How To Make Great Farang Teachers In Thailand, And Keep Them Here And Happy

[PeaceBlondie]

Today, Yahoo features an article by an American who writes about science education.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20080214/us_t...kegreatteachers

"...Nearly 30% of middle- and high school classes in math, English, science and social studies are taught by teachers who didn't major in a subject closely related to the one they are teaching....In the physical sciences, the figure is 68%. In high-achieving countries like Japan and South Korea, he says, 'you have far less of this misassignment going on.'

...It takes at least two years to master the basics of classroom management and six to seven years to become a fully proficient teacher. Unfortunately, a large percentage of public-school teachers give up before they get there. Between a quarter and a third of new teachers quit within their first three years on the job, and as many as 50% leave poor, urban schools within five years. Hiring new teachers is 'like filling a bucket with a huge hole in the bottom'.

...Why do teachers bail? One of the biggest reasons is pay. U.S. public-school teachers earn an average annual salary of less than $48,000, and they start off at an average of about $32,000. ...

But money isn't the only reason public-school teachers quit. Ben.., left a job teaching in a high-poverty Philadelphia school after just one year to take a position at a Catholic school where his earning prospects are lower but where he has more support from mentors, more control over how he teaches and fewer problems with student discipline. Novice teachers are much more likely to call it quits if they work in schools where they feel they have little input or support, says Ingersoll. And there's evidence that the best and brightest are the first to leave...."

In your opinion, how does this relate to farang who teach TEFL and special subject in Thailand?

[dada]

"And there's evidence that the best and brightest are the first to leave...."

In your opinion, how does this relate to farang who teach TEFL and special subject in Thailand?

The people who are good move on to the better the assignments, the lesser folks stay on and become entrenched in a poor organization and the situation is perpetuated.

Good people who come to the organization often become frustrated and then leave of their own accord for greener pastures.

[garro]

Novice teachers are much more likely to call it quits if they work in schools where they feel they have little input or support

I can see this being true everywhere. If a teacher is well supported they are able to get on with the job of teaching the kids. At the end of the day this is where the focus should be. The teacher should be treated like a professional and trusted to teach.

It's my opinion that it is the school administration's job to support the teacher and provide an environment in which children can learn. It should also be their job to provide opportunity for the teacher to better themselves and improve professionally.

If the teacher does not feel supported it is unlikely that they will feel loyalty to the school and will begin to feel that they are letting down the students. They will likely become fed up and leave eventually.

I recently read a good book called 'Teacher Man' by Frank McCourt (author of Angelas Ashes) which talks about this topic. He provides some great insights.

[alaina]

Today, Yahoo features an article by an American who writes about science education.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20080214/us_t...kegreatteachers

"...Nearly 30% of middle- and high school classes in math, English, science and social studies are taught by teachers who didn't major in a subject closely related to the one they are teaching....In the physical sciences, the figure is 68%. In high-achieving countries like Japan and South Korea, he says, 'you have far less of this misassignment going on.'

...It takes at least two years to master the basics of classroom management and six to seven years to become a fully proficient teacher. Unfortunately, a large percentage of public-school teachers give up before they get there. Between a quarter and a third of new teachers quit within their first three years on the job, and as many as 50% leave poor, urban schools within five years. Hiring new teachers is 'like filling a bucket with a huge hole in the bottom'.

...Why do teachers bail? One of the biggest reasons is pay. U.S. public-school teachers earn an average annual salary of less than $48,000, and they start off at an average of about $32,000. ...

But money isn't the only reason public-school teachers quit. Ben.., left a job teaching in a high-poverty Philadelphia school after just one year to take a position at a Catholic school where his earning prospects are lower but where he has more support from mentors, more control over how he teaches and fewer problems with student discipline. Novice teachers are much more likely to call it quits if they work in schools where they feel they have little input or support, says Ingersoll. And there's evidence that the best and brightest are the first to leave...."

In your opinion, how does this relate to farang who teach TEFL and special subject in Thailand?

I taught in Philadelphia for two and a half years: one government school, one private school and one Catholic school. If I had stayed in Philadelphia, especially teaching in government school, I would no longer be teaching.

Many of the issues cited in the article are correct:

Money is an issue- 34K a year for a new teacher becomes $250 a week after insurance, taxes and pension.

Students assault teachers regularly

Veteran teachers can be condescending to newbies and hearing that every year the schools get worse does not bode well at the beginning of a 30+ year career.

There is a general lack of meaningful evaluation, feedback and support for teachers by administrators. Professional development was generally laughable as well.

Many people view teaching with little respect, I was repeatedly told that my days were short and my vacation was long, therefore my job was easy.

Catholic schools are not a good environment for people other than practicing Catholics. Private life issues like divorce and relationships are scrutinized and teachers do get fired.

Private schools tend to be staffed with dedicated teachers, but they can also be very opinionated and uncompromising. The worst staff conflicts I have ever witnessed were in private schools. Well-meaning teachers are handled badly, conflicts continue over years and interrupt meetings and make the environment miserable to deal with.

Not many of these exact issues are present in Thailand, but some of Thailand's issues do create a similar environment. It's different for Thai and foreign teachers here as Thai teachers are not paid well at all. Foreign teachers are paid better, but if the standards for teachers do indeed become higher, this issue will effect more teachers. Teachers need to fight for parents' respect here as well (although it is generally better than the US). Feeling respected is probably the biggest issue for teachers and while being wai'ed is nice, there is more to it in Thailand than that.

Teacher's unions protect teachers from US from some things that happen regularly in Thailand. One teacher I know has been moved from teaching Secondary Science to Secondary Math to Secondary ESL to P1 ESL in the course of two years. This teacher wants to leave now and after being treated like an assembly line worker, I understand. Other administrations make decisions that actively harm children with no rhyme or reason except to remind teachers that they are in charge. Some schools evaluate teachers solely on their ability to make nice with the boss. These problems are much more prevalent in Thailand and also leave teachers feeling disrespected.

I've ranted quite a bit about the laws that govern foreign teacher's ability to work legally and they are also contributing to teachers feeling like they are considered a temporary necessary evil, not valued professionals. Also, last week I took my students to Wat Pra Kaew and I was originally told to get in the foreigners line that charges for admission even though I was wearing my teacher's ID. This split me up from my students and I was not in a position to argue (as I normally would) because I did not want to seem rude in front of the students. It turned out that one of the Thai school administrators had directed them to put me in the line; thankfully one of the guards at the wat directed me back into the Thai line. Since I pay my Thai taxes and take care of Thai children, I was very upset that the school just assumed that I would be treated like a tourist.

Thailand and its schools often do not treat teachers (Thai and foreign) with respect. Teacher's day, wai'ing and "Thank you teacher" are all nice thoughts but there is more to respect than that.