"I'm Outraged" ...

[YvonneCa]

... WAPO, EXCELLENT post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/public-school-teacher-13-reasons-im-outraged/2011/04/20/AF6BLMFE_blog.html#pagebreak


Excerpt:

I’m outraged that my students, growing up in one of the poorest communities in Los Angeles, are expected to perform better than ever while being provided with fewer and fewer resources in and out of school during these dismal economic times. Who cares about students who’ve lost their homes? Lost a parent? Speak little English? Didn’t eat yesterday?

I’m outraged that after a decade of ill-informed rants against bad teachers and failing schools, now the pundits and politicians are coming after our pensions and health benefits. With the added insult that in 15 states, including my own, Social Security benefits will be reduced by approximately 40% because a partial teacher pension is considered “double dipping.” How is it that my 37 years in this important role now counts for so little as I near retirement?

I’m outraged that so few Americans attempt to understand the dedication and long hours that are required in the teaching profession and so easily accept media portrayals of teachers as being overpaid for their “cushy part time” jobs. Where, oh where is the public outcry against teacher-bashing and the decimation of school budgets?

This teacher has it right. Definitely worth it to read the whole article...

[spanone]

1. k&r...

[BlueJazz]

2. You have my respect and admiration and (most likely) the respect of 99 percent of DUer's.

[YvonneCa]

4. That's very sweet...

...:) Thank you. And I have respect and admiration for the teacher who wrote this...and the MANY teachers out there trying to amplify the education debate and make sure ALL teachers are heard.

[Hissyspit]

3. Doesn't this teacher understand that we need to destroy the schools in order to save them?

:sarcasm:

[YvonneCa]

5. ...

...:)

[Hissyspit]

6. Or just destroy them and take the money and run...

[YvonneCa]

15. ...

...Not much of that left. :)

[democracy1st]

7. K & R thank you!

[Keith Bee]

8. Massive K&R!

[YvonneCa]

17. I like that...

... "MASSIVE" ! :) Thanks.

[crickets]

9. K&R

[xchrom]

10. recommend

[Overseas]

11. K&R!

[Lorien]

12. Most people don't realize that teaching full time is a 60 hour a week job

I've only taught at the college level, but I assume that it's the same-or even tougher- for K-12 teachers. You spend 40+ hours a week at school, then at least 20 hours at home grading papers, working out lesson plans and doing endless faculty paperwork. Teachers work every bit as many hours per year as those who don't get a "Summer vacation".

And if they want to talk about cushy jobs, lets take a look at corporate CEOs...

[YvonneCa]

14. Exactly right. Teachers work very...

...long hours, with little recognition or appreciation for what they do. And those 'summer vacations'??? Usually spent taking classes to keep credentials up to date...on their own dime, BTW.

Thank you for your post. :)

[felix_numinous]

13. Teaching is a service profession.

Teachers, like nurses, social workers, firefighters and rescuers (and many police too) WANT to serve humanity, not to be corny, but it is a calling. No one goes into it for money but for the love of humanity. These people hold a vital place in society--and in many countries are highly revered.

Seeing what is happening in the schools leaves me speechless, I thought I would never see the day when the pillars of our society, the service professions, are attacked like they are today. The rest of society crumbles without these people. No factory worker, farmer, craftsman--any professional or even CEO--can live a decent life unless these professionals have the support they need.

[YvonneCa]

19. "Seeing what is happening in the schools leaves me speechless"...

...your words. Me, too. Thank you for posting.

[Reader Rabbit]

16. Talked to my mom (35 yr. LAUSD veteran) tonight

She was on fire because Arnie had visited a school in L.A. and told the kids they should become teachers. She was sputtering with rage.

Even retired teachers are outraged.

[YvonneCa]

18. And I am...

...one. ;) I agree with your mom. Kudos to her for her 35 years of dedication to children. :grouphug: