 3 counties in the state (Sevier, Davidson, and Shelby) do not receive much, if any state money, because of our revenue.
Before you become so critical at the county level, have you actually checked to see what is being taught at the K-3 grade levels? It may not be anything more than recycling and water conservation; I, myself, do not know because I teach at a higher grade level, but would be interested to learn. :)
I would have to agree with the third comment on the Finney Blog. http://www.finneyblog.com/bl
ogeducation.html
Public education is indeed a money pit.
Yes there are federal dollars being spent in this county but I am not sure how wisely. Feel free to check this link. http://www.tennessee.gov/education/fedpr... Pay special attention to the link on the right bottom part of this page, listing Title schools in Sevier county.
What a Shame!
This county is a billion dollar tourist attraction. Does any one not find it odd that local and county government is set up not to fund the schools of the young for this county? And guess who suffers for that? We all do but first and foremost, the kids do.
As for education being a "team effort", that simply is an ideal but is not the true picture here. There are obstacles one encounters no matter how involved they are with their children's education. There are many at all levels that do not appreciate parents asking questions! As long as you agree, there are no problems. If one disagrees, look out!
Seems funny that some say or advise others to not blame and point fingers but their opinions reflect that they themselves might. Funny! Should healthy debate divert the issues?
As the old saying goes,
Those who can do!
Those who can't TEACH
I don't know what the state expects of me and teachers change like babies diapers. The article is right on target grades are not about the work it's about some teachers opinions. I've begged my parents to go to the school. They say I'm obviously not doing the work or try harder. I'm just fed up with it all. No one believes me.
Bad teaching is a teacher’s fault, no one else’s. Don’t pass this off on the students or parents. Because the room is full of adolescents, that’s why a teacher needs to control the class. Students in public education are not adults. Teachers are.
Being able to teach a group of students who don’t want to be there and who don’t give you 100% attention and respect from the beginning is part of the game and part of what defines a good teacher, as far as I’m concerned. Anyone can teach a class of students who want to learn and who give you attention and respect. It doesn’t take good teaching to get that job done.
#15, THANK YOU for speaking out! I know from experience that bad teachers don’t change until they are confronted. I think that some teachers are bad because they are either burned out or do not like what they are doing. I believe that in either case, they should take a break from teaching or find another profession. They should not take out their frustrations out on the poor students who have to take the class in order to move on.
Sometimes there are schools filled with bad teachers. If a good teacher comes along, he or she is gone within two to three years. I know what I speak because I have been there. Parents please investigate your schools before you send your child to them.
Students do have choices other than simply complaining about bad teachers. If teachers start grading based on personality conflicts, get parents, principals, and counselors involved. Chances are, all 3 of those people want the teacher gone, too. And don’t stop if you have problems; keep pursuing your complaint as far up as you can go. Climb the chain and go to all parties (teacher, principal, and on up the ladder) or do whatever you have to do. Go to the local newspaper if you have to. As for kids, I think that, too often, students abdicate responsibility for control over their education. It’s your education, kids. Fight for it.
Sometimes kids have problems with a teacher or instructor over what is really a personality clash. They teachers then attack in more subtle ways.
The nature and tone of these attacks is specifically designed to attract the other students attention to cause maximum embarrassment to the student they dislike. These disparaging types of activity do nothing to enhance student teacher relationships.
And those teachers who just rehash the same thing year after year are bad teachers, as far as I’m concerned. The implication there is that they got it perfectly right the first time around and never need to change anything.
Most of the "bad" teachers I know are actually quite adept at manipulating the system, probably more so than the good teachers. Constant involvement is necessary.
Teachers don't want a challenge, they want a lemming or a sheep. Be the sheep! BAAAAA! Anything else is a "problem" child. This may be why public schools are so bad for boys. They are not allowed to challenge or think, only accept what is told to them and repeat it.
#18
Amen to you
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