(January 22, 2016 at 3:28 pm)Cecelia Wrote: The real problem is that teachers simply aren't valued. Faux News paints us as bad guys whenever we want a raise, even if it's been years since we've had a cost of living adjustment. I make decent money, though it doesn't go too far because I live in an area with a very high cost of living. People love bringing up how we're lucky that we get summer vacations, and have it so easy (teaching is much harder than most people realize. Yes, I have today off because of a blizzard. No, that doesn't mean I'm not working. I'm still planning my next couple of assignments out, and grading papers today. I tend to work weekends too.) I've been called an 'overpaid babysitter' one too many times. As someone once said, if each parent paid me $2.00/hour for their kid, I'd be making more money than I'm making now!
Teacher Quality will always vary, but I think our area has had some really good teachers. Unfortunately most of them have left because other areas are paying better. I'd leave if it weren't for the fact that I live really close to the school. I could make a lot more money if I moved a little North of here. A lot of teachers also become disillusioned. And others come into the profession thinking it's going to be easy -- and then quickly leave (though the years they're there they're there)
Oh cry me a river, you make more money than a lot of people. There are people out there struggling on much lower wages than you teachers get. I would much rather see them get a raise.
