U.S. Sen. Menendez says it's time to stop blaming teachers

[cal04]

Speaking at NJEA conference, U.S. Sen. Menendez says it's time to stop blaming teachers
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/us_sen_menendez_praises_teache.html

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez got something out of the New Jersey Education Association today that Gov. Chris Christie is not likely to see: a standing ovation.

Speaking to union members at their annual legislative conference in East Brunswick today, Menendez (D-N.J.) cemented his position as educators’ answer to what they see as Christie’s policies of "no."

(snip)
"I want to make sure every child has the same opportunities I did, which is why I have been fighting to keep good teachers in the classroom, where they belong," Menendez said. "In my mind, that is where teachers belong: in the classroom, not in the unemployment line."

(snip)
"It’s time that we stopped pointing a finger at good and decent teachers. It’s time that we stopped blaming teachers for every little thing that goes wrong," he said. "We are all aware that the ‘blame game’ continues. It continues in Trenton."

[Rosa Luxemburg]

1. yes

and parents should try to be more interested in their child's education (like in China)

[snappyturtle]

2. Yes. nt

[msanthrope]

3. Um, I think that using China as a model of how one should treat children is a poor one....

particularly girl children.

Of course, if one wants to believe a current best-selling author about her mythical tiger-parenting skills, screaming incessantly, threatening to burn your kids toys, and denying them bathroom breaks is the way to go....

[Mojeoux]

5. Tiger Mom admits it doesn't work to be a TM

She says it first thing on all her interviews. But she's selling books and touring.
Otherwise, austerity bullshit is just another way to shortchange the kids.

[xchrom]

4. recommend

[marybee]

6. I teach and I do think many teachers are fighting the system, its a shame

na

[causamortis]

7. Another fellow teacher here

bashing teachers is just simply low hanging fruit.. Parents spend less time with their children, are less involved with their children's daily lives, and simply neglect their children probably more than any other time in history.. Further our streets are infested with gangs, drugs, violence, and urban decay. Children spend far more of their time on average sitting in front of a t.v. or an x-box than receiving guidance and discipline from parents..

In my class I've had numerous foster children, children born to alcoholic and drug addicted women, and children forcibly removed from their parent's house due to what I believe to be instances of physical and sexual abuse..

There is nothing easier than teaching well mannered children who are eager to learn; however, all too often poor, urban children are far from this description..

Nonetheless I love children, and will spend every ounce of my strength trying to teach them, but what most teachers are up against in America's classrooms are beyond the pale, and even the best teacher will never compensate for responsible parents who are a part of their children's daily lives.