Looking for a teaching job? Rhode Island is hiring 74 at one school!

[spaceacewannabe]

Actually my husband gets 2 weeks a year and is salary. After a few years he'll go up to 3. I'm not aware of many private sector jobs that start with more than two weeks a year.

Edit: I just want to add i don't think teachers are overpaid, if anything they are underpaid. But really arguing that everyone gets the time off they do just doesn't work. Argue how important their job is. Argue that education key to a democracy. Argue that without a well educated populace you lose jobs and your economy suffers. Argue that they are setting the groundwork for future citizens to live independant productive lives. Argue you need to pay them well and respect them to attract the cream of the crop for such an important job. But don't argue that all salaried people get five weeks vacation or that they are the only ones that get tons of off the clock work because it simply isn't true and the other arguments are really more important and persuasive.

I've missed this part of the argument (at least in this thread), but I think there seems to be a misconception that we're being paid for our time off. Yes, as teachers, we have a lot of time off, but it's more like a furlough than a vacation. I can't go to work in June, July, and August. I'm not directing that at anyone here---I know I have family members who still can't be convinced that I'm not earning anything for three months of the year---but I think that's why we as teachers are defensive about the time off. I know I am! In my district, we actually have to PAY for a personal day.

I know that good teachers work very hard, go above and beyond, give of themselves and their resources. Not for one minute do I think it's an easy job. My real frustration in this case is with the union because they really failed the teachers. Not all teachers are compensated equally, but the Central Falls teachers were very well paid. When I was a government employee, I was so grateful for my nice salary and lavish benefit package. I mean it. This was about greed, not about fair compensation. $30/hour for additional work was fair; $90 was not. The administration also said they would seek out grant money to pay for the additional work that was unfunded.

WOW. Is that what they were asking for? Where did you read that? That's insane. We get $14.50 or $18 an hour for curriculum work...the other number is for something else; I don't recall what.

I'd be really ticked at my union.

 

[TheZue]

I've missed this part of the argument (at least in this thread), but I think there seems to be a misconception that we're being paid for our time off. Yes, as teachers, we have a lot of time off, but it's more like a furlough than a vacation. I can't go to work in June, July, and August. I'm not directing that at anyone here---I know I have family members who still can't be convinced that I'm not earning anything for three months of the year---but I think that's why we as teachers are defensive about the time off. I know I am! In my district, we actually have to PAY for a personal day.



WOW. Is that what they were asking for? Where did you read that? That's insane. We get $14.50 or $18 an hour for curriculum work...the other number is for something else; I don't recall what.

I'd be really ticked at my union.

Fair enough on the not getting paid in the summer. But I know I was kinda bummed when Dh quit Starbucks because I was really looking forward to their option of taking off a month unpaid every few years. The opportunity to leave for that amount of time would be amazing. I'm not so motivated by the pay aspect of time off, just the freedom of time off

 

[spaceacewannabe]

Fair enough on the not getting paid in the summer. But I know I was kinda bummed when Dh quit Starbucks because I was really looking forward to their option of taking off a month unpaid every few years. The opportunity to leave for that amount of time would be amazing. I'm not so motivated by the pay aspect of time off, just the freedom of time off

It is nice to have a chunk of time off...although I know that my less budget-oriented colleagues are either broke by the end of the summer, or they have to have the district hold back checks so they get paid all summer (I never do this---I want to earn the interest myself!).

I wish I could take the time off during a different month(s), especially if it's a year that I don't need to take a grad class. Say, late November/early December. Nothing to do with when I'd prefer to go to Disney, of course...

 

[TheZue]

It is nice to have a chunk of time off...although I know that my less budget-oriented colleagues are either broke by the end of the summer, or they have to have the district hold back checks so they get paid all summer (I never do this---I want to earn the interest myself!).

I wish I could take the time off during a different month(s), especially if it's a year that I don't need to take a grad class. Say, late November/early December. Nothing to do with when I'd prefer to go to Disney, of course...

I wish we could got at that time too, never going to happen with our line of work lol. My family always shows up because they get tons of time off during Christmas and never seem to get that it's the busiest time of year for us lol.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Unfortunately many of the problems in communities like this are endemic and start in the home. I don't think anyone here doesn't think the problem lies solely with the teachers.

Short of walking around the neighborhoods with scalpels and ejecting the bad parents from the gene pool with forced sterilization there is little the schools can do.

Maybe if local government, the administrators, and the teachers all got together and worked on a problem without bickering they could get some plan hatched out. The root of the problem is far deeper then the school board can reach but they had to try something and they did.

Only time will tell if it works out.

That is part of the problem. Instead of working together with the teachers, they decided to outright fire them. Firing over 80 teachers doesn't sound like trying to find a solution for any of the parties involved.

 

[FireDancer]

That is part of the problem. Instead of working together with the teachers, they decided to outright fire them. Firing over 80 teachers doesn't sound like trying to find a solution for any of the parties involved.

It didn't sound like the union was all the keen to work it out either. I wasn't in the meeting but I have been around long enough to imagine that there was a lot more head-butting going on then sitting in a circle singing coombaya and trying to find common ground.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

It didn't sound like the union was all the keen to work it out either. I wasn't in the meeting but I have been around long enough to imagine that there was a lot more head-butting going on then sitting in a circle singing coombaya and trying to find common ground.

It sounds like both sides were being bullheaded and weren't trying to find a compromise. Sometimes I think everybody (the union, district officials, etc) need to take a step back and look at the situation from the other people's point of view. I think if that were to happen, things would get accomplished much faster.

 

[FireDancer]

It sounds like both sides were being bullheaded and weren't trying to find a compromise. Sometimes I think everybody (the union, district officials, etc) need to take a step back and look at the situation from the other people's point of view. I think if that were to happen, things would get accomplished much faster.

Oh yes, I think the head butting was mutual. I think the administrators did do what they think was right. It might have done nothing more then provide a bit more pavement for that road to hell but I think they had the best of intentions.

Sometimes you have to make a couple of bad decisions before you get to the right one. Perhaps they were applying the Thomas Edison adage to the situation.

 

[daughtersrus]

So many posts here keep bringing up $90/hour vs $30/hour.

Let's remember that Gallo was only willing to pay them $30/hour for the extra 2 weeks in the summer, not for the extra 150+ hours that she was saying that they had to work during the school year. She did say that she would seek grant money but with the way school districts are currently fighting for tax dollars, who knows if that would happen. $90/hour for the time worked in the summer would have actually been less than $30/hour for all of their extra time. If they went with Gallo's offer, they would have been making a little over $9.00/hour for the extra time that was being required of them.

It's also interesting to note that the language of the contract that the district agreed to in 2008 (when this school was already in trouble) says...For responsibilities carried out by certified staff that are not part of their regularly assigned duties, the compensation shall be $30.00.

However, for professional services provided outside of the agreed upon school year that would normally be considered part of a bargaining unit member’s regular responsibilities, such as summer ET, and IEP teams, ESY programs, guidance counselors, etc., the individual will be compensated based upon his or her prorated per diem salary.



We also see a lot of posts referring to the teachers making $78,000. Let's not forget that the teachers in this district start off at $44,029 this year. Teachers making more than that are doing so because they have worked for the district for well over 10 years. How many people that are complaining about the salary have worked for the same employer for over 10 years and are making the same salary that they did when they started?

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

So many posts here keep bringing up $90/hour vs $30/hour.

Let's remember that Gallo was only willing to pay them $30/hour for the extra 2 weeks in the summer, not for the extra 150+ hours that she was saying that they had to work during the school year. She did say that she would seek grant money but with the way school districts are currently fighting for tax dollars, who knows if that would happen. $90/hour for the time worked in the summer would have actually been less than $30/hour for all of their extra time. If they went with Gallo's offer, they would have been making a little over $9.00/hour for the extra time that was being required of them...

Perhaps, but why not trust Gallo to try for them? Deciding not to do so resulted in their loss of jobs. I agree that it was their right to refuse the contract. I also recognize that that refusal is what cost them their jobs. Not blame or anything else. It came down to that single event. Accept the contract and hope that you might receive fair compensation later or refuse the contract and pray that the administrators don't decide to enact the process currently in place.

I can't say with certainty what I would have done - but I wouldn't blame anyone else for my decision...

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

Its sad that these teachers are losing their jobs.
That report said something like 96% of the population is receiving reduced or free lunch. iF they are receiving free lunch, then this could indicate that the parents of these children cannot afford food and other necessities, therefore this could be a reason that these children are not meeting standards and are performing poorly.

I just finished student teaching in a very rich area, however one of my friends was placed in a poor area. One day one her students (1st grade) fell asleep at his desk. She asked what was wrong and he said his bed "popped" (air mattress I assume) last night and he had no where to sleep.

Sadly, for many of these kids there's a lot going on behind closed doors that affects their performance levels. I hope everything works out for the kids, families, and teachers in that district.

 

[CapeMayMommy]

Everybody knows that teachers don't get paid in the summer.

It is the TEACHERS that miss the point.

If you work 180 days per year and 6 1/2 hours a day. And I am working 230 days a year and eight hours a day. If we both are earning 65K per year---you are earning more than me per hour.

Time is money, honey. That is why teachers are consitered by many to be well paid. No work in June, July, Christmas, Easter, Veterans' Day...When others are at work.

These teachers were foolish. They haven't been reading the newpapers about the unemployment rate in America.

I'd bet Central Falls receives at least 20,000 college graduate applicants' eager to be consitered for one of the 74 positions.

Wouldn't surprise me at all if NONE of those teachers were hired back.

 

[chobie]

Everybody knows that teachers don't get paid in the summer.

It is the TEACHERS that miss the point.

If you work 180 days per year and 6 1/2 hours a day. And I am working 230 days a year and eight hours a day. If we both are earning 65K per year---you are earning more than me per hour.

Time is money, honey. That is why teachers are consitered by many to be well paid. No work in June, July, Christmas, Easter, Veterans' Day...When others are at work.

These teachers were foolish. They haven't been reading the newpapers about the unemployment rate in America.







I'd bet Central Falls receives at least 20,000 college graduate applicants' eager to be consitered for one of the 74 positions.

Wouldn't surprise me at all if NONE of those teachers were hired back.

Where do you get this 6.5 hours a day? No teacher has a schedule like that. And I hope they hire 75 teachers just out of college too. So, a year from now we can all come back and discuss what a disaster that was.

 

[daughtersrus]

Perhaps, but why not trust Gallo to try for them? Deciding not to do so resulted in their loss of jobs. I agree that it was their right to refuse the contract. I also recognize that that refusal is what cost them their jobs. Not blame or anything else. It came down to that single event. Accept the contract and hope that you might receive fair compensation later or refuse the contract and pray that the administrators don't decide to enact the process currently in place.

I can't say with certainty what I would have done - but I wouldn't blame anyone else for my decision...

Why trust her? The teachers have a contract in place that the school district agreed to. Gallo is now trying to break that contract as it doesn't expire until Aug '11. As a result, the teachers are now looking at their legal options. If it goes to court, it's probably going to cost the taxpayers quite a bit in legal fees.

 

[CapeMayMommy]

Where do you get this 6.5 hours a day? No teacher has a schedule like that. And I hope they hire 75 teachers just out of college too. So, a year from now we can all come back and discuss what a disaster that was.

I saw on the NJEA's website once that teachers are paid less than nurses. You know---nurses who get up on Christmas, Easter, Saturday night, etc. , etc., etc. and go to work.

All professional people go to continuing education, bring work home, etc., etc. Teachers act like they've cornered the market on this.

They don't have to hire teachers who are just out of school. With the pool of applicants that they'll receive, they'll have their choice of new and seasoned professionals.

No one should over estimate their value on the market in these times.

 

[chobie]

I saw on the NJEA's website once that teachers are paid less than nurses. You know---nurses who get up on Christmas, Easter, Saturday night, etc. , etc., etc. and go to work.

All professional people go to continuing education, bring work home, etc., etc. Teachers act like they've cornered the market on this.

They don't have to hire teachers who are just out of school. With the pool of applicants that they'll receive, they'll have their choice of new and seasoned professionals.

No one should over estimate their value on the market in these times.

Why would seasoned professional teachers want to quit their jobs and go work there?

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

 

[golfgal]

Everybody knows that teachers don't get paid in the summer.

It is the TEACHERS that miss the point.

If you work 180 days per year and 6 1/2 hours a day. And I am working 230 days a year and eight hours a day. If we both are earning 65K per year---you are earning more than me per hour.

Time is money, honey. That is why teachers are consitered by many to be well paid. No work in June, July, Christmas, Easter, Veterans' Day...When others are at work.

These teachers were foolish. They haven't been reading the newpapers about the unemployment rate in America.

I'd bet Central Falls receives at least 20,000 college graduate applicants' eager to be consitered for one of the 74 positions.

Wouldn't surprise me at all if NONE of those teachers were hired back.

Yes, teachers walk in the door with the kids and out the door with the kids and are not there a second longer. It is amazing how classes get prepped, tests get corrected, lessons are planned all while the teachers are teaching the kids because they don't put in any time outside of the time the kids are in school

Nurses get paid time and a half for overtime and double time in a half for holiday pay--THEY are not being asked to do work for free.

I bet Central Falls receives NO applications for these jobs knowing they have ZERO support from the administration and school board.

Our teachers are required to be in the building for 8 hours each day, 7 of those hours are student contact times, meaning they are teaching class, the other hour is time they are available to help kids after school. THEN they get to do all their class prep. Don't give me the BS about how little teachers work. I suggest you spend a week following a teacher and see how ignorant your comment really is.

 

[gina2000]

Everybody knows that teachers don't get paid in the summer.

It is the TEACHERS that miss the point.

If you work 180 days per year and 6 1/2 hours a day. And I am working 230 days a year and eight hours a day. If we both are earning 65K per year---you are earning more than me per hour.

Time is money, honey. That is why teachers are consitered by many to be well paid. No work in June, July, Christmas, Easter, Veterans' Day...When others are at work.

Teachers don't miss the point. People who claim that teachers are overpaid do. It's the first point people make when they seek to deride the teaching profession.

I haven't seen a 6 1/2 hour day since the day I started. Try 7 or 7:30 am til 4 or 5 pm every day. That's my work ethic and I'm proud of it. And I will defend my work ethic against your sardonic "time is money, honey" comment each and every time you make it.

That dead horse is taking quite the whipping. But it ain't gonna be me, honey. Not now and not ever.

 

[CapeMayMommy]

Yes, teachers walk in the door with the kids and out the door with the kids and are not there a second longer. It is amazing how classes get prepped, tests get corrected, lessons are planned all while the teachers are teaching the kids because they don't put in any time outside of the time the kids are in school

Nurses get paid time and a half for overtime and double time in a half for holiday pay--THEY are not being asked to do work for free.

I bet Central Falls receives NO applications for these jobs knowing they have ZERO support from the administration and school board.

Our teachers are required to be in the building for 8 hours each day, 7 of those hours are student contact times, meaning they are teaching class, the other hour is time they are available to help kids after school. THEN they get to do all their class prep. Don't give me the BS about how little teachers work. I suggest you spend a week following a teacher and see how ignorant your comment really is.

We'll see... I know many college graduates who are looking for a job. Any job.

I work for a government agency (I am neither a teacher or a nurse, however), have a master's degree and earn in the neighborhood of what these teachers make.

I may work hard. My work may be important to many. But I am replaceable.

I don't doubt that for a minute.