Posted on 12/08/2007 10:06:41 AM PST by null and void
After being interviewed by the school administration, the teaching prospect said, Let me see if I've got this right:
You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning.
You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride.
You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job.
You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the state exams.
You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English and Spanish by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.
You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.
You want me to do all this and then you tell me........
I CAN'T PRAY????
Administrator: “That’s correct, no prayers allowed... Oh, sorry, I left two things out... You’re not allowed to discipline the students for bad behavior, nor correct the students when they’re wrong. It might hurt their self esteem.”
Mark
Perhaps, but then we, as citizens of this country are just as base and complacent for allowing our country to be hijacked by the same folks that give the teachers their walking orders. Many teachers, especially down here in the South, have strong Christian convictions and family morals, and I bet there is a sizable number of the same sort throughout the country. They , like us have found themselves in a position where they can not do as they would and still be employed. I have a special affection for those that have the values and want to espouse them for sticking it out in a system that is anathema to them - without them, our kids would be given 100% into Satan's hands. Contrary to your initial post, some teachers are, in fact heroes and you should appreciate them along th same lines as our military (I spent 24 years in the Air Force and still work for DoD, along with having done some teaching and mentoring in our public school system, so I am speaking from a position of knowing a little bit of what I am talking about).
That said, I detest the NEA and all the commies that have taken over our country, part of which is our schools.
I think the main problem is trying to forcefeed everyone through the same system. Classrooms pack the dysfunctional and the motivated into the same box. Of course, it wouldn’t be “fair” to give attention to those families who try to get their kids a good education without having to pay twice - once in taxes and again for private tuition. Put the thugs onto a different track.
Teachers are heroes? Really? Do you have some examples or is your statement a typical cheapening of what the term really means?
Appreciate them along the same lines as our military? I think not.
“teachers are overwhelmingly leftist in their political leanings.”
Do you have anything to support that assertion, or are you just basing it on your own opinion?
Water is wet.
Ahhhh, I see you want to nuance the term to a 'down hard, got my arm shot off and still kept going' type thing. Your quick jump to take down everyone in a group because you detest the group in general is so, so progressive liberal in the way it comes out.
Many teachers are in what many would consider untenable positions and they keep plugging along and try to bring good, moral values to our kids because they really care. In doing so, they open themselves up to criticism, harassment, possible loss of job and even legal actions. The go through each day with "kids" who are right at home on the streets and among gangs and physical danger is not unheard of. Yet they still persist, despite what is a truly hostile environment. While it was at a college instead of a lower level school, that old professor who sacrificed himself is an example of how some teachers actually care more for others than for themselves. There are also documented cases of teachers getting guns from their vehicles to stop a gunman. While they don't show up in the national news, there are teachers who put their honor, reputation and physical safety on the line every day because they care.
Tell me where I "Cheapen the term". It is you who does the cheapening.
If you want to be so petty as to deprive them of accomplishments and fortitude that you probably lack yourself, fine, but try to keep the sneer out of it - those who actually sneer at others are usually more deserving of the sentiment than the targets.
There is a principle which is a bar against all information,
which is proof against all arguments,
and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-
that principle is contempt prior to investigation.
Herbert Sencer
Your ad hominem attack, speaking of “so, so progressive liberal”, did nothing but show your inability to debate.
Progressive and liberal mean the same in today’s terms.
You are quick to idolize teachers. I am not. The majority are liberals intent on forcing their liberal “values” on kids. So spare me the “try to bring good, moral values to our kids” nonsense. The majority do the exact opposite. I’m not nuancing anything. You can call whatever you want a “hero”, and you are still going to be wrong.
I guess that is an example of how I can improve my debating skills - end up with an "I'm right and you're wrong" statement.
You bitch about "the majority" and ignore the good ones. In an earlier post, you made this statement "Teachers are heroes? Really? Do you have some examples or is your statement a typical cheapening of what the term really means?". I gave you some example of what I was talking about, but you never gave me an example of someone whose accomplishments I "cheapened". Just because you refuse to recognize that some teachers do exhibit extraordinary courage and convictions doesn't mean they don't exist, it just means you are unwilling to recognize it. I never said I idolize teachers, I merely pointed out there are some great ones and they shouldn't be condemned because of the majority, but it seems to be beyond you to figure that out or admit it. If you can actually take the time to put together a reasoned argument instead of the broad-based, single-minded "I hate teachers" crap you seem to think constitutes an ability to debate, I will be happy to keep showing those who read these ripostes how childishly wrong you can be.
Have a great day and thank God that some teachers have more guts than you will ever have - they try to buck the system instead of laying down and condemning all our kids to the trash the majority fills their heads with.
Aw seesh, give it up already.
Defending as ‘heros folks who give awards for everything from closing the door to not sneezing, and then ruling out Hide n Seek as too mean to some, and we get 25 valedictorians at graduation?
We’re not dummies out here.
Speaking of knee jerks, your knees are jerking so much your teeth must be getting loose. You want to slam me, have the courtesy to ping me.
Now go pay your NEA dues, and have another meeting on how to brainwash our kids.
By the way, I don’t ignore “the good ones” they are just statistically insignificant, like you.
As they say, “Those that can, do; those that can’t, teach”.
I think they are singing your song.
Buh bye.
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