The girls are getting ready and we are off to Ellis Island….can’t wait to get home to my quiet back yard to hear the birds and see real grass….LOL.

We’re not bellyaching – we’re just explaining our point of view – this happens to people who get bombarded day after day with “well let’s get them; they’re just teachers” and “teachers should be happy for whatever crumbs we throw their way – after all MY taxpayer money pays their salary.” Please don’t deny that you’ve seen this mentality – I’m not saying you expressed it, but surely you’ve seen it. And as I said, many of us will probably work anyway, UNPAID, and that’s what the state is counting on – that we will be professional enough to get the job done, money or no money. Why do you hear from us? Because papers like the AJC know they’ll get lots of hits on anything dealing with teachers, and some of us feel some crazy need to let people know what’s really going on – especially when attacked.

If you think you’ll like teaching, then go for it, but I caution you, don’t do it for the benefits of pay, time off, and schedule. Do it because you want to teach (and be realistic about what that means – the rewards don’t come fast or easy there). You won’t last otherwise. Just remember: Freedom Writers, Stand and Deliver, and The Ron Clark Story are all “based” on real events – that’s not what teaching is really like. And you’re right, we will never see eye to eye on the salary thing – I feel I’m adequately compensated for what I do, but I don’t work only 190 days – no good teacher does. I don’t get paid extra for doing a better job than the teacher in the next room or for teaching more students than the teacher down the hall – that frustrates me more than the base salary – no chance for merit pay. I also know I could make significantly more in the private sector, because I did. However, I didn’t feel like those jobs had any meaning, and that it a good thing about teaching – and nursing, too.

As far as complaining about jobs – be fair – complaining about jobs is practically a national pasttime – we all think the grass is greener somewhere else. There’s probaly a CNA somewhere thinking that you should be happy with yours, lol.

Peace out!

I was merely commenting on why the teachers are belly aching about a 6 day furlough. I still don’t see this as the big deal that others make it out to be. We all make accomodations in this stinking economy.

I’m glad you like your job. I am seriously considering it with all the perks. I think my friend left nursing to have all the benefits of teaching (pay, paid time off, and schedule). We actually worked at the same hospital (she worked nursery and I L&D). Actually, she doesn’t care for the principal where she is at, but she still thinks it is better than nursing. We actually had a conversation about 6 months ago.

I realize that you and I disagree and that is not likely to change. I will agree to disagree with you on this one. While you “technically” don’t get paid for your time off, you have one hell of a salary for only working 190 days per year. and that’s the facts, maam.

BTW, I certainly admire some of the wonderful teachers that I worked with when I was a school nurse as well as some of the great teachers that have taught my daughter. BUT if any one of them were to complain about not getting enough money, not getting a big enough raise, or possibly having a 6 day furlough, I would argue with them as well.

I hope you have a wonderful evening. I will make this my last post on this subject.

As for your friend, well, good for her – maybe nursing wasn’t for her, and teaching is her true calling. It happens. I’ve also seen people from business come into to teaching with stars in their eyes about touching the future not make it through the first month. In addition to the Marine Corps, I’ve worked for large private companies and small family-owned private companies; I’ve done retail, food service, education – even a hospital at one point. I’m a realist and a pragmatist – no job is for everyone – all jobs have their pros and cons, but only teaching seem to be open to non-stop (and often incorrect) public scrutiny. My persoanl theory is that it is left-over resentment from people’s childhood.

finally, I wanted to add that you and I should be on the same side of this argument – as women in traditionally female jobs, we have had a history of the “short end of the stick” so to speak – pay, hours, repsect, and responsibilty. both jobs are improving, but both have a long way to go – ask your teacher friend if she concurs there – I’ll be she will.

You said: “Try working 12 months out of the year with only 2-3 weeks vacation for the SAME pay…Christmas or Thanksgiving…labor day etc.” uhm…sorry, but been there, done that, too. Before I went to school for my science degree, I spent four years in the United States Marine Corps. I know all about working holidays, working extended tours without time off – and I was lucky – there was no war going on when I was in – but it was no cushy 40 hour a week job either.

So, as MJG says, I’ve been in and out of several hoola-hoops – military, college, private sector large corporation, private sector family-owned business, and education. Every job I’ve had has its pros and cons, but only teaching seems to bring out the envy, bias, and ignorance in many people (not necessarily you – I just see it daily). My personal philosophy is that it stems from their childhood and some internalized resentment of their teachers. I told you, I’m not complaining – I am merely enlightening.

And in that spirit of enlightenment, let me take issue with your statement: “My ONLY reason for pointing this out is for educators to be thankful for their pay and their PAID time off.” The days that there is no school are not PAID days off for us. Depending on your system you may get 3 personal days (4 after 15 years in mine) as well as sick leave – all earned, much like any other job. It is a great fallacy that we are paid for breaks. We are paid for 190 days. That pay is then divided by 10 or 12, depending on your system, and you get monthly (or bimonthly, but that’s rare here) paychecks. That’s how it works.

I had my ideas about what it was like on the other side of the chalk – I thought I knew what I was getting into because I had subbed and volunteered in my kids’ school. I remained shocked by something on a weekly – sometimes DAILY – basis. And I’ll add, I get mighty prickly at folks who like to bash teachers for a) things that are beyond their control and b) misconceptions that aren’t true.

You also wrote: “She thought it was so bad, she completely left the medical field and went into education. She left and hasn’t looked back since. Take that as you will.” Hey, win one for the team, good for her. Maybe she worked at a terrible hospital and now works for a great school – maybe nursing was never her calling and teaching was – who knows? I’ve also seen many folks from the business world (and science labs) come into education wanting to “reach the children of tomorrow” leave before the first month was up. As a science major, I gave medicine serious consideration – I even worked at a hospital for awhile – so who knows.

I’m glad you had a positive L&D experience.