$5k bonus for MCPS general educators to become special educators

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in HR (16 years) and we love hiring former teachers. They are the most dependable and versatile employees. We dont care what their master's degree is in.

In my personal life I have known plenty of teachers who quit and found better employment I have never heard of a teacher going back to teaching after quitting. Never.

HR here too.. for all the vile, disgusting people on this thread who think teachers can’t find outside employment (with glee ugh) they absolutely can. We hire former teachers on a regular basis because they have unique skills that other people don’t. To everyone here being ugly, please stop. You are clearly stuck in a tiny world where you don’t know much about anything but pretend to. Welcome to America these days. You’re simply not helping your own cause, you’re just showing how insecure you are and it’s actually really sad and pathetic x

No one said they couldn’t find jobs. It’s that most (not all) wouldn’t be able to find jobs with similar pay and benefits to teaching.

As far as I can tell, at least 2 HR reps said they like seeing teachers as applicants. At least 4 teachers have said their coworkers have gone on to jobs with higher pay. It’s time to face reality: teachers have other options. You can tell yourself we won’t find better deals, but you are wrong. (I’d also argue our deal isn’t that great. If I hear “but you get summers off” one more time after spending all summer planning and taking courses for recertification …)

Not only is that the most dated argument ever, pre-service starts tomorrow and I think? What summer? I took 12 grad credits to keep my cert and paid mostly out of pocket bc tuition reimbursement here is a joke. People truly have no idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What good are teachers that aren't willing to do their jobs? If MCEA keeps up with its behavior, MCPS will contract out more and more positions. In the short run that could be more expensive, but the district will be better off in the long run.

Are you joking? Teachers are doing their jobs! It's just that the jobs are getting harder and harder with less overall respect/job satisfaction.

For many people teaching is no longer a good work/life balance compared to other careers that offer more pay, work from home, respect, etc.

And you are somehow assuming the contracted positions are somehow better than MCPS employees. That may be true in some personal situations, but overall I highly doubt it.

Most teachers have to even work 180 days (not including sick days) and even get a pension after something like 20 years.

Closer to 30 to 35 years in order to retire with a pension equal to 40% of final salary. Maryland follows the age plus work years equal 90 formula. So, most retire around age 60 with at least 30 years of MD state service. Theoretically, the earliest they can retire would be hired at age 22 and then working until 56 with 33 years of continuous service.

Teachers work 192 days plus two required days in the middle of summer. In order to keep out certs we also have to take grad school courses, so lets say on average that is one or two weeks a summer at minimum. Then we basically get furloughed without pay for 5 to 6 weeks every summer.

Just curious what this means?

Not much- just that she doesn’t understand her retirement benefits. She’s probably a social studies or english teacher.

English teacher here. I understand my benefits and I understand the PP’s explanation of the 90 formula. I’m not sure you do?

Keep the nastiness coming. I’m one ridiculous parent away from quitting. I know I can walk into other professions with my skills and make twice what I make now. I stay because I like teaching, but this type of horrendous behavior is old and tiresome. I suppose the current teacher shortage isn’t enough for the PP to grasp that you can’t treat teachers like we’re inept anymore.

Sure… Education majors are obviously highly in-demand outside of education...

I’m able to manage 130 people a day. I can collect and analyze a tremendous amount of ever-changing data. I can create and deliver engaging presentations, and I can be prepared to do it again the following day. I can determine how to change delivery of content based on audience. I can communicate effectively in person and online. I can lead teams. I can access and interpret information quickly and accurately, then clearly communicate its meaning to others. I write well. I come prepared, but I’m able to shift course immediately. I’m also able to work 8 hours with few breaks.

I know plenty of teachers who have left the profession in the past 3-4 years. All have gone on to higher pay and less stress. Trust me when I say teachers aren’t thinking that they are trapped in the classroom.

No, they’re not trapped. But the vast majority wouldn’t be able to get the same pay and benefits in another field.

I see at least 3 different posters whose experience states otherwise.

I’m the PP. I know my worth and I’m able to articulate it. The nice thing about teaching is that it requires continuing education. I now have two advanced degrees and a ton of proven success managing data and people.

Don’t bother telling teachers that we won’t find a better deal elsewhere. We have former coworkers who have already done it. Instead of talking down to teachers, perhaps it’s time to respect us for what we provide. A good teacher is worth far more than society thinks, in pay but also in respect.

A masters in education isn’t a meaningful “advanced degree” outside of teaching. But go ahead and figure that out for yourself.

Don’t underestimate the long-term impact your unions had on the reputation of teachers by trying to keep schools closed.

You can’t even read because I said my degrees had nothing to do with teaching aka nothing to do with education. You’re just so sad. Pathetic.

Then go ahead and find out what life outside of MCPS is like. Again, no one is begging you to stay.

DP but it’s absolutely insane you keep doubling down in the middle of an actual teacher shortage. You sound like you have some real issues. No wonder teachers are quitting.

There’s not a shortage. There’s a market failure because teachers unions won’t allow pay scales to float based on supply and demand for particular positions.

I’m just a fellow mcps parent and I’m infuriated with parents like you. You just give MoCo parents the worst rep while representing the bottom of the barrel. None of us think this way but we are unfortunately repped by the Re-Opening Fox News parents… Just stop. You aren’t helping anything. Your phd doesn’t mean anything to us. We think you’re awful human beings.

Yes, how horrible it would be to pay SpEd and STEM teachers more…

I know right? PE teachers make the same as CS, Math and Physics teachers. And schools are throwing up their hands saying we can’t find STEM teachers. Of course, it is hard to find them as STEM folk have better paying options

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in HR (16 years) and we love hiring former teachers. They are the most dependable and versatile employees. We dont care what their master's degree is in.

In my personal life I have known plenty of teachers who quit and found better employment I have never heard of a teacher going back to teaching after quitting. Never.

HR here too.. for all the vile, disgusting people on this thread who think teachers can’t find outside employment (with glee ugh) they absolutely can. We hire former teachers on a regular basis because they have unique skills that other people don’t. To everyone here being ugly, please stop. You are clearly stuck in a tiny world where you don’t know much about anything but pretend to. Welcome to America these days. You’re simply not helping your own cause, you’re just showing how insecure you are and it’s actually really sad and pathetic x

No one said they couldn’t find jobs. It’s that most (not all) wouldn’t be able to find jobs with similar pay and benefits to teaching.

Nope. Again, you’re wrong. A starting salary at my company is 74k. Starting for teachers is around 52k here. We also offer work from home and PTO for two months (if you need more, you got it)… some of you are so stuck in being American and refusing to catch up with the rest of the world, you’re just ignorant to better options. So grateful our new CEO is from Europe, a place where people actual value human beings. You should try empathy cause whatever you’re doing is gross.

Cool. I guess you have 13000 teachers to onboard. Don’t forget their retiree health benefits and pension!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What good are teachers that aren't willing to do their jobs? If MCEA keeps up with its behavior, MCPS will contract out more and more positions. In the short run that could be more expensive, but the district will be better off in the long run.

Are you joking? Teachers are doing their jobs! It's just that the jobs are getting harder and harder with less overall respect/job satisfaction.

For many people teaching is no longer a good work/life balance compared to other careers that offer more pay, work from home, respect, etc.

And you are somehow assuming the contracted positions are somehow better than MCPS employees. That may be true in some personal situations, but overall I highly doubt it.

Most teachers have to even work 180 days (not including sick days) and even get a pension after something like 20 years.

Closer to 30 to 35 years in order to retire with a pension equal to 40% of final salary. Maryland follows the age plus work years equal 90 formula. So, most retire around age 60 with at least 30 years of MD state service. Theoretically, the earliest they can retire would be hired at age 22 and then working until 56 with 33 years of continuous service.

Teachers work 192 days plus two required days in the middle of summer. In order to keep out certs we also have to take grad school courses, so lets say on average that is one or two weeks a summer at minimum. Then we basically get furloughed without pay for 5 to 6 weeks every summer.

Just curious what this means?

Not much- just that she doesn’t understand her retirement benefits. She’s probably a social studies or english teacher.

English teacher here. I understand my benefits and I understand the PP’s explanation of the 90 formula. I’m not sure you do?

Keep the nastiness coming. I’m one ridiculous parent away from quitting. I know I can walk into other professions with my skills and make twice what I make now. I stay because I like teaching, but this type of horrendous behavior is old and tiresome. I suppose the current teacher shortage isn’t enough for the PP to grasp that you can’t treat teachers like we’re inept anymore.

Sure… Education majors are obviously highly in-demand outside of education...

I’m able to manage 130 people a day. I can collect and analyze a tremendous amount of ever-changing data. I can create and deliver engaging presentations, and I can be prepared to do it again the following day. I can determine how to change delivery of content based on audience. I can communicate effectively in person and online. I can lead teams. I can access and interpret information quickly and accurately, then clearly communicate its meaning to others. I write well. I come prepared, but I’m able to shift course immediately. I’m also able to work 8 hours with few breaks.

I know plenty of teachers who have left the profession in the past 3-4 years. All have gone on to higher pay and less stress. Trust me when I say teachers aren’t thinking that they are trapped in the classroom.

No, they’re not trapped. But the vast majority wouldn’t be able to get the same pay and benefits in another field.

I see at least 3 different posters whose experience states otherwise.

I’m the PP. I know my worth and I’m able to articulate it. The nice thing about teaching is that it requires continuing education. I now have two advanced degrees and a ton of proven success managing data and people.

Don’t bother telling teachers that we won’t find a better deal elsewhere. We have former coworkers who have already done it. Instead of talking down to teachers, perhaps it’s time to respect us for what we provide. A good teacher is worth far more than society thinks, in pay but also in respect.

A masters in education isn’t a meaningful “advanced degree” outside of teaching. But go ahead and figure that out for yourself.

Don’t underestimate the long-term impact your unions had on the reputation of teachers by trying to keep schools closed.

You can’t even read because I said my degrees had nothing to do with teaching aka nothing to do with education. You’re just so sad. Pathetic.

Then go ahead and find out what life outside of MCPS is like. Again, no one is begging you to stay.

DP but it’s absolutely insane you keep doubling down in the middle of an actual teacher shortage. You sound like you have some real issues. No wonder teachers are quitting.

There’s not a shortage. There’s a market failure because teachers unions won’t allow pay scales to float based on supply and demand for particular positions.

I’m just a fellow mcps parent and I’m infuriated with parents like you. You just give MoCo parents the worst rep while representing the bottom of the barrel. None of us think this way but we are unfortunately repped by the Re-Opening Fox News parents… Just stop. You aren’t helping anything. Your phd doesn’t mean anything to us. We think you’re awful human beings.

Yes, how horrible it would be to pay SpEd and STEM teachers more…

I know right? PE teachers make the same as CS, Math and Physics teachers. And schools are throwing up their hands saying we can’t find STEM teachers. Of course, it is hard to find them as STEM folk have better paying options

The AP English teacher made it clear earlier in this thread that the union will never allow SpEd and STEM teachers to get paid more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What good are teachers that aren't willing to do their jobs? If MCEA keeps up with its behavior, MCPS will contract out more and more positions. In the short run that could be more expensive, but the district will be better off in the long run.

Are you joking? Teachers are doing their jobs! It's just that the jobs are getting harder and harder with less overall respect/job satisfaction.

For many people teaching is no longer a good work/life balance compared to other careers that offer more pay, work from home, respect, etc.

And you are somehow assuming the contracted positions are somehow better than MCPS employees. That may be true in some personal situations, but overall I highly doubt it.

Most teachers have to even work 180 days (not including sick days) and even get a pension after something like 20 years.

Closer to 30 to 35 years in order to retire with a pension equal to 40% of final salary. Maryland follows the age plus work years equal 90 formula. So, most retire around age 60 with at least 30 years of MD state service. Theoretically, the earliest they can retire would be hired at age 22 and then working until 56 with 33 years of continuous service.

Teachers work 192 days plus two required days in the middle of summer. In order to keep out certs we also have to take grad school courses, so lets say on average that is one or two weeks a summer at minimum. Then we basically get furloughed without pay for 5 to 6 weeks every summer.

Just curious what this means?

Not much- just that she doesn’t understand her retirement benefits. She’s probably a social studies or english teacher.

English teacher here. I understand my benefits and I understand the PP’s explanation of the 90 formula. I’m not sure you do?

Keep the nastiness coming. I’m one ridiculous parent away from quitting. I know I can walk into other professions with my skills and make twice what I make now. I stay because I like teaching, but this type of horrendous behavior is old and tiresome. I suppose the current teacher shortage isn’t enough for the PP to grasp that you can’t treat teachers like we’re inept anymore.

Sure… Education majors are obviously highly in-demand outside of education...

I’m able to manage 130 people a day. I can collect and analyze a tremendous amount of ever-changing data. I can create and deliver engaging presentations, and I can be prepared to do it again the following day. I can determine how to change delivery of content based on audience. I can communicate effectively in person and online. I can lead teams. I can access and interpret information quickly and accurately, then clearly communicate its meaning to others. I write well. I come prepared, but I’m able to shift course immediately. I’m also able to work 8 hours with few breaks.

I know plenty of teachers who have left the profession in the past 3-4 years. All have gone on to higher pay and less stress. Trust me when I say teachers aren’t thinking that they are trapped in the classroom.

No, they’re not trapped. But the vast majority wouldn’t be able to get the same pay and benefits in another field.

I see at least 3 different posters whose experience states otherwise.

I’m the PP. I know my worth and I’m able to articulate it. The nice thing about teaching is that it requires continuing education. I now have two advanced degrees and a ton of proven success managing data and people.

Don’t bother telling teachers that we won’t find a better deal elsewhere. We have former coworkers who have already done it. Instead of talking down to teachers, perhaps it’s time to respect us for what we provide. A good teacher is worth far more than society thinks, in pay but also in respect.

A masters in education isn’t a meaningful “advanced degree” outside of teaching. But go ahead and figure that out for yourself.

Don’t underestimate the long-term impact your unions had on the reputation of teachers by trying to keep schools closed.

You can’t even read because I said my degrees had nothing to do with teaching aka nothing to do with education. You’re just so sad. Pathetic.

Then go ahead and find out what life outside of MCPS is like. Again, no one is begging you to stay.

DP but it’s absolutely insane you keep doubling down in the middle of an actual teacher shortage. You sound like you have some real issues. No wonder teachers are quitting.

There’s not a shortage. There’s a market failure because teachers unions won’t allow pay scales to float based on supply and demand for particular positions.

I’m just a fellow mcps parent and I’m infuriated with parents like you. You just give MoCo parents the worst rep while representing the bottom of the barrel. None of us think this way but we are unfortunately repped by the Re-Opening Fox News parents… Just stop. You aren’t helping anything. Your phd doesn’t mean anything to us. We think you’re awful human beings.

Yes, how horrible it would be to pay SpEd and STEM teachers more…

Slippery slope. I teach AP English and spend 60-70 hours a week grading the frequent essays students write. I provide a ton of feedback to help advance students’ skills. If you introduce a tiered pay system, I’m going to be pretty upset if I am not fairly compensated.

“Fair compensation” isn’t based on how hard you work. It’s based on how hard it is to find someone willing and able to do the job.

Do you think a lot of people can just walk in and teach AP or IB English? You have to be a very strong communicator and a brilliant writer. You also have to be able to transfer those skills and that knowledge to others. The fact you think I’m that easily replaceable is a huge part of the problem.

I have a valuable skill set. If I make less simply because society values effective communication so poorly, then I will also leave this profession. There are plenty of companies desperate for effective communicators and they will pay me more than teaching does.

(Scoring essays vs. grading Algebra 1 worksheets?)

As a fellow teacher, I find it very offensive that you would compare your job to another teacher's job assume they have it so much easier. You have not been an Algebra 2 teacher, so you have no idea how difficult their job may be. I am a kindergarten teacher, and I can imagine that there are many challenging aspects of teaching Algebra 2 that I can not even imagine. Do you have any idea how much work outside of schools go into preparing for a day in kindergarten? I'm not scoring essays, but I spend evenings and early mornings prepping materials. The actual school day is exhausting, with very little breaks. When you are a kindergarten teacher, you often can't even take the specials time as a break because you have a child who needs some assistance during that time. Good teachers put a lot of time and effort into their jobs, no matter which subject they teach.

Also, special education teachers, without a doubt, have some of the most challenging jobs in the school system. A good special ed teacher has to learn to adapt their approach, the materials they use, their technique for every child they work with. They deal with very challenging behaviors throughout the day (who gets the child who is acting out in class to help them settle down). In addition, they spend their evenings doing immense amounts of paperwork, combing through data that needs to be presented at an IEP meeting. They are communicating with administration, parents, advocates, special ed supervisors almost daily. Depending on the population they work with, their job can also be very physically challenging. I know special ed teachers who have been kicked, bitten, had their hair pulled and they go back the next day because they know these behaviors are due to the student's frustration and they need to find ways to support that child. I agree that you have a valuable, challenging job but the fact that you feel like your job is more important or harder than another colleague is troublesome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in HR (16 years) and we love hiring former teachers. They are the most dependable and versatile employees. We dont care what their master's degree is in.

In my personal life I have known plenty of teachers who quit and found better employment I have never heard of a teacher going back to teaching after quitting. Never.

HR here too.. for all the vile, disgusting people on this thread who think teachers can’t find outside employment (with glee ugh) they absolutely can. We hire former teachers on a regular basis because they have unique skills that other people don’t. To everyone here being ugly, please stop. You are clearly stuck in a tiny world where you don’t know much about anything but pretend to. Welcome to America these days. You’re simply not helping your own cause, you’re just showing how insecure you are and it’s actually really sad and pathetic x

No one said they couldn’t find jobs. It’s that most (not all) wouldn’t be able to find jobs with similar pay and benefits to teaching.

Nope. Again, you’re wrong. A starting salary at my company is 74k. Starting for teachers is around 52k here. We also offer work from home and PTO for two months (if you need more, you got it)… some of you are so stuck in being American and refusing to catch up with the rest of the world, you’re just ignorant to better options. So grateful our new CEO is from Europe, a place where people actual value human beings. You should try empathy cause whatever you’re doing is gross.

Cool. I guess you have 13000 teachers to onboard. Don’t forget their retiree health benefits and pension!

You just sound so bitter about your own circumstances. Pensions aren’t great, if you understood finance, you’d get that. I’m just embarrassed for you at this point. I hope you get better soon.

[Anonymous]

Sped services have gotten out of control in MCPS. At my school at least one-third of the kids have an IEP or 504.
How is it special education if it is being applied to practically everyone?
Any kid struggling in school is given an IEP. Like there can be literally no other reason a kid struggles in school.
The accompanying paperwork is overwhelming for staff and teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sped services have gotten out of control in MCPS. At my school at least one-third of the kids have an IEP or 504.
How is it special education if it is being applied to practically everyone?
Any kid struggling in school is given an IEP. Like there can be literally no other reason a kid struggles in school.
The accompanying paperwork is overwhelming for staff and teachers.

I just switched from a very wealthy school… I had 7 IEPs… switched to a focus school… my incoming class has one. I think that speaks volumes. Some people think their kids are entitled to everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sped services have gotten out of control in MCPS. At my school at least one-third of the kids have an IEP or 504.
How is it special education if it is being applied to practically everyone?
Any kid struggling in school is given an IEP. Like there can be literally no other reason a kid struggles in school.
The accompanying paperwork is overwhelming for staff and teachers.

I just switched from a very wealthy school… I had 7 IEPs… switched to a focus school… my incoming class has one. I think that speaks volumes. Some people think their kids are entitled to everything.

I should add most of the IEPs were “my kid has attention problems (not diagnosed) but needs preferential seating” and someone signed off on that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in HR (16 years) and we love hiring former teachers. They are the most dependable and versatile employees. We dont care what their master's degree is in.

In my personal life I have known plenty of teachers who quit and found better employment I have never heard of a teacher going back to teaching after quitting. Never.

HR here too.. for all the vile, disgusting people on this thread who think teachers can’t find outside employment (with glee ugh) they absolutely can. We hire former teachers on a regular basis because they have unique skills that other people don’t. To everyone here being ugly, please stop. You are clearly stuck in a tiny world where you don’t know much about anything but pretend to. Welcome to America these days. You’re simply not helping your own cause, you’re just showing how insecure you are and it’s actually really sad and pathetic x

No one said they couldn’t find jobs. It’s that most (not all) wouldn’t be able to find jobs with similar pay and benefits to teaching.

As far as I can tell, at least 2 HR reps said they like seeing teachers as applicants. At least 4 teachers have said their coworkers have gone on to jobs with higher pay. It’s time to face reality: teachers have other options. You can tell yourself we won’t find better deals, but you are wrong. (I’d also argue our deal isn’t that great. If I hear “but you get summers off” one more time after spending all summer planning and taking courses for recertification …)

That's because... Wait for it. Those coworkers actually had another skill. Besides teaching. That people were willing to pay for.

No offense, but I haven't been blown away by any of my kids teachers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sped services have gotten out of control in MCPS. At my school at least one-third of the kids have an IEP or 504.
How is it special education if it is being applied to practically everyone?
Any kid struggling in school is given an IEP. Like there can be literally no other reason a kid struggles in school.
The accompanying paperwork is overwhelming for staff and teachers.

Or maybe COVID pushed a lot of kids over the edge

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What good are teachers that aren't willing to do their jobs? If MCEA keeps up with its behavior, MCPS will contract out more and more positions. In the short run that could be more expensive, but the district will be better off in the long run.

Are you joking? Teachers are doing their jobs! It's just that the jobs are getting harder and harder with less overall respect/job satisfaction.

For many people teaching is no longer a good work/life balance compared to other careers that offer more pay, work from home, respect, etc.

And you are somehow assuming the contracted positions are somehow better than MCPS employees. That may be true in some personal situations, but overall I highly doubt it.

Most teachers have to even work 180 days (not including sick days) and even get a pension after something like 20 years.

Closer to 30 to 35 years in order to retire with a pension equal to 40% of final salary. Maryland follows the age plus work years equal 90 formula. So, most retire around age 60 with at least 30 years of MD state service. Theoretically, the earliest they can retire would be hired at age 22 and then working until 56 with 33 years of continuous service.

Teachers work 192 days plus two required days in the middle of summer. In order to keep out certs we also have to take grad school courses, so lets say on average that is one or two weeks a summer at minimum. Then we basically get furloughed without pay for 5 to 6 weeks every summer.

Just curious what this means?

Not much- just that she doesn’t understand her retirement benefits. She’s probably a social studies or english teacher.

English teacher here. I understand my benefits and I understand the PP’s explanation of the 90 formula. I’m not sure you do?

Keep the nastiness coming. I’m one ridiculous parent away from quitting. I know I can walk into other professions with my skills and make twice what I make now. I stay because I like teaching, but this type of horrendous behavior is old and tiresome. I suppose the current teacher shortage isn’t enough for the PP to grasp that you can’t treat teachers like we’re inept anymore.

Sure… Education majors are obviously highly in-demand outside of education...

I’m able to manage 130 people a day. I can collect and analyze a tremendous amount of ever-changing data. I can create and deliver engaging presentations, and I can be prepared to do it again the following day. I can determine how to change delivery of content based on audience. I can communicate effectively in person and online. I can lead teams. I can access and interpret information quickly and accurately, then clearly communicate its meaning to others. I write well. I come prepared, but I’m able to shift course immediately. I’m also able to work 8 hours with few breaks.

I know plenty of teachers who have left the profession in the past 3-4 years. All have gone on to higher pay and less stress. Trust me when I say teachers aren’t thinking that they are trapped in the classroom.

No, they’re not trapped. But the vast majority wouldn’t be able to get the same pay and benefits in another field.

I see at least 3 different posters whose experience states otherwise.

I’m the PP. I know my worth and I’m able to articulate it. The nice thing about teaching is that it requires continuing education. I now have two advanced degrees and a ton of proven success managing data and people.

Don’t bother telling teachers that we won’t find a better deal elsewhere. We have former coworkers who have already done it. Instead of talking down to teachers, perhaps it’s time to respect us for what we provide. A good teacher is worth far more than society thinks, in pay but also in respect.

A masters in education isn’t a meaningful “advanced degree” outside of teaching. But go ahead and figure that out for yourself.

Don’t underestimate the long-term impact your unions had on the reputation of teachers by trying to keep schools closed.

You can’t even read because I said my degrees had nothing to do with teaching aka nothing to do with education. You’re just so sad. Pathetic.

Then go ahead and find out what life outside of MCPS is like. Again, no one is begging you to stay.

DP but it’s absolutely insane you keep doubling down in the middle of an actual teacher shortage. You sound like you have some real issues. No wonder teachers are quitting.

There’s not a shortage. There’s a market failure because teachers unions won’t allow pay scales to float based on supply and demand for particular positions.

I’m just a fellow mcps parent and I’m infuriated with parents like you. You just give MoCo parents the worst rep while representing the bottom of the barrel. None of us think this way but we are unfortunately repped by the Re-Opening Fox News parents… Just stop. You aren’t helping anything. Your phd doesn’t mean anything to us. We think you’re awful human beings.

Yes, how horrible it would be to pay SpEd and STEM teachers more…

Slippery slope. I teach AP English and spend 60-70 hours a week grading the frequent essays students write. I provide a ton of feedback to help advance students’ skills. If you introduce a tiered pay system, I’m going to be pretty upset if I am not fairly compensated.

“Fair compensation” isn’t based on how hard you work. It’s based on how hard it is to find someone willing and able to do the job.

Do you think a lot of people can just walk in and teach AP or IB English? You have to be a very strong communicator and a brilliant writer. You also have to be able to transfer those skills and that knowledge to others. The fact you think I’m that easily replaceable is a huge part of the problem.

I have a valuable skill set. If I make less simply because society values effective communication so poorly, then I will also leave this profession. There are plenty of companies desperate for effective communicators and they will pay me more than teaching does.

(Scoring essays vs. grading Algebra 1 worksheets?)

As a fellow teacher, I find it very offensive that you would compare your job to another teacher's job assume they have it so much easier. You have not been an Algebra 2 teacher, so you have no idea how difficult their job may be. I am a kindergarten teacher, and I can imagine that there are many challenging aspects of teaching Algebra 2 that I can not even imagine. Do you have any idea how much work outside of schools go into preparing for a day in kindergarten? I'm not scoring essays, but I spend evenings and early mornings prepping materials. The actual school day is exhausting, with very little breaks. When you are a kindergarten teacher, you often can't even take the specials time as a break because you have a child who needs some assistance during that time. Good teachers put a lot of time and effort into their jobs, no matter which subject they teach.

Also, special education teachers, without a doubt, have some of the most challenging jobs in the school system. A good special ed teacher has to learn to adapt their approach, the materials they use, their technique for every child they work with. They deal with very challenging behaviors throughout the day (who gets the child who is acting out in class to help them settle down). In addition, they spend their evenings doing immense amounts of paperwork, combing through data that needs to be presented at an IEP meeting. They are communicating with administration, parents, advocates, special ed supervisors almost daily. Depending on the population they work with, their job can also be very physically challenging. I know special ed teachers who have been kicked, bitten, had their hair pulled and they go back the next day because they know these behaviors are due to the student's frustration and they need to find ways to support that child. I agree that you have a valuable, challenging job but the fact that you feel like your job is more important or harder than another colleague is troublesome.

Thank you for supporting the argument that Sped and STEM teachers can’t be paid more than other teachers without some form of pushback. I do not teach Sped, but my reality reflects most of your list: working with challenging behaviors, dealing with an immense amount of paperwork, combing through data, prepping for meetings, communicating with various people, dealing with violence, etc. This is not exclusive to Sped teachers. Where do you draw the line? Does the Sped teacher get the pay bump, but the general Ed teacher with Sped students among 110 other students does not?

Also, let’s be realistic. Teaching is hard all around, but certain subjects inherently require more work than others. We can argue all day about it, but in the end requirements are not equal. For example, some teachers work in tested subjects so they have the additional pressure of student performance that other teachers don’t have. These discrepancies are why this subject of different pay for different types of teachers will be contentious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I work in HR (16 years) and we love hiring former teachers. They are the most dependable and versatile employees. We dont care what their master's degree is in.

In my personal life I have known plenty of teachers who quit and found better employment I have never heard of a teacher going back to teaching after quitting. Never.

HR here too.. for all the vile, disgusting people on this thread who think teachers can’t find outside employment (with glee ugh) they absolutely can. We hire former teachers on a regular basis because they have unique skills that other people don’t. To everyone here being ugly, please stop. You are clearly stuck in a tiny world where you don’t know much about anything but pretend to. Welcome to America these days. You’re simply not helping your own cause, you’re just showing how insecure you are and it’s actually really sad and pathetic x

No one said they couldn’t find jobs. It’s that most (not all) wouldn’t be able to find jobs with similar pay and benefits to teaching.

Nope. Again, you’re wrong. A starting salary at my company is 74k. Starting for teachers is around 52k here. We also offer work from home and PTO for two months (if you need more, you got it)… some of you are so stuck in being American and refusing to catch up with the rest of the world, you’re just ignorant to better options. So grateful our new CEO is from Europe, a place where people actual value human beings. You should try empathy cause whatever you’re doing is gross.

Cool. I guess you have 13000 teachers to onboard. Don’t forget their retiree health benefits and pension!

You just sound so bitter about your own circumstances. Pensions aren’t great, if you understood finance, you’d get that. I’m just embarrassed for you at this point. I hope you get better soon.

Pensions are great if you intend to retire at 57, with nearly 60% of your salary and health benefits (well before being eligible for medicare), and expect to live well into your 80s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in HR (16 years) and we love hiring former teachers. They are the most dependable and versatile employees. We dont care what their master's degree is in.

In my personal life I have known plenty of teachers who quit and found better employment I have never heard of a teacher going back to teaching after quitting. Never.

HR here too.. for all the vile, disgusting people on this thread who think teachers can’t find outside employment (with glee ugh) they absolutely can. We hire former teachers on a regular basis because they have unique skills that other people don’t. To everyone here being ugly, please stop. You are clearly stuck in a tiny world where you don’t know much about anything but pretend to. Welcome to America these days. You’re simply not helping your own cause, you’re just showing how insecure you are and it’s actually really sad and pathetic x

No one said they couldn’t find jobs. It’s that most (not all) wouldn’t be able to find jobs with similar pay and benefits to teaching.

As far as I can tell, at least 2 HR reps said they like seeing teachers as applicants. At least 4 teachers have said their coworkers have gone on to jobs with higher pay. It’s time to face reality: teachers have other options. You can tell yourself we won’t find better deals, but you are wrong. (I’d also argue our deal isn’t that great. If I hear “but you get summers off” one more time after spending all summer planning and taking courses for recertification …)

That's because... Wait for it. Those coworkers actually had another skill. Besides teaching. That people were willing to pay for.

No offense, but I haven't been blown away by any of my kids teachers

Try doing their job for a week. You might gain some appreciation.

[Anonymous]

The focus is on adding more positions in the areas of wellness and equity that do nothing to address the constantly evolving laws surrounding special education.

There has been nothing added to mitigate the workload and expectations of special education that fall under state and federal LAW.

Special education teachers and classroom teachers were differentiated more under prior MCEA contracts. MCEA has pushed to eliminate that.

As a current special education teacher, I welcome the likely transition to contract work in special education.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.