Why on earth when teachers post do they go on and on about the trials and tribulations of being a teacher? Excuse me, but did you not understand what was required when you obtained a degree to become a teacher? I am so sick and tired of teachers complaining of being so overworked and so underpaid - so is the rest of America! The only difference is that I don't get my summers off to recharge my batteries and plan my upcoming year.

I am a teacher. I posted before and did not complain about my job at all. It is hard, but I think it is a very important occupation and I do get satisfaction from it. My earlier post just stated that the buildings are not ready to teach in during the summer and would cost a lot of money to prepare. The debate should be whether or not it is worth it. Another factor is the money. I work over the summer. It is not really a choice, my family needs the money. If my time at work was extended I would need compensation, or I would have to find a job in another field that would make up the difference. We teachers may sound defensive at times, but we are often under attack. There are few social institutions that are expected to do as much as education is, and it is expensive. Just one student with particular special needs can increase a school's budget by thousands. There are new certification and testing guidelines that cost lots of money. We feed students, provide books, pencils, paper, and intellectucal guidance. It is a very complex system and, I think, for the most part, does well. Any system or corporation can be improved but it is complicated and longer school years may be a part of improving the system, but the debate should take place absent of name calling and finger pointing.

abspoltly right teaching should be one of the best paid most respected jobs

and in this country they are not

Teachers have to put up with a lot of bs, for which they get little credit. Maybe it would be worthwhile to listen to what these "whiners" have to say, as they are on the frontlines teaching this nation's youth.

I know this because i graduated high school in 2005...my teachers had a profound impact on my life, and i think anything that can be done to improve their ability to do their job would improve education as a whole.

I, too, remain perplexed as to why teachers always feel the unrelenting need to inform the rest of American: corporate Americans, medical personal, factory workers etc .... "How long and hard they work"

Let's consider a few thoughts - I welcome you to add to the list ... perhaps teachers will stop making the rest of us sigh ..

1. Most American workers put in 40 Plus (many more) hours per week - and sometimes 15 hour days (not to mention long commutes)

2. Most working Americans not only work 2 X..perhaps even 3 X the amounts of hours a teacher works in 1 week.

3. Most Americans do not get nearly 1/2 a year off: Christmas and Easter are certainly not "free" weeks off from work -

4. Most Americans for (legitimate reasons) worry daily about job security

(what if teachers one day have to worry about loosing their jobs to offshore Indian teachers - communicating via webinar)

..unlike tenured educators - layoffs happen without warning.

5. Most Americans do not retire with full benefits and pension

6. Most Americans don't accumulate sick days year over year -- and retire early by applying "banked" sick days

7. Most Americans don't get "excused" from work for snowy days (rule of thumb is - if the governor hasn't declared a state of emergency - buck up or take a vacation day!

Please feel free to contribute to the list! One day educators will learn what the "other" world is like.

I came to teaching from a job in sales, so I have experience in what you call the "other" world. I have had this conversation with people, who quote items from your list, and always ask this question: If teaching is so wonderful, why don't you become a teacher? What usually follows is some sort of stuttering, many people say, in a shocked tone a voice, "ME?! oh I could NEVER teach." So, NJ, what's keeping you? According to you, teachers have it made! Become a teacher! I used to get mad at the comments you list above, but I know they come from ignorance. All of the things you mention are either not factual, or only half correct, or missing information. This post started with a complaint about teachers complaining about the work they do. Your post is the reason teachers feel the need to defend the hard, noble, work they do.

Quit being bitches and raise your children correctly, and we wouldn't have to complain.

Folks - my intention is not to paint a glorified picture of the educational world and the professionals who are dedicated to it.

I can easily make similar list for those not in the educational world --

I am just pointing out that - "the grass is never greener on the other side" - there are equal number of pros and cons to any career - and without a doubt most of us work long and hard hours.

However, its perplexing to me that more often then not - educators are quite vocal with their professional complaints.

Yes we are. If you've ever sat in on a group of teachers, you're bound to hear plenty of complaints, some justified, but most just "bitching." Oh well.

Most of the posts I've read here, however, register valid points to consider and discuss. This is supposed to be PUBLIC education, therefore the PUBLIC must get involved! They're not, and, for the most part, public administrators have systematically sought to distance the parents from their children though bureaucratic means.

I contend that's missing is public involvement in our schools and I fault Slate for part of this; I've long asked that they consider an ongoing topic just for educational issues. As part of their agenda-setting function, they have some power to alter how Americans view this most important public institution.

Retire with full benefits? Not in my district. I have over the equivalent of two masters degrees and just spent a week of my "vacation" attending professional development because I am forever learning. Nor was I compensated for that time and if that were the only reason I would do something I'd never grow in the profession.

I have a lot of other talents I would like to pursue beyond teaching, however I actually get penalized if I leave the teaching profession in what I can earn in retirement because I will not get the Social Security pension. It would be wonderful if our government would make it easier for people who work in other professions to come into teaching and teachers who have worked long years to go into business if desired without some of the negative outcomes. I looked into teaching at a private college years ago, I couldn't afford to make the switch and get my children through college.

I would like to ask anyone who thinks teachers are whiny to take a week of their time and volunteer to teach full time, say at a vacation bible school and that is only half day (and far easier than meeting all the standards and expectations of even a kindergarten classroom). Please do so with the younger children and if you are really brave take on the toddlers. To make the experience authentic, please go home to having children to care for. I love working with children and there is not an age I have not taught (including adult) and I volunteer a lot more time with children than I get paid for. I do not think I am the exception as I can think of many teachers that do the same.

It would be lovely if this country could take some examples from other nations in honoring and respecting educators. Years ago I hosted 24 Korean educators, in their country there was a saying that one would not step on the shadow of one's teacher.

If teachers went into the profession for the pay, the benefits, and the so called unpaid vacation they receive, they would be crazy. That is not why people teach. Most teachers I know are enormously caring and giving individuals that normally have a great deal of patience with children who come from a broad range of social/economic situations and try to help them become productive, responsible, global citizens. It is not an easy job in the least.

Maybe we teachers have an inferiority complex, because we hear, 'Those who can't, teach.' while at the same time constantly dealing with situations we cannot imagine people in the private sector being able to deal with. I teach and I love it. I worked in offices in various capacities for eight years and know how draining and soul crushing it can be. For teachers, we have incredible moments of satisfaction, but we really have to earn it. I truly believe teaching is the toughest job, but the most rewarding I can imagine. I guess working in the private sector is probably tougher, because you work really hard, but never truly have that sense of satisfaction. Still, the lows for teachers can be truly low. Try imagine doing your job, in charge of 25+ individuals, with four or five who try to stop you from doing your job the whole time. Then imagine after 45 minutes, this group of 25+ leaves and another comes in, with the attendant roadblocks. Do this 6-7 times, with a break for lunch. Then deal with administrators worried about testing, parents afraid their children aren't getting enough attention, grading and other diagnostics, planning and displaying work. Then, wake up and do it all over again. Five days a week. Do the holidays start to look different to you?

The thing about teaching is that it requires people skills, administrative skills, parenting skils (seriously!) counseling/borderline psychologist skills and can be extremely!!! physical. I am on my feet from 8:20 to 3:30, moving. I have roughly 400 students. So maybe we should think about teaching as a borderline physical job, where you need breaks. I'm thinking about firefighters, who are 24 hours on and 24 hours off. Something between that and an administrative job. That's why the holidays make sense, and maybe it's something you can't understand until you try it.

Anyway, listen, you talk about teachers whining, but I've seen people like you try to do the teaching thing and run screaming, many, many of them.

I will address your 'whining teachers' list in another message. I'm off to celebrate not having to parent someone else's kids for the evening.