A nation that ceases to invest in its citizens, its teachers, its children, will remain stagnant, on a downward path, intellectually, socially, etc. A nation of ignoramuses provides fertile soil for the emergence of tyrants and tyrannical structures. Not to invest in teachers in this nation -- whether at the private or public level -- is a grave mistake, one that has begun to impact civic engagement, basic numeracy and literacy proficiency levels, critical thinking and creativity, and the fundamental sense of citizenry and signers to this social contract of DEMOCRACY.

So, please as the discussion continues, try not to focus on symptoms of the problem of education in the United States, be courageous and delve deeper, challenge the status quo that deprives so many of our nation's children and their educators a world-class education and fair, healthy working conditions, respectively.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many wouldn't have other, better options.

Most*

Their average college GPA and GMAT/GRE scores prove this.

The moron has resurrected him/herself from the grave!

woo hoo! mor of the same from an idiot

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In addition to the above comments, it’s what they’re trained to do...it’s what they know and are presumably good at. What do you propose they do instead when their degree is in teaching?

That’s fine. But:

Why go to school to become a teacher when it’s common knowledge they are an underpaid profession? And then complain constantly.

If it is such a passion, then don’t complain.

Is this not true? I mean, sure teachers should make more, I agree, but they’ve been complaining about it since I was in school 20 years ago. Nothing has changed so the complaining has been for nothing. Tax payers don’t want to pay more.

So either be a teacher because it’s a passion, fully knowing you’ll be underpaid, or stop complaining.

short-sighted and ignorant all wrapped up into one poster . . .

There's a teacher shortage. We lost one during preservice and one the first week of school. At a friend's school, there are two who won't be renewed b/c the principal doesn't understand mentoring/coaching of new teachers.

All of that aside, the system LOVES short-lived teachers b/c "it" can hire young teachers, pay them less, and not have to invest in long-term benefits (health and retirement). In the meantime, our kids are being taught that the test is the end all. They can't think critically, as many blatantly demonstrate on these threads, and they graduate with low skills b/c the system forces teachers to pass them along.

Why would you blame teachers when the SYSTEM fails them? Teachers speak up and guess what? They're labeled whiners - or . . . they're told to quit.

b/c it's really
just
that
easy

Anonymous wrote:If they don't get the respect and income they think they deserve, why stay?

b/c it's SO incredibly easy just to quit a job, right?

Do me a favor and work on your critical thinking skills b/c you must have slept through those classes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers have the same frustration as so many in the middle class. Wage stagnation, demands for more productivity, pensions being attacked, increasing health insurance costs. I'm in that rut but I only get three weeks of vacation a year, not 12-15.

It's not vacation. It's an unpaid furlough. Teachers have a contract that states how many days per year that they are required to work.

This must be such a shock and surprise to teachers. If only they had known this before they went to college for teaching!

I'm pointing out that the "vacation" days are unpaid. Some people think that teachers get lots of paid vacation time.

It can be paid if they choose that option. I have a teacher friend who is paid smaller amounts all year. For her it works.

Having money withheld doesn't mean you're getting paid in the summer. It just means that you've spread out the money you earned during the school year.

It's the same as putting it in a savings account.

Their salary stays the same. So.... not vacation time. Not that some will ever understand that. Must be their teacher's fault.

As to why they don't quit. I don't know. It's more BS than I would put up with.

summers off.
good pensions- retiring at 55 vs working corporate and retiring at 67.

many of my mom friends stick with it to have the same time off as their kids (no childcare needed) and retire early

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many wouldn't have other, better options.

Most*

Their average college GPA and GMAT/GRE scores prove this.

Yup, I'm so dumb. Yet you entrust me with educating your children. Or do you use your superior college GPA and GMAT/GRE scores to run a scintillating homeschool program?

No snark, but I've met some seriously low IQ principals, so it can't be that hard to become one. If teachers hate their low teaching salary, why don't they get into administration? Isn't that a fat pay raise? An inept moron principal at my youngest daughter's former school was making over $95K a year. These people just job hop and leave messes everywhere and make great dough!

Anonymous wrote:Many wouldn't have other, better options.

Most*

Their average college GPA and GMAT/GRE scores prove this.

They do, all the time. Almost every teacher my kid had in elementary school left. I know lots of women who taught for a year or two, realized it was not worth it and left. I think the ones that stay either do it for the kids, the love of teaching or just do not know what else to do

I agree OP. If a person wants more money and respect then don’t go into teaching. If you are in teaching because you have a “calling” then don’t bitch about pay. No one gets everything they want.

Anonymous wrote:they do, in droves.

+1 It is why my DMV school system still has so many openings and it is the 17th of September.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many wouldn't have other, better options.

I've posted before about this. I am really appreciative of teachers, but I think the majority graduated at the bottom of their class (bottom 25%). And from my experience ,the vast majority of teachers would have a very, very hard time transitioning into other "normal" work.

You really seem to love your generalizations, huh?

Anonymous wrote:Many wouldn't have other, better options.

I've posted before about this. I am really appreciative of teachers, but I think the majority graduated at the bottom of their class (bottom 25%). And from my experience ,the vast majority of teachers would have a very, very hard time transitioning into other "normal" work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:60K for working 9 months is the same as 80K for 12 months. Not bad. And it only takes a 4 year degree and maybe a certification.

What kind of seasonal summer work do you think a teacher will find that will pay them $20k during that time?

Sure- but you trained for a seasonal job- one of the few that can be white collar and yet seasonal.