And I give you my precious child and if he is a slow learner too bad Mom I need to press on to teach for the test that is all that NJ education to about teaching for the next standardized test
We wouldn’t have to teach to the test if people actually made their children study. Instead they walk into high school not knowing the times tables or basic fractions, or even the difference between addition and multiplication. That’s right, I said HIGH SCHOOL. While we’re at it, maybe raise them to be on time and stop ditching school because that undermines my efforts to correct the 8 years of failure parents allow their kids to get away with.
See, we don’t want to teach to the test. We’d love to break out the good stuff that requires complex thought and intellectual challenge. Surely a student practicing on that level would breeze through any state exam. BUT, when most of the class barely has enough intelligence to open a notebook (it takes them five minutes), realize where the Do Now is on the chalkboard (same place it was for the last 140 days), or find their way up a staircase (the walk takes 1 minute, 13 seconds–not 15 minutes) you HAVE NO CHOICE but to give them quick and dirty answer-finding tips that even most idiots (roughly 54%, by my data) can use to get through the exams. After all, we DO want them to succeed.
And don’t give me that crap about “but they learn DIFFERENTLY.” All humans learn from actual practice, and sitting in a class for 40 minutes but tuning out 33 of them doesn’t count. Studying until you understand is a cultural value that comes from PARENTING, not from teachers.
Also, don’t give me that crap about “IT’S YOUR JOB to make it INTERESTING.” You obviously have me confused with Hollywood. We are not entertainers, nor do we have the multi-million dollar CGI budget required to properly entertain children. THEIR job is to learn from US, regardless of how entertained they are. Part of the problem is that children honestly believe it’s OK to ignore a teacher that isn’t entertaining or serving up the learning specifically to his unique tastes.
Don’t get me started on the complete lack of consequences (or worse, the school takes the kid’s side) if a child is late, cutting, curses out or violently assaults a teacher.
Your self righteous arrogance is why I send my children to private schools!
AMEN. Someone needs to tell the truth.
You know, for you this might be a good opportunity to review your career path. With comments like, “BUT, when most of the class barely has enough intelligence to open a notebook” and “…that even most idiots (roughly 54%, by my data)….”, I can’t imagine that you have found your ideal job.
I actually pity the kids in your class; your attitude is so divisive and caustic that it would be impossible for them not to pick up on it. I am also sad to see your apathy with respect to what you call ‘entertaining’ the kids. The fact is, the quality of an educator, their ability to engage children and provide a good learning environment is measurable, has obvious and massive impacts on the children’s learning outcome and can even inspire many to a bright future. The fact that you seem unaware of this and so jaded leads me to thinking that you can not be counted as one of the teachers with those abilities.
WE are all aware that there are many children who are not raised in a manner that makes them fit for classroom learning. Don’t think that the 80% or more of parents who take their kids to school with children whose basic needs are neglected are not aware of this. All of our education suffers. I have been impressed by recent advances in getting these children learning and participating at early levels when it really matters, but there is a lot more to do and we all know that these specific parents likely will not participate. That is the society we live in. I do not envy teachers their jobs for this reason and I have to say that I have been absolutely blown away by the quality and caring of so many of the teachers my children have had.
Still, I have also been blown away by the very rare, but very real, massive incompetence of some teachers. Everyone is aware of it and yet, because of the unions, nothing is ever done. I will support teachers even more when they stop defending these poor teachers. I don’t defend the poor parents and I will gladly work with teachers to call them out if they like. Lets all work together for the children rather than pointing fingers or calling the kids ‘idiots’
Christie there in NJ- is he in a race to alienate as many people as he can, within a certain time span?
The same thing is going on here in Florida, only we don’t have as strong a union voice as you do, since Florida is a “right to work” state. Basically, our idiot Gov. (whom we lovingly refer to as Dick Snot) really screwed us all. So, we feel your pain, and we’re just as pissed off down here as you are up there. Insanity rules, I guess.
Good cartoon. They have it both ways, even if they say they can. If they want inexperienced teachers at low wages, and offer no protections or beneifits, nobody will come into this field.
Fred Klonsky 
And I give you my precious child and if he is a slow learner too bad Mom I need to press on to teach for the test that is all that NJ education to about teaching for the next standardized test
We wouldn’t have to teach to the test if people actually made their children study. Instead they walk into high school not knowing the times tables or basic fractions, or even the difference between addition and multiplication. That’s right, I said HIGH SCHOOL. While we’re at it, maybe raise them to be on time and stop ditching school because that undermines my efforts to correct the 8 years of failure parents allow their kids to get away with.
See, we don’t want to teach to the test. We’d love to break out the good stuff that requires complex thought and intellectual challenge. Surely a student practicing on that level would breeze through any state exam. BUT, when most of the class barely has enough intelligence to open a notebook (it takes them five minutes), realize where the Do Now is on the chalkboard (same place it was for the last 140 days), or find their way up a staircase (the walk takes 1 minute, 13 seconds–not 15 minutes) you HAVE NO CHOICE but to give them quick and dirty answer-finding tips that even most idiots (roughly 54%, by my data) can use to get through the exams. After all, we DO want them to succeed.
And don’t give me that crap about “but they learn DIFFERENTLY.” All humans learn from actual practice, and sitting in a class for 40 minutes but tuning out 33 of them doesn’t count. Studying until you understand is a cultural value that comes from PARENTING, not from teachers.
Also, don’t give me that crap about “IT’S YOUR JOB to make it INTERESTING.” You obviously have me confused with Hollywood. We are not entertainers, nor do we have the multi-million dollar CGI budget required to properly entertain children. THEIR job is to learn from US, regardless of how entertained they are. Part of the problem is that children honestly believe it’s OK to ignore a teacher that isn’t entertaining or serving up the learning specifically to his unique tastes.
Don’t get me started on the complete lack of consequences (or worse, the school takes the kid’s side) if a child is late, cutting, curses out or violently assaults a teacher.
Your self righteous arrogance is why I send my children to private schools!
AMEN. Someone needs to tell the truth.
You know, for you this might be a good opportunity to review your career path. With comments like, “BUT, when most of the class barely has enough intelligence to open a notebook” and “…that even most idiots (roughly 54%, by my data)….”, I can’t imagine that you have found your ideal job.
I actually pity the kids in your class; your attitude is so divisive and caustic that it would be impossible for them not to pick up on it. I am also sad to see your apathy with respect to what you call ‘entertaining’ the kids. The fact is, the quality of an educator, their ability to engage children and provide a good learning environment is measurable, has obvious and massive impacts on the children’s learning outcome and can even inspire many to a bright future. The fact that you seem unaware of this and so jaded leads me to thinking that you can not be counted as one of the teachers with those abilities.
WE are all aware that there are many children who are not raised in a manner that makes them fit for classroom learning. Don’t think that the 80% or more of parents who take their kids to school with children whose basic needs are neglected are not aware of this. All of our education suffers. I have been impressed by recent advances in getting these children learning and participating at early levels when it really matters, but there is a lot more to do and we all know that these specific parents likely will not participate. That is the society we live in. I do not envy teachers their jobs for this reason and I have to say that I have been absolutely blown away by the quality and caring of so many of the teachers my children have had.
Still, I have also been blown away by the very rare, but very real, massive incompetence of some teachers. Everyone is aware of it and yet, because of the unions, nothing is ever done. I will support teachers even more when they stop defending these poor teachers. I don’t defend the poor parents and I will gladly work with teachers to call them out if they like. Lets all work together for the children rather than pointing fingers or calling the kids ‘idiots’
Christie there in NJ- is he in a race to alienate as many people as he can, within a certain time span?
The same thing is going on here in Florida, only we don’t have as strong a union voice as you do, since Florida is a “right to work” state. Basically, our idiot Gov. (whom we lovingly refer to as Dick Snot) really screwed us all. So, we feel your pain, and we’re just as pissed off down here as you are up there. Insanity rules, I guess.
Good cartoon. They have it both ways, even if they say they can. If they want inexperienced teachers at low wages, and offer no protections or beneifits, nobody will come into this field.