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Watch any recent education report and you will see a matter-of-fact statement 
about the cause of the problems in America’s schools—bad teachers. There was even a movie with the same name (it was funny). Furthering this notion of "bad teachers" are people like Michelle Rhee, and Bill Gates and you will think that every problem in America’s schools would be solved if we just got rid of all these horrible teachers filling America’s classrooms.
Don't Believe the Hype
Don’t believe the hype, folks. The belief that "bad teachers" are ruining the public education system could not be further from the truth. Are there bad teachers? Sure! Just like there are bad doctors, lawyers, bus drivers, nurses, sales reps at Old Navy (hopefully you get my point). However, to blame teachers is a gross oversimplification of the problems that exist in schools. And when you jump on the ‘Blame Bad Teachers’ Bandwagon, you are actually making schools WORSE for kids. Let me show you how.
- Teachers are only one part of the American education system. While teachers are the biggest factor that schools can control, but there are so many other influences (namely environment and family factors) that significantly affect the outcomes schools are able to produce. Teaching is one of the most valuable yet unappreciated professions in America. It always amuses me when I hear the ‘bad teachers’ comments because people act like there are so many people beating down the door to become teachers. Think about all the college students majoring in math and science majors you know. Now think about how many are trying to become teachers? There are not many- every year schools (especially in inner cities) are struggling to find teachers qualified to teach math and science. Quite frankly there is a multitude of other professions where these people can make more money and enjoy better working conditions. So, when you talk about teachers (especially for those subjects), you basically end up with whoever really wants to do it.
- Teachers can only control those factors that exist in their classrooms. If a teacher does not know their content, cannot control their classroom or is unable to connect with children, by all means, blame that teacher. However, if that teacher’s class scores low on a standardized test, but also has low reading levels, the teacher can’t control that. I’ve had students that read on a 1st-8th grade reading level in my 11-12th grade history classroom. Is it fair to blame me, or even to evaluate me, on factors that I cannot control?
- When teachers are blamed, they get frustrated. When teachers get frustrated, morale goes down. When morale goes down, this can manifest itself in a multitude of ways. Teachers may have increased stress levels, which lead to medical issues. When teachers have medical issues, they miss school. When teachers miss school, students are stuck with substitute teachers. When students end up with substitute teachers, they learn less. Don’t blame teachers for things they can’t control.
- Another way students lose when teachers are blamed is that teachers become burned out and leave the schools. Sometimes they leave for another school. However, it is often that teachers leave the profession altogether, frustrated at horrible teaching conditions and choosing instead to take chances in a non-education field. Students need consistency. Consistency contributes to school culture. It is frustrating for students to have to get to know a multitude of new teachers every year. Two of my former coworkers quit teaching in the middle of the school year. In both cases, the students had substitute teachers for a period of at least one month. How much do you think the students learned with those substitute teachers? I could talk about the people I know that have quit teaching altogether. I could also talk about those that have mentally quit but stay in the classroom because they need the money. Instead, I will spare you the details. The most important thing to know is that when teachers are not supported, students are the ultimate losers.
What's Next for Teachers?
I’m not asking you to keep teachers that do not belong in the classroom. I would argue that most of those ‘bad teachers’ don’t really want to be bad. If schools focused more on supporting those bad teachers and helping them improve kids' lives. I am advocating that states and school systems focus more on recruiting outstanding teachers and supporting those who truly want to improve, which in hand will benefit kids.
The ultimate goal of schools is to help students become productive citizens in society. Click To TweetThe ultimate goal of schools is to help students become productive citizens in society. By that reasoning, there should be multiple steps taken to support teachers, since they have the most direct contact with students of anyone else in a school. When teachers feel supported, students benefit. When students benefit from schools; society benefits as a whole. Isn’t that what we all want anyway?
I'm one of those burnt-out teachers who left. I worked harder than I ever had in my whole life. And it was never enough, never good enough.
Perfectly stated! I have seen a lot in 29yrs. Still love teaching...more ups than downs! I would like to see the colleges make teaching a 5yr program with the 5th yr being in a school from start to finish under several teachers and working closely with admin & college.
This website is absolutely fantastic. Bravo for getting the truth about this nonsense out there. This is one step to reforming the education system.
I'm in my third year of teaching and my morale is really low, namely because I'm faced with students who have been underperforming for the last five years. Now, I'm expected to get these students on-level in the next 7 weeks so that they can pass the state mandated test. If I fail to do that, then I have failed as a teacher.
I worked in human resources for 8 years before joining the teaching profession. I've never had to work so hard in my life, and I've never felt so discouraged. I love working with my students, but the benefits to this career are few and far between.
I'm seriously considering leaving at the end of the school year (if I can make it that far), but I'm torn between trying to make a difference or selling out and working in a corporate job where I'm just benefitting myself.
Victor, you entered education at a very difficult time for teachers... rather than supporting teachers, the teachers are blamed and "punished" for low student performance. I've been teaching for 15 years... I've WATCHED the destruction of the career of teaching over that time since "school reform" came into vogue... "No Child Left Behind" is just a glowing title of legislation that actually punishes teachers for things over which they have no control. As a beginning teacher, you should have been supported and mentored... if you choose to leave, I wouldn't call it "selling out." I'd call it taking care of yourself in the face of an impossible situation. What the "reform movement" has done to the teaching profession is exactly what you are feeling... it's NOT YOU! It's a very dysfunctional system. Best of luck in whatever path you choose.
In my 30 years in the classroom, I've seen much come and go but the one constant has been my passion for teaching. I've had terrific administrators but I lay the ills of education squarely on the shoulders of administration at every level in education. The school level administrator can be a strong forthright leader or a petty autocrat. The worst administrators are vindictive, jealous of good teachers and unable to distinguish between a good teacher and a toady because of their own shortsitedness. Most administrators were mediocre teachers with a talent for conformity because that is how they moved up....kissing ass the whole way. The mediocre administrators are gutless wonders who not only don't support their teachers and won't remove a bad teacher because they are too lazy. The benevolent administrators want what's best for the kids but do it at the expense of the teachers. The good administrators guide teachers who need it and get out of the way of the good ones. They build collegiality and support the teacher when nutjob parents come knocking. So, don't blame the teacher. Blame the administrator that let a bad one stay.
PLEASE STOP DEGRADING SUBSTITUTE TEACHER'S to get your point across. Actually, if the substitute teacher's are caring, have a high sense of commitment to student learning, student safety they can be just as effective and the student's can LEARN ALOT to answer your question on: How much do you think student's learned under a substitute teacher. Many substitute teacher's possess years of experience and appropriate teacher certification in various areas and positions. I also think that you were not being honest about when the so called permanent teacher's quit and the kids had several substitutes, usually that's not the case especially for if the position becomes vacant principal's are instructed by the board or Area Superintendents to hire a Long Term Substitute Teacher who has the infield expertise, 4 year degree at a minimum and appropriate State, or County level Teaching Certificate, or License. I think that you are simply jealous because you lost your position to a better qualified Teacher (Substitute) and it's hateful and hurtful comments like yours and your fellow staff members that is responsible for the current nationwide Substitute Teacher Shortage.