FB Post From Another Provider - Does This Offend You?

[Mom2Two]

Anyone who says they don't mind 12 hour shifts must be reeeeallly trying to kick-start their business. I'm guessing all of it must come from her being so new and just starting up.

[nannyde]

Ummmm what is this "I am certified in child development and have my training as a newborn care specialist.:

Who gives out newborn care specialist degrees or certificates?

For someone so educated, she sure can't manage a paragraph.

I want a newborn specialist degree.... or a newborn expert degree... or a newborn cuddler degree... sompin like that.

[Josiegirl]

I'm going to write myself out a newborn cuddler degree.....that's something I could do all day long.

[Unregistered]

Meh. Lots of things are offensive but it's all in the eye of the beholder...or reader in this case.

I mind my own bobber when it comes to things like this.

It's really no different than those that use the word teacher.

To some it's offensive, to others it just is what it is.

Again, it's all in how the reader chooses to perceive it.

I was going to stay out of this, but as a teacher I don't think it's fair anyone can call themselves a teacher. I know a lot about medicine and have take care of many disabled people. Can I say I am a nurse? No. Can I say I am a a CNA? No. I think it is disrespectful to them. You may call yourself a teacher, but you can't go to a public school and get a job. I can. I have a teaching license and a degree in education. I am a allowed to state so in my advertising materials. If that hurts your feelings, too bad. Least time I check, you can go back and become a teacher. No one is stopping you.

[nannyde]

I was going to stay out of this, but as a teacher I don't think it's fair anyone can call themselves a teacher. I know a lot about medicine and have take care of many disabled people. Can I say I am a nurse? No. Can I say I am a a CNA? No. I think it is disrespectful to them. You may call yourself a teacher, but you can't go to a public school and get a job. I can. I have a teaching license and a degree in education. I am a allowed to state so in my advertising materials. If that hurts your feelings, too bad. Least time I check, you can go back and become a teacher. No one is stopping you.

And the choir said AMEN.

Trust me... most providers don't WANT to be teachers. They want to provide CARE not education.

Here's the deal though. You teachers ALLOW this. You don't come together and protect your title. Why? Why aren't you working with your legislature's and licensing to draw up regulations that child care workers staff assistants can't be called teachers unless they actually HAVE a degree in education and a teaching certificate?

Centers use the word "teachers" because it makes them money. It makes them look like a SCHOOL. Parents want SCHOOL. They don't want to call them "eight dollar an hour employees with a GED" assistants. If a parent asks the actual education of the staff they say things like "X percent of our staff have X and X percent is 'working' on X. The "working" on the degree is the key word. The staff could have one class in a college setting and they are "working" on it.

Now some centers have degreed and certified teachers... I know that occurs. But they should not be able to call anyone who doesn't have a teaching degree a teacher. It's a lie and it hurts the home child care business.

It's not just centers that do it. There are businesses who provide continuing education to child care workers who do it too. Applebaum's is one of them. I've spoken to them about this before. Their belief is that ANYBODY who works with a child is teaching them so thus they are a teacher. Children are constantly learning so anyone who is caring for them is teaching them as they learn.

That's like saying anyone who puts on a band aid or an ice pack is a nurse. Fortunately my profession doesn't put up with anyone professing to be a nurse because they do some of the things a nurse would do in their job.

I think this is also about money. I've been to many conferences from continuing education providers and calling the audience teachers makes the center worker attendee's feel real good about themselves. Then they go buy products and attend more of their trainings. Where else can you be called a name associated with a highly trained and educated worker by just starting a job without even having a GED or a HS diploma. They refer to themselves as teachers because it makes them feel good about themselves. It also takes away that BIG sting that comes on payday when the check is so small and the work is so hard.

If we call ourselves teacher the parents want proof. I'm a RN, BSN, and now PHN (public health nurse) and believe me, the incoming parents wanted to see my card or were able to look it up online or call the State Board of Nursing.

I'm with ya sister. I would be upset too. I beg you to DO something about it.

[Blackcat31]

I was going to stay out of this, but as a teacher I don't think it's fair anyone can call themselves a teacher. I know a lot about medicine and have take care of many disabled people. Can I say I am a nurse? No. Can I say I am a a CNA? No. I think it is disrespectful to them. You may call yourself a teacher, but you can't go to a public school and get a job. I can. I have a teaching license and a degree in education. I am a allowed to state so in my advertising materials. If that hurts your feelings, too bad. Least time I check, you can go back and become a teacher. No one is stopping you.

I'm not sure if you are speaking in general or to me specifically since you quoted me but I didn't say I was or wasn't a teacher.

I was merely pointing out that some ARE offended when certain words are used. You just provided a perfect example.

[racemom]

And the choir said AMEN.

Trust me... most providers don't WANT to be teachers. They want to provide CARE not education.

Here's the deal though. You teachers ALLOW this. You don't come together and protect your title. Why? Why aren't you working with your legislature's and licensing to draw up regulations that child care workers staff assistants can't be called teachers unless they actually HAVE a degree in education and a teaching certificate?

Centers use the word "teachers" because it makes them money. It makes them look like a SCHOOL. Parents want SCHOOL. They don't want to call them "eight dollar an hour employees with a GED" assistants. If a parent asks the actual education of the staff they say things like "X percent of our staff have X and X percent is 'working' on X. The "working" on the degree is the key word. The staff could have one class in a college setting and they are "working" on it.

Now some centers have degreed and certified teachers... I know that occurs. But they should not be able to call anyone who doesn't have a teaching degree a teacher. It's a lie and it hurts the home child care business.

It's not just centers that do it. There are businesses who provide continuing education to child care workers who do it too. Applebaum's is one of them. I've spoken to them about this before. Their belief is that ANYBODY who works with a child is teaching them so thus they are a teacher. Children are constantly learning so anyone who is caring for them is teaching them as they learn.

That's like saying anyone who puts on a band aid or an ice pack is a nurse. Fortunately my profession doesn't put up with anyone professing to be a nurse because they do some of the things a nurse would do in their job.

I think this is also about money. I've been to many conferences from continuing education providers and calling the audience teachers makes the center worker attendee's feel real good about themselves. Then they go buy products and attend more of their trainings. Where else can you be called a name associated with a highly trained and educated worker by just starting a job without even having a GED or a HS diploma. They refer to themselves as teachers because it makes them feel good about themselves. It also takes away that BIG sting that comes on payday when the check is so small and the work is so hard.

If we call ourselves teacher the parents want proof. I'm a RN, BSN, and now PHN (public health nurse) and believe me, the incoming parents wanted to see my card or were able to look it up online or call the State Board of Nursing.

I'm with ya sister. I would be upset too. I beg you to DO something about it.

In my state (Nebraska) the state mandates that we have a teacher in each room. We can be non-certified teachers, which means we have the experience and training, or a degree. While I may not agree with it, if asked by a state inspector or in training, you need to say you are a teacher, if you classify yourself as daycare staff you cannot be left alone with children. So yes, we do call ourselves teachers because it is mandated by the state, not because we are trying to appear to be something we are not, or seem important. I also spend countless hours in training and planning activities and schedule for our day. I work in a classroom of children with behavioral problems, so independent play is not an option for most of the day. We are working on lots of social/emotional issues.

[ColorfulSunburst]

I was going to stay out of this, but as a teacher I don't think it's fair anyone can call themselves a teacher. I know a lot about medicine and have take care of many disabled people. Can I say I am a nurse? No. Can I say I am a a CNA? No. I think it is disrespectful to them. You may call yourself a teacher, but you can't go to a public school and get a job. I can. I have a teaching license and a degree in education. I am a allowed to state so in my advertising materials. If that hurts your feelings, too bad. Least time I check, you can go back and become a teacher. No one is stopping you.

I was going to stay out of this too but after your post, I decide to step in.
There are many people who have teacher's diplomas but aren't teachers (even more, some of them must be never allowed be near kids) and there are many people who don't have teacher's diploma but are great teachers. If you have a teacher's degree it doesn't mean you are a teacher. It just means that you have the right to work as a teacher in public school.

[Ariana]

I was going to stay out of this, but as a teacher I don't think it's fair anyone can call themselves a teacher. I know a lot about medicine and have take care of many disabled people. Can I say I am a nurse? No. Can I say I am a a CNA? No. I think it is disrespectful to them. You may call yourself a teacher, but you can't go to a public school and get a job. I can. I have a teaching license and a degree in education. I am a allowed to state so in my advertising materials. If that hurts your feelings, too bad. Least time I check, you can go back and become a teacher. No one is stopping you.

I am a teacher. I may not have a teaching license or teach in a school but I teach every single solitary day. I am an Early Childhood Educator. You don't own the word Teacher, that is preposterous.