Op Ed: A Substitute Teacher's Response To Meghan Trainor's Criticism

Op Ed: A Substitute Teacher's Response To Meghan Trainor's Criticism,My experience substitute teaching really opened my eyes to how tough it is to be a teacher. Everyone, including Meghan Trainor should try it.

Op Ed: A Substitute Teacher’s Response To Meghan Trainor’s Criticism

It takes a village. And a big part of that village is the teachers who teach your children during their many years in school.

As an occasional substitute teacher, I’ve had the opportunity as an outsider to see firsthand how much teachers do every single day. So, of course, when I heard what Meghan Trainor said about teachers during a recent podcast, it was quite upsetting from a parenting standpoint but also as someone who occasionally gets to wear that teacher hat.

Teaching Isn’t For The Weak!

Let me first say this, teachers are underpaid and many times underappreciated. Are all teachers amazing? Maybe not. Just like in any field, there can be a person whose heart isn’t in their job or who doesn’t take their skill seriously. So, I’m speaking for the amazing teachers who improve lives. And there are so many of them!

I began subbing last school year to make extra money and get out of the house occasionally (I work from home), so I only substitute a few times a month at the most. I’m far from an expert on the topic, but I know what I’ve witnessed. It’s been an enjoyable journey, and I’m so grateful for the experience.

When I started, I did a few days at the elementary school in my district. I quickly discovered how difficult working with many small children can be. Those teachers deserve so much gratitude and respect! What they go through day in and day out is not something just anyone could do.

I then began subbing at the high school level and realized that’s where I belong. Two of my kids are in high school; I know many of the teachers and the kids, and the familiarity of it all made it a much better fit for me. And so my subbing journey began.

I’ve said it a few times, and now after Trainor’s podcast, I’ll repeat it. Every parent should be required to substitute teach or at least volunteer a day at the school at least once in their lives. It’s essential to see and experience all that goes on when you send your kids to school. There are so many things that I didn’t realize until I began subbing.

When I sub at high school, I do not have to teach. I simply relay the teacher’s messages, and the kids work on their own. I’m just there to keep everyone in the room quiet and out of trouble. When I subbed elementary school, I taught, and that was tough. Getting everyone to sit quietly, pay attention, and follow directions, especially young children, is not an easy task. Give 25 kindergarteners scissors, glue, and an art project, and you’re sure to rethink every questionable decision you’ve ever made in your life real quick.

Because the world is the way it is currently, teachers not only have to teach but also have to deal with a lot of issues. Sometimes, they have to risk their lives to keep the kids safe. Most schools end up going on lockdown or restricted movement at some point because of threats or fights, so there’s so much more than just teaching for teachers.

But one thing is a constant: every time I sub, I’m thanked by the administration, office workers, and teachers for being there. They all appreciate the added help that can make their day a little bit easier.

Meghan Trainor’s “F Teachers” Comment Upset Many People

During a recent “Workin’ On It” podcast episode, the “I Am Your Mother” singer made a comment, “F teachers,” while discussing the subject with Trisha Paytas. Trainor later said she didn’t mean all teachers, just those they dealt with who were bullies or mean in the past.

Everyone says things they don’t mean in the heat of the moment; we’ve all done it, so while it’s understandable that the comment could have been taken slightly out of context, many people pointed out that it could have been edited out the segment before going live. So it’s hard not to get upset over the comment, regardless of the backstory.

The singer has since issued two apologies explaining why she said what she said and that she feels terrible for upsetting so many people. Her first apology wasn’t widely accepted as many teachers said it didn’t sound sincere. Her second apology also had mixed reactions.

“I wanted to apologize again to all the teachers I may have offended or hurt. I’ve lost a lot of sleep and cried myself to sleep a lot. Not because of internet hate, I’m used to that, but thinking, or wondering, or knowing that I hurt so many innocent people with my words when I got heated in a conversation about a specific teacher that hurt her feelings,” she said.

“I want you to know that I’m on this platform, and I hear and recognize how powerful my words are, and I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry if I hurt anyone’s feelings, especially teachers.”

During my most recent subbing day, her words rang through me while I heard kids talking about a school threat going around. Sitting there thinking all these teachers are here despite that threat and doing their jobs normally makes her words hit harder.

I suppose the moral of this story is not all heroes wear capes. Teachers deserve so much more for helping raise our children and teaching them all the important things that go into succeeding in life. They don’t deserve to hear an influential person say something so mean about them, and I just hope this incident brings the importance of teachers and all they do more to light.