The Brain Drain.

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(Edited)

This publication was also written in SPANISH and PORTUGUESE.

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VEJA

Consider the reality of your own country before answering this question: What is the level of appreciation of knowledge where you live? The question is purposefully provocative in the sense of inciting answers that arise from various places in the world so that there is a more extensive debate about the theme proposed in this post. I live in Brazil... So I will speak and exemplify this post with the reality that I see (and that I already felt, in my own skin) here. A daily, constant devaluation, which tears the future of many people, who find in other countries, a great opportunity to have a minimally decent life.

For seven years I was an English teacher. At the height of my activities (trying to get a better salary), I worked in 3 different schools. In each of the schools I had 33 weekly classes, for 21 classes (with an average of 50 students, in each classroom). In addition to the face-to-face work, I had to work at home, preparing classes that would meet the needs of my students and making the lesson plans, which had to be delivered to the coordinators of the schools. An extra job that did not generate income and only brought me more and more problems as I accumulated more and more jobs.

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A walk that was not financially rewarding, and even worse... It showed me in the essence of the problem, how much teachers are devalued here in my country. Today I did not teach anymore (and in fact I want to distance myself from this traditional school teaching method because it is very inefficient), but not only because of the low wages, but because of the lack of recognition in relation to all the effort that is made to make him happen to try to change the reality of a country... After all, its future depends on today's children, but this is completely ignored by politicians, who obviously prefer a stupid and ignorant population.

When I decided to teach, I already knew that the path would be difficult... But I had no idea, even for a moment, that it would be something so challenging and demotivating as to make me realize perfectly how much knowledge is - in fact - devalued in Brazil. In essence, this is not something that affects only teachers, but rather, any and all professionals in any area of ​​expertise. Lack of recognition and low wages are widespread, and although there are exceptions, they are for public / private positions that benefit only a small part of the population with good or excellent wages.

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In general, who is focused on dedicating their efforts to studies, does not have good references about a promising future here in Brazil. There was a time, when being able to graduate from university and have a diploma was a guarantee of the future... But today, this in the general scope of valuations, does not represent much anymore (but it is still something very important to envision a future out of here... projecting a promising future in some other country). Within this scenario, many professionals finish their studies and leave in search of recognition, appreciation and better salaries to justify their efforts.

The migratory behavior of these professionals is widely criticized here, because the idea (that many people defend), is that they can move to other countries with the idea and the objective of obtaining more knowledge through more studies... However, the correct thing is to go back to Brazil to help it grow. A totally nonsense idea, because in their right mind... Nobody wants to go back to a country where their effort is devalued. Particularly speaking, I have some friends who have migrated because of these reasons (I also intend to do the same thing someday) and have no intention of returning here because they are happy with a very promising future.


La Fuga de Cerebros.

Considere la realidad de su propio país antes de responder a esta pregunta: ¿Cuál es el nivel de apreciación del conocimiento donde vive? La pregunta es intencionalmente provocativa en el sentido de incitar respuestas que surgen de varios lugares del mundo para que exista un debate más extenso sobre el tema propuesto en este post. Vivo en Brasil... Así que hablaré y ejemplificaré este post con la realidad que veo (y que ya sentí, en mi propia piel) aquí. Una devaluación diaria, constante, que desgarra el futuro de muchas personas, que encuentran en otros países, una gran oportunidad para tener una vida mínimamente digna.

Durante siete años fui profesora de inglés. En el apogeo de mis actividades (tratando de obtener un mejor salario), trabajé en 3 escuelas diferentes. En cada una de las escuelas tuve 33 clases semanales, para 21 clases (con un promedio de 50 alumnos, en cada aula). Además del trabajo presencial, tenía que trabajar en casa, preparando las clases para satisfacer las necesidades de mis alumnos y haciendo los planes de las lecciones, que debían entregarse a los coordinadores de la escuela. Un trabajo extra que no me generaba ingresos y solo me traía más y más problemas a medida que acumulaba más y más puestos de trabajo.

Una caminata que no fue económicamente gratificante, y peor aún... Me mostró en la esencia del problema, cuánto se devalúa a los maestros aquí en mi país. Hoy no enseñé más (y tengo muchas ganas de alejarme de este método tradicional de enseñanza escolar porque es muy ineficiente), pero no solo por los bajos salarios, sino por la falta de reconocimiento en relación a todo el esfuerzo que ha hecho. Se hace para que suceda para intentar cambiar la realidad de un país... Después de todo, su futuro depende de los niños de hoy, pero esto es completamente ignorado por los políticos, que obviamente prefieren un pueblo estúpido e ignorante.

Cuando decidí enseñar, ya sabía que el camino sería difícil... Pero no tenía ni idea, ni por un momento, de que sería algo tan desafiante y desmotivador como para hacerme darme cuenta de la noción perfecta de cuánto conocimiento está - de hecho - devaluado en Brasil. En esencia, esto no es algo que afecte solo a los profesores, sino a todos y cada uno de los profesionales en cualquier área de especialización. La falta de reconocimiento y los bajos salarios son generalizados, y aunque hay excepciones, son para puestos públicos / privados que benefician solo a una pequeña parte de la población con buenos o excelentes salarios.

En general, quien está enfocado en dedicar sus esfuerzos a los estudios, no tiene buenas referencias sobre un futuro promisorio aquí en Brasil. Hubo un tiempo, cuando poder graduarse de la universidad y tener un diploma era garantía de futuro... Pero hoy, esto en el ámbito general de las valoraciones, ya no representa mucho (pero sigue siendo algo muy importante para imagina un futuro fuera de aquí... proyectando un futuro prometedor en algún otro país). Dentro de este escenario, muchos profesionales terminan sus estudios y se van en busca de reconocimiento, reconocimiento y mejores salarios para justificar sus esfuerzos.

El comportamiento migratorio de estos profesionales es muy criticado aquí, porque la idea (que defienden muchas personas), es que pueden trasladarse a otros países con la idea y el objetivo de obtener más conocimientos a través de más estudios... Sin embargo, lo correcto es volver a Brasil para ayudarlo a crecer. Una idea totalmente nonsense, porque en su sano juicio... Nadie quiere volver a un país donde su esfuerzo está devaluado. En particular, tengo algunos amigos que han migrado por estos motivos (yo también pretendo hacer lo mismo algún dia) y no tienen intención de volver aquí porque están contentos con un futuro muy prometedor.


A Fuga de Cérebros.

Considere a realidade do seu próprio país antes de responder essa pergunta: Qual é o nível de valorização de conhecimento onde você vive? A pergunta é propositalmente provocativa no sentido de incitar respostas que surjam de vários lugares do mundo para que haja um debate mais extenso acerca do tema proposto neste post. Eu moro no Brasil... Então eu vou falar e exemplificar esse post com a realidade que eu vejo (e que já senti, na minha própria pele) por aqui. Uma desvalorização diária, constante, e que dilacera o futuro de muitas pessoas, que encontram em outros países, uma ótima oportunidade ter uma vida minimamente decente.

Durante sete anos eu fui professor de Inglês. No ápice das minhas atividades (tentando ter um salário melhor), eu trabalhei em 3 escolas diferentes. Em cada uma das escolas eu tinha uma quantidade 33 aulas semanais, para 21 turmas (com uma média de 50 alunos, em cada sala de aula). Além do trabalho presencial, eu tinha precisava trabalhar em casa, preparando aulas que atendesse as necessidades dos meus alunos e fazendo os planos de aulas, que tinham que ser entregues para os coordenares das escolas. Um trabalho extra que não me gerava renda e só me trazia cada vez mais problemas à medida em que eu acumulava cada vez mais funções.

Uma caminhada que financeiramente não foi nada gratificante, e pior ainda... Me mostrou na essência do problema, o quanto os professores são desvalorizados aqui no meu país. Hoje eu não lecionou mais (e na verdade quero distância desse método de ensino escolar tradicional porque ele é muito ineficiente), mas não apenas pela questão dos baixos salários, mas pela falta de reconhecimento em relação a todo o esforço que é feito para que ele aconteça para tentar mudar a realidade de um país... Afinal, o futuro dele depende das crianças de hoje, mas isso é completamente ignorado pelos políticos, que obviamente preferem um povo estúpido e ignorante.

Quando eu decidi lecionar, eu já sabia que o caminho seria difícil... Mas não fazia ideia, nem por um momento, que seria algo tão desafiador e desmotivador a ponto de me fazer ter à perfeita noção do quanto o conhecimento é - de fato - desvalorizado no Brasil. Na essência isso não é algo que atinge apenas os professores, mas sim, todo e qualquer profissional em qualquer área de atuação. A falta de reconhecimento e os baixos salários estão espalhados, por todos os lados e ainda que existam as exceções, são por cargos públicos / privados que beneficiam apenas uma pequena parte da população detentora de bons ou ótimos salários.

De uma maneira geral, que está focado em dedicar os seus esforços aos estudos não tem boas referências sobre um futuro promissor aqui no Brasil. Já houve uma época, em que conseguir se formar na universidade e ter um diploma era uma garantia de futuro... Mas hoje, isso no escopo geral das valorizações, não representa mais muita coisa (mas ainda sim é algo muito importante para vislumbrar um futuro fora daqui... projetando um futuro promissor em algum outro país). Dentro desse cenário, muitos profissionais terminam seus estudos e vão embora em busca de reconhecimento, valorização e melhores salários para justificar seus esforços.

O comportamento migratório desses profissionais é muito criticado por aqui, porque a ideia (que muitas pessoas defendem), é que eles podem ser mudar para outros países com a ideia e a objetivo de conseguir mais conhecimento através de mais estudos... No entanto, o correto é voltar para o Brasil para ajudar ele a crescer. Uma ideia totalmente nonsense, porque em sua sã consciência... Ninguém quer voltar para um país onde o seu esforço é desvalorizado. Particularmente falando, eu tenho alguns amigos que migraram por esses motivos (eu também pretendo fazer a mesma coisa algum dia) e não tem a menor intenção de voltarem para cá porque estão felizes com um futuro bastante promissor.


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I wanted to be a math teacher in the United States. My idea of a math teacher is someone who would spend an inordinate amount of time studying mathematics and sharing the knowledge with the students.

To get a teaching certificate, I needed to pass a series of classes at the local university.

To get get a teaching certificate, I was forced to read Paulo Freire.

Freire wanted to transform the school from an institution focused on learning to one focused on political struggle.

Not to say bad things about Brazil, but I found "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" to be juvenile.

From an intellectual perspective, the ideas put forward by Freire are just base blabbering.

To become a teacher, I was required to write an essay about how I would use education as a praxis in the social revolution.

I thought it absurd. I wanted to help children learn to reason. I did not want to stuff political nonsense into their brains.

The two problems with Freire's idea that schools should be used as a tool in political struggle are:

  1. Turning schools into a political tool de-emphasizes real education.
  2. The people who rise to the top through the political struggle will simply become the next generation of oppressor.

I argued against using schools for political struggle. I flunked the course and they barred me from the classroom.

Anyway, if you know people who are thinking of moving from Brazil to the US for education. Our schools have re-organized around the framework developed by Freire. The teaching schools push out people interested in math and science in favor of people with radical ideologies.


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Are you a brazilian?


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I said in the post that I am from the United States (in North America).

The schools in the US used to place a strong emphasis on education. In the last decades we have adopted the "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" as the new models for schools.

Our schools block people like me (who wanted to teach mathematics) in favor of people who which to use the schools for political activation.

The twin result of this decision is that students in the United States are no longer receiving a world class education and schools are dropping in prestige.

IMHO, the way to turn this problem around would be for schools to focus on teaching subjects like math and science.

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Ok. I asked because a lot of people in Brazil said things like what you said, but in our case, it's not true.

The only schools here that use Paulo Freire for real is private and model(in the sense of being the best schools for some states and citys brag about it, living others schools at side) schools, and most courses in graduation colleges don't talk about it.

I think that Paulo Freire need to be update or in other countries, be set aside, because most of the things that he spoke, its not actual or doesn't make sense for some realities.

But, when we talk about Brazil, and when we see his works in connection whit Brazil history, I think that at first, is necessary to understand that besides the cases I expose before, Paulo Freire works don't have to much influence in the pedagogy here, and it happens because he was banned by the dictatorship regime, and to much fans of the dictatorship(some of them even pose as liberals) make a fuss about it, and his works talks about our reality. Perhaps, because of this, they don't make sense for you, and it's ok, and we return to what I said before, I think that his works should not be used in a mandatory and limiting way in other countries. And in a way, not even in Brazil, but neither should they be disregarded as they are, considering the Brazilian historical context.

In other words, if you don't know the Brazilian history and context, and you are not a Brazilian, it's ok to think like you think because his works were not made for you(and I think is sad that you are affected in the way you are) and your country, but when we talk about the Brazil history and reality, its another thing.


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if you don't know the Brazilian history and context, and you are not a Brazilian, it's ok to think like you think because his works were not made for you.

Freire taught at Harvard in the late 1960s. He later taught Geneva.

The fact that he was marketing a book that echoed themes of the international socialist movement to an international audience indicates that he was writing for that market.

Freire did not publish the Brazilian edition of his work until 1974. The fact that he published in Brazil a half decade after the international edition is further indication that he was seeking an international audience and not a Brazilian audience.

Wikipedia says that his work was the third most cited Sociology Text. I suspect that Freire is the most influential education theorist of the last 40 years.

Again, the huge number of citations in international academic journals indicates the market for the work.

People don't receive this number of citations unless they are part of a movement.

Here in the United States, Freire is adored. His struggle against a right wing dictator is presented as just one manifestation of the people's struggle against.

Freire is not only required reading in public teaching colleges. Aspiring teachers are required to read "Pedagogy of the Oppressed." They are then required to explain how they would apply praxis in their subject.

Freire is so influential in the United States that many states reorganized their education departments around his philosophy.

People who criticize Freire get canceled.

His over the top international influence makes me wonder how he is perceived in Brazil.

The only schools here that use Paulo Freire for real is private [...]

This is interesting. Freire is presented as the man of the people who struggled against the elite.

Freire marketed his work to elite institutions like Harvard and Geneva. His work was promoted by elite internationalists.

If your observation is true, then it is fascinating that the pedagogy is not widely adopted by the people, but was adopted by elitist private schools. This is one of the many cases where things are the opposite of the way that they are presented.

The phenomena is fascinating.

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Freire was a socialist, but my point is that his works are made for the Brazilian reality, the reality that sadly doesn't have changed too much in some regions, we still have warlords, we still have some level of slavery and feudalism in some regions, we call the people who boss around in this regions "Coronéis"(colonels). If you say that somewhat too many people support him in other countries because he was a socialist, I will not discuss that, because I think is irrelevant, but I know, that in my country, is like I said.

Only the best schools really teach by his standards, or using other pedagogies similar to his work(Waldorf, Escola da Ponte, etc) because it works in our reality, but teachers who try to teach like him in public schools, or minor private schools are disincentivized because the dictatorship propaganda still has some effects.

I could say that in the 13 years that I studied in public schools, I never see anything good about him in school, and I have at least four people in the family who were teachers, and they don't talk about him, and when they talk, usually, it's not good. I know a lot of others teachers, and it's the same. I know and do work with a lot of schools, and it's the same. I know and work with some education movements, and it's the same. Hell, even me, when I teach, I don't follow him, because I don't want conflict, and in some places I teach, people don't like him.

Now, besides the hate he receives here, his works in the time he lives(and beyond) works well in a lot of regions in this country, including in the times that he was under surveillance for the dictatorship regime(in the internet you can find documentary, articles and such).

As I said, I think that his works need to be updated, and forcing people to read about him is wrong, but the thing is way bigger than it seems, at least in Brazil.


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(Edited)

And yes, this phenomena is fascinating. Most right-wing and liberal people in my country criticize certain things when other people have access, but they don't have scruples or shame when they have access.

They criticize art, but they like art, they criticize poor people depending on the state, but a lot of them have contracts with the government, and with happens trough a lot of mandates, leftists or rightists mandates, some of them even turn in to politicians and raise their salaries, it is a fascinating and sad thing. And most of them, hate true liberals who hate them too.


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Paulo Freire is not perfect (but his work is a must for education around the world) and my post was not directed at a purposeful brain drain to the United States, because I'm fully aware that there are much better countries in terms of professional valuation for teachers.

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De fato, vivemos nesse país que é paradoxalmente tão rico em cultura e possibilidades e tão pobre em disseminação da mesma e da educação. Não vemos incentivo nenhum no dia a dia, na educação da sociedade e nos empregos. Mas claro, existem exceções, um amigo dedicou se na área de ti e tem ganhado a vida com o valor que merece pela inteligência que tem, mas infelizmente é um foco específico, apenas umas poucas áreas valorizam a inteligência e principalmente em nosso rumo social brasileiro, isso se dá principalmente para áreas técnicas e exatas.

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As exceções existem, mas como mencionei no meu texto... A porcentagem é muito pequena em comparação a quantidade da população do nosso país. Um reflexo da real falta de oportunidade e acima de tudo, falta de reconhecimento.

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I find that the best countries that i'd like to live in are the ones that value their teachers. Luckily, my home country does and it is why i'm always happy to go back home.

It is hard for a country to progress if they don't value their teachers unless they take in a lot of immigrants (brains) to make up for the lack of education.


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I find that the best countries that i'd like to live in are the ones that value their teachers.

Totally true. After all, no country evolves without quality education.

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What is the level of appreciation of knowledge where you live?

it's not looking too good as a whole doc but I am greatful for finding a handful of somewhat awoken individuals. Focusing on living peacefully now. just educate myself and lead by example. ask questions especially to the children, make them think. the adults are a waste of time to me.

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The scenario is pessimistic in many countries, but there is no way to think differently about the education of children, because they are the future of the nation.

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It's a real crap deal that they pay you only for your classroom hours and by the hour. If you can earn better money with all the time you put into that, then do so. It ought to be some salary per month. But you should do an accounting on hours put in, money you get out and working conditions. As a teacher you probably never have to deal with physically difficult work, you don't have to deal with unreasonable customers, and you get to help children. I can see you having mixed feelings about it.

I think probably a big thing is when a man is made to fear for his life.

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Being a teacher in Brazil consumes a lot of your time and thinking about a "complex" reumeration system is impossible (because the values ​​are established by law)... So, either you accept the values ​​that the employer will pay you, or you give up and look for another job.

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Bacana ver que você fez um post sobre isso. E é realmente triste ver o quanto muita gente acaba saindo, e isso não é algo novo né. Muitos brasileiros tiveram e tem mais reconhecimento acadêmico, empresarial e histórico em outros países do que no Brasil.


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É um cenário muito triste mesmo. Saber que é preciso planejar e, de fato, ir tentar à vida em outro país para conseguir ter uma situação melhor. O pior disso tudo é saber que o Brasil é um país rico, e que a vida dos brasileiros poderia ser muito melhor se os problemas (pelo menos os mais urgentes) fossem resolvidos.

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Você dava aula de inglês em escolas mesmo ou em escola de cursos particulares por exemplo Fisk?

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(Edited)

Escolas regulares, públicas e privadas. Em escolas de idiomas, já fui professor na Wizard (apenas para turmas de reforço).

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