Community Chat

[Lindsays Grandma]

I have nothing but the utmost respect for all teachers, past and present.  We as parents hand(ed) our children over to you five days a week for most of the year and yours is no easy task.

I grew up in Richmond Hill, Queens, New York.  I loved my elementary school except for a math teacher I had, did not like her at all.   My absolute favorite was Schimer Junior High and my favorite teacher was Miss Burns who taught my English class.  My, that was a lifetime ago.  I attended and graduated from Richmond Hill High which was a fantastic experience but my least favorite.

Elementary School was about six long blocks from home which of course my sister and I walked each way on our own.  When attending Jr. High we had to use public transportation, two buses, take one, get a transfer, take the other which dropped us off right in front of the school.  High School was one bus, again public transportation.  There were no school buses in those days that I knew of and stay at home moms didn't drive, who had two cars per family in those days?

I can remember Mr. Harding, the shop teacher for the boys in Jr. High.  When the boys were lined up in the hall they wouldn't dare move or open their mouths because he would give them a swat or slap them with whatever he had in his hand.  Try doing that today, major lawsuit.  But you know what, he got respect from those boys. 

I compare school and children from when I was a growing up and the world today, and there is a vast difference.  Some may say everything is relevant but I disagree with that.  The children of today are not anywhere near like those of my generation.  The world today is far different from the world I grew up in and, no disrespect intended, I liked my world a whole lot more, I think it was easier.  Granted we didn't have the technology of today but we did just fine.

Seeing all these posts from teachers got me started, sorry about that, didn't mean to get carried away.  I think with all that is going on right now, the Harvey Hurricane, the fires in CA and other states and the world in general has made me nostalgic and I am escaping to another time and place of fond memories.  God Bless all the teachers, the children need each and every one of you.

[meallen616]

@catlover,

[Mmsfoxxie]

Good luck, @catlover and all of you teachers going back into the struggle of being a teacher.  It is a very difficult profession but worth it.

[LTT1]

@Denise in PA

Maybe you could tell how the CA made you have some realizations about life? If that is true, it seems this would confirm your decision to return. ?

Good luck! You will be great for the kids!

[LTT1]

@catlover

and all teachers

Teach those kitties well!

[bonnielu]

Yes, now sleeping late with fond memories of my teaching career.  Also a reading specialist who had 30 plus years in middle  school.  When someone asks how old I am I always say " I AM ELEVEN---NEVER GOT OUT OF THE 6TH GRADE.  

[Bridgegal]

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@docsgirl wrote:

CATLOVER, (I'm a cat lover, too),

I'm 71 years of age and retired but began my teaching career in 1969 in the New York City Schools.  Received my Bachelors and Masters, as well as my late husband, at St. John's University in Queens.  Took a 2nd Masters and became a reading specialist.  WOW!!  That was eons ago. I did not retire from there.  When I got married, we moved to the South Shore of Long Island and I taught there.  If memory serves me correctly, we started the day after Labor Day.  The 3 days preceeding, we went in for meetings and to set up our classrooms.  Although I've been retired for many years, I work as a substitute teacher here in Ohio.  I work in a great district and work every day.

Have a wonderful school year.    docsgirl

I could have written your post.  Same age, former teacher (HS and college) and now work PT, not teaching, at a school for talented and gifted students 2-3 days a week.  I love being around great kids and great teachers a few days every week.

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[wvumountiefan]

I work in a public school as an LPN/Teacher's Aide and this quote from Frank Martin is so true. My take on kids today is: If you expect a lot from a kid, they will give you a lot, but if you expect little from them, then they'll give you little. Most of the time kids really want acceptance and love and teachers are some of the greatest people on earth!! ❤️