Frustrated Teacher

[Teacher 0]

I hope this is the right forum. I'm new to this.

I am becoming more and more frustrated. I am an English as a Second Language Teacher. I really enjoyed doing this in the beginning because I love children and wanted to help new immigrants in this country. Over the past year or so things have been getting tough. Since the government passed the "No Child Left Behind Act" schools are forced to send home everything, absolutely everything in the home language and not in English. Whatever the language may be. If we are caught not doing this we are chastised and penalized financially, etc.

Since I speak some Spanish and the school can't afford an interpreter I am forced to spend much less time teaching English and much more time translating report cards, field trip forms, making phone calls, going to the dental clinic outside the school, and every single thing that goes home in a school of about 500 students I must translate. Not to mention making and taking phone calls which are interrupting class with my students and I must attend all meetings that involve a parent who speaks another language.

Most of the parents of my children are great but some of them have been here for 10 years or more and refuse to speak or learn English even when they are offered free English classes. Even some that do speak English refuse to do it because they want it all done for them in Spanish. One of these actually had the nerve to go to my principal and point out that I had made a minor gramattical error in a translation that made no difference to the content or information whatsover. I am an English teacher for crying out loud. I never get to teach anymore.

I am so very frustrated lately because I am petitioning for my fiance legally and I work with children whose parents are here illegally and so obviously taking advantage of me on a daily basis. Never would I ever blame the students, my kids. They are wonderful beautiful children.

As I've said I love these students. My heart is in teaching and helping others to get a better life but honestly I have become so very dissillusioned that I am looking to leave the profession.

Is anyone else in this position?

Thanks for listening.

Teacher

[bostonparis 0]

Is your frustration this: The fact that because you now understand what goes into coming to this country legally, you now get frustrated helping the people that you've been helping all along because they're here illegally (and you can now see the many challenges for anyone to come here)? Or is it that the administrators of your school system are inappropriatly utilizing you? I can see both, just wondering what's the crux of the matter.

[jundp 191]

I hope this is the right forum. I'm new to this.

I am becoming more and more frustrated. I am an English as a Second Language Teacher. I really enjoyed doing this in the beginning because I love children and wanted to help new immigrants in this country. Over the past year or so things have been getting tough. Since the government passed the "No Child Left Behind Act" schools are forced to send home everything, absolutely everything in the home language and not in English. Whatever the language may be. If we are caught not doing this we are chastised and penalized financially, etc.

Since I speak some Spanish and the school can't afford an interpreter I am forced to spend much less time teaching English and much more time translating report cards, field trip forms, making phone calls, going to the dental clinic outside the school, and every single thing that goes home in a school of about 500 students I must translate. Not to mention making and taking phone calls which are interrupting class with my students and I must attend all meetings that involve a parent who speaks another language.

Most of the parents of my children are great but some of them have been here for 10 years or more and refuse to speak or learn English even when they are offered free English classes. Even some that do speak English refuse to do it because they want it all done for them in Spanish. One of these actually had the nerve to go to my principal and point out that I had made a minor gramattical error in a translation that made no difference to the content or information whatsover. I am an English teacher for crying out loud. I never get to teach anymore.

I am so very frustrated lately because I am petitioning for my fiance legally and I work with children whose parents are here illegally and so obviously taking advantage of me on a daily basis. Never would I ever blame the students, my kids. They are wonderful beautiful children.

As I've said I love these students. My heart is in teaching and helping others to get a better life but honestly I have become so very dissillusioned that I am looking to leave the profession.

Is anyone else in this position?

Thanks for listening.

Teacher

I am a teacher too. I understand your frustration, but I would advise either find a new school or demand pay for what you are doing. What your school district is doing to you is beyond any and all expectations, unless it's stated in your contract and you are compensated for it. Seriously.

[homesick_american 1]

I hope this is the right forum. I'm new to this.

I am becoming more and more frustrated. I am an English as a Second Language Teacher. I really enjoyed doing this in the beginning because I love children and wanted to help new immigrants in this country. Over the past year or so things have been getting tough. Since the government passed the "No Child Left Behind Act" schools are forced to send home everything, absolutely everything in the home language and not in English. Whatever the language may be. If we are caught not doing this we are chastised and penalized financially, etc.

Since I speak some Spanish and the school can't afford an interpreter I am forced to spend much less time teaching English and much more time translating report cards, field trip forms, making phone calls, going to the dental clinic outside the school, and every single thing that goes home in a school of about 500 students I must translate. Not to mention making and taking phone calls which are interrupting class with my students and I must attend all meetings that involve a parent who speaks another language.

Most of the parents of my children are great but some of them have been here for 10 years or more and refuse to speak or learn English even when they are offered free English classes. Even some that do speak English refuse to do it because they want it all done for them in Spanish. One of these actually had the nerve to go to my principal and point out that I had made a minor gramattical error in a translation that made no difference to the content or information whatsover. I am an English teacher for crying out loud. I never get to teach anymore.

I am so very frustrated lately because I am petitioning for my fiance legally and I work with children whose parents are here illegally and so obviously taking advantage of me on a daily basis. Never would I ever blame the students, my kids. They are wonderful beautiful children.

As I've said I love these students. My heart is in teaching and helping others to get a better life but honestly I have become so very dissillusioned that I am looking to leave the profession.

Is anyone else in this position?

Thanks for listening.

Teacher

It'll keep happening as long as teachers are doormats and do things for the 'sake of the children' when the best thing for the children is to learn,not to bury a teacher under administrative paperwork. I'm not blaming you, but you should not be putting up with this.

As long as we keep coddling people who refuse to learn the language, this'll keep happening unfortunately.

[Fuzzness 2]

School administration and the dept of education have become unrealistic

[GaryC 7]

Sounds like they are trying to please everyone and ending up pleasing no one.

[KarenCee 3]

So if a teacher refuses to what she or he has been "asked" to do which would be in the "best interest of the children" what do you suppose would happen to said teacher? It's not necessarily being a doormat, it's doing what you're told to do. The decision to stop "coddling" these kids and making them learn is surely not that of the teacher, who is already underpaid as it is. The board of education (state and local levels) and the administration should be the ones making that decision. However, it's all about money (IMHO). For every full time student the school district receives money. Teachers don't have the right to tell their administrator(s) they won't *DO* what they're told.

[NeverSeen 0]

Sounds like they are singling you out because you know a second language. I'd have them pay you a LOT more, make that your only job, or tell them no, get fired and sue them (the American way). That's all pretty much BS the way they are treating you. If they can't afford a translator they don't need one. Its not your job to worry about fees and fines!

So if a teacher refuses to what she or he has been "asked" to do which would be in the "best interest of the children" what do you suppose would happen to said teacher? It's not necessarily being a doormat, it's doing what you're told to do.

HAHAHHA. So if I told you it would help the children if you jumped of a bridge.... would you?? If you are "asked" to do something that means you can respond in two ways. Yes, or no. If they fire you because you say no they will be in a whole world of hurt after your lawyer calls them.

Teachers don't have the right to tell their administrator(s) they won't *DO* what they're told.

Don't worry, they won't bury you in sand and throw rocks at your head if you say "no."

Sounds like its time for a sit down with your boss or a phone call to the school board.

[KarenCee 3]

Sounds like they are singling you out because you know a second language. I'd have them pay you a LOT more, make that your only job, or tell them no, get fired and sue them (the American way). That's all pretty much BS the way they are treating you. If they can't afford a translator they don't need one. Its not your job to worry about fees and fines!

So if a teacher refuses to what she or he has been "asked" to do which would be in the "best interest of the children" what do you suppose would happen to said teacher? It's not necessarily being a doormat, it's doing what you're told to do.

HAHAHHA. So if I told you it would help the children if you jumped of a bridge.... would you?? If you are "asked" to do something that means you can respond in two ways. Yes, or no. If they fire you because you say no they will be in a whole world of hurt after your lawyer calls them.

Teachers don't have the right to tell their administrator(s) they won't *DO* what they're told.

Don't worry, they won't bury you in sand and throw rocks at your head if you say "no."

Sounds like its time for a sit down with your boss or a phone call to the school board.

Excuse me????? Please explain the asinine statement I bolded and underlined.

Teachers sign contracts...they are, for the most part, upheld by law. Whether or not we like it, we are compelled to uphold the law. Naturally the BOE isn't going to ask one of its employees to do something that will be breaking state or local laws.

1) We don't demand a certain pay...it is set by the state in which we teach. Non negotiable. You either accept it or you just don't apply. Plain and simple.

2) By saying "NO" and getting fired, how can one sue the BOE if technically speaking you did NOT do your job, which is to teach the children assigned to you? It *IS* the teacher's job to teach, regardless of what type student he or she is assigned.

3) Sure you can quit, but you would most likely be held up to breach of contract charges. No, they won't throw rocks at my head, but I'd rather not have to answer to the court for not upholding my contract.

4) So, you suggest that I sit down with the BOE and tell them I don't like what I've been asked to do regarding my job? Tell them it's not my job to educate the kids that don't speak English? Tell them that if they can't speak English, it's not my job to translate?

BTW, are you a teacher? I can't think you are, otherwise you'd better go back and read your contract.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To the OP: I do understand how you're feeling...it's this way most everywhere, even in the podunk little county I teach in as well. I wish I knew what to tell you...just know you're not the only one having to do this.

Edited July 27, 2007 by KarenCee

[Heracles 417]

It *IS* the teacher's job to teach, regardless of what type student he or she is assigned.

You said it.. It is not a teacher's job to translate stuff into Spanish unless living in Spain or any other Spanish speaking nation. If the county wants to provide that service the superintendent and county admin staff can do so at their expense and not the teachers. Teachers have enough on their plate trying to teach dysfunctional kids. Kids with external problems ranging from A > Z.

A teaches job should be to teach and not baby-sit the kids or cater for their parents. Parents confuse teachers for customer service agents. While I do not disagree with providing the parents with that stuff I just do not think it is right that teachers should be used as doormats and forced to do so..

[Heracles 417]

PS It is only a matter of time before teachers are forced to paint their own rooms and build their own classroom furniture. I am sure sooner or later there will be no money in the budget for that.

It's like, "No ###### fools when illegal immigrants are paying little to no taxes yet utilizing tax paper funded services for free.."

Edited July 27, 2007 by Boo-Yah!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

It *IS* the teacher's job to teach, regardless of what type student he or she is assigned.

You said it.. It is not a teacher's job to translate stuff into Spanish unless living in Spain or any other Spanish speaking nation. If the county wants to provide that service the superintendent and county admin staff can do so at their expense and not the teachers. Teachers have enough on their plate trying to teach dysfunctional kids. Kids with external problems ranging from A > Z.

A teaches job should be to teach and not baby-sit the kids or cater for their parents. Parents confuse teachers for customer service agents. While I do not disagree with providing the parents with that stuff I just do not think it is right that teachers should be used as doormats and forced to do so..

word!!

[Mononoke28 135]

PS It is only a matter of time before teachers are forced to paint their own rooms and build their own classroom furniture. I am sure sooner or later there will be no money in the budget for that.

It's like, "No ###### fools when illegal immigrants are paying little to no taxes yet utilizing tax paper funded services for free.."

This is not true. The majority of illegal immigrants pay taxes. Whether they are allowed to work here or not, that's another issue.

[Ban Hammer 13,622]

PS It is only a matter of time before teachers are forced to paint their own rooms and build their own classroom furniture. I am sure sooner or later there will be no money in the budget for that.

It's like, "No ###### fools when illegal immigrants are paying little to no taxes yet utilizing tax paper funded services for free.."

This is not true. The majority of illegal immigrants pay taxes. Whether they are allowed to work here or not, that's another issue.

[JoeMama 0]

I hope this is the right forum. I'm new to this.

I am becoming more and more frustrated. I am an English as a Second Language Teacher. I really enjoyed doing this in the beginning because I love children and wanted to help new immigrants in this country. Over the past year or so things have been getting tough. Since the government passed the "No Child Left Behind Act" schools are forced to send home everything, absolutely everything in the home language and not in English. Whatever the language may be. If we are caught not doing this we are chastised and penalized financially, etc.

Since I speak some Spanish and the school can't afford an interpreter I am forced to spend much less time teaching English and much more time translating report cards, field trip forms, making phone calls, going to the dental clinic outside the school, and every single thing that goes home in a school of about 500 students I must translate. Not to mention making and taking phone calls which are interrupting class with my students and I must attend all meetings that involve a parent who speaks another language.

Most of the parents of my children are great but some of them have been here for 10 years or more and refuse to speak or learn English even when they are offered free English classes. Even some that do speak English refuse to do it because they want it all done for them in Spanish. One of these actually had the nerve to go to my principal and point out that I had made a minor gramattical error in a translation that made no difference to the content or information whatsover. I am an English teacher for crying out loud. I never get to teach anymore.

I am so very frustrated lately because I am petitioning for my fiance legally and I work with children whose parents are here illegally and so obviously taking advantage of me on a daily basis. Never would I ever blame the students, my kids. They are wonderful beautiful children.

As I've said I love these students. My heart is in teaching and helping others to get a better life but honestly I have become so very dissillusioned that I am looking to leave the profession.

Is anyone else in this position?

Thanks for listening.

Teacher

Your experience is exactly what I was talking about some time back when I mentioned the fact about "dumbing down" to cater to another group of people. Of course, I was called a racist. Speaking as a parent of 3 children in school, I'm concerned about my children learning. How can a teacher teach when they're being forced to devote their time to "cater" to a group of non-English speaking children and parents? I've heard my children complain about this in their schools. Whenever I ask them what they learned in school today, the reply is usually that the teacher just had them drawing on paper to occupy their time while they were helping non-English speaking children. It upsets me that my children go to school and waste basically an entire day doing nothing and learning nothing. It is only because the teacher cannot teach everyone at the same time. I absolutely do not blame the teacher. All the blame goes to the BOE for allowing English-speaking children lose out on an education which they rightfully deserve.

Teacher, if you decide to look for another job or profession, you wouldn't be the first teacher to do so. It's becoming a growing trend that many of my children's former teachers are leaving the teaching profession because of exactly how you feel.