When Parents Attack Teachers: Comments and Commentary On Parent Posts On "What Teachers Really Want To Tell Parents"

The 2011 article on CNN, What Teachers Want To Tell Parents" has stimulated over 3,000 comments, many of them from parents who are disillusioned, angry, fed up with teachers, and how the educational system works. Some seem informed, polite and constructive, although these tend to be in the minority. Many however, illustrate some fundamental gaps, and misunderstandings of the task of teaching.

In this article we'll look at some of the most aggressive and unpleasant posts, because it helps us understand where "angry" parents may be coming from. Again, our point is not to vilify parents, but to look for clues about how we can work to build better understanding.

Comments Critical Of The Teaching Profession

Here are some of the comments that in effect, suggest that teaching is an easy job, and that teachers are undedicated and lazy.

Teachers on a whole get paid too much, whine too often and are a bunch of lazy schmucks who took the job so they get off weekends and summers. If anyone had those qualities at my job they would be ridiculed by management and forced out of their position. (Logan J)

I always hear these talking points, but of the half dozen teachers I know, the only one who makes less than 65K/yr (in MI) works in a private school - where she can actually get fired for being lousy. I work about 60 hours per week - my evenings are for 'prep' and I eat lunch while I read a few news articles. People in my profession haven't developed a set of talking points and we don't write articles complaining about our customers, we're to busy being grown-ups and being GRATEFUL for time off for training and education that could further our careers. Have you EVER worked in the private sector as an adult? (Brains)

Your first sentence is bull. Teachers in my district, where the average family income is about $40,000, make $60,000 to 70,000 per year (public record)! Also, almost everyone who has a professional license in any field must complete continuing education at their own expense. If you want to be considered a professional, stop whining about it. As for summer break, I just talked to a teacher who hired another teacher to tutor her son for the summer and paid $50 an hour for elementary math. Not only can you work in your field during the summer, you can make darn good money. BTW, my father, daughter-in-law, and sister are teachers. (ThinkerMom)