I was told by a teacher that she would love to attend our meetings but after the first few she attended she was hunted down and yelled at by the same parent everytime. This was a few years ago and she has since gone on to greener places but I am seeing the same problem happening again. Parents spotting their teacher or just A high school teacher and these poor people can't leave!

I was also taught to treat people the way I would want to be treated........

We can all agree, I think, that we are all busy and we all have lives. We can all agree, I think, that teaching and volunteering are both noble areas of work.

The thing I wanted to say was that teachers are not always the ones who know what is best for 'the children' as a whole. They know what their class needs, maybe even what their grade needs. I don't believe they have their finger on the pulse of the school like the principal or a good PTO leader. For example, our 2nd grade teachers needed new individual chalk boards for their students. The 6th grade needed a new set of Moby Dick to share between classes. Do you think that either knew what the other needed? No. If they had both attended a PTO meeting, they might have. Fact is, it is up to teachers to make sure their requests are considered, and the best way to do that is at a PTO meeting. It isn't like the meeting is once a week. Once a month is not a lot to ask, considering how much they stand to gain. The 2nd grade got their chalkboards because someone from the 2nd grade was at every meeting. The 6th grade, who needed those books more than the 2nd graders needed those individual chalkboards, didn't get them because no one came to champion their cause. How the hell were we supposed to know how important those books were? We knew both grades wanted and needed those things, but look who got them and why. It may not be fair, but it is a fact of life.

Raptordad, it is obvious that you are a teacher because you are talking to adults as though they were naughty children in your class. I have noticed this in several of your posts. Stop it. Stop it now...lol...
Under #4 of your previous post in this forum:

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> 4. Want to know why some teachers don't come to PTO meetings?

-time of the meetings
-they have no input, voice or vote at a meeting
-negative comments flung at them regularly "To include the "T" in PTO at our school is a joke"
-horrible PTO experience at a different school
-there is a teacher rep coming so some feel that there is no need for them to come
-not enough minutes in a day with the other things going on in their family (see #2)
-second job

<hr></blockquote>

I just want to add this: 1. I notice that when teachers want something, they can make the day and time of the meeting. 2. Our teachers have a voice and do get to vote. I suspect the same is true in your PTO, because you are a teacher who also holds the office of PTO prez. 3. I've over heard teachers dissing the PTO too. 4. They are old and wise enough to know each school and each PTO group is different, I mean afterall, isn't that what they tell their students? 5. Teachers Reps are there to get info to pass along, not make requests and 'fight' (for lack of the correct word) for what every teacher personally needs. 6. See posts from Jepto and IMovePeople. We have families and lives too. 7. 2nd jobs are not unique only to teachers.

For parents and teachers who can attend meetings, they get something out of it. For parents and teachers who participate in PTO activities, they get something out of it. Parents decide who gets the dough. For teachers who want the dough from PTO's, they need to attend regularly. The fact is that PTO's are more likely to give money to the faces they see and know from meetings than they are to give it to a faceless teacher request. If they can't, don't or won't attend, they really don't have the right to complain about how funds get spent. Kind of like voting in an election. If you didn't vote, don't complain about the administration.

Quick thought - Does anyone out there have a quick survey that others could use, to survey the teachers?

Mabe 5 questions or less would be a good start. Than progress could begin.

I guess you are missing my point - let's hit this step by step.

1. Yes I am a teacher and yes I am a PTO President.

2. "I have a full time job, plus take care of my family, and manage to volunteer a lotof time every week trying to help the teachers" "It really irks me to think that someone is thinking that we - the
volunteers of these organizations - don't have LIVES"

STOP THE ANGER AND REACTING AND THINK ABOUT WHAT I WROTE! Teachers do have a full time job, they take care of their families and the volunteer at the school where their children go, or maybe their church, or maybe where ever they want to volunteer, but it is their time. That is my point. Do they have to do their job, do it exceptionally well and still attend the PTO meeting to be that excellent teacher??? I think that that is unrealistic.

I teach - I am the volunteer pouring in the time at my children's school. Should I pour in that same energy at my work place? I understand the time that is put in to make our PTO's great.

I know you don't expect to be thanked for your job, nor do teachers. It is the polite thing that we do as a PTO. It is the little bonus that we send their way that makes them say, "Wow, this is really a great school! I'm glad I'm here." We, the PTO, are the corporate offices that send the little bonuses their way.

3. On the funding issue, by all means expect accountability, that's a given. But when the PTO is looking at budgetary considerations for the upcoming year can we say that we really know everything that is going on in the schools with regard to program needs? We know somethings but our perspective is limited and to truly benefit the school as a whole the input of teachers is necessary.

4. Want to know why some teachers don't come to PTO meetings?

-time of the meetings
-they have no input, voice or vote at a meeting
-negative comments flung at them regularly "To include the "T" in PTO at our school is a joke"
-horrible PTO experience at a different school
-there is a teacher rep coming so some feel that there is no need for them to come
-not enough minutes in a day with the other things going on in their family (see #2)
-second job

I guess my reaction comes from this negative perception of teachers - "Loser Teachers" What is a heading like that doing in a forum from the PTO leaders of this nation. We can do better people. We can do much much better.

I was raised in a family of educators (brother, mom, 2 grandmothers all teachers!) and I would not teacher bash . . . but I stand firmly with JEPTO. I work full time, and have a family as well, yet when teachers or the principal need something done, done fast and done right, they tend to call me. I do not complain about that - if I am busy I tell them I don't have the time, I may suggest someone else, or let them know when I will be available. I insist that things purchased through PTO funds be labeled as property of the school. While, for the most part, teachers are trustworthy, honest and all those other boy scout characteristics, I have also seen entire classroom libraries that were purchased by the PTO walk out of a building because a teacher opted to change schools, and I don't think that is right. If we are doing this for the children of the school, then those things belong to the children of THAT school and the things are not intended to be removed as the teacher's personal belongings are. When a teacher is given a gift, however, that is theirs to keep.

"If you expect the teachers to have an equal committment to your extra curricular activities you are missing the point. They have lives." It really irks me to think that someone is thinking that we - the volunteers of these organizations - don't have LIVES.

"They do a full time job. They deserve thanks for all that they do for your children. . . " Teachers have chosen to do this job - they are paid for that job. I have a job, I get paid for my job - I don't expect to be thanked by those who benefit from my doing my job. I know that isn't coming out as fully as intended, but you probably get the gist of it.

"The people who know best about their [students] needs are the teachers - not the PTO board!" I strongly disagree.

Raptordad - I was not meaning to attack you personally, but I strongly disagree with a lot of what you have said.

I have never seen a post that says "why don't all teachers attend all meetings?" That isn't a reasonable expectation. I do, however, think that it is reasonable for the PTO to expect participation. Is it unreasonable for the teachers to each sign up to attend 2 meetings per year so that there is representation? As a PTO board member, one of the questions I am asked most frequently is "why don't the teachers come" - my response? Great question, the next time you run across Susie's teacher or see Bobby's teacher, please ask them.

Teachers work hard, yes they do, and are they ovberpaid, no they are not - but we all make choices in life and to think that the PTO's job is to raise the money and the teachers is to "decide what is the best way to spend it"??????????

Raptordad, I have a full time job, plus take care of my family, and manage to volunteer a lot of time every week trying to help the teachers (I'm the president of our PTO). All I'm asking is consideration to my, and most of all, to the other officers' feelings. Some of our teachers (and I'm talking about a select few) have been PTO bashing, acting worse than my fourth graders, being impolite and downright rude. I would never think about witholding money from them (as it only hurts the children in the end) and yet they have condemned the PTO for deciding to label the supplies we buy as purchased by the PTO and gifted to the school. I laugh in the face of childish adults however when it starts to hurt other officers I am stepping in, because again, that will only hurt the children -- less PTO involvement -- less money for teachers/supplies -- less supplies for the children. To these FEW teachers I say GET A LIFE AND GROW UP!