We're into second semester and some teachers are already packing their bags for their final year in the classroom. Not all are retiring. Not all are moving. Some are just fed up with the system and tired of fighting the good fight. They've exhausted their resources, physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. So, in January they start thinking about May and they start packing away their personal items rather than put them back on a shelf for next year.
The more that is expected from teachers, without any type of compensation, the more exits we'll see. I'm sure this will rub some people the wrong way, but that's okay. If a teacher has the audacity to request the same respect given to other professions, they are criticized. If a teacher asks for a pay raise or over-time compensation, they are sternly reminded that they aren't in this for the pay. They are in this for the kids. And, if you could examine the heart of most teachers you would see that their heart is in it for the kids, but they can no longer struggle to live below poverty level.
That's right. I'm not exaggerating. Most teachers earn below poverty level incomes. Adding to the financial stress, they are expected to use their own money for classroom supplies including tissues, pencils, crayons, paper, and any classroom decor. That's just the tip of the ice-berg. Teachers are often expected to attend school functions (at no extra pay, except for those contracted for such events like coaches), they are asked to cover classes on their plan time (meaning that what they planned to do on their plan time just got moved to their personal time), and assist with extra-curricular activities or fund raising events. Meetings and conferences are moved to before school or after school without so much as a thank you for coming in early or staying late.
And, it doesn't stop there. Reports indicate that school personnel and community college instructors are following their certified friends into the job market. The numbers leaving continues to rise as administrators continue to scratch their heads. They wonder how a teacher could possibly leave a career in teaching. Teaching is a stable job. There are many perks with snow days and vacation time built in. Teaching is perfect for parents since the parent will have the same hours as their child. Salary freezes happen rarely. You are always guaranteed a raise (even if it is only .08 a year - yes this is true).
Law makers can't possibly fathom why someone would leave such a lucrative position. Teachers have terrific hours, benefits, and very little responsibility ( yes, we're sarcastically laughing here - to keep from crying). Giving teachers raises will cost law makers and tax payers money. Their budgets are already tight. They can't possibly afford to give teachers a raise. Besides teachers don't work that many hours. Not like other professionals. They should be happy with their income. And the regulations and laws they pass only help to improve a teacher's job and make it easier. Right?
Wrong. Teachers have not escaped paper work and forms-to-be-filled-out that have been thrust on other professions (i.e. those in the medical field). Moving away from pencil and paper to technology to save trees is a joke. Forms come in triplicate. They need to be filled out more and more often throughout the year. Records have to be kept. Documentation has to be constantly updated. Yes, some is done on a device, but more often it is done on some of those trees we've saved.
So what is the bottom line? You get what you pay for. You want qualified educators? Pay them what they're worth. Respect them. Listen to them. Or, continue down the path that doesn't value education or educators and we'll end up with a generation that can only follow 1 or 2 step directions.
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