FIRST PERSON - A REAL EDUCATION: When a Reporter Becomes a Teacher, She Learns Something

Columbia Jounralism Review ^ | March/April Edition 2002 | Christina Asquith

[anniegetyourgun]

Sadly, it is the very system that the liberal organizations support that is destroying their kids. Here in Seattle nearly half of the public school teachers send their kids to private school. They know the truth and won't experiment with their own kids. However, they (and their union) are content to have other people's kids in a failed system.

As for the journalism angle - most of our journalists today are lazy and liberal. The journalism schools are a joke and everyone on campus knows it's the way to get an easy degree. (The only other equally laughable degree program is education.)

Thanks for posting this, summer. It's fascinating and explains so much.

[JoeSixPack1]

Her acceptance by the other teachers is the same acceptance US ground troops express when reinforcements arrive. :-)~

[Diddle E. Squat]

"Now I ask you, what is the difference between 2 school districts about 6 miles apart?"

Good question. I'm sure some would just say "6 miles."

Well that's what I would say, if it were a question on the SAT. Do they still ask math questions on the SAT?

[Theodore R.]

All these problems in schools are NOT new. They have been with us at least 32 years. I know for my first year in the classroom was 1970-71, which seems so long ago now. And one thing about teaching: it NEVER changes -- always the same ol' same ol'. Don't say that's an attitude problem on my part. You wouldn't think so if you have been in a classroom for any length of time with a plethora of "slow learners."

[WriteOn]

Homeschooling works. Public schools are the devils playground.

[Badray]

"Would these be the Philadelphia schools that Ed Rendell is claiming - in his gubernatorial primary campaign TV ads - to have rescued and made most excellent?"

Yep, dem's be da wonz.

[mafree]

Bump

[summer]

All these problems are NOT new....

I respect your opinion, Theodore. Others may disagree with you, however, as according to this survey, some problems are new: The public's perception of major problems facing the public schools, 1970-1995

[summer]

Do they still ask math questions on the SAT?

The SAT as you remember it is actually being phased out in some parts of the country, including, I believe, CA.

[summer]

Thanks for posting this, summer. It's fascinating and explains so much.

My pleasure, annie. And, thank you so much for your thoughtful post #41.

[summer]

See post #37. And, I agree with you -- homeschooling can be a solution.

[dingram]

I would be fascinated to see the real statistics on that. Being a teacher, I really doubt they could afford private schools for their children.

[summer]

You may be onto something there! :)

[summer]

dingram, annie is correct -- and that fact is well known and has been documented before: many public school teachers, all over this country, do send their own children to private schools. BTW, private school teachers earn much LESS thank public school teachers.

[summer]

thank = than

[Leisler]

Frankly, teachers don't have to all be great. Many students are at their mental capasity just warming chairs. The will go into the work force and we all meet them everyday. Workers who can not and will not think. When we had a coal digging, farming economy, these workers were mentally able for their tasks. Now that we are moving into a information moving economy, well, it is tough on them.

RE; "...unlike other "professionals" have limited protection in terms of potential professional liability..." First, many health care workers can not be alone with their patients. Military Officers go to prisons. Sea and aircraft captians can lose their license for one DUI. Same for good old truckers. Frankly a lot of occupations get zapped way quicker then teachers. Lastly, blame the lawyers. And what group is the largest donator to the Democrat party? Lawyers. So, one crew of democrats( the lawyers) is kicking another faction( teachers ) of the democrats. They deserve each other.

[dingram]

Perhaps. I personally know of none. I am aware that private school teachers earn less, but they do get the added advantage of saying no to students and parents who are uninterested, unmotivated, and undisciplined. Also, I'd worry about sending my child to a teacher who would accept less pay. Usually, people with a higher level of education wouldn't put up with such small pay. Makes you wonder about their competence. Of course, back to my original statement, it may be worth it not to worry about discpline problems.

[summer]

Frankly, teachers don't have to all be great.... tasks. Now that we are moving into a information moving economy, well, it is tough on them.

It is precisely because we are moving into an information technology that the quality of teaching becomes even more important now.

[summer]

information technology economy

[summer]

...can not be alone with their patient

Well, it can be very difficult to provide one-on-one instruction when you feel you can not be one-on-one in a student/teaching situation for the purposes of improving a student's reading, writing or math skills. Many doctors will no longer provide obyn care because of the high cost of insurance. Likewise, some people may not want to teach in classrooms because of the potential for being the target of a baseless lawsuit. There is a lot at stake when a child makes the accusation. The professions you mention do not routinely have contact with children. It's a very different world today. I can certainly understand why qualified people leave teaching - and I personally know people who left teaching to return to the health care profession.