AW/FFFC

oklagirl

WendyToo:

5thOfJuly:

No AW, but a FFFC still thinking about the teacher pay thing.

I, too, hate martyring any profession.

However, I think what I get hung up on is why DON'T we want to pay educators more? There are many great teachers who go into the profession because they have a passion for what they're doing and can handle the pay because they have working spouses or are willing to forgo luxury goods. But, don't we want the very best and brightest to do the job? I'm wondering if there are folks who would make AMAZING teachers who look at the salaries, look at the fact that some people just consider them "glorified babysitters", and look at how much disdain some of our own legislators have for them and say, "F(ck this. I'm going to be a financial planner/nurse practitioner/middle manager." How much potential teaching talent are we losing out on because we think teachers and hotel front desk clerks should earn near-equal amounts? With the U.S. falling farther and farther behind in education every year, I think we need to go beyond "Well, you knew what the pay was when you took the job" to get to some real solutions.

I definitely think they are underpaid, along with most public service professionals (firefighters, police (and not just because this impacts my bank account), LIBRARIANS, etc.).  On the flip side, there seems to be only polar opposite views on this. Pretty much everything I've ever seen implies it has to be either practically minimum wage or the salary of an engineerawyer/doctor because WITHOUT TEACHERS THERE WOULD BE NO DOCTORS.  (Yes, but if a teacher has an off day, people don't die typically.) 

Can we not find some happy medium that recognizes these are educated professionals and also understand the supply and demand aspect of why some professions pay more than others. 

I fixed it for you.

I agree with you. I think teachers could get paid a bit more, but I don't think they deserve 6-figure salaries. And honestly, teacher salaries aren't very off from a typical straight-out-of-undergrad job in most professions. The difference comes in the ability to move up. Honestly, if you are doing the exact same job you started with 15 years into your career, why should your pay have increased much?

renee18101

I have a AW and FFC in one: today is my birthday and I am really happy I got to Skype with H for over an hour last night. However tonight a friend of mine is throwing a party for her girl friend and she sent me a text saying she knows it my birthday but really wants me to come to the party. WTF Its my birthday, my H is in freaking CHINA! and I have been wokring my butt off and dont get a day off till next weekend (which is exciting since it's a 3 day weekend). So do I do to the party or stay home and have a relaxing night at home with the dogs...?

On the note of daylight savings time: I'm looking forward to my extra hour of sleep this weekend. Also I think it started with the farmers too but I saw this on Yahoo: http://news.yahoo.com/daylight-saving-time-ends-weekend-healthy-155623460.html

If its actually saving energy like the artical says then I'm down, I try to be green when I can.

5thOfJuly

WendyToo:

5thOfJuly:

No AW, but a FFFC still thinking about the teacher pay thing.

I, too, hate martyring any profession.

However, I think what I get hung up on is why DON'T we want to pay educators more? There are many great teachers who go into the profession because they have a passion for what they're doing and can handle the pay because they have working spouses or are willing to forgo luxury goods. But, don't we want the very best and brightest to do the job? I'm wondering if there are folks who would make AMAZING teachers who look at the salaries, look at the fact that some people just consider them "glorified babysitters", and look at how much disdain some of our own legislators have for them and say, "F(ck this. I'm going to be a financial planner/nurse practitioner/middle manager." How much potential teaching talent are we losing out on because we think teachers and hotel front desk clerks should earn near-equal amounts? With the U.S. falling farther and farther behind in education every year, I think we need to go beyond "Well, you knew what the pay was when you took the job" to get to some real solutions.

I definitely think they are underpaid, along with most public service professionals (firefighters, police (and not just because this impacts my bank account), etc.).  On the flip side, there seems to be only polar opposite views on this. Pretty much everything I've ever seen implies it has to be either practically minimum wage or the salary of an engineerawyer/doctor because WITHOUT TEACHERS THERE WOULD BE NO DOCTORS.  (Yes, but if a teacher has an off day, people don't die typically.) 

Can we not find some happy medium that recognizes these are educated professionals and also understand the supply and demand aspect of why some professions pay more than others. 

That's a really good point. And, yes, I think there are alternatives. I read a great article about this in Smithsonian Magazine recently. Some countries (Finland comes to mind, immediately) will only admit students in the top of their classes to the teacher training programs. Meanwhile, the academic achievement indicators for U.S. teachers, on average, have actually gone down over time. I know the two countries are very different (for example, having hungry kids in the classroom isn't an issue. Teachers are also viewed as experts who will seek out additional training to continually improve so they have a lot more flexibility in their curriculum and teaching methods.) But, I'm wondering if U.S. school systems could do things like partner with universities to offer full college scholarships to top high school students who are willing to study education, then work for 5 years in their district or something.

Let me see if I can dig up that article.

Here it is:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/Why-Are-Finlands-Schools-Successful.html

kayleeb

renee18101:

I have a AW and FFC in one: today is my birthday and I am really happy I got to Skype with H for over an hour last night. However tonight a friend of mine is throwing a party for her girl friend and she sent me a text saying she knows it my birthday but really wants me to come to the party. WTF Its my birthday, my H is in freaking CHINA! and I have been wokring my butt off and dont get a day off till next weekend (which is exciting since it's a 3 day weekend). So do I do to the party or stay home and have a relaxing night at home with the dogs...?

On the note of daylight savings time: I'm looking forward to my extra hour of sleep this weekend. Also I think it started with the farmers too but I saw this on Yahoo: http://news.yahoo.com/daylight-saving-time-ends-weekend-healthy-155623460.html

If its actually saving energy like the artical says then I'm down, I try to be green when I can.

Happy Birthday!!!

renee18101

kayleeb:

renee18101:

I have a AW and FFC in one: today is my birthday and I am really happy I got to Skype with H for over an hour last night. However tonight a friend of mine is throwing a party for her girl friend and she sent me a text saying she knows it my birthday but really wants me to come to the party. WTF Its my birthday, my H is in freaking CHINA! and I have been wokring my butt off and dont get a day off till next weekend (which is exciting since it's a 3 day weekend). So do I do to the party or stay home and have a relaxing night at home with the dogs...?

On the note of daylight savings time: I'm looking forward to my extra hour of sleep this weekend. Also I think it started with the farmers too but I saw this on Yahoo: http://news.yahoo.com/daylight-saving-time-ends-weekend-healthy-155623460.html

If its actually saving energy like the artical says then I'm down, I try to be green when I can.

Happy Birthday!!!

Thanks!!

fuzzylogic

AW: H bought me a new iPhone for my birthday.

FFFC: I'm really starting to wonder about the sanity of some of my coworkers. 

ShansBride

AW:  I have figured out how to fix all sorts of things around the house.  I am generally a very girly girl and H and I a had very traditional roles (I did the inside stuff, he did the outside stuff) but I am doing more and more without calling his BFF for help.

FFFC:  I have not been trying to get M to use the potty becuase it is just easier for me to change diapers.  I know she is ready, but I just don't want to deal with it.

ShansBride

tbvenable:

FFFC: A while back we had a discussion here about the "In Memory Of" stickers on cars. I was totally against it and just didn't get it. This summer my cousins was tragically killed and after her service when all of the family and some close friends met up for lunch her family was handing out "In Memory of" stickers. I took like 5 of them and yes on of them is on my current vehicle and I have the extras for when I get aniother vehicle. I know this sounds crazy but I feel like she is with me all the time when I am driving. I also where a bracelet with her name on that her family had made. I have only not worn it 1 day since it got it and I just felt off all day. It amazes me how my opinion changed about "In Memory Of" stickers and other things.

AW: I am 4 days away from seeing Buddy Valstro (aka: Cake Boss) live the Tulsa PAC. I am so excited!  

I have never been a fan of the "In Memory of" decals.  H never was either.  My dad owns a shop that makes decals though so after H died, he wanted to make them to give out at his celebration.  I said no, but we compromised on a decal with H's initials so that people who know what it is will know, but others will not.

I always smile now though when I see a "In Memory of" sticker, especially on a POS car, because H always asked why anyone would want a POS car in memory of them!

 

And, I am totally jealous that you are going to see Cake Boss!

prettygirl06

5thOfJuly:

No AW, but a FFFC still thinking about the teacher pay thing.

I, too, hate martyring any profession.

However, I think what I get hung up on is why DON'T we want to pay educators more? There are many great teachers who go into the profession because they have a passion for what they're doing and can handle the pay because they have working spouses or are willing to forgo luxury goods. But, don't we want the very best and brightest to do the job? I'm wondering if there are folks who would make AMAZING teachers who look at the salaries, look at the fact that some people just consider them "glorified babysitters", and look at how much disdain some of our own legislators have for them and say, "F(ck this. I'm going to be a financial planner/nurse practitioner/middle manager." How much potential teaching talent are we losing out on because we think teachers and hotel front desk clerks should earn near-equal amounts? With the U.S. falling farther and farther behind in education every year, I think we need to go beyond "Well, you knew what the pay was when you took the job" to get to some real solutions.

Exactly.