Teachers work "really hard'.

[driveway]

Economist blog post comparing teacher hours and salaries from around the OECD:

ATTRACTING bright, motivated people into teaching is a struggle in many countries. Low pay is often blamed, especially when it is combined with long working hours. The difficulties of teacher recruitment, one argument goes, is why pupils in some countries do so poorly in school. But data from the OECD, a club of mostly rich countries, suggest that—at least for educational outcomes—neither hours nor pay matters much.
...
Only those plumping for Canada would have to work longer for the extra money—by just half an hour a day.

The long and short of it is that, relative to the OECD, Canadian teachers work some of the longest hours, are among the best paid, and Canadian students have some of the best PISA scores.

Worth noting, the chart does not directly compare salaries, but compares something called "Purchasing Power Parity."

[Schraderbrau]

I'm sure being a teacher has some serious challenges but my neighbor is a high school teacher, we leave work at the same time each day, he is always home before me, seems to get almost every 3rd Friday off for some sort of "development day" and gets the summer off. Doesn't seem like a real stress filled job, he even admits it's not that tough. I know I'm gonna get roasted for saying it, but I don't think it's a tough job. The only hard part would be not driving some smart mouth kids head through a wall when they don't listen.

[malcolmk14]

It's like any job... If you want to be any good at it, it's hard. If not, you can get by with minimal effort.

[Schraderbrau]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

It's like any job... If you want to be any good at it, it's hard. If not, you can get by with minimal effort.

Except at this job you get something like 90 holiday days a year. While most jobs get 20.

[malcolmk14]

Originally Posted by Schraderbrau

Except at this job you get something like 90 holiday days a year. While most jobs get 20.

Yep, it's amazing. 38 school days left till 9 weeks off!

[jayswin]

Solid analysis, bro. My neighbor's a paramedic, I always see him walk by with a smile and some dinner, which means that being a paramedic isn't that difficult. If he had dealt with a horrible death or major injury at his job I'd know by seeing him.

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by Schraderbrau

Except at this job you get something like 90 holiday days a year. While most jobs get 20.

4 1/2 months???

[btimbit]

Edit; Wrong thread

[blueski]

Originally Posted by blueski

This job is ripe for robots to swoop in and do all the menial tasks like teaching with just a handful of relationship/socialization coaches left overseeing the whole school. I'd give it ten years tops, teaching like we know it will be gone.

And here's one example, some students were going to recommend this Watson based TA bot for teaching awards before the professor told them they had been tutored all semester by a bot.
http://m.smh.com.au/technology/innov...13-gou6us.html

This guy trained it for a few months and now anyone in the world can use this bot to help out with these types of courses if they have access. It won't be long before companies do this for every subject and course in every language on the planet.

It doesn't even have to look like a super hot model out of ex machina to replace Betty in third grade. It just has to get better results for lower costs. Then, Betty's days are numbered.

[WinnipegFan]

Where on earth are you getting those numbers? We sure don't get 90 days of holidays. If you've heard that number rolling around it actually represents the number of days you get for short term disability. This is usually discussed as the number of "sick days" teachers get. However, this is also a bit of a misread, most commonly the 90 days is used by mothers in conjunction with their mat leave. This then gives a pseudo "top up pay" period for the mothers as they are on disability after going through the physicality of birth. I hesitate to call it top up pay as it isn't really that, otherwise it would apply to fathers as well, but it doesn't. The "holidays" a teacher receives are the exact same as the school calendar year. All of those PD, and Non-instructional days where you see your kids at home, teachers are still working. These days were the decision of the board as they save millions in busing fees when they have these NID days. We would far prefer to teach your kids on these days but it is out of our hands.

I am by no means complaining about our holidays or compensation as shown by my previous posts. I just wanted to clear up the 90 days of holidays. I personally believe we all work hard in our own jobs. I do agree that in this economic climate we should not be pursuing a raise and I hope our union hears our voices as I am yet to meet a teacher who thinks we need more money. That being said I would like to see the money being spent, spent more wisely and with greater transparency.

Originally Posted by Amethyst

4 1/2 months???

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

It's like any job... If you want to be any good at it, it's hard. If not, you can get by with minimal effort.

Exactly...most gifted teachers set very high standards for themselves. They work extremely hard to ensure their excellence in teaching, and deserve every cent they get. And if your lucky enough to get a teacher like this for your child, it's money in the bank for you in the long run.

Unfortunately, not all teachers fall into the above category. However, I believe a large number do.

[Sample00]

thought this was a great article for this thread.

http://blog.teacherspayteachers.com/...chool-teacher/

[Regorium]

Originally Posted by Sample00

thought this was a great article for this thread.

http://blog.teacherspayteachers.com/...chool-teacher/

So basically the pressures of any job.

[taco.vidal]

Pretty much. And without the worry of getting fired or laid off.

Originally Posted by Regorium

So basically the pressures of any job.

[Fuzz]

expectations we are faced with each day from the government, administration, parents, students, other teachers, and our own need to do it all to the best of our ability, puts us in a fragile state of mind and leaves our emotions frazzled.

Uh huh...my wife works at a big corporation and she deals with the same stuff and comes home frazzled. Nothing special here.

[Ironhorse]

I have come home mentally drained and frazzled from my office more times than I care to count.

The problem with a lot of teachers is that they never really leave the school environment. They finish high school, go to University to get their teaching degree, and then upon graduating end up in an elementary / junior / senior high. I think a lot of them haven't got a clue how the rest of the business world actually works or how much effort goes into some other jobs outside of the stereotypes perpetuated by TV shows and fancy lunches on sunny patios.

[Flabbibulin]

Maybe just a little defensive guys... the letter doesn't say teachers work really hard, but nobody does. A person is allowed to contemplate the challenges of their occupation.... just as a receptionist, oilfield worker, or clown college instructor can.

[Fuzz]

Ya, but she is trying to sound special. Look at all this stuff I have to do! It's challenging! It's Exhausting! Welcome to the world, honey.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Sample00

thought this was a great article for this thread.

http://blog.teacherspayteachers.com/...chool-teacher/

Um...work is hard. Thanks tips.

I own and operate my own business, you think that doesnt consume some of my mental faculties outside the realm of 9-5? Plus I have no safety net, think that might cause some stress?

I have little to no sympathy here. I can understand that teaching can be frustrating, but at the same time your take-home results are the same if you pour your heart and soul into it 110% or if you mail it in.

This article reads more like a special little snowflake wanting admiration and respect for their brutal sacrifice and it shows a glaring lack of perspective and understanding for the rest of life in general.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by Sample00

thought this was a great article for this thread.

http://blog.teacherspayteachers.com/...chool-teacher/

I can't believe this person has been teaching writing for ten years and has a masters degree in English, and I also think she should learn how to use a comma.