Reply #241: Wow.

[LWolf]

In the 21 years I've spent in public education, I have yet to see a teacher come to school drunk. If they did, we'd fire them. Pronto. If they regularly showed up "hung over" in that they weren't able to function properly, they would be written up, counseled, and eventually ushered out.

I've seen good teachers and bad. I've seen teachers I thought should leave the profession. I've also seen good and bad doctors, lawyers, bankers, and business owners. Bad politicians, bad leaders, bad neighbors, and bad parents. There is no group that won't have some outstanding, some middling, and some poor individuals, unless there are no more humans involved. Private school doesn't wave a magic wand over people to make them good at what they do.

I've seen our district not have enough subs to meet the need on a given day; the kids aren't "on their own." That is illegal. And if there is one thing school districts are good at, it is protecting against lawsuits. When there isn't a sub, an administrator fills in. Or we divide the kids up and they spend the day in another classroom, with another teacher. Not the best scenario for learning, but they sure as hell aren't "on their own."

I am a public school teacher. To say that I have no vested interest in education is, in my eyes, a foul slander. I became a teacher because I have a passion for sharing learning. I show up at work every day because I'm determined to offer every one of my students a chance to grow and to find success. I am well-educated, well-trained, well-experienced, and damned good at what I do. Especially given the structure I have to work within. I am incredibly offended by that uninformed remark.

I'm sorry that you feel your local schools aren't doing the job. I wonder if you understand the source/s of the dysfunction. But when you paint me and/or my entire profession with your broad brush, you've crossed over the line of civility. You've moved into the sphere of rabid ignorance.