Why do we feed teachers for "staff appreciation" when we have so many families below poverty level?

[Anonymous]

Teachers are among those who receive the lowest SAT scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teachers are among those who receive the lowest SAT scores.

You keep saying that (or somebody on DCUM does). I have yet to see any evidence for this, or an explanation for why this is relevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they can't afford to contribute financially why don't they contribute some time?

I could use some help at my office too.

Seriously, why can't we just expect that teachers will do their jobs? Why do we have to fall all over ourselves contributing food, time, money? Is there something sacred about teachers that makes people think that we must do this?

I don't know. I'm a teacher and I really didn't understand it until I had my own child. Whenever he comes home excited about something he's learned at school I feel grateful for his teacher. I want my kid to love learning and I'm glad he has teachers who fuel that fire. I just like showing my appreciation for them. Not in any sort of crazy way, but a few times per year I'll write a note and attach it to a small gift. Not because I feel obligated to--just because I truly appreciate them. Just because it's their job doesn't take away from the fact that they're impacting my child's life in a positive way. I also thank others who impact his life in a positive way--it's not limited to his teachers.

FWIW I teach in a high FARMS school and our PTA sponsors a welcome back lunch during preservice and one during teacher appreciation week. They use PTA funds to pay for it, not their personal money. I'd feel very uncomfortable if parents were spending their own money on things like that. I have friends who teach in high SES schools and the level of appreciation there seems excessive to me. But it seems more the culture that those parents have created more than anything else. If you're uncomfortable with it then do something to change the culture or stop contributing. I'd be annoyed too if I were constantly being asked to contribute.

[Anonymous]

^where do you think PTA funds come from? Parent money. Parents buying useless *junk* from fundraisers or sending in a check because they don't want any more wrapping paper but are happy to donate.
Some of the higher SES schools even have foundations where well heeled parents donate in the thousands.
I'm happy to send in a dish but for some families I agree the requests for PTA fundraisers, donations, etc get to be a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^where do you think PTA funds come from? Parent money. Parents buying useless *junk* from fundraisers or sending in a check because they don't want any more wrapping paper but are happy to donate.
Some of the higher SES schools even have foundations where well heeled parents donate in the thousands.
I'm happy to send in a dish but for some families I agree the requests for PTA fundraisers, donations, etc get to be a lot.

Quoted PP here. My school doesn't sell junk through fundraisers. No one would buy it. Also, every staff member joins PTA and pays the fee associated with it. Our PTA holds a lot of fundraisers at local restaurants where PTA receives a portion of the sales that night. The majority of people attending are staff members and their families. The biggest money maker for our PTA is the Scholastic book fair. Yes, some parents buy books for their kids but the staff buy the majority.

We (meaning staff, not PTA) also contribute several times a year to things like buying a bed for a student who doesn't have one or prize baskets to be won as part of our PBIS program. One year there was even a collection to buy bikes to be raffled off. Teachers also contribute money to provide a family breakfast held at school twice per year. I feel like we're pretty much always collecting money for one donation or another. So I do understand the feeling of being constantly asked to contribute, although I would rather contribute to buying a bed for a kid than an elaborate gift for a teacher. But you (and I) can always say no if we don't feel the cost, time or effort is worth it to us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do PTSAs demand pies for teachers on Pi Day, and on staff appreciation day and on ... . Well, you get my drift. I see this at a school where many kids are supposedly without the means to have a good meal. So, teachers why don't you tell our PTSA people to make a difference by feeding the needy?

OP, if you think that the PTA should provide food support for the poor families instead of staff appreciation lunches, then join the PTA and start organizing food support for the poor families.

Or, if that's too much work, then just ignore the PTAs' messages about staff appreciation lunches.

Feeding hungry children is NOT the mission of the PTA. If there are starving children, then it should be both their parents' responsibility. If they can't do it, then it should be the government's or a humanitarian organization's responsibility. The PTA is supposed to fund programs that enrich the education of ALL children. The teacher appreciation luncheons are only a small portion of the PTA's budget since most of a PTA's budget should go to support all children. Feeding hungry kids, while of course noble, is cherry picking, which the PTA frowns upon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because teachers are a sacred cow. Just watch how many people are going to jump on you for asking this question.

Teachers are paid very fairly (on par with most other well-paid professionals when you compare hour-to-hour), have great work schedules, and good job stability. I am sick of their martyrdom and everyone else's putting them on a pedestal.

I'm curious. I'm a teacher. I make $80K for 11 months of 60 hours a week, so the equivalent of another profession which pays around $88K for 12 months.

I read on DCUM all the time about how salaries under $100K aren't "middle class". Which other professions do you consider "well-paid" which require advanced degrees, professional certifications, consistent unpaid overtime, and pay under $100K for someone with 20+ years of experience, in this area?

You are not contracted for 60 hours a week. Get serious. Other professions put in hours "after hours" too. And where do you work that you're 11 months a year at 60 hours a week? BS.

PERFECT example of martyrdom.

Because other professions don't have to constantly define their worth to ignorant asshats like yourself.

Sorry that your school experiences weren't good ones, since you feel you have to project your own miserableness onto hard working teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Feeding hungry children is NOT the mission of the PTA. If there are starving children, then it should be both their parents' responsibility. If they can't do it, then it should be the government's or a humanitarian organization's responsibility. The PTA is supposed to fund programs that enrich the education of ALL children. The teacher appreciation luncheons are only a small portion of the PTA's budget since most of a PTA's budget should go to support all children. Feeding hungry kids, while of course noble, is cherry picking, which the PTA frowns upon.

Oh, I don't know.

"The overall purpose of PTA is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children."

http://www.pta.org/about/content.cfm?ItemNumber=944&navItemNumber=552

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they can't afford to contribute financially why don't they contribute some time?

I could use some help at my office too.

Seriously, why can't we just expect that teachers will do their jobs? Why do we have to fall all over ourselves contributing food, time, money? Is there something sacred about teachers that makes people think that we must do this?

I don't know. I'm a teacher and I really didn't understand it until I had my own child. Whenever he comes home excited about something he's learned at school I feel grateful for his teacher. I want my kid to love learning and I'm glad he has teachers who fuel that fire. I just like showing my appreciation for them. Not in any sort of crazy way, but a few times per year I'll write a note and attach it to a small gift. Not because I feel obligated to--just because I truly appreciate them. Just because it's their job doesn't take away from the fact that they're impacting my child's life in a positive way. I also thank others who impact his life in a positive way--it's not limited to his teachers.

FWIW I teach in a high FARMS school and our PTA sponsors a welcome back lunch during preservice and one during teacher appreciation week. They use PTA funds to pay for it, not their personal money. I'd feel very uncomfortable if parents were spending their own money on things like that. I have friends who teach in high SES schools and the level of appreciation there seems excessive to me. But it seems more the culture that those parents have created more than anything else. If you're uncomfortable with it then do something to change the culture or stop contributing. I'd be annoyed too if I were constantly being asked to contribute.

I am a teacher in MCPS a, with children in MCPS, and I do not get it. Holiday gift, fine; thank you notes, of course - but these lunches etc. are too much. IMO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Feeding hungry children is NOT the mission of the PTA. If there are starving children, then it should be both their parents' responsibility. If they can't do it, then it should be the government's or a humanitarian organization's responsibility. The PTA is supposed to fund programs that enrich the education of ALL children. The teacher appreciation luncheons are only a small portion of the PTA's budget since most of a PTA's budget should go to support all children. Feeding hungry kids, while of course noble, is cherry picking, which the PTA frowns upon.

Oh, I don't know.

"The overall purpose of PTA is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children."

http://www.pta.org/about/content.cfm?ItemNumber=944&navItemNumber=552

Feeding hungry children does not mean "advocate".
"Advocate" means they should be at the school board meetings advocating for schools to be fully funded. Perhaps they can "advocate" that the hungry kids get free breakfasts and lunches? Oh, that's right, they already do!

Read Money Matters and get back to me, ok?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because teachers are a sacred cow. Just watch how many people are going to jump on you for asking this question.

Teachers are paid very fairly (on par with most other well-paid professionals when you compare hour-to-hour), have great work schedules, and good job stability. I am sick of their martyrdom and everyone else's putting them on a pedestal.

I'm curious. I'm a teacher. I make $80K for 11 months of 60 hours a week, so the equivalent of another profession which pays around $88K for 12 months.

I read on DCUM all the time about how salaries under $100K aren't "middle class". Which other professions do you consider "well-paid" which require advanced degrees, professional certifications, consistent unpaid overtime, and pay under $100K for someone with 20+ years of experience, in this area?

You are not contracted for 60 hours a week. Get serious. Other professions put in hours "after hours" too. And where do you work that you're 11 months a year at 60 hours a week? BS.

PERFECT example of martyrdom.

We return mid-August (two weeks). We work September- May (4 weeks each, plus "vacation," which isn't paid) and two weeks in June.
10 months

I just worked the entire day today, and tomorrow I'll be at work by 6 am. I usually stay until 3 or 4. When I arrive home, I often bring work with me. PE teachers have it good, I'll admit. But if you teach English or social studies, the planning and grading are so overwhelming that few stay in this profession for long stretches.

It's a terribly draining job where oftentimes the ignorant public finds satisfaction in destroying our reputations.

Good luck keeping good people in this field.

It's a sinking ship and has been for quite some time now.

I have been a teacher for 20 years and am here to tell you this: You are doing it wrong.

Of course our vacations during the school year are paid.

During the summer we are not, because we are not 12-month employees. You are free to work in the summer, as I do. I tutor from time to time.

It is not necessary to be at work at 6AM. You are not working efficiently if you do this. Nor are you working efficiently if you take home boatloads of work with you.

I love teaching. I love working for and in my community, love seeing kids grow and learn with my help. But I also love summers, snow days, school vacations and weekends. I love our excellent benefits, sick leave, medical and dental coverage, retirement plan.

My DH is a lawyer. Believe me, we do not work anywhere near as hard as lawyers do. And if you, I repeat: You are doing it wrong.

Curious, what subject do you teach? I bet English, history, science and math teachers would love input on how to do it "right" maybe you should start a training for other teachers as well. You could help out a lot of people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Feeding hungry children is NOT the mission of the PTA. If there are starving children, then it should be both their parents' responsibility. If they can't do it, then it should be the government's or a humanitarian organization's responsibility. The PTA is supposed to fund programs that enrich the education of ALL children. The teacher appreciation luncheons are only a small portion of the PTA's budget since most of a PTA's budget should go to support all children. Feeding hungry kids, while of course noble, is cherry picking, which the PTA frowns upon.

Oh, I don't know.

"The overall purpose of PTA is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children."

http://www.pta.org/about/content.cfm?ItemNumber=944&navItemNumber=552

Feeding hungry children does not mean "advocate".
"Advocate" means they should be at the school board meetings advocating for schools to be fully funded. Perhaps they can "advocate" that the hungry kids get free breakfasts and lunches? Oh, that's right, they already do!

Read Money Matters and get back to me, ok?

Making every child's potential a reality does include feeding hungry children, though.

[Anonymous]

Another teacher here...a breakfast or lunch once a year is great. More than anything else, it usually means that most staff members will not eat at their desks completing paperwork and actually eat in the staff lounge! It also does NOT have to be anything elaborate.

I agree with others...anything beyond that is really unnecessary. As a parent, I also agree with other posters that I'm very appreciative of my child's teachers and we ENJOY giving small tokens of appreciation throughout the year. Often, those "tokens" are something for the classroom...a game or two to be used during indoor recess, Sharpies, dry erase markers...or something small for the teacher. The truth is that my child LOVES doing this and often comes up with ideas.

[Anonymous]

LOL.

The people who are protesting are probably those who do not actually send in anything - EVER!

In all these kinds of events, it is a handful of parents who are always donating their time, effort and money. The same faces each time.

So, I have no idea why everyone is getting upset about it!

[Anonymous]

I agree with you. It is the same people who volunteer, give food, etc. That's how it works at every school. No one expects 100% parent participation so if you don't want to participate don't. No one is making you feel guilty about it except yourself. Teachers work hard, so do most people, no one is denying that. It is simply an easy way to show appreciation. I am sorry you are not appreciated at your job. Believe me, many lawyers, brokers, sales people are with far more fabulous things than an awesome home cooked lunch.