The gubnatorial race in Texas is getting a lot of attention as it should, but I wanted to put in a simple plug to pay attention to the races in our state legislature. This site gets out to a lot of folks in a lot of places, so I don't want to talk specifics. Each of you might have a different person representing you in Austin. I don't want to be a shill for Democrats in this race, so I just wanted to provide you with a sampling of questions to ask. If you can't ask, try to find out the answers.
- The State legislature hasn't given any new money to education in several legislative cycles (or since Perry has been governor). Do you plan on changing that?
Folks, this is a deal breaker as far as I am concerned. Honestly, I don't care so much about our salaries as I do about having as many dedicated administrators, teachers, support staff, and paraprofessionals on the job. Study after study has been done, but you can't beat boots on the ground when it comes to education.
- The state loves to mandate things without paying for them. Are you going to make sure funding is available to pay for the mandates you give to our teachers.
The concept of no child left behind is fine except money wasn't set aside to pay for it. Yes, it is a tragedy for any child to fall behind, but asking us to combat illiteracy and other societal ills without funding is like sending troops into battle without weapons.
- Teachers that retire are a part of TRS. Currently we get 2.3 percent of our salary for every year we teach. Other state employees get 2.75 percent. It may not seem like much, but educators like my parents are living off this retirement and haven't seen a raise in the multiplier for a decade. Do you pledge to catch teachers up with other state employees and also what do you intend to do to keep TRS solvent.
We do not pay into social security. Because of that deuche bag Tom Delay, I cannot collect on my wife's social security. TRS is a great retirement system, but even it needs an occasional adjustment to allow for inflation. I hope my parents have at least 20 more years with me and they will need a cost of living raise eventually.
- Our last raise as teachers came more than ten years ago. It was a $3000 across the board raise. I remember it well. Since then, we have had to get by with less. I don't complain much about salary, but if you want the best and brightest to be educators you have to pay them accordingly. The job is tough enough. Most teachers leave within five years because they find something else less stressful that will pay them more. That shouldn't happen. Bad teachers should leave, but good ones shouldn't leave just because they find a bigger paycheck. Sure, opportunities arise all the time. The numbers of those leaving is alarming. What are you going to do to make teaching more attractive to our young minds?
The question puts it simply enough. Believe it or not, we have a lot of talented young people. We need more of them to choose education. A talented and intelligent person can see that we haven't gotten a significant state raise in more than a decade. It's past due.
Scott, you know I have said this to you personally, in my estimation the most important people in any society are the teachers.
NOT making education our highest priority may very well be or downfall.
Hey, you're not one of those rare individuals that like peeps are you?
WOW! Now that's the idea of the year...No, taxes for teachers. Those perks would transform the educational system in America literally overnight. Seriously, that's an idea that needs to be heard. I'm on board!
Of course I agree Wombat. What I think is criminal is that experienced teachers don't get the pay they deserve. Rookie teachers are actually fairly compensated. I made more than most of my friends the first year out of college. They have passed me by and most don't have the advanced degree I have.
If you have been in the business for 15-20 years you are almost assuredly good at what you do. Those 1-5 years in may or may not be.
I must say that I have been very, very impressed with my daughter's elementary school teachers with one notable exception but that was personal...I'll save that wonderful story for another day. This year she has a 24-year old dude as one of her teachers and while it's been only a week, once again I'm impressed. They leave my teachers so far in the professional dust that they aren't even visible (Catholic school). So kudos to the profession!
Scott,
The situation you describe is just harsh. I'm telling you there is something desperately wrong with those people...Repubtilians that is.
said it before and it's still true...there's just something absolutely F'ed in the head about a society that is willing to pay someone millions of dollars based on their ability to throw or catch a ball.....but those that choose to serve their society by educating and awakening the young minds that will be the future of us all?
screw 'em, they should get a real job?
I say teachers should pay no taxes....period. I say that after several years service we should give 'em a car. After a few more we should build them a house. These people should hold an honored place in our society...not be afterthoughts at best.
smeep.....