WTF Teacher Development Day???????

[mamoo_pagal]

Allow me to explain where I'm coming from, I'm not bashing all teachers, hardly....I'm bashing the teachers who aren't passionate about it, milk the system, and then complain and beyotch about how unforunate their job is compared to others.

I won't hold back the truth (Mods can sensor if they need to).

I taught at San Juan Gov. Sec for 4 terms on contract (Not OJT). I thought Math, Physics and had six classes....not a full schedule like some other teachers, but not the least either.

It was during that time I realized how lazy and ungrateful at least half of the staff were. They would constantly beyotch about everything, always complaining about this and that, bad mouthing the ministry, principal, students etc. Some of these would purposely not go to class because 'it too hot' or 'we on target with the sylabus already'.

However., there were a handful who were quiet, well meaning and never really bitched. Those were the ones I realized actually cared.

Let me share my thoughts on the so called 'work' you guys mentioned. THose who think I went to lime for the them 4 terms have another thing coming. I was given and treated like a full member of staff.

1. Lesson plans don't take very long, I don't know what you guys are complaining about. I did mine for Math & Physics in less than a week. Secondly, it just needs to be done once and updated. I dont' and can't imagine what kind of inefficient teacher spends an hour or 2 everyday updating a plan for the next day. IMO that is quite foolish and reeks of someone who has a personality disorder with regards to over preparation.

So you did a lesson plan, for each subject, for each teaching session for 3 terms in less than a week. You didn't do lesson plans, you fooled yourself. It seems you did a Scheme of work (probably). A teacher who knows what a real lesson plan is will take a while creating one........

[hustla_ambition101]

Sorry but I can't take that guy seriously

[Daran]

LOL @ thinking lessons plans are even necessary. Seriously.

[Azzuri]

I actually agree with 99% of what Daran is saying. He may be coming off as a bit elistist and condescending, but having done both (i.e. working in engineering and teaching for a 3 years), there is a lot truth to his observations.

Firstly, I firmly beleive any real teacher with knowledge of the sylabus does not need lesson plans, especially in Science based subjects. Athough I can see it being somewhat necessary for Literature and English. But the whole 'lesson plan' and scheme of work thing is really unnecessary and takes away from the dynamic of teaching in class. Lots of studies show it's actually detrimental to learning.

I thought Chem and Math for over three years and it's only after leaving that profession I realized that teachers do have it easy. At least in terms of living a comfortable stress free lifestyle. I personally couldn't take the deadend nature of it. I love my new job and opportunities for growth it gives me. But I always know when I start a family I will fall back on teaching (if I can) since I will have significantly more time with my children.

Also, I know the Ministry has rules, but every single teacher I know and worked with never did any summer workshops. The only summer activity was marking CXC which is optional paid activity. In fact, most teachers I know just simply stay home when they feel like without even calling the school to let them know if their absence (something i never did, but was encouraged not to by other teachers). I can't speak for all schools, but almost all teachers would take 20+ days off. In a 39 week term that's a day off every other week!

I think the teachers that don't get the appreciation they deserve are Primary school teachers who essentially have to teach these kids life skills. To me that desreves more credit and it honestly takes a lot more effort and knowledge.

[Stephon.]

Some of the people in here are so embarrassing lol the stuff people would defend these days are mind blowing. Teachers have it easy, deal with that fact

[UML]

I dont understand this point ppl continuously make about a teacher giving extra lessons free or paid at all.

If you were teaching properly there would be no need to have extra lessons...hence the reason extra lessons on the school compound was stopped at a specific school by the principal.

professions with the most complainers which really require professionals who love their job and want to actually help people and not just do it because they cant get another job and the money alright are:

teachers and nurses

[mamoo_pagal]

LOL @ thinking lessons plans are even necessary. Seriously.

says the guy who was employed as a teacher for a year..........

[mamoo_pagal]

Some of the people in here are so embarrassing lol the stuff people would defend these days are mind blowing. Teachers have it easy, deal with that fact

Embarassing (looks at profile pic). It is unfortunate that so many ppl would choose to be a bandwagonist vs using actual experience in the field. A year in teaching is no experience.........
Do you even know what is a fact and how one goes around proving it?

[mamoo_pagal]

I actually agree with 99% of what Daran is saying. He may be coming off as a bit elistist and condescending, but having done both (i.e. working in engineering and teaching for a 3 years), there is a lot truth to his observations.

Firstly, I firmly beleive any real teacher with knowledge of the sylabus does not need lesson plans, especially in Science based subjects. Athough I can see it being somewhat necessary for Literature and English. But the whole 'lesson plan' and scheme of work thing is really unnecessary and takes away from the dynamic of teaching in class. Lots of studies show it's actually detrimental to learning.

I thought Chem and Math for over three years and it's only after leaving that profession I realized that teachers do have it easy. At least in terms of living a comfortable stress free lifestyle. I personally couldn't take the deadend nature of it. I love my new job and opportunities for growth it gives me. But I always know when I start a family I will fall back on teaching (if I can) since I will have significantly more time with my children.

Also, I know the Ministry has rules, but every single teacher I know and worked with never did any summer workshops. The only summer activity was marking CXC which is optional paid activity. In fact, most teachers I know just simply stay home when they feel like without even calling the school to let them know if their absence (something i never did, but was encouraged not to by other teachers). I can't speak for all schools, but almost all teachers would take 20+ days off. In a 39 week term that's a day off every other week!

I think the teachers that don't get the appreciation they deserve are Primary school teachers who essentially have to teach these kids life skills. To me that desreves more credit and it honestly takes a lot more effort and knowledge.

It is amazing that you were employed as a teacher and would say a scheme of work is unnecessary. Yes planning in the field of education is not necessary........
you should repent who the students you damaged for the 3 yrs you taught.........
there is a reason you think teachers have a comfortable, stress free life. A teacher who doesn't plan a lesson (fools himself into thinking free styling the class is it) can't be considered a teacher but a criminal.......

[Stephon.]

Some of the people in here are so embarrassing lol the stuff people would defend these days are mind blowing. Teachers have it easy, deal with that fact

Embarassing (looks at profile pic). It is unfortunate that so many ppl would choose to be a bandwagonist vs using actual experience in the field. A year in teaching is no experience.........
Do you even know what is a fact and how one goes around proving it?

Lolwut? I came in here and gave my opinion (which was one not shared by anyone else in the thread at that time) and that's when everyone bandwagon'd the complete opposite of what I said. You did try though. Better luck next time.

[Azzuri]

mamoo_pagal,

Clearly either you're not a teacher, or not a very good one. I never said planning wasn't necessary. I was speaking along the lines of teachers who create elaborate lessons plan and try to stick to it are missing the point of teaching. That methods tries to create a robotic structure of teaching and learning that has been proven time and time again to be ineffective, especially in children who are slower.

Maybe you teach in a bright girl school where reading math from a text book (yes this happens) for the entire class got you all As and you made you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

A lessons plan in a 90% of local high schools is pointless. You have to be dynamic....sometimes a class will pick up a concept easily, sometimes the next year, the entire class will ketch their ass with a topic for weeks. You have to be Dynamic. You have to be able to relate to your students, every child is different which translates into every class dynamic being different.

However, I'm pretty sure you're the type who enjoyed sticking to a rigid schedule and just taught without knowing or caring if your class understood. I have met a lot of teachers like this and they are VERY ineffective for the majority of students.

[mamoo_pagal]

Some of the people in here are so embarrassing lol the stuff people would defend these days are mind blowing. Teachers have it easy, deal with that fact

Embarassing (looks at profile pic). It is unfortunate that so many ppl would choose to be a bandwagonist vs using actual experience in the field. A year in teaching is no experience.........
Do you even know what is a fact and how one goes around proving it?

Lolwut? I came in here and gave my opinion (which was one not shared by anyone else in the thread at that time) and that's when everyone bandwagon'd the complete opposite of what I said. You did try though. Better luck next time.

yes you stated your opinion and later on said it was a fact........nice
understand that the bandwagon encompass more than what is said on trinituner......carry on

[mamoo_pagal]

mamoo_pagal,

Clearly either you're not a teacher, or not a very good one.oh sad one I never said planning wasn't necessary. I was speaking along the lines of teachers who create elaborate lessons plan and try to stick to it are missing the point of teaching. That methods tries to create a robotic structure of teaching and learning that has been proven time and time again to be ineffective, especially in children who are slower.source of proof? if you knew anything about a lesson plan you would know it encompassed learning in a differentiated class room, a lesson plan is about delivery of material. Come on be a little serious.

Maybe you teach in a bright girl school where reading math from a text book (yes this happens) for the entire class got you all As and you made you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
did you ever teach in a girls school? or is it you just like making assumptions? BTW where did you teach?
A lessons plan in a 90% of local high schools is pointless.We don't have high schools You have to be dynamic....sometimes a class will pick up a concept easily, sometimes the next year, the entire class will ketch their ass with a topic for weeks. You have to be Dynamic. You have to be able to relate to your students, every child is different which translates into every class dynamic being different. and yes planning does not help in these situations? , one with a couple years experience can't be that dynamic, don't get cocky, a teacher must be humble in what they do

However, I'm pretty sure you're the type who enjoyed sticking to a rigid schedule and just taught without knowing or caring if your class understoodyes and saying this makes you feel good doesn't it, too bad you built your intellect on assumptions . I have met a lot of teachers like this and they are VERY ineffective for the majority of students.how do you measure effectiveness in the classroom?

I am glad that people from different schools are stating their opinions on the matter. Now I can understand when students transfer in why they baffled by their new experience. It seems the schools some ppl taught in really are daft about the whole experience of being an educator (not a teacher). How did you measure your approach to teaching?

[veedubtt]

yes yes off with teachers' heads. Dey should all get pay cuts by 50%. And no more holidays, so we eh go hadda find no neighbour or mother-in-law to watch the children. And put all ah them on contract. .................... Send yuh child to skool now nah.

[De Dragon]

mamoo_pagal is clearly not an English A teacher...........

[veedubtt]

o and btw, i 4get which clown it waz. But the fella who saying he cannot understand teachers giving free lessons and coming out in vacation......yuh child do CAPE yet? do u know students write the exam with just a few months of face-2-face contact? I hadda stop reading this thread. Very frustrating and demoralising.

[mamoo_pagal]

mamoo_pagal is clearly not an English A teacher...........

lol my apologies.....I really can't take this thread seriously. Especially since the 1st post seems to be very familiar to the rhetoric spewed on 102.7

[*$kїđž!™]

4. That said, even good teachers sometimes piss me off, not because of anything they do, but with their lack of appreciation. Teachers do have a lot of time off, yes they do have things outside of working hours to do, but they stilly enjoy luxieries that most professions can't offer.
- 13 weeks paid vacation (enough with the workshop BS, it has yet to happen)
- 28 days sick/casual
- Shorter working hours
- Bank Time
- Job Security
- Lack of personal accountability (meaning you not scrutinized constantly unless you have an overbeaing HOD or Principal)
- Legit Lunch Hour, Recess and Free periods

you are so wrong bro......srsly......

- There are workshops during the holidays which teachers are sometimes mandated to go to....also CSEC markings take place during the holidays....who u feel does mark the papers?

- 28 sick/casual days...
TTUTA struggled and negotiated for this....if your Union wants then they can negotiate the same...plus Minister Tim has or is planning to launch a Tribunal to investigate teachers who take all their days....Teachers are threatened by principals when they are absent.....(bad staff report)

- Shorter working hours.....
LOL at this......teachers take home alot of work bro...u know this......exam papers are prepared at home....so to schemes, lesson plans,marking of exam scripts,preparation of report books and mark sheets etc etc......Teachers work extra hours especially when preparing for programs such as graduation,sports day, career day etc etc.....

Bank Time -
some school principals do not grant this at all.....

Job Security -
you were on contract darran so u know that may teachers do not have job security.
Even if you are not on contract they regularise you as a teacher in your position but this doesnt mean permanent employment.You wold have to wait years and years to become permanently employed....I have seen teachers regularised for years and not get permanent status as yet ......so their isnt any job security here- especially if you are in a denominational school......

Lack of personal accountability - wrong again......Schemes are checked weekly against student books to ensure that the teacher is on track with the syllabus. Clinical supervision is performed on a regular basis to ensure teaching is up to standards. Staff reports are filled out yearly by principals and submitted yearly to the Ministry of Education.........Also concern parents make visits to schools to ensure that all is well and that the teacher is teaching......Absenteeism and late coming are recorded monthly and submitted to the school supervisor for the district.

Lunch hour -
Some schools do not get an hour lunch....serious.....just 45 minutes and plus which profession doesnt get lunch hours?.....Anyways lunctime may be spent talking holding conferences with parents...counselling students.....parting fights etc. etc.....

Free periods - This is the past....there are supervision rosters prepared.....If you have a free period then you would have to go supervise a class for this period.....besides primary school teachers dont know what a free period is.....

Darran i think u have the wrong concept.......

[hustla_ambition101]

Allyuh still trying to reason with him? I wonder what his results were like and how much of his students had to seek extra lessons on the outside

[~Vēġó~]

*$kїđž!™, stop bothering to explain.....it's like the proverbial "spinnin' top in mud"....

take a "don't give a flying fck 'bout who say what" stance....

[S_2NR]

Teachers have it good yes. They're pre approved for every loan imaginable, they get every other day off. They can go to work after assembly and even then they can stay in the staff room on their I pads all day and when they do actually go to class, half the time they basically read from a book for 40 mins. Lol, where do I sign up tho?

This unfortunately is the ignorant view most of the population have of teachers, ppl should really sign up an have a crack at it, the august holidays are the best part, but other than that, some ppl need to start teachin the illiterate, unmannered, disrespectful, rude children that is in the school system today, the best part is they have no recourse, cant hit them, cant put them so far out the class that they cannot hear. Sign up man, i used to hold the same view, but living with a teacher, i feel sorry for them.

maybe they should get a job in a prestige school?

[*$kїđž!™]

*$kїđž!™, stop bothering to explain.....it's like the proverbial "spinnin' top in mud"....

take a "don't give a flying fck 'bout who say what" stance....

Yes sir....I understand.........

[Daran]

4. That said, even good teachers sometimes piss me off, not because of anything they do, but with their lack of appreciation. Teachers do have a lot of time off, yes they do have things outside of working hours to do, but they stilly enjoy luxieries that most professions can't offer.
- 13 weeks paid vacation (enough with the workshop BS, it has yet to happen)
- 28 days sick/casual
- Shorter working hours
- Bank Time
- Job Security
- Lack of personal accountability (meaning you not scrutinized constantly unless you have an overbeaing HOD or Principal)
- Legit Lunch Hour, Recess and Free periods

you are so wrong bro......srsly......LOL really bro? ok mr. tough teacher, let me educate you

- There are workshops during the holidays Lie # 1, please tell me when last there was a compulsary workshop held during July/August, if ever. Also if that said teacher were to not attend, would his pay be subtracted? Would days be subtracted from his/her 28? which teachers are sometimes mandated to go to....also CSEC markings take place during the holidays....who u feel does mark the papers? And here we have Lie #2. Isn't marking CSEC papers optional? And don't you get an addtion ~$2000 something for that two week period if you choose to mark papers?

- 28 sick/casual days...
TTUTA struggled and negotiated for this....if your Union Right, because everyone has a union wants then they can negotiate the same...plus Minister Tim has or is planning to launch a Tribunal to investigate teachers who take all their days....Teachers are threatened by principals when they are absent.....(bad staff report). And please tell me what is the consqeuence of having a bad staff report? It is almost impossible to get fired as a teacher, so please tell me the real consequence or punishment inflicted by taking their full 28 years?

- Shorter working hours.....
LOL at this......teachers take home alot of work bro...u know this......exam papers are prepared at home....so to schemes, lesson plans,marking of exam scripts,preparation of report books and mark sheets etc etc......Teachers work extra hours especially when preparing for programs such as graduation,sports day, career day etc etc.....You making me laugh..........really? You guys have so much homework, i guess it must be tough to complete than when you leave work at the late hour of 2:30pm

Bank Time -
some school principals do not grant this at all.....Actually, maybe you should contact that union of yours, I'm pretty sure it's an entitlement that's granted once you don't have class.

Job Security - Ok, you could be right. I was on contract while everyone else was permanent. They all boasted about their job security for life, so maybe that has changed since then
you were on contract darran so u know that may teachers do not have job security.
Even if you are not on contract they regularise you as a teacher in your position but this doesnt mean permanent employment.You wold have to wait years and years to become permanently employed....I have seen teachers regularised for years and not get permanent status as yet ......so their isnt any job security here- especially if you are in a denominational school......

Lack of personal accountability - wrong again......Schemes are checked weekly against student books to ensure that the teacher is on track with the syllabus LMFAO!!! Herein lies the problem with teachers..... Clinical supervision is performed on a regular basis to ensure teaching is up to standards. Staff reports are filled out yearly by principals and submitted yearly to the Ministry of Education.........Also concern parents make visits to schools to ensure that all is well and that the teacher is teaching......Absenteeism and late coming are recorded monthly and submitted to the school supervisor for the district. without consequence

Lunch hour -
Some schools do not get an hour lunch....serious.....just 45 minutes WOW you mean it's only 45 mins, I am shocked. and plus which profession doesnt get lunch hoursI've never had a job where people took a full hour for lunch, it's something I try to encourage my employees to do, but gosh if work is pilling up you need to work through your lunch?.....Anyways lunctime may be spent talking holding conferences with parents...counselling students.....parting fights etc. etc.....yup once a blue moon

Free periods - This is the past....there are supervision rosters prepared.....If you have a free period then you would have to go supervise a class for this periodnot all schools.....besides primary school teachers dont know what a free period is.....which is why they should get paid more than their highschool counterparts

Darran i think u have the wrong concept.......Nope, I think you're self deluded

[Daran]

Btw I'm not one of those " my job hadda, i does have to wake up 3am and reach home 9pm everyday' types.

I'm just trying to give teachers a reality check. Their job is realively easy and most don't appreciate that fact, instead they prefer to whine and complain.....while neglecting the most important thing which is teaching their class.

[Stephon.]

Teachers have it good yes. They're pre approved for every loan imaginable, they get every other day off. They can go to work after assembly and even then they can stay in the staff room on their I pads all day and when they do actually go to class, half the time they basically read from a book for 40 mins. Lol, where do I sign up tho?

This unfortunately is the ignorant view most of the population have of teachers, ppl should really sign up an have a crack at it, the august holidays are the best part, but other than that, some ppl need to start teachin the illiterate, unmannered, disrespectful, rude children that is in the school system today, the best part is they have no recourse, cant hit them, cant put them so far out the class that they cannot hear. Sign up man, i used to hold the same view, but living with a teacher, i feel sorry for them.

maybe they should get a job in a prestige school?

Oh his housemate works in one of those make shift pre junior sec now 5 year schools?
The struggle!

[*$kїđž!™]

Btw I'm not one of those " my job hadda, i does have to wake up 3am and reach home 9pm everyday' types.

I'm just trying to give teachers a reality check. Their job is realively easy and most don't appreciate that fact, instead they prefer to whine and complain.....while neglecting the most important thing which is teaching their class.

hey even though we have a difference in opinions.....I appreciate your contributions......

keep it real bro.....

[mamoo_pagal]

Btw I'm not one of those " my job hadda, i does have to wake up 3am and reach home 9pm everyday' types.

I'm just trying to give teachers a reality check. Their job is realively easy and most don't appreciate that fact, instead they prefer to whine and complain.....while neglecting the most important thing which is teaching their class.

Listen do you really think that after the little time you spent in the field you are able to generalize the profession in the manner that you are doing. Clearly the school you taught in has absolutely no structure, no organization and the staff has a very horrible work ethic. I fully agree that there are some schools where teachers should be fired and black listed, however, there are teachers who do it right (by extension schools) and at no level is it even close to what your experience is, it is a constant daily battle. Teachers there run 100% output from the 1'st day to the last day. Of course you would see it as easy as the school you taught in was probably a "free for all". I am sure staff there wouldn't even care to do morning assembly, follow up on late students, do proper uniform checks(just to list a few) worst yet for reaching to school/class on time. To a degree you are right in with regards to a teachers job description and quantity of work. However, the application of this hugely depends on the quality of the students in the class. In some schools the challenge is preparing enough work as students can go through an immense amount of work at a time and in other cases just trying to make sure no one starts a riot. Test the theory, go to a school that is trying to do it right I am sure your experience would be a humbling one..........remember each school is dynamic, relative to their target students.

[*$kїđž!™]

development day is today....so gotta organise your babysitters for today .....lol.....