The government must hate teachers
For months now, my state has been building up hype about giving teachers a terrific pay raise. We've heard about it on the news and in the papers, and talk has been going around my school district and in the teacher's lounge. Everyone has been talking about how it was going to make our state more competitive, get us closer to the national average (we're one of the largest states and one of the richest-- you'd think we'd be above the national average to begin with.) The hype has just been building and building.
Well, I teach special education. And most states offer a stipend to special ed teachers, an incentive to get teachers to teach special ed, especially since it takes a longer time in college, much more training, more skills, and a hell of a whole lot more patience. Special ed teachers are harder to come across. Having a stipend is sort of like a bribe/ reward to keep you working here.
Three years ago when my district gave a pay raise, half my stipend got taken away, resulting in me actually having a lower paycheck as a result of the "raise."
I was hoping for better results this year, especially since the state people kept bragging about how GREAT and BIG this year's pay raise was going to be. I heard amounts like $3,000 and $4,000 floating around in the air.
Well.
The other day I found out that the REST of my special ed stipend money was taken away.
We got paid this week
As a result of my "RAISE", I am taking home less than $25 more a month.
Woo hoo. I'm going to try not to spend all that in 1 place. Really.
I wrote a letter to my superintendent, but as he is on his way to Retirement-Land this year, I doubt that he cares.
You know, I'm not in this for the money, so much. I love the kids. I have a comfortable home, a car that runs, and my pets are taken care of. My teacher retirement fund won't allow me to live in squalor, and our district health insurance sucks eggs, but I've started a 403B account, so at least that's something.
The thing that gets me is that they built this raise up so much. They made it sound like they were doing us teachers this big favor. And then to get my check today and see the number--- and double check, and triple check-- was I seeing the numbers right? Did they make a mistake? Was it even my check? What the heck? --- that was a huge let down.
I had plans for the extra money I was going to make. I was planning to go back to my nutritionist every month like I need to. I was planning to go back to the chiropractor every couple of weeks like I need to (desperately.) With my "raise", I can't even afford the gas to get there. So once again, I have to keep making do without those needed appointments. And I'm trying hard to work on recovery and taking care of myself-- but how am I supposed to, when I cannot afford it?
And I feel so unappreciated. It feels like America is going to hell in a handbasket. Standards everywhere are slacking off, yet my job gets harder, teaching standars get higher, I have more and more laws I have to adhere to, parents get more difficult, kids come in lower and knowing less, I have to raise the bar for myself all the time, I have more responsibilities than ever, and the people I work for don't acknowledge anything I do. What they do instead is allow my stipend to get taken away, and the government gets away with paying actors millions of dollars while I raise tomorrow's future for next to nothing.
I apologize for my petty-ness. My disappointment after the big build up is hard for me to take today. I know that the people that it REALLY counts to-- my children and their parents--- are the ones whose opinions really count. And I know that my little kids in my class think I make a difference. And I know that they appreciate me. And I know that ....well, SOME.... of their parents appreciate what I do for their children. And its their opinion that really matters, not what the government thinks or what I get paid.
Posted by pilgrim | Filed under:
You are NOT being petty. Teachers, the few who are so dedicated and qualified especially, like you all, to be having thier salaries cut, and sucky salaries and benifits. I have seen it happen here. It is stupid, clebs making millions, and some teachers can not even break 25k, when THEY are the ones teaching the future.
The education system is a joke, like 48th worst in the nation?!? WTF? That is just sad. And to think of those new billboards promoting Texas public schools. *Snort*
I just realized that my teacher union dues haven't been taken out of my check yet. They are taken out monthly starting in October.
Which means next month, MY PAYCHECK WILL BE ANOTHER $36 LOWER.
WHICH MEANS, THANKS TO THIS DAMNED PAY RAISE, I AM ONCE AGAIN MAKING LESS MONEY THAN LAST YEAR.
we understand how you feel about being let down. after the buildup the reality is ridiculous! teachers are the most underpaid professionals in the world. we feel for you and can only pray things get better!
peace and hugs
keepers