Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mindmetoo]

I noticed one of the big movies these days, probably heading for some oscar nods, is Freedom Writers.

Before you started teaching, were you inspired by all those other teacher movies? Dead Poet Society, Mr Holland's Opus, Goodbye Mr Chips, To Sir with Love, Educating Rita, Dangerous Minds, Welcome Back Kotter, etc? And after 5 minutes of teaching, did you realize they were all total crap? The kids aren't just really yearning for a cool teach who wears a Che Guevara tshirt, quotes Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, and Rush, and listens to their problems? All they're really yearning for is an extra hour of sleep and a chance to play video games? In fact, cooler and kinder you are, more the kids just want to take advantage of you and play?

You begin to realize that the dull, clock punching teachers you had back in high school probably didn't start their career simply content to punch the clown every day and then collect their sweet retirement package after 30 years? They probably started off as idealistic educators but a succession of dim witted students, parents who can't give a wit, and a school system that encourages it all just made them into happy clown punchers?

[ddeubel]

Well I've taught almost everything. High school, ESL adults, kids, teachers, Grade 4, Grade 7-8, phys ed. geography, french, music, computers, sex ed., philosophy and so much more.

Got to say, my experience is totally different from your own. Reminds me that happiness is the decision to do what you can and not let others be responsible for that happiness. You sell both students and teachers short. I won't even guess why.

Still idealistic,

DD

[jajdude]

They may be good movies or TV shows but they aren't reality. There was one recently called 'Boston Public' -- pretty much a soap opera. I think people have ideals in minds for what a teacher should be. Sometimes this ideal includes patience, kindness, being well-spoken and polite, outgoing, enthusiastic. energetic, and other qualities. Very few people have all these fine qualities even part of the time. Also, a lot of people have no idea what the job is like. Some think it's easy with lots of vacation and decent benefits. Maybe they think teachers just stand there like Mr. Kotter and dispense wisdom and are always cheerful because their job is easy and their students love them. Everyone goes to school, everyone knows young people can be hard to deal with, yet some still think teaching is an easy job. Mainly though I dislike the ideal of what a teacher should be. I think teachers should get angry sometimes, maybe even swear in class if they are really pissed off. Why the ideal? Are teachers in general special people? Not at all. They do an important job but they're not much different than the taxi driver or doctor. I also dislike when people on this forum say "teacher" in that sarcastic way. It leads me to believe they think they are great and follow this ideal of what a teacher should be, like these ideal characters in the movies.

[JeJuJitsu]

[Paji eh Wong]

[Woland]

[Mashimaro]

[babtangee]

[mindmetoo]

[mindmetoo]