This is a subject that frustrates me to no end. When asked why they got into the profession, teachers usually speak of love and inspiration and shaping the future.
Rarely to they say it is because they want to sit on their butts, get a paycheck and bide their time until they can retire, yet that seems to be the image that so many of us hold for them.
I don't know what the number is, but I read that many teachers leave within the first 3 to 5 years after starting. Why is that? Why do so many seemingly crappy ones remain?
It's probably too complicated to solve on myfolsom, but I think there are a lot of factors, from parents who don't support teachers, administrators who work on budgets rather than leadership, unions that seem bogged down in just getting more and protecting the system, and in general, a system that is just plain screwed up.
I have several teachers in my family and some have been around long enough to remember when if they called a parent to discuss a child's behavior or grades, the parent would stand by the teacher and do what's in the kid's best interest.
Now, they have countless stories of parents accusing the teacher of incompetence, of picking on their kid, threatening to sue or worse. That's not supporting the child.
It's a tough gig, and I can understand how so many seem to get frustrated and lose their passion.
When they do lose it, however, it is not fair to the kids they are charged with teaching.