I'm a no-bull**** person...(rant)

[The_Traveler]

I think back to some of my most memorable professors, and try to recall why they were so profound to me. It had nothing to do with the subject matter, but it was the way that they connected with me. They demanded respect, and I most certainly gave it right back ten fold. I think some of the rough exteriors we see in this generation is really only one, thin layer deep. We just have to dig down a layer to get to the good stuff.

I taught part-time for ~15 years and came to the conclusion that softness on the part of the teacher is perceived as weakness to be exploited.
I was friendly and pleasant but my deadlines were just that. I gave out a schedule at the beginning of each semester and went over how grades were determined and had every student sign a small acknowledgement that they understood - and that I kept.
It was not up to me to dig down beneath that scurvy, whining surface to the vital wonderful human core that may have existed withing each student, my job was to actually teach them things.

Can you imagine I had to enlighten my students with "what to google", something which I already told them about?

I would tend not to answer questions they should have/could have known from elsewhere. I don't see myself as the reference for facts.
Albert Einstein said, 'Never try to remember things you can look up.'
I agree with Einstein but it's up to the student to look things up.

 

[The_Traveler]

The best students I've ever taught? Marines and ex-cons.

I used to prefer for students or staff those who had gone to any of the service academies.
No BS, no excuses, just got the job done.

 

[KmH]

You have to know something is seriously ****ed up when the highest paid non-administrative staff member at a college or university is the football team's coach. :er:

Businesses know that today's college graduates are not adequately prepared or trained in their field of study.
Many graduates don't even have basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills, let alone the computer and other modern day technical skills that are required to function in today's business world.
No wonder companies have to go outsource to stay in business, and/or hire people trained outside the US.

And we see all of this right here at TPF too.

The notion that schools have to support every kid's self esteem by giving every kid a blue ribbon was/is psychology bull**** that has backfired badly.
The notion that people have 'learning styles' is more psychology bull**** that just gives people an excuse for avoiding the hard work it actually takes to learn anything useful.

 

[limr]

It sounded like American students to me, too. But our spoiled attitudes and behaviors are not unique to us, of course!

OP, where are you from? Are cultural differences an issue on top of everything else?

 

[limr]

The best students I've ever taught? Marines and ex-cons.

I used to prefer for students or staff those who had gone to any of the service academies.
No BS, no excuses, just got the job done.

I've had a few ex-Army and some Army Reserve as well. Never any Navy or Air Force. The Marines still kicked all their asses. Having them in class also had the additional benefit of making all the other slacker boys sit up just a bit taller. Some of them reacted the opposite way - they'd ironically put even more effort into their slacking as though they were rebelling even harder. The rest of the boys, though, often wanted to impress the Marine. Or not piss him off. They weren't wearing a uniform or anything, but there's something different and recognizable about a Marine who has served.

 

[molested_cow]

It sounded like American students to me, too. But our spoiled attitudes and behaviors are not unique to us, of course!

OP, where are you from? Are cultural differences an issue on top of everything else?

I am from Taiwan, but grew up abroad. Is it a cultural shock? Well, I've heard about terrible things about Taiwanese young generations, but seeing it for myself has been quite a ride. I don't think my heart can take this for much longer.

 

[limr]

Taiwan

Wow from they way you described it I would have thought for sure that you were in the states. I didn't think Taiwan would have the same "american" issues.

The main problem with Taiwan's education is that the central government controls EVERYTHING right to the tiniest details, even for private schools. And the REAL problem is that these policies are set by dumbass politicans and officials who are not professional educators. They may have a degree in education, but they are so disconnected from what the society demands from education, and they mostly make policies based on "which ever way to avoid liability". We have a saying to describe these civil servants - " The less you do, the fewer mistakes you make". And not only do they not take initiatives, they make it impossible for us to take the right initiatives.

They make it sound justified to use "It's never been done before" as a reason to turn down suggestions. Really, it's an acceptable reason here.

There's a lot of that going on in America as well. I know a woman who was denied tenure twice as a 2nd-grade teacher. TWICE. You know what she's doing now? Assistant superintendent. Teachers are constantly being told what to do by people who have never stepped foot in a classroom, or have been kicked out of a classroom.

As troublesome as the college level may be, it's still better than the public schools for me.

I'm lucky enough to be in a situation with my school and my awesome boss that allows me to give the grades the students earn and know that I will be backed up. I know your pain, though, in having your hands tied. When I taught in Turkey (middle and high school), I gave failing grades and the administration would change them after I submitted them so the parents wouldn't get mad and send their kid (and money) to a different school.

 

[IByte]

That nonsense wouldn't happen im military school!!

 

[runnah]

Businesses know that today's college graduates are not adequately prepared or trained in their field of study.
Many graduates don't even have basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills, let alone the computer and other modern day technical skills that are required to function in today's business world.
No wonder companies have to go outsource to stay in business, and/or hire people trained outside the US.

The notion that schools have to support every kid's self esteem by giving every kid a blue ribbon was/is psychology bull**** that has backfired badly.
The notion that people have 'learning styles' is more psychology bull**** that just gives people an excuse for avoiding the hard work it actually takes to learn anything useful.

So true.

I like model that is being adopted in Scandinavian countries and I think Germany. They start profiling students very early. Those who are good at math and science are put into that academic track, those that aren't are put into vocational schooling. Seems harsh by American standard but then again Finland is ranked #1 when it comes to education.

Politics aside the "No child left behind" was one of the worst things to happen to education in the last 30 years.

 

[TheLost]

At first i was all... "You preach it man!!" about the entitlement of the current generation. I have a 16 year old boy who is currently getting everything handed to him (football scholarships) and doesn't respect the opportunity he's being given. I have a friend who owns a flooring business who used to hire college kids all the time.. Now none of them want to work for him... they'd rather work in a 'call center' then learn a trade.

but then when you said Taiwan i was like... oooooh. My sister did a stint teaching collage in Korea. She said it was the worst experience ever.

At the end of the day you need to do what is right for you! If you dread going into work each day and are not finding it fulfilling whats the point? Life is too short.. find a job you are happy with.

 

[runnah]

That nonsense wouldn't happen im military school!!

I almost wish the recession had gotten worse so people would actually have to work for a living.

 

[IByte]

Wow from they way you described it I would have thought for sure that you were in the states. I didn't think Taiwan would have the same "american" issues.

We have it worse over in the States.

 

[IByte]

I almost wish the recession had gotten worse so people would actually have to work for a living.

????...

 

[limr]

Businesses know that today's college graduates are not adequately prepared or trained in their field of study.
Many graduates don't even have basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills, let alone the computer and other modern day technical skills that are required to function in today's business world.
No wonder companies have to go outsource to stay in business, and/or hire people trained outside the US.

The notion that schools have to support every kid's self esteem by giving every kid a blue ribbon was/is psychology bull**** that has backfired badly.
The notion that people have 'learning styles' is more psychology bull**** that just gives people an excuse for avoiding the hard work it actually takes to learn anything useful.

So true.

I like model that is being adopted in Scandinavian countries and I think Germany. They start profiling students very early. Those who are good at math and science are put into that academic track, those that aren't are put into vocational schooling. Seems harsh by American standard but then again Finland is ranked #1 when it comes to education.

Politics aside the "No child left behind" was one of the worst things to happen to education in the last 30 years.

Finland also pays their teachers as professionals, which America doesn't do.

I'm not entirely sure I agree with the vocational tracking. Turkey had the same system - a lot of Europe does, actually. Good ole Napoleon. I saw a lot of students who were good at something but hated it because they were stuck with it. I think it can be a good strategy, but some flexibility needs to be built into the system as well so someone can still have choices available to them instead of being forced to follow a track that they were set upon by a test they took as a child.

As for the bolded statement? Amen, brother.

Edited: Rereading, I realized I was thinking about students who were already on an academic track, but they had to choose an area: science, business, humanities...etc. This was often determined by a test (like the baccalaureate) and some kids would score well in one area and be put in that track even if they weren't too keen on it. It was very hard to switch once you were in. That's the part I question. I'm all for making vocational schools a more respectable choice for those who aren't academically-inclined.

 

[Demers18]

This is a very interesting thread especially since I'm currently packing a U-haul and heading to Winnipeg for a teaching position at a technical college.

I've been spending a lot of time trying to figure out how to approach my first day as a teacher and I always come to the same conclusion. RESPECT. It's been my moto for a long time and that is how I plan to run my classroom. The only thing I haven't figured out is how to present it. I think it will be one of if not the most important presentation of the course as that where you establish the rules and guidelines for the class. Have to say I'm nervous as hell and extremely excited!

Any tips for a first day?