Every profession has it’s ups and downs. Every job has people that just go in for a paycheck while others work their behinds off for every penny they make. This is true universally across the board.
However, I want to take a few minutes to thank all those who are shaping the minds of our children. I think a lot of them work harder than most of us, then go home to their families where they go through the process again. They put a lot of themselves into their classrooms with their time and own money. They deal with school rules and regulations and they see things that there isn’t enough time in a day to change so they do what they can.
I’ve seen and heard a lot of frustration this year from teachers and administrators, however they keep going on day after day doing what they do best which is teach our kids. They are being limited to how much they can ask for help in their classrooms via donations. They are having to teach to the testing guidelines so the kids excel. They are worried about budget cuts and the possibility of not having their contracts renewed to teach again next year.
I wanted to say a personal thank you to every teacher and administrator out there. I know you work hard every day. I know you do the very best you can and for that I thank you. I entrust my most precious gifts given to me, to you every single day. I see them blossoming and learning and having an appreciation for what they are learning. I hear wonder about subjects and discussions that wouldn’t be taking place if you were not stimulating their minds. I can see that most of you care about what is absolutely best for the kids you teach.
Budgeting issues for schools seem to be a common issue across the nation. In our town alone they are discussing using ‘attrition’ to not renew contracts for budgeting constraints next year. I hate to see class sizes increase which is the other end result of the budgeting issues. Increasing class sizes is only going to increase teacher frustration and stress as well.
I’ve attempted to reach out to the local school board with fundraising that will make a long term dent in the budgeting issues as well as help any teachers that want to participate with no luck yet. This could even help the teachers that ‘attrition’ ends their contracts as well. I’m ready to help since I’ve found something that I think will make a difference. It is just a matter of spending some time with those interested to explain and then offer training and support as a partner/mentor.
I’ve attempted to reach out to the local school board with fundraising that will make a long term dent in the budgeting issues as well as help any teachers that want to participate with no luck yet. This could even help the teachers that ‘attrition’ ends their contracts as well. I’m ready to help since I’ve found something that I think will make a difference. It is just a matter of spending some time with those interested to explain and then offer training and support as a partner/mentor.
Please support your local teachers. They work hard for us every single day, taking care of our most precious commodity -- our children. If they send a note home, they truly need help with something. Please respond promptly. If you can help, please do so! I try to ask as well if there is anything I can help with since many needs often go unspoken and are filled by the teachers themselves. Each school is different but there are things we as parents can do to help every day with our own unique talents. Please, be involved with your children and their teachers. It is not as time consuming or difficult as you might think.
Kathie Hitt
As both a public school teacher and a parent of a child in public school, I deeply appreciate this kind, thoughtful, and supportive post.
ReplyDeleteI strongly encourage everyone to also support candidates that share these sentiments (as opposed to those who want to cut funding, cut services, cut salaries, cut benefits, smash unions, and so on).
Thank you Veg for all that you do as a public school teacher. I agree with you wholeheartedly about supporting candidates that share these sentiments. However, I'd also like to take it further in saying that I'd like to see candidates that have been former teachers and administrators since they have walked the walk and talked the talk so to speak and can really keep the voice heard about the needs of those who are so important to the future of our country.
ReplyDeleteI love how folks always blame the teachers- without considering the responsibility v. pay issue; the consistent cutting corners to save a buck (while we would never do the same for the pay of the mayor/city manager/council members).
ReplyDeleteYes, we also forget that we no longer provide sufficient supplies for our classrooms- which are provided by teachers out of their meager pay. Even with the IRS provision of a $ 250 deduction for supplies (most teachers I have seen spend thrice that amount), that is only a tax deduction and not a tax credit. (In other words, since they are in the 22% to 27% bracket [state and federal], it means (a) if they spent $ 750, thank you very much- you can eat it and (b) even if you only spent $ 250, you get a return of about $68 AT BEST!
I couldn't agree more. I saw something earlier this year that said that the deduction for the supplies for teachers was going away as well. If that is true, then this means they end up paying for all the supplies with no offset whatsoever. This makes it even more crucial to support the teachers out there.
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