The Real Issues In Education
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- Опубліковано 3 лют 2024
- We’re confronting classroom realities in education!
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Welcome back to the Teachers Off Duty Podcast. Join hosts KC Mack, HonestTeacherVibes, and Mike Rivera, as we tackle pressing issues in the education system, sharing experiences and offering insights into what needs to change for the betterment of our schools.
First up: banned books in Florida libraries. People are questioning the implications of censorship on education. The conversation turns to the necessity of prioritizing students' needs over personal interests within the classroom.
We then celebrate a positive shift as Mississippi schools take a significant step by increasing teacher salaries and focusing on hiring more educators, a crucial move for the improvement of educational quality.
Next, we discuss how the increasing politicization of education is detracting from its true purpose. It's important to focus on the core issues impacting education and to remember that our primary role as educators is to provide the best possible learning experience for our students.
Finally, we address the pervasive issue of over-testing in schools. We advocate for a balanced approach that reduces the stress of constant testing and instead focuses on equipping students with essential life skills.
So join us as we navigate through the complexities of the education system, aiming to foster positive changes for our teachers and students ! - Комедії
I've been trying to get out ever since I got in and it has been the hardest and it urks me when ppl say "just leave". TRUST ME, I've been trying!!!
*hug* Praying for you sis! Praying that your day comes sooner rather than later. ❤
I have someone from Human Resources, from a Fortune 500 company, coming on my channel tonight to talk about alternative careers for teachers. She will be giving resumes tips too. It’s at 5pm EST
CDL
Yes leave but with a plan...😂
Wether changing career or job...
Set the goal!
Yes, it is not that easy. But I definitely agree, leave but with a plan. I left last year with no plan and no money and came back.
I had a principal with NO classroom experience. Had only worked at the Board. She had no time to deal with students acting feral, but had plenty of time to berate teachers and micromanage us to death. When summer break came I spent the first two weeks crying the stress out.
Oh goodness! What a horrible experience that sounded like. I hope it gets better for you.
🙋🏾♀️ Part of the non teachers club here
We STAN you guys 🥰
Im a student 7th grade from Hawaii to Virginia
I think mandatory substitute duty a la jury duty is a great idea. When I used to get flak from certain parents I'd tell them to do my job...not for a day, not a week, a full month including all the meetings, documentation, nasty run-ins, etc. and then judge me.
I’ve thought about that too but what about the last minute needs when you wake up sick or you kid does? How can people call in last minute to their job to sub?
Mike is my favorite out of all the 3rd guests you guys have had on. Keep him coming.
I work in education staffing, specifically with special education and everything you guys are saying is so correct. The bit about certs for charter and private schools really gets me because we interact with candidates who are actively working as teachers in private school who do not hold any kind of state issued certification. IT’S WILD. I would love to know y’alls opinion on staffing agencies because much of this episode touched on how much teachers are underpaid and one of the selling points for us is being able to pay more than a district can offer. Do you think that outweighs the other benefits offered when you’re a district employee? Because you’re right at the end of the day, people gotta pay their bills! A 2-3k salary increase is not a raise, at that point it’s considered a cost of living increase. Teachers are not being paid livable wages and it’s tragic.
As a school nurse I totally agree with you about the kids being tested way too much. I can always tell when the 3-5 grade is doing state tests because the line outside my office is full of headaches and nausea and even so stressed that they vomit. If a boss tried to do this to us, I know I would be challenging the reason for so many tests. And the school to prison pipeline!!!! Don't get me started!!!! The kids are definitely being hurt!!!!!! Budgeting and finances would have definitely helped me!!!!!
There is such a strong drive for teachers to preform well with regard to the grades that many conversations with parents come off extremely tense. It can seem not simply an educator reaching out to help with development. The "butts in chairs", scoring through state testing and related funding makes the entire situation a bit of a co flict of interest. It's sad. Love all of our hardworking dedicated educators! You provide core memories for our children outside of the home. We all know at least one.
Thank you!
Come back to Memphissssss!! 3rd grade ESL teacher here, obviously from Memphis. I have loved listening to you guys- yall really get it. ❤
Can confirm Bri's commentary. I'm a former MS educator and it's insane how little we get paid and how much the cost of living has risen even here in the American south.
Not a teacher. Don't even live in the usa but hey, I still love this
My teacher bestie and I just started our own podcast for these very reasons. We are only four podcasts in, but we wanted other people to know what was REALLY going on in education. Thanks for what you do.
What's your podcast name ??
I don't wait for a school board meeting. I took my kids out of the public school system. But to be clear, the teachers weren't why.
I was a testing coordinator for a charter school. I saw how publishing companies created software for testing children's English understanding. The area where I lived had a large number of English Language Learners. Our District ELL Coordinator was doing a training for the system we were using. At this time, I had been teaching adults for ten years. I looked at the samples she gave us, and I told her that these samples for 1st and 2nd graders, they wont know how to answer these questions. These tests were confusing as a native Englis speaker! Sure enough, the kids went through it quickly in less than an hour.
The amount of stress they place on testing administrators and many people told me, "I had no idea what you do." For our state, no one could legally be in the school during testing sessions if they had not been trained. We had to keep teacher records of trainings for 5 years. Now, if we were dealing with Special Education, we had to keep records of that, too.
I’ve been a childcare teacher for 16 years and have the same issues.
I’ve switched from 6 public schools to my most recent public charter. It’s all the same but with more flexibility with high standards. No chrome books, they need to both learn how to write, take notes, and type. At my school most should be certified, but some dont if they have a specific masters, or numerous bachelor’s, in a specific subject; and u could only teach the subject you have a degree in. Middle is usually masters, and high school usually numerous masters, 10+ years, or a doctorate if you do not have a license. We also have school 9 hours a day, and elementary school follows a rotation 8 period schedule with a study hall period and 1-3 hours out side of school tutoring.
My favorite part of SUNDAY ❤
I didn't realize the toll in the form of stress that teaching early primary took on mee.😢
Teachers do NOT want to come to NJ!! Pay is going backwards, we are losing benefits, funding gets slashed every year and there is no backup from admin. The cost of living here is disgusting!! An appt can cost you $4000 a month. It is crazy!!
I felt some of these as a high school student, and now as a parent, I just want to help the teachers do well with my kids. I only ever taught at a boarding school in China, but I have so much respect for people who are willing to interact with that many children for that much time. You guys are hilarious! Love the podcast.
What an absolutely awesome podcast you guys have. I instantly have become a fan, and it’s so good to have this kind of conversation going, even if I can always participate in myself. Kudos and again, I’m so glad I found you all.
Edit: I’m sorry if you guys have already done it, but in case you haven’t, could you please create some kind of yearly competition where teachers can submit the craziest experiences they’ve had with other teachers? I love everyone in my profession, but I’ve met some real characters, and I think their story should be told with all due anonymity and respect for privacy, of course.
I love what y'all do! Y'all make work life a little bit easier and more fun: )
24:28 Yes, I agree that private schools do not have extra services. It’s a disadvantage if your child is ahead or behind. If your child is average (and most kids are) then private schools are great.
Hey!! I'm glad ur back
I relate to the woman who took a pay cut to work at Target. I took a significant cut by transitioning to being a contractor who pops into a local nature center to do environmental education (still get more $ for three hours put in than a sub in a day for more work). And I get the teaching bug out but have had significantly better mental health, physical health, that was completely tanking in the classroom. Freelancing has not been easy, but it has been on my terms. I feel like I have some control again and I am encouraged to use my innovative ideas and bring my love of science in a way I just couldn't do as openly in school. Not everyone has the luxury and ability to pivot, but it has been good for my current life needs.
So to start, I love your podcast it really makes my day. Now, I just started teaching and this is my 5th year. I left teaching for 6 months because the public school that I was at was not the best. I had mental breakdowns on the daily. Anyways, I was working from home and I missed being in the classroom, so I came back. This year I tried working in a charter and I notice that the charter schools run different. I noticed that public schools have more across the board curriculum that can be taught and changed to how the kids need, but in a charter I have to come up with everything on my own. In my opinion, I think things on a public level are a little easier than on a charter level. The kids get support, but there isn’t as much support as it needs to be for teachers. I only have 3 months left and best believe I am counting down the days. It’s hard for me on a daily basis to find the will to keep going, but I somehow find it. Sorry if this is a lot. I just find it difficult but like Mr. Mike said it’s a sentence.
I love these podcasts!
WHAT ?! YOU GONA BE BY THE MERCH TABLES ?! OMG I NEED TO COME AGAIN
Keep up the hard work
I ALWAYS love hearing about, and sympathize with, the trials and tribs of teachers. I work in corrections so I get it. I don't understand buying supplies though; the SCHOOL doesn't have supplies? That's surprising, and unfortunate. What's also surprising, though I shouldn't be, is the fact that PARENTS don't purchase supplies. They can buy $200 AF1s but can't buy school supplies?!?!? Smh 🙄🤬🙄
I was a student in California in the 1980's. I graduated in 1986; I was diagnosed with severe dyslexia. When I graduated my senior year of high school was Hell! When Columbian High School happened, I actually admitted that Columbian happened, that was my personal fantasy for my high school.
Many of the teachers that I had in high school have now retired after doing 25 years in school.
I remember some of the books that were required reading based on your year. In 1984, it was Animal Farm. In 1985, it was Weathering Heights, and in 1986, the book was American Government.
I then went to Community College; I was still dyslexic, but I learned how to learn. One of the things that we were taught how to write an MLA Term Paper. In California, in order to graduate from a community college, a student is required to learn about the Constitution of the United States as well as take United States history from 1492 to the Civil War or from Reconstruction to the 1980's.
When I call home it's not back-to-back, but if it gets severe like a fight I HAVE TO. The other thing is how parents think that they treat teachers like trash. I know how when the parent would block my number (that the school issued for me to make calls/messages) and also blocked the school's number to avoid us. The parent would also speed in the parking lot and barely letting the kid on the car. Then the same kid would get into fights, and said "my parent blocked you 🤬" to admin. Seriously, as a teacher, the parent forgot to turn in school equipment before we closed the school year I called, emailed, messaged, letter home, etc. (All communication) and no response and now report cards were to be mailed and i had to tell the secretary "HOLD THIS MAIL HOSTAGE." She knew why because of school equipment missing, but I tried 😔 but it's not my fault when I tried to tell them but block not only my school-issued number but the main office's number as well. Sorry not sorry 😐
I wish they allowed Mike to talk more. He seems very knowledgeable and was trying to keep the topic at hand on track. This discussion needs to be had again, but Honest Teacher Vibes needs to allow Mike to make - AND FINISH - his points. She talked over him too much.
Agreed. What the heck was this even... inviting someone as a guest and then not showing any interestxin what they haveto say.
I taught for 6 years before I had my daughter. She turns 5 this year and I’ve decided to homeschool and do a homeschool co-op. I never thought I would homeschool (homeschool kids are weird 😂) but because of the many issues discussed here and so much more, the homeschool community has grown a great deal over the last few years. All I ever wanted to be growing up was a teacher but now I can’t imagine going back into that environment where no one is really set up to be successful. Socializing outside of school is so much easier than it used to be… and if all else fails.. there are worse things to be in the world than weird.
As a teacher myself I would prefer that we have anti-authoritarian models for actual learning. Examples such as Escuela Moderna (Modern School) and Paideia are both examples of schools within the history of Spain that we need to look to for inspiration.
Sorry, that’s not the correct answer. And I also do not feel that someone who advertises themselves as an anarchist is necessarily the best person to be teaching children. I say that is a veteran teacher administrator myself. Can we not keep our politics out of best educational practices? The goal is to teach the children, not to inculcate people in political belief system. God bless, take care.
@@michaelricottajr2143 The students wouldn't know about my "politics" and the only reason you know is simply due to the fact that we are on UA-cam having a conversation on our respective personal UA-cam accounts. Also the examples that I gave allowed students to engage in an environment based in cooperation as opposed to a hyper individualist approach aka the high stakes testing nonsense that we currently do which is both racist and classist.
I work in a state where Charters took over and getting into a public school is so competitive. At first, it was fine, because we were all still TEACHERS. Now, being a certified teacher is a rarity and we have to deal with much more frustration. We (certified) didn't even know that was a thing, but it is WIDELY advertised that "you don't have to have a teaching degree/certificate to teach" until more and more came rolling in. People definitely don't know or look close enough.
It feels like the whole point is to create a rift between existing educators and newer educators (in other words an internal class divide). Also this hyper individualist and competitive mindset on the part of our schools contradicts the idea of substantively teaching our students given that classism is a reality.
@@BlackAnarchist1992Yes! I am in full support of someone who wants to come back and be a teacher and do the alternative cert program; however, many times people get hired for this alt cert, and are left alone in the classroom. As if they got into the building and they no longer need to be held accountable or supported and it hurts not only that teacher but their students as well.
@@wesleyteel8676 Exactly right brotha
The teachers are not responsible for your child, the parents are responsible to raise and teach them life skills, being an proper adult. Parents blame the teachers for not teaching them....and you wonder why the kids are the way they are. Parents are afraid of their own kids.
How can parents teach their kids when they'reworking all day long to feed the family?
Teaching in Mississippi here and we don’t get paid enough I’m grateful for the pay raise but it’s not enough to make it … it’s tough out here .
As a teacher at a charter school in Michigan we have to be certified and the public charters are held to the same state standards as other public schools plus we have accountability from the university that hold our charter. Bri is 💯on the historical reason what teachers aren’t paid.
GREAT EPISODE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know Bri can relate to this, but id love for you guys to delve into how inclusive they want us to be for our students, but its not inclusive for the TEACHERS. Unless you bear your soul and are then the "crazy teacher" because you have mental health/learning disorders/disabilities ECT
At charter schools they make the teacher that is not certified sign a waiver because they do not pay like public schools it is way less money and no benefits. Also they do not offer as much transportation. There is a difference. But all teaching is (is presenting the same thing over and over) and having a winning personality and love for what you teach. The education piece is important but that alone does not prepare you for the classroom because of behavior and lack of support from administration.
I agree with Mike’s comment 100%!
I would love to know more about the foundational differences you experienced with your daughter going from private to public. I’ve always taught the upper elementary grades (after foundational skills) and I am seeing large gaps in my students’ skills. I my self have taught in public and charter schools so I am very interested in the differences you have experienced in public versus private.
Finally, in my last year, but I taught 6 years in other states. There should be national reciprocity for years of service. Kentucky doesn't have this. Are there any states that have credit for other states' service?
And that’s the problem, unfortunately, some patents aren’t involved.
Maybe people should get tax breaks for subbing 😂
Please do an episode for substitute teachers!!!
There is no live subs 😂
I would love to see you cover the situation with the Green Bay, WI Superintendent. All of the text on what he said about his teachers is not out yet. I want to hear from those poor teachers who've been so disrespected but none of them are talking.
“Just quit.” And do what? All the job experience and training has been in education. What new job are you going to get?
Dog training...lion taming.
@ 24 - 27 mins in.... I can definitely agree as a South African teacher who moved from Government schools (Public school) to a Private school that has both a primary school (elementary and middle school) and a high school on one campus that there is a serious drop in standards. At government school the standards were better and the curriculum. I feel at a private school it is very watered down. And it's so frustrating for me. So, interesting and comforting to see how teaching challenges are similar around the world.
My dudes there isn't "extra money" the charter and private schools tend to get less money per student when they get the public dollars following them and then don't get the extra money for special education. Can't speak for every state but Special Education students get an extra bump in money from various programs beyond what the average student would bring in and yes I totally agree that it sucks those guys don't HAVE to take them it isn't exactly a 1:1 comparison either on their end. Far more private schools go out of business every year than public ones. How many public schools do you see get shut down for anything other than a condemned building or the city population is too low?
How about parents do right by their kids. If a child needs to go to a different school put them there.
My parents have a problem with transportation so the other schools do not provide transportation. The alternative schools are too full to take the other students that need to be there.
$60,000 !?!? I'm not a teacher and live in California. I am a live-in (paid)caregiver and I made almost $21,000 last year. I had to get a second job as an uber driver on the weekends to make it so we could have car. I can only dream of making $60,000 a year! We could but a house AND a car of our own, instead of renting rooms and a car.
Is that your salary after 25 years? He didn't start at 60k.
You know what else needs to change. The printer. Each teacher should have their own. Having to learn mma techniques to get a class set of paper tests is just too much.
My son is in 4th grade and this year has been the most calls and PBS messaging that I have received from his teacher about his behavioral issues. I reached out to his teacher and supportive staff members about this topic and provided documents for 1 an idea of when and where his behavior issue appears. 2 to personally collect data for future reference and to provide smoother communication as a team... Omg everyone started to pass the buck as if now his behavior isn't an issue anymore. I now sit in his class to see why he can have these issues and it's to my eyes their teaching style provides too much freedom. (Wild and Crazy Kids) I now come every week to provide service not to just my child but to his peers. I am near the end of earning my secondary mathematics degree, so I know more than the average parent does I've provided suggestions to his teacher but they have claimed that it's the student's fault and it's out of their pay rate.
Things I learned today... KC has a girlfriend.
Ex girlfriend! 😢