How do you feel about your job? How do your teaching colleagues feel about theirs? Education Week recently reported on a survey asking teachers about their job satisfaction. Here is a quote:
Two out of five of America’s 4 million K-12 teachers appear disheartened and disappointed about their jobs, while others express a variety of reasons for contentment with teaching and their current school environments, new research by Public Agenda and Learning Point Associates shows.
My personal feeling is that teachers are working harder than ever in more difficult circumstances than ever with less respect than ever before. Having done consulting work in many schools over the years and seeing thousands of teachers - I have to say I admire them more than ever!
Too bad the headline wasn’t, “Three out of Five Teacher Appear Satisfied…or Better”. Shame on Ed Week for angling negatively.
Things are rough for teachers, always have been in a disjointed “system”, but by in large, teachers are a special bunch. It’s easy to get down, but we’re our own best resource for brewing contentment and recognizing why our career choice kicks booty!
To that end, I’ve set a goal for myself this year, to watch closely for positive elements of children and my job as teacher each week, then email my staff and select peers with those observations to remind other people to look for the positive and appreciate our profession.
I am an idealist.
I wouldn’t be in this profession if I didn’t believe I could improve life prospects for my students.
I work in a high-risk school, but behavioral issues are not an issue for me. I focus on rigor, relevance and relationships. It is a winning combination.
Some issues - such as the State of Wyoming body of evidence requirements, are difficult for our teachers right now. But we are working it out.
I really like my job and I enjoy where I work as well. The atmosphere I work in is very positive, which also makes a big difference. I do think that it is very important to support, and provide positive along with constructive feedback 5 to 1. They are working very hard and want to be recognized for that hard work and supported rather than having more added to their plate. Much of this can be a reflection of the principal.
Bummer, I just read a small survey (362 respondents) from the MEA shows that 85.6% are disheartened while only 14.4% are not. This was separate from the Ed Week story, but presumably prompted by it.
I sure hope people are able to separate their feelings about the occupation of teaching from the political and economic scene around it. That seems like the first choice to make.
The school that I work in is incredible positive and energizing each and every day. I believe that the staff that I work with would have a much higher satisfactory rate.
Attacking each day with the thought that “Life is Good” and we have a mission to better our students and create relationships that help foster a love of learning, the staff at my school accepts the challenge of being an educator in the 21st century.