A “measure” was passed by our lovely Governor Granholm and all her cronies the other day. Seems our fine lakes state of Michigan has decided that it’s up to its teachers to balance the financial fuck-up’ed-ness and the lacking pension fund caused by mismanagement. So, the government has declared that they will begin deducting 3 percent of teachers already measly salary. Which seems to be some sort of punishment for not taking that early retirement incentive. But 3%, for my family, is our monthly grocery fund. Already struggling families of educators are going to be placed in worse off positions. I wouldn’t be shocked if this little initiative causes more bankruptcies and foreclosures.
I have a very simple question. Why is it up to the teachers, who get paid a laughingstock amount to begin with for a job that is probably the most important one there is(let’s be honest, without teachers there is no one), to smooth out our governments extremely deep wrinkles…CRATERS? What about the top heavy administration? Did they get penalized for being in the education field, if you can call being an administration part of the education system when it’s really just another office job. To me, they are just a financial drain, weighing WAY too heavy on the top and smushing everyone beneath them into the dirt. But what do I know? I’m only the wife of a poor little school teacher.
No one else…superintendents, administrators..GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS…none of them are taking pay cuts to help in this little endeavor. They stand there, all sanctimonious and self-righteous…because it really doesn’t have any consequence for them. Except maybe some angry bitch who writes a blog post and negative comments on online articles.
What about doctors, lawyers, artists, writers…anyone…who teaches in their area of expertise PLUS works in their field. What about salary cuts from them? Besides, they learned to be what they are from a teacher.
It’s a crock of shit.
Teachers. We need them to teach us. Or we become a civilization of stupid, ignorant assholes…worse than we already are. You keep messing with their pay, insurance, benefits…there will be less teachers in the world. Causing a shortage. Which, in turn…lack of a decent education. Which…we are well on our way to seeing.
Remember, you get what you pay for. Keep cutting the salaries and the insurance benefits AND the pension…you’ll see what kind of education our children will be getting. Or…NOT getting.
In China, teachers are revered and respected. Here, in the U.S, they are barely noticed let alone revered…unless they are going above and beyond for OR having sex with a student.
I’ve always found it to be absolutely shocking and quite laughable that our mostly uneducated, low class actors and sports figures receive huge salaries for doing basically nothing. Big deal, you can act or throw a ball. So impressive, let’s give you a giant 6 figure salary. And the gym teacher or acting coach that harnessed your powers…thanks and fuck you.
We know though that our government and their children…they don’t have to worry about the school system falling to shit. They just happily send their kids off to private schools.
Wake up people. Because, before you know it, we are going to be a 3rd world country and having to send our kids overseas to get properly educated.
This decision was a giant step backwards. It’s a shame. It’s embarrassing how pathetically backwards our state…our country…is showing itself to truly be.
It makes me ashamed to say that I’m an American.
Did they only cut the salaries of teachers as a way to help with the budget? That doesn’t make sense?
Amen girl.
.-= TeacherMommy´s last blog ..mea culpa =-.
Isn’t this great coming from a governor whose election campaign was based on education???
Cuts need to come from the superintendants and school board! I totally agree. Move up the ladder to start cuts. Not the staff in the schhols that deal with the day to day operation and education.
It’s sickening!!
Our governor just cut the higher education budget in TX by 5%. Guess what it is coming out of? Makes no sense to me.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Food Porn =-.
School funding myths
http://www.mackinac.org/12610
School funding in Michigan continues to be a hot-button issue as districts juggle increasing personnel costs that consume an ever greater portion of their budgets against state and national demands that students meet or exceed expectations. This continuing series will examine many of the myths surrounding school funding, including the foundation allowance, teacher “concessions,” overall school revenue, where that school revenue comes from and the cost of early education. The series will examine each issue using readily available data that the Center and other organizations have collected and weigh the evidence against the commonly held myths and claims about school funding often put forth by legislators, school administrators and teachers union officials.
I hear you and on behalf of all teachers who continually get the shaft I am so very angry. It’s not going to change unless their is political willingness to do so. All you can do is vote out your governor and her cronies. Another way change will happen is if it directly affects said politicians. It’s the way of the world. Sometimes, it’s a crappy, crappy world.
.-= SurprisedMom´s last blog ..Observations from the Week =-.
If there is one thing I won’t keep my mouth about, it’s education. Education for some reason is getting the back burner. What happened to our children being our future? What happened to education being the most important thing? And for them to be our future and for it to be the most important thing – we need teachers. Sigh. I’m sorry, I’m sorry it’s hit Michigan and your family personally. That sucks.
.-= Brittany´s last blog ..Linens ‘N Things Love & Coupon Code =-.
I am glad that you have not really said farewell, even for now. Please stay and keep writing!
.-= Marian´s last blog ..slaying dragons =-.
WTF?!? I would be livid (and looking to move out of state)!
I am a teacher in Tennessee. I left a much more lucrative career in corporate finance to teach. I absolutely love teaching, and I suspect that’s why teachers always get slammed. It’s easy to pick on those who don’t do it for the money any way. People teach because they are passionate about it! I guess government figures that, as a result, we don’t care about money.
The reality is, though, that we have bills to pay and kids to feed just like everyone else in America. What they probably don’t consider is teachers are also adults who understand that sometimes it’s necessary to do something about which you’re not so passionate in order to support your way of life.
I bet you’ll have some pissed off teachers in Michigan looking for employment elsewhere. It sucks that Michigan is willing use a “down” economy to back their teachers into a corner. They know that it will be difficult to find other employment right now. I hope they find it, though, and I hope they get a 100% pay raise!
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