The problem with urban students? Their teachers leaving: Greg Fairbank at TEDxWellsStreetED

[@TheSnyderWeb]

The best teachers in the world cannot fix what is happening in the child's home.

[@Rambleon444]

It's like the best dentist, keeping a mouth in good condition if his patient never brushes his teeth at home.

[@adnanezad8582]

@@Rambleon444 He's also assuming that teaching is an exact science, when it really isn't. When dealing with human behavior, methods that may work in one context may not necessarily work in another. Students are not automatons whose functionality depends upon finding and employing the right algorithms. One cannot employ a single strategy with it having the same effect every single time when it comes to teaching. Human behavior is often erratic and influenced by a variety of variables, and thus, employing an algorithmic strategy such as maintaining high retention rates among teachers, is objectively not a definitive solution. Moreover, students have different teachers every year, thus the onus should be on them to adapt to the teacher - not the other way around. Also, because students are not automaton, teachers cannot be likened to airplane pilots or astronauts, who can employ certain strategies to solve a given problem with the exact same outcome every time they apply that solution. Airplanes do what the pilot tells it to do, and gravity influences all objects the same way, but students can choose to be or not be responsive to a particular intervention. What he is proposing simply absolves affected parties of any personal moral agency whatsoever, and as long as people continue to do this the real issues will not be addressed.

[@paulcolburn3855]

Exactly. The union and the school board has no answer for this. If the child has no dad at home (mom and dad were never married, mom raising the child alone) the child is likely to be incorrigible. Boom. Right there. The teacher is pretty much screwed. Notice that this kid (this pro-union, most teachers are good, Chicago teacher) never mentions that. Ever. And I'm sure if asked about it he would shrug his shoulders. There is no answer here, nothing he can do.

[@turabullschools2411]

@@adnanezad8582 you have made some astute points. The most profound was at the end when you talked about people not taking responsibility. Our society enables and encourages dysfunctional behavior by not placing blame on individuals for making turabull choices. Instead the narrative directs people to continue to make these bad decisions because they are incentivized.

[@darbyheavey406]

Utah spends much less money but gets better results. Broadway should put on a play called “Book of Ebonics- why Jamal can’t read”.

[@aviewer390]

Uh, no. The problem with urban students is bad parenting and no consequences at school. Their teachers are not supported by administration and that's why they leave.

[@lorimav]

Yes, didn't even mention that. He's ignoring the elephant in the room.

[@Iceman99255]

I was hoping I would find someone that spoke the truth.

[@nparksntx]

Several people I have taught with have expressed this.

[@Queen_7774]

Thank you! 👏👏

[@Mikkirose1]

He seemed sincere but misguided. And don't forget that a teacher's pay is ridiculous compared to the amount of work they do.

[@hillerm]

If the students want their teachers to stay, then maybe they should stop constantly disrespecting the teachers.

[@JonnyDoey]

I blame admin for borderline forbidding discipline

[@Kenbomp]

Most kids are ok, but teachers can nt be parents and teachers at the same time. Good teachers want good kids. But teachers are people too, they look the warmth, clean facilities. Resources. It's called investment.

[@davidlonsway5784]

Kids act as they’re treated at home....look inside the home and you’ll understand why education is failing

[@updatemysettings5095]

@@JonnyDoey agreed

[@paulcolburn3855]

The students do not give a damn if the teachers stay or leave. I don't even think the parents care. The taxpayers love it because when the teachers quit before they are tenured, well, one less teacher pension to fund. The only ones who are troubled when teachers quit are the school boards and principals who must now pay money to recruit more teachers. F everything else this kid is saying. Not once did he even speak about what is really going on in teaching.

[@dilligafmofoker]

The primary reasons teachers quit teaching: 1) Lack of discipline; unruly students 2) poor attendance 3) student apathy 4) no/little respect for teachers or other students 5) unprepared students Notice none of these cost any money to any student 6) teachers not backed up by administrators 7) verbal &/or physical assaults by students 8) poor planning & inadequate resources from administrators 9) pay/ benefits **widely variable** 10) lesson prep/ grading time insufficient 11) stress from 1-10

[@1schwererziehbar1]

Hmmm, I wonder if all of those reasons are coincidental, or if they are related to some root problem.

[@kaylacoffey9420]

Yes, I totally agree with the statements above. I see there are a lot of trolls. Many who would not have to courage to say half the stuff to people face.

[@juliezimmerman1435]

you nailed it.

[@guiltybastard7859]

You forgot another very common reason for quitting - getting caught sleeping with their teen-aged students.

[@richardbowers3647]

You didn't directly mention union commitment! Just saying.

[@DaveWard-xc7vd]

Totally blames teacher turnovers for the dismal performance of inner city students. The fact is no teacher wants to go to teach in a war zone where they are physically assaulted and mentally abused. This could have been a good talk had he focussed on the real causes. The students.

[@Doitallgp]

Furrowed Brow And the root cause of the troubles with the students is the troubles with the parents.

[@oldschool7207]

Students are negatively effected when teachers quit their jobs. That’s probably true. I hear robbers have to work harder when the stores they rob leave their neighborhood too.

[@aviewer390]

Old School What about teachers who are robbed by their students? Yeah, that happened. So glad I’m now in private school, but missing the paycheck that came with all that abuse.

[@dumbcat]

the public school system was built around the assumption that children can maintain basic manners and respect for adults while in class, which is no easy thing. it is a skill learned at home and takes years to develop. the school system was not designed to teach these skills. if a student arrives at school without these basic skills there will be chaos. there is little a teacher can do. even 1 student in a class of 30 who does not possess these skills can create havoc. imagine a classroom of 15 or 20 such children. impossible

[@mp5249]

Hans Zarkov i disagree. Most of these kids are in day care, head start, full-time!! Most of their waking hours are in liberal school environments

It used to be that a teacher or school could discipline students who acted out. Now you are not allowed to or you could get arrested. Lack of discipline is the problem in schools today. People don't want to face that.

[@richardbowers3647]

The world evolves!

[@autumnharvest9627]

Thanks for bringing that up😄❗️There are a lot of teachers who left that system that don’t need to imagine that! That was my reality about three years ago! Thank God I left that environment!

[@azmenjohnson7669]

Absolutely correct! Home is the first touch point, then the community, then the school. It's a horrible thing that 1 or 2 kids disrupt the whole classroom structure. We have to do better at home!!

[@EntryLevelLuxury]

There is no reason a teacher should have to go to work in an abusive environment. This guy is way too young to have any perspective, he looks fresh out of college. What a know-it-all.

[@freddyfriesen]

Know-it-all ? He's a survivor! Yes, he idealistic, but his six points are valid, but there is much more to the teacher burnout equation. I taught in public schools for forty years. Teachers now walk on the egg shells of political correctness and curricula that is not fit for my dog. Teachers who teach something wholesome and useful run the risk of endangering their job. (It is really not a job, but a vocation.)

[@BlackNella]

Nelson3300 yeah I agree. I come to work everyday in Philadelphia teaching inner city middle schoolers and it is so abusive. I’ve been sick. I cry nearly everyday, I’m sick and I feel unsupported in a real way. There are so many demands and it like I’m stuck in a bad dream until 6/14.

[@saviodias7747]

@@BlackNella I feel for ya. Perhaps try making it easier for u. Just make ease for ur self priority no 1.

[@keniamartinez7702]

Nella Rohan I am so sorry you are going through so much at your job. I commend you for not running out and never looking back. You are a hero to so many

[@ike01g]

@@BlackNella Run and never look back. Best decision I made. Happy and fulfilling now working as therapist. Run.

[@Gwenhwyfar7]

The problem is most of these kids don't have a dad and their mom has to work and let them raise themselves. On top of that, the school board won't get rid of the violent kids, which only teaches them to be criminals. Just awful! Blaming the teachers?! WOW, that is completely unacceptable. Shame on you!

[@mp5249]

Gwenhwyfar Aine We were raised in 2 parent families. We also roamed the neighborhood, hung out at the pool all day in summer, came home when the street lights were on, and lived in absolute terror of our alcoholic father. It's the culture that's changed. Kids listen to rap like it's brainwashing, because it is. Aggression, disrespect, no self control and promiscuous behaviours are the norm.

[@karenabrams8986]

To retain teachers they’re going to have to fix the working environment. Some kind of discipline and order is going to have to be forced. Nobody owes their safety and sanity to some out of control children made by people who barely stick around to raise them, whose priorities are wrong.

[@srgvette28]

don't ever forget, that for a black student to get good grades, speak well, have good attendance, think about the future, well my friends that is called "acting white" and that is NOT A GOOD THING.

[@tinastardust7793]

Steve Griffiths I'd like to know when this supposed ridiculous mindset happened, because none of my family, children, friends or colleagues have ever thought such a thing!

[@undergroundminer3262]

Tina Stardust Reston Virginia at Southlake High.....all day every day.

[@CIA_Is_aTerrorist_Orginization]

I can confirm this to be true. Throughout high school and college no white kids ever called me an uncle tom or a sell out. It was always some ghetto POS.

[@JerryTheCarry420]

This is actually terribly accurate.

[@tray-oq1nj]

ooga booga

[@Giggiyygoo]

I'm glad to see that most of the commenters here know the real problem. You know, the one that you'll never hear about from a PC source.......

[@pistolpete667]

Surprised the comments aren't disabled

[@smoothhittazamir9532]

I begin my 6th year as a PE teacher in Baltimore City tomorrow. This WILL be my last year, no got damn doubt in my mind. Its ALLL on students and admin AND parents, POINT F'N BLANK. Perhaps if the Gym had AC and some proper heat they would keep teachers more, imagine a gymnasium with no AC in September and May, then the cold in the winter. This is REALITY IN 2018. I went back last week as did all teachers and they lost my f'n school issue laptop charger LOL its a F'N JOKE

[@fryeg7]

Maybe communities who mock and harass their fellow members for excelling in anything other than sports, music or crime might have better results and retain people teach them. . Can’t help anyone that won’t help themselves 🤔

[@polybian_bicycle]

That's blaming the victim. It's not allowed, didn't you know?

[@kevinbyrne4538]

Teachers repeatedly voice the same complaints: 1) Students come from families that don't care about education (or about their kids), so the students behave horribly in class. 2) The administration enforces no discipline on misbehaving students. The kids know that they won't be punished for misbehaving, so they misbehave horribly. 3) Students are not segregated according to abilities or to behavior/learning problems, so teachers must develop and implement multiple lesson plans for the same material. This creates enormous quantities of work. 4) The only thing that matters is ensuring that students pass the standardized tests.

[@plumboss9764]

Most public school treachers leave and go to private schools. They learn how to make that difference. You can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink.

[@likeumyeah]

if you teach or send your kids to public school, you deserve every bit of this nightmare!

[@CHistrue]

Terrible Administrators are a large part of the problem.

[@teacherman9000]

Yes terrible administrators and educrats all the way to the top...

[@janebook294]

WRONG END OF THE SPECTRUM JACKASS

[@barrystamour7557]

no the core of the problem is parents are not allowed to discipline children and neither can teachers. Children without discipline do not want to learn. One of the biggest reasons for this is signal mothers who cannot control young boys.

[@jonmacdonald2193]

PARENTS can 100% discipline their children, and teachers have no business in doing that. If the kids are disruptive they should be removed from class its as simple as that, and if the parents cant make them behave over a period of time given by the school then they student isnt welcomed back

[@jawbreaker707]

Terrible parents are the main source of the problem.

[@petergibbons442]

How does a kid in his early twenties get chosen to give a TEDx talk about teachers? I don't care where he went to school, he couldn't possibly have the experience necessary to gain any sort of expertise on the subject.

[@tray-oq1nj]

Dylan Cook Its ok, maybe they will choose you next time being that you are so popular on the speaking circuit right now.

[@toobnoobify]

Unlike TED Talks, TEDx will give anyone a microphone. Think of it like the affirmative action version of TED.

[@hotice8885]

Dylan Cook --He said his parents and brother were teachers, as well. He obviously paid attention to them, before he ever started. Probably shadowed them for years. I did the same. He just looks to be in his early twenties, but even if he were, I happen to know that it only takes two years of work (for a teacher that is paying attention) to understand everything that this man is talking about.

[@shaggyrumplenutz1610]

Considering they have one about Open Defecation in India...

[@rc6184]

Hot Ice you have never been in a classroom? I would never encourage any young person to teach. The education system is broken. The left has destroyed the education with stripping all the power from teachers.

[@fliegeroh]

Clear out the violent students and voila, teachers might stick around.

[@autumnharvest9627]

Tessie 🤣❗️

[@TheNesbittExperience]

Nope it’s all about butt’s in the seats. Magnet schools can’t afford to lose students. “Figure it out, they are your students and they aren’t going anywhere!” -Principal

[@andrewthomasson1998]

He's confusing correlation with causation.

[@thelaughingman79]

and he says childs instead of children. which well...people make mistakes but then he leaned into it by saying it again 5 seconds later lol. who wants tosh.0 as a teacher anyways lol

[@likeumyeah]

...and reality

[@JimInTally]

WHO is?

[@victoriaperez741]

Yeah but he hot tho and he seems sweet, so I’m not mad .... 🤷‍♀️ Is he single? I’m not married, it’s okay that he’s poor from being a teacher ... he’s hot

[@lisahalderman8807]

This also goes for bus drivers. They can't control the kids.

[@35183116]

my mom was a bus driver and the administration and parents were always on her back. She couldn't control the kids because she wasnt allowed to discipline the kids. I lost count how many times she came home with a headache.

[@boston312]

Many inner city schools throughout America use TFA (Teach For America) which are comprised of young white college graduates straight out of IVY schools (like this young lad in the video). They teach 2 years in a high needs school and a big portion of their college loans are paid off. Half of these TFA teachers quit after one year and decide to pay back their own college loans. The TFA love using these young gullible college graduates who tell them that these inner city kids just need a motivated young teacher to change their lives. It isnt until they are in the trenches getting cussed out everyday, threatened and assaulted that they learn the reality of the situation.

[@moriendus]

what a small-minded perspective on this issue, completely ignoring the culture and economics of why these schools fail. it's been five years since this video was uploaded. I wonder if this guy has dropped out yet

[@hoolithewanderinghooligan5110]

He hasn’t

[@chippope8984]

The problem in the urban schools is systemic. Teachers leaving is just a symptom of a problem that essentially keeps getting worse. And everybody has a part in the problem. This assessment is not every person-their are always exceptions, but as a rule: 1. The parents are often unmarried, shacking, undereducated, and were young parents. A perfect prescription for poverty and ignorance. The children come from unstable homes and poverty, which can lead to impatience and anger. The first point is the cause of much of the perpetual problem. 2. The elementary educational system is horrible!!! horrible!!!!! They do not use a proven curriculum that focuses on MASTERING, reading, writing, and arithmetic, to include instantly being able to recall your math facts. And that is designed so that ever student in elementary school progresses at a pace they can excel at. 3. The colleges and universities and "experts" have made EVERYTHING FAR TOO COMPLICATED for elementary school and they want to pace everyone to achieve these benchmarks. They need to completely shut out these theorists in the hood, since they don't have a clue how to help them and would not be interested because it is far too easy to do. Just not using them or their material. Private schools use far better material in many cases. One example is A Beka. 4. The school administration in these areas act as if they don't have a brain and they allow all these "experts" to come into their schools year after year with the expectation of helping them fix this problem-IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN IN THIS WAY, and 20 years is enough of listening to them. 5. Elementary schools in these areas fail many students because often time the parents are relying and trusting these schools to know what they are doing. And when they are delivered a badly educated child, they are stuck with a problem.

[@appletree8441]

What's with the novel?

[@nickwest932]

Most of these kids come from fatherless broken homes. Children NEED a positive male role model. If one is not provided, then they will look elsewhere. Usually chosen role models degrade women and themselves. They also tend to promote violence, theft, and drug use. You are who you look up to. This cycle can be broken. It should be broken. The inner city communities has the largest untapped potential in America today.

[@aviewer390]

Blacks need to take birth control. Problem solved.

[@JimInTally]

The problem is blacks, generally speaking. Not all of them, of course, but enough that it creates a toxic learning environment.

[@JimInTally]

Right!!!

[@pattersoncurse1023]

"Urban students "... pc code.

[@nathanmusisko3254]

Is anyone else seeing the elephant in the room? Lack of parent participation or setting good examples? Maybe could be?

[@johnhamilton6485]

This know-it-all lasted three years in Chicago, according to a LinkedIn page that pretty clearly is his. Now he teaches in a very expensive and elite school in Mexico City. Here is a quote from Wikipedia about The American School Foundation : "Nearly 99% of Upper School graduates attend college." Betcha this school doesn't allow for the behavior so commonly tolerated in Chicago.

[@hoolithewanderinghooligan5110]

Nope still teaches In Chicago

[@marcusnelson1239]

Don’t spread something unless you can back it up. No link equates spreading rumours like a child in the playground.

[@anastasiabeaverhaus9]

yes, you can look up his resume on linkedin, he jumped around from position to position in Chicago a few years and then went to a private school in Mexico City

[@lisahalderman8807]

I don't like this guy. He is putting all the blame on the teachers and none on the kids. If the kids weren't violent dangerous little shits teacher's would stay. Why should a teacher stay if their not safe and feel completely powerless. They can't control the kids. The law and schools won't let them. My mother quit driving the buses because of this. You want teachers to stay give the power back to them.

[@polybian_bicycle]

It all starts in home, with the family. The family as the basic unit of society is being destroyed, and the kids are acting out their fatherlessness. Children without fathers in their lives are twice as likely to drop out of school and are 85% of the prisoner population. That can not be an accident. The west needs a program to re-engage fathers with their children, and in case of divorce 50-50 custody as the norm. Not to say anything about the cultural apathy and moral relativism that runs rampant in western society.

[@freddyfriesen]

Little turds come from parents who are turds. People jump into administration to avoid the turds and turdlettes. And to avoid getting into trouble as an education administrator, you ignore what the turdlettes are doing, so mommy and daddy turd are happy and do not bother the administrator turds and their school board turds.

[@josesbox9555]

Peurii Yep.

[@CrackerBarrelkid555]

Lisa Halderman sometimes the kids don’t come from homes where they only act in peaceful ways. Some kids see more violence and death than American soldiers. How do you think their gonna act when someone gets shot in front of their home and goes to school the next day? There is a deeper problem from kids just being bad.

[@TheNesbittExperience]

P o w e r l e s s s s s s s s s

[@autumnharvest9627]

I am so glad that I got my feet wet into the education system by starting off as a substitute teacher. That opened my eyes to the reality of what I would expect as a public school teacher. I remember the teacher who I was working with one day as an intern and she encouraged me to go into teaching by getting my feet wet as a substitute teacher. And she said that’s what will help you see what your options are. Well I no longer teach in a public school system; I work as a private school teacher and I’m so glad I made that decision!

[@TeddyFreddy94]

This smug idealist never had to get in the “mud” with the kids, parents, and admin. Why do people who aren’t teachers think they see the situation so clearly and teachers don’t? If the parents would actually parent, and the admin would stop spinning data to protect their six figure salaries and actually discipline kids, then maybe inner city schools would be less hellish.

[@boston312]

the most accurate statement on here

[@heatherrawlings8213]

They leave because there is no support from administrators and no discipline for kids.

[@aviewer390]

I quit my “urban school” and went back to a nice Catholic school where no one will swear at, assault, or rob me.

[@thephilosopher5799]

Assuming that kids in urban areas rob is the problem

[@t.bruceford4098]

The problem is poverty not the kids not the schools. This doesn't occur in nice suburban areas where ppl are gainfully employed and they live in safe neighborhoods. Focus on the neighborhood and the school will take care of itself.

[@angilif32]

It's just not one aspect, its a culmination of different factors that also do include the teacher that determine retention of teachers.. This depends on so many factors: support/benefits/salary/location/workload/actual time vs estimated time/guidance/students/networking/job vs career/tenure and so on. I'm teaching abroad, I DID NOT want to teach in the states! It's a joke! From the cost and time of getting your degree to salary to available viable job opportunities. Most teachers that I spoke to do it because they feel passionate about teaching and/or love kids.

[@mtg1470]

Put the boys and girls in different schools

[@jasonnorthcutt4008]

m t g segregating across different lines may be more effective

[@likeumyeah]

put the blacks and whites in different schools. That's what the fucktards in BLM want. let them have it.

[@patricktruchon9153]

m t g I disagree. Segregation of the sexes is not the solution. Students who don't want to learn and cause disruption continuously should simply be removed. End of story. No one to blame but their parents and themselves.

[@michaelsaunders2118]

Aye! Aye!

[@ThestorytellerofKatunga]

True....but they won't listen!

[@mariekatherine5238]

Teaching 36 years in NYC and loving it. I run my class like the Marines. The kids crave the attention and the discipline.

[@marcusnelson1239]

Can you tell me more please? Which age range do you teach? I feel like the only way to be is super strict.

[@4862cjc]

Yes, please elaborate.

[@robhicks2117]

Or maybe the teachers are tired of dealing with undisciplined students and their horrible parents. This is why teachers leave their jobs.

[@zuckertube]

It's all about the family not the teachers are the school it starts with the family

[@mp5249]

zuckertube it's culture, not family. Of course the family teaches the culture.

[@josesbox9555]

Parents used to get pissed at their kids for bad grades. Now they get pissed at the teachers.

[@ivangamez9773]

I've always thought the idea of "going beyond what is required" is very interesting in the work setting, but especially for the teaching profession. If something is not required, what is up with shaming or bullying teachers for not doing it? Include it in the contract. Teachers are leaving in droves because they have been asked to add more roles that they were never intended to assume. The job is to teach, not be social worker, role model, parent, friend, psychologist, etc.

[@yaimavol]

Teachers burn out in good school districts these days. The system is so broken it drains them over time. Add on a huge amount of discipline problems and who needs that for 40K a year?

[@alanhowitzer]

The problem is not the teachers, it's the students, the parents, the neighborhood.

[@ellenkh4422]

This kid is very well meaning and obviously cares, but he is so naïve. Teacher turnover is the least of the problem in urban schools. Schools will never improve in a culture where discipline and accountability are not permitted.

[@jgdooley2003]

A similar thing is happening in city schools in Ireland not due to race but due to economic class divisions although national origins are becoming a part of the toxic mix that is impacting negatively on education in Ireland. A two tier contract system is now in place where junior teachers are paid low wages and short hours and no permanancy while senior teachers get guaranteed wage increases each year and are permanent. Many junior teachers are leaving to work tax free in the middle East to get enough money for a deposit for a modest house, something impossible on their Irish salaries.

[@aseemawad4294]

Johny be drunk :P

[@vekilos]

Many of the Middle Eastern and East Asian schools also respect order and discipline. If you are a European-descended convert to Islam, you also gain more prestige in the eyes of the locals.

[@timetravelerify]

PARENTS!!!! They do not hold their children accountable anymore!!!!! Teachers are expected to do way too much with very little!!!!!

[@cawheeler27]

Um... isn’t there a reason for why turnover is so high? Ive heard enough horror stories about inner city schools to know I would never want to teach in one. When you are facing kids with serious anger and violence problems, who threaten and harass on a daily basis, it’s not a big surprise that people don’t want to work with them. The absurd naivety of this kid is astounding. He forgets the difference between causation and correlation and he assumes that because low retention shows up in underperforming schools that must mean the underperformance is caused by low retention of teachers. That is asinine. These students are coming from generally terrible home environments, they haven’t learned how to behave, how to respect others, how to listen. These classrooms are notoriously chaotic because the students behavior is so abysmal teachers cannot get them under control no matter what they do. Any sane person would jump ship and find a school somewhere in the suburbs where students are orderly and respectful and they don’t feel like glorified babysitters.

[@ThestorytellerofKatunga]

Why should a person of any profession stick around disrespect,danger and overworking! He forgot to ask the teachers!

[@ZombieCSSTutorials]

As someone who went to a school with an african american majority, I had to admit that a lot of the problems the school faced was some parts underfunded classrooms and supplies and some parts the students who, compared to other schools I went to, were given free reign over the environment with rules and punishment being very lenient. This guy doesn't know or doesn't want to admit this, so he's beating around the bush saying we should just rally more teachers.

[@mseeveemaster254]

I dont have hard statistic on this but from personal experience I would say the dropout rate for CNA's is even higher than 50%. At my current job I have been there almost 3 month but already I have seniority over more than half of the other caregivers, one caregiver quit before she even finished training.

[@Malignus68]

5:06 "...students perform worse when teacher drop-out rates are high." That is NOT a causative relationship; both stats are symptoms of the same problem: students who don't give a damn about learning. Nice try.

[@adolfmussolini996]

I was a school bus driver. When savages were on bus I felt like i was in a jungle. Cant imagine what teaching these thugs must be like

[@davidlonsway5784]

Hey, junior seems to put his finger on it except for the most important....how about doing something about the family. What these children experience at home is transferred to the classroom. Think about this.

[@ayf3056]

Hello Greg, I have just completed my teacher training and I really enjoyed your speech. Many thanks

[@keniamartinez7702]

We need more social workers, mental health services, healthcare services and access to resources. Poor communities struggling with inter generational trauma, systemic oppression, lack of resources and failing institutions, need a lot more services than the privilege students who the educational system was build for. Poor students of color are Americans too, they need our support and understanding, not to be vilified.

[@bluemarblemark]

Every parent doesn't want it the way you state it. Until you fix that, you're just blowing smoke. Address retention? Put it on the teacher? Listen to an old man. Teachers are disrespected MOST by parents. Respect for teachers in some communities flew away a long time ago and without that basic RIGHT GIVEN TO THE TEACHER, everything you said means nothing. It's not (all on) the teachers. It's the parents, it's the students. It's called personal responsibility and you managed to blow right by it. Thank you for your work and all your efforts...but I have to be honest and ask "why don't we address the basic right of respect?" Are we that far gone? Teachers get their degree to teach, not to become a policing force of other people's children who have not been taught basic courtesy or kindness.

[@freddyfriesen]

Yes experience helps. I got to year thirty, eligible to retire, and I thought: "I just learned how to do this job". So I did forty. Yes, you have to love it. I do miss it.

[@jamesunderwood9100]

The number one reason was inner city teachers leaving is the out of control behavior of the students!!!! Imagine an inner city street corner at night in a prison yard!!! Don’t laugh!!!! This is a very accurate description!!!! And that’s sad!!! But hey just spend more money that’s the problem right!!!! Sure!!!! Not that poor community of people they just need more “resources”!!!!! The problem is the community, the problem is the people in the community and it always will be no matter what you do!!! You can’t fix what doesn’t want to be fixed!!!

[@bassnut57]

Nowhere in his presentation nor in any of the comments that I've read here, has the word "parents" been mentioned in any kind of role of responsibility. If there is an elephant in the room, that's it. If he's blaming teacher attrition on the lack of training, he's missing half of the solution. I give him a C- on his presentation. Perhaps if his parents had seen to it that he spent more time on his research....

[@Tim85-y2q]

Yes, because public education is supposed to be the backstop that takes all comers. That means that dealing with students coming from less than ideal circumstances is part of the job.

[@mcconn746]

I never considered teaching because of my perception of discipline in schools. I am surprised he did not spend a lot of time on that.

[@teacherman9000]

I resigned from my inner-city teaching position almost 6 years ago and you can watch my KZbin resignation speech (Rhode Island Teacher Says "I Quit!" ) to find out why. But, believe it or not, the worst behaviors I ever witnessed in my teaching career were in suburban "white" schools. One of them had the right idea - a burly "behavioral specialist" who could be called to the classroom any time a student got out of hand and, without missing a beat, the student was removed from the classroom and the teacher went on with the job of teaching. How these kids were dealt with is another story....

[@honestjohn783]

Stephen Round you should repost this comment. I’m going to search your video

[@hurryandleave9680]

Well, whites are better at everything -- including bad behavior!

[@XavierKatzone]

Some of that 50% had no clue what teaching was all about. And teachers are NOT surrogate baby-daddys. How can you blame them - they're there to teach, not be juvenile detention workers!

[@djentile7773]

Teachers leaving is a symptom. The cause is skipping, fighting , constant verbal threats, making peers feels wrong for trying to learn or behave at all.

[@songokulul]

You can't teach those who do not wish to be taught.

[@michaelwojcicki3624]

A sucessful student has a; good attitude, societal responsibility and personal drive. All three are taught by parents, not teachers.

[@christophercombs7561]

They drop out for a few reasons 1. They have no control in the class room this isnt on them its on laws and regulations that handcuff them 2. The parents blame them this isnt akways the teachers fault frequently its arents lack of involvement 3. The miserable pittiance they get paid

[@jzwalz51robin45]

In California teachers have to deal with "Restorative Justice" which only enables disruptive student behaviors, which includes destruction of personal and school property, physical assaults, vulgar language, etc with no consequences. Administrators will often blame the teachers for "having poor classroom management skills."

[@GTOberfest]

The problem starts with their culture and lack of supervision at home...i.e. single parent families....blaming teachers is beyond ridiculous.

[@realazduffman]

I hate to break it to this guy, but most people do not last 5 years in a job. Why is teaching special? It is just a job, like any other.

[@RestingJudge]

AZDuffman As a teacher, it really isnt for everyone. A lot of people think it's an easy gig, but honestly if you don't love the subject you teach or trying to help chaps it will wear you down till your done. I've seen it many times.

[@realazduffman]

True, but most jobs are like that. Any job you do not like will wear you down.

[@alanhowitzer]

The problem is the students, the parents, the community, in that order. The teachers leaving should be about last on that list.

[@iiangexla4500]

You are so amazing Greg. Thank you for standing up for our teachers. God bless you

[@karalaur2393]

I don't think it's a poverty thing ... maybe an 'Urban' thing... Chicago Baltimore Oakland.....what do they have in common ?

[@TheRykpaalt]

Parents, specifically absent parents is big.

[@violinplayer3518]

Back in my day, on the way to school, my mum tells me "Respect your teachers" and at the end of the school, teacher tells us "Respect your parents". Today, teacher ask students "Are you abused by parents?" and parents blame teachers for everything. kids are just victims of both sides.

[@kathymcgirt8944]

I think teachers should be a) paid, b) supported and c) respected. I know, it’s a radical concept - But there you have it.

[@justinthomas6617]

Although this kid means well, the reason why teachers are leaving low-income schools is because they are profoundly disrespected and treated terribly - full stop.

[@SaudiHaramco]

Why are the best sports teams better than others? Because they have great coaches and training facilities? We all know it's because they have the best players. The best schools get to pick the best students and the worst students cluster in some schools so that teaching is basically impossible.

[@sdelony]

They have no discipline in schools kids gone wild it’s just pass the kids so we look good .

[@mrawesome2742]

Who’s here in 2019 wondering when this guy quit lol.

[@donnajoseph-barford1076]

Homeschool is the best way to keep you child safe.

[@trustnuffin9121]

These kids need social services....lessons on how to behave....not teachers that they can willfully abuse. It isn't the teacher's fault.....those kids need to be straightened out first and foremost then maybe teachers might be able to stay longer. The problem and the answer starts in the HOME !........simple

[@TebowTime2513]

2013 how much you want to bet he isn't teaching anymore.... Had to edit. He made it 3 years 1 month in Chicago public schools. His last 3 years have been in Mexico City teaching 5th grade....

[@ArtLenLa]

Sidney Parker you mean he “walked out on the kids”? But I thought he was dead set against that.

[@marcusnelson1239]

What do you think about teaching in elementary school?

[@TebowTime2513]

@@marcusnelson1239 what do you mean? Him teaching elementary, teaching elementary in inner city public, the Florida bill for pre k to 3rd, or the importance of influence on young developing minds?

[@doctyler5382]

Until schools retake control of discipline and stop making excuses for abhorrent behavior of kids this will just get worse. Politics has allowed children to take advantage of weak discipline and cause chaos. Until the situation changes its just going to get worse...good luck.

[@Prophezora]

Some environments are very abusive for teachers.

[@buddyjenkins7188]

I taught in a inner city school (for five years). It was an easy place to be a bad teacher, but a difficult place to be a good teacher. The teacher's union was one of the biggest problems. They would not let the administration fire bad teachers or make teachers held accountable for their classroom. The students were not the problem, it was the adults.

[@rasheeda1303]

easy place to be a bad teacher sounds abusive 🙁

[@ferndog1461]

Los Angeles high schools regularly mail pink slips to its teachers just in case there is budget shortfall. Veteran teachers are layed off first, because green teachers straight out out of college are cheaper. Unforunately, most Los Angeles inner city high schools are gloried daycare centers for teens.

[@ohbogey]

Grew up poor & raised by a alcoholic single dad. Attended public school in Central FL. The ONLY thing I have going for me is my intelligence. Thank goodness for that!

[@mbnghlooper4338]

The problem with urban students? Their parents.

[@Dennis-nc3vw]

Or lack there of

[@aromardu]

10:49 Is that why you've been teaching in Mexico City for the past three years, Greg?

[@adamcampbellart]

I work in the public school system and what he said about teachers being overwhelmed by expectations is true. Partly, this seems due to education departments in universities being heavily influenced by socialist (Marxist) ideology, which makes sense because the public education system is an exercise in socialist central planning.

[@fieryeurochick3194]

The problem with urban students is urban students.

[@toomanybears_]

It doesn’t help that the kids are feral monsters who have learned they can do whatever they want with impunity and there’s nothing the teacher can do besides leave.

[@gnarfgnarf4004]

Doesn't talk about the cause, just the consequences.

[@inthevault9603]

It’s better to leave 5 years in versus 20 years in when the district tries to run veteran teachers out on a rail!!! It’s all about $$$ for the districts not the children or teachers.

[@soonerjontheconservative636]

all the good teachers are going to private schools or charter schools, and so do the students who want to learn.

[@honestjohn783]

Sooner Jon The Conservative agreed

[@GTMGunTotinMinnesotan]

Administrative failures, government failures are why they quit. Just ask any teacher.

[@ee.es00]

No need for a lecture. We all know what's wrong with "urban" students. And they're making it impossible for teachers to discipline them. Say goodbye to any decent public education unless the people speak up.

[@bluetickfreddy101]

An absurd lack of accountability Fix that Problem solved Won’t happen Horrible reality

[@donnajoseph-barford1076]

We all know what urban really means.

[@shebrownsuga]

yep and that's why I won't be returning to my job😗

[@tinastardust7793]

shebrownsuga I feel your pain. I started just 10 weeks ago and I want out!

[@derekr1013]

I'm just amazed they didn't disable the comment section on this video.

[@LLE08071635]

So when a class of kids decide to attack a teacher repeatedly over the year . Then the teacher leaves the profession it’s the teachers fault for being assaulted. The kids decide to act that way they collectively decide not to want to learn . A better way would be to send the kids one by one that are bad to military schools then the others will start acting normally. There has to be a repercussion that’s how kids learn . All they are being taught is that if they abuse the teacher then the teacher will quit .