The TRUTH From A Teacher: "If this passes, I won’t be able to pay my rent."

[kpete]

Hannah went on to describe conditions faced by teachers and students that make such a struggle absolutely necessary. “I’m already putting about $1,000 of my own salary back into my classroom each year to buy posters, maps, and books that my students need but the school can’t afford. My classroom only had 30 books, but I have 34 students. I used my own money to buy four more books for those four students. And the books we have are for classroom use only—kids can’t even take books home to study. Many kids are on free and reduced lunch, over 60 percent in some schools. I spend about $200 a year on granola bars and fruit snacks to bring in for kids who are hungry.”

With regard to benefit cuts, she said, “Because I’ve only been teaching for a few years, these benefit changes are going to amount to a 20 percent pay cut for me. If this passes, I won’t be able to pay my rent. I’m going to have to move back in with my parents. But I’m really worried about teachers with kids. A 20 percent cut for them will be devastating.” She added, “Eliminating capital gains taxes while enforcing cuts in workers’ wages is outrageous.”

http://wsws.org/articles/2011/mar2011/wisc-m05.shtml

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[kpete]

2. ok

I AM a Teacher -
do NOT tell Me HOW MUCH I MAKE
thanks, and peace,
kpete

[Name removed]

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[gadjitfreek]

4. In my local area, you have to go through several pages of decreasing salary listings...

...before you hit the most highly paid teacher in my school. :) That being said, my district has made some very intelligent decisions that have allowed us to weather the economic disaster far better than our more unfortunate sister districts. That's why some of us choose unionized public sector jobs...we'll take lower pay for more job security and less volatility in the job market.

[kpete]

5. have you ever spent

ONE day in a classroom of 30+ children?

and NO your handy info tells me very little about most teachers, and NOTHING about myself.

but thanks for your concern,

and, once again, peace, kpete

[Name removed]

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[Kingofalldems]

8. Extremely familiar....

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. Read the OP again, herman

It's not just about how much teachers make, it's about what we SPEND. And the lack of fringe benefits.

[gadjitfreek]

10. We are allowed a generous $250 tax deduction

for what we spend out of pocket in our classrooms. Corporations don't have to pay a dime in taxes but they were magnanimous enough to give us $250. Wow. I spend about $3K per year out of pocket just so I can do my job to the best of my ability. This past year it was even more like $5K. I'll get to deduct $250 of that, while any businessperson would be able to write off the entirety of it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. A co-worker tried to claim a home office deduction

The IRS denied it, claiming we get the $250 deduction.

As if any teacher only spends $250 out of pocket? What a freakin joke. I'd rather not get the deduction at all; this one is just insulting.

[Name removed]

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[LWolf]

12. Why is that a problem?

What other profession that requires a Masters, or a BA + 30, or something similar, plus an unpaid internship, plus a battery of tests, plus on-going education requirements for regular license renewal, has salaries capped like that?

I've been working in public education since 1983. My oldest son quit college after 2 years; he didn't want student loans, and he found a job in the business sector that paid him significantly more $$ than my salary after his first 3 years.

[Lochloosa]

14. Ok. I took your spread sheets and did some quick calculations

Using the Clinton school district spread sheet this is what I came up with.

Average salary: 48,978.00

Average fringe: 25,690.00

With an average of 15.5 YEARS EXPERIENCE.

What would a person in the private sector with a degree, continuing education, stressful working environment make?

I would say the teachers deserve a raise.

What about you?

[Pisces]

9. I do believe teachers should be paid higher and given incentives.

[Lochloosa]

13. Ok. I took your spread sheets and did some quick calculations

Using the Clinton school district spread sheet this is what I came up with.

Average salary: 48,978.00

Average fringe: 25,690.00

With an average of 15.5 YEARS EXPERIENCE.

What would a person in the private sector with a degree, continuing education, stressful working environment make?

I would say the teachers deserve a raise.

What about you?

[kpete]

15. I LOVE YOU

thanks Lochloosa
i once had an accountant look at my salary and my hours
he figured i made about $1.75 per hour
i laughed of course, that was 20 years ago
i am sure it is up to $2.00 per hour now...
but i love my job

peace, kpete

[Lochloosa]

17. ...

:hug:

[Snoutport]

18. It's the continuing ed that is killing me!

For my special ed job I have to have a masters. To keep my license I have to take 3 hours of classes a year...but since I have my masters the classes cost a fortune. I'm still paying for my Masters so over HALF of the $41 K I make goes to taxes, student loans, continuing ed....

sigh...

[Starry Messenger]

19. k&r