Do you think being a teacher is harder today than it used to be?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (238388)
Walnut Creek, California
January 3, 2020 1:20pm CST
Several of my friends are teachers, at various levels, and I'm getting the impression that being a teacher is more difficult than it used to be.
For one thing, many kids and their families seem to have "entitlement issues." If something goes wrong, it can't be their little angel's fault, so it must be the teacher's.
And then there's the "new curriculum" that seems to be introduced every few years, meaning the teachers, who are already overworked (lesson plans, grading papers, etc.) have to change what they do.
And then there's the fear of being called "racist" or "sexist" if you have to discipline a child who in non-(name ethnicity here) or a certain gender.
I've been lucky, because I teach College students, who tend to be fairly respectful, and preschool kids, who just like to play.
But some of my teacher friends seem stressed out, and not fully able to enjoy a profession that comes from the heart, not the desire to make big bucks.
22 people like this
18 responses
@Starmaiden (9308)
• Canada
3 Jan 20
@TheHorse To change things for the better in the educational system for both teachers and students, one would have to hold a very high position. Maybe some of your students will aim for it?
@Starmaiden (9308)
• Canada
3 Jan 20
I've never been a teacher so I can't speak from direct experience, but indirectly, yes. I think teachers nowadays are expected to walk on eggshells while trying to deliver exceptional education and discipline. Having to multitask to someone else's standards. That's got to be tough.
2 people like this
@louievill (28846)
• Philippines
3 Jan 20
I think sense of entitlement is the right word that makes students now more arrogant and disrespectful towards teachers. I teach teachers in China conversational English as a side line during my free time and that is their main problem with noveau rich Chinese students as well as parents. Asian students in general did not behave this way just a couple of decades ago ,guess money changes everything .
1 person likes this
@louievill (28846)
• Philippines
4 Jan 20
@TheHorse I guess it is changing, anyway Filipinos are more Westernized in my opinion than the rest of our Asian brothers, our educational system had always been patterned after the American system. Yours is more liberal since ours is mixed with Spanish Catholic Friar ways that is somewhat stricter but are also changing now.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238388)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Jan 20
@louievill Is that changing?
1 person likes this
@Lushlala (4028)
• Gaborone, Botswana
4 Jan 20
I come from a long line of teachers and I'm a qualified teacher as well. I could really use a job, but from what my mum and dad and in-laws used to tell me before they retired, you couldn't pay me enough to go into teaching. I never did teach, instead opting for journalism.
1 person likes this
@Lushlala (4028)
• Gaborone, Botswana
11 Jan 20
@TheHorse I don't think journalism can ever really die. Yes, the medium through which the news is brought to the masses continues to evolve with the times but we always need journalists to bring us the latest developments and current affairs. Sadly, I'm no longer a journalist but do own a blog that I'm planning to monetise this year. I love it because I answer to nobody although I still observe all the code of ethics around reporting :)
@LadyDuck (502886)
• Italy
10 Jan 20
@TheHorse Politics always came into play in Italy, I still remember when our Nun "suggested" what to say to our parents when there were Italian elections, I was 6 years old but I still remember, particularly what my father replied and he was right.
1 person likes this
@rakski (156872)
• Philippines
4 Jan 20
I do not know what happened now... It seems the teacher cannot discipline the children because the parents will react with everything the teachers do. When the teacher do nothing, they will say you are not doing your job. When you discipline the kids, they will it is not your job.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
4 Jan 20
Harder today. You said it all.
I have many friends that were teachers, they retired out. Glad of it too.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238388)
• Walnut Creek, California
4 Jan 20
I'm working every day over the next two weeks. But it's with 1 1/2- and 2 1/2-year-olds. Did you know that the most new neural development and dendritic pruning occurs during that time frame? I feel like I'm making a difference, and I don't have to deal with too much politics.
@LindaOHio (222898)
• United States
3 Jan 20
You're absolutely right. Teachers would be quite strict with the students and punish according to the crime in my day. Now you have to be so careful about everything. You're right about the kids that you teach. The young ones play; and for the most part, college students want to be in school and are more respectful. I don't envy teachers today that teach older children.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238388)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Jan 20
One of my friends teaches third grade. Third graders are generally still huggy and needy and not rebellious. But if they don't do their work, she has to talk to the parents. It's then that the problems really start for her. I sent her the above cartoon the other day and she was appreciative.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
4 Jan 20
I would agree that it has definitely become harder. But I still love my profession. I try to meet parents and straighten things out well in advance and have learnt to set my limits and make it clear for others too.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
10 Jan 20
@TheHorse Making things clear in beginning helps. We need to invest some time in building rapport with parents. If teachers and parents are on same page, it is good for the child.
@wolfgirl569 (136039)
• Marion, Ohio
3 Jan 20
I think the photo you shared shows a lot of the problem anymore.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
8 Jan 20
You make some excellent points which I agree with. Not only do you have to deal with pampered kids but parents who instill this entitled attitude to their children. Plus, administrators who fear lawsuits if a problem is not handled in the appropriate "PC" manner.
1 person likes this
@ZedSmart (19839)
• Philippines
3 Jan 20
I definitely agree. Today, a little simple disciplinary issue becomes big due to some parents reaction. The discussion is even brought to social media and become a subject of debate. Such scenario is becoming common nowadays unlike several years back.
1 person likes this
