Public school teachers unfairly under fire even as our jobs get tougher
This past week, I was reading online about the proposed charter high school opening near my district. Of course, following the article the community is allowed to comment. While there were a few pro public school comments, the rest were pointing their fingers at the "greedy teachers," who do nothing but drink coffee and hide behind the union.
I teach kindergarten in a high poverty district. I live in a high poverty community. Our middle-class children have almost vanished to the charter schools that have popped up in my neighborhoods.
Admittedly, on first glance, our test scores are sad, but there is more to a district than test scores. Achievement doesn't always show up on the state tests, but they show up in the classroom. In my own room, I recently gave another measurement test that had been given in the fall. Every child had made a considerable amount of growth, some children tripled or even quadrupled their original scores.
Krista Boyer: It hurts my heart to pick up the paper and read that my community thinks that my colleagues and I are just greedy insurance grubbers who live for summer vacation and snow days.
Being in a public school allows children to see that people come from a variety of backgrounds, different socio-economic backgrounds, different religions, different challenges, and different values.


The current state of the economy has made our jobs as teachers, and our children's job as learners even harder than usual. It is hard to learn when you are hungry, or worried, or tired.
It's equally hard to parent when you don't know how you are going to keep a roof over your head, where your next meal is going to come from, or if your children will be safe when you tuck them into bed at night.


It's difficult to interest a child who listens to Ke$ha or Insane Clown Pose at home in singing nursery rhymes. If you have watched “The Bride of Chuckie,” my video on "Groak Gets Along with His Friends" seems decidedly uninteresting.
So we as teachers adapt. While developing a classroom routine is critical to make the children feel safe, we also have to keep them on their toes with our method of delivery. We feed their minds, and their tummies. We provide comfort and safety, and hugs, and acceptance. 


We provide these things to EVERY child who walks through our doors, especially those dozen or so that we get every year AFTER the state count who get told by the charter schools in our neighborhood that their needs might be "better served" by the public school system. Yes it happens. Every year. Like clockwork. 


So while the charter schools may have prettier test scores than my district, I can hold my head high and know that I pour my heart and soul into every child that walks through my classroom door. I give them my best, every day, no matter how perfect, how needy, how disruptive, dirty, hungry, sad, or scared they are.
I make it my goal to teach them that they can reach the stars, to dream big, and to be nice to one another, because really isn't that what it's all about? 

It hurts my heart to pick up the paper and read that my community thinks that my colleagues and I are just greedy insurance grubbers who live for summer vacation and snow days. (Although I will cop to coveting snow days, I blame it on wanting to stay connected with my childhood, not my greed.)
I live to make a difference to each child who enters my classroom. To be the best teacher I can be, to instill a passion for learning, and a sense of pride in their accomplishments. There is nothing better than seeing the pride on a child's face when they know they have given you their best effort, and they are ready for more. 

I could go on and on but I won't. I've got lessons to plan.
Krista Boyer is a teacher with the Ypsilanti Public Schools. She lives with her husband and five children in Ypsilanti.
Comments
debling
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 2:28 a.m.
Never before has there been such an urgent need to ask ourselves what do we want from our public education system. Clearly we cannot sustain the system as it is today. It costs too much, and doesn't deliver. Like it or not, teachers unions will be forced to accept changes to the status quo and administrators will have to make real reforms. We can't afford not to make the painful changes that are needed. We can debate all we want but one thing is sure our competition overseas is not waiting for us. They are past us already. We can make our schools anyway we want. Excellent or poor. We have chosen to make them mediocre. Producing top students that reach academic excellence globally has been replaced by the need to make kids feel "secure" and "good about themselves". Passing students to the next year so they are not "left behind" seems more important than holding them back to make sure they understand the material. Students that are unruly and disruptive in the class are tolerated when they should clearly be removed. Special needs students need exactly that; special help so they can learn the material. Mainstreaming them with their peers in hopes that they socialize better may help as long as THEY DO NOT IMPEDE THE PROGRESS OF THE REST OF THE STUDENTS. Having one or two students stop the progress of the other 28 is simply just selfish and unfair. And so we have it. Tough choices. Do we push our schools and students to be top notch or just ok. I'll tell you one thing. I bet the Chinese are quite happy with how we are doing.
Bill Wilson
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:02 a.m.
This past week, I was reading online about the proposed charter high school opening near my district. Of course, following the article the community is allowed to comment. While there were a few pro public school comments, the rest were pointing their fingers at the "greedy teachers," who do nothing but drink coffee and hide behind the union. Krista, Could you provide a link to this story you claim to have read? I just did a pretty exhaustive search, and found several stories on the subject, as well as a large number of comments, but I could not find even one mention of "greedy teachers" or teachers "who do nothing but drink coffee and hide behind the union." While you're at it, you mention that you "recently gave another measurement test that had been given in the fall. Every child had made a considerable amount of growth, some children tripled or even quadrupled their original scores." Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're a kindergarten teacher, are you not? Your students are but 5-6 years old: too young for any but a small handful to have the ability to read and/or write. In fact, kintergarten is not an grade level involved in actual educational teaching: its purpose is to ease the social transition between home, and school. Kindergarten students sing songs, draw and paint pictures, and generally. just have fun. What type of objective test could they possibly take? And given the normal level of growth that naturally occurs in children at that age level, isn't a doubling or tripling of social skill growth something that would occur in any extended activity, like attending church, or participating on a sports team, etc? How then, does one measure the difference between these other growth factors, versus painting pictures and singing songs in your classroom? I'm sorry, but after reading your piece, you've pretty much lost any credibility, as far as I'm concerned.
John
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 11:21 p.m.
If Public Schools were a business it would be bankrupt, consistent failures in every field is embarrassing for Americans!!! If something fails over and over year after year, maybe they really need to change how they do things!!! Ways to fix this 1. Pay the teacher for every student that passes a state wide standard test every year they attend school, and if the students fail the teachers and schools don't get paid also do not promote the student until s/he passes the test for each grade. (if you order a hamburger but get a cold month old rock sandwich you don't pay for it right, or if your service is terrible at olive garden you have an option to not tip or tip less then normal right?) 2. People should get a a tax credit or reimbursed for tuition so children can attend any school they want. Make it an open market for schools, this is the only way to make it fair for the children. If a school fails close it down, and let it go bankrupt. Excellence will shine through after a short period of time, and it will be a good model for other schools to follow and make students ready for college. 3. If children don't want to learn in school, be overly disruptive or cause fights they should not be in school, teachers are not babysitters. Stop wasting peoples time, hard work, and opportunity!! 4. If it costs 40-80k a year to put someone in jail and far less to educate them then we can definitely afford to pay the costs for K-12 and also college. Would you rather all that tax money be used to educate people or to lock them up?
Raymond Pierce
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 5:47 p.m.
i think as individual teachers are so valuable why do be continue to question the role in society there insight is needed that help us in social development but living in a social economic and class society we are deprive of there insight the social skill building we are left no insight to move up in society we have limited job skill and lack understanding and the resource to go get what is wrong with our system our so call politican promise the world and lies about we have lost our sense of community and value for each other .teacher are needed we should never had give them up i am very passionate for them i am a former instructor in the sciences that all i have to say
Jessica Hughey
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 8:52 p.m.
The problem I have with your article is your seeming characterization of charter schools as some sort of elitist "private" school outside of the public school system. That characterization is incorrect! Charter schools are part of the public school system, just like any other school. We are no different than some of the families you described in your article. Charter schools do not charge tuition and they do not turn away under privileged or special needs kids. My son has attended an Ann Arbor charter school for nine years and he has received a wonderful education. We are anxiously awaiting the approval of the new charter high school! It has nothing to do with the quality of teachers. Smaller class sizes and more individual attention are what's attracting our family and many others to charter schools. My son is a special needs child who REQUIRES a smaller class size in order to be able to benefit from the free and appropriate public education to which the state entitles him. That is something that is beyond the control of most teachers. If you want your school to compete, encourage district administrators to hire MORE wonderful public school educators, such as yourself, and reduce the class sizes so the students can receive more individual attention. Until that happens, charter schools will continue to siphon students. And to the commenter who said that special needs children should be isolated from the other students, SHAME on you.
localvoice
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 1:51 a.m.
Krista, I really enjoyed your article and your courage to speak up is to be commended. It amazes me how quick the general public is to turn on our teachers. There have been various comments blaming the teacher unions for much of the problem. This confuses me. The union protects ALL teachers and I have known some excellent teachers that have called on their unions. It is the job of administration to evaluate new teachers yearly, and seasoned teachers every three years. It is the job of administration to have subpar teachers removed from the classroom before they receive tenure. It is also the job of administration to support teachers that need professional development. Without the union, teachers would be wide open to issues from parents, students, administrators and others. Also, it amazes me that people don't know where these hungry, needy children are! They are in your backyard! So sad! Best of luck Krista, and I hope your children know how lucky they are to have you enriching their lives every single day!
JSA
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 5:43 p.m.
Krista is obviously a dedicated individual who teaches under difficult circumstances. It appears to be partially a result in the failure of the parenting skills of her students and that is unfortunate. However, much of the problem in the Public Schools is a result of the active resistance to any form of reform by the teachers unions. They have actively fought any changes that would allow underperforming teachers to be fired, they have resisted any changes to the funding of pensions, they insist MESSA handle contracts for teacher health insurance and MESSA is a very long way from competitive. I would expect many teachers would not object as strongly to these changes as the teachers unions. Can change come, who knows? Between the union and many layers of administration and the politicians there is so much waste that it may be too late.
dk
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 5:34 p.m.
@microtini How many people do you know who have left teaching to pursue a 2nd career on the assembly line or anywhere else for that matter?
Jon Saalberg
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 1:58 p.m.
@macabre sunset: you are right - you have had an unusual experience - our kids have been in the Ann Arbor school system since kindergarten, and are now in eighth and tenth grades, and we have rarely experienced anything other than tireless efforts on our children's behalf. And the belief that unions protect their lesser employees is a canard that anti-union people put forward fairly regularly - is not reasonable to have measures in effect to protect workers? If we didn't, I think it's absurd to think businesses would, of their own beneficence and goodwill, would do all they could to protect workers' rights. Particularly in our newly-minted red state status, it's much more likely that workers will experience an attack on the rights they have, as business interests and their goals are clearly more important to the GOP than those of employees.
AACity12
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 4:24 a.m.
Stunhsif, what is your part in this? You ask her "to step up and do her fair share." so what's your fair share?
microtini
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 2:11 a.m.
In 1990 I quit a $50,000/yr. job on the assembly line to become a teacher. My first contract paid just over $23,000. Twenty years later I can tell you that standing on my feet assembling transmissions for 40-50 hours a week is way easier than teaching. Snow day Wednesday!
Krista Boyer
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 12:44 a.m.
My first job paid me 26,000 a year in 1997.
jondhall
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 12:16 p.m.
You obviously are not a member of the Esteemed MEA! I would suggest a parochial school.
Krista Boyer
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 1:49 a.m.
FredMax, I am sorry that your friends were laid off, without warning, and I am glad that you are happy with your teachers in Saline. It's a great place to live and to go to school. I have several friends who work as teachers there. You can "sign up" to teach hungry children in MY district. The majority of our students receive free or reduced lunch. In some cases these are the only real meals they get during the day. I've seen students panic on half days when lunch is not being served. I serve a snack before the students go home for the day, and for some, that may be the last "meal" they count on eating that day. I've seen others carefully divide and wrap up their snacks to share with younger siblings at home. There are hungry children right in your own backyard.
jondhall
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 12:15 p.m.
Too bad it has to be this way maybe rethink your vote next time you go to the polls, maybe not follow the Union puppets to the polls.
FredMax
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 2:39 a.m.
hi Christa, Sorry, I guess my post didn't exactly lighten things up. Hopefully there is some comfort in knowing that a lot of people have to work tough jobs in the current climate. I'd love to volunteer, but I already work 80 a week to feed the hungry children that are playing X-box in my basement right now;)
FredMax
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 1:24 a.m.
I dont know much about the schools outside of Saline, but 95% of the teachers that I've encountered at my Children's PUBLIC schools in Saline are highly engaged and competent individuals. The quality of the teaching staff far exceeds anything I remember from grade school. I've always very been impressed by the teaching staff and I doubt a private school could offer more. Thats how I feel. Now lets talk about things getting tougher. Last month 6 senior staff were laid off from my small company. People with families. One day they were all escorted out of the building, no warning, no severence (not that these would be expected in my industry). BTW, where would one sign up for the jobs teaching the hungry kids?
mrmmrm
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 1:15 a.m.
I find this article amazing... as a public school teacher in the same district as Krista, and as a special education teacher, I understand the difficulties and heartache that come with the job. To comment on some of the previous comments !. No one is suggesting that other unions that have poor performing individuals be "busted", The union saves us from things like unfair labor practices and helps with work related issues that arise (mostly safety) and with negotiations. NOT to solely save the jobs of the few that may not have a heart for teaching anymore. You learn very quickly weather teaching is for you or not. Folks do it because they love children (trust me we are not in it for the money). Teachers also get burnt out, it is true, and their passion goes away. It is difficult when you are trying to make a difference in a life of a child with little to no support from others... sometimes because they can't and sometimes because they don't want to. All of my children are poor... very poor. Much of the time when they are at school in my care,it is the only time they get to go outside, the only time they might get to play with other children, the only time they are sure they are going to get at least two meals. When you are fighting against those things, as Krista said, it is hard to keep them interested in learning. Yes sometimes teachers just give up, but they keep teaching because it is what they love to do and all they know. 2. I keep hearing "summers off" Sure I get my summers off, however I also work in a district where that is possible to do. I get paid less throughout the school year so I can get paid in the summer. If I chose differently (or if I worked in a district where that was not a choice) then I WOULD NOT HAVE A CHECK and would essentially have to get a summer job. I choose to learn to live with less for nine months out of the year so I can have time to spend with my own family while the sun was up
Lynn
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 5:22 p.m.
Maybe I'm not understanding, but why would you have to get a summer job? Could you not receive 9 paychecks, but budget and save what you would need for the 3 summer months? It's the same annual pay, no? Just split either 9 or 12 ways?
proudtobeme
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 11:44 p.m.
@debling you obviously do not have a special needs student. I do and I am offended by your comment about special needs kids. Isolating them from the population is not the answer. I want my child to be a part of society not hidden away as your comment implies. I'm sorry if the regular ed population has to be educated in the same room as these special kids but that is life. What a boring world it would be if we only associated with people who were just like us.
proudtobeme
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 6:07 p.m.
My CI child is being mainstreamed in the regular ed classroom (not all day but for parts of it) and he is thriving! He loves his special ed teacher and he loves his regular ed teacher. I'd be curious to know how the regular ed kids are affected by him. My guess is they are learning that not everyone is like them and I sure hope they are learning how to be compassionate to people with special needs.
Lisa
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 1:50 a.m.
Macabre Sunset clearly has no clue. To equate our special education population with "criminals and mentally disabled" is to demonstrate a level of ignorance that is shocking in someone commenting on education. Yes, I have students of all levels in my classroom. I have children who are clearly gifted and children who clearly struggle. But none of my students are "criminals" and those students with cognitive impairments are not in mainstream classrooms. Instead, they are in a self contained classroom in my building though the severely and profoundly disabled are served elsewhere. Our CI classroom is amazing and they are lucky to have a gifted teacher; we now have an amazing elective which allows our mainstream students to learn about disabilities, to interact with these students and to act on stage with them. It is a voluntary program and it is highly selective; this class and the highly selective peer mentoring program is also something my students love to do. No, in the mainstream classrooms, we typically see students who are identified as having a speech impairment, a learning disability, or a milder form of autism. Many of these kids perform quite well with just minor modifications... a little support on a quiz, some organizational help, an hour of resource room. Some require a little more. Some struggle because their basic skills are so far behind but that doesn't make them criminals. But that next Einstein isn't going to be bored in my classroom just because I have another student who is reading below grade level.
Lisa
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 1:39 a.m.
Proudtobeme, Don't apologize and don't stop standing up for your child.
proudtobeme
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 1:28 a.m.
oh and by the way Einstein,for your information,was deemed "dumb" and a "misfit" by his teachers. He did not do well in school. MANY kids with special needs are gifted in other areas.
proudtobeme
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 1:27 a.m.
So you are saying that by my mentally disabled child being mainstreamed with a regular ed child it is damaging the regular ed student? HOW? please explain how my mentally disabled child is damaging a regular ed student.
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 12:42 a.m.
Maybe you could hold a mixer, then. I don't think isolation is appropriate, but the current approach is to damage the future of every child in order to "mainstream" criminals and the mentally disabled. The next Einstein amongst us may never get what he needs to excel because the schools pay almost no attention to any child who is capable beyond a minimal test score. This is why our schools lag when compared to those in other countries.
debling
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 11:20 p.m.
Nice article Krista. I feel for those who are passionate about their jobs even under constant criticism, especially those that work with children in challenging environments. However, I believe the "bashing of teachers" rightly or wrongly is a response by society to the frustration with our public school system. The public spends a lot of tax money on public schools, yet year after year American students fall far short of their international counterparts (Chinese, Indian, European, etc.). The public looks to our teachers to provide guidance on how to solve this problem and make American kids #1 globally. Unfortunately what they hear is spend more money and keep the status quo. The result is more and more parents consider alternatives to the public school system including charter schools as you refer to. It is clear that problems are not caused by one group (teachers, administrators, parents, etc) but the solutions require compromise and changes by all. In my view we must make radical changes to our educational system or risk it falling apart. For example, 1) we must move away from local funding of schools to a 100% statewide funded system. Unless we do this, poor districts will always be at a disadvantage. 2) striving for academic excellence must be our charter. We must drive to be #1 globally not # 20 or #25. This means our schools must be tough and our students challenged at levels on par with Chinese, Japanese and European students. Not all students should receive a high school degree. You must earn it. 3) All students have a right to an education. However, teachers spend far too much time on discipline and special needs students. These students need to be removed from the classroom and placed in classes that are more appropriate and they do not impede the other students. 4) Teachers must promote the abolition of tenure and support a pay for performance system that rewards good teachers and removes poor ones.
Lisa
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 1:38 a.m.
"Teachers must promote the abolition of tenure and support a pay for performance system that rewards good teachers and removes poor ones." This is political nonsense and patently untrue. Administrators have discretion to remove teachers with tenure. You simply have to follow the process. I've seen in my building several teachers who were removed through this process under my current administrator. All tenure does is ensure that due process is followed. Further, this idea that of a "pay for performance" system is untested and frankly, I believe, unworkable. Teaching is not a competitive industry. I work with my colleagues sharing ideas, problem solving. A pay for performance system would eliminate that because teachers would be competing for salaries. If a teacher's income is dependent upon my student's performance on a test, do you think that teacher will share their ideas with their colleagues? Do you think that teacher will do anything but teach to the test? Even worse, do you think that teacher might sabotage their colleagues? Every year, math teachers review at the beginning of the year content from the previous year. We would have every incentive to NOT do so under a pay for performance plan until after the MEAP. In fact, under a pay for performance plan, teachers would be incentivized to teach NOTHING until after the MEAP so that the students scores would be artificially low and then to push as much content and practice afterwards to try to show as much growth as possible on the next years test which is what this teacher will be graded on. I firmly believe this rhetoric about pay for performance is an excuse to cut teacher's base salaries and then, in a few years, the bonuses will disappear and we will again be accused of being greedy for expecting a bonus for doing our job.
Lisa
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 1:29 a.m.
Striving for academic excellence is a great idea but I don't know a single teacher who ISN'T doing that. You need to keep in mind that when you compare American public schools to Chinese or Japanese, you are comparing two items which despite serving the same purpose are very different. Let's start with the understanding that most countries have a single, national educational system. We have 50 sets of standards, 50 sets of curriculum, 50 sets of laws. That complicates things. Further, unlike many of our 'competitors', we do not typically have students compete to get into top schools. A student's address almost exclusively determines which school s/he attends. This means that our schools must serve an enormous range of students in one building and typically, in one classroom. Other countries have a lengthier school year than American schools. But parents are all too protective of their children's summer vacations even to the point of blocking a balanced year schedule which has been shown to have a positive impact on student performance. An emphasis on education is all too often missing from some homes and rarely with the intensity that one finds in parts of Asia. In my personal opinion to be #1 or even in the top 5, we would have to make some significant changes to our educational system that would be politically costly because the parents, not the teachers, would object. Here is just one idea: End social promotion. At this point, parents have the right to "place" their child in the next grade over school objection. That isn't helping. In NC, they used to have gateway years; if a student did not pass their 3rd, 5th or 8th grade End Of Grade Test by the beginning of the next school year, they didn't get to move on. I never saw a single child be held back because these kids would work like the dickens during the summer to avoid retention. For many of these students, that was the ONLY time they did any work... ever.
Basic Bob
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 11:43 p.m.
Don't we have a statewide funding system now?
Macabre Sunset
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 11:13 p.m.
I guess I'm one of the people who upset you. I didn't feel this way in the past, but these union-negotiated deals for the public sector are bankrupting our country. And my own experiences with my child's teachers have confirmed the worst of the complaints. Maybe we've just been unlucky with teacher choice, but, wow, there are some awful teachers out there being protected by the unions.
ViSHa
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 2:23 p.m.
it's not really about who's "fault" it is anymore, it's just not sustainable at it's current rate.
Lisa
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 12:21 p.m.
Governor Janet? That well and truly smacks of sexism like so many comments about Granholm. I really do have to wonder how much of the outrage over teacher salaries is really about women with a decent income.
jondhall
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 12:13 p.m.
Look at who the MEA supported Governor Janet, that says it all.
Lisa
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 1:51 a.m.
I see its the unions' fault the economy is struggling and it has nothing to do with the outsourcing of jobs to China and India to give bigger bonuses and dividends to the top.
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 12:44 a.m.
There are at least $6 trillion in unfunded pension mandates for public-sector employees alone. That is enough to bankrupt many states.
sh1
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 12:24 a.m.
Bankrupting our country?! Any data to back that up? Ann Arbor and Ypsi teachers have been taking cuts to salary, benefits, retirement, and esteem. The only thing not cut are class sizes, which are climbing. How that bankrupts the country is beyond me.
talker
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 10:03 p.m.
Cuts in the private sector are bad, but the solution isn't cuts in the public sector. The solution is to reverse the hideous changes that have valued the creating money by hedge funds, investment banks, and corporate outsourcing to the detriment of the teaching, protecting, treating, and healing professions. During the State of the Union speech, the outburst of applause for teachers doesn't match the distribution of money and power in our economy. Those who accuse money for education and health care as a redistribution of funds ignore recent history. Redistribution has occurred. Those who argue about the importance of teachers, protectors, and healers for public good are trying to undo the unfortunate re-distribution we've seen over the past decade or more. Yes, the "work teachers do is admirable and difficult," but the trend of dollars in our economy have gone in the opposite direction. That is sad. Unfortunately, the choices many made in November, 2010 won't help and could make matters worse.
BenWoodruff
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 9:57 p.m.
And by the way...how can posters call teachers "greedy" and the post stays up...
dk
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 9:19 p.m.
If teachers don't want to be perceived as greedy perhaps they should dissolve the teachers union that prohibit the firing of underperforming teachers. They are perceived as greedy because of the high wages along with the security of not being able to be fired. Sounds greedy to me.
dk
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 5:53 p.m.
"Teachers can be fired as spelled out in any teacher contract." sh1, "can" is the key word in your sentence. I don't care what about the text in the contract. I care about the reality. Underperforming teachers are most definately NOT fired, at least in AA.
Lisa
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 12:29 p.m.
Teachers have more protections than students? All the unions and tenure do is ensure due process for teachers. When a teacher is fired, they are gone. On the other hand... When a student assaults a teacher, we are often told NOT to file a police report. It happens surprisingly frequently. I know of one teacher who was STABBED and the reprimanded for filing a police report. Students have the right to due process as well both in handling behavioral issues as well as identifying and providing accommodations for a disability. Again, the ignorant speak of what they do not know.
jondhall
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 12:11 p.m.
Anyone can be fired , however will it stand up? They certainly have more protection than the students do, lets not forget they are "public servants".
sh1
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 12:22 a.m.
It may sound greedy to you because your facts are wrong. I wonder where you got them. Teachers can be fired as spelled out in any teacher contract.
Tex Treeder
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 7:52 p.m.
I agree that teachers are often underpaid and underappreciated. I know that I couldn't deal with a room full of 5 year olds every single day. I also think that the teachers' union has to bear some (even most) of the responsibility for the perception of teachers as protected at the expense of our kids. Pay teachers more, yes; but also get rid of tenure and teachers who are obviously incompetent or in the wrong profession.
ViSHa
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 2:20 p.m.
so who removes the incompetent administrators?
Lisa
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 1:53 a.m.
It is administrations job to remove the bad teachers, not other teachers. And competent, responsible administrators do just that. Tenure doesn't provide any protections except to ensure that due process is followed. Is that really so unreasonable?
A2Realilty
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 6:55 p.m.
Great opinion piece. Thank you for contributing. I wish that those who complain about teachers would actually step up and do some teaching. It would be a shocking experience for them. It seems that things are improving in Michigan. Ford and GM both are doing well. Ford's bonuses this year will be substantial. It will be interesting to see what all those in the "private sector" have to say about teacher compensation when they are all receiving healthy bonuses and merit raises in the next several years. Something tells me that they won't be able to echo their sentiments about the public sector (and schools in particular) sharing in the prosperity as much as they shouted for others to share in their misery.
eastsidemom
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 5:44 p.m.
the fact is that most Americans are all in a twist about failing public schools, but most say their own child's school and teachers are good. Kind of makes you wonder...
Rod Johnson
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 6:03 p.m.
It seems to be a fact of our psychology. The same thing happens when you ask for opinions about Congress. Everyone agrees Congress is a mess--but everyone thinks their representatives are good. We're unhappy with our institutions, but put a human face on them and things seem different. Thanks for putting a human face on this issue, Krista.
mike from saline
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 5:19 p.m.
Where are all the "teacher bashing comments" I was led to believe I would find on this thread? I've read 21 comments, and not one, you could honestly say was anything remotely close to teacher bashing!! This thread is not unique. There is very little "teacher bashing" going on in any of the comment sections of stories about, public schools. Unless of course, you find any comments that question, or critisize, the cost of public education, The way it's Administrated, Teachers Unions, or the use of Public school Teachers as "propagandist" to a captive audience.
A2Realilty
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 6:51 p.m.
In fairness, "mike from saline," you can find as many "teacher bashing comments" as you would like to take the time to read if you go back to the various articles and comments about the school budget that ran over the past 12 months. I must say, that sadly, this thread has been unique.
Kevin D.
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 5:06 p.m.
I agree with the article 100% and I am NOT a teacher, although I grew up wanting to be one. I'm 35 and after losing my job in the auto industry, I am at a turning point in my life and ready to go to college. I would love to fulfill my dream of becoming a teacher, but unfortunately "there is no money" in teaching! I don't understand how so many people think teachers are overpaid or have great benefits. I worked for Ford Motor Company for over 8 years during the economic boom. THAT was good money. But it didn't last, did it? And I was making such good money because I was paid so much OVERTIME. Teachers work much more than 8 hours a day, but they do not get paid overtime. They get their Summer's off, but personally they'd probably make more getting paid overtime as they should be! A teacher's job involves much more responsibility and liability than other jobs. And with the increasing demands of the government on how much our children know, the job is getting harder and harder and the public are wanting to pay less and less.......this makes no sense whatsoever! One of the comments here mentions that teachers are being required to have Master's Degrees, so how can we continue to pay less? Who is going to teach our children? No other field requiring a Master's Degree is paying so little. Another mind boggling thing is the price of daycare! If you looked at a teacher as JUST a daycare provider, why aren't they paid as much?! Yet, they have to teach them as well! It blows my mind that people are paying hundreds of dollars a week per child for daycare, yet a teacher is not earning nowhere near that much per child per week and they do so much more.
Lisa
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 1:54 a.m.
My take home pay as a teacher is equal roughly to what I pay in daycare for my two children. I have on average 28 students throughout the day. Do the math.
dotdash
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 4:33 p.m.
Spot on; articulate and graceful under pressure. I have never taught school, but I am grateful for every kind word, every act of forbearance, every patient explanation given to my children (and me) by teachers. I know there have been many. I was horrified by your mentioning "The Bride of Chuckie" What can be said? What can possibly be the future of children whose life experience has that tenor as a kindergartener? What will they be exposed to as 10-year-olds? As teenagers? How can any school overcome those experiences? So thank you, Krista, for this article. Food for thought.
itsmyjob
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 4:02 p.m.
I agree with this article 100% and yes I am a teacher and proud of it. When I do get a few parents to volunteer in my classroom each year I get asked, "How do you do this everyday, I could never do this?" My response, "It's my job and I love what I do!" Those few parents leave my classroom with an understanding of what I do everyday. I wish more people could. As for only working 9 months a year, I wonder how many hours I really work if I could punched a time clock every time I did the following: showed up for work early on a daily basis, left two hours after school lets out every day, went to after school events, did lesson plans on my own time (my planning time is usually spent calling parents, making copies and oh yeah, using the restroom since I haven't been able to since my students came in the room), stayed at school to meet a parent after they get out of work, and I could go on and on. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining, I love my job. I just get tired of being told how much "time off" I get each year.
Basic Bob
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 2:47 a.m.
And no one does their work for them. It waits for them to return. In the meantime, the co-workers make do short handed. Not so in the classroom. What other part-time position (less than 1500 hours) gets a generous retirement plan, vacation, holiday, and sick pay? In my youth, teachers I knew spent their summers painting houses or working double shifts at the mill.
Lisa
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 1:56 a.m.
Basic Bob, And our pay more than reflects that difference in time. But I will tell you that engineers and accountants don't need a substitute when they call in sick... they call in sick.
Basic Bob
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 11:17 p.m.
Every job has its share of difficulties. Ask a cashier or an assembly line worker about taking a bathroom break during their scheduled time. Ask an engineer or accountant about getting a substitute do do their work while they take a sick day. Ask a truck driver about not getting paid while waiting for a truck to be unloaded. Ask any salaried worker about unpaid casual time. Ask a snow plow driver or lineman about being called in the middle of the night. I'm glad you love your job, because I wouldn't want to do it. But honestly, teachers work a lot less hours than any other full time salaried position.
David Briegel
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 3:38 p.m.
How ironic it is that as our society slips in most measurements of accomplishment and achievement except for greed and war, that we would come after teachers pay and benefits. At a time when teachers are being asked to cover up and fix the failures of our society, we are attempting to make the teaching profession even less attractive. Go after the teachers and the unions but whatever we do, leave the banksters, corporate bosses and all their schemes and scams that prey upon our citizens. Give those that have the most even more while we destroy the middle class. Not one of us has ever succeeded without the benefits of outstanding and dedicated teachers. After all, they touch the future. Our Future.
Chelsy
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 3:15 p.m.
I agree with this article 100%. There is nothing wrong with hoping for a snow day and enjoying summers off. After spending nine months with grading and lesson planning it becomes easy to feel that no matter what you do, there's always more to be done. Life gets hectic. Teachers sacrifice, and give a lot to the children they spend day in and day out with. Teachers touch the lives of children everyday. Teachers have patience to handle very trivial to extremely serious problems encountered on a daily basis. Teachers need to be thanked more often. The shame that I see is, too often the people who are quick to criticize, are the very people who have never been in the classroom to volunteer, or even observe the demands of having 25+ children in one room at a single time. Instead of berating teachers and blaming them, we should herald them and join together as a community to improve the lives of our children. That is the point, right? Sincerely, an appreciative parent
MissM
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 3:09 p.m.
It's funny how people go for the rhetoric about "Cadillac Healthcare". Ypsilanti is not part of MESSA. We have more of a Saturn than a Cadillac. It works, but vaccination for my young children are not covered, and emergency room visits are costly. Not all teachers get the same insurance people.
Cash
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 3:04 p.m.
Let's face it.... When the auto industry was in financial ruins who got blamed? UNIONS aka the middle class workers. They lost benefits and lost pay and gave up a ton. No one spoke of the poor management practices, overstuffed bonuses and fat cat golden parachutes. When the auto industry improved who gets credit? The white collar SAVIORS! No credit is given to the workers who gave so much up to help the company. And the geniuses who saved the company get more fat bonuses still. Now, our state government is in financial ruins and who gets blamed? UNIONS aka the middle class workers. No one is talking about the overpaid "execs" who get MORE pay and MORE lifetime benefits for a relatively short term of work.While salaries are FOIA'd out of them, try finding out about perks and bonuses!! But the middle class will take cuts and sacrifice. When finances improve, who will get credit? The "geniuses" running government of course. Thus they will "deserve" even more bonuses and perks. Remember who is pointing their finger at the middle class to blame.......and look at the salary, bonuses and perks of that person and their cronies.
jondhall
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 12:08 p.m.
I for one would like to "blame the esteemed ex governor" the UNIONS supported, how is that? ? In eight years she did nothing for this state her only dance was with Kwame and we know where he is.
eastsidemom
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 2:51 p.m.
Thanks for answering Krista, we appreciate the work you do everyday! You are worth every penny our district pays you, in fact you are one of many working hard every day.
annarborgirl77
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 2:41 p.m.
Thank you Krista for sharing your story. This story touches all of us. I've put my heart, soul and thousands of dollars into my teaching career over the last 25 years. I grew up in Ann Arbor and owe my education to Ann Arbor's finest teachers. Many of them inspired me to become an educator. I get so angry when I see what the public is willing to pay for watching sports and other entertainment yet they are unwilling to pay for the education of their children. No one seems to care if a football player makes millions for working part of the year. If only the future of our country depended on who won the Superbowl or what someone wore at the Globes. Just think where our students might be if some of these funds were diverted to educating our youth? By the way, I wonder if those who are so quick to question our salaries really understand how much of our paycheck goes right back into the classroom to pay for materials and supplies because districts are cutting back? Try walking in my shoes (oh, I can only afford one pair by the way and they must be sensible so that I can stand most of the day, run, sit, bend, reach, and even stand outside in blizzards waiting for parents to pick up their kids after school). Thank you again Krista. Those of us in education do stick together, we have to.
Foolery
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
Krista, your passion and impact on children is exemplary, and it's happening in every grade. My son's high school teacher has spent countless afternoons, and given up nearly 10 full weekends to coach him and his classmates how to compete in Policy Debate. Well, last night (after two 10 hour days of competition) they captured a state title. The thrill of winning, the pride of accomplishment, the knowledge gained, and that spark of interest are, well, priceless. I worry greatly about these proposed cuts to teacher compensation, and the impact they will have on the teachers who so generously put their heart, and soul, and passion, and time, into our children. And, I must argue one point with 'MB', who states that it's not fair for teachers to avoid pay cuts because the 'private sector' has had 'little if any' income increase over the past decade. 1. Teacher salary increases over the past decade have averaged around 1 to 2 percent, with many districts offering ZERO most recently. 2. The 'private sector' had some nice long years of economic prosperity. There were generous raises, bonuses, incentives, profit sharing, car allowances, stock options, extravagant outings and Holiday parties, etc. 3. Now, during these years, the 'private sector' did NOT make any mention of their 'it's not fair' argument. They didn't say "well, we are doing so great now, it's NOT FAIR that this should ONLY AFFECT THOSE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR." And so it went, during times of prosperity, teachers still received their sub cost-of-living raises, and holiday parties with cheese, crackers, and fruit punch in paper cups. I feel fortunate for the excellent teachers who are impacting my kids each day, and, I am willing to pay for it. Don't risk eliminating the intangibles (like passion), and the extras (like Policy Debate) offered by our teachers. Otherwise, our future generation may not know how to argue the 'illogical' analogy made in one of these comments....
Sue K
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 2:42 p.m.
Kudos to Christa for her excellent comments. My husband and I are retired teachers. We worked very hard at our jobs. We paid for Bachelor's degrees, Masters degrees and the 30 hours beyond. We paid for many amenities in the classroom that kids would never have had otherwise. We parented, nursed, coached, counseled, loved, mentored, provided for, and yes taught, sang, danced, pushed values and manners, and performed for hundreds of children. Would I do it again? NO. I loved teaching until testing became #1 and our routines were mandated by what page we should be on in all areas of teaching. Did our kids become teachers? NO. They saw the stress of the job and the incessant homework we brought home daily. They knew better. In our district discipline left with "whatever the parents want" attitude of administrators. Do the parents discipline. Not exactly. First graders saw movies my kids never saw. I was appalled. Were parents partners in education? You know the answer. And the problem with all of you that criticize teachers is just where do you think you are going to find dedicated educators in the future? That is the question. My favorite day of the week is Sunday, the day I spent 34 years catching up on paperwork and doing never ending lesson plans for my 8 a.m. to 3:30 series of performances for the day. So my take on the situation is good luck. The cost of a good educator is worth every penny. Education is not like the assembly line in a car manufacturing plant where every part is subject to quality control and the goods are top notch. When the public starts realizing that instead of criticizing our not so hot wages and perks, then they can figure out who is going to run our schools. You can get a good job in the private sector paying more than an educator gets and have a lot better life with people that appreciate you instead of criticize.
ypsilistener
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 2 p.m.
Krista, Thank you for your well-thought-out and positive commentary. Rather than making excuses for our problems, you have explained them while showing how you are trying to adapt and problem-solve. Your attitude and dedication would make you a fine addition to any school district, and I am proud that you are OURS! I am also grateful that we have many, many other teachers here who are like you.
Rebecca
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 1:59 p.m.
Very well said. I second your opinions completely as a twelve year veteran of Detroit Public Schools.
stunhsif
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 1:59 p.m.
Krista, thank you for your dedication to your profession and your students. I for one have no problem with your salary but the bottom line is there will be cuts to your pensions and you will have to pay more for your Cadillac healthcare. Union pensions in Michigan are underfunded by 60 Billion dollars and are no longer sustainable. We need you and your coworkers to step up to the table and do your "fair share" so the kids don't suffer.After all, you did note in your article that it really is about kids. Let's tighten our belts, eat a bit less and move forward, hand in hand.
jondhall
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 12:06 p.m.
I could not have said it better. Key word, "Step Up", did you hear that MEA?
Topher
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 1:51 p.m.
Well put Krista. I wish there were some type of program where people could "be a teacher for a week" (And where I'd get to see their job too). My non-teacher friends have difficulty understanding, especially when they work in an office atmosphere. I tell them it's like giving a big presentation, but for 5-8 hours straight, all week. Having worked in an office atmosphere as well, what goes on in a classroom is complex, dynamic, and in many ways exhausting (Of course, not every office atmosphere is relaxed, but I always had time to grab a cup of coffee or go to the bathroom - not always the case in education). @MB111 - I think we need to make a distinction between teachers and all public servants. While the private sector has taken cuts, we're assuming that the public sector should too? Will this work the other way around every time the private sector booms? Should the public sector depend on the private sector to set its salaries/benefits? As a teacher who currently works in private education I can tell you that we get paid far, far less than public schools (and this is consistent across the most of the country). One issue to consider as well - there are well educated people in the field of Education. To get re-certified in Michigan you essentially have to earn your Master's (which usually must be paid for by the teacher). We're creating a pool of smart people but expecting them to work for very little compensation. If we actually value education, we need to make it worth people's time and money. U of M recently offered a 30k fellowship for people willing to teach in science technology, engineering, and math: <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/eastern-michigan-university-university-of-michigan-offer-fellowship-for-those-interested-in-teaching/">http://www.annarbor.com/news/eastern-michigan-university-university-of-michigan-offer-fellowship-for-those-interested-in-teaching/</a> It seems to me that there is this constant battle between wanting to value education, but not quite being sure what valuing education looks like. Let's work together to figure this out - ideas?
aataxpayer
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 1:35 p.m.
Good comments. Thanks.
braggslaw
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 1:35 p.m.
Everybody has a tough job in these tough times and everybody can generate a list of grievances. As a taxpayer, I want value and above all results. I admire your passion and for the teachers in the public school system who have such passion there will always be a job. So when the present public school system changes be comforted by the fact that you will have a place to land.
eastsidemom
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 2:53 p.m.
Braggslaw...walk a mile in a teacher's shoes...and stand by your holier than thou ways then
MB111
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 1:20 p.m.
The work teachers do is admirable and difficult - particularly in some less fortunate districts. However, the conversation should be focused on the unfortunate realities of the State's economic situation. Those in the private sector have had massive benefit cuts and little, if any income increase over the past decade. These 'take home' income declines make the tax bite a greater % of available income - it is not fair that this should only affect those in the private sector - especially since we all pay for those in the public sector.
local
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 1:01 p.m.
proudtobeme and Krista, I couldn't agree more. And you are right, people who aren't teachers will never understand the things that take place in school classrooms all over Michigan on a daily basis. Then this past week public school teachers get punched again with a proposal at the state level that would have us all taking a 5% paycut, with a pay freeze for 3 years. It is interesting how quickly folks forget how teachers affected them growing up, to help them become the people they are today. Yes, you may have come across a few teachers along the way who weren't the best, but I am guessing that most of your teachers were dedicated and did what they thought was in the best interest of the students. Krista, keep up the good work, your dedication doesn't go unnoticed by those willing to pay attention.
proudtobeme
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 12:40 p.m.
Krista,well said! Thank you for having the courage to write this.Unfortunately, I'm sure you will be getting the regular feedback from the people who are so negative toward teachers. People who have never been a teacher can not possibly understand how difficult our job really is,they don't have a clue what we do. Sure,having summers off is a nice bonus,but I didn't decide to be a teacher because I'd have my summers off. I decided to be a teacher because I wanted to make a difference in someone's life (and I enjoyed being around kids!) Just remember for every negative comment,there are probably 10 people who support you and what you do.