When I taught in DC about 15 years ago, I had no phone, no desk, no computer, no supplies, nothing but some old textbooks and desks. Teachers were not allowed to use the copy machine. We got 2 personal/sick days off per year. I was constantly sick from those little bastards wiping their snot all over the place. I got 20 minutes for lunch and an hour of week planning time. I made $31,000/year and probably spent $1000 of my own money for books and supplies. The job fucking sucked in all regards except that the kids were cool, because they were only 6. Even the parents weren't that bad. The administration was a fucking disaster, the union sucked out dues and did nothing. Not surprisingly I quit after less than 2 years. If it's such a sweet deal, I encourage you all to get your teacher's license and look for a teaching job.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

DePaul. Then Michigan for a year. Then I flunked out of SIU.

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I'd be interested to see what the non-teachers think a typical day consists of for most teachers. Especially those with less than, say, 15-20 years experience.

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Most of that venom is spewed in the direction of labor unions, and their greedy, lazy, liberal workers.

I learned here once that the only task involved in rebuilding highways, is spreading asphalt, and that most of the workers just lean on shovels all day.

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Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

-Stroll into class still wearing last night's clothes at 8:15.
-Tell class teacher has a headache and to do independent learning.
-Eat lunch.
-Check out at 3:35.

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Dewey Finn: Ok, here's the deal. I have a hangover. Who knows what that means?
Frankie: Doesn't that mean you're drunk?
Dewey Finn: No. It means I was drunk yesterday.



Obscure School of Rock reference!

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Team Cutler.

I have no idea what their typical day is.

I dont think anyone is telling teachers how to do their job.

I understand that making the day 1 hour longer is a really big problem for some.


But the summers off thing cant really be argued can it? I mean, a good majority of teachers will straight out tell you that summers off is part of the appeal.

So if you have a sweet schedule and it gets a little less sweet, I wouldnt look to people who dont even have what you have, for support.

I was thinking of Mrs. Krabappel.

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I don't agree with the rationale that because some people have it bad, everyone should have it bad. American society has been in a race to the bottom for the past 30 years. Instead of holding the powerful accountable for our current mess, we continue to blame, scapegoat and criticize the relatively powerless.

The length of the average work week has expanded by something like 20-25% in the past couple of decades; it's not the fault of the teachers' union that most Americans are overworked and underpaid.

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That's all true. I agree they should get whatever they can. But when some of their issues are "an hour longer day" or 16% raise over 4 years isnt enough, you will recieve very little sympathy from people who would kill for 16% over 4 years or people who work hellish hours.

That description would be more funny if it wasn't so damn accurate. Just replace "Independent learning" with "watch a movie and do a worksheet."

You are in an industry where some people work half an hour a day and make thousands of times more per year than teachers while producing absolutely nothing but the "easy" schedule of teachers troubles you?

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

The problem, though, is that most people who work in "hellish" job environments--statistics show we're talking about tens of millions of people here--have accepted this situation, adopting an attitude of resignation and helplessness in the face of it. People who are willing to fight for a good life are now considered the enemy because they're not willing to suffer in silence like everyone else.

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This post would have been accuate about 15 years ago.

Im not gonna pick it apart but its just all wrong.

No, teachers schedules dont trouble me. I dont think about it much. Until somone complains about adding an hour to their day.

But speaking of my industry, many of those people who work so few hours, have moved on to full time positions. No automatic raise. The thinking is "We've been paying you like an 8 hour employee even though you arent, now we just want you to work the time for that which we paid"


Perhaps that makes me biased. But dont paint me as some teacher hating miserable person. I think they should get whatever they can. I also believe that 16% over 4 years is fair and that working an extra hour a day (for that 16% and to help the kids) is fair.

Yeah, that's true.

Im not vilifying the teachers, though. They should get whatever they can. I just dont find their situation (what I know of it) to be unworkable or dire conditions.

It feels like if you arent posting Teachers Union pics on Facebook or out there rallying with them, you are painted as some ignorant asshole who doesnt understand the importance of education.

I always find it odd that one of the most important professions in our society generally gets the least amount of respect. Many of you struggle to watch your own 1-2 kids for an hour but somehow think it's easy for teachers to not only watch but teach 30+ kids that aren't theirs for 7 hours a day and deal with many of you crazy parents before and after school. It's really hilarious. I've done a lot of work in the schools and I've seen first hand what many of these teachers are making and it's nowhere near enough. Many of them are barely making $30k and the ones that are making a little bit more have about 20 degrees and have been there for a while. It's nowhere near the plush job that many of you are making it out to be.

These underpaid and overworked teachers aren't only fighting for benefits they're fighting for working conditions that effect your kids. Teachers aren't getting paid for the summer either or for the countless hours they VOLUNTEER after school working with your kids/grading papers/doing prep work/meeting with parents. They aren't doing it for the money. If it was about money they could definitely find a better paying career. They do it because they have a passion for it.

The overwhelming majority of you that find every reason to gripe about how GREAT teachers have it couldn't walk in their shoes for a week. I support the teachers fight more than I would support any other profession. Even when negotiations are over they will still be screwed and many won't care because they love what they do.

And the main issue that they are unwilling to accept is taking accountability for the success of kids who come from situations that in many cases are dire and best, and virtually hopeless in others.

It's really unfair to base a teacher's raises and future employment on how kids perform that come from some tough home situations. Not to mention the fact that many parents want to blame the failure of their child exclusively on a teacher that spends five hours a day with them.

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I think my favorite part of this thread is just about everyone is posting from work.

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Well let's not go overboard. I agree with your most of your post, but there is definitely a lot of dead wood in there. How to weed them out, I dunno. You could be a psychopath and have your kids improve their test scores, that doesn't mean you are a good teacher. Everyone wants an easy answer.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

That's the case with every profession. It isn't unique to teaching. Look no further than this board. Everyone here isn't self employed but a lot of people spend the majority of the day posting from work. How much money are they stealing from their employer?

Other than a few joking posts about their schedule, I see no disrespect here.


Again, havent seen ONE PERSON say it's easy. Quote it, If I missed it.


The schedule is favorable. Their is no aruging that.



Good for them. I wish them luck.



That is a completely ridiculous statement. Dont let your passion make you say silly things.

You have no idea who can do what here and the teaching profession is not exactly the hardest one to get into,



Ok

Ive actually heard of teachers posting from work.

There are many jobs with a lot of down time. Those jobs still have to be done. Its not stealing, if the company knows and is ok with it.


Some firms in my business allow people to play X Box at work. You shouldnt presume to know people's individual situations.

No, I'm out the door tomorrow if I don't keep the bosses happy. Fortunately my work can be measured in dollars (or widgets). How the fuck do you measure caring for a kid who's parents are negligent? Nobody gives a shit about that. "Did you improve his test scores?"

What a fucking mess.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

That's not some big secret.

Says the guy that has spent all morning AT WORK posting about teachers "favorable" schedule.

I don't know of any teacher who decided to be a teacher so a kid can pass a test.

More ignorance.

You have no idea what you are talking about. Ive done my job perfectly today. Dont hate me because I have internet access at work.


And yes, they have a favorable schedule. To say otherwise is crazy. If you get 3 months a year off, that's favorable. There is no explaining that away.

And here we have the fundamental problem. What teachers are told to do versus what they have been trained and have a passion for.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

Like I said, I'm not really familiar with all the minutae of the negotiations. I'm sure to someone who teaches, salary and hours are what they're concerned about. I don't look at the strike in those terms. I see it as just one small battleground in a much larger war with a lot more at stake than a 4% raise for some teachers.

Whatever money is saved by beating the shit out of the teachers is not going back into your pocket. It will be going to the preferred corporate entities of the powers that be. I believe Republicans like to call such a thing "a redistribution of wealth."

Busting this union is just another step toward a modern version of feudalism where we are all serfs to our corporate lords and masters.

Am I the only one who sees the irony in the elite constantly preaching self-suficiency even as they make being self-sufficient more difficult by the day?

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Ecclesiastes 5:8