I agree with this entirely Tash, and I can see it across all levels of teaching.
I have friends who are studying teaching, and already they are tirelessly creating lesson plans, paying for resources from their own pockets, researching, going out of their way to provide for students and more all on their own time, and these people are not yet even qualified! I see people putting their heart and soul into this stuff for little to no return financially.
I was shockedto find that rarely will teachers get paid for overtime on school camps, for their late hours spent creating resources for classes, for putting in their own time to make learning as best as it can be. Whilst it really does show the generosity and selflessness of teachers, it also makes clear the huge assumption society seems to have that teachers are just expected to do all of this for no return, that it is their obligation. In reality, a teacher has the option to put in the bare minimum if they want to, but they don't. They go that extra mile, they put in their own time and effort to create these spaces for kids.
Teachers are buring the candle at both ends, and you can see them start to burn out before they even start. It's a huge problem that needs to be addressed, and we simply have to stop taking theireffort for granted, and start acknowledging and giving them waht they deserve.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment Lauren. It's interesting (and scary) that this expectation is starting from when teachers are starting at uni. Even being on placement - as important as it is - is consuming financially and time wise. Perhaps an apprenticeship based situation would help?
I agree with this entirely Tash, and I can see it across all levels of teaching.
I have friends who are studying teaching, and already they are tirelessly creating lesson plans, paying for resources from their own pockets, researching, going out of their way to provide for students and more all on their own time, and these people are not yet even qualified! I see people putting their heart and soul into this stuff for little to no return financially.
I was shockedto find that rarely will teachers get paid for overtime on school camps, for their late hours spent creating resources for classes, for putting in their own time to make learning as best as it can be. Whilst it really does show the generosity and selflessness of teachers, it also makes clear the huge assumption society seems to have that teachers are just expected to do all of this for no return, that it is their obligation. In reality, a teacher has the option to put in the bare minimum if they want to, but they don't. They go that extra mile, they put in their own time and effort to create these spaces for kids.
Teachers are buring the candle at both ends, and you can see them start to burn out before they even start. It's a huge problem that needs to be addressed, and we simply have to stop taking theireffort for granted, and start acknowledging and giving them waht they deserve.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment Lauren. It's interesting (and scary) that this expectation is starting from when teachers are starting at uni. Even being on placement - as important as it is - is consuming financially and time wise. Perhaps an apprenticeship based situation would help?