Shut Up! And Let Me Teach: Ending the Assault on Teacher Autonomy | Chandra Shaw | TEDxLSCTomball

If you live in Texas, you know all too well that there are a few things that are inevitable, death, taxes, and high stakes testing! What you may not be aware of is the effect it has on students and great teachers, those who stay at work late, not because they didn’t get the mountains of paperwork, intervention plans, and data analysis done during the day, not because they are unorganized poor managers of time, but because it’s the only time they have to do what they were actually hired to do, build relationships and design engaging thought provoking learning experiences for the students they teach. In this talk, Lifelong Learner, Educator, & Consultant, Chandra Shaw, shares the story of her first year of teaching and a of “politically incorrect” advice on what’s needed for teachers to teach so that ALL students can continue to learn and grow.
Chandra Shaw has more than 16 years of experience in Education, as a teacher, instructional specialist, and now an ELAR Education Consultant with Region 10 ESC in Richardson, TX. As a teacher, her friends described her as a person who, “….accomplishes the impossible with her students,” so it should come as no surprise that Chandra wants to live in a world where everyone has the opportunity to accomplish their impossible dreams. Presenting a TED talk has been a dream of hers, holding steady at # 3 on her “bucket list,” for some time now.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@corneliusyoung9699]

She is spot on. A lot of us who decided to leave education (or that were booted out) couldnt handle the pressure of admin coming in and telling us we are doing a bad job when we are doing the best we can. After 7 years I left and this TED Talk hit on every single point of why I left. Student behavior is always the least of the problems. Micromanagement from admin and helicopter parents are the worst.

[@texasbelle333]

Facts, I just completed my first year and I’m very bothered how administration only cares about what the parents think and licensing standards. We can’t even write their name on the board when they’ve misbehaved all day

[@MrSelfawareness]

Our profession needs more teachers like this! Excellent talk.

[@beyondthebarre]

THAT WOMAN DESERVES SO MUCH MORE APPLAUSE THAN SHE GOT.

[@edgarc3819]

Teaching is an art. When a teacher is limited in his autonomy to teach, often times this hinders the student. There are many different ways to achieve a goal. A teacher is limited when he/she is told that the lesson should be taught one way. I agree that some teachers do not belong is a classroom, these teachers can only teach from the teachers guide book. Does it matter how you achieve the goal in the lesson? As long as you achieve the goal is what matter. Teachable moments should be taken into account. Just because some Dr. in education has come up with some new methodology, does not mean it is applicable to every student.

[@CelticSparrows]

I’m high school teacher - from a long line of teachers going back to the 1860s - but I won’t be in the profession much longer. My reason for leaving is the horrific and appalling behavior of today’s students.

[@johncoley3967]

Rita Pierson says "children don't learn from teachers they don't like"

[@glennwatson3313]

@@johncoley3967 Rita Pierson is a huckster who makes money selling bad books to school systems.

[@MrJohnisthename]

One subject I consider vital that is missing in the education curriculum is the management of money. Kids graduate these days with no clue as to budgeting their income, balancing a checkbook, or any other financial matters yet they're offered credit cards that result in serious debt not to mention credit issues that will effect them when they get older.

[@MrJohnisthename]

If only to achieve a high school diploma, sooner or later students wioll have to take and pass a variety of tests. This is how knowledge is measured. Students that will continue their education will certainly realize the importance of passing a test when seeking a degree. Imagine a doctor who hasn't taken a medical exam practicing medicine. Or an attorney who hasn't taken a BAR exam defending you in a trial, or even a teacher without a degree teaching our children. The sooner these kids learn the importance of passing another test the better.

[@ChandraShaw]

MrJohnisthename I think you are correct. This is important for all children, but especially important for students who come from low socioeconomic backgrounds. These children are more likely to have parents who are poor managers of money, and they don't often have a family member who was is a lawyer or a an accountant or in any financial sector profession who can help them with these types of skills. Therefore, they often fall victim to high interest credit cards or check cashing high interest loans scams which just help perpetuate the cycle of debt and fiscal irresponsibility.

[@zoetropo1]

zadose: I didn’t know how to marry!

[@zoetropo1]

TIkiHutTiki: Parents must shoulder the burden of first learning and supporting children with an environment conducive to homework, but the complex financial world? Not all parents understand the implications for themselves! Imagine what errors and misunderstandings they would pass onto their children! Millions of parents don’t even know how to vote in their own best economic interest.

[@all-seeingeye-cultofenligh2843]

that's where JA biz town buds in.

[@patriciacorrea8871]

You had me at "teaching is an art form."

[@sanderson4257]

💕

[@123speak5]

The highest art form if it is in school with children.

[@AlyssaFajardo17]

I wish teachers would realize that i dont raise my hand, not because I don't know the answer, but because I have anxiety.

[@eiccoaching8642]

Alyssa Fajardo Your teachers should have you on an Individualised Learning Plan.

[@swordofthespirit7994]

ALYSSA...please think about going to a school counselor and having them talk with you about your anxiety and to advocate for you with your teachers...You could also email your teachers or write them a note, or at least one you trust and tell them how you feel. As a teacher, I know where you are coming from and I know some teachers often fail to see anxiety and/or shyness, as well as a host of many other reasons for "not participating." Let others know though...and see where it takes you. I wish you the best...teachers can't always help if they do not know there is a problem...Best of luck!

[@charliechaplin7959]

Why do you have anxiety?

[@arozeisarozie]

Tell them. :) More often than not, we can accommodate for you!

[@texasbelle333]

Sharma La Montserrat I understand where you’re coming from. However as teachers, we are responsible for many children not just one... you gotta speak up, even if it’s in private, we’re teachers not mind readers

[@ayatzaaroura8322]

Every teacher should watch this video.

[@mzlaura2788]

It all connects! Bring the arts back! Let's connect all subjects in a creative approach. Let real teachers who understand learning, teaching and kids decide how children should not be left behind.

[@sarahguy8344]

Thank you for sharing your story of teaching. As a veteran Teacher, this was still inspirational! What is a shame is that teachers are controlled at all levels this day and age and in public schools. Your suggestion of how to handle the overeager and unacknowledged supervisors was right on track. Thank you.

[@kristysus3055]

My 3rd grade teacher taught me and my classmates songs to help us learn multiplication and I still remember and use them in 8th grade

[@moafighting1597]

Kristy Sus what state are you in that you still do prominent multiplication?

[@zoetropo1]

Please teach the songs to me! I will teach them to my students.

[@auntpurl5325]

Yep. I put in one terrible year to a public school and rethought my whole career path. I felt overwhelmed from day one by impossible and compounding demands with no reasonable margins on my time. There was no joy, no appreciation, no support, no freedom to try to meet the students where they were. I was chained to the state blueprint and "teaching" to the test rather than the kids. The admin politics was a perpetual, corrosive undercurrent, morale was low across the board, and I came home exhausted and spent every day. I became seriously underweight (no time to eat properly) and depressed. As soon as my contract ended, I took my own young kids out and homeschooled them. I've never looked back. My kids are in college and high school now, and my only regret is the money I wasted on my education degree (perfectly useless in a homeschool setting, by the way. That money would have been better spent on travel and books). Currently I teach high school students privately in a classical homeschool setting, and I am paid by parents to whom I am directly accountable. I rejoice in my freedom to teach and try new things, and I am thriving. I love my job! It is my dream teaching gig, and I have great joy watching the kids bloom right in front of me. I want to do this kind of teaching for life if I am able. I respect the teachers who have the tenacity, fortitude, and dedication to hang in there. I was unwilling to sacrifice my own family for a career path that I personally found unfulfilling and destructive.

[@charliechaplin7959]

Denelle Bratcher what subject do you teach?

[@CelticSparrows]

What a fantastic idea! Homeschooling groups of children at your home?! I love this.

[@JRobbySh]

Every principal should teach at least one class. In Germany the Director does.

[@cherylbombenger9388]

Love it! My state has passed a law to allow autonomy! Hopefully all schools are doing the same! Your message, Chandra, is awesome!

[@patty5266]

What state?

[@KevinWoolseyPhoto360]

Reading. Writing. Arithmetic. Everything is connected.

[@ellarae7575]

I FELT YOU MAMA! Teary-eyed from your passion. I love you and everything you do!

[@nemi6265]

Nya Vaness thats your mom, if it is she is beautiful and smart and inspiring

[@sopilda]

Only yesterday that I felt so desperate getting attention from my year 7 class and at that time I almost regret that I have always chosen teaching as my career. She's right, we can't teach for what others expect us to teach. We teach our students because we do care what's best for them.

[@retnowulandari3230]

Sopiah Endora

[@cliffordhatton4444]

If you truly want to do what's BEST for your kids read The Illustrated Education Reform Act on Kindle - great stuff! Controversial, no nonsense common sense.

[@angiecasey9299]

I agree there is too much micro-managing which is reducing creativity. Also, there are numerous administrators who are coming from several different backgrounds and have no clue of teaching pedagogy nor anything else concerning education. The professional developments that I have seen are pointless. I applaud this woman(speaker) because she is definitely a modeled teacher who I hope become an administrator. Educational facilities need people like the presenter who are reflective and proactive.

[@jackieloubasawil8881]

laugh out loud on no fighting etc.... I reverse it with go ahead and talk create noise and kids just see each other and keep quiet ...miss my kids in this quarantine... continue listening with you ma'am...

[@jaelynn7575]

The changes in US education is tragic! It started to decline with charter schools in the late 80's early 90's. One of the first charter schools in the nation was built in my city and some of my neighbors went to it. They had half the work that I did, but I did go to a "college prep" high school that focused on hard sciences and writing. The changes done to public schools and to teachers, the destruction of the WI teachers union, too much testing, etc have resulted in pushing out the best teachers! It's encouraging the most seasoned teachers to quit b/c they've lost $10k per year in pay and benefits. That money is being misappropriated by religious schools. Taking tax dollars and funneling them into private and religious institutions. Bad idea to force that on people! ' it's really sad to see the amount of anxiety and pressure put on teachers. Tying teachers ratings to student performance is just an easy way for the private industry to say "public schools are failing." They've engineered that to be the case because there are kids who just don't want to learn, or can't, which means they don't improve and the teacher gets punished for a kid who doesn't want to learn, or can't. I know several great teachers who are looking for other jobs b/c of the pay cut. How can you ask teachers with Master's Degrees to give up their pay like that? The whole reason to get a Master's in Education is b/c you earn more pay, which has been negated by the destruction of the unions. It's greedy men in government and private industry that are destroying the education system in the US. z

[@rayva1]

We’re testing our students to death.

[@jackieloubasawil8881]

Your right but they're afraid ...messing up with them is an everyday life 😂

[@rochellegray6507]

Thank you for your support of what we teachers KNOW WHAT TO DO!! And we do it!!

[@kistyphillips5766]

I love your passion. Thanks for sharing!

[@fabiolazuniga5445]

It's true that micromanagement kills a teacher's autonomy but where I'm from if you do or say something like that you are fired.

[@marinadoshkevich4863]

Good. But its still not enough. Because kids still don't know how to multiply fractions, or give you the structure of a sentence. And you are still somehow getting your political ideas to the kids so parents have to debrief them like they were in an enemy camp.

[@therealtoni]

As always, those who can afford to do this and risk being driven out of their job may do this. The rest of us have as little choice as our students.

[@chandrashaw3766]

Marina Doshkevich Nothing political was discussed in this speech.

[@daniellehall1612]

Then be fired. Take that risk and protest hard. I promise you if the whole school of teachers get on board they would be forced to listen. One or two teachers leaving means nothing but if you can get 80 to 90 percent to take a risk with you. You have their attention. Fear is what keeps us here in these situations. Take a risk.

[@vswick]

Danielle Hall Unfortunately, people at my school are too afraid of losing their jobs or receiving a poor review from revengeful admin. So, everyone complains to each other but falls silent in meetings. It’s incredibly disheartening.

[@lailawabi-sabi1202]

I am a Brazilian teacher! Loved it!

[@WILDANDPEACEFUL23]

Very Healing and validating. Thank you!

[@aknudsen93]

As a preschool teacher from Illinois, thank you. They are actually talking about state assessments in preschool. They are already testing kindergarten students. It makes me so sad. I have taught preschool for 15 years and I feel that preschool children can write, it's called developmental spelling, we explore science in different hands on, concrete projects. Most importantly , we learn social/emotional skills; how to talk to a friend, how to solve a conflict and use your words, how to express yourself and how, as a teacher, to listen. We now have to follow a curriculum that is supposed to follow the interests of the children. It's awful. They had a "study" in which we were supposed to do activities with boxes. This "study" went on over a month. We are dictated what to teach every single day and as a teacher of young children I know that children are interested in themselves, their families, rainbows and many other ideas, just not boxes for a over a month. I have decided this will be my last year. Even though I am older I realize that I cannot financially support myself as a single teacher and I do want a social life. I am burnt out and sick of being treated like a child by our administrators. I see and hear to much of this happening. Thank you again for your speech.

[@salinabowie5012]

Awesome talk! Thank you!

[@teacherbakerful]

Thank you for your powerful and true, heartfelt words!

[@ahnoji]

You're amazing. I believe whole-heartedly in everything you said. Thank you for doing this. You are a fantastic and inspiring speaker!

[@hayashisays5810]

You are an inspiration and speak the truth! I have been in Title I schools and on the "naughty" list for adding restorative justice as a piece of Social Studies/community building/conflict resolution/empathy/understanding perspective. I taught literacy through the humanities and was in trouble for not using test prep booklets. I agree with you every minute counts in the life of the students. Now I am on loan as a Distinguished Teacher in Residence at a local college, teaching future teachers. I love coming across other educators that are sharing their passion with others. These types of talks speak to the hearts of educators who wish to make a difference, do whatever it takes to build relationships with families and to lead change in their districts. This also proves we are human...thank you.

[@ChandraShaw]

nancy hayashi Thanks for doing what's right for our children and helping to ensure that future teachers know what teaching is really about in your new role. ❤️

[@pizrux6592]

Chandra Shaw your so stupid

[@ChandraShaw]

Castle Zod So sorry you feel that way. 😢 And it's "you're so stupid" not "your". Wished you'd have been in my class. You'd know that and how to speak to an elder. Be blessed little guy.

[@pizrux6592]

Chandra Shaw 😂😂😂😂oh my god I would hate to be in your class

[@kiswahilikitukuzwe2547]

Castle Zod How old are you, by the way?

[@Mfreitag62]

Chandra, amazing talk! I so appreciate your message, and your bravery to stand up for what is best for children. What you say is 100% true! I have been teaching for 40 years now and am still fighting the fight for autonomy for teachers. It can be exhausting. But the kids are worth it. Thank you for inspiring me to keep on fighting.

[@ab-lm9rf]

The thing that I love about this woman is she telling her story in a passionate way. I mean just few of people have a passion of teaching. Surprisingly, this woman somehow find a passion of teaching when she is a little kid. But when thing did not go well at the beginning of her first "teach" year. She take a effort to turn the situation around in a empathetic way. In particular, doing research toward her student which rare other teachers did that.

[@marchforth3515]

This talk made me tear up. I told my family I couldn’t be a teacher because I have absolutely no patience for anything but this teacher and one of mine, whose patience is beyond anything I’ve seen or felt, makes me think it’s possible. I realize I’ll need to work on myself before anything else. Everything I want to do involves a ton of patience and perseverance, and I personally think kids should in a good place mentally before they learn anything more than simple. Well, there’s a lot I need to learn, too, but I’ll associate everything with negativity if I don’t find a good foundation to start on. I really wanna help the education system. I loved this talk, it was amazing and inspirational. Teacher/education activism is what we need.

[@alisonb9963]

Don't do it. You get constant pressure on all sides. Poor behavior from your students, even worse behavior from their parents, self-promoting, back-stabbing peers and loath full administrators trying to always pass the buck. You will be micromanaged to an inch of your life, your time will be wasted listening to edu-babble in countless meetings where nothing will change or improve and you'll hear the same buzzwords over and over ad nauseum (504's, R/T, student study team, dept. meetings, grade level meetings, IEP meetings etc. etc.) Your benefits will not help you much and you can't pee when you want to which is an awful feeling. Nothing to see here, move on.

[@sarahlee0526]

Amazing Chandra - thank you - this is just what I needed to hear at this moment. Thank you

[@Justice4ver4BreonnaTaylor]

Thanks Chandra. I was offered a position teaching and I’ve experience everything you stated. Thanks for placing things into perspective for me. I gotta keep going.

[@MsHanifahof12]

As a pre-service teacher this is inspirational

[@janicekuharski8853]

Thanks, Chandra, for sharing your experience, talent & insight. Your talk was amazing!

[@hswaine77]

Greatest part...kids need to wonder about the world and think about what they are leaving behind. Our greatest job is not letting the kids know that they are a number on a spreadsheet.

[@youthf7c343]

Ma'am your talk was inspirational and has moved me. I am grateful to you for sharing this.

[@pilotlaura4838]

Thank you for touching my heart. I hope my son will be blessed with inspiring teachers like you.

[@mirandaa1464]

Thank you. Thank you for believing in what you know is right, and making teaching the art form many don't know it is. Thank you for speaking the truth in this speech and for trying to show the world what teaching truly is. I'm truly grateful that the teachers I've had have the same passion as you. Thank you - A Student

[@ChandraShaw]

Miranda A makes me soooo happy to hear this!❤️❤️❤️

[@ItsAMeSuperGen]

Powerful, you spoke the truth and nothing but . . .

[@teacherman9000]

Totally agree, Chandre. Are you still teaching? I'm not. I am the "Rhode Island Teacher Who Said I Quit" Maybe you've seen it. If not, simply Google it. Best of luck and thanks for trying to make a difference. Steve

[@lyndsey1133]

Stephen Round I just watched your resignation letter video and wowza you are a legend sir

[@tammylynn9159]

I'm from RI, teaching in TX because there weren't any jobs in RI! I'll be watching your video next!

[@ErutaniaRose]

I wish I had a teacher like this. Whenever I complain about how I didn't feel engaged or heard, or that the school cares more about a test than if I'm okay; most of the teachers and the principal even, tell me to just deal. To just accept that's how it is. But not anymore. I will email this to them all next chance I get.

[@spiritualworlds_jeanyang]

Thank you, it was beautiful. :)

[@piperjones881]

I go to a school where we embrace all forms of art and school subjects. I feel so lucky

[@friendalways9140]

I love doing homeschool! :)I love my kids!! :) Kudos to all you professional teachers like this amazing woman! Y'all are awesome!!!

[@GlitterandJams]

That was amazing and so true!

[@mrs.deaviancefowlks-turner6304]

Excellent.....

[@christinemegjohnson3718]

I love this. What a positive message.

[@amywelsh8225]

🙏 thank you. I needed to hear this today

[@runitajones255]

Chandra, this was a great video and I agree wholeheartedly. I craved autonomy and I believe that the issues that I encountered might have been alleviated had I been able to teach the way I wanted. I felt so constrained.

[@mrssai2338]

Sometimes I regret that we cannot give as many THUMBS UP as we want ...

[@charlytaylor1748]

not often I agree with someone 100% but I can't see anything wrong with this approach. I now teach English privately in Spain. My lifelong friend 'teaches' in the public system in England. I DO get autonomy, i like to have fun in my classes, use current technology and themes... while he is trapped in the incessant box-ticking that passes for education in many places.

[@susiebliss09]

Somehow the algorithm suggested this to me today (1/18/2023) and I thought it would be wonderful. Unfortunately teacher autonomy is now under greater attack than any other time I can remember. (I started teaching in 1982)

[@ChandraShaw]

You are SOoooo correct! The distrust and disrespect of “thinking” teachers is at an all time high. Folks really think a script is going to teach children…😡

[@chalktalkwithshari4173]

Teaching IS an art form. Amen.💞

[@milzmusician]

Unless you work for my incompetent principal who dictates which 3 standards to use all school year 🤣 and whose Instructional Leadership Team nitpicks your required detailed lesson plans and stalks your classroom multiple times a week for informal debriefs lol

[@chalktalkwithshari4173]

@@milzmusician yes…been there, done that. All I can suggest is find a different school. I did, and I never looked back. There are good schools with good principals out there. Best of luck!

[@sallybusby3112]

Love, love, love! Yes!

[@michaelaranda5220]

Shut up is not a bad word. Defending one's self from student assaults and pressing charges is not mistrusting students. You should not apologize... The students are verbally and physically aggressive so forget them.

[@queenlover007]

Speaking as a graduate student who's transferring from a science master's degree into an education master's, I can tell you with absolute certainty that we do not spend enough time writing. Every year should be dedicated to writing in some form, now I'm not talking about a book report or preparing for a standardized test, but combining it with subjects where it would be of great use (basically all of them). One reason why science is declining is because people are not thinking nor writing critically. Communication is so essential and it disheartens me that some believe that if you expose a child to writing once or twice that they'll get it. As anyone knows, you need constant and consistent practice doing something you find fun to get good at it. This woman truly says everything that is prohibiting good people that should be teachers from applying or making the good teachers quit.

[@chandrashaw3766]

Cindy Mauro YOU ARE SOOO RIGHT!!! Welcome to teaching your students will be so lucky to have a teacher who understands the importance of literacy skills (listening, thinking, reading, WRITING, and speaking) in ALL content areas. The fact that you already recognize this is amazing! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@lyndsey1133]

THIS WOMAN IS A LEGEND OML AS A CURRENT STUDENT I WOULD DIE TO HAVE HER AS ONE OF MY TEACHERS

[@rb6forlife286]

My English teAcher makes up helpful songs and poems to help us with prepositions clauses ext. and it helps way more than any test ever will

[@ceochala]

I love this! ❤️👩🏾‍🏫

[@arladicey]

It used to be, at least it seemed, that it wasn't always like this. There was a day when administration said, "here is the skeleton of what we want kids to know at the end of the school year; you build the body any way you like around this skeleton". Not anymore; teachers are basically given the whole body, skeleton and all, and there is no room for individuality and creativity as a teacher. It's sad.

[@tyrshand06]

[@helioustutor7707]

Teaching is a creative act!

[@lindseydriver5646]

Yessssssssssssss!!!!!! I love this!!!

[@pinklipstickx19]

For anyone that what’s to become a teacher what this women is said is true I been working at schools for almost 5 years within that years so many teacher quit and ended up doing something different you don’t know how many time we get in trouble for doing what we think is best for our kids instead we get a slap in the hand this is why I tell people you really gotta love being a teacher cause teachers don’t get pay enough for what we put up with .

[@susanjeffay3851]

Thank you so much! I'm retired because I couldn't teach the fun way I used to. You are so right!!!!

[@JRobbySh]

My sister was an excellent elementary teacher. She finally quit after a snot-nosed 20 something came to evaluate her and acted as though she was a first-year teacher.

[@Hurricaneintheroom]

I understand what you're saying totally. I've been teaching for 17 years now in urban, rural, and suburban. I've not encountered "cookie cutter" teachers before. Those who cannot think for themselves but who will do what the principal does because they are all friends. I'm definitely not that and I do stand up for myself. But it is tough when you have to deal with principals with not enough experience or education to be one or who feels that everyone should be just like her or where you get over inflated evaluations because you're in the clique that is run by the principal's best friend. I felt sad when I left that district, not for myself, but for the kids who I know would not be getting the education they deserved. Teaching is hard no doubt. But I do think that within acceptable limits teachers should just teach what is required. Micromanagement is not the way to go. At the place I'm speaking of each department had to write a lesson plan to perform for the faculty on teaching strategies out of a book. And it was horrifying when a teacher turned around to make a comment when I said "It's just jigsaw.", he turned around and said "I don't know what that is." Really.

[@carolsolomon-jenkins6438]

That was amazing!

[@Adubs916]

That is and has always been my saying. “You have to reach them before you can teach them.”

[@bryanlint9327]

I agree with you completely.

[@rashaanphillips9480]

you just inspired me 😭😭

[@abcdefg71l]

she is AMAZING

[@jaelynn7575]

Haha. I used to do that too, but a bit different. I lived across from my elementary school and after the year we would also grab all the unused worksheets from a paper dumpster and use them over the summer to "play school" on my porch with kids on the block. We'd take turn being teacher and students and even grade papers. lol. My mom was a teacher so it was pretty natural thing to do.

[@henrycavalierkingcharlessp6064]

There’s a lot of coverage on how our school system hurts the students, so I’m glad there’s some representation for the teachers too. I’m really annoyed these teachers have to fit squarely into a strict system that’s been extremely outdated since the Internet was invented 30 years ago.

[@nagatshagy3834]

Teaching isnt an easy job but i realy do enjoy it

[@RepulsedRook]

Now I feel bad for any disrespect towards my teachers

[@seanlovell8961]

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!! PREACH CHANDRA SHAW !!!!!!1

[@lorenamares1427]

Dang, I like her! She's teaching me.

[@alisonb9963]

This talk explains why I decided to retire and why I'm so glad to be done with "teaching."

[@stormchaser419]

Left at 12 years. I now encourage others who might go into teaching to do something different.

[@stillfoxyforever]

Excellent

[@OtterAquafina]

Special Ed is even worse....and if you're a service provider you deal with admin, parents, sped teachers, gen ed teachers, school counselors, students, compliance deadlines, and other service providers. Imagine working with all these personalities and feeling undervalued on a daily basis by everyone. There are many positives, I feel valued by some, and could use the bathroom when I want, but we deal with an entity of pressures while trying to balance out a bunch of personalities while staying professional. I am for the system helping SPED students, but don't you dare tell me that my job is unicorns and rainbows....and I especially say that to all the above people I described who never ever ever take my 80 student caseloads into direct consideration....these are students that require treatment and ongoing assessments. Last but not least, standardized tests are awful and deplorable....and are especially biased towards students who are minorities or have disabilities....absolute SHAME! A lot of these kids have various strengths but have difficulties accessing their curriculum because of unwilling professionals who treat special ed students like lab rats (perfect example being gen ed teachers who don't want to give them extra time on assignments or tests...because they think they're lazy and don't want to accommodate them because of their disability). There are many wonderful educators, but part of the problem is THEM. Administrators could be awesome, but some are so ridiculously deplorable that it's embarrassing to say that I work at certain places....they are a part of the problem too. We are all the PROBLEM. Overall I love all of my students and am very very proud of them! I envy them so much and feel sorry for them as their quality of education in the public schools could be better. There's a lot that we could change to make it better, and there's a lot we could do to make it worse. If we get rid of standardized testing and come up with more practical and functional criteria to measure performance and meet outcomes, it'd solve a lot of issues, reduce burn out, retain more quality teachers, and the students would be happier and feel more empowered to make a difference. I've been a special education service provider and teacher in the school districts for almost 7 years now. I don't expect any pats on the backs, this is just my opinion which has been shaped by what I've witnessed and observed. To each their own. God bless all of you who are in the "mice maze" with me.

[@rachelmcgrew2916]

Sad part is....I told the principal at the school I worked at last year that ‘with all due respect, I understand we have to achieve certain goals and make it “look good” to the district and state. But at what point is someone going to realize that all of their teachers are either brand new or close to it and have no real training. The only veteran teacher we have is having panic/anxiety attacks in the supply closet which is worse because that means she just as overwhelmed as we are- if not worse because people may be going to her for advice.” The only thing she replied with was asking the teacher’s name as if she didn’t already know. Sad sad. Wasn’t asked back to that school and I’m SO glad I wasn’t!! It was definitely a relief!

[@chandrashaw1906]

Sorry to hear this has been your experience. I don't know what subjects you teach, but if it's literacy/ELAR, I'd be will to let you audit one of my virtual courses. Just let me know.

[@damselinadress2069]

My two best friends are teachers,' one in New Jersey, the other in Buffalo. I have friends that are teachers in Rochester, NYC, Charlotte, Denver, Louisiana, the lists goes on. They ALL have the exact same complaints. Teachers have it rough with low pay and the administration does not care. God bless them, I couldn't do it.

[@JRobbySh]

Th administration is under different pressures. The differences are sort of like those between officers and noncoms in the military.

[@wyntermackenzie4952]

I spent many years teaching in a school which takes this "blending" of subjects and content areas FOR GRANTED. We took it for granted so much that people understood me when I said, there's no such thing as teaching. "Teaching" is what one person, usually a grownup standing at the front of the room, does to other people, usually kids sitting quietly at their desks. _Learning_ is what they do together, sometimes with the kid in charge. Every student had, in modern Edu-speak, an IEP. We helped them learn _how_ to learn: reading, resesrch, writing, math, using whatever they were interested in: candy, the results of eradication of mosquitoes, wolves, the French Revolution, space, US history of the Vietnam War, whatever. A good teacher can help a student learn anything, by asking a few well-placed questions and getting out of the way when necessary. Testing? pfui. The American education system is the only profession that makes decisions based on how well some people "perform" on standardized tests. When's the last time_you_ took a standardized test, you lawyers, construction workers, programmers, chefs.......every single day you work is a test of how well you understand the basics, apply principles, find out what you need to know, interact with others, increase your knowledge, along with how much effort you put in to what you do. You've got some of the right ideas, Ms. Shaw, but you don't take them _nearly_ far enough. It should be, "get out of the way and let them LEARN".

[@santapeterpanoranyoneelsey4985]

I think saying with love (shut up and let me teach ) is better than ignore them to do what they do that way ..talking and destroying their minds...poor kids .they need someone to guide them in this life

[@deloresgraef6345]

When talking to my kids at the end of the day,for the most part they love school and talk about what they learned

[@lotta7235]

Very true! Teaching is an art and administrators are not qualified to do it.

[@gabrielcornea9119]

Shut up is not a bad word, but a necessity in teaching. If the students do not shut up, they can't hear anything! Stop appologizing for wanting to teach!

[@sharwinsnelson9995]

Although I can agree with your passion and conviction, the state wants "results not excuses." So many teachers are bound to performing miracle acts such as magic math because students are at risk of failing a class. There has to be accountability on all parts, not just the teachers'. Unfortunately the longevity in teaching continues to dwindle and state testing/evaluations are a few contributing factors. So apparently the thousands of dollars in debt that many have occurred going into this profession depend on results.

[@ChandraShaw]

My state got results from me.

[@SomeoneInOregon]

My best principal who knew me for years, knew I got results and avoided micromanaging me. I miss her so much. I could truly practice the art of teaching and create a cohesive community of learners in my classroom with integrated, meaningful projects.

[@j.n.sloane]

Amen.

[@simarjitkaur3411]

Brilliant- teaching is an art form and the micromanagement and the destruction of teacher autonomy has truly killed teaching. Teachers have all the pressure to be politically correct to the point that the sanitised, robotic rubbish teachers are continually pressurised on is getting ridiculous. Students can be rude to the point of poor behaviour, swearing.....Autonomy is the key word, doesn't mean dictatorship but destruction of autonomy

[@tamicablanding]

I laughed because you just described my principal.

[@JRobbySh]

Good,

[@glennwatson3313]

The thing you have to know about poorly behaved kids in a classroom is that its not personal. They don't hate you, they just hate their situation. Also you have to know that you are a teacher not a miracle worker. Do your best and go home with a clear heart.

[@richardmcclary6525]

I have been saying exactly that

[@richardmcclary6525]

I'm not a teacher I'm a mechanic but everyday I have to learn something new today's kids have no idea how to learn

[@freakazoidddd]

teaching bears, amazing