She wrote what?

I debated even writing this post, but I feel like I have to. Recently, a teacher in PA made news when she wrote on her blog about her students were "out of control" and "lacking good moral character." This 30 years old teacher is a mother, and wrote these posts over the course of a few months. She did also include positive experiences that she had while teaching too, it was not all bad. After the blog was discovered by some students and brought to the attention of administration, she was suspended from her job pending an investigation.

This subject has now been a hot topic in the news and online with many people voicing their support, and others who think she should be the one spending more time trying to reach these students.

Being a teacher myself, I find that many of her postings seem to hit the mark these days, unfortunately. Now, are all students able to be described like this? CERTAINLY not. Unfortunately, with more and more pressure placed on teachers, and less and less support at home, some of our frustration is seen in our students. Perhaps this teacher is in a school where administration is not heavy on discipline, so she feels like she has no support. I do not know the whole situation, but I do feel her frustration.

I have to admit there are days where my students can drive me up the wall. Yes, I have encountered students who are shockingly defiant and rude (My mother would have smacked me had I talked to an adult like that!) Long gone are the days of calling home and having every parent support the teacher.

The fact is, times have changed. Some days, instead of teaching I feel more like a baby sitter, counselor, sounding board for tattle tales, among other job descriptions. With all of this, I still am held accountable. With that being said, I try my best. Some days are better then others, as with any job. I live for those moments when my students FINALLY understand something, or hold the door open without being told to. I don't think anyone truly appreciates how much work teachers do. They get paid hardly anything for the work they do (compared to other jobs). I invite anyone to walk in my shoes for one day. They would be exhausted and probably say something along the lines of "God bless you."

So as for the teacher in PA, I hear you and I agree with you....to an extent. Should she have posted those comments? No, probably not. If she wanted to, she should have done it privately. That doesn't mean I don't understand her point!