Come on!!!
I can remember my mother saying when I was about 7 years old, "I couldn't be a teacher, because they would have to escort me out of the building." At one time, she was interested in becoming a teacher until she witnessed the behavior of students in inner city schools. As a young mother, she retired the thought of teaching and sought employment in a grocery chain in Los Angeles. Some of my colleagues mock by saying, "Don't be surprised if you see me at the local grocery chain saying, Welcome to Walmart!"
The media needs to do a better job of promoting educators and not tearing them down.
The dialogue surrounding the profession of teaching does little to make the profession attractive to college students or career changers. Positive news stories of any type do not get as much traction as negative stories. Perhaps we need some more Stand and Deliver and Freedom Writer type movies to start recasting teaching in a positive light.
ReplyDeleteJoe,
ReplyDeleteThis is so true! People tend to compare the US education system to other countries. However, this comparison can't be truly made until we look at the "role" of a teacher in society. Many other countries' society hold teachers in high regards. They are viewed very high in the society totem pole.
In the US, teachers have to do a better job of avoiding scandals and other negative factors. Additionally, the media has to do a better job of either not covering negative news stories or covering the many great things that take place.
Gerard,
DeleteThe media should spend more time in schools to see the champions who come to work everyday and transform into mother, father, counselor, trusted adviser, coach, mentor, and disciplinarian. Can we tell more of these stories?