There should be no such thing as "tenure".
I have to agree. I taught for only 4 years and if we didn't have a certain percent score at least a set increase from the test taken at the start of the year in the subject you were wrote up. Two write ups in three years you were out. However you could go to another district and apply.
No degree makes one a good teacher. some of the worst teachers I have ever seen held the most advanced degrees.".
I have to agree again. Like that professor at Huntsville, Al. real smart but had a hard time teaching, getting her point across.
I've also got to mention the hours. I was up at 4:30 this morning to grade tests. I get to school at least 30 minutes before the school day starts and it's not uncommon to stay 2 hours late and/or bring work home. I spend the summer planning for the next year. Not intensely, mind you, but I don't get to take any time I want off during the school year. Depending on the county you are in, those snow days, might well be teacher work days or days without pay.
I'm sure you do a fine job, and care greatly for your students and we all thank you for that. But I come across rather hard on the amount of hours a person works and vacation time or off days. Every job I know of people put in many hours at home, if one works a job or for self. Most weeks I work 70 hours or more and then do the work at home and honey do's. Most of the years that I was a pastor I worked 40 to 60 hours and then put 20 to 30 hours into the church work. I felt called to do it so I was happy to do it.
I do imagine there are a few gifted who could do this on a HS diploma, but unless we want schools to turn into day cares, I don't suggest we try. My education at the college level was the first step in training for this job. Classes helped hone my desire to teach as well as covering the subject matter I needed to teach those classes.
I agree that education should help in any field. But some of the best professors that I had made the class come to life. Some people are just much better teachers than others, some people are much better at sports than others and so on. First I think if a person is doing what they want and are sold on, pay and hours don't come across very often.
The union was pushing back when I taught that we were losing our teachers because they were over worked and under paid.
Also if I recall correctly the union was the one pushing for nondispline back in the 60's, it wasn't the teachers job. Children would act correctly if treated correctly. I don't know, but I don't think that has worked.
I love good teachers but their are so many who aren't as their are in other fields. Here in our town we read about sex between the teachers and children, saw a lot of that in college way back when but didn't hear of it in public schools or private schools.
Like so many things,part of the public is turning from public schools and many use the schools as baby sitters. Here in Florida there is a deal that you can have school online for your children and they will enter act with public school teachers. Teachers are there to help. I know many a school teacher who home schools their children.
