Are Greedy Teachers the Problem?

[similiesslip]

I think public speaking is a valuable skill that should be taught in school. As a future teacher, I hope to train my students in many areas, including public speaking. In my opinion, part of being a good speaker is taking time to do some research on your topic and learning how to process information logically

Comments

[basric]

Personally I think when a teacher is not only 'watching' your child for 6-8 hours AND expected to teach them they should make more than a babysitters watching a child x 30. 30 per class in Nashville. And now the council has all but destroyed the teacher's union's ability to negoitate and are once again talking about doing away with the arts programs, art and music and band.

In the county I live in we passed a wheel tax under the guise of new books and expanding the arts. They voted to use every dime to increase the Superintendent of Schools salary who would help the district with his oh so superior knowledge. That didn't work but we are still paying the wheel tax and children still have book 4 and 5 years old and in some classes there are not enough books for the children to take them home.
And it goes on and on.

An excellent piece of writing.

[myrna_bird]

Some people are just plain ignorant. And it's not because their teachers didn't do their job. I'll bet Mr.McGill's former teachers are just shaking their heads !
You make very good points and this is well written. :)

[similiesslip]

It's true, I shouldn't blame his teachers.

I wonder though..can the ignorant still learn? And should they be excused for it or..do they hold some responsibility for their ignorance?

I hope Mr. McGill learns to think things through a little better.

(and thanks for your comments!:)

[myrna_bird]

I have two different definitions in mind.

If ignorant is 'not yet exposed to knowledge' then of course one can still learn, epecially with the help of a good teacher to guide them.

If ignorant is like My McGill though, it's more like "speaking without a thought for how stupid I might sound." The Dingbat! :D

[roina_arwen]

I had a public speaking class in high school (back in the mid-80's). It was definitely worthwhile! I agree that teachers need to be better paid for what they do, especially considering all the responsibilities they have! A well written piece!

[similiesslip]

I am in college to be an English teacher but I am hoping to make students do presentations in class.

Did you hate doing it though? I don't want to embarrass shy students but it does seem like a worthwhile skill..

[roina_arwen]

I was an English major in college, but I didn't want to teach, so more power to you!

The public speaking class was an elective, it wasn't part of my English class, so those of us who were in it knew what we were in for (mostly). I was sort of shy in high school, but public speaking is definitely a handy skill to have.

[ashgaelsonaria]

one should not forget that parent are teachers also.

[similiesslip]

You make a good point.

Many parents say, "Well, the teachers are responsible for these bad scores, etc" whereas, parents can play an important role if they will try.

There is a lot that goes into a good education that may or may not have to do with hired teachers.

Thanks for adding your perspective!:)

[shimmerdream]

I totally agree with you. I've never understood why, for example, teachers and nurses get paid so little compared to footballers.

[similiesslip]

Well, I guess no one tunes in to watch professional nurses give pills and check IVs.

The "quiet, sometimes boring" professions actually are the most important, I think. They just don't seem as exciting to most, I guess.

Thank you for commenting!