In Defense Of Our Teachers | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

In Defense Of Our Teachers

Because they sacrifice so much for us to have a future.

11
In Defense Of Our Teachers
Bang Or Daily News

Teachers have a bad rep. They are also incredibly underpaid. They have put their share of bricks in the wall. Parents enjoy blaming their children's educators whenever their kid is unable to be quiet in class, or receives an F because they simply did not complete a homework assignment on time. And according to some administrators, it is the teachers that need to be disciplined, not the students.

When did the amount of laziness that a child has become the fault of the person attempting to teach them reading, writing and arithmetic? Oh... and science and history, too.

My mom has been a teacher for over 40 years. I frown at that. Not because she has been a strong-willed, career driven woman, but because I have witnessed how exhausted she is when she comes home due to a lack of respect from students, parents and fellow colleagues. It disgusts me not just as her daughter, but also as a citizen. I even contemplated earning a teaching license, but switched to Writing because I am not a masochist.

I wasn't an easy student to teach by any means, I'm sure many of my high school teachers (and probably some peers) would tell you that. I was loud, obnoxious and thought that I was superior to everyone. There was one teacher in particular who was not very fond of my hilarious wisecracks about the chess club that I parodied over the announcements. Some teachers will never understand high quality comedy, but that doesn't mean that they deserve any less respect from us students, or our parents.

Growing up with a single mother who was a teacher, I got to spend a lot of time helping her fix up her classrooms, or sitting quietly in a corner as she wrapped up her lesson plans. I would see multiple students come in and out of her classroom asking why their grade is so low. Some would even have the audacity to blame her for their failing grade, claiming that the effectiveness of her teaching was to blame.

Unfortunately, America's education system is not currently seeing its best day. There are even some teachers who consider themselves to be in poverty due to the amount of student loans they racked up while training to influence the future generations of the world. Sure, teachers get summers off. They have no reason to complain, right? They also spend their summers preparing for the next random class the administration decides that they will teach, reworking teaching methods that have benefited generations of students and also wondering if all of their students will even be able to have their own desk, let alone enough copies of the textbook required by the curriculum.

Teachers have it rough; maybe now more than ever. It is time that we all (students, administrators, parents, government, etc.) begin showing respect to the ones who care so much about their futures, they are willing to work for pennies.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Health and Wellness

To The Cheerful Person On Their Rainy Days, You Are Valid

The world is not always sunshine and rainbows, and you do not have to be, either.

214
pug covered with blanket on bedspread
Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash

Ask friends of mine to name a quality about me, and one a lot them will point out the fact that I am almost always smiling. I like to laugh and smile -- not to quote Buddy the Elf in April, but smiling is my favorite! It is probably my favorite go-to expression. However, what a lot of people do not see is that I have my down days. I have days when smiling and laughing is a real struggle, or when I have so much on my plate that going out of my way to behappy takes more effort than I have stored in me. Be it a symptom of college and growing up or a facet of life, I cannot always be content.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

11 Struggles of Packing for College

It would be so much easier to just pay someone to do it for you

283
a room with boxes and a window

1. Figuring out when to start

Timing is key, you don’t want to start too early or too late.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

15 Times 'Parks and Recreation' Has Summed Up Your Life

Relatable moments from one of the best shows I have ever watched.

224
parks and rec
Liz Keysmash

Amidst my hectic college career, I always find time for one thing, even on the busiest weeks: Parks and Recreation. This show has made me laugh and has made me cry, but most of all I have related to this show more than I would like to admit.

Here are some "Parks and Rec" moments that relate to life struggles that just about everyone faces.

Keep Reading...Show less
April Ludgate
Facebook

April Ludgate from Parks and Recreation is notorious for her "I don't care" attitude. She speaks her mind without caring what anyone thinks of her. Fans love her because she isn't afraid to be herself. April can seem cold and negative, but she's really just fearless and strong-minded. And despite her sometimes harsh words, April truly cares about the people she's closest to. These are all reasons she is the epitome of a college student. April complains whenever she has to do any kind of work, but ends up doing the work anyway. April Ludgate is the ultimate college student spirit animal.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

11 Ways To Live The Best Life You Can

Life is full of twists and turns, but you have to keep going.

53
girl bike

Life is all about twist and turns, sideways and which ways. Nothing is permanent, so we should take risks, and chase our dreams. We are taught at a young age many lessons that will follow us into adulthood. What we aren't taught is how to feel, and how we handle those emotions. We just have to figure them out ourselves, and that's not fun. In my 21 years of living, I have come to know that way too many people can't handle emotions, or the fact that not everyone is dead inside like them. When you're like me, and you have zero control over your emotions, it's hard to feel comfortable around people who aren't so in touch with themselves. As much as I would like to feel nothing at times, I've accepted who I am and the fact that I can cry over practically nothing. So, there are some things in life that you just have to do.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments