“Fighting for the children while the shrapnel seems only to be killing teacher after teacher.”
I wrote a column for the print AJC on national Teacher Appreciation Week, which I will post later today. I decided to post this essay first to kick off the week. This was written by a local teacher who asked me to withhold her name.
Here is her piece:
It’s teacher appreciation week, again, and the fact that teacher morale is at the lowest it’s probably ever been shows that our nation is ignoring the reason that the week was started in the beginning. Think of it as the educational equivalent of taking the “Christ” out of Christmas. A holiday we’ll go on celebrating arbitrarily since it no longer has anything to do with teachers themselves.
Maybe you’ll send an apple with little Suzie on Monday. Or have little Tommy write a heartfelt note on Wednesday. Then pat yourself on the back on Friday for whatever dollar store treat you gave in thanks to the one person who spends more time with your child than you do. Some of you will do it because the classroom mother bullied you into taking part. Or because that’s what your parents did. Or because you want the teacher to tack on bonus points for your child to have a higher grade. Whatever. It doesn’t matter why you do it (and trust me when I say that the irony of a gift from a parent who just cussed me out at the last conference night isn’t lost upon my colleagues or me). The fact remains that more often than not, the gestures have little or nothing to do with the teachers themselves.
Still, let’s be clear about something right from the beginning – I appreciate those tokens. I’m honestly not mocking them – heartfelt or not, it’s always nice when someone gives you a pat on the back. There’s a file that I’ve kept for over a decade with every hand-written note of appreciation I’ve ever received from my students, and on my roughest days in the classroom, I pull it out to remember why I do what I do.
It’s been getting a lot of use these last few months.
Like many of my colleagues, I went into education because I truly believe teaching is the most important job in a democratic society. It is without hyperbole when I say that I believe when public education fails, a democratic society won’t be far behind. It’s the cornerstone of the United States with far-reaching power in how we live, vote, and behave. Teachers mold not only the future professions of our country but also the present citizens who walk the streets. The responsibilities and the intrinsic rewards for teachers are massive and overwhelming all at once.
It’s exhausting. And often thankless.
We’ve reached a time in this country where teachers are the only profession being asked to ignore the fact that we live in a capitalistic society. When a teacher complains about pay, they are just being selfish and should be glad that they have a job. Because, as we all have been told from a friend or family member — you knew what you were getting into.
Well, obviously, I didn’t. None of us did.
I never expected people outside of education to create impossible standards and expectations. I never expected to be villainized in critically acclaimed documentaries about super heroes who never show up. I never expected to receive a contract that reflected a lower salary than I’ve made in the five years. And I certainly never expected to have my first amendment rights taken away when all I want to do in the world is in defense of my job. In fact, just in writing this, my job is in jeopardy for saying what so many people are feeling.
It’s beyond exhausting and thankless – it’s soul-crushing.
I’m not sure when this happened to education or when the expectations for teachers reached an all-time high while the compensation reached an all-time low. But I do know that we’re involved in a war on education in which we claim to be fighting for the children while the shrapnel seems only to be killing teacher after teacher.
Here’s my battle-cry: we are not in an either/or situation.
I can be in the fight for the children AND still expect reasonable pay. Until I can pay for groceries or my light bill with my students’ appreciation or their test scores, school districts across the country must be willing to pay teachers for their services. That’s not being selfish, just practical. And I’m not talking about the overtime spent tutoring or at meetings or at school carnivals or lesson-planning while falling asleep at night or grading essays or writing letters of recommendations for the students. I’m talking about a decent hourly wage. You expect it in your job, so why can’t I expect it at mine?
Each of us has a memory of that teacher who touched his/her life and likely changed our path in life. That’s how important this job is. I can’t say the same about any other profession with which I’ve come in contact. And yet, every other profession is able to talk about their jobs and how they’re compensated without anyone giving them a crazy look or mentioning the hours that they don’t work (seriously, stop telling teachers that you’re jealous of their summer breaks – we hate that. We’re only paid for 186 days of work, so that’s all we work. None of us get paid for the summertime that we “have off” unlike the paid vacations that many of your jobs provide). My point is, stop thinking of me as the bad guy. Help me. Help us.
You know as well as I that neither you nor your children will ever stop to remember the educational lawmaker who played an important role in your lives.
Again, I love my students. That is, after all, the one factor that keeps me going back to my profession year after year, that’s true. But don’t use that against me. Don’t pretend that I must choose between caring about them and caring about my own livelihood. Why must I choose between one or the other?
The fact that I care about what I do is exactly the reason why I will eventually not be able to afford my home. The reason I won’t be able to live in Atlanta anymore. The reason I’m held hostage into signing an unfair and possibly illegal contract year after year. The reason that my workday keeps getting longer while my pay keeps going down. The reason that there continues to be fewer teachers to appreciate each year.
Maybe that’s the real reason the week has nothing to do with us anymore.
State governments don’t care. Boards of education don’t care. We don’t expect them to. They are simply balancing a budget because that’s what we hired them to do. Well, I, too, am balancing a budget – my own. And I can’t keep paying bills when funding continues to be cut. I can’t continue to keep a career that simultaneously pretends to appreciate me yet continues to pass laws and budgets that reflect just the opposite.
There are many of you that won’t agree with me, I know that. Many of you who will read this and feel that I’m just bitter, angry, and should be glad that I even have a job. Many of you who will thank a teacher in the press then go back to your offices and pass laws against them citing them as collateral damage of a zero-budget balancing mentality. Many of you in the same profession as me who will continue to work countless hours and spend money that you don’t have on your students because you’ve bought into the idea that they matter more than you do.
Instead, before you think those thoughts about me, think about that teacher who changed your life. The one who gave selflessly his/her time, energy, and self-worth to improve you and your history. Think of how much that teacher meant to you and your path.
Now, what is that worth to you?
If you truly want to show your appreciation for that teacher, in lieu of a gift card this year, make a phone call. Let those in control of balancing budgets and passing educational reform laws know that you won’t accept the budget being broken on the backs to teachers any more. That your child’s education will not be collateral damage in for people who cannot simply balance a checkbook. That you won’t sit idly by and watch a democratic society fall apart.
Do it for the fact that the teacher who might have changed your child’s life might be one who just left the profession because it cost more to them to stay in it.
Be the Superman or woman that your teachers are waiting for. If you don’t save us, no one will.
Oh, and Happy X Appreciation Week.
Bah humbug.
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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148 comments Add your comment
Colonel Jack
May 7th, 2012
1:40 pm
@Angela The teacher involved believes it’s partly personal and partly financial – this individual has 23 years experience and a Specialist’s degree, and thus is quite expensive in the payroll department. The PDP is one that most teachers couldn’t fulfill if they tried, in my opinion.
Once Again
May 7th, 2012
1:49 pm
The libertarian perspective is that nobody should be able to use force or fraud against another including the government. This position defends the rights of everyone. Mr. Stossel doesn’t have any agenda except one against force or fraud. That doesn’t sound like a bad ideological “axe to grind” to me. The author you cite obviously doesn’t believe in freedom as he believes that the force of government is appropriate to interject into the marketplace. Sorry, I am a moral person and object to violence or force against another, especially when it takes the form of government.
Education is FAR too important a thing to allow government to control. Every instance of intervention in the food arena has led to shortages, lower quality, longer lines, etc. If we know the consequences of government intervention in food and generally work to keep them out, why would we want government involvement in something as important as education – especially when the private market (such as it is) does such a better job?
I’m done with blind faith in government. I have taken the red pill. The free market is the ONLY force in society that actually creates prosperity for all. It is the imposition of government into the free market that destroys it. Always has, always will.
And by the way, libertarians fully supported ending government imposed segregation and other Jim Crow laws. It was the laws that violated people’s property rights that they oppose – as should everyone. Without private property rights, we are little more than a 3rd world banana republic. Since the destruction of private property rights began in the 60s, the negative consequences have been severe.
Beverly Fraud
May 7th, 2012
1:50 pm
Try this Colonel,
Break down each component of the PDP and ask admin to commit in writing as to how long each component would reasonably take to complete? If they can’t commit to a reasonable time frame in writing, how can they expect a teacher to do it?
Speaking of which, where is Matt the Mouth Organ at DOE with the VERY legitimate concerns the English teacher shared with Maureen?
If there is one thing I wish Get Schooled bloggers would do is keep the PRESSURE on. Matt the Mouth Organ is being paid with TAXPAYER dollars after all.
Angela
May 7th, 2012
1:51 pm
@Colonel Jack,
If the teacher feels that he or she is being harassed have they contacted PAGE / GRE (if they are a member). Also, if this is the first time this teacher has had in the past positive evals. they really need to contact them. However, if the teacher can retire it would be my advice to retire. They need to contact the people we have to contact and start making steps to do so. They can also, retire at age 60 or 20 years.
TimeOut
May 7th, 2012
1:52 pm
I think Once Again has been fooled by Alec and its ilk. Look to places such as Finland for solutions. When teaching is a field of choice for the best and brightest, we will see results. Teachers in Finland hold coveted, hard-won positions. Finnish society considers this profession to be of great value and to represent some of its best workers. It is not a market-driven system. Why would we want such a thing? Market-driven products and services are not always, by definition, the product or service that best meets the customers’ (read stakeholders’) needs.
Angela
May 7th, 2012
1:53 pm
Also, if this is the first time this teacher has had A NEGATIVE EVAL. AND in the past positive evals.
Colonel Jack
May 7th, 2012
1:55 pm
@Angela The teacher is contacting GAE about the issue, and does feel harrassed (visits in class by everyone from Asst. Principal to State support people!), as well as feeling targeted. Plus 21 years of good evaluations prior to last year’s unsatisfactory, and he reports that he was told two unsatisfactories means you’re out … but it was three last year. He’s 53 and has 23 years experience … retirement is at least two years away (with loss of benefits for the years between 25 and 30). I’ll give him your advice.
Angela
May 7th, 2012
1:55 pm
@TimeOut,
But, I am sure that they have students who want to learn and come to school prepared to do so.
I am sure that their parents are actively involve in their academic. HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Colonel Jack
May 7th, 2012
1:56 pm
…but was told it was three last year. (Correcting badly written line)
Love Education
May 7th, 2012
2:02 pm
Our tax dollars per child education is the largest of most countries, so why are our children behind comparatively? Because the teacher doesn’t make enough money? Because they are expected to produce like every other working professional? Yeah, unionize, that’ll fix it and run all of us over a cliff…nice
Angela
May 7th, 2012
2:07 pm
@Colonel Jack,
Please tell your co-worker to look into teaching abroad. TeachAway and teaching online with K12.com. I him/her the best. It is a very hard thing to deal with.
jj
May 7th, 2012
2:12 pm
I think a lot of the contempt is the public views school budgets as being excessively wasteful. I have said this before, look up any individual school on the internet, count the total staff, now count those who actually teach the major subjects. You will find it is about 1/2 of the total population.
Mainstreaming has turned classrooms into a societal laboratory which now fails all students. It’s more important for a child to have self esteem than academic knowledge. Whatever a child says about a teacher must be true as all teachers are liars. The single parent could care less about education, just give me a place to send the kid while I work. These same parents then come to school telling the teacher “they work for a living” and what are you going to do about the fact Johnny doesn’t do his homework. That comment alone speaks volumes, they don’t see teaching as a job, but rather as a babysitter for their precious one.
I don’t know what the right amount of pay is, but I suspect most teachers just want a little respect, which costs nothing.
I am not a teacher and realize I could never do what you do, so I tip my hat to those of you who are able to stomach the kids of today.
Beverly Fraud
May 7th, 2012
2:13 pm
What if one of the administrators in question also happens to be a member of GAE? How does GAE fully represent both COMPETING interests?
Also, age 53 one might want to look into the possibility of age discrimination. Might be worth a one-off attorney consultation with a lawyer experienced in such.
And, document EVERYTHING.
Angry Moderate
May 7th, 2012
2:19 pm
Most of the problems in public education boil down to this simple truth: Teachers care about education of “The Children,” whereas parents care only about the education of “My Children” (if they care at all).
Discuss.
Angela
May 7th, 2012
2:23 pm
@Beverly Fraud,
GAE would be representing the person filing the law suit. The school system attorney would in most cases represent the administrator.
cris
May 7th, 2012
2:26 pm
@ Colonel…this will become more commonplace since the state has done away with “last hired, first fired” policy in education….it’s a lot cheaper to hire a new teacher with a bachelor’s degree than to keep on a 20+ year veteren with a specialist’s degree….also, don’t know about all counties, but our 30+year veteran teachers were strongly advised to retire this year if they weren’t already considering it because of some change in retirement income (not at that point yet, so I don’t have all the details) something’s rotten in Denmark…..
Beverly Fraud
May 7th, 2012
2:37 pm
Well Angela, that does sound plausible if it gets all the way to a lawsuit
But looking at some of the things GAE does (for example submitting a policy to ABOLISH the teacher’s right to remove a severely disruptive student from the classroom when a local school board passed a Teacher’s Bill of Rights-why anybody with any clue would tried to abolish that once a school board passed it is beyond me ) could make one possibly think that a teacher depending on GAE when the chips are down has some similarities to a chicken seeking asylum with Col. Sanders.
Devil's Advocate
May 7th, 2012
3:02 pm
The only problem with the “local control” argument is that it’s the local people who cause the majority of education problems.
williebkind
May 7th, 2012
3:08 pm
With great teachers wouldnt education be great if it were voluntary and not mandatory! No government intrusion at all.
williebkind
May 7th, 2012
3:10 pm
P.S. I hated high school.
Mary Elizabeth
May 7th, 2012
3:21 pm
Once Again, 1:49 pm
“The author you cite obviously doesn’t believe in freedom as he believes that the force of government is appropriate to interject into the marketplace.”
==========================================
Wow. You make such an assertion, and yet you are so wrong regarding your words, above. It is obvious that you have not listened to Professor Sandel’s interview on the link I provided. If you can make such an untrue and generalized assertion – based simply on some generalized ideology, which has little truth regarding the complexity and depth of Professor Sandel’s thoughts, it should alert you to the fact that you may have been swayed in your thinking by those who are spreading ideological propaganda for their own ends.
Please, just listen Professor Michael Sandel’s interview in the link I provided above, and then make an informed comment regarding his thinking relative to private markets.
catlady
May 7th, 2012
3:23 pm
cris, teachers retireing after Dec 2012 will lose over $1000 in pay that had been given to make up for some kind of taxes.
catlady
May 7th, 2012
3:28 pm
See TRS re:Discretionary Tax Offset Adjustment
Just A Teacher
May 7th, 2012
3:56 pm
It’s Teacher Appreciation Week (or Day, or something). That means little or nothing to me, anymore. When I think about the things I have shared with the young people of this community, how I have watched them grow up, and the time and effort I have put into their education, it just makes me very depressed because i have come to realize that the community DOES NOT appreciate me or my sacrifice. I never had any notion that I would become wealthy by becoming a public school teacher, but I did assume that I would be able to live a comfortable (if modest) life and manage to pay my bills. However, this is not what happened. The young people I comforted when their classmate committed suicide, those with whom I struggled to make sense of the events of 9 – 11, and even those for whom I helped attain scholarships have turned their backs on me and left me drowning in so much debt that I am now bankrupt.
I would like to take a moment to thank my own public school teachers, however. You made a difference in my life, and I thank you for that. You are all probably retired by now, but you should know that you helped introduce this farm boy to a world beyond his father’s fields and opened his mind to new and exciting ideas. I’m just sorry that I squandered your efforts by electing to follow in your footsteps. You were right: I did have potential. I just should have gone into a field where there was a chance to utilize it.
mark
May 7th, 2012
4:03 pm
A student told the sub in his classroom today, that he did not like the fact that I, the teacher from across the hall, walked between two classes to help students. I told him that if he got a high school diploma, he is less likely to end up in jail. (90% of inmates have not diploma)
We either are going to pay $50 a day for jail or $33 a day for educating him. Lets flip the numbers, $50 for educating and $33 for jail. We, Georgia, as a state, are the cheapest spenders. We spend less than all other states on Govt’ spending per a person in GA. Mississippis is last, we are 49th.
Next thim Chip Rodgers (republican’t) wants to gut a program, tell him to take a hike.
His motto is “Lets help the ones we can.” ( he said it at a teacher town hall meeting, now posted next to his picture behind my desk. )
He would not make in one day in the classroom. Public, private or charter school.
Archie (out of Arkham)
May 7th, 2012
4:36 pm
Sometimes, when traveling in South Georgia, I run into a lot of old elementary school buildings that at one time, many years ago, seemed to be at every crossroads settlement. (Disclaimer: To me, anyplace South of Macon is South Georgia!) These schools covered grades 1-8 (No public kindergarten in those days!) Imagine my shock when I found out these rural schoolhouses only had four classrooms! It seems in those days, there were two grades in one room with one teacher! The teacher would be teaching one grade and the other would be working on their classwork quietly (quiet in any school is relative, of course!) Such an approach would never work today even if using four teachers for eight grades would look like a great cost saving measure. Back then, teachers were respected and could pretty much count on the parents for support. Also, a teacher could do whatever she had to to maintain order and if it entailed a few trips to the “good old woodshed,” so be it! (Of course, the other students were expected to sit quietly and wait in the room while the malefactor was being “dealt with.” Those days are gone, along with hand-cranked spirit duplicating machines and the “old maid” elementary schoolteachers! (The only “rap music” you ever heard in those schools was the sound of those teacher’s rulers on knuckles!)
taxpaying teacher
May 7th, 2012
4:40 pm
Chancellor announces GPC has “lost” 16 million dollars, thanks and reassigns GPC President Tricoli, and tells faculty and staff to expect a major financial hit.
May 7, 2012
Message from Chancellor Huckaby
Recently the leadership of Georgia Perimeter College informed the university system that it faced a significant budget shortfall in Fiscal Year 2012, which ends June 30, 2012. Immediately upon learning of the shortfall, system fiscal and audit staff began working with GPC staff to determine the scope of the shortfall. After several days of analysis, staff determined that the shortfall is around $16 million.
Prior to alerting the system office, GPC had already taken steps to control spending for the remainder of FY12. These steps were expanded when the size of the shortfall was determined. These steps include curtailing travel, cancelling various encumbrances and purchase orders, delaying hiring, and suspending contracts. In addition the system will reallocate funds internally and will ensure that GPC will finish FY12 with a balanced budget.
GPC and system staff are preparing a plan to balance FY13 since the underlying shortfall will continue into next fiscal year. Similar steps as those outlined above will be taken to reduce spending. We do not know at this time precisely the impact in every budget area, but it will be significant and will likely impact personnel. These actions are necessary to address a shortfall of this magnitude. To be clear, tuition and fees will not be increased beyond what the Board of Regents already approved at its April board meeting.
In light of the need for a fresh approach, President Anthony Tricoli has stepped down. Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Alan Jackson will serve as Acting President until I appoint an Interim President in a few days to move GPC past this difficult moment. I want to thank President Tricoli for his dedication to GPC’s students and his leadership. He will join the system office to assist with initiatives in distance education, adult degree completion, and learning support programs.
I have been on the GPC campuses many times. GPC is a strong and vibrant college with much going for it. It provides educational opportunities to thousands of Georgia students. It is a wonderful institution and I know will remain so. Our focus will be to continue the great work of GPC toward meeting its educational mission while ensuring its long-term financial stability. I appreciate your dedication to GPC and your continued commitment as we address these challenges. Please know that I am committed to GPC and its students, staff and faculty.
Thank you for your cooperation and your understanding.
another comment
May 7th, 2012
5:09 pm
Why do so many Ga. Teacher’s vote against their own interests? Why do they insist on voting the “R” line? Why do they dare preach the backward “R” line to my children. Why do many of them even go ahead and vote for such idiots as Chip Rogers ?
Old Physics Teacher
May 7th, 2012
5:12 pm
mark,
People end up in jail for violating laws – not for not having a high school diploma. Yes, “statistics show…” and prove nothing. You are looking at a correlation not causation. I know this has nothing to do with the topic of the blog, but I had to respond.
Too many of our profession will “give” a student a passing grade so the child will not drop-out and end up in jail, or other such clap-trap. The claim concerning the amount of education and income correlation is just as false. Employees get paid high income from their employers due to the skills of the employee and has nothing to do with the degree OR THEIR GRADES. My dad dropped out of high school in the 10th grade and made more money than 90% of his age group. Out of my four children and their “significant others,” only one is working “in-field,” and they all make significantly more than average pay for their diplomas. Employers pay off for hard work, showing up for work on time every day, and mostly – success.
Sorry for going off topic.
teacher&mom
May 7th, 2012
5:36 pm
@Maureen: http://www.ajc.com/opinion/respect-over-gifts-1432749.html
Thank you for the support. It is much appreciated.
hryder
May 7th, 2012
5:51 pm
I am a retired educator. Never today would I consider the same career. Everyone, except the teachers, knows the way to educate the youth of today if you believe the state and federal legislation that has been enacted. Almost every working adult person would tell you where to go if provided similar dictates regarding their career/job, even the elected officials. We are only entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. No one is entitled to success. Success due to its very natural has to be earned, if not earned, it is not success. If you or one or more members of your family are unsuccessful look in a mirror and you will view, if a parent, the primary person responsible for this lack. When fully prepared for school almost every day each chiild will succeed to the limit of inherited genes and characteristics. Which leads to the fact that we are not all created equal. Some have great brains, some average, and yes, some below average but all could achieve success if an attainable success is sought that is possible with each persons genes and characteristics taken in to account. Far too many people in our society do not understand this because they are at a level of incompetence. These people continue to lead others to incompetence by being reelected to public office. VOTE OUT ALL ELECTED INCUMBENT OFFICE HOLDERS IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS. Once this is done only vote for an incumbent when they have met the publicly stated goal they set for themself in being elected (political office was never meant to be a career for anyone). Using the immediate prior statement one can easily ascertain that all members of Congress and the current President should be gone come November.
I love teaching. I hate what it is becoming...
May 7th, 2012
5:57 pm
@Love Education “Our tax dollars per child education is the largest of most countries, so why are our children behind comparatively?”
In part, because in the USA we educate EVERYONE – not just the “cream of the crop”. Many other countries do not offer educational opportunities to slow learners, special needs students, physically disabled etc. We do, because it is part of our American beliefs that there is a benefit in an educated citizenry, and everyone deserves an opportunity to better themselves. If we only compare our top students with those from other countries, we actually are not doing so badly.
We are slipping, however, and partially that is due to the fact that so much of our funding does go to trying to support the neediest students. And the number of special needs students is increasing as medical advancements ensure that children survive childhood who would not have a decade ago. Consider too the growing number of autistic children (for reasons we cannot yet explain). Full time aides, one on one tutoring, special services like OT and Language specialists, transportation support, and specialized medical equipment are expensive. However, districts are required by law to provide such services to public school students if they are deemed necessary to support the student. Add the fact that educational funding is being cut back again and again – and that much of it never sees the classroom, but is swallowed by various levels of bureaucracy and testing and reform schemes – and you have the current mess.
It really is time to ask ourselves, what is it we value as a nation? Do we really believe in educating everyone? Are we doing what is best for ALL students, or are we trying to fit too many square pegs into round holes? Do we want to spend money up front, or wait till funds are needed to build prisons instead? Is it only about OUR particular child, or is it about ALL children? Do we really want the BEST teachers, or do we want the CHEAPEST teachers? Do we want the BEST schools or do we want the CHEAPEST schools? Who do we really want to support with our tax dollars, classroom teachers or testing companies? Corporations or your next door neighbors? Reformers or those working with your children?
Time to think about it, and then make your voice heard. Lord knows, no one listens to the teachers.
Ron F.
May 7th, 2012
6:38 pm
“Who do we really want to support with our tax dollars, classroom teachers or testing companies? Corporations or your next door neighbors? Reformers or those working with your children?”
Answer (according the Chip Rogers playbook): Testing companies- “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” and Mrs. Rogers sure likes the country club lunches. And the corporations- of course! They like to wine and dine us, and who can turn down a free dinner with a nice bottle of your favorite red wine? It’s not about teaching, kids, or what’s best for society. It’s about what the corporations can offer.
Thank you to all the teachers working hard for the kids every day. Believe it or not, I think many parents and community members really do support us, even if our own elected officials don’t.
Mikey D
May 7th, 2012
7:18 pm
I may be in the minority, but I feel continually appreciated by the majority of families of my students. It helps that I’m in a very strong district where community and family support is high.
The place where I absolutely do not feel appreciated, however, is by our legislative leaders, from the President and his joke of an education secretary, to the state level, and all the way to the local board. The size of Georgia’s DOE has skyrocketed with highly-paid eggheads over the past decade. These eggheads are years removed from the classroom, and they justify their positions by sitting around all day dreaming up new schemes that don’t do a thing other than make our lives more difficult. If the goverment would get the heck out of the way and let us do our jobs, the results would only get better. I was hopeful that Dr. Barge would clean house, but unfortunately he’s only maintained the status quo at the administrative level.
Nikole
May 7th, 2012
7:28 pm
@ Angela—-You must be new to Dekalb. No super. has EVER given me a treat, apple or otherwise. Dr. Atkinson was not my choice for super, but has turned out to be 10 times better than the last clown so far. She’s been fair so far, and actually solicited our advice. That’s more than what I can say for her predecessors. She is also returning millions of Title 1 dollars from the county to the schools next year. I say give her a chance on that fact alone. I’m not happy about her love affair w/ SFA, but you can’t please everyone all the time.
STAR Teacher
May 7th, 2012
8:44 pm
@John Watson at 9:35 am: You said exactly what I’ve been saying for a long time. We’ve grown accustomed to the illogical message:”Thanks for all you do, but remember you’re lucky to have a job.” They should try saying: “We know the cuts to your benefits and pay are difficult for some and devastating for others, and we appreciate that your sacrifices haven’t affected your job performance. Thanks for all you do and please keep doing it as we weather these trying financial times.”
Wouldn’t that be a treat? I’d love to hear a sincere and honest address of the situation we’re in right now. Maybe the bosses could use a sense of humor whenever possible as they deliver blow after blow softened by trite and insincere vows of gratitude.
Lady GaGa
May 7th, 2012
10:00 pm
What I don’t understand is how educators can continue to vote Republican when its clear what the agenda is. You get what we vote for when you work in the public sector. Yeah, I said it.
reacher
May 7th, 2012
10:02 pm
wow wow wow… what a powerful message. I must print this and show to my colleagues. This lady hit the nail on the head!
Angela
May 8th, 2012
8:08 am
@Nikole
Listen to the webanair that you received on Friday. Now, if your principal did not do what Cheryl requested that is on he/she. However, she sent a note stating that the apple and cookie was from her for teacher appreciation.
You say give her a chance. Perhaps, you are not looking at the money that WILL be taken from your pay check next year. Perhaps, you are not looking at the fact that she is still and WILL be making 300K without a reduction. Perhaps, you can afford to have your pay check cut again and again. Perhaps, you did not look at your taxes to see just how much your pay had been reduced.
Please understand which most only heard 6.25. But when she came back and said have the calendar for next year like this years. Perhaps, you and many others did not recognize that your pay check will still have a reduction based upon furlough days. So, if you make about 333. a day your check with 10 furlough days will be reduced 3330. for the next school year. If that does not equal to 6.25 more days will be added that will be a fact. The county has always gotten what they wanted. Please remember, Cheryl can only make a proposal to the board they don’t have to permit it. Also, all but one person voted for the 6.25 on the board. Who do you think will win? Cheryl is not different than the ones before her. She does not have any more respect for those that make it happen (teachers) than any other employee under her. Did she say that she would take a pay cut from her 300k? NO!
Angela
May 8th, 2012
8:09 am
@Nikole
Oh, I have been in the county for over 12 years!
V. K. McElroy
May 8th, 2012
9:58 am
I’ve been in this profession in 4 states since the late 1970’s and I have never felt less appreciated, I’ve seen collegues bullied by parents and not supported by administrators; I’ve seen young teachers questioning their career and leaving the profession. These young dynamic people are what we need, but education, 2012, is sadly a game of numbers and data. Thank you to all my fellow teachers who close the door to their classroom and create dynamic lessons, teach with passion, and adore the children in their rooms and thank you for choosing to spend your days with the future citizens of the world.
wanttohaveinput
May 8th, 2012
9:59 am
I find it amazing that more blame has not been placed on the universities preparing teachers. THEY have allowed sub-par and unprepared teachers into the marketplace. Their programs should be as rigorous as becoming a physician and the pay should be similar. I graduated with PLENTY of morons that had no business teaching children.
Katie
May 8th, 2012
10:54 am
Great article. She articulated the thoughts that have been rolling around in my head for a while. In the past three years, since the National Board cuts and our endless, fruitless fight to regain our stolen money (not to mention the extra furlough money and increased insurance costs), I have come to a sad but weirdly liberating conclusion: NOBODY CARES ABOUT US. AND NOBODY EVER WILL. The legislators don’t care because they send their kids to private school; the parents don’t care as long as their little darlings pass and don’t have any consequences; the media is absolutely on the attack (AJC included, big-time). We must stop complaining because our complaints will fall on deaf ears. No matter how much we try to get people to understand, they never will because they don’t want to.
My personal conclusion: teaching is not for the faint of heart. Either you can handle all the nastiness and stand up under it for your students’ sake, or you can’t. You won’t get any help from anywhere; you’ll have to find it inside yourself.
I used to praise without reservation students who wanted to become teachers. I still do, but now I also ask them to come and sit with me. We discuss what’s really happening and what they can expect if they choose this career. Basically, they are choosing to be dumped upon with excrement for 30 years. But in spite of that, I tell them it’s still worth it because I LOVE working with kids. I’m lucky.
I love all the Harry Potter books and movies, but one scene above all resonates with me visually. It’s at Hogwarts, in Deathly Halllows part I. Harry is gone; Dumbledore is gone; the Death Eaters are running the show. It’s a place of doom, gloom, and despair. Yet Professor McGonagall and others like her look down on these lost and desperate students, and they find a way to soldier on. That’s what those of us who care are doing. Without appreciation, under active and vehement villification, we find a way to keep helping our kids, who need us now more than we ever have.
Rock on, teachers. Remember your kids are the bottom line. Think of how many you’ve helped, and soldier on for THEM-not for anyone else.
Clayton
May 8th, 2012
11:03 am
From the time I was a tiny girl all I ever wanted to be was a teacher. I must say that the first 10 years of teaching I was living my dream. That was from the late 70’s to the late 80’s. I stayed home raised my kids and returned to my dream job in the mid 90’s. Now in 2012 work is hell!! I am stuck with 25 years in the classsroom and no where to go. No one wants a near retirement age person to work for them. I am stuck or go on welfare. Many days I think welfare might be the only way I can survive. The stress of teaching is ruining my health. The behavior we have to put up with is terrible. What whill become of our country when these children grow up?? We have no support from parents or adminstrators they both blame the teacher not the disruptive students!! We are pay to much?? What is the price of your health??
A#1NBCT
May 8th, 2012
11:04 am
Whining? Who taught you to spell the word? To use diction and syntax to create and analyze the mood and tone in a written statement so that you could A) Whine and B) recognize the whining of others? Who taught you what diction, syntax, mood and tone are? Forget even that…who taugh you to write in the first place? Hmmmmm? HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK! WE DESERVE EVERY LITTLE BIT WE GET! TEACHERS ARE THE SMARTEST, MOST ORGANIZED, MOST VERSATILE AND MOST LOYAL PEOPLE IN THE WORKFORCE TODAY! We should proudly claim our place in society and then make the most we can of it. Personally, that means finding other careers where I can apply the creativity, innovation, leadership and management skills that I have learned through (highly) successful teaching. In today’s workforce, people typically hold new jobs every 3 years. Most of us have been at this a whole lot longer than that. Unfortunately, we may have to leave teaching en masse in order to show the rest of the world just how valuable a teacher really is! HAVE A HAPPY TUESDAY! STOP BANGING YOUR HEAD AGAINST THE WALL! Your day is what you make it….
Angela
May 8th, 2012
8:48 pm
@A#1NBCT
Please read your post. You have some issuas! (That means they are bigger than issues).
D.Leverette
May 8th, 2012
9:44 pm
I just retired from teaching last year and I am still having nightmares. I had planned to teach for 5 more years but I just couldn’t take it any more. If the administrators had to be evaluated by the teachers then they would have to shape up. The teachers are afraid to say anything about the horrible conditions because they do need their jobs. When you do speak up, there are consequences for it and they are pretty bad. Teachers have no advocates and the administrators have all the power and money. Low teacher morale is important only to the teachers that are suffering. We must take care of the people that take care of our children. If we don’t, the result is going to be catastrophic! Teachers are mothers, wives and friends but they aren’t allowed to behave normally because of the lack of trust and time. I’m done, but I worry about the teachers that I had to leave behind and my students. I worry that my grandchildren will not have good teachers!!! Wake up America!
Tenure is bs
May 9th, 2012
12:51 pm
We need to ‘redo’ this tenure bit. Notice the elementary school teacher on tribunal now for the cheating scandal – claims NO responsibility at all, even though she was in charge. Meanwhile, the school system is paying millions in legal fees just to try to remove these cheating scumbags. Teaching should be like ANY OTHER JOB. Pay them what they are worth (I agree 100% with the article), and REMOVE those who are NOT worth a dime. We do NOT owe them anything. And while we’re at it, how about bringing our current schools up to speed with teachers worth the money, and quit blowing all the money on charter schools to appease a few disgruntled parents!