Teachers in France?

Question

Can someone tell me how teachers in France differ from teachers in America? (Methods, values, etc.)

Answer 1

This is a good website that I found that explains the role of teachers and the education system in general in France.  It is written by someone who has extensive experience in both systems.  There are positives and negatives to each system.  I liked this quote

"IN A NUTSHELL.... : French education stresses academic knowledge and does not focus on the development of the "whole person". When an American kid leaves home for school, his mother says "Have fun" : in France, she says "Be good and work hard". French education produces theorists, analysts, people capable of dealing with abstract situations-but does not focus on professional or pragmatic training"

Answer 2

Well, for one thing, what is being taught on a day by day basis is determined centrally by the national government ministry in charge of education.

It is said that the minister in charge of education can look at the clock and know exactly what is being said in every classroom in France.

The French system also places greater emphasis on actually learning something than the American (which seems to focus primarily on making students feel good about themselves.)