Why not vaccinate all the teachers and be done with this ongoing drama?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the original poster.

Here we go with the false drama:

No teachers I know of, or the WTU has stated that kids should be vaccinated before IPL.

Very few teachers have said they don’t want to be vaccinated.

No virtual teachers have been offered a vaccine. Period.

I’m only asking that teachers and school staff be vaccinated. Then we go right back. The WTU will not have a leg to stand on.

There are actually teacher unions out there taking the all kids must be vaxxed position; thankfully not in DC yet.

Lots of teachers won't get vaxxed. It's just the demographic reality. Only 60% of nurses in DC chose to get vaxxed; the demographics to DCPS teachers are actually extremely similar. There's just a lot of distrust that's built up over time and all the conspiracy theory nonsense isn't helping.

All teachers will be eligible for the vaccine in 1b (at the same time as daycares, private school teachers, etc). The only group we are waiting on is 65+ and, honestly, I don't think people have carefully looked at the mortality stats if they really don't think old people should be getting vaxxed before teachers who are not being required to return in person. Also, it's worth noting that the WTU could have lobbied for an MOA that said every teacher back (absent FMLA/leave that always applies as a matter of right) following vaccination and they DIDN'T. Why? Because that is not a promise they've made or will make. Liz Davis has already said on the record that vaccines are not enough.

At a certain point our society will call the bluff of teachers who refuse to return. And they will be fired. Union or no union.
If they don't want a vaccine, fine. Don't get one, but you can't be a teacher or you have to take responsibility for the risk you created for yourself.
I'm going to guess that "call the bluff" moment will come by August 15 this year.

And, to be clear, I think that the profession of teacher should be more highly paid and treated more professionally by our society. People aren't going to risk their lives for a profession in which they are consistently underpaid given the level of work and education needed.

Parents need to push the Mayor and Chancellor NOW for schools to fully reopen or it won't magically happen by August.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But that won't end the drama. There are other issues being raised by teachers and no one has ever said that, so long as teachers are offered the vaccine, they agree to go back.

This. Our school IS vaccinating all the teachers and in person staff but still won't commit to reopen!

Saying: covid case rate needs to anyway be very very low, whatabout kids transmitting back home, I don't know what else, yadda yadda, we won't open but we'll certainly take up your vaccines right now.

In person starts before most teachers get their first vaccine and before all get their second and a chance for immunity to build. Also, hospital capacity is nearing 90%. Get comfy with the idea that if you get covid from your kid or hit by a car and need to go to the hospital your likely going to a crappy one far away.

I agree with OP. What’s a month? Probably saving us from a surge we can’t handle snd hospital staff making decisions they don’t want.

The problem with a month is that a month from now there will be another reason that the teachers union wants to wait another month. At that point, whatever the new thing is will seem as scary to you as what you fear today (that's not supported by the available data). It's been going on all year.

This is exactly what WTU is doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the original poster.

Here we go with the false drama:

No teachers I know of, or the WTU has stated that kids should be vaccinated before IPL.

Very few teachers have said they don’t want to be vaccinated.

No virtual teachers have been offered a vaccine. Period.

I’m only asking that teachers and school staff be vaccinated. Then we go right back. The WTU will not have a leg to stand on.

There are actually teacher unions out there taking the all kids must be vaxxed position; thankfully not in DC yet.

Lots of teachers won't get vaxxed. It's just the demographic reality. Only 60% of nurses in DC chose to get vaxxed; the demographics to DCPS teachers are actually extremely similar. There's just a lot of distrust that's built up over time and all the conspiracy theory nonsense isn't helping.

All teachers will be eligible for the vaccine in 1b (at the same time as daycares, private school teachers, etc). The only group we are waiting on is 65+ and, honestly, I don't think people have carefully looked at the mortality stats if they really don't think old people should be getting vaxxed before teachers who are not being required to return in person. Also, it's worth noting that the WTU could have lobbied for an MOA that said every teacher back (absent FMLA/leave that always applies as a matter of right) following vaccination and they DIDN'T. Why? Because that is not a promise they've made or will make. Liz Davis has already said on the record that vaccines are not enough.

At a certain point our society will call the bluff of teachers who refuse to return. And they will be fired. Union or no union.
If they don't want a vaccine, fine. Don't get one, but you can't be a teacher or you have to take responsibility for the risk you created for yourself.
I'm going to guess that "call the bluff" moment will come by August 15 this year.

And, to be clear, I think that the profession of teacher should be more highly paid and treated more professionally by our society. People aren't going to risk their lives for a profession in which they are consistently underpaid given the level of work and education needed.

It's really sad but I'm starting to feel the opposite about the profession being more highly paid and treated more professionally after this mess. I personally know some great teachers, but at this point it's clear that the union leadership represents the majority that want to get paid the same regardless of the level of education the kids receive. Hopefully when the system finally breaks it brings their retirement system in line with modern times and replaces the pension with a 401k like everyone else.

Same. The lack of willingness to go in shows a real absence of dedication and true interest in the well-being and education of their students. I used to believe that they should be more highly paid and more respected as a result of what I believed to be their dedication to the welfare of children. It turns out that it's just a job for many teachers, and so 60 to 100k seems like a fine range for me in a city with an average salary of 76k.

+2. Any other professional achieving such poor outcomes and refusing to perform their entire job would be fired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the original poster.

Here we go with the false drama:

No teachers I know of, or the WTU has stated that kids should be vaccinated before IPL.

Very few teachers have said they don’t want to be vaccinated.

No virtual teachers have been offered a vaccine. Period.

I’m only asking that teachers and school staff be vaccinated. Then we go right back. The WTU will not have a leg to stand on.

There are actually teacher unions out there taking the all kids must be vaxxed position; thankfully not in DC yet.

Lots of teachers won't get vaxxed. It's just the demographic reality. Only 60% of nurses in DC chose to get vaxxed; the demographics to DCPS teachers are actually extremely similar. There's just a lot of distrust that's built up over time and all the conspiracy theory nonsense isn't helping.

All teachers will be eligible for the vaccine in 1b (at the same time as daycares, private school teachers, etc). The only group we are waiting on is 65+ and, honestly, I don't think people have carefully looked at the mortality stats if they really don't think old people should be getting vaxxed before teachers who are not being required to return in person. Also, it's worth noting that the WTU could have lobbied for an MOA that said every teacher back (absent FMLA/leave that always applies as a matter of right) following vaccination and they DIDN'T. Why? Because that is not a promise they've made or will make. Liz Davis has already said on the record that vaccines are not enough.

At a certain point our society will call the bluff of teachers who refuse to return. And they will be fired. Union or no union.
If they don't want a vaccine, fine. Don't get one, but you can't be a teacher or you have to take responsibility for the risk you created for yourself.
I'm going to guess that "call the bluff" moment will come by August 15 this year.

And, to be clear, I think that the profession of teacher should be more highly paid and treated more professionally by our society. People aren't going to risk their lives for a profession in which they are consistently underpaid given the level of work and education needed.

It's really sad but I'm starting to feel the opposite about the profession being more highly paid and treated more professionally after this mess. I personally know some great teachers, but at this point it's clear that the union leadership represents the majority that want to get paid the same regardless of the level of education the kids receive. Hopefully when the system finally breaks it brings their retirement system in line with modern times and replaces the pension with a 401k like everyone else.

Same. The lack of willingness to go in shows a real absence of dedication and true interest in the well-being and education of their students. I used to believe that they should be more highly paid and more respected as a result of what I believed to be their dedication to the welfare of children. It turns out that it's just a job for many teachers, and so 60 to 100k seems like a fine range for me in a city with an average salary of 76k.

+2. Any other professional achieving such poor outcomes and refusing to perform their entire job would be fired.

Hasn’t teaching always been just a job? This is what I do to support my families and my own kids. Teaching is not some calling to be a savior of children. It’s a job, the same way rhe military is a job or working a fast food restaurant is a job. I’m happy parents are seeing this. The same way I am happy teachers are seeing we are a mostly blue collar profession. That is the way it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the original poster.

Here we go with the false drama:

No teachers I know of, or the WTU has stated that kids should be vaccinated before IPL.

Very few teachers have said they don’t want to be vaccinated.

No virtual teachers have been offered a vaccine. Period.

I’m only asking that teachers and school staff be vaccinated. Then we go right back. The WTU will not have a leg to stand on.

There are actually teacher unions out there taking the all kids must be vaxxed position; thankfully not in DC yet.

Lots of teachers won't get vaxxed. It's just the demographic reality. Only 60% of nurses in DC chose to get vaxxed; the demographics to DCPS teachers are actually extremely similar. There's just a lot of distrust that's built up over time and all the conspiracy theory nonsense isn't helping.

All teachers will be eligible for the vaccine in 1b (at the same time as daycares, private school teachers, etc). The only group we are waiting on is 65+ and, honestly, I don't think people have carefully looked at the mortality stats if they really don't think old people should be getting vaxxed before teachers who are not being required to return in person. Also, it's worth noting that the WTU could have lobbied for an MOA that said every teacher back (absent FMLA/leave that always applies as a matter of right) following vaccination and they DIDN'T. Why? Because that is not a promise they've made or will make. Liz Davis has already said on the record that vaccines are not enough.

At a certain point our society will call the bluff of teachers who refuse to return. And they will be fired. Union or no union.
If they don't want a vaccine, fine. Don't get one, but you can't be a teacher or you have to take responsibility for the risk you created for yourself.
I'm going to guess that "call the bluff" moment will come by August 15 this year.

And, to be clear, I think that the profession of teacher should be more highly paid and treated more professionally by our society. People aren't going to risk their lives for a profession in which they are consistently underpaid given the level of work and education needed.

It's really sad but I'm starting to feel the opposite about the profession being more highly paid and treated more professionally after this mess. I personally know some great teachers, but at this point it's clear that the union leadership represents the majority that want to get paid the same regardless of the level of education the kids receive. Hopefully when the system finally breaks it brings their retirement system in line with modern times and replaces the pension with a 401k like everyone else.

Same. The lack of willingness to go in shows a real absence of dedication and true interest in the well-being and education of their students. I used to believe that they should be more highly paid and more respected as a result of what I believed to be their dedication to the welfare of children. It turns out that it's just a job for many teachers, and so 60 to 100k seems like a fine range for me in a city with an average salary of 76k.

+2. Any other professional achieving such poor outcomes and refusing to perform their entire job would be fired.

Hasn’t teaching always been just a job? This is what I do to support my families and my own kids. Teaching is not some calling to be a savior of children. It’s a job, the same way rhe military is a job or working a fast food restaurant is a job. I’m happy parents are seeing this. The same way I am happy teachers are seeing we are a mostly blue collar profession. That is the way it is.

No, I think we all remember fondly our own teachers for whom it was clearly more than a job. Maybe that’s why we expect so much and it’s a real let down to learn that many teachers don’t see it as any type of calling, more of a 9-5.

[Anonymous]

Hopefully bowser is agile enough to cancel the rest of the teacher vaccine appointments if they don’t show up Monday. Also delay the second shots for the ones that already received the first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sigh, have you been keeping up with the science?

A vaccination will not end our covid crisis, even with it we must still social distance and I imagine it will be a very, very long time until everyone in the US, including kids can get the vaccine.

Therefore how do you suppose to social distance in a room with 25+ people. Hospitals, grocery stores, and restaurants don't have this issue.

Countries that have their kids back have lower class sizes, DCPS can barely get enough teachers pre-pandemic....and that's not even the main issue...no building space....

There's 100% no chance of all kids in DCPS or charter being offered seats for term 4. This is not due to the WTU and you know this. This is the United States paying for f*ing up infrastructure and DCPS not trying to curb school crowing faster. And oh...idk A PANDEMIC...

This is not true for Germany, where schools were full time in the fall with 25+ kids in a room, and many elementaries are still hybrid during the lockdown and will be full-time again before the end of the school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:School opening is not based off teachers getting vaccinated.

Then what is it based on?

It’s based on the term 3 start date. DCPS is so married to this idea that opening and closings work on their calendar. The virus is very excited about this.

Once more teachers are properly vaccinated more kids could come back but DCPS won’t entertain until term 4 because no one knows but DCPS has to DCPS

This! I'll never understand why DCPS thinks that reopening needs to be tied to their "advisories". Other countries, maybe other school districts in this country (?), have no problem making these decisions on a week-by-week basis. This is an emergency and the regular school calendar should have no bearing. That's why Bavaria has already decided to postpone the start of their summer break to make up for the lost instruction time during the lockdown. Teachers in Germany are just as much under government employment contracts as they are here, yet are able to react flexibly for the benefit of kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the original poster.

Here we go with the false drama:

No teachers I know of, or the WTU has stated that kids should be vaccinated before IPL.

Very few teachers have said they don’t want to be vaccinated.

No virtual teachers have been offered a vaccine. Period.

I’m only asking that teachers and school staff be vaccinated. Then we go right back. The WTU will not have a leg to stand on.

There are actually teacher unions out there taking the all kids must be vaxxed position; thankfully not in DC yet.

Lots of teachers won't get vaxxed. It's just the demographic reality. Only 60% of nurses in DC chose to get vaxxed; the demographics to DCPS teachers are actually extremely similar. There's just a lot of distrust that's built up over time and all the conspiracy theory nonsense isn't helping.

All teachers will be eligible for the vaccine in 1b (at the same time as daycares, private school teachers, etc). The only group we are waiting on is 65+ and, honestly, I don't think people have carefully looked at the mortality stats if they really don't think old people should be getting vaxxed before teachers who are not being required to return in person. Also, it's worth noting that the WTU could have lobbied for an MOA that said every teacher back (absent FMLA/leave that always applies as a matter of right) following vaccination and they DIDN'T. Why? Because that is not a promise they've made or will make. Liz Davis has already said on the record that vaccines are not enough.

At a certain point our society will call the bluff of teachers who refuse to return. And they will be fired. Union or no union.
If they don't want a vaccine, fine. Don't get one, but you can't be a teacher or you have to take responsibility for the risk you created for yourself.
I'm going to guess that "call the bluff" moment will come by August 15 this year.

And, to be clear, I think that the profession of teacher should be more highly paid and treated more professionally by our society. People aren't going to risk their lives for a profession in which they are consistently underpaid given the level of work and education needed.

It's really sad but I'm starting to feel the opposite about the profession being more highly paid and treated more professionally after this mess. I personally know some great teachers, but at this point it's clear that the union leadership represents the majority that want to get paid the same regardless of the level of education the kids receive. Hopefully when the system finally breaks it brings their retirement system in line with modern times and replaces the pension with a 401k like everyone else.

Same. The lack of willingness to go in shows a real absence of dedication and true interest in the well-being and education of their students. I used to believe that they should be more highly paid and more respected as a result of what I believed to be their dedication to the welfare of children. It turns out that it's just a job for many teachers, and so 60 to 100k seems like a fine range for me in a city with an average salary of 76k.

+2. Any other professional achieving such poor outcomes and refusing to perform their entire job would be fired.

Hasn’t teaching always been just a job? This is what I do to support my families and my own kids. Teaching is not some calling to be a savior of children. It’s a job, the same way rhe military is a job or working a fast food restaurant is a job. I’m happy parents are seeing this. The same way I am happy teachers are seeing we are a mostly blue collar profession. That is the way it is.

No, I think we all remember fondly our own teachers for whom it was clearly more than a job. Maybe that’s why we expect so much and it’s a real let down to learn that many teachers don’t see it as any type of calling, more of a 9-5.

No you are remembering what you felt like in school as a child. You are remembering how that teacher made you feel. Teachers still make kids feel that way. As an adult now, you just don’t see it n

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the original poster.

Here we go with the false drama:

No teachers I know of, or the WTU has stated that kids should be vaccinated before IPL.

Very few teachers have said they don’t want to be vaccinated.

No virtual teachers have been offered a vaccine. Period.

I’m only asking that teachers and school staff be vaccinated. Then we go right back. The WTU will not have a leg to stand on.

There are actually teacher unions out there taking the all kids must be vaxxed position; thankfully not in DC yet.

Lots of teachers won't get vaxxed. It's just the demographic reality. Only 60% of nurses in DC chose to get vaxxed; the demographics to DCPS teachers are actually extremely similar. There's just a lot of distrust that's built up over time and all the conspiracy theory nonsense isn't helping.

All teachers will be eligible for the vaccine in 1b (at the same time as daycares, private school teachers, etc). The only group we are waiting on is 65+ and, honestly, I don't think people have carefully looked at the mortality stats if they really don't think old people should be getting vaxxed before teachers who are not being required to return in person. Also, it's worth noting that the WTU could have lobbied for an MOA that said every teacher back (absent FMLA/leave that always applies as a matter of right) following vaccination and they DIDN'T. Why? Because that is not a promise they've made or will make. Liz Davis has already said on the record that vaccines are not enough.

At a certain point our society will call the bluff of teachers who refuse to return. And they will be fired. Union or no union.
If they don't want a vaccine, fine. Don't get one, but you can't be a teacher or you have to take responsibility for the risk you created for yourself.
I'm going to guess that "call the bluff" moment will come by August 15 this year.

And, to be clear, I think that the profession of teacher should be more highly paid and treated more professionally by our society. People aren't going to risk their lives for a profession in which they are consistently underpaid given the level of work and education needed.

It's really sad but I'm starting to feel the opposite about the profession being more highly paid and treated more professionally after this mess. I personally know some great teachers, but at this point it's clear that the union leadership represents the majority that want to get paid the same regardless of the level of education the kids receive. Hopefully when the system finally breaks it brings their retirement system in line with modern times and replaces the pension with a 401k like everyone else.

Same. The lack of willingness to go in shows a real absence of dedication and true interest in the well-being and education of their students. I used to believe that they should be more highly paid and more respected as a result of what I believed to be their dedication to the welfare of children. It turns out that it's just a job for many teachers, and so 60 to 100k seems like a fine range for me in a city with an average salary of 76k.

+2. Any other professional achieving such poor outcomes and refusing to perform their entire job would be fired.

Hasn’t teaching always been just a job? This is what I do to support my families and my own kids. Teaching is not some calling to be a savior of children. It’s a job, the same way rhe military is a job or working a fast food restaurant is a job. I’m happy parents are seeing this. The same way I am happy teachers are seeing we are a mostly blue collar profession. That is the way it is.

No, I think we all remember fondly our own teachers for whom it was clearly more than a job. Maybe that’s why we expect so much and it’s a real let down to learn that many teachers don’t see it as any type of calling, more of a 9-5.

No you are remembering what you felt like in school as a child. You are remembering how that teacher made you feel. Teachers still make kids feel that way. As an adult now, you just don’t see it n

DP. Even if it's "just a job", you should be expected to do it effectively just like other workers, and for a teacher that means in person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the original poster.

Here we go with the false drama:

No teachers I know of, or the WTU has stated that kids should be vaccinated before IPL.

Very few teachers have said they don’t want to be vaccinated.

No virtual teachers have been offered a vaccine. Period.

I’m only asking that teachers and school staff be vaccinated. Then we go right back. The WTU will not have a leg to stand on.

There are actually teacher unions out there taking the all kids must be vaxxed position; thankfully not in DC yet.

Lots of teachers won't get vaxxed. It's just the demographic reality. Only 60% of nurses in DC chose to get vaxxed; the demographics to DCPS teachers are actually extremely similar. There's just a lot of distrust that's built up over time and all the conspiracy theory nonsense isn't helping.

All teachers will be eligible for the vaccine in 1b (at the same time as daycares, private school teachers, etc). The only group we are waiting on is 65+ and, honestly, I don't think people have carefully looked at the mortality stats if they really don't think old people should be getting vaxxed before teachers who are not being required to return in person. Also, it's worth noting that the WTU could have lobbied for an MOA that said every teacher back (absent FMLA/leave that always applies as a matter of right) following vaccination and they DIDN'T. Why? Because that is not a promise they've made or will make. Liz Davis has already said on the record that vaccines are not enough.

At a certain point our society will call the bluff of teachers who refuse to return. And they will be fired. Union or no union.
If they don't want a vaccine, fine. Don't get one, but you can't be a teacher or you have to take responsibility for the risk you created for yourself.
I'm going to guess that "call the bluff" moment will come by August 15 this year.

And, to be clear, I think that the profession of teacher should be more highly paid and treated more professionally by our society. People aren't going to risk their lives for a profession in which they are consistently underpaid given the level of work and education needed.

It's really sad but I'm starting to feel the opposite about the profession being more highly paid and treated more professionally after this mess. I personally know some great teachers, but at this point it's clear that the union leadership represents the majority that want to get paid the same regardless of the level of education the kids receive. Hopefully when the system finally breaks it brings their retirement system in line with modern times and replaces the pension with a 401k like everyone else.

Same. The lack of willingness to go in shows a real absence of dedication and true interest in the well-being and education of their students. I used to believe that they should be more highly paid and more respected as a result of what I believed to be their dedication to the welfare of children. It turns out that it's just a job for many teachers, and so 60 to 100k seems like a fine range for me in a city with an average salary of 76k.

+2. Any other professional achieving such poor outcomes and refusing to perform their entire job would be fired.

Hasn’t teaching always been just a job? This is what I do to support my families and my own kids. Teaching is not some calling to be a savior of children. It’s a job, the same way rhe military is a job or working a fast food restaurant is a job. I’m happy parents are seeing this. The same way I am happy teachers are seeing we are a mostly blue collar profession. That is the way it is.

No, I think we all remember fondly our own teachers for whom it was clearly more than a job. Maybe that’s why we expect so much and it’s a real let down to learn that many teachers don’t see it as any type of calling, more of a 9-5.

Separating "jobs" from "callings" is a way to excuse exploiting people and devaluing care work. A "job" can involve caring; it should still involve decent pay and working conditions. I am a parent too and I don't see hoe this argument is at all relevant to school reopening. This is a discussion of working and lesrning conditions, it doesn't matter if teachers feel "called"or not.

[Anonymous]

What people don't realize is many teachers really like remote learning and never want to go back to the classroom, even after coronavirus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the original poster.

Here we go with the false drama:

No teachers I know of, or the WTU has stated that kids should be vaccinated before IPL.

Very few teachers have said they don’t want to be vaccinated.

No virtual teachers have been offered a vaccine. Period.

I’m only asking that teachers and school staff be vaccinated. Then we go right back. The WTU will not have a leg to stand on.

There are actually teacher unions out there taking the all kids must be vaxxed position; thankfully not in DC yet.

Lots of teachers won't get vaxxed. It's just the demographic reality. Only 60% of nurses in DC chose to get vaxxed; the demographics to DCPS teachers are actually extremely similar. There's just a lot of distrust that's built up over time and all the conspiracy theory nonsense isn't helping.

All teachers will be eligible for the vaccine in 1b (at the same time as daycares, private school teachers, etc). The only group we are waiting on is 65+ and, honestly, I don't think people have carefully looked at the mortality stats if they really don't think old people should be getting vaxxed before teachers who are not being required to return in person. Also, it's worth noting that the WTU could have lobbied for an MOA that said every teacher back (absent FMLA/leave that always applies as a matter of right) following vaccination and they DIDN'T. Why? Because that is not a promise they've made or will make. Liz Davis has already said on the record that vaccines are not enough.

At a certain point our society will call the bluff of teachers who refuse to return. And they will be fired. Union or no union.
If they don't want a vaccine, fine. Don't get one, but you can't be a teacher or you have to take responsibility for the risk you created for yourself.
I'm going to guess that "call the bluff" moment will come by August 15 this year.

And, to be clear, I think that the profession of teacher should be more highly paid and treated more professionally by our society. People aren't going to risk their lives for a profession in which they are consistently underpaid given the level of work and education needed.

It's really sad but I'm starting to feel the opposite about the profession being more highly paid and treated more professionally after this mess. I personally know some great teachers, but at this point it's clear that the union leadership represents the majority that want to get paid the same regardless of the level of education the kids receive. Hopefully when the system finally breaks it brings their retirement system in line with modern times and replaces the pension with a 401k like everyone else.

Same. The lack of willingness to go in shows a real absence of dedication and true interest in the well-being and education of their students. I used to believe that they should be more highly paid and more respected as a result of what I believed to be their dedication to the welfare of children. It turns out that it's just a job for many teachers, and so 60 to 100k seems like a fine range for me in a city with an average salary of 76k.

+2. Any other professional achieving such poor outcomes and refusing to perform their entire job would be fired.

Hasn’t teaching always been just a job? This is what I do to support my families and my own kids. Teaching is not some calling to be a savior of children. It’s a job, the same way rhe military is a job or working a fast food restaurant is a job. I’m happy parents are seeing this. The same way I am happy teachers are seeing we are a mostly blue collar profession. That is the way it is.

No, I think we all remember fondly our own teachers for whom it was clearly more than a job. Maybe that’s why we expect so much and it’s a real let down to learn that many teachers don’t see it as any type of calling, more of a 9-5.

Separating "jobs" from "callings" is a way to excuse exploiting people and devaluing care work. A "job" can involve caring; it should still involve decent pay and working conditions. I am a parent too and I don't see hoe this argument is at all relevant to school reopening. This is a discussion of working and lesrning conditions, it doesn't matter if teachers feel "called"or not.

DP here than the one you’re already talking with. The crucial point is that “decent pay” is tied to the quality of the education, which is much lower currently. No problem with an adjustment period during a pandemic to catch our breath before looking s for solutions, but there’s no guarantee covid is ending soon and we’re long past the time to have started finding ways to better educate the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What people don't realize is many teachers really like remote learning and never want to go back to the classroom, even after coronavirus.

Are you a teacher? Or just someone spouting off “things you have heard”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What people don't realize is many teachers really like remote learning and never want to go back to the classroom, even after coronavirus.

Ha! Teacher here. Shhhhh! Don't tell.