Posts by James Perez54

Joshua Parker11 said:Honestly, people like that wouldn't even make good parents, yet here we are.🤷

And you actually think that's a valid excuse?

Mom, some rigid, zero-empathy teacher is going to instill lifelong complexes or psychological blocks in someone's child, while somewhere else, her warm, kind, and highly praised colleague will be sitting behind a desk, coasting through life...

Awesome! 😁

copperheron18 said:It seems you have a bit of a grudge against professors in general. Or am I just being overly critical of every single profession I come across?

As for that final remark—suggesting they should just shut up like cowards while pretending none of this affects them—I might actually agree if we were talking about certain professors at state universities who lack even a shred of competence. In those cases, they probably shouldn't be anywhere near students because they simply aren't qualified for the job. However, I would never dream of applying that logic to this teacher, nor to the vast majority of educators working in our local elementary and high schools.

I am a parent, and being critical of teachers is my right.

This teacher is just one more insignificant, pathetic soul among many, but unfortunately, she's the one working with children.

And no, I’m not bitter about my own grades or my child's; I was an honor student myself, and my son is (so far) an honor student too.

Lisa Rivera said:@James Perez54, I honestly can’t begin to fathom what kind of friction you have with educators, but my own experience was quite different... I was fortunate enough to have such incredible professors—and even a teacher <3—throughout my schooling who approached their work with genuine care, attention, and immense professionalism. They left such a lasting impression on me that, even now, I feel a certain melancholy knowing I won't see them again or get to tell them just how much they inspired me. Given that context, all I can say in response to comments like yours is this:
👎To the power of two.

@Kimberly Robinson2, I think it might be time to teach the child that borrowing money from others isn't the way to go. I remember back when I was growing up, there were times my parents would scrounge together every spare cent around the house just to afford bread, so the idea of borrowing money never even crossed my mind. He's old enough to grasp these realities. If he was truly that hungry for something at McDonald's, $7.50 for a burger should have been plenty, rather than $7.00, especially if he understands his mother isn't working and things are tight. A five-year-old shouldn't be navigating these things...

hiddendriver34 said:After reading this, I've decided I'm done arguing with you. I truly hope you can work through whatever personal baggage you're carrying, because this kind of bitter, pure hatred toward a profession isn't objective... it's clearly personal.
I genuinely wish you the best.

And I wish you the same.
Why does everything always have to turn personal?

I was responsible, maintained straight A's, and never had any (major) problems in school.

hiddendriver34 said:Help me out here—could you walk me through what actually makes a teacher "expert" or "competent"? Beyond just having the right degree and the right license, what are we really talking about?

It’s his results.

Look at the students and the actual knowledge they walk away with after learning from that same educator—not just some random tutor found on Craigslist who was paid out of a parent's pocket for a few hours of instruction.

Do I really need to point out that being perceptive, balanced, and decent matters too?

Kate Cox2 said:But I’m curious—could you elaborate on what you mean by that, exactly?

It's simple: there just aren't enough qualified or competent professionals working with kids.

They won't realize it until they purge the dead weight from their own ranks, but most of them just act like cowards and pretend it isn't their problem...

copperheron18 said:No, it isn't really the kids that make it difficult... It's dealing with their primitive parents.☕

Or we could put it this way: a teacher shouldn't be handing out cash to a child. Her mindset should have been—everyone has money, everyone eats, except for perhaps one kid who has his own sandwiches and water (so he isn't starving), and I am not the Red Cross, so I have zero reason to give a little one money (clearly, I can't lend it to them, since as they say, you don't lend money to a child, you lend it to their parents).

Look, personally, after everything I’ve seen and read here, I would have done the exact same thing. I mean, why should I care how that child felt at the moment? (He can go discuss that with his mother). Why should I care if other kids tease him for it? (That is simply a matter of their own lack of discipline). Otherwise, it all ends up in that "help the poor soul at your own expense" cliché. Honestly, I'm curious—if this situation had been presented on an American forum, what kind of comments would we be seeing...

If she felt that bad about it, she could have just treated that one single child at her own expense, rather than lining the parents' pockets and, even worse, putting the little one in such an awkward position.
And if the parents insist on returning the money, fine; if not, also fine.

This is a textbook example of someone being rigid and lacking spontaneity, and people like that shouldn't be working in education.

Melissa Gonzalez2 said:People will defend their own no matter how wrong they are. ☕

I have been fascinated by this for a very long time...🙂

Terry Ramos60 said:

Is there anything more profoundly enchanting than witnessing the delicate, fluttering grace of a butterfly dancing through a sun-drenched meadow? One cannot help but wonder if such fragile beauty isn't a small, moving miracle sent to remind us of the splendor inherent in our natural world! Does it not stir the very soul to see such vibrant colors swirling amidst the wildflowers? kaže:
Is there anything truly more rewarding than the calling of an educator? To wake up each morning knowing that you have the profound opportunity to shape the minds of the next generation—is that not the most fulfilling sensation imaginable? It is simply wonderful to be a teacher!🙂

Is it not truly heartbreaking to observe how little appreciation is afforded to our educators in this day and age? One cannot help but wonder, as we witness the shifting tides of social values, why the very individuals who shape the minds of our future generations are treated with such profound indifference! Is it not a tragedy that those dedicated professionals, who pour their entire hearts into the classrooms of our great nation, find themselves facing such a staggering lack of respect from the public?
But absolutely not!
How can one possibly expect children to offer respect when they aren't even receiving it from their own parents? Is it not a fundamental truth that respect is a mirror, reflecting exactly what is modeled within the walls of the home? If the foundation of authority is built upon dismissal rather than dignity, how can we wonder why the younger generation struggles to honor those in charge?

Have you ever seen that classic cartoon floating around the internet? You know the one! It depicts a scene from about thirty years ago where a child comes home with failing grades, and the parent immediately begins to scold the kid. But then, you look at how much everything has shifted in modern America, and the joke flips entirely on its head! Nowadays, in that exact same situation, it’s the parent who is frantically demanding answers from the teacher! Isn't it truly fascinating how much our societal dynamics have transformed over the decades?

They have nobody to blame for their loss of status but themselves.

Charles Murphy6 said:Do Teachers decide everything themselves?
I honestly find this whole situation completely baffling.
In my case, the worksheets don't exactly cost me extra out of pocket $57 because the final bill just ends up being lower overall.
The teachers collect the cash and then hand it over to the accounting department, but they keep a little cut for themselves.
Isn't that basically just stealing from parents???

No, that’s just a tiny little way to compensate them for the constant headaches, because, oh boy, 🙄, working with kids is incredibly draining.☕

Absolutely disgusting behavior from a teacher.

Picking pockets, showing zero empathy, and clearly lacking any basic upbringing...

Pathetic.

neonnomad18 said:Why on earth are you acting surprised by this—when it’s already been proven? Honestly... one just needs to take it slow and allow the muscles to relax—eventually.

Look, I could actually wrap my head around her wanting sex just to escape those horrific pains...😉

But that guy? Not so much.😉

Is a man even capable of being turned on by a woman who is doubled over in agony, especially while dealing with heavy bleeding?😲😲😲

Noah Diaz29 said:Look, Ariana Grande—did you not learn anything from our "special" thread? Apparently, you still haven't grasped the fundamental truth: teachers are always right, and you’re the only actual problem here.😂And you know perfectly well—better than anyone—that you can’t talk about them like that.

Whatever, I guess that's just life for a blonde like me...😉

Jonathan Adams2 said:Yeah, obviously there are typos... like, right now I started this sentence with a lowercase letter because I'm too lazy to fix it.😉

But honestly? I don't care. People love nitpicking, especially when they're gunning for teachers.👍They're just waiting for one slip-up.

I'm just typing whatever comes to mind because this forum is just a way to kill time and have some fun. I couldn't care less how people write... just like I don't care when my accountant messes up my paycheck, even though they've been doing it for 20 years.😉

Anyway, that's totally off-topic, so I'm done explaining myself or arguing. This thread has gone completely off the rails anyway.👎:clapping::clapping::clapping:

Peace.🙂

Why not?
The bare minimum I expect from my kid's teacher is basic literacy.

Nobody is claiming teachers need to master the postulates of nuclear physics.

For instance, "our" teacher can barely handle basic grammar—her notes in my child's notebook prove it. When I tried to point it out to her, she took it personally and got all offended...😲
And when I suggested that we, as parents, should bring up the issue of educator literacy at the PTA meetings—or even at the school board level—given how much everyone obsesses over the "literacy" of the students😉 (barring the occasional exception), I'm pretty sure I ended up on her permanent blacklist...😉

Tyler Reyes86 said:I think you might be misinformed on this one. There are standard programs for average students, yes, but there are also specially adapted curricula and individualized approaches for students facing learning difficulties. Furthermore, there are dedicated enrichment programs specifically designed for gifted students.

I fail to see why any child should be penalized with a poor grade just because they lack hearing, or perhaps a knack for painting, or a talent for sports or math. Or, conversely, why they should be rewarded simply because they were born with a specific talent? Why not grade people on their physical beauty? That, too, is an innate quality.

And yes, you are correct; evaluating children based on their innate abilities is a natural impulse. However, that is how primitive tribes living in the Stone Age operate. A civilized society provides for different rules. Unfortunately, it seems many people aren't aware they actually live in a civilized society, so they continue to cling to customs from the jungle.

Actually, you can, and in many ways, you must. Perhaps look into the concept of affirmative action and how it functions within developed societies.

What "black average" are we talking about? Where does this "average" exist, other than in the minds of poor statisticians? A classroom isn't composed of an "average"; it is composed of living, breathing students, each with their own unique characteristics. Any teacher who is unable to respect that fundamental fact is simply incapable of working with children.

As for this supposed grade inflation among top students, there really isn't any cause for alarm; by the time graduation rolls around, we’re looking at a mere 7% of the class reaching that level.

Actually, anyone who puts in extraordinary effort has earned that A. Educational psychology doesn't just look at achievements—which are relative anyway, depending on who you're being compared to—it also recognizes hard work and dedication. In fact, one could argue the whole point of schooling is to help kids build work ethic and self-teaching skills, rather than just showing off specific talents like some kind of circus act.

You aren't the only parent here; plenty of others have kids too.

When children are allowed to achieve what you call "top-tier results" (which I assume means getting high grades) without breaking a sweat, they end up becoming lazy and disinterested in working. Why? Because they don't need to put in the effort. Then, when they eventually face real-world situations where hard work is mandatory, they're completely lost; they simply haven't learned how to grind. To not demand more from a particularly gifted student is, frankly, bad pedagogy.

The absolute truth! 👍

Susan James said:In my opinion, we really shouldn't be grading subjects like art, music, or PE at all.

Exactly right!

Austin Chavez5 said:Does it actually say the two operations have to be different? And wasn't this supposed to be a challenge for the math geniuses anyway?

Fine, fine, you and Joshua Howard18 are both right. My brain is starting to fog up at this hour...🙂

But my point was that this came straight out of a 1st-grade textbook. It's basic curriculum stuff.

Joshua Howard18 said:11+1+1=13 😉

There are two distinct mathematical operations here—not just one.

In your example, you're strictly looking at addition.😉

David Palmer5 said:I’m just sharing what life was actually like for me and my friends.
See, we lived in Chicago, and my parents were highly educated. We talked about everything under the sun. They made sure to take me to the theater, movies, and concerts, and we actually spent quality time together.
Of course, life in the countryside was tougher, and things were different there.
I'm simply describing my own upbringing and what I saw growing up with my peers.
It feels to me like parents today just don't have the same bandwidth. Between different work schedules and long hours, even when they *are* home, that precious family time often gets swallowed up by everyone staring at a TV or playing video games.

And as for whether the curriculum was as deep as it is now? It definitely was.
We had to master our history and fundamentals.
If we had to memorize every single song or poem, we did it.
We even had classes on Saturdays sometimes.
And yeah, getting on the Honor Roll was way harder back then than it is today.
But hey, what can I do about it? That's just how it was.

I am 68 years old, and since I have a son in 4th grade, I am in a position to compare.

My school curriculum was more comprehensive, more fundamental, and more rigorous, yet children somehow mastered it more easily.
Perhaps because they weren't staring at TVs, and computers didn't exist.😛
There wasn't this hyper-production of honor students like there is today, but in exchange, many "good" students back then were far superior in knowledge compared to today's honor roll kids.

When my grandson (my mother's little honor student 😁) starts rolling his eyes because, say, math is too hard, I pull out my old 1st-grade textbook (thank God for my meticulous mother who kept it safe 🙏) and find him a few problems—just enough to comfort him by showing him how it was for me and his father...😁

If there are still any skeptics like > who believe today's material is harder, here is one little problem from my era (1st grade):

Alright: Write 3 numbers using the digit "1" four times, and place 2 mathematical operators between them so that the result equals 13.

If you need more...😉

Michelle James13 said:We’ve been into the second semester for a little while now, and the grades have finally started rolling in—much to my profound disappointment 😁. One thing I’ve noticed lately is that the grading standards seem incredibly harsh; I certainly don't recall things being this rigid back when I was in school. In my son's class, everyone seems to be stuck with mediocre Cs and Ds, and Bs are apparently a rarity. To make matters worse, I hear that last year's group only had three students receive any kind of academic honors at all. Honestly, it feels excessive. In my day, almost everyone in my class cruised through the first two grades with high marks, and let's be clear, we weren't exactly Nobel laureates or child prodigies. If someone had told me back then that my child would come home with a C in reading today, I wouldn't have believed them. A C in first grade? It just feels wrong 😲. Look, I’m not going to obsess over every single letter on a report card—he'll learn to read eventually—but I can't help but wonder if there's a better way to handle this. Since they aren't allowed to bring tests home, I have no idea which specific concepts he's struggling with, which makes it nearly impossible to sit down and review the material with him effectively.
Anyway, that's my experience. How are things looking in your school districts?

The grades just reflect the level of knowledge and effort put in.
Study and practice with your child, and the grades will improve.
Not every kid is a natural-born straight-A student—some need a little extra push.
Personally, I prefer stricter teachers—otherwise, what's the point of an A or a B if they aren't backed by actual knowledge?! 🤷

I am constantly baffled by how many parents expect straight As from teachers without providing any support...😢

rapidrider3 said:None of them...

Just click the Quote icon and start typing... it's really that simple...

And if you're trying to break a post up into pieces before replying... just highlight the part you want with your mouse, hit the icon, and go from there... check how it looks before you hit send, because if you end up with "quote" written all over the place, just delete the extra bits... takes a little practice, I guess, but it isn't rocket science...

Can someone please tell me which of my quotes actually looks right?

See? Like that...

Is that right?
And if you want to break a post down into sections before replying... just highlight the specific part with your mouse, hit the icon, and then write... make sure to preview it before sending; if you see too many "quote" labels, just delete them... it takes a little practice, but it isn't hard... just go for it... like that...[/I]

Works?🤷