I really agree with this article, but with a different slant. I’ll also admit I have never reached teacher burn out. No matter what students I have, how many, or what I teach I’ve always found positives about the situation.
Rowdy students haven’t ever been a real problem for me and most of the school officials have stayed out of my way in the past. In fact, most of the time I can keep the parents happy but when I have been dissatisfied with the job I’m doing a parent has been in the way.
One of my favorite parents was a woman who regular wrote excuse notes for her kiddo — Johnny (not his name) missed class today because my car wasn’t working and I had to go to the doctor. Did she consider dropping him off at school and picking him up later and using HIS car? Weird.
In fact, most of my problem parents make inappropriate excuses for their children, either in person or writing.
Quoted from http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/02/teacher-burnout-blame-the-parents/:
Teacher Burnout? Blame the Parents – Well – Tara Parker-Pope – Health – New York Times Blog
The stress of teaching is often blamed on rowdy students and unrealistic expectations from school officials. But new research suggests that parents may be the real culprit in teacher burnout.