Could do better???? Really???

Last night the bbc screened a program titled Teachers: Could Do Better.

As a student teacher I feel that I am far too new to the profession to make any comments in a professional context but as a parent I have a lot to say.  Undoubtedly my opinions are influenced by the fact that I am training to be a teacher yet in no way could I comment based on professional experience in schools as I have only worked with the most dedicated and professional staff while on placement.

As a parent it would be extremely easy to watch this program and be worried about your child as often these programs forget to highlight the work of the majority of teachers who are dedicated to the needs of the children that they work with.  The majority of teachers spend many hours outside contracted time working and go beyond remit to provide the best for their pupils.  Teaching is a not a career that you switch off from once you hit your allocated hours.

As a parent I have come across teachers that have frustrated me in their ways and there are those that are perhaps not compatible with every class.  I have also encountered parents who have complained about teachers unduly.  Like the variety in teachers there is a variety in parents attitudes and this is where the concept of competency becomes subjective.  I have a strong belief that staff in education will strive to have their school be the best it can be and this includes identifying teachers who may need support in tailoring their approach or indeed undertaking CPD.  I have listened to parents discuss teachers ability in relation to the fact that they have used the school behaviour management policy when the parent believes that their child has been singled out in front of a class.  The teacher and class in question had a fantastic relationship and had achieved a great deal over the year yet the parent was not happy that their child was told off.  When it comes to parents complaining they are naturally protective of their children and sometimes this limits their line of vision when their child fails to meet certain expectations.

I am not making excuses for the teachers discussed in the program but I think it is important to note that opinions are subjective, the teachers in question did not give their side of the story and emotions do run high when parents feel the need to defend their children.

I am also not saying that there are not teachers out there who are not meeting the high standards expected in Scottish education, high standards that we should rightly be extremely proud of.  I am saying that as parents we should not take everything at face value, teachers often need to make difficult decisions when in the classroom and sometimes our little darlings are not quite the angels we believe.

I do not envy the job of those who will be dealing with a flood of parental concerns after watching the program last night or indeed viewing it a later date.  Unfortunately I believe there was very little substance in the actual content beyond camera shots of cars and a bottle of water.  The real pity is that there will be some who view the program and judge the teaching profession on the title alone.

Wouldn't it be great in the current financial climate to hear more about the positive achievements in education?  Share the good practice on a wider national level?  Celebrate what is wonderful?  But then maybe that would not be considered as newsworthy by the media.