I’m frustrated by my sons schooling. He’s still in elementary school and we were told the work is optional. He basically completes his daily assignments in an hour. There are a lot of links to silly YouTube channels and already established educational programs. Which is annoying because I want less screen time. The kids do not cooperate with parents like they do with their teachers - so it’s a huge battle. I ended up buying next grades math book and I sent a letter to my son telling him it was from his teacher and he has to do it. in general like Hawho said, they teach down so no one is left behind meaning the brighter kids suffer and it’s even worse now.
I think the real answer is that they need to open up schools in summer for the kids. This would solve a lot of problems.
1. Many parents are not gonna be able to afford camp this year and will be expected to get back to work in the summer. 2. The kids are really behind and need classroom structure (at least in elementary school)
Now my mom was a teacher, I love my sons teacher and I completely respect the teachers. A good teacher is worth their weight in gold. I could never teach 20 (30 in the city) little kids. I would lose my mind.
But that being said I’m conflicted in my thoughts. . Everyone else has not been able to work to their capacity and is therefore furloughed or taking major pay cuts or laid off. Where I live, there’s a joke that getting a teaching position is like winning the lottery. They earn over 6 figures and only work 180 days. Yes I know they put in extra time for lesson plans. (I put in extra time for ceus and HEPs and staying current in my field too and I do not get prep periods or nearly as many holidays) They have great unions and we don’t. I get that and wish I was unionized. They are earning a living salary and we really should be attacking the .1 percenters and our ceos - not the people that make effort for our kids.
But at the same time - I think that due to this unprecedented event - give back to the kids for the summer. Doesn’t have to be a full summer. Maybe 4 weeks out of 10? And just don’t bother teaching for the month of May because they aren’t really learning.
