It's interesting comparing the community attitudes in Australia and (in my case) Japan to teachers.
It seems that there is a severe lack of respect afforded to teachers in Australia. Considering their place in fostering the future drivers of the economy and nation as a whole they seem to get a lot of disrespect. No doubt in some cases it is earned.I had one bimbo science teacher in 9th grade who copied word for word from the text to the board - and clearly didn't understand the material contained within (but these are the exception rather than the norm). However if people treat educators with scorn and derision - what else is likely to be the result?
In Japan it's the exact opposite - people refer to teachers as "Sensei" and treat them with respect and admiration due to their place in the the functioning and furtherment of society.
I am not sure if this is a result of the generally portrayed Australian way of life and lionizing of non-intellectual success stories, but it needs to change (IMHO).
And teacher's unions need to have their power checked - my bimb science teacher went on teaching in spite of being below the level of some of her own students (i kid you not) - but she had the union behind her.
