Elementary School Teacher

Have you ever saw a teacher get fired for treating students too harshly?

Asked by about 5 years ago

No, I have not seen anyone let go for mistreating a student. To be fair, I have never seen or heard of a teacher in my school mistreating a student in any way. I have heard of other educators in my district that have been let go for mistreating students, though. I can't speak to the specifics because all I know came from the rumor mill.

What do you think needs to be changed about America's education system RIGHT NOW?

Asked by opz about 9 years ago

The extreme emphasis on standardized testing is out of control. Kids can't graduate from high school unless they pass high stakes tests. As young as second and third grade students are experiencing anxiety over tests! Teachers are being held accountable if their students "don't pass" as well. It's hard to describe the feeling of knowing that the scores of 30 students will determine your evaluation rating. If a student comes in hungry or tired because their parent did not feed them or put them to bed, they will not perform as well as they should. Teachers have no control over that. Similarly, students have no control over what their parents do for them. It's a system that has been manufactured by the companies that create the tests. For instance, one national company is publishing the newest high stakes national test. They also published the math textbook I teach with, which was purchased about 4 years ago. This textbook does NOT address everything that is covered on the test. What does that mean? Time to buy a new textbook.

Do you have favorite kids in your class? (It's cool, you can admit it on the Internet)

Asked by BS about 9 years ago

I wouldn't say that I have "favorites" but just like with other adults, there are kids you get along better with than others. It doesn't affect teaching, but it's those recess moments while you chat. Of course, other kids are "favorites" because their situations are so difficult that your heart breaks for them. I like each child for different reasons. I've never had a kid I couldn't stand.

What do kids from lower income neighborhoods aspire to be when they grow up? I've always wondered whether there are just as many who dream of becoming doctors, lawyers, etc, or whether their 'bar' is set lower because of humbler upbringings?

Asked by Dallas Cowboys about 9 years ago

For the most part, they have big hopes and dreams like any other child. I've had students that have wanted to be everything from President of the United States to astronauts to teachers to ballerinas. I think they are too young to notice any difference in their socioeconomic status. They still believe they can be anything, and I want to help them hold on to that. They CAN achieve anything if they do not let go of the dream!

What's it like teaching in a low-income district? Is it more challenging and do you ever wish you taught in a wealthier school?

Asked by Ted about 9 years ago

It's difficult teaching in a low income district. My students are at a disadvantage from the start. Many parents try very hard, but aren't able to participate in after school activities or help their child study as much as they would like due to work obligations. Many of my students also aren't able to provide their own school supplies. My district doesn't have the money to purchase them, either, so I end up buying them. I love the students I teach, though, and wouldn't change it.

When you meet parents of the disobedient kids, are they typically what you expect? Like do you find yourself thinking "yup, no wonder this kid's a terror"?

Asked by Jules1 about 9 years ago

Sometimes, I do think that the behavior that kids show is a direct result of parenting. It's hard for a lot of parents to discipline, they would rather be friends with their children. I am always surprised when kids tell me about waiting in line at midnight for a new video game release. That's not really the best choice for an elementary school student on a weeknight! Other times, I think that circumstances unfortunately negatively affect children. If parents are working 2 or 3 jobs and leave the children home alone after school, it's nearly impossible to ensure that homework will be completed, dinner will be eaten, and the child will get to bed.

Is all the controversy around "new math" justified?

Asked by Euclid about 9 years ago

Yes and no. Yes, the math is taught in new way, but the concepts are the same. I agree that students should be taught as many strategies as they can to figure out an answer. I disagree with the idea that all students need to know every way to solve every problem for a test, though. I think that students should use whatever method they would like on a test. If they are correct and can show their work to prove it, then it should be marked correct. There may be more to this in the upper grades that I am not aware of, though.

Do the students, young as they are, seem to have an understanding that they come from less privileged upbringings?

Asked by Jessie about 9 years ago

I think they do probably understand it, but it has never been a problem in my classroom. They are all at a similar socioeconomic status, so it isn't overtly obvious. They are young enough, too, that they look past many things still.

How does teacher placement work? Did you have a say in what school you went to? Did you WANT to go to a low-income school?

Asked by JYD about 9 years ago

Teacher placement varies by district. You can apply to a city, to a specific school, or both. I applied to the specific school I work in. I love the school, the staff, and the kids! I did my student teaching here and really fell in love with the school. Technically, I could be transferred to any school in the city at any time. In fact, the first 3 years you are teaching any teacher with seniority can take your specific job if they want it.

I heard a stereotype that most teachers are liberals. Do you think that is true in general?

Asked by If about 5 years ago

I think that teachers have political views as varied as any other career. In my part of the country (Boston) there are far more people with liberal views than there are in other parts of the country, so it would only stand to reason that we would have many teachers that have liberal political views. I don't know for certain though, as we really don't talk about national politics at work. You may hear us grumbling about local politics, school committees, or budgets, but that's typically the extent of it.

How much faith should we put in those news stories that suggest that US kids are performing terribly compared to other countries? Are they just trumped up for news stories, or is the situation really THAT bad?

Asked by Prof Chaos about 9 years ago

I think that kids in the US are probably underperforming compared to other countries, but I don't think the full story is being told. Our kids are over-tested, and our schools are underfunded. No one wants to put more money in school budgets because it means tax increases or cuts elsewhere. Our teachers work considerably more than teachers in other countries for much less money. In several of the top performing countries, teachers are in the classroom providing instruction for half of the day and planning, training, and grading the other half of the day. In the US no prep time is guaranteed nationally. Teacher's contracts dictate the amount of time you receive. It is generally 40 minutes per day three to five times a week. Lunch is also not guaranteed to be "duty free" and you may have to supervise. During the times that teachers are in the classroom, we are being pushed to teach to a high stakes test. This year alone, I spent 16 days giving my students standardized tests. This isn't even including classroom assessments! I think that a shift in thinking needs to occur before our schools and students will be competitive with other nations.

What do you think about teacher unions and do you belong to one? Do you HAVE to? If you don't, do other teachers who are in the union look down on you?

Asked by Amy about 9 years ago

I am a member of my local union, and I am proud to be one. It is optional, but only around 10 teachers in my large city are not members. I am from the Northeast, which is heavily pro-union. I also come from a family that believes deeply in the union. Without the union, I am sure that pay would be even less and demands be even more!

What is it like working with special needs students?

Asked by lakhjfj39 about 5 years ago

I think an experience with a special needs student can be just as varied as an experience with a typical student. Some kids with different abilities are more difficult to work with than others, just as some typical kids can be more difficult to work with than others. Kids that have special needs are still just kids when it comes down to it.

Hi there, my question is this. As a grade 2 teacher, should you monitor the books that your students read? and should parents be consulted in advance in regard to the books their children are being read? or should they have choice? Thanks

Asked by Laura almost 7 years ago

Teachers should carefully choose books that are in their classroom libraries. However, teachers should not monitor every book that a student chooses from their classroom library. In my opinion, parents should not be notified about every book their child is reading. It would be incredibly time consuming, considering that many students in second grade can read 2 - 4 books a day!

Why do teachers really give group projects?

Asked by anonymous almost 7 years ago

Research shows that students learn best when they interact and collaborate. A good teacher uses a healthy mix of group projects, independent projects/work, and reflection.

What is the best way to be on your phone and keep it hidden from the teacher?

Asked by Katie about 5 years ago

There isn't a way.... we know EVERYTHING.... ;) Seriously, put the phone away. It's good for you to have a little technology detox, I promise.

What made you want to become a teacher?

Asked by 982347 about 5 years ago

I can't identify one specific thing, to be honest. I have wanted to teach for as long as I can remember. I used to line up my stuffed animals and siblings and pretend to play school. I always loved being a student, and still enjoy taking classes. I think I have a deep love of learning and sharing knowledge. I also really like being around kids. They keep me young!

Do teachers play heads up seven up and other games similar so they can see who will cheat?

Asked by Dan about 5 years ago

Sometimes, but more often it's just to put a little fun into the day or pass the time while we wait for something for a few minutes.

What do you think the or one of the worst moments of your job was?

Asked by asdf about 5 years ago

The very worst moment was when a student of mine was taken out of school in the middle of the day to be told that his parents had both overdosed and died. He never came back, he was sent to live with relatives several hours away. He cried hysterically, clung to me, and was literally ripped away from me. That hurts to this day.

How am I going to explain to my teacher that my bus driver threw away my homework because I was doing it while she was screaming. My parents have called but she thinks I am lying.

Asked by Jamie about 5 years ago

I think your best bet is just to be truthful and honest with your teacher. If they don't believe you, there isn't much you can do anyway. I do think the bus driver was wrong to throw it away on you, they could have resolved it differently. I hope it works out for you!

i have one question , i like maths course so how to i get the job of maths like you?

Asked by derjebekele2018@gmail.com about 5 years ago

What can a teacher do if he or she is thinks they are about to be fired?

Asked by jimkfjas about 5 years ago

Why are teachers associated with apples?

Asked by Merry almost 4 years ago

Question what do you think the rest of this school year (and possibly next) look like?

Asked by Lola about 4 years ago

Am I asking a question?

Asked by ;klja;skldfjeiijuiouewioprueiowru about 5 years ago

Do you think that students should be vaccinated before they are allowed to come to school?

Asked by Jane about 5 years ago

Is that you in the photo?

Asked by Finny almost 4 years ago

What do we do about this disaster of online learning? Many kids can not even get online and so many kids also just wont do the work. Things sometimes get turned in at strange hours and then like I said not at all. Some kids who always did their work and always got it done on time are some of the kids who are not doing anything. ANYTHING NOTHING gets turned in by at least half of the kids, another quarter of them get things done late and somethings don't get done. Then becuase of confuseion someitmes is the issuie. I don't even know what to do anymore. I doubt we will really open in two weeks, month, next year or EVER. I think this is a goverment coo and I always thought those people are crazy but I am pretty sure their right at this point. Where being taken over and no work is being done by students because they don't want to and there is no one to make them.

Asked by dfgfg about 4 years ago

Are you ever coming back?

Asked by Doooodle almost 4 years ago

Is that you in the pgoto

Asked by Copper man almost 4 years ago

Can they use a Saturday as a make up day?

Asked by dk almost 5 years ago

Why are you under legal and not under education?

Asked by Jay over 4 years ago

What do you feel like when students don't do what you told them to do?

Asked by Jamie Johnson almost 5 years ago

My teacher every time it storms is playing the weather on the projector. It’s very distracting to my work but he says he’s doing it to keep us safe so we can keep a eye on the weather. What should I do? Sometimes the storms aren’t even near by

Asked by Perry almost 3 years ago

Why does it seem in some places most teaches are democrats and others it is pretty split? Do you agree with the statement this is one of the most liberal profession? Why or why not? Also if you don’t mind where are you on the compass?

Asked by Mary almost 4 years ago

So Friday I forgot to have this form signed. Good news is Monday and Tuesday I can turn it in. Bad/good news is those days where snow days. So while I enjoyed the days off my opting out of finals note is past deadline. Tomorrow is first day of finals

Asked by Dan over 4 years ago