I frequently watch The Daily Show and of course the big story is the anti-union bills pending in Wisconsin and Ohio. I am a teacher so I am more than a little interested in what is going on in both states.
And I have learned a lot about my job in the last few weeks.
I had no idea how easy my job was and that really anyone could do what I do.
Apparently I did not need to spend all that time and money on a Master's degree or achieving the highest credentials in the Nation and my state.
So here's my question for all the people who are currently decry teaching as an easy part time job with great benefits and high salary....
Is all that vitriol and disrespect that you are throwing at teachers really just sour grapes that YOU didn't think to hop on the gravy train and become a teacher?
If teaching is so easy even "bottom-feeders" can do it AND you get a salary that makes you "rich" AND you have benefits better than anyone else gets AND you receive a pension that is given to you by the taxpayers (as opposed to deferred comp) AND you basically only work "part time" each day AND you get 4 months a year off...
Why the hell didn't you choose teaching? I mean, seriously, how stupid do you have to be to not choose a career with all those perks ?
Well here's a thought...
Turns out that teaching is not easy.
It is demanding, it is draining, it is exhausting and it is rewarding.
It is being a teacher, a nurse, a social worker, a behavior specialist, a nutritionist, and in some cases a parent to our students all while trying to achieve a ridiculous testing standard that accurately measures nothing more than the income level of the parent.
And it is doing all of that while earning a salary that in many places qualifies a family for food stamps.
Yes the pensions are good, but that is because teachers have chosen a lower take home salary in order to defer some compensation into the pension ('cause news flash- we don't qualify for social security).
Even in the summer, teachers are planning and using their time to develop the innovative lesson plans that will engage young minds and allow them to become citizens of the world.
There is a saying
"Those who can, do and those that can't, teach."
which I will acknowledge makes great soundbite for those Americans who don't want to tax their brains with actual facts.
However, the reality is that those who can, do.
Those who can do more, TEACH!
(Feel free to comment. However, be forewarned that while normally I do not edit or deny comments-even if they don't agree with me- unless they reveal personal data about me/my family, if you slam/demean/degrade/disrespect teachers in your comment I will not post them. Teachers are getting enough sh*t these days- but they won't get it here)
And I have learned a lot about my job in the last few weeks.
I had no idea how easy my job was and that really anyone could do what I do.
Apparently I did not need to spend all that time and money on a Master's degree or achieving the highest credentials in the Nation and my state.
So here's my question for all the people who are currently decry teaching as an easy part time job with great benefits and high salary....
Is all that vitriol and disrespect that you are throwing at teachers really just sour grapes that YOU didn't think to hop on the gravy train and become a teacher?
If teaching is so easy even "bottom-feeders" can do it AND you get a salary that makes you "rich" AND you have benefits better than anyone else gets AND you receive a pension that is given to you by the taxpayers (as opposed to deferred comp) AND you basically only work "part time" each day AND you get 4 months a year off...
Why the hell didn't you choose teaching? I mean, seriously, how stupid do you have to be to not choose a career with all those perks ?
Well here's a thought...
Turns out that teaching is not easy.
It is demanding, it is draining, it is exhausting and it is rewarding.
It is being a teacher, a nurse, a social worker, a behavior specialist, a nutritionist, and in some cases a parent to our students all while trying to achieve a ridiculous testing standard that accurately measures nothing more than the income level of the parent.
And it is doing all of that while earning a salary that in many places qualifies a family for food stamps.
Yes the pensions are good, but that is because teachers have chosen a lower take home salary in order to defer some compensation into the pension ('cause news flash- we don't qualify for social security).
Even in the summer, teachers are planning and using their time to develop the innovative lesson plans that will engage young minds and allow them to become citizens of the world.
There is a saying
"Those who can, do and those that can't, teach."
which I will acknowledge makes great soundbite for those Americans who don't want to tax their brains with actual facts.
However, the reality is that those who can, do.
Those who can do more, TEACH!
(Feel free to comment. However, be forewarned that while normally I do not edit or deny comments-even if they don't agree with me- unless they reveal personal data about me/my family, if you slam/demean/degrade/disrespect teachers in your comment I will not post them. Teachers are getting enough sh*t these days- but they won't get it here)
3 comments:
I teach one of my kids at home, but you couldn't pay me enough to teach 30 of someone else's. I'm very thankful that many can.
I adore teachers. I used to be a teacher. It's a tough, tough job. What people don't understand is that teachers don't just need subject matter knowledge, they also need excellent behavior management skills, detective skills, charisma and a strong ability to build rapport, excellent communication skills, and on and on. Teacher get a bad rap, IMO, and deserve our appreciation and accolades.
Amen! As a teacher myself, I couldn't agree more--and I HOPE would still even if I were not a teacher!
By the way, it must be something about your state that doesn't qualify you for SS--I do.
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