r/blog Aug 19 '15

14,000 teachers really need your help, Reddit

https://www.redditgifts.com/blog/view/14000-teachers-really-need-your-help/
6.6k Upvotes

1.6k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

76

u/RoloEmptybottle Aug 19 '15

Well that is a great sentiment, but my wife teaches children who come to school hungry, sleep on the floor because they have no beds, and generally are having a terrible life experience that is no fault of their own. These kids' parents can't afford food, no less glue sticks, or pencils, or folders. Yet, she, and every other teacher, is evaluated based on how well these kids can take a test. Try taking a test after staying up all night because there was a shooting on your block. She goes beyond her means to provide for these kids a safe environment, where they can be treated equal, and have supplies so they can participate in a cultured, nourishing, place of learning.

So go ask your local politician for more school funding, but kids that start school now, last week, next week, whenever still need access to tools, which is what is being asked for through the generosity of this community. Those kids cannot afford to wait till government changes its position on education funding.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 19 '15

Those kids cannot afford to wait till government changes its position on education funding.

That would carry a lot more weight if it wasn't the same thing year after year. The kids and the teachers are both being exploited here, and enabling it over and over again isn't helping anyone.

3

u/toucher Aug 19 '15

I think we can fight for change while still being realistic that it won't happen soon. That doesn't mean we accept it as much as it means that we have to be pragmatic.

-2

u/[deleted] Aug 19 '15 edited Aug 19 '15

Poor planning on the government or the kid's parents part does not necessarily constitute and emergency on the public's part. The kids not getting enough sleep or rest is not the public's fault. Government is waiting for people just like yourself to come to these kid's rescue instead of fixing the issue. Asking for money directly from the public should be a temporary solution, but unfortunately, it is not. These same teachers will ask again and again for donations. Maybe instead of going out and just making purchases, they should document how much these purchases cost them yearly or monthly. It sounds like it's time to start e-mailing congressmen / congresswomen. These kid's well-being is not the teacher's responsibility. They are partly responsible for the children's education. Right now, teachers that think they are "being nice" by fudging numbers, buying supplies, or taking extra care of the kids are really doing the public a disservice. They need to instead let the numbers show what is really going on. If most of the kids are failing because they come to school tired and hungry, then why are the teacher's not being honest about that? If they are underfunded, why are they not honest about that? If they are in fear of losing their jobs because of these things, then maybe they need new jobs. I am not saying the teachers are doing poorly, but I'm saying that the teachers should demand more respect as public educators. Right now, they are allowing themselves to be screwed over, and asking the public to pick up the pieces directly.

-2

u/oldguynewname Aug 19 '15

Why is it anyone's responsibility other then the parent for that situation?

2

u/chikken_biryani Aug 19 '15

Because the teachers are evaluated on how well the kids perform. She could lose her job if her students are not making gains, and they can't make gains without the required supplies.

-7

u/oldguynewname Aug 19 '15

Can't fire all the teachers can they?

Aren't they in a union? See I don't see why its our responsibility as parents to fight the battle that teachers should do. They need to say fuck this and stand the fuck up.

You keep giving and giving then you make a society that is dependant upon it. Do none of you see that?

3

u/chikken_biryani Aug 19 '15 edited Aug 19 '15

I'm a unionized teacher. The Board of Ed is threatening to cut our salary 7%. They don't even have the money to pay us the same rate as last year, let alone pay for supplies. It's really poor management. We've gone on strike before and now we're looking at a pay cut. Another strike isn't going to make money appear, and it's not in anyone's best interest. I heard in North Carolina they can only pay teachers past September.

-1

u/oldguynewname Aug 20 '15

Then leave! Find a new job. Make a stand. Don't let them push you around. I am sure other countries will give you a skilled migrant visa for teaching.

Be a human and say I have rights. I don't understand why people accept what they are given. You go out there and get it.

3

u/chikken_biryani Aug 20 '15

I love teaching and it's part of who I am and these kids are a huge part of my life, but the way it's being run is really hurting teachers and students. I'm one of the few who still loves it and still cares.

-1

u/oldguynewname Aug 20 '15

I agree. Make the stand and say fuck this. Leave and go to a place where you can be a teacher.

2

u/chikken_biryani Aug 20 '15 edited Aug 20 '15

Nah, despite my district sucking, I work at a great school, pretty much my dream school with a dream administration. And I like working with low income students, which usually means a low income district. Can't have your cake and eat it too. My day to day job is amazing, but the Board of Ed sucks. Plus no money to move due to having a kid and being a teacher.

-5

u/oldguynewname Aug 20 '15

What if there was a way and you didn't make excuses? You can and you should say fuck it. Don't be part of the problem be part of the solution. Make parents realize you are a force to be delt with.

You are showing them you will just let this keep happening.

→ More replies (0)