Teachers - back to school

[TBONEZ0295]

I am royally pissed off right now, appparently my kids highschools may strike! I just heard on the news that they have been meeting and are not coming to any argreements . I have been running around all summer , I guess not paying any attention to much news , or my son for that matter he told me they might strike about a month ago................ For me its not about getting my kids back to school because they drive me crazy and childcare issues aren't a problem for me , honestly its easier when they are home. Other than the neighborhood hanging out here and eating me out of house and home , I like them on vacation........BUT my oldest son has been training for football since June . I let me tell you "seriously since 2 weeks ago full time 8am -3-pm mon. threw fri. and is pretty beaten up so to speak...............If these teachers strike and it lasts longer than 2 weeks there season is cancelled I can't even imagine how these kids are going to feel if that happens................GEEEEEZ the thought of that truelly pisses me off ..............Fortunately my son is a sophmore but just think of the seniors who may lose there last chance of playing football and being seen for scholarships , not even just that its there last year............... WTF do these people not think of the kids?????? I really hope the cituation resolves itself in a timely manner ................To be quite honest I wasn't even aware that they were a part of the teachers union:shrug: I know for a fact that my other kids grade schools are not.........THIS REALLY REALLY SUCKS!!!!!!!!

 

[freelancc]

hopefully things will be resolved soon...

no teachers strike here in california.. send your kids out here....



just think of the possibilities..

 

[dogface]

I have been on the other side...I would tend to blame the districts and other's before placing blames on teachers. Number one they teach becasue they love kids, and they do more parenting than most parents do for minimal pay, and are holder of advanced degrees that takes years to payoff in the profession. Not too mention most of tem have families of their own, so they must loook after their own interests as well.

But to put it bluntly depending on the district most schools operate on 2 years contracts, and the things districts can do to these contracts is deplorable in my opinion. But to put it bluntly the district starts to talk contracts supposedly after one contract is settled, they however wait that entire period before they really start negotiations. It is a vicious cycle, and beleive me teachers are not to blame.


Just my opinion, but I have been to many a meetings on this since I in fact was a teacher and FB coach.

 

[freelancc]

i completely agree with you...!!

 

[loungelizard]

Way to say it Dogface!!! My wife is a teacher and I used to make jokes about having summers off, Christmas, yada yada yada, people, let me tell these folks work and work hard, work way after school is out, late at night grading papers, lesson plans, schedule appt. with parents and so on. I think Cisco posted this awhile back and it may need to be said again, but it goes to show what teachers have to do these days.

Peace,
LL


The Teacher:

After being interviewed by the school administration, the eager teaching
prospect said: "Let me see if I've got this right. You want me to go into
that room with all those kids, and fill their every waking moment with a
love for learning.

And I'm supposed to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify
their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse and even censor
their T-shirt messages and dress habits.

You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, check
their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, and raise their self
esteem.

You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, fair
play, how to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook, and how to apply
for a job. I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment,
recognize signs of antisocial behavior, offer advice, write letters of
recommendation for student employment and scholarships, encourage respect
for the cultural diversity of others, and oh, make sure that I give the
girls in my class fifty percent of my attention.

My contract requires me to work on my own time after school, evenings and
weekends grading papers. Also, I must spend my summer vacation at my own
expense working toward advance certification and a Masters degree.

And on my own time you want me to attend committee and faculty meetings, PTA
meetings, and participate in staff development training.

I am to be a paragon of virtue, larger than life, such that my very presence
will awe my students into being obedient and respectful of authority.

And I am to pledge allegiance to family values and this current
administration. You want me to incorporate technology into the learning
experience, monitor web sites, and relate personally with each student.

That includes deciding who might be potentially dangerous and/or liable to
commit a crime in school. I am to make sure all students pass the mandatory
state exams, even those who don't come to school regularly or complete any
of their assignments.

Plus, I am to make sure that all of the students with handicaps get an equal
education regardless of the extent of their mental or physical handicap.

And I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone,
newsletter and report card.

All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a computer, a few books,
a bulletin board, a big smile AND on a starting salary that qualifies my
family for food stamps! You want me to do all of this and yet you expect
me. . .

. . . . NOT TO PRAY?

 

[TBONEZ0295]

My kids go to private schools :shrug: my point being that why can these adults not come to terms without affecting the children.......................I have no disrespect for the teachers AT ALL they do deserve to be payed sufficantly "BUT" why the hell do the kids have to suffer over adult issues????????

These boys have put there blood sweat and tears litterally into the up coming football season . Maybe I am getting ahead of myself a little bit here BUT once again why is the system set up to disrupt the school year and the kids????? Can't they come to terms during the summer?????? I don't know much about it so maybe that is a stupid thought but it just seems to me that it would be fair to handle it this that way??????

LEAVE THE KIDS OUT OF IT!!!!!!!!!

 

[TBONEZ0295]

BTW loungelizard- I LOVED THAT POEM !!!!:clap:

 

[ferdville]

Dogface knows what he is talking about on this issue. The school district administrations and school boards generally treat teachers like crap in most cases and do anything they can to save money. I left teaching when I was 30 because I couldn't make enough money to support my family decently despite having a master's degree and coaching 3 sports. I went to work in private business and immediately got a 50% bump in salary. In 2 years I was making more money than a principal would make. After 16 years, however, I sickened of the dog eat dog world of business and went back to teaching. You would be amazed how hard it was to find a job. All we heard in California was that there was a huge teacher shortage. Yet I was a teacher with 10 years experience and a master's in education that had a hard time finding a job. why? Very simple - they would have to pay me 50-75% more than a "new" teacher or as was most often the case, an "emergency" teacher without a credential. It is all about money. I have a colleague who has two ph.d's and 3 masters. He gets hired when schools are being evaluated by the state (so they look good), then gets dropped the following year. In the district I am currently teaching in, we have not started the year with a contract at any time during the past 5 years. Negotiations start in the summer and never end until November or December. The welfare of the kids is the last thing on the minds of adminstrators and most board members - it is all about money and public relations. The entire system as we know it should be blown up and started over - but that is wishful thinking.

 

[sportsnut13]

DOG YOU ARE THE MAN !!!!:Yep: :Yep: My wife works in a private school making 30 k becuase she likes it and we can afford it. 4 year degree for 30 k I'm still paying off her student loan but that's ok . she's happy

 

[TBONEZ0295]

The welfare of the kids is the last thing on the minds of adminstrators and most board members - it is all about money and public relations. The entire system as we know it should be blown up and started over - but that is wishful thinking.

I really understand your postion , but aren't the teachers the ones who are asking for more $$$$ or better benefits??? I was in this same discussion with Toronto Vig a few months back and one of my points was that When a teacher decides to teach it is because thats what there heart desires its not for the $$$$ How can it be I mean come on we are not talking about a 6 digit income !!!!! So as a parent the way I see it is when negotiations come about every 2 years they want more and more. Please don't get me wrong I HAVE MUCH RESPECT FOR TEACHERS!!!!!!!!!!! HELL I COULD NEVER DO IT but for real that is how a strike happens RIGHT????? The teachers and the administation meets and the teachers want more which is reasonable and the administration doesn't want to give it up :shrug: SO THE KIDS SUFFER THAT JUST REALLY SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dogface]

TBONEZ-

We can definitely disagree, your title of the post is:

Teachers - back to school

To me I took it as a slight to teachers. As for your kids going to private school, I am not sure what that has to do with your post or the answer. The only thing different about private schools are the teachers are paid less then their public equivalent. Unless the school is based on religious beliefs and the importance is then stressed in those particular cases.

The only thing that concerns me, and I think we have discussed your child's workout in the past, is that you were more worried about the football season. Albeit tragic in the sense for seniors for giving up the season for the love of the sport, but should not be a large parental concern. As school is about education first, maturation a close second, social integration, and then sports. That is coming from a HS and D1 football athlete, former collegiate and HS coach...etc. So I understand each aspect. As for colleges looking at kids for scholorships, yep it does happen...but I am not familiar with your school and it's reputation for building it's teams based on recruiting etc., for a specific sport, but scholorships are hard to come by...and should not be considered and end all. If they are talented they can walk on, or co community college first. But out of 65-75 on a team, realistically maybe 3-5 may get looked at and 2-4 may receive some type of scholarship.

I would be more upset about missing the opportunity to learn that the games being played, and I am PASSIONATE about sports, but realistic about their outcomes. Just ask flethcer, I believe he would echo the same.

On a side note I do hope it clears up for everyone's benefits, I just found some fault in your reasonings IMO, and thought I would respond.

 

[dogface]

I really understand your postion , but aren't the teachers the ones who are asking for more $$$$ or better benefits???

I was in this same discussion with Toronto Vig a few months back and one of my points was that When a teacher decides to teach it is because thats what there heart desires its not for the $$$$

How can it be I mean come on we are not talking about a 6 digit income !!!!! So as a parent the way I see it is when negotiations come about every 2 years they want more and more.

Please don't get me wrong I HAVE MUCH RESPECT FOR TEACHERS!!!!!!!!!!! HELL I COULD NEVER DO IT but for real that is how a strike happens RIGHT?????

The teachers and the administation meets and the teachers want more which is reasonable and the administration doesn't want to give it up :shrug: SO THE KIDS SUFFER THAT JUST REALLY SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Later tonight I will answer these as I am pressed for time, but your reply couldn't be any further from the truth in every aspect.

All of the above comments also contradict your subpoint of "I respect teachers" read your statements and you cannot come close to making that correlation stand. TO me it appears you have qestion the system, attached blame, and truly have no clue of how the system works. I find it easier to ask questions to find out what happens than it is to place blame on something. To be frustrated one must understand the equation before spewing out answers or even opinions.

 

[worm44]

Well, I have been debating how to respond to this overall thread. I guess I have to let a few personal things out here to get my point across.

I come from a family with 8 children-I have 3 older siblings who are educators and one younger that is also. Actually my sister is a college prof. My father taught one year before he went to law school and became a attorney. All of the kids in my family have degrees as well as advanced degrees-my mother is a doctor.....anyway my point is I believe for the last 25 years or so Teachers in this country are the most greedy, self righteous-underworked large union in this country.
Now before everyone starts threads saying otherwise let me also say there are some teachers who are not. There are some teachers who are underpaid. There are some teachers who work harder than alot of people, etc-but overall the national teachers union is the biggest whinners I have ever encountered, Work 40 weeks a year, and expect to be compesated like someone who works 51? PLease! Teachers regurgitate the same lessons year after year-the are the drones. Once a teacher has tenure the get give a rats ass about the children. There old bail-out line is "the parents dont work with their own kids" Bulls***-your job is to educate our kids-not strike for more $$$ every 3 years-everyone who goes into this line of work know what they are going to make each year in salary-if they do not like it do something else--period...

 

[saint]

Well, I have been debating how to respond to this overall thread. I guess I have to let a few personal things out here to get my point across.

I come from a family with 8 children-I have 3 older siblings who are educators and one younger that is also. Actually my sister is a college prof. My father taught one year before he went to law school and became a attorney. All of the kids in my family have degrees as well as advanced degrees-my mother is a doctor.....anyway my point is I believe for the last 25 years or so Teachers in this country are the most greedy, self righteous-underworked large union in this country.
Now before everyone starts threads saying otherwise let me also say there are some teachers who are not. There are some teachers who are underpaid. There are some teachers who work harder than alot of people, etc-but overall the national teachers union is the biggest whinners I have ever encountered, Work 40 weeks a year, and expect to be compesated like someone who works 51? PLease! Teachers regurgitate the same lessons year after year-the are the drones. Once a teacher has tenure the get give a rats ass about the children. There old bail-out line is "the parents dont work with their own kids" Bulls***-your job is to educate our kids-not strike for more $$$ every 3 years-everyone who goes into this line of work know what they are going to make each year in salary-if they do not like it do something else--period...

This post is so laden with ignorance I don't know where to start. With someone who supposedly has so many "educators" in his family, you really don't know shit about the day to day life or workday as a teacher, or the many other issues in that workplace. You make the same lame argument that teachers only work 41 weeks a year blah blah blah and they use the same lesson plan over and over again. The issues of teaching and the problems school systems are having have nothing to do with this, and the teachers are striking about much more than simply their salaries. Unfortunately, I don't have the time or the energy to tell you about how my mother struggled as a teacher for the past 35 years, or how they screw her with her pension even though she gave her life to that educational system, or the many other hardships and how teachers get shit on. It's also humerous how you think that because teachers knowingly enter a profession that's underpaid they forfeit the right to fight for better conditions also shows a lot about your intelligence.

So now I know your parent is a doctor. I can now whine to you how they charge unbelievable amounts of money for ever shortning visit time, apathy, and crap treatment in general...the same general arguments you hear people bitching about doctors every day. But you know why I don't do that? Because I actually educate myself about issues before I stereotype and join the bandwagon. Maybe you should try this before you tote the same lame arguments from someone who knows nothing about the subject.


And the fact that this post originated not because "hey, my kids education is suffering," but "hey this is bullshit school is not in session and my kid now can't play football" is hilarious. If that's not the poster statement for ignorance, I don't know what is.

 

[worm44]

Saint,

I think you missed the part when I said "not all teachers"....also if you can read...I said the teachers UNION...also I agree with you, my mother also probably, that healthcare has its own problems....reactionary...your point is well stated but so is mine...

 

[worm44]

as far as attacking my "smarts"- I would not be so sure that would be a wise move on your part-as I am a section president for a Mensa chapter (if you know what that is)...

 

[TBONEZ0295]

WORM44- you said it all in a nut shell !!!!!

PALEEEEZZZ don't turn this into ME not being interested in my sons education SAINT for christ sake is that your only defense????? The education part of it will be made up at the end of the year if need be ......... I guess your team you coached wasn't fighting for championships each year with outstanding records and yes some pretty decent college recrutments!!!!!YES I ABSOLUTELY FEEL FOR THESES YOUNG ATHELETES who's hearts and souls have already gone into the up coming season.............................YES it is about football RIGHT NOW because that is what will be lost if the strike carries over 2 weeks.............................The education part of it will not be lost it will be made up by law..................

I started out being as polite as possible but I must also ad I am very disapointed that my sons highschool IS unionized.....................I've said it befor I'll say it again THATS JUST TROUBLE altogether.......................

BTW- dogface it does make a HUGE difference that my kids are private catholic schooled because not only am I paying the teachers personally, but so is the parish I contribute to.............SO YES I AM SERIOUSLY PISSED OFF.....................even more no that you and your little gang want to blame the administration FOR EVERYTHING which I guess would be natural.................

I don't know everything about strikes and teachers but as I stated befor and will again IT IS MY PARENTAL OPINION !!!!!!!!

 

[worm44]

excellent- when do we stop castrating people for opinions around here...

 

[freelancc]

kurby kurby

 

[TBONEZ0295]

oh and BTW did I forget to mention that my tuitions went up at each highschool $500 each in 1 year................