Tuesday afternoon we had a visit from one of the teachers' union officials. She wanted to encourage us to join the rally and "Stand up for schools"... a statewide event scheduled Thursday, March 4th. I did. I have always stood up for schools, public schools. I sent my children to public schools, was a PTA mom... and became a teacher.
I have to admit that I am becoming very disillusioned with the carreer I have chosen. The union official told us that there is a strong possibility of a 10-11% paycut for the school year 2010-2011. We took a 4% paycut this year.
Class size have increased ... I have 30 in my class now... no para professional to assist me in a full day kindergarten program... much tougher demands on teacher time, higher academic demands on the 5 year olds... 3 furlough days... more furlough days next school year. As much as I used to say that I love what I do, and did!... I feel like I do not have much more to give ...
I seriously think that it is time to retire... the longer I stay in this profession, the lesser my retirement will be as my retirement pay will be based on the last three years' salary. If teachers' wages keep going down, it will not make sense for me to wait to get poor... I can do it now!
Comments (5)
Eden, this was a disturbing post that I hope disturbs many, many readers.
I'm going to post a link on my facebook.
Thanks for sharing. Hugs!
Posted by Deborah | March 7, 2010 11:37 AM
Posted on March 7, 2010 11:37
I agree. It is so frustrating to listen to all the criticism from those that do not have a clue how difficult it has become to try to teach today. I think sadly things are only going to get worse. We are lucky in Hawaii to be able to take our top 3 years of pay for retirement. California seems to be in an even worse mess than we are here in Hawaii. Very sad!
Posted by girasoli | March 7, 2010 10:09 PM
Posted on March 7, 2010 22:09
We haven't taken a pay cut yet, but it seem inevitable next year. I did attend our local rally on Tbursday and got my picture in the local newspaper holding up my big sign! I should post the picture on my facebook page.
Posted by Kathy | March 8, 2010 6:01 PM
Posted on March 8, 2010 18:01
Eden, this is terrible. No wonder you are getting disillusioned. I gather furlough days are forced unpaid leave? We have a very strong teacher's union in Nova Scotia, so our teachers are in a much better situation, but still, our education system is not in good shape. Class sizes are way too high, and no money for extra bus runs so that rural kids can participate in extracurricular activities...not to mention some teachers purchase classroom supplies themselves because available funding is so inadequate. Sad state of affairs that education is so underfunded everywhere.
Posted by Anne | March 9, 2010 8:45 AM
Posted on March 9, 2010 08:45
They told us that at the least we would have a 4% cut next year and at most, 14%. It is getting ridiculous. We have no unions here, which makes it worse, but what is most aggravating is when they tell us, "At least you still have a job." NOT THE POINT!! And I know you get about as much money to buy supplies as we do, so I know how you feel.
Posted by Teresa | March 14, 2010 8:06 PM
Posted on March 14, 2010 20:06