Guest guest Posted April 26, 2004 Report Share Posted April 26, 2004 , I guess the main thing here is just that, not all teachers are bad. But parents tend to say the word "Teachers," rather than this one teacher when they are upset with something that is going on. I am a teacher, and I have been upset with teachers who give those of us who are busting our backsides a bad name. Can't change the fact that we are all human I guess, I would if I could trust me. Something you said intrigued me though. It amazes me how the general parental public can come to the conclusion that teachers are responsible for the lack of funding that is causing such a crisis in our school special Ed system. Like you, I have had to fight tooth and nail to get the services for Kira that she so desperately needs in order to be successful in school, including hiring an attorney going through mediation hearings, etc., and I work for the district. She is not truly benefiting from them, but her younger brother and sister are benefiting from my fights on Kira's behalf with the district office. Who have the favorite words it is not in our budget. Am I angry about this, oh yes, however, This is in no way in the control of the teacher. The teachers want her to have the services we are fighting for. Let me tell you something that is occurring in our district right now that is a total crime. The special Ed teachers have banned together to turn the district into the state powers at be because we have a waiting list to get into special Ed in our district, and your child can be bumped down on the list depending on weather or not there is a new child that comes into the district who is more severe. There are children who have been waiting for services for literally years. However it was the teachers who banned together at the risk of loosing their jobs to try to right this wrong, not the parents. My question is why? Where are the parents? I think that there is such an attitude out there that it is the teachers responsibility to make sure the kids all have what they need to be successful. That is such a fallacy teaching was meant to be a world of partnerships. Parents, student, districts and teacher all working together to benefit the student. Somehow three of the four often get left out. Now don't get me wrong I am not saying you are guilty of this, but for the most part, many parents and students are. Special needs kids have less of a responsibility based on their level of disability. But speaking for my own kid, I know that even Kira gives up at times and expects her teachers to do it all for her, and puts very little effort into her work. As for teachers salaries, let me give you an example here to help you understand why so many teachers feel that they are not paid for their job fairly. This year I have bought for my classroom out of my own pocket: Crayons 20 boxes 30.00 Numerous pencils since the district only provides 2 pencils a month and many parents do not make sure their child has the supplies they need to be successful in school, but yet if the student does not have a pencil it somehow is the teachers fault.. approximately 100.00 so far Numerous stickers and Treasure box incentives to the tune of 350.00 so far Replacement of reading books stolen or distroyed-$275.00 Snacks on a weekly basis for those whose parents do not send in proper nutritional snacks for their child to be able to think and learn 20 x 29 weeks- a week $580.00 so far this year. Glazes for the ceramic art projects we do, $ 80.00 Support curriculum materials- 245.00 so far this year Cassette tapes for my little special needs gal who must tell her stories rather than physically write them. $30.00 And the list goes on. The way it works out is that I basically work 3 to 4 weeks a year for free in order to meet the needs of my classroom. Do all teachers spend this, no, some spend much more to make sure that their students have what it takes to teach them. I do not know of any other job where you are required to put so much of your so called salary back into your job in order to be able to do the job properly. Do we ask firemen to buy hoses for the rigs? Do Doctors buy their own bandages out of their salary, for the most part no, Do fork lift drivers have to buy their own fork lift in order to work for the company? Do secretaries at a company have to provide their own pens and computer paper? No! So maybe if you can see it from this stand point a little, maybe you can see why teachers salaries are not really all that good as you say. For me I did not go into teaching for the money, I became a teacher and a special needs teacher because I have a heart for kids, but I also have a family to provide for, and for me, I did go to school University level, 5 years for my credential and another 2 years for my special Education Credential. I have two credentials 2 certificates and a masters degree and I make under $60,000. And I have to put back into my classroom 18 to 20% of that salary in order for me to be able to do my job correctly and effectively. And I have student loans that have to be paid back. In the big picture here, the garbage man in my community brings home to his family the same amount I do and he hasn't had to go to school and continue to go to school to keep his job! I think the main thing here that we are all saying is, Parents must help teachers nowadays even more than they have ever in the past. As our times change it is a total necessity if we expect that our special needs or mainstream kiddos are going to get any kind of decent education. Like I said before. I have a hard time doing my three Mito kiddos on my own at home, yet we expect and demand that a teacher with 20 to 36 children all with different backgrounds and needs, do the same and better for our kiddos. It is just not physically possible, weather you are a teacher who is it teaching because you love kids or not. It breaks my heart when I read the words then they should just get out if they are so upset about it. Let me challenge you to rethink this. Rather than have such a negative attitude, how about saying, well then if the teachers are unhappy, how about we try to see if we can help them a little better. Parents nowadays do not for the most part teach respect for teachers, until that returns, things will never change. That is my true heart of the situation. I will write no more on this as it is a very passionate thing for all. My philosophy is ALL children Deserve an Education and All teachers deserve respect, support and most of all help from parents and students. big hugs to you, O When the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we spend so much time looking at the closed door, we don't see the open door. Look for the open doors! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2004 Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 In the great state of Alabama and Mississippi, the median pay is $23,000 a year for teachers. I know for myself had I wanted the bucks- I would have gone into a different profession. Just as put it, some of us teachers have put out alot of our own money to support the children in our classroom. Take for instance, I taught in a setting where I had to buy my own art supplies. There wasn't enough funding for them. I bought my own resource books at $35.00 a pop and spent an excess of 70 hours in class/planning on my own time. Granted I did not get any reimbursement for time spent after working hours, but personally I felt the time/effort were well spent. Plus not to mention all the continuing workshops I had to go to and fork out x number of dollars from my own pocket. In most professions, I am certain that many people spend some unpaid time working at home or going to conferences at some point. It's just life. On one hand, I do wish there was more funding for education and on the other, I know my sacrifice was well worth it. Ann > , > > I guess the main thing here is just that, not all teachers are bad. But > parents tend to say the word " Teachers, " rather than this one teacher when > they are upset with something that is going on. I am a teacher, and I have been > upset with teachers who give those of us who are busting our backsides a bad > name. Can't change the fact that we are all human I guess, I would if I could > trust me. Something you said intrigued me though. It amazes me how the > general parental public can come to the conclusion that teachers are responsible > for the lack of funding that is causing such a crisis in our school special Ed > system. Like you, I have had to fight tooth and nail to get the services for > Kira that she so desperately needs in order to be successful in school, > including hiring an attorney going through mediation hearings, etc., and I work for > the district. She is not truly benefiting from them, but her younger brother > and sister are benefiting from my fights on Kira's behalf with the district > office. Who have the favorite words it is not in our budget. Am I angry about > this, oh yes, however, This is in no way in the control of the teacher. The > teachers want her to have the services we are fighting for. Let me tell you > something that is occurring in our district right now that is a total crime. The > special Ed teachers have banned together to turn the district into the state > powers at be because we have a waiting list to get into special Ed in our > district, and your child can be bumped down on the list depending on weather or not > there is a new child that comes into the district who is more severe. There > are children who have been waiting for services for literally years. However > it was the teachers who banned together at the risk of loosing their jobs to > try to right this wrong, not the parents. My question is why? Where are the > parents? I think that there is such an attitude out there that it is the > teachers responsibility to make sure the kids all have what they need to be > successful. That is such a fallacy teaching was meant to be a world of partnerships. > Parents, student, districts and teacher all working together to benefit the > student. Somehow three of the four often get left out. Now don't get me wrong > I am not saying you are guilty of this, but for the most part, many parents > and students are. Special needs kids have less of a responsibility based on > their level of disability. But speaking for my own kid, I know that even Kira > gives up at times and expects her teachers to do it all for her, and puts very > little effort into her work. > As for teachers salaries, let me give you an example here to help you > understand why so many teachers feel that they are not paid for their job > fairly. > > This year I have bought for my classroom out of my own pocket: > > Crayons 20 boxes 30.00 > Numerous pencils since the district only provides 2 pencils a month and many > parents do not make sure their child has the supplies they need to be > successful in school, but yet if the student does not have a pencil it somehow is the > teachers fault.. approximately 100.00 so far > Numerous stickers and Treasure box incentives to the tune of 350.00 so far > Replacement of reading books stolen or distroyed-$275.00 > Snacks on a weekly basis for those whose parents do not send in proper > nutritional snacks for their child to be able to think and learn 20 x 29 weeks- a > week $580.00 so far this year. > Glazes for the ceramic art projects we do, $ 80.00 > Support curriculum materials- 245.00 so far this year > Cassette tapes for my little special needs gal who must tell her stories > rather than physically write them. $30.00 > And the list goes on. The way it works out is that I basically work 3 to 4 > weeks a year for free in order to meet the needs of my classroom. Do all > teachers spend this, no, some spend much more to make sure that their students have > what it takes to teach them. I do not know of any other job where you are > required to put so much of your so called salary back into your job in order to > be able to do the job properly. Do we ask firemen to buy hoses for the > rigs? Do Doctors buy their own bandages out of their salary, for the most part > no, Do fork lift drivers have to buy their own fork lift in order to work for > the company? Do secretaries at a company have to provide their own pens and > computer paper? No! So maybe if you can see it from this stand point a little, > maybe you can see why teachers salaries are not really all that good as you > say. > > For me I did not go into teaching for the money, I became a teacher and a > special needs teacher because I have a heart for kids, but I also have a family > to provide for, and for me, I did go to school University level, 5 years for my > credential and another 2 years for my special Education Credential. I have > two credentials 2 certificates and a masters degree and I make under $60,000. > And I have to put back into my classroom 18 to 20% of that salary in order for > me to be able to do my job correctly and effectively. And I have student loans > that have to be paid back. > In the big picture here, the garbage man in my community brings home to his > family the same amount I do and he hasn't had to go to school and continue to > go to school to keep his job! > > I think the main thing here that we are all saying is, Parents must help > teachers nowadays even more than they have ever in the past. As our times change > it is a total necessity if we expect that our special needs or mainstream > kiddos are going to get any kind of decent education. Like I said before. I have > a hard time doing my three Mito kiddos on my own at home, yet we expect and > demand that a teacher with 20 to 36 children all with different backgrounds and > needs, do the same and better for our kiddos. It is just not physically > possible, weather you are a teacher who is it teaching because you love kids or > not. It breaks my heart when I read the words then they should just get out if > they are so upset about it. Let me challenge you to rethink this. Rather > than have such a negative attitude, how about saying, well then if the teachers > are unhappy, how about we try to see if we can help them a little better. > Parents nowadays do not for the most part teach respect for teachers, until that > returns, things will never change. That is my true heart of the situation. I > will write no more on this as it is a very passionate thing for all. My > philosophy is ALL children Deserve an Education and All teachers deserve respect, > support and most of all help from parents and students. > > > big hugs to you, > > O > > When the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we spend so > much time looking at the closed door, we don't see the open door. Look for > the open doors! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2004 Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 The teachers in our district make 35,000 to 48,000 a year. I don't think that's to bad of an income. I guess it just depends on where you live. mom to Colby,14,COXIV,LCHAD,ACC,ADHD ,hypothroidism and osteopenia. Chad, 16, healthy, Caleb, 11, also healthy> >Reply-To: Mito >To: Mito >Subject: Re: On Teachers response- >Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 07:55:35 -0000 > Test your ‘Travel Quotient’ and get the chance to win your dream trip! In the great state of Alabama and Mississippi, the median pay is $23,000 a year for teachers. I know for myself had I wanted the bucks- I would have gone into a different profession. Just as put it, some of us teachers have put out alot of our own money to support the children in our classroom. Take for instance, I taught in a setting where I had to buy my own art supplies. There wasn't enough funding for them. I bought my own resource books at $35.00 a pop and spent an excess of 70 hours in class/planning on my own time. Granted I did not get any reimbursement for time spent after working hours, but personally I felt the time/effort were well spent. Plus not to mention all the continuing workshops I had to go to and fork out x number of dollars from my own pocket. In most professions, I am certain that many people spend some unpaid time working at home or going to conferences at some point. It's just life. On one hand, I do wish there was more funding for education and on the other, I know my sacrifice was well worth it. Ann > , > > I guess the main thing here is just that, not all teachers are bad. But > parents tend to say the word " Teachers, " rather than this one teacher when > they are upset with something that is going on. I am a teacher, and I have been > upset with teachers who give those of us who are busting our backsides a bad > name. Can't change the fact that we are all human I guess, I would if I could > trust me. Something you said intrigued me though. It amazes me how the > general parental public can come to the conclusion that teachers are responsible > for the lack of funding that is causing such a crisis in our school special Ed > system. Like you, I have had to fight tooth and nail to get the services for > Kira that she so desperately needs in order to be successful in school, > including hiring an attorney going through mediation hearings, etc., and I work for > the district. She is not truly benefiting from them, but her younger brother > and sister are benefiting from my fights on Kira's behalf with the district > office. Who have the favorite words it is not in our budget. Am I angry about > this, oh yes, however, This is in no way in the control of the teacher. The > teachers want her to have the services we are fighting for. Let me tell you > something that is occurring in our district right now that is a total crime. The > special Ed teachers have banned together to turn the district into the state > powers at be because we have a waiting list to get into special Ed in our > district, and your child can be bumped down on the list depending on weather or not > there is a new child that comes into the district who is more severe. There > are children who have been waiting for services for literally years. However > it was the teachers who banned together at the risk of loosing their jobs to > try to right this wrong, not the parents. My question is why? Where are the > parents? I think that there is such an attitude out there that it is the > teachers responsibility to make sure the kids all have what they need to be > successful. That is such a fallacy teaching was meant to be a world of partnerships. > Parents, student, districts and teacher all working together to benefit the > student. Somehow three of the four often get left out. Now don't get me wrong > I am not saying you are guilty of this, but for the most part, many parents > and students are. Special needs kids have less of a responsibility based on > their level of disability. But speaking for my own kid, I know that even Kira > gives up at times and expects her teachers to do it all for her, and puts very > little effort into her work. > As for teachers salaries, let me give you an example here to help you > understand why so many teachers feel that they are not paid for their job > fairly. > > This year I have bought for my classroom out of my own pocket: > > Crayons 20 boxes 30.00 > Numerous pencils since the district only provides 2 pencils a month and many > parents do not make sure their child has the supplies they need to be > successful in school, but yet if the student does not have a pencil it somehow is the > teachers fault.. approximately 100.00 so far > Numerous stickers and Treasure box incentives to the tune of 350.00 so far > Replacement of reading books stolen or distroyed-$275.00 > Snacks on a weekly basis for those whose parents do not send in proper > nutritional snacks for their child to be able to think and learn 20 x 29 weeks- a > week $580.00 so far this year. > Glazes for the ceramic art projects we do, $ 80.00 > Support curriculum materials- 245.00 so far this year > Cassette tapes for my little special needs gal who must tell her stories > rather than physically write them. $30.00 > And the list goes on. The way it works out is that I basically work 3 to 4 > weeks a year for free in order to meet the needs of my classroom. Do all > teachers spend this, no, some spend much more to make sure that their students have > what it takes to teach them. I do not know of any other job where you are > required to put so much of your so called salary back into your job in order to > be able to do the job properly. Do we ask firemen to buy hoses for the > rigs? Do Doctors buy their own bandages out of their salary, for the most part > no, Do fork lift drivers have to buy their own fork lift in order to work for > the company? Do secretaries at a company have to provide their own pens and > computer paper? No! So maybe if you can see it from this stand point a little, > maybe you can see why teachers salaries are not really all that good as you > say. > > For me I did not go into teaching for the money, I became a teacher and a > special needs teacher because I have a heart for kids, but I also have a family > to provide for, and for me, I did go to school University level, 5 years for my > credential and another 2 years for my special Education Credential. I have > two credentials 2 certificates and a masters degree and I make under $60,000. > And I have to put back into my classroom 18 to 20% of that salary in order for > me to be able to do my job correctly and effectively. And I have student loans > that have to be paid back. > In the big picture here, the garbage man in my community brings home to his > family the same amount I do and he hasn't had to go to school and continue to > go to school to keep his job! > > I think the main thing here that we are all saying is, Parents must help > teachers nowadays even more than they have ever in the past. As our times change > it is a total necessity if we expect that our special needs or mainstream > kiddos are going to get any kind of decent education. Like I said before. I have > a hard time doing my three Mito kiddos on my own at home, yet we expect and > demand that a teacher with 20 to 36 children all with different backgrounds and > needs, do the same and better for our kiddos. It is just not physically > possible, weather you are a teacher who is it teaching because you love kids or > not. It breaks my heart when I read the words then they should just get out if > they are so upset about it. Let me challenge you to rethink this. Rather > than have such a negative attitude, how about saying, well then if the teachers > are unhappy, how about we try to see if we can help them a little better. > Parents nowadays do not for the most part teach respect for teachers, until that > returns, things will never change. That is my true heart of the situation. I > will write no more on this as it is a very passionate thing for all. My > philosophy is ALL children Deserve an Education and All teachers deserve respect, > support and most of all help from parents and students. > > > big hugs to you, > > O > > When the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we spend so > much time looking at the closed door, we don't see the open door. Look for > the open doors! Please contact mito-owner with any problems or questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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