Sick of being Vilified!!!

[disney_fan1972]

I desparately need to vent, please have patience with me...

Ok... so I guess I was stupid to do so, but 4 years ago I left a position in corporate America working as a scientist to teach high school chemistry. I went from making about $65K (which was under paid by regonal/educational standards... part of why I left when I did) to an educator's sallary of $52K. Granted, I would get the summer off (actually only 2 months... my tax return proves I work 10 months per year) but it was still a pay cut, and if you were to go and calculate out my corporate salary in 10 months I made about $54K. Four years later my salary has gone up to about $55K

I am NOT complaining about taking a pay cut! I did it voluntarily because I wanted to teach.... STUPID ME!

I am now an official vilan. If only Disney would make a movie about us evil RICH teachers.

We had our budget elections in NJ yesterday... ours passed. It helps and I thank those who voted yes.... we are still loosing teachers, I may be included in that cut, but the budget passing and the residents of this town agreeing to a tax increase (avg $300 per year per house... very wealthy district) kept many more teachers employed and class sizes from getting even bigger than they are planned for next year.

A friend posted on facebook today:
"...school budget passed, but only by 195 votes. I hope the school board realizes that despite the budget passing, there are a lot of unhappy taxpayers out there."
(totally fine with this post... I agree with her, but the comment by someone I once concidered a friend made me sick)

The comment back:
" They got their way so I am sure that they don't or won't care how many unhappy people there are out there. I hope everyone who voted yes enjoys struggling while the teachers and their union laugh while spending our money."

I am soooo sick of all the mud slinging against teachers. I've been on BOTH sides of the fence... I've worked in corporate (13 years) and education (4 years). I understand the struggles both sides bring! Believe me each side has its positives AND its negatives.... neither side of the fence is greener than the other! I LOVE teaching and I am grateful for the 2 months in the summer I can spend with my kids while they are young and want to be around me! Especially since I never leave work (yes... its called work because thats what I do here!) when the kids do.... I have other responcibilities, I stay so late that I am often one of the LAST parents picking my 3rd grader up from after care. I am away from the house 12 hours a day at least 3x a week, 6am to 6pm... I rarely get home before 5pm and I am in front of my class teaching at 7:30. I am so NOT complaining or trying to say how hard us teachers have it, I just want people to see that I work too. I pay taxes too. I have children in school too. I am NOT the enemy (what I may be is the person living next door collecting unemployment soon )

Ok... thanks for listening. ... just please, no mud slinging here... I can't take anymore. I'll just sit here and fight back the tears now. ooops, too late.

 

[stashbin]

I know where you are coming from. I think the public's perception of educators is very skewed. Teachers have a very tough job now. It's not like it used to be when parents supported the teachers and the administration backed them up. People used to be greatful that there were public schools to educate their children for free. Not now! The sense of entitlement this generation has is sickening. All of the parents want their children to get a free education (and some a free breakfast and lunch) but don't want to spend a small portion of their sales or property taxes on it. (I am speaking about my school district and when I say "all" I am generalizing...so no flames please).
I do feel for you, as I too go through the same issues. One of my favorite quotes I hear on a regular basis is, "You're so lucky...you get summers off paid!" Well if you add up all the late nights and weekends I spend doing research for lesson plans, then I think I am even!

 

[Ember]

*sigh* I'm sorry. Unfortunately, people want professional teaching standards without paying teachers as professionals. Yes, there is 8 weeks off over the summer. But compared to other professions this isn't too far off. Many professionals I know get 4 - 6 weeks vacation per year and theirs is paid vacation which they can take at any time (this is speaking generally).

 

[Sarah7401]

Not a teacher myself, but my mother taught 4th grade for 30+ years. I definitely understand where you are coming from. When someone starts complaining about teachers and how much they are paid or whatever, I remind them that they wouldn't have their education if it weren't for teachers. If it weren't for teachers, we would all be illiterate and have no training or education whatsoever. As with any profession, there are bad/lazy apples. It is unfortunate, though, that many in society let those few bad apples ruin the whole bunch to the point that we forget where we would be without teachers.

 

[stashbin]

Not a teacher myself, but my mother taught 4th grade for 30+ years. I definitely understand where you are coming from. When someone starts complaining about teachers and how much they are paid or whatever, I remind them that they wouldn't have their education if it weren't for teachers. If it weren't for teachers, we would all be illiterate and have no training or education whatsoever. As with any profession, there are bad/lazy apples. It is unfortunate, though, that many in society let those few bad apples ruin the whole bunch to the point that we forget where we would be without teachers.

Great response!

 

[mnrose]

I will not villify you. I believe that teachers are grossly underpaid for the important work that they do. And, I thank you for your service to future generations. Teachers are rare gems and should be honored for the work they do.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I don't understand people who moan and complain about money for teachers, fire, police. I just can't think of anywhere better to put funds.

 

[Feralpeg]

Sadly, it is a sign of the times. It really doesn't matter if the tax is to help schools, build hospitals, send a man to the moon or anything else. People will complain if they have to pay more taxes. I don't like paying so much in tax, but I realize that the things necessary to keep life, as we know it and like it, going costs money.

OP, don't let her comment get to you. You know that you work hard for the money you make. She would be offended if you suggested that she doesn't work hard enough for the money she makes. It really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. You work for the money you make. As long as you feel you are earning it, that's all that really matters.

 

[mjkacmom]

First, let me say that I love our teachers, and I'm a certified teacher, but a SAHM. I'm also in NJ. Our budget wasn't passed - lost by 8 votes! The reason it didn't pass is because everyone wanted to take a stand against the teachers who got a 4% pay increase, for the next 3 years, and the union for refusing a pay freeze, or having teachers pay a little for their health benefits (which was dumb on the residents part, since the contract has already been finalized, and now more teachers and programs will be cut).

My DH has been working for the same company for 20 years, and hasn't had a raise in over 4 years (salary freeze). Our town employees agreed on a pay freeze. Many of our friends have had 10% salary reductions. The price the average worker in the private sector pays for benefits has been going up and up.

Years ago, NJ created these wonderful benefits for teachers because of low salaries. The starting salary for teachers in my town is $45,000, with free benefits.

NJ was hit bit-time with the cuts, and I think those of us with kids in the school system would just like to see the teachers union take one for the team, like the rest of us.

 

[taylor3297]

Remember when teachers are "off" for the 8 weeks, they are not paid for that time off. They only get paid for the 10 months they are actually in the classroom.

I quit teaching after 18 years and so glad I did. I wasn't allowed to teach anymore, I had to play lets keep the parents happy game.

In the states where I have taught, GA and NC, we don't have teachers unions so we don't have any say with our salaries. GA has had mandatory furlough days this year and NC had a percentage cut.

 

[LukenDC]

I am sick to death of hearing about "overpaid" teachers, government employees, and nonprofit staff. Simply because someone takes a position with a nonprofit or government, does not mean that they should be paid a miserly wage. Many people working in the government/nonprofit sectors could be making A LOT more in the corporate sector.

I work in the nonprofit sector and I have heard people say that "no one working for a nonprofit should make more than $48,000 a year" (not sure how they came up with that figure) and also something along the lines of "charity work is the Lord's work and Jesus did a fine job without being paid." I remind people that good salaries attract top talent and that one often gets what they pay for.

 

[stashbin]

Remember when teachers are "off" for the 8 weeks, they are not paid for that time off. They only get paid for the 10 months they are actually in the classroom.

I quit teaching after 18 years and so glad I did. I wasn't allowed to teach anymore, I had to play lets keep the parents happy game.

You are right about the 10 month paid thing. That is still the way it is, but we have the option of stretching the 10 months over 12 so that we still get a paycheck while we are off those weeks. So when they say, "Summers off paid"...that is misleading. We are only paid because we choose to stretch the 10 months over 12.

 

[Hoodie]

*sigh* I'm sorry. Unfortunately, people want professional teaching standards without paying teachers as professionals. Yes, there is 8 weeks off over the summer. But compared to other professions this isn't too far off. Many professionals I know get 4 - 6 weeks vacation per year and theirs is paid vacation which they can take at any time (this is speaking generally).

I think this is partly the fault of the teachers unions. "professionals" don't have unions, labor does. Teachers exist in this odd limbo where they want union benefits and contracts like labor but treated as professionals. As long as teacher unions exist, they will be treated as "labor".

And even though teachers get villified, I don't think it's teachers per se, but the union and the ridiculous contracts. As a PP stated, asking people to pay more in taxes who have already had their salaries frozen or cut in order for teachers to get salary increases and continue to have benefits like not contributing to their health insurance is going to generate a lot of negativity.

If OP wants to lay blame, start with her union rep.

 

[stashbin]

I am sick to death of hearing about "overpaid" teachers, government employees, and nonprofit staff. Simply because someone takes a position with a nonprofit or government, does not mean that they should be paid a miserly wage. Many people working in the government/nonprofit sectors could be making A LOT more in the corporate sector.

I work in the nonprofit sector and I have heard people say that "no one working for a nonprofit should make more than $48,000 a year" (not sure how they came up with that figure) and also something along the lines of "charity work is the Lord's work and Jesus did a fine job without being paid." I remind people that good salaries attract top talent and that one often gets what they pay for.

Jesus didn't have to pay a mortgage!
FYI...This statement in no way is a testimate to my religious views.

 

[ccgirl]

I guess it comes down to everyone has their own opinion. I know you said you are not complaining but your post sounded like one big complaint. My DH makes the same as you, works 11 hours 5 days a week, 12 months a year and has not had any raise in 4 years. We are thankful he has a job in these times. I also work a 10 hour day 5 days a week. I have been laid off twice in the past 18 months. Neither of us get home before 6pm M-F. And, yes, I take work home at night too. I have many friends that are teachers and we get into heated discussions all the time. I try to explain that it is hard for people to vote to give them a raise when they are not getting one themself. In addition, people are paying thousands of dollars a month on insurance when teachers and other state employees pay very little. Add the benefits on to your salary and you are probably making more than you were in corporate. I'm not saying it is right or wrong, there are two sides to this story.

 

[taylor3297]

You are right about the 10 month paid thing. That is still the way it is, but we have the option of stretching the 10 months over 12 so that we still get a paycheck while we are off those weeks. So when they say, "Summers off paid"...that is misleading. We are only paid because we choose to stretch the 10 months over 12.

In GA we were allowed to stretch thos paychecks over 12 months, where I worked in NC, we received our first check in Aug and our last check in May.

 

[Planogirl]

Complain away! I never understand the total disdain some people have for teachers. I couldn't do it and I'm grateful for those who can!

 

[stashbin]

I think this is partly the fault of the teachers unions. "professionals" don't have unions, labor does. Teachers exist in this odd limbo where they want union benefits and contracts like labor but treated as professionals. As long as teacher unions exist, they will be treated as "labor".

And even though teachers get villified, I don't think it's teachers per se, but the union and the ridiculous contracts. As a PP stated, asking people to pay more in taxes who have already had their salaries frozen or cut in order for teachers to get salary increases and continue to have benefits like not contributing to their health insurance is going to generate a lot of negativity.

If OP wants to lay blame, start with her union rep.

I see your point about the union issue. It is true that teachers are still looked at as "workers" instead of "professionals" due to the connotations associated with the word "union". But I do know the unions have a lot of different roles as far as what they represent for teachers. I think without them teachers would be at an even bigger risk of being accused by students of wrong doing when there was none, principals who are on power trips harrassing certain teachers, etc. I think some people forget that the teachers are working to educate their children. An education that comes free of charge and for many this includes 2 meals per day. Yes, taxes do stink. But like the OP stated...teachers pay taxes too. They also pay union dues to protect them from unfair practices.

 

[DawnCt1]

First, let me say that I love our teachers, and I'm a certified teacher, but a SAHM. I'm also in NJ. Our budget wasn't passed - lost by 8 votes! The reason it didn't pass is because everyone wanted to take a stand against the teachers who got a 4% pay increase, for the next 3 years, and the union for refusing a pay freeze, or having teachers pay a little for their health benefits (which was dumb on the residents part, since the contract has already been finalized, and now more teachers and programs will be cut).

My DH has been working for the same company for 20 years, and hasn't had a raise in over 4 years (salary freeze). Our town employees agreed on a pay freeze. Many of our friends have had 10% salary reductions. The price the average worker in the private sector pays for benefits has been going up and up.

Years ago, NJ created these wonderful benefits for teachers because of low salaries. The starting salary for teachers in my town is $45,000, with free benefits.

NJ was hit bit-time with the cuts, and I think those of us with kids in the school system would just like to see the teachers union take one for the team, like the rest of us.

You were very brave posting this but you are exactly right. New Jersey is the "canary in the mine". The rest of the states will follow. Public employees as a whole make more than those in the private sector in terms of benefits, retirement, etc and yet without the private sector, those jobs can't exist. Ct. is facing unfunded mandates, underfunded pension plans and the answer in Hartford? Increase the taxes. New Jersey has lost of lot of those "evil rich people" who decided that they can move and not pay those tax hikes. What happens when all of those "evil rich people" move to a more business and tax friendly state? Those in the private sector are tired of being squeezed to fund those who work in jobs with guaranteed pay raises while their salaries are being cut and their jobs are being lost.

 

[stashbin]

In GA we were allowed to stretch thos paychecks over 12 months, where I worked in NC, we received our first check in Aug and our last check in May.

Wow! That had to make for a tough 2 months! Talk about money management!