Tales of a Teacher...underpaid and under appreciated...

[greenbriar]

teachers spend a good deal of their own money to buy supplies for their classroom.

Before school this year, I know I spent about 500 dollars on crayons, colored pencils, construction paper, scissors, ect...



Today, we were making paper cranes after reading the story of Sadako and the 1000 paper cranes talking about Hiroshima and the War in Iraq...my kids are making 1000 cranes for Peace and going to have a display in the library. I was so excited and most of the kids were too until.... the little twits thought it would be fun to break my crayons into pieces and throw them around the room and someone else thought it would be fun to ruin 300 of the cranes while a different teacher was using my room.


talk about getting angry



Last nights boston legal showed that teachers do NOT do it for the money, and yes more and more teachers are leaving...


I think about it sometimes too

My smallest class is 32 in a room built for 25

I teach 179 7th graders every day

I am tired.

but when that one kid that no one can reach gives you a card or hugs you ...that makes it worth it

[madeline_con]

1. No more supply runs for these urchins!

I'd shut 'em down. If they don't bring their own pencil, they get an F on their work.

[greenbriar]

2. Today, after the crayons...I had them put all the supplies up

got out dictionaries and we started with K and wrote until the bell rang


I was soooooooooooo mad...

[madeline_con]

9. Can you send a letter home, asking for supplies to be sent in?

What about local businesses donating?

I know that can be a sticky issue, what with rules against "using your position for gain" or some such drivel. :eyes:

[caligirl]

24. Public schools can't require parents to purchase supplies, though

i have first hand experience with one that has. One way schools help is by forcefully suggesting parents anty up for an amazing list of things( it gets really expensive with photography class supplies),charging fees for afer school things for financially better off parents but not for less well off parents, then shifting the money from the school where the parents paid the fees to the schools where less than 5% paid the fee.

One way to avoid this is to insist that all donated funds go into a single pot district wide, and used as needed by teachers as a whole. some parents like this some don't. And the ones that don't aren't who you mightthink. those that will donate $$ don't necessarily mind this.

[madeline_con]

26. I work ExEd Teacher Assistant

and the kids have no paper, no pencil, but they carry a backpack full of who knows what around all day. It's so frustrating, having to go through the prelude every class period to get them settled and quiet.

I've seen tiny, otherwise sweet kids get vicious and destructive at times. I would set up a system where they have to earn the cool stuff. But don't get me started on contingent punishment, I think it's unfair. Sorry to go on and on......

[proud patriot]

3. Hang in there

I'm another underpaid Educator . I'm a SEA with Developmentaly
Delayed Pre-schoolers . I love you teachers . I would have been livid
had that been my classroom :hug:

[Rex]

4. The school I taught at was '18 years behind in technology'.

What did the kids learn? Where to hide their weed during the many drug dog 'interventions'. A real class stopper BTW. The kids were hiding their weed in the power outlet panels. Smart little fuckers. Between competing for attention with the PSP, the cell phone and ipods and the occasional arrest, I found a good core 90% really wanted to learn and most liked school better then being at home. I'd never known kids who went home to dirt floors before. Not in America.

I gave up on the school. It had failed 2 years in a row to meet Texas standards (that should be saying something) and if it fails this year will get taken over by the State. I feel that these kids have been let down by a far larger institution than public school or domestic squaller - the state has failed them. But hey it is Texas, so what can one expect? I went to a really nice HS in Houston, but it is still far from being fair and a systematic problem in this country.

[Alamom]

5. I know it's tough, Greenbriar. You have my upmost respect &

admiration. I don't teach, but many in my family do.
My sister has been teaching Learning Disabled Children for over 20 years.
Sister-in-law, Elementary Ed.
A niece and nephew Secondary Ed. A couple more will start next year.

I know what they make and can't believe some of the stories.


You have my heartfelt thanks for being a Teacher....thank you.


edsp

[wellst0nev0ter]

6. What?? Get Over Yourself

I think that teachers are overpaid and overbloated for being glorified babysitters for the kids. In fact, I think we should START paying teachers like babysitters.

So if you spend six hours looking after a class of 25 kids for 180 days a year, and the going rate for babysitting is $3 an hour per kid, then you all should be getting. . . $81,000 a year. And the annual teacher salary is $45,000 a year.

Well, ah, um, never mind then.

/freeper

[jgraz]

11. Sadly, I've seen several "serious" DU posts that say the same thing

some by 1000+ posters. It's amazing to me how clueless some people are about what teachers really do.

[InvisibleTouch]

7. I know it, believe me.

My brother's girlfriend is a grade school teacher. I've many times see her buy classroom and art supplies out of her own pocket. Then the stories she tells about dealing with abusive parents, bratty kids who disrupt the class for everyone else, and juggling the demands of the administrators with actually teaching something ... it makes me wonder why anyone would put themselves through that, for such little pay. I taught college undergrads and dealt with only a fraction of that kind of crap (most of my students were good and really did want to learn), but I still hated it. I can see where there would be very real rewards in teaching, but you've got to really love it to do it. Since this is your calling, all I can really recommend is to focus on the kids who are passionate about learning, who are a joy to teach, and realize you made a positive impact on their lives - and try not to stress too much about the others. Easier said than done, I realize.

The ruined cranes really piss me off, because it sounds like such a neat project - and it only takes one or two jerks to spoil it for everyone else.

[soothsayer]

8. move to CA! don't they make like 100k there?

[greenbriar]

17. I can't believe that would be true

but being a teacher you just cant pick up and move across the United States...each state has different rules and test requirements for li censure

[Kerrytravelers]

19. No. We don't. California teacher here.

[caligirl]

20. I seem to recall a few new teachers who were recruited to come

out to California from less costly states. they lasted a year on the salary they were paid their first year of teaching.Back to the midwest they went.

[Momgonepostal]

34. In my dreams!

My husband is a teacher here in CA and doesn't make anywhere near that. They don't even make that in the super expensive parts of CA.

[caligirl]

35. those would be the overpaid admin and super. and assist super.

[BeatleBoot]

10. Sounds Rough. I lost my job before Christmas...

I put myself through college and have over 20 years of white collar work experience.

Now, no work and no Health Care.

My former employer went bankrupt and is closing their doors.

In fact, my state leads the nation in home foreclosures and unemployment.

Family prescriptions without coverage averages $ 1,200 per month.

That crayon thing must be stressful, though.

More than I could bear.

[greenbriar]

12. my first job 8 years ago was for 23,500.00

and my student loans were up to 25,000

I make a little more now...

A-Rod makes more at one at bat than I do all year

[Dean Martin]

22. A-Rod makes more at one at bat than I do all year

This is one of the primary reasons I HATE sports.

I applaud teachers everywhere also. I hope the message on Boston Legal last night was driven home to viewers, but sadly, I doubt that it was. People in the nation overlook teachers and others who work for low wages and do the tough stuff, yet glorify punks and jerks becoming millionaires for playing games.

And the thing that disgusts me most is they force us to pay taxes to build those jerks stadiums to play their stupid games in, while education gets ignored. We have public schools in Indy that don't have adequate facilities, heating, air conditioning, teachers, etc, yet they gave 10 million dollars to the damn Colts for their stupid stadium. Our police dept has been short handed, and the mayor told them they'd all have to work overtime because there was no budget to hire more cops, yet 10 million went to the Colts for a stadium. Needless to say, the police in town didn't like that too much this past summer. I know because a couple of them told me so.

We're falling further and further behind the rest of the world in educating our children, yet all they want to do is glorify those who know how to throw a stupid ball down a field or into a metal hoop. I wouldn't have too much of a problem with that if we were not having to pay taxes for sports. Paying taxes for sports is immoral. Taxes should go for education, crime, sanitation, health, never for sports. This country more and more seems to think education should only be for the rich, and the rest of us should just fall by the wayside unless we can play a sport.

[brer cat]

13. You are underpaid, but you are appreciated by a lot of people

especially me. My sister is a retired 1st grade teacher, and I remember much of what you are saying. We used to watch for back-to-school sales to help her out with supplies.

In some schools, it also hits middle-class and poor parents hard. My grands started pre-school & kindergarten this year, and the list of "required" supplies defied belief. My daughter, who is a working student and very poor, was required to supply an unbelievable amount of crayons and other craft supplies. I guess their theory is those who can, or in my daughter's case, will take money from other necessities and cope, to supply those who won't. The school systems need to provide more funds.

One last comment on a totally different note: about 10 years ago I went to a funeral home visit when one of my 8th grade teachers had died. She taught me over 40 years ago...I never forgot the lessons she taught me, or her. You are probably appreciated more than you realize, but you may not realize until you are dead! lol

check your pm

[RiverStone]

14. Also a 15 year+ educator here....really bummed

That the powers that be devalue the hard work we do in public education. It's frustratingly ironic that many kids we graduate are making more money in high tech, business, or construction trades in 5 years then many teachers with a Masters degree and 25+ years experience earn. The small "COLA" raises teachers get have not kept up with inflation, and I'm paying more and more out of pocket for medical insurance as the state allotment per employee has not kept up with rising insurance costs.

I resent that I'm hard pressed to save much for my own two teenage children's future education. All that passion and idealism to make the world a better place in my 20's gets lost now sometimes.

And your so right, hearing from kids that I have made a difference in their life - which will always be remembered - may not pay the bills; but it is priceless in it's value. Guess that why I still work in the public schools. :)

[greenbriar]

15. gosh...that is exactly how I feel

I love what I do, but i am sooooooooooo tired

[w8liftinglady]

16. my two youngest sons want to be teachers.

I have strongly encouraged them both.Teachers are the lifeline for humanity.Their pay is nowhere near enough.Please don't think the world doesn't appreciate you.I appreciate you,and the guidance you've shown my boys.For many of these kids,you are the only stability in their lives.
I'm a nurse,and have probably saved 10,000 lives in my lifetime.I know more than most of the doctors I work with.You wouldn't believe the crap I put up with.You've saved lives in another way,a much more vital way.I'm sorry things suck for you.Please don't give up!

[caligirl]

18. I saw Boston Legal as well and here is my opinion, I have two college

aged sons,both in college. I for the most part loved the teachers my sons had and did my share of fund raisers, which the state hopes we will keep doing so they never have to give up their pet project money, I brought batches of pencils, paid for ansd went on field trips even if it was a voluntary contribution, paid for extra crayons, helped in the classrooms and enjoyed active participation in committees for the school board. I made hundreds of calls to get bonds passed to fix up the buildings and replace scummy bathrooms, arguing with retirees that they really needed to pass this bond or that bond and give teachers added work room with better technology. I worked every year from the time my first son started school until

my second child developed an immune disorder at the age of 14. I profusely thanked one of my sons favorite high school teachers for volunteering to take the training required for him to safely go on an out of state field trip, with a card and gift of money. I wrote letters of thanks to other teachers who acted in his best interests daily as they taught him while he managed his own disease. Most of the teachers were supportive with few exceptions. One teacher was truly offensive to deal with and out right discriminated in a hurtful way toward a student respected and cared about by fellow teachers and staff as well as fellow students. She was dealt with.

For the district and policymakers whose only interest was harassing parents and threatening them for seeking to protect their child s health and well being, and school nurses who acted outside of the law at times, they got this:http://www.diabetes.org/uedocuments/DiabetesSuit101105.pdf

the trial date was just set for next year, hope it settles first.

to teachers, unless people are willing to truly support schools for everyone and PAY for them, you will continue to feel as you do. I tried to do my part until it was too painful to deal with.

[Kerrytravelers]

21. Yep. Been there... well, close enough.

No cranes were hurt... but crayons became weaponry.

[bobbolink]

23. I salute you!!

:applause:

I have such a soft spot for teachers.

I, also, loved that segment of Boston Legal last night!

It is the shame of this nation, what teachers are put through. I wish I knew the answer to that. Quitting isn't the answer, but I certainly understand why many would.

Common respect.

What a concept.

Thank you for sharing your story with us. We *all* need to hear it.

My hat's off to you! :applause:

[dsc]

25. I definately feel your pain

I have so been there. I hope you are able to persevere. You sound like a great teacher.

[greenbriar]

28. thank you...I try...that is all I can do

!

[dsc]

30. I can so relate

One suggestion I have is to try moving to a different system if possible. Not all systems so overload their teachers.

[Godhumor]

27. This is my sixth and final year as a teacher

I head back to school for my MBA in August. I've taught from the age of 25 to 26 in urban, suburban, rural, and foreign placements--I have finally decided this just isn't the career for me. It has been rewarding, stressful, challenging, and fun all rolled into one, but the joy that I gained from the job is just simply not enough to outweigh some of the negatives. I admire anyone who does this job for even a year, and for new teachers to stay in the profession until retirement is a special thing, indeed.

[greenbriar]

29. what are you going to do after you get your MBA?

I often wonder what to do with a teacher's degree?

[Godhumor]

31. We'll see...

At the moment I am thinink of going into financial services--I know most of the fellowships I am interviewing for focus on that particular area. I am aiming for getting into banking or international banking in particular, and I am trying to line up my ducks to do so.

It also helps that I don't have a teaching degree, per se. I have my teaching certificate, but my undergrad major was not in education. However, I think teaching is great prep for becoming a manager, and I have to hope that the fellowship people feel the same way. :)

[Bozita]

32. Boys and girls, it's time to review our newest challenge, "No Dentist Left Behind"

This is the 10th anniversary of my first acquaintance with this little lesson. Every teacher and former teacher can relate to this.

My own dentist loves it, but then again, he's one of us.


http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/no-dentist.html

No Dentist Left Behind
by John Taylor © 2002

Used by permission of the author.
Originally titled: "Absolutely the Best Dentists"
History behind essay

My dentist is great! He sends me reminders so I don't forget checkups. He uses the latest techniques based on research. He never hurts me, and I've got all my teeth, so when I ran into him the other day, I was eager to see if he'd heard about the new state program. I knew he'd think it was great.

   "Did you hear about the new state program to measure the effectiveness of dentists with their young patients?" I said.

   "No," he said. He didn't seem too thrilled. "How will they do that?"

   "It's quite simple," I said. "They will just count the number of cavities each patient has at age 10, 14 and 18 and average that to determine a dentist's rating. Dentists will be rated as Excellent, Good, Average, Below Average and Unsatisfactory. That way parents will know which are the best dentists. It will also encourage the less effective dentists to get better," I said. "Poor dentists who don't improve could lose their licenses to practice in South Carolina."

   "That's terrible," he said.

   "What? That's not a good attitude," I said. "Don't you think we should try to improve children's dental health in this state?"

   "Sure I do," he said, "but that's not a fair way to determine who is practicing good dentistry."

   "Why not?" I said. "It makes perfect sense to me."

more...

[roody]

33. The only time I shop at Walmart is in July or August.

Crayons are 10 or 20 cents a box. Notebooks are 10 or 20. Glue and folders are super cheap. I'm in my ninth year of first and second grade in Cal.

[Blue_Tires]

36. i can add that

being a sub can be rough sometimes, too