Why one good teacher decided to quit

[Golden Gate 530]

Ha, I never said education was stupid. Quite the contrary.

I'm just pointing out why things are the way they are, whether we like them or not.

That's right, because we do live in the best of all possible worlds, don't we?

[Susita 175]

If we keep it up, soon we'll have a public school system like the one in my husband's country where plenty of people want to teach... but unless you can get a job in a prestigious private school (which are few and far between), you will get paid the minumum and have to work at least 2 jobs to make ends meet.

That's why there's approx. 40 kids / classroom. And they've got a lot more to worry about... imagine coming to work and wondering how your students will be, and if they've eaten dinner the night before? or breakfast? But that's what they're dealing with.

I read this about the Chinese vs. American school system. Interesting...

http://sitemaker.umich.edu/vanschaack.356/strenghts_and_weaknesses_of_both_systems

[Golden Gate 530]

If we keep it up, soon we'll have a public school system like the one in my husband's country where plenty of people want to teach... but unless you can get a job in a prestigious private school (which are few and far between), you will get paid the minumum and have to work at least 2 jobs to make ends meet.

That's why there's approx. 40 kids / classroom. And they've got a lot more to worry about... imagine coming to work and wondering how your students will be, and if they've eaten dinner the night before? or breakfast? But that's what they're dealing with.

I read this about the Chinese vs. American school system. Interesting...

http://sitemaker.umich.edu/vanschaack.356/strenghts_and_weaknesses_of_both_systems

Interesting! Yes, how about wondering why your 2nd grader appears drunk in the morning? That's what we deal with here.

[rika60607 215]

I wonder what she'll say when she actually becomes a nurse.

They are treated worse than teachers, and even though their salaries are higher, but so is the level of responsibility and the working hours are longer. How does she like night shifts, I wonder.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I wonder what she'll say when she actually becomes a nurse.

They are treated worse than teachers, and even though their salaries are higher, but so is the level of responsibility and the working hours are longer. How does she like night shifts, I wonder.

Nurses start here (Flagstaff, AZ) at about $32/hour, and if you work nights, it can sometimes be as much as $5/hour extra. But you are right, they can get the shaft as far being overworked and understaffed, depending on the location. There's no union here and Arizona is a right-to-work state, but I know some RN's in California who work under the union and they seem much more content about their work.

[Amby 490]

Nurses start here (Flagstaff, AZ) at about $32/hour, and if you work nights, it can sometimes be as much as $5/hour extra. But you are right, they can get the shaft as far being overworked and understaffed, depending on the location. There's no union here and Arizona is a right-to-work state, but I know some RN's in California who work under the union and they seem much more content about their work.

there are some (not many) nurses at my mom's hospital who make as much as or more than primary care doctors

[one...two...tree 2,762]

there are some (not many) nurses at my mom's hospital who make as much as or more than primary care doctors

They earn it.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

That's right, because we do live in the best of all possible worlds, don't we?

From an education point of view? Not even close.

[Golden Gate 530]

From an education point of view? Not even close.

Yeah, that was from Candide. I was just being sarcastic.

[SuperDuper! 230]

If someone can't make it on $39,000/year, that's their own fault. And like Gary said, that's for 9 months. Not too shabby!

But all wise one did not factor in the late night homework hours of grading of papers, or making lesson plans or for the out-of-pocket room supplies expenses that teachers must pay for to make their classroom up to par with their peers. Those pencils, pens and paper don;t just magically appear for each student And $39K after state and federal taxes is even less to live on. I'm not pro teacher. Just a realist.

Edited July 23, 2011 by Boing!

[Golden Gate 530]

But all wise one did not factor in the late night homework hours of grading of papers, or making lesson plans or for the out-of-pocket room supplies expenses that teachers must pay for to make their classroom up to par with their peers. Those pencils, pens and paper don;t just magically appear for each student And $39K after state and federal taxes is even less to live on. I'm not pro teacher. Just a realist.

Hey, what's wrong with being pro-teacher?

[SuperDuper! 230]

Hey, what's wrong with being pro-teacher?

Just informing that I do not have a biased opinion pro teacher. Therefore I feel my opinion has more value.

It's like if you were voting for a new water treatment plant in your city, and you worked for the water company, and therefore stood to gain from the matter. Biased opinion.

Peace.

[Golden Gate 530]

Just informing that I do not have a biased opinion pro teacher. Therefore I feel my opinion has more value.

It's like if you were voting for a new water treatment plant in your city, and you worked for the water company, and therefore stood to gain from the matter. Biased opinion.

Peace.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The point that seems lost on Paul from the OP is that if the pay isn't competitive, then we won't be attracting the best and brightest to become teachers. There's truth in the old saying that you get what you pay for.

Yep.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

But all wise one did not factor in the late night homework hours of grading of papers, or making lesson plans or for the out-of-pocket room supplies expenses that teachers must pay for to make their classroom up to par with their peers. Those pencils, pens and paper don;t just magically appear for each student And $39K after state and federal taxes is even less to live on. I'm not pro teacher. Just a realist.

Paul probably sells couches, or some other job where you don't need book smarts.

Edited July 23, 2011 by fishdude