Current Events > Never be a teacher, worst job ever.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Captain_Qwark posted...

Definately look at how much turnover a school has before signing a contract. If they hire like 5 new teachers every year, that's a shit school.

Also student teaching doesn't prepare you at all lol.

Break up your blocks so it's not just lecture and work time. There should be like 4 or 5 stations.

Also, don't disagree with anyone about anything, ever. Or you're screwed.

A wise man once said

thats it. He keeps his teachings to himself until the day when his pupil arrives.

But yeah I wouldnt want to be a teacher. Youre dealing with a whole lotta different generation of kids. High School? Youll be the og teacher who uses slang and whatnot. Chris Handsome and you will meet. Middle school? Youll be the one dealing with RAGING hormones. Good luck. Grade school? Take your pick of poison. Itll be sugar to cyanide and back.

and the pay suckx

---

VIIVincent posted...

and the pay suckx

Live in a better state

---

Dont teacher's have unions?

---

To those who still want to do it, here is some advice:

Go teach somewhere nobody wants to be. Doesn't have to be some place dangerous either, it could be somewhere out in the middle of nowhere, but make sure it is not in the same region as any big city. In a big city, you are disposable. They have the mentality that pretty much says, "Do it our way, if you don't like it, then you don't have to work here. We'll just replace you."

In a smaller town, in the middle of nowhere, they are more grateful for people, usually (as long as you aren't part of the same region as a big city, then they try to have that big city mentality). If you work in the middle of nowhere, they usually try to keep you there. I saw one place one time that was even offering sign on bonuses and lodging... which is almost unheard of. Make sure you aren't the only person of your race there though. You want to blend in as much as possible.

Teachers have a median income of $60,000? That's ... really not as bad as I was expecting considering everyone always talks about how bad the pay is.

Solid Snake07 posted...

Dont teacher's have unions?

They're a joke. They don't do anything. I'm convinced it's just a money making scam.

NotYou posted...

Teachers have a median income of $60,000? That's ... really not as bad as I was expecting considering everyone always talks about how bad the pay is.

First year of teaching I made about $35,000. After about 5 years, I made a little over 50. I'm from Texas.

Rypt posted...

First year of teaching I made about $35,000. After about 5 years, I made a little over 50. I'm from Texas.

ASithLord7 posted...

Live in a better state

---

I think if you live in a cheaper state, teachers get paid pretty reasonably. Especially since they get a huge amount of time off. It's nothing glamorous, but certainly enough to live on. If it came to it, they could get a part time summer job.

I think most companies offer like 10-25 paid days off a year (not including holidays). Teachers get about 60 just during the summer alone.

---

Solid Snake07 posted...

Dont teacher's have unions?

On the national level they aren't so great. The state level unions are the ones that make the most changes. And that varies state-by-state obviously. You can also have a really good union in your state but have a really shitty state government to deal with. That's how Indiana is.

---

Rypt posted...

define "specials"

Art, Music, PE.

Houston posted...

Teachers get about 60 just during the summer alone.

Teachers get 10 months of paycheck spread out over 12, they do not get paid for the summer vacation lmao

---

Rypt posted...

Lol ok, then your wife has something to talk shit about. But you? I don't think so.

If this is the attitude you bring to your coworkers, then I can see why you rubbed enough people the wrong way.

Maybe you need to work in a smaller school where there is little staff to interact with at the end of the day.

ASithLord7 posted...

Teachers get 10 months of paycheck spread out over 12, they do not get paid for the summer vacation lmao

This. We also work during the summer. Summer school classes and prepping for the upcoming school year. Meetings to plan for that school year. It's not like we sit on our asses the whole time during the summer.

---

Rypt posted...

Change your major. I hear medical is good.

Noted :') lmfao

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


I've had the pleasure of doing a practicum at an 'at-risk' school through my college.. bunch of 8th graders who just didn't wanna do jack **** besides goof off. It's even worse when they hold resentment from that particular school extending the school day but it's eased off by the fact they get to choose a particular class they would like to take.

Since I'm a music guy, I offered up to be the TA for the actual music teacher in that program but I ended up just taking over entirely since my natural charisma is as such that we just struck off a good partnership working together. There was a huge problem though - we didn't have access to the actual music room of the school. They just would not allow us to move in there after we noted that making sound and clapping is the foundation for rhythm and time and that other teachers would keep telling us to tone down. I had to bring some of my actual instruments just to at least get the students engaged.. I'd say these kids won me over though, I let them borrow them and take them home and one kid brought it back in 12 pieces :(

I can definitely see what TC is talking about, even more so after considering those videos of why people left the career entirely.

Kastrada posted...

This. We also work during the summer. Summer school classes and prepping for the upcoming school year. Meetings to plan for that school year. It's not like we sit on our asses the whole time during the summer.

This. And teachers that have been there longer try to bully other teachers into doing "training" over the summer. And you work so many hours of unpaid over time during the school year that it's really not worth it.

pistachio12 posted...

If this is the attitude you bring to your coworkers, then I can see why you rubbed enough people the wrong way.

Maybe you need to work in a smaller school where there is little staff to interact with at the end of the day.

idk why im responding, but were you ever a teacher?

Autocraticus posted...

Art, Music, PE.

I've heard those are good, but then you still have staff to get along with. All it takes is for one person to start complaining.

@ ASithLord7

Texas is the best state, that's why everyone is moving here.

Kastrada posted...

On the national level they aren't so great. The state level unions are the ones that make the most changes. And that varies state-by-state obviously. You can also have a really good union in your state but have a really shitty state government to deal with. That's how Indiana is.

I've honestly never heard any stories about a union helping a teacher.

ASithLord7 posted...

Teachers get 10 months of paycheck spread out over 12, they do not get paid for the summer vacation lmao

Eh, I guess. However you want to look at it. If I got paid for 10 months instead of 12 but also got a lot of time off, I wouldn't necessarily feel like I was getting less. I'd rather have the money though and work more.


---

Rypt posted...

@ ASithLord7

Texas is the best state, that's why everyone is moving here.

lol

---

Kastrada posted...

This. We also work during the summer. Summer school classes and prepping for the upcoming school year. Meetings to plan for that school year. It's not like we sit on our asses the whole time during the summer.

How much would you say you worked during the summer? Do all teachers teach summer school? Do you get paid more if you do? I know someone who is a teacher and they don't really do much at all during the summer. Planning and getting ready a bit, sure, and a few days of meetings. But nothing that really takes away from their summer off.

---

Im a middle school teacher in Los Angeles and I love my job. And after maybe 10 years (and sufficient post-grad credits), the salary schedule puts you at almost $100k. Plus we get summers off + vacations.

---

parabola_master posted...

Im a middle school teacher in LA and I love my job. And after maybe 10 years (and sufficient post-grad credits), the salary schedule puts you at almost $100k. Plus we get summers off + vacations.

you must enjoy politics, there are teachers like that

parabola_master posted...

m a middle school teacher in LA

I'm assuming you mean LA the city and not LA the state, right?

---

Rypt posted...

I've honestly never heard any stories about a union helping a teacher.

they have won higher wages for teachers in many parts of the country over the last few years, and I know this as just a casual news observer and not a teacher.

GentlemanGamer posted...

they have won higher wages for teachers in many parts of the country over the last few years, and I know this as just a casual news observer and not a teacher.

Eh, wages are the least of your concerns as a teacher.

Houston posted...

I'm assuming you mean LA the city and not LA the state, right?

Yes! Sorry for the confusion!

---

Lots of racism and sexism in teaching too

Houston posted...

How much would you say you worked during the summer? Do all teachers teach summer school? Do you get paid more if you do? I know someone who is a teacher and they don't really do much at all during the summer. Planning and getting ready a bit, sure, and a few days of meetings. But nothing that really takes away from their summer off.

When I was teaching in America, I was working a lot. Summer school doesn't do much for you at all pay wise. It was a negligible payout, not worth the time and effort. The only people who did it were the young teachers who needed the experience.

Most teachers have to get side jobs in the summers. Lawn mowing services ares popular as well as driver's education teachers. The ones that don't work, the only ones that don't work, during the summer are married with kids. So while their spouse continues their job, they will be a stay-at-home parent during that time.

That was pretty standard for the Midwest at least. I'm currently teaching in South Korea so I only get two weeks of Summer vacation this year. <_<

---

Kastrada posted...

When I was teaching in America, I was working a lot. Summer school doesn't do much for you at all pay wise. It was a negligible payout, not worth the time and effort. The only people who did it were the young teachers who needed the experience.

Most teachers have to get side jobs in the summers. Lawn mowing services ares popular as well as driver's education teachers. The ones that don't work, the only ones that don't work, during the summer are married with kids. So while their spouse continues their job, they will be a stay-at-home parent during that time.

That was pretty standard for the Midwest at least. I'm currently teaching in South Korea so I only get two weeks of Summer vacation this year. <_<

Single people dont really need to work during summer

Rypt posted...

This. And teachers that have been there longer try to bully other teachers into doing "training" over the summer. And you work so many hours of unpaid over time during the school year that it's really not worth it.

The older teachers get so jaded but I love them.

And for anyone thinking of getting into teaching, theses are the MOST important people to know when starting out, in ascending order.

3. The Institution - The teacher who has been there the longest. Usually the oldest teacher, most likely a coach of some sort. Get in good with them and they can protect you from the bullying/pressure from other teachers. They also may have insight on students and their home life due to just being there so long.

2. The Secretarial/Administration Staff - They pretty much run the place. The whole school would fall apart without them. They can warn you about any upcoming changes, incoming staff, gauge the temperature of the principal or any higher ups before a meeting.

1. The Custodial Staff/Maintenance Workers - By far the most important people in the school for a teacher. Way way way underappreciated. You treat them well and they will bend over backwards to help you out. I always got our staff Christmas cookies and or coffee for their little break area. And if I ever needed the room cleaned? Extra tissues, extra trash runs, waxed floors, light bulbs, air freshers, watered plants, or anything else? That was taken care of so fucking quickly. I used to have one of the cleanest and most efficient rooms in my school for the sheer fact that I remember and treated them like the rest of my co-workers.

---

Lots of fakeness too. People pretending to love people, love teaching, be friends with the boss when everyone is looking, then they change completely when no one is around. Those are usually the ones that throw people under the bus.

Rypt posted...

I've honestly never heard any stories about a union helping a teacher.

Depends on where you live. I felt my union had my back.

Rypt posted...

Single people dont really need to work during summer

A lot of single teachers I worked with had rent, student loans, insurance, etc....to pay for. The married ones were the only ones I knew that didn't have since they had a two-income household.

---

Kastrada posted...

The older teachers get so jaded but I love them.

And for anyone thinking of getting into teaching, theses are the MOST important people to know when starting out, in ascending order.

3. The Institution - The teacher who has been there the longest. Usually the oldest teacher, most likely a coach of some sort. Get in good with them and they can protect you from the bullying/pressure from other teachers. They also may have insight on students and their home life due to just being there so long.

2. The Secretarial/Administration Staff - They pretty much run the place. The whole school would fall apart without them. They can warn you about any upcoming changes, incoming staff, gauge the temperature of the principal or any higher ups before a meeting.

1. The Custodial Staff/Maintenance Workers - By far the most important people in the school for a teacher. Way way way underappreciated. You treat them well and they will bend over backwards to help you out. I always got our staff Christmas cookies and or coffee for their little break area. And if I ever needed the room cleaned? Extra tissues, extra trash runs, waxed floors, light bulbs, air freshers, watered plants, or anything else? That was taken care of so fucking quickly. I used to have one of the cleanest and most efficient rooms in my school for the sheer fact that I remember and treated them like the rest of my co-workers.

Not really necessary. Just get along with the boss, and pay attention to who they are friends with. None of these people mentioned above can help you if the boss and their friends don't like you. But yeah, older teachers are good to get along with since they are usually in with everyone in charge (including HR). The problem though, is if they decide they have a problem with you for ANY reason (which can be as small as test scores, the way you teach your lessons, the content of your lessons), you are screwed.

Kastrada posted...

Depends on where you live. I felt my union had my back.

A lot of single teachers I worked with had rent, student loans, insurance, etc....to pay for. The married ones were the only ones I knew that didn't have since they had a two-income household.

The union cant do much to save your job. Also, they need the principal's consent to be in a meeting involving them and you.

The pay isn't THAT bad. I survived off of two jobs before I was a teacher and made less than I did as a teacher. Not really necessary unless your debt is horrible.

Those were awful videos.

You didn't watch them.

---

Alteres posted...

Those were awful videos.

You didn't watch them.

Watched a couple minutes, thought it was funny how they talked about kids and parents. Ha, that's the easy part of teaching. Point was, lots of teachers leave.

Rypt posted...

idk why im responding, but were you ever a teacher?

I am and have been for 10 years.

But I tell it like it is. I'm not fake and I don't bullshit. I'm not going to try and talk it up like a lot of teachers will.

That's probably why I didn't do well in teaching. They want a puppet a lot of times and that's not me.

pistachio12 posted...

I am and have been for 10 years.

Lol so you're just going to say that without saying which subject? Did you guys have a YAG and what kind of tools did you use for lesson planning?

Kastrada posted...

The older teachers get so jaded but I love them.

And for anyone thinking of getting into teaching, theses are the MOST important people to know when starting out, in ascending order.

3. The Institution - The teacher who has been there the longest. Usually the oldest teacher, most likely a coach of some sort. Get in good with them and they can protect you from the bullying/pressure from other teachers. They also may have insight on students and their home life due to just being there so long.

2. The Secretarial/Administration Staff - They pretty much run the place. The whole school would fall apart without them. They can warn you about any upcoming changes, incoming staff, gauge the temperature of the principal or any higher ups before a meeting.

1. The Custodial Staff/Maintenance Workers - By far the most important people in the school for a teacher. Way way way underappreciated. You treat them well and they will bend over backwards to help you out. I always got our staff Christmas cookies and or coffee for their little break area. And if I ever needed the room cleaned? Extra tissues, extra trash runs, waxed floors, light bulbs, air freshers, watered plants, or anything else? That was taken care of so fucking quickly. I used to have one of the cleanest and most efficient rooms in my school for the sheer fact that I remember and treated them like the rest of my co-workers.

This is a great list. And to add some things:

1) If you're training to be a teacher, you may be taking courses with other current teachers at the same time. Network and get to know about the schools in your area. If you find people that have a similar mindset on education, they may even be able to help you get a job.

2) Don't jump at the money. Inner-city schools usually pay the best but unfortunately lack the stability and support structure of other types of schools. You'd be better off teaching outside the city first and moving in when you're more experienced if you really wanted to do that.

Now the shit part of the second case is that lian forgiveness for federal loans almost certainly forces new teachers to take roles in those inner city jobs where they will most likely burn out after 5 years or even before they get their loan forgiveness.

pistachio12 posted...

This is a great list. And to add some things:

1) If you're training to be a teacher, you may be taking courses with other current teachers at the same time. Network and get to know about the schools in your area. If you find people that have a similar mindset on education, they may even be able to help you get a job.

2) Don't jump at the money. Inner-city schools usually pay the best but unfortunately lack the stability and support structure of other types of schools. You'd be better off teaching outside the city first and moving in when you're more experienced if you really wanted to do that.

Now the shit part of the second case is that lian forgiveness for federal loans almost certainly forces new teachers to take roles in those inner city jobs where they will most likely burn out after 5 years or even before they get their loan forgiveness.

^ People like this are the main problem in teaching, they like to bullshit people. Yeah I bet that networking really came in handy when it came to keeping your job... heh, networking that's what they are calling it now. I always heard it referred to as sucking up.

EDIT

Btw the part about inner city schools is BS. Yes they suck, but worst of all are the ones in small towns that are just close enough to a big city to be in the same region. Politics there are horrible because everyone knows everyone, also, the parents there are usually more ghetto because the town is smaller and they are poorer and as a result, expect the school to be run like a daycare. In other words, they dont want their kids to be educated, they just want a free place to drop them during the day.

Rypt posted...

Lol so you're just going to say that without saying which subject? Did you guys have a YAG and what kind of tools did you use for lesson planning?

I had to look up YAG as we call them curriculum maps. I teach high school math. The course overview was determined by the department before I got there. We were never required to write lesson plans. (This is all from my first school.)

Also what age group, how would you recommend dealing with disruptive kids, how did you log your parental contact, did you have a high volume of IEPs, what are your thoughts on Harry Wong?

I struggled with discipline for the first two years. We also had different vice principals for each high school grade. Some were great with dealing with their students, others made secret background deals without the teachers. That certainly is an example of shitty politics.

But for those that we could make a difference, I would follow a certain set of steps. Set few but clear expectations at the beginning of the year. Hold the students accountable from the very beginning with no exceptions. When you see a transgression in class, stop class until it is fixed. If a student repeats behavior and won't correct themselves, pull them out and have a conversation. If they continue more, kick them out.

We had to log our parent contact with the vice principals office. This was mostly for meetings but could also be done for emails if you wanted to log them.

I had a mix of classes. I would teach 2 lower level math classes that was either 50% English language learners or 50% students on an IEP. My other three classes were higher level classes which usually had about 1 or 2 students on IEPs for each.

I don't know who that is and I'm not going to look him up.

Rypt posted...

I've heard those are good, but then you still have staff to get along with. All it takes is for one person to start complaining.

Unless you're a complete shitbag who doesn't know how to interact with people or children it is fine.

If you can't, then don't teach.

Rypt posted...

People like this are the main problem in teaching, they like to bullshit people. Yeah I bet that networking really came in handy when it came to keeping your job... heh, networking that's what they are calling it now. I always heard it referred to as sucking up.

I would maybe say you're the main problem in teaching if this is how you continue to respond to criticism. For nay potential future teachers looking at this, teaching is a job that requires you be able to deal with criticism. People will be in and out of your classroom all the time watching what you're doing. Some will know what good teaching is, others will be clueless. Get ready to hear people's opinions on what you could be doing better.

And I got my first job because I met three different teachers from that school in one of my classes. It is still the best teaching job I have had. I worked 5 years with 20 other math teachers that were bright, young and driven by their work. We all collaborated with each other and worked towards a positive goal. Is my situation universal? Definitely not. Anyone who is telling you that it's impossible is lying though.

pistachio12 posted...

I don't know who that is and I'm not going to look him up.

He writes about classroom management. Very much a student-first guy if I remember correctly.


---

pistachio12 posted...

would maybe say you're the main problem in teaching if this is how you continue to respond to criticism.

Really? I would have said the fact that they nay-say and argue pretty much anything that doesn't reflect their experiences. >_>

---