"Adults Blame Parents for Education Problems” by Donna Gordon Blankinship is the first responsible article I’ve read which places the blame for the failure of the education of their children on the parents. Having taught in Inner-City, Public Elementary Schools for ten years, I was so glad to hear that. I loved sharing my knowledge with the students; however, I found the majority of the parents to be obstructive. I witnessed and experienced abuse of teachers from parents who refused to take responsibility for their children’s education.
When their child was disruptive, it was the “teachers’ poor classroom management skills.” If homework was not turned in, of course, it was the teachers’ fault. Many of these parents were under-educated; therefore, they were unable to model high expectations for their children.
Some of the same parents sent their children to school dressed in the latest fashions, like Tommy Hilfiger and Nike; yet, at the same time, feigned hardship to provide their children with the basic tools to help them succeed in school. Like all other teachers, I spent thousands over the course of my tenure buying necessary supplies, because of the State Budgetary constraints.
I become frustrated when hearing politicians and members of the public, who have never taught or been inside an Inner City School, criticize teachers. Disrespect and lack of appreciation for the teaching profession in American culture is widespread. Teachers are expected to work seven days a week for a salary far below the average for employees with less qualifications who work in the private sector.
“All 2000 Providence Teachers Told They Could Be Fired” by Liz Goodwin, highlights what many American teachers endure year after throughout their teaching career. This is a terrific confidence booster for new teachers. The day teachers wake-up and demand to be treated like any business profession, for example,(doctors, lawyers and some of the ineffective politicians), the more respect they will command.
Privatizing public education is not the solution. In the short term, it will temporarily solve cities financial woes, but at what social cost? I believe cities can solve some of their present budgetary shortfall by abolishing some of their inane structures like mayoral offices and governorships. Ancient less cohesive and inefficient societies functioned by rewarding their allies with high visible local government offices. In today’s society, with main seats of government in every state, I think all these intermediary petty officials have become obsolete.
Our leaders’ mismanagement of the education system has discouraged the brightest and best from committing to this noble profession. Without educated people, society at large will crumble; but perhaps this might be the goal of certain sector of our political system.
© 2011 Mouth Wired Shut
When their child was disruptive, it was the “teachers’ poor classroom management skills.” If homework was not turned in, of course, it was the teachers’ fault. Many of these parents were under-educated; therefore, they were unable to model high expectations for their children.
Some of the same parents sent their children to school dressed in the latest fashions, like Tommy Hilfiger and Nike; yet, at the same time, feigned hardship to provide their children with the basic tools to help them succeed in school. Like all other teachers, I spent thousands over the course of my tenure buying necessary supplies, because of the State Budgetary constraints.
I become frustrated when hearing politicians and members of the public, who have never taught or been inside an Inner City School, criticize teachers. Disrespect and lack of appreciation for the teaching profession in American culture is widespread. Teachers are expected to work seven days a week for a salary far below the average for employees with less qualifications who work in the private sector.
“All 2000 Providence Teachers Told They Could Be Fired” by Liz Goodwin, highlights what many American teachers endure year after throughout their teaching career. This is a terrific confidence booster for new teachers. The day teachers wake-up and demand to be treated like any business profession, for example,(doctors, lawyers and some of the ineffective politicians), the more respect they will command.
Privatizing public education is not the solution. In the short term, it will temporarily solve cities financial woes, but at what social cost? I believe cities can solve some of their present budgetary shortfall by abolishing some of their inane structures like mayoral offices and governorships. Ancient less cohesive and inefficient societies functioned by rewarding their allies with high visible local government offices. In today’s society, with main seats of government in every state, I think all these intermediary petty officials have become obsolete.
Our leaders’ mismanagement of the education system has discouraged the brightest and best from committing to this noble profession. Without educated people, society at large will crumble; but perhaps this might be the goal of certain sector of our political system.
© 2011 Mouth Wired Shut
