Teachers as Tabloid Fodder

The problems facing our educational system in the U.S. are profound and overwhelming. The effect of a shrinking tax base on school funding, growing global competition and outdated curriculum, eroded family support for children, implementation of a Common Core Curriculum, revamping teacher evaluations, the needs of special education students, the rise of technology and the purpose of schools in the new millennium are just some of the topics that are being decided by politicians across the country. In classrooms, seasoned professionals are challenged by the mighty changes that are being foisted upon them, but you would never know it if you went by the stories carried by the big three cable news networks.

I recently conducted an unscientific search for the key word "teacher" on the Fox, CNN, and MSNBC websites. The stories shown below were dated from mid-December 2012 to mid-February 2013. While it is interesting to note the underlying themes running through the stories each network has pursued, what was most enlightening was the bizarre nature of the topics covered by the big three. On some level these stories are noteworthy, yet they are frequently focused on the salacious, the superficial, or the one-off absurdity; more tabloid news than serious journalism. If our country is to actually address the problems found in our schools, then it is essential that the media be taken to task for trivializing educational issues. They are to blame if the public does not understand what decisions are being made about our schools, and by whom, and how this will affect the future of American children.

Consider how the stories below must taint the nation's perception of teachers if this is the steady diet they are fed from the media. Teacher morale is at an all-time low and is it any wonder? We care about kids! That’s why we were attracted to the profession in the first place. Yes, changes need to be made, but is the profession really going to attract and retain the best and brightest when prospective teachers see educators through the lens presented by America’s cable news networks? I urge these networks to provide more balanced coverage that includes educating the public, as well as politicians, about the problems and the potential solutions. The media’s role is vital. If all we do as a nation is to remain fixated on sex, money, and violence the classroom, we would but solve a few of the peripheral issues. To address the weighty concerns of education in 21^st century America, a sobering conversation is in order. Unfortunately, it is a conversation that many in the media are unable to broach.

Fox News

¨      Pension Plans & Retirement Investment ¨      Sequestration & Teacher & Other Public Employees ¨      Yoga in the Classroom ¨      Guns for Self-Defense in Schools ¨      Teachers’ Unions & Negative Effect on Students ¨      Teacher’s Work & Copyright Law ¨      Universal Preschool Proposal in SOTU ¨      More Teachers Needed in SOTU ¨      Car Insurance Discounts for Teachers ¨      Daycare Kids Abused by Teachers ¨      Sandy Hook Events and Aftermath ¨      Violence in Schools (various) ¨      Teacher & Child Pornography ¨      Competition to Save Schools ¨      Rubber Room Teachers ¨      Experts Battle Teachers’ Unions ¨      Teacher’s Racy Tweets ¨      Lack of Respect Epidemic in the US/Schools ¨      New Federal Rules on School Food ¨      Unions & Failing Schools ¨      Workplace Violence & Drills Post-Sandy Hook ¨      Teacher Charged in Child Sex-ting ¨      NYC Misses Deadline to Revamp Teacher Evaluation Plan ¨      Bar Exam for Teachers Proposed ¨      Teacher Test-Taking Fraud

CNN

¨      Sandy Hook Teachers ¨      Gun Discussions in Classrooms Post-Sandy Hook ¨      Bill Gates’ Ideas on Good Teachers ¨      Teacher Accused of Student Sex ¨      Trans-gendered Teacher Sues Catholic Prep School ¨      Bill Gates: Help Schools with Technology Investment ¨      Teacher Duct Tapes Students’ Mouths ¨      Need to Close Achievement Gap ¨      Teachers Honored at White House ¨      Teachers Fired for Sexual Misconduct ¨      Autistic Student Abused at School ¨      Lack of Respect Between Teachers & Parents ¨      Teachers Under-fire from Parents, Politicians ¨      School Violence ¨      Oldest U.S. Teacher Celebrated ¨      Teachers Arrested in Child Sex Sting ¨      Deer Breaks Into Classroom ¨      SOTU Message for Education ¨      Teachers in it for the Kids ¨      Should You Hold Your Child Back

MSNBC

¨      Sex-ting Teacher Arrested ¨      Teacher Attacked by Man with Hammer ¨      Teacher Suspended for Anti-Gay Comment (2 stories) ¨      Teacher Sex with Student (6 stories) ¨      Teen Attacks Teacher ¨      Gold Star Teacher Honored ¨      Search Warrant Executed on Teacher ¨      Teacher Felony Gun Arrest ¨      Teacher Absences Hurt Learning ¨      Teacher Evaluation Bill ¨      Teacher Misconduct Trial ¨      Obama Honors Teacher of the Year ¨      Science Teacher & Hubble Telescope ¨      Parents to Control Teacher Bonuses ¨      Teacher Made Student Smoke Cigarettes ¨      Teacher Sent Nude Photos to Student ¨      Teacher Cleared of Molestation ¨      Teacher Criticize for Anti-Gay Facebook Comment ¨      Teacher Pay Tied to Test Scores ¨      Jailed Teacher in Sex Case Fired ¨      Teacher Made Student Eat from Trash ¨      Teacher-Murder Trial ¨      Teacher Brings Opera to Students ¨      Teacher Breast-Pump Settlement with District ¨      Teacher Sues School over Student-Phobia ¨      Teacher Testing Fraud ¨      Teacher Evaluations a Sham/Fraud ¨      Teacher Retirement Investments ¨      Teacher Threatens Students ¨      Teacher-Student Love Triangle

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