Linda’s #SoCS prompt this week, hosted by Dan Anton of No Facilities blog!
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “do/dew/due”. Use one, use two or use all three. If you start and end with two of them, you get bonus points. If you use all three AND start and end with two of them, you get Linda’s bonus points plus, I’ll match hers – from me to you. And, lest we all forget – Enjoy!
Do you ever really thank the teachers of your children?
Are you really fully aware of what an educator, especially nowadays, has to do, over and above the basics of teaching a child to read and write?
I am writing this, (not so) fresh after an absolutely crazy week, filled with crowd control, rather than interaction, being bitten, listening to children use in inappropriate hand gestures and language, trying to teach them how to listen, use manners (please and thank you – forgotten words!), coping with children who have absolutely no respect for their elders, instead, laughing in your face when you are trying to explain to them that they are doing something wrong, and trying to give children who have NO CLUE about English a few words to help them settle in. And these children are all three!
Surely, before you send your child off to a place of learning, you would want to ensure that, unless there are special needs, your child has the basic etiquette of knowing how to listen for a short while at least, a few simple manners, and some understanding of sharing?
Like a plant needs the morning dew to quench it’s thirst from the night, in order to grow stronger, children need a stable foundation of good social behaviour before going to nursery or school.
An I wrong in thinking that that is something that is meant to be given to them at home, so they are able to learn as they come to us?
Instead, we spend the lion’s share of the time, trying to teach socially acceptable behaviour, and anything academic gets chucked out of the window. Then as the year comes to an end, we are questioned as to why children aren’t already writing their names/able to count to 10/trying to read words… Well, sorry, but if the majority of man power we have is being used to stop tantrums and fisticuffs, getting down to the nitty-gritty of ‘teaching’ is a tad hard!
And I truly feel for the children whose parents have instilled good ethics into them. Those who can’t be given the attention they truly deserve, because we have to try and give the others the skills they haven’t acquired at home!
We do try to. Of course we do. If I had a majority of children with at least these basics, then I could really do what I want, which is to give them a solid foundation to their educational career. Instead it is a minority, I’m afraid.
And then, this continues to be a problem if we are trying to teach children values at school, and they are not reinforced at home.
Sometimes it feels like we are fighting a losing battle.
So, I ask again, have you recently thanked your child’s teacher?
If you haven’t I think you need to go and give them their due!
I think I deserve Bonus points and MORE this week!!!! Phew!
Adventures of a New Floridian
Oct 02, 2017 @ 05:52:49
This is so frustrating! I used to teach an after school club for middle schoolers and various clubs/camps/classes for elementary through middle school, and it just doesn’t get better! Most of the kids are rude and have no respect for their elders or for other kids. It can be very difficult to handle. I hope that eventually parents will start to realize once more the importance of politeness and manners!
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Ritu
Oct 02, 2017 @ 07:03:24
And if there is a problem with their behaviour, it’s flipped onto the teacher… because it’s obviously our fault!
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Adventures of a New Floridian
Oct 03, 2017 @ 08:11:13
Well of course. There is never any fault on the parents or the child themselves!
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Ritu
Oct 03, 2017 @ 08:42:41
Never!
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Ritu
Oct 01, 2017 @ 21:05:30
Bless you and thank you for that faith Esme ❤
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Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)
Oct 01, 2017 @ 18:07:32
Having been an EYFS governor for some time, I so get it…. I really notice a change since my eldest (now 21) started nursery – both in the kids and in the expectation & paperwork placed on teachers….well done you, for hanging in there. EY has to be the underpinning of education and to my mind the most important! x
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Ritu
Oct 01, 2017 @ 18:59:56
That’s what I think too Claire. But the targets have changed too much!
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Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)
Oct 02, 2017 @ 15:01:26
I agree! And don’t get me started on the logistics of the 30 hours a week…..
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Ritu
Oct 02, 2017 @ 17:56:16
Jeez! I know!!! Thankfully my school have refrained from offering!!!
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cookandenjoyrecipes
Oct 01, 2017 @ 16:08:31
As mentioned in another post, wish you were closer to teach here in Vancouver, Canada
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Lisa Orchard
Oct 01, 2017 @ 13:40:27
Teachers are definitely underpaid and overworked. Kudos to you, Ritu for sticking with it. I hope things are better for you next week.
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Ritu
Oct 01, 2017 @ 14:13:03
Thank you Lisa! Here’s hoping!
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angelanoelauthor
Oct 01, 2017 @ 13:20:06
Parents own teaching children respect and setting the stage for building strong character and integrity. Teachers own adding the skills and knowledge for lifelong learning. I hate hearing that teachers suffer at the hands of little tyrants. I do thank my son’s teachers but very likely not enough–never enough. Thanks for the reminder and for sharing your own experience.
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Ritu
Oct 01, 2017 @ 14:12:31
Thank you for your words Angela xxx
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Marje @ Kyrosmagica
Oct 01, 2017 @ 12:42:28
I think teaching kids respect for their teachers and elders is a great way to go Ritu. My daughter is loving TEFL abroad in S.Korea but I wonder how she will feel if she comes back to teach kids here? I reckon it will be a totally different ball game! Happy Sunday, hope you are having a lovely relaxing day. xx
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Ritu
Oct 01, 2017 @ 12:44:51
Thanks Marje! She will definitely have a different experience experience!!!!
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Gloria
Oct 01, 2017 @ 11:15:18
Gosh Ritu that sounds tough. I’m gobsmacked! I can’t believe you have to put with that kind of behaviour from 3 year olds. I’d be mortified if my kids ever behaved like that anywhere, especially in school.
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Ritu
Oct 01, 2017 @ 11:27:28
Is it the side effects of electronic parenting???? More access to technology than interaction with parents?
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Gloria
Oct 01, 2017 @ 12:57:24
That’s possible Ritu. It’s quite sad and worrying! I’m far from perfect….but good manners costs nothing!
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Ritu
Oct 01, 2017 @ 13:04:50
My point exactly!!!
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OIKOS™-Redaktion
Oct 01, 2017 @ 10:52:50
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Monster Mermaid
Oct 01, 2017 @ 09:51:52
I have quite a few teacher friends and they have more than a few hair raising stories…it sounds like an exhausting job, I don’t know how you do it.
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Ritu
Oct 01, 2017 @ 09:56:04
I am definitely feeling the tiredness!!!
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Monster Mermaid
Oct 01, 2017 @ 10:06:17
I’m not surprised…hope you got a rabies shot?! 🙂 🙂
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Ritu
Oct 01, 2017 @ 10:25:45
Lol!!! Erm no… but no broken skin!
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Monster Mermaid
Oct 01, 2017 @ 10:30:42
Bloody hell (so to speak!)…Ah you’ll be fine, a couple of gins…
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Ritu
Oct 01, 2017 @ 10:37:24
Medicinal purposes!
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theslippedink
Oct 01, 2017 @ 09:46:42
Interesting commentary about the side of teaching people don’t expect. Know a fair few teachers who feel the same way.
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Ritu
Oct 01, 2017 @ 09:55:24
It’s amazing how many don’t realise!
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Littlethings
Oct 01, 2017 @ 02:16:42
I agree with you,home is the first school of a child and parents are their first teacher,it’s not the complete duty of teachers only.its the duty of both.but after reading your this post I thank all my teachers who put so much efforts on us…..But no doubt I was a good student also with stable foundation of good social behaviour,thanks to my parents for that😊..
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Ritu
Oct 01, 2017 @ 08:24:52
And we mustn’t forget to thank those parents who do make an effort, that is true 😊
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joey
Oct 01, 2017 @ 00:39:53
SUCH a needed commentary these days. So unfortunate. No, I suspect that no one cares what you have to deal with because they’re paying you. That’s the attitude of the kind of parent who sends off those kinds of kids. Pitiful that people think being indulgent and negligent is a good balance.
It’s different when people cannot, but many people can and choose not to.
I have done it on both sides, just like you, so I know. I still see it, from the mommy side — and I’ve long heard about it from the children. The shocking things kids will say to teachers these days. Just such a mess.
BUT there are people like you who put in the time and effort to show children a different way of living, and you do it remarkably well, and that is why you’re a teacher. 🙂 On behalf of societies everywhere, thank you.
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Ritu
Oct 01, 2017 @ 08:23:49
Thank you!
Sometimes I wonder if they know how little we are paid… some of their kids behaviour requires danger money!!!!!
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joey
Oct 01, 2017 @ 16:21:42
Hehe!
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willowdot21
Sep 30, 2017 @ 23:41:55
Teachers, the keepers of of our future.🌹🌹
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Ritu
Oct 01, 2017 @ 08:22:08
💖💖💖
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willowdot21
Oct 01, 2017 @ 09:11:23
🌹💜💜
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wendyj59
Sep 30, 2017 @ 17:50:31
Well said. I have 2 DILs who are teachers and I have worked in education. Parents need to work with teachers but that’s hard if there are language or other barriers. And teachers need to be left to get on with their jobs and not have the government constantly interfering and moving the goalposts. Yes teachers need to be accountable but not just by producing end of year test results that meet arbitrary targets. I think that at 3 it’s more important that a child can communicate, be sociable and behave appropriately than show good writing/numeracy skills. If we don’t look after their emotional development we’re just storing up trouble for later years. You have my respect and admiration. Not a job I could do.
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Ritu
Sep 30, 2017 @ 18:15:30
Thank you for understanding what I mean!!!
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Erika Kind
Sep 30, 2017 @ 14:19:26
I admire every teacher – no matter which age of students they teach. I did not have the nerve to do it!
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Ritu
Sep 30, 2017 @ 14:28:44
It’s a tougher job than it looks sis! C
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Erika Kind
Sep 30, 2017 @ 14:38:43
I believe you! I think many jobs we don’t work in look easier from the outside than when working in that job. Most of all when it comes to responsibilities and obligations. The pressure can be enormous!
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Ritu
Sep 30, 2017 @ 14:52:37
Totally sis xxx
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Erika Kind
Sep 30, 2017 @ 15:22:28
😊💖
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Reena Saxena
Sep 30, 2017 @ 07:52:20
Agree. But parents and teachers are going through a similar ordeal.
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Ritu
Sep 30, 2017 @ 07:57:45
To an extent Reena but a parent is dealing with a few or even only one child and sometimes the child’s defiance comes from how we as parents have allowed them to react.
As teachers we are dealing with 20-30 kids at once and when the majority are hindered by these social inadequacies, it makes our job as a teacher nigh on impossible.
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Judy E Martin
Sep 30, 2017 @ 06:02:57
I do understand how difficult it must be to be a teacher. I know my daughter was quite a handful at school despite me trying to instill good manners into her! She was at least, able to read very well for her age.
Actually, it was thanks to the teachers at school that my daughter’s handwriting became legible. Up until she was about 8 or 9 she wrote in this weird kind of hieroglyphic style! I had never seen anything like it before, and despite my best efforts, I could not understand what she had written, not could I seem able to teach her to write legibly. The teachers at school had cracked it though, and now she has beautifully neat handwriting to be proud of!
Sadly, the other side of school, the social side and behaviour, we are all still working on!!
I know how hard you all work in guiding our children in so many ways, and I take my hat off to you. It is not a job that I could do!
It a huge THANK YOU from me! 💖💖💖💖
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Ritu
Sep 30, 2017 @ 07:41:07
Thank you so much sis for understanding what I am trying to say. Unfortunately, many parents do not ‘see’ the difficulties the behaviours of their own children create for both the kids, and for us at school. When you hear appreciation it is soothing to the soul,and helps a teachers frazzled mind, to know they aren’t doing all this for nothing! ❤ ❤ ❤
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Judy E Martin
Sep 30, 2017 @ 08:57:14
Oh absolutely not. I really have the utmost respect and admiration for teachers. 💖💖💖💖
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Ritu
Sep 30, 2017 @ 09:08:57
💖💖💖💖
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robbiesinspiration
Sep 30, 2017 @ 05:30:50
I hear you, Ritu. We live in a very strange world where the right to education, which our ancestors fought so hard for, is now a grudge purchase by both the learners and their parents. There are rewards to teaching too though so you need to focus on the best parts. Hugs.
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Ritu
Sep 30, 2017 @ 07:39:07
Thanks Robbie! I do see the good parts, when they start to settle, and show a little understanding of what we are trying to show them. I saw one of my first ever students in the Summer, and she ran up to me, so proud to tell me ” Miss! Miss! Do you remember me? I passed my GCSE’s and I am going to college!” She was one of my first Roma children who at the time, everyone had written off!
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robbiesinspiration
Sep 30, 2017 @ 08:35:26
How wonderful, Ritu.
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Ritu
Sep 30, 2017 @ 08:44:58
It makes it worth while!
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