Why are teachers constantly forced into battle with politicians, millionaires, businessmen, and other members of the non-teaching world to protect their retirement?  Teacher retirement is funded by teachers for teachers. It is considered to be part of our benefit package (the amount that schools contribute).  We accept lower wages, longer hours, poor health insurance (if any at all), among other  things in order to have a retirement that will keep us from living in poverty after retirement. In short, most teachers are living at the poverty level now, in hopes that one day their retirement will be enough for their living expenses.

At every turn there seems to be someone ready to change teacher retirement programs. Teachers in Missouri seem to be constantly fighting to keep their retirement. Apparently, politicians have not heard the old saying, "If it isn't broke, don't fix it."   Currently HB864 is threatening Missouri teachers.  MSTA is actively fighting against this legislation because of the harm that it will do to the teacher's retirement system.  For more information about the involvement of MSTA read this article about HB864.

This bill is being sponsored by Republican Representative Jerod Taylor, district 139. I don't know Rep. Taylor personally, but I do know that he isn't a teacher.  He may be a nice guy, but he knows zero about life in the classroom.  So, why is he trying to change the retirement system? I have no idea. I've searched who his campaign contributors are, but found nothing there that might offer a reason why he would sponsor an education bill. The other bills he is sponsoring range from feral hogs to poaching animals to concealed carry  to nonfoods sold at the capital. In short, they jump from one topic to another.  I failed to find any other connections to each other let alone a connection to education.

Should there be a connection to education? That's how politics works, you say. That may be true. Maybe politicians don't need to have an understanding of a subject to sponsor legislation. But maybe they should. Maybe they should function more like the rest of us. We specialize. We learn about our topic or subject matter. We become experts.

This puts me right back to square one. Why are politicians always sticking their nose in someone else's business?   I haven't been to a teacher meeting where teachers discussed changing the retirement programs of politicians, but maybe I should look into it. Maybe I should be more vocal about term limits and changing the retirement program of politicians. Maybe they should have a cut in pay and be on the same healthcare plan as the rest of us.

I'm frustrated and angry.  This affects my future and my livelihood.  I'm tired of defending my right to the retirement that I've earned.  Retirement isn't a government program or a handout. It isn't an entitlement. It is something that I've worked hard to earn. That's right Mr. Taylor, I earned it.  And I'm tired of politicians, like you, telling me what is best for me. After all, it is weren't for teachers we wouldn't have politicians.  In fact, we wouldn't have any profession.   So, what I'm trying to say is, I have a brain and I know how to use it.  I don't need you telling me what is best for my future. I need you to take care of your business and I'll take care of mine.

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

I've got my own little idea for dealing with behavioral issues. Nothing like all of those other acronyms. Mine is more to the point. Cuts right to the chase. Doesn't waste precious instructional time using nicey-nice phrases.  P.F.C. That's what I'll call it. Punishment. Fits. Crime.   You slap. We slap. You spit. We spit. You scream. We scream.  Immediate feedback. Clear directions.  No misunderstandings.

Really, I know we can't slap, pinch, hit, kick, etc. even though we feel like it at times, but maybe if the consequence were swift it might make an impression.  If your little darling shreds his math paper.  Fine. Clean the floor. Not just under the desk, but the entire room.  And redo the assignment. Same goes for spitting.  I'm thinking a mini broom and dust pan or toothbrush and floor cleaner. 

Those who yell and scream could have a headset strapped to their head and listen to a recording of themselves. Maybe they'll get so sick of the sound of their shrill little voices that they'll stop.  Only one answer for kickers and slappers. Put them in a sound proof rubber room. Let them bounce off the walls awhile. 

The pincher could have pinch training, picking up all the minute pieces of dust. This requires excellent pinching skills.  Why let them go to waste? Use them to clean the school.  

Seriously, these punishments are over the top, but something has to be done. Now. Kids are growing up without consequences for their behavior.  Sitting them at a desk to think about what they have done only gives them more time to dream up more misbehaviors. More time to justify their misbehavior. 

Sooner or later, they need direction. Guidance. Consequences. They need to learn that their behaviors are not acceptable. If they don't learn this, how will they ever grow up and hold down a job.  I've never had a boss that had a safe room where employees could think about their behavior. I've never worked at a job where everyone was employee of the month.  I've never had a boss tell me to use safe hands. Although, I maybe should have had one that told me to use kind words!   

Reality. May not be fun, but it's this thing called life.  We all have to grow up and accept the good and the bad. We don't always get our way. Sometimes we have to compromise.  Sometimes we lose. And when we lose, we can't kick and scream. If we do, we're fired.   

It is never to early to start learning these life lessons.  By failing to teach kids about the reality of life, we're lying to them. They need to know that we love them, we'll protect them, we'll care for them, but we will teach them the hard lessons of life.  We'll teach them right from wrong.  We'll let them learn from their mistakes. We'll let them lose and learn to be gracious to the winners. We'll discipline them when they need it.  At least we'll do as much as we're allowed to do. Because we care. 

Who knows? Maybe after we've failed a generation or two with our mixed-up, watered-down discipline programs we'll go back to the basics.


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This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on June 5, 2015. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com 

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

Teachers retire or resign and are not replaced. Districts cut back to save money.  Class sizes are left larger. Crowd control. Pure and simple.  No one,  and I repeat, no one can teach effectively 25 kindergartners or 35 middle school students.  There is no way humanly possible to reach each child and give them the attention that they need.  If a child doesn't understand a concept, they often fall through the cracks, at little or no fault of the teacher, and continue falling behind.  If anyone thinks that they can accomplish this task, I ask you to step up and give it a shot. If you think that you can teach, discipline, form relationships, mentor, facilitate, and make home connections with the parents of over 35 middle school students in one hour a day, you're delusional.  If you think that you can answer questions, monitor recess, develop fine motors skills, while teaching the alphabet, counting, days of the week, months,  and coddling nervous parents of 5 year olds in about six hours a day, you must think you're Super-Teacher.  Bottom line - It isn't possible.

So, why are more and more teachers being asked to take on this task? Money. Teacher's salaries cost money. Districts don't think they can afford more teachers. So... class sizes increase while teacher numbers decrease. Any administrator that thinks the best way to save money is to cut certified staff should be placed in the classroom for one year. I guarantee that they will be counting down the days until summer vacation, living for the week-end, and praying for snow days.  Yet, across the nation these same administrators are treating teachers like they are a dime a dozen.

It isn't that simple. Not just anyone can teach.  Everyone has a different set of skills. A different gift. We all excel in different areas.  If I've said it once, I've said it a million times... respect your teachers, treat them as professionals, pay them what they are worth.  If a school district needs to cut back, they should start at the top.  How many superfluous jobs are hidden in the administrative buildings across the nation? A lot.  Don't go into the schools and start cutting staff. Look at programs that are a waste of time. Positions that are redundant. Resources that are unnecessary.  The truth is... you can't afford to cut teachers.

Our kids need and deserve to have a teacher that has the time and energy to develop those relationships that everyone is raving about.  Stop blaming teachers for everything from plummeting test scores to behavior disorders to the rising cost of school lunches.   Our teachers deserve the opportunity to shine.


Resources don't have to be expensive or full of gimmicks. They just need to be thorough and engaging.

The Tall Tales of Abraham Lincoln

Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on June 5, 2015. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

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Chocolate 4 Teachers