Don't Blame the Teachers!

A few times over the last few weeks I have been seen chats on Facebook groups about education, and one theme runs through them all - teachers don't do enough for pupils. I know I am more sensitive to these types of posts as I'm a teacher, but they really do madden me.
I can't think of any other job in society - apart from politicians perhaps - which receive such a public shaming, bashing and beating from pretty much everyone. People think that they have the right to comment on how "all teachers" work, what we do, and how we do it wrongly. I can't think of any job which I judge so harshly, and it all comes down to one reason - I don't know enough about any other job to criticize how it is done.
Despite what most of society seem to think, the same is true about teachers! Just because you have a child in education does not give you the knowledge to judge that we are all doing our jobs wrongly. You don't understand our job. You don't know how we work, what we really do in a classroom, and so you should not judge us. That doesn't stop it though, of course.
What has struck me from what I've read lately is that, as teachers, we can do no right.
If we give no homework, we don't push the students hard enough; give "too much" and we put too much pressure on them. I have seen the question "why do teachers give homework? Why can't they teach the material in class - that's what they are paid for." Yes, we are. However, you have no idea what we have to cram into a lesson. And heaven forbid we just stand and teach it....no the lessons have to be all singing, all dancing, interactive, engaging, motivating and fun. You expect us to do this every day to get the most from your little darlings, and you expect us to do the 'real' work in there as well. Something has to give, so unless you want me to send 30 kids to your house to play the Christian Aid Trade Game (imagine 30 teenagers armed with scissors, scrap paper and pairs of compasses, battling to win an unwinnable game...), then I have to send the written work instead.
If we push the kids to do well in our subject, we put too much emphasis on academic achievement. If we don't push them, we are not allowing them achieve their potential. Whether you like it or not, our society measures teenagers 'success' on their grades. Whether you like it or not, those grades will be the thing that pushes them on to further education and jobs....or not. So I make no apologies for pushing them to achieve a good grade to help them on their way.
The number one thing that bugs me is "motivation". Teachers get accused of not motivating pupils in the right way, which hampers their learning. If a child isn't doing well, it's because we are not motivating them in the classroom. Never mind that you obviously aren't motivating them at home, or that teaching some kids is like drawing blood from a stone. No, if they are unmotivated it is all our fault.
I know this is just another teacher having another rant. However, unless you would like me to stand and berate you for not doing your job well, and telling you that everything you do is wrong, please just stop and think the next time you decide to inform the world that teachers are lazy. I actively invite anyone to come and stand in front of a group of teenagers for 6 hours a day, maintain exciting lessons and keep every single one motivated - seriously, you are more than welcome to try your hand at it. Until then, please keep quiet. We are doing our best.