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Panel brainstorming benefits to keep teachers in classroom
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Anonymous | 4:44 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Absolutely. Especially in a state where many families raise four or more
children. A $10,000+ raise would definitely make teaching much more
attractive.
While you're at it, making the profession not so "flat" might help. Some teachers leave because they need variety. Kitty (Catherine) Boles of Harvard has some ideas about how to do this. Google her.
While you're at it, making the profession not so "flat" might help. Some teachers leave because they need variety. Kitty (Catherine) Boles of Harvard has some ideas about how to do this. Google her.
Tim | 5:41 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
I'm a science teacher that just moved from Utah to Idaho Falls. My salary
went up and living expenses went down. What a bargain! To all Utah teachers
out there--I highly recommend the move :)
Comments continue below
Simple answer to the problem | 6:42 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
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Steve Belnap | 7:16 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
I am one of those former Utah teachers who left the state because I could not
make ends meet. To let you know how bad it is, I was offered aproximately
$27,000 a year from Provo School District to teach and I have a masters. At the
time of that job offer I was making about the same amount working part time
while going to graduate school. I wanted to cry. I went overseas and now make
about 3 times what I would be paid in the great state of Utah. Some of my
former and current colleagues are also former Utah teachers. Teachers are
leaving for other states not because they want to but because they have to.
They have no other choice. I once heard an assistant superintendent say,
"Utah spends less then any other state on education but scores in the top
ten in every academic category. So why should we pay teachers more?" I
say, think of where you could be if you had teachers who were allowed to make a
living at the profession. Wake up Utah legislature!! And stop paving Highway 6
every summer. That may help free up some money.
vidar | 7:26 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
With this kind of money being paid the compeition for teaching positions will go
up as well.
You would see many professionals leaving their jobs to go teach.
I am not sure how the system would deal with this.
Many current teachers will be forced out of their jobs to make way for better qualified canidates.
Teachers from other states would start coming here.
With more money being paid comes a greater demand for accountability.
And of course we have to factor in the very generous benefit package that comes with being a government employee.
You would see many professionals leaving their jobs to go teach.
I am not sure how the system would deal with this.
Many current teachers will be forced out of their jobs to make way for better qualified canidates.
Teachers from other states would start coming here.
With more money being paid comes a greater demand for accountability.
And of course we have to factor in the very generous benefit package that comes with being a government employee.
Chuck | 7:54 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
If they could just get the feds and the big-district curriculum
telling-us-how-to-do-our-jobs people out of our hair, maybe then teachers would
stay. We already have enough who start teaching. They just get fed up with it
and leave.
A decent size school would help a great deal to empowering teachers and making them successful as well. Schools being built right now are at least twice the optimum size.
A decent size school would help a great deal to empowering teachers and making them successful as well. Schools being built right now are at least twice the optimum size.
What are they thinking? | 7:55 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Did I just read that they want science and math teachers to work year round?
Yeah that is going to make them happier...
Most teachers I know really need that couple of months away from the students to reload and get their sanity back. They don't want to work even more hours than they are working now. It is already overwhelming for most of them. Adding a bigger work load isn't going to get more people into the profession.
What the legislators need to see is that we have a shortage. We need to pay them a lot more for the work they are already doing.
$10,000 - $15,000 is a big step in the right direction. I really think that would do it.
But don't make the already stressful work load even bigger. Of course our legislators are going to have a hard time doing that.
We can only hope.
Most teachers I know really need that couple of months away from the students to reload and get their sanity back. They don't want to work even more hours than they are working now. It is already overwhelming for most of them. Adding a bigger work load isn't going to get more people into the profession.
What the legislators need to see is that we have a shortage. We need to pay them a lot more for the work they are already doing.
$10,000 - $15,000 is a big step in the right direction. I really think that would do it.
But don't make the already stressful work load even bigger. Of course our legislators are going to have a hard time doing that.
We can only hope.
Adam | 8:01 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Turning to a trimester system doesn't seem to be the solution. Prospective
teachers will then look at the situation and see that the pay has been raised to
be competitive with the surrounding states, but the number of contract day will
be higher in Utah. So, we would be back at square one where teachers are
getting paid less per contractual day then in surrounding states. The other
problem is that Utah spends less per student than every other state in the
country. Teachers need an increase in pay AND better resources in the classroom
to keep up with other states. The legislature needs to stop looking to skirt
around the issue and simply give the money to education the way it is. This
will help to keep teachers and create a competitive market so the best teachers
stay.
JD | 8:10 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
I want to be a teacher so bad. I am just finishing up my degree as a
communication major at the University of Utah. I had a child and spent most of
my free time as a volunteer in the schools. After a few years I felt that it
was time for me to consider becoming a teacher. I registered for school and
discovered that I was drawn to communication. I was lured there because of the
need to make more money. Money is at the heart of the issue and so is the
amount of time it takes to become a teacher. I still am interested. Where do I
go from here. I am so sick of school and need a break and would love to teach
right away. I am nearly broke with all my school loans so spending more money
on school is not an option. I would like to start teaching anything and then go
back for more school later.
Tony Pellegrini | 8:14 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Hallelujah! Finally someone is paying attention to the needs of kids! Our
children and grandchildren are best served by educators who don't have to
work evenings and weekends at WalMart and McDonalds to make ends meet. The
article was deceptive in that the $47,000 starting salary is not an idea from
the legislature, but from the creative minds of Rex Wilkey and Lyle Cox of the
Washington County School District. Why can't we get them to replace Bill
Hickman and Steve Urquhart?! We might get some productive action from the
legislature then for our most valuable state asset...our children and
grandchildren!
teacher | 8:25 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Giving a teacher more days to work in exchange for increased pay may cut into
teacher efficency and increase burnout. I, for one, need summers to regain my
sanity and prepare for the coming year.
Teachers work in a high stress environmnet created by state and federal mandates,unruly students, and larger than manageable class sizes. Remove some of the stress and teachers will consider the job as a permanent career.
Teachers work in a high stress environmnet created by state and federal mandates,unruly students, and larger than manageable class sizes. Remove some of the stress and teachers will consider the job as a permanent career.
teacher2 | 8:50 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
As a teacher, my summers are convalescent time. I would not teach without them,
rather, I would be in a rubber room.
Teacher Father | 8:56 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
How idiotic can we be? We say our children are our future then we pay our
teachers like laborers. The state legislaturers should follow a teacher around
for a year and see how many hours he/she really puts in for the meager pay
he/she gets. Then we budget money for soccer stadium. I realize there are bad
teachers that give all teachers a bad reputation. But the vast majority of our
teachers are excellent educators that are entrusted with the safety and
education of our children for most to the day during the school year. You get
what you pay for!!! It's time we did something substantial to keep quality
teachers in our State.
Always a Teacher | 8:57 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Most of the people I knew when a teacher in Utah Schools have been forced by
economic necessities to find other better paying employment.
There are many thousands of good trained teachers who would love to teach if they could afford the luxury. Better pay and less interference from the teachers union would bring many of them back to the classroom. . .. .
There are many thousands of good trained teachers who would love to teach if they could afford the luxury. Better pay and less interference from the teachers union would bring many of them back to the classroom. . .. .
Thumper | 9:05 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Other Western states offer: 1) Reduced class sizes, 15 per class through 3rd
grade. 2)Specialized teachers, PE, ART and Music, which give the teacher a 1
hour break each day to do paperwork, correct homework etc, while their class is
involved in the other activities. and 3)Increased pay.
We moved from Nevada and knew we would take a financial hit but it was a shock. My wife had 16 years expirience teaching, the school district in Utah gave her 7. Nevada you don't pay state taxes and the school district has its own retirement system so there is no Social Security taxes. Her salary was cut by 40%.
In order for Utah to compete it has to increase salaries at least 25% and I think hiring specialized teachers will be of benefit to not only the teachers but to the children as well.
We moved from Nevada and knew we would take a financial hit but it was a shock. My wife had 16 years expirience teaching, the school district in Utah gave her 7. Nevada you don't pay state taxes and the school district has its own retirement system so there is no Social Security taxes. Her salary was cut by 40%.
In order for Utah to compete it has to increase salaries at least 25% and I think hiring specialized teachers will be of benefit to not only the teachers but to the children as well.
E | 9:13 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
More money would be great, it would definitely ease some financial stresses of
being a teacher. I feel a bigger issue is something needs to be done to hire
administrators who actually care about teachers and who treat teachers with
respect. As a teacher I hear more complaints about incompetent, overpaid
administrators than I do about teacher pay.
Robo | 9:30 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Teachers certainly don't need more hours in the classroom or even more
salary per se. My wife would gladly retain her current salary if she could
actually TEACH during the day instead of do government mandated testing and
paperwork, and actually get home by 6:00 p.m. instead of 8 or 9 or even 10. She
would also gladly retain her salary if she could either always have an aid in
the classroom or have a significantly reduced class size. 24 to 26 2nd graders
is outrageous, especially when they read from Kindergarten up to 4th grade
level. The school district won't let the grade teams divide up students by
capability level to teach reading, so here is one teacher in each and every
classroom trying to help basically illiterate children learn to read while at
the same time challenging the more advanced students. So, each teacher ends up
preparing 3, 4, or 5 different lesson plans each day rather than just 1. My
experience is that more money is fine for awhile, but it doesn't solve the
problem long term. That takes improved working conditions. RESPECT is right
on the money (no pun intended).
Tod | 9:30 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
My student teacher from last year told me that the University of Utah has many
openings for their teaching program that are unfilled. She said they had 3
cohorts last year and have only one this year. Salaries must increase
substantially to attract college students into the teaching programs and, once
trained, keep them in Utah.
I cringe when I see plans to pay science, math and technology teachers more than other disciplines. Selective pay hikes will serve to demoralize already undervalued teachers from other areas of study.
I cringe when I see plans to pay science, math and technology teachers more than other disciplines. Selective pay hikes will serve to demoralize already undervalued teachers from other areas of study.
Ed U. Kater | 9:47 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Great idea, legislators. Don't pay teachers what they are worth; let them
work more hours if they want more money. Yeah. That'll fix the
problem. and $10K raise? A college grad should get more than $37K starting
out, but beginning teachers in our district get $28K. No respect.
FMH | 9:53 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
I'm a former High School and Jr. High math and science teacher. I'm
sick of hearing the "teachers need to be paid better" mantra of the
teachers' unions. When I left teaching, I was making $22,000 working 9
months. I took a job in government making $23,000 working 12 months. Some day
when you want to know what a teacher makes, figure their hourly salary based on
a 180 (+/-) day year. And don't tell me how many extra hours they put in
on their own time. So do the rest of us.
Teachers need to be able to teach, not babysit somebody's mama's boy who can't behave. That is where the burnout comes in. WHen a teacher is allowed to teach, there isn't a better job in the world. Unfortunately, in public education, you have to take the riff-raff too.
Teachers need to be able to teach, not babysit somebody's mama's boy who can't behave. That is where the burnout comes in. WHen a teacher is allowed to teach, there isn't a better job in the world. Unfortunately, in public education, you have to take the riff-raff too.
Kyle | 10:05 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
At 18 credits from Graduating with an English degree from BYU, I have recently
decided to make the crazy change of major to English Teaching. At my recent
interview for admittance to the program I found out that out of 50 current
students in the program, I will be 1 of 3 males.
I am fairly unique among my peers. I have only decided to become a teacher because of the studies I have done as an undergraduate related to the philosophy of education and pedagogy.
In the essay for application I wrote, "I know that making the decision to become a teacher is like making the decision to live a life of poverty... my studies, however, have taught me that the education of children is more important than wealth. Therefore, I have decided to become a teacher when I know very well that I could be very successful elsewhere."
It took most of the last year for me to convince my wife (a second grade teacher) that I need to do this. She cried when she realized that she would have to work while our kids are young.
It's sad that we've had to make these decisions.
I am fairly unique among my peers. I have only decided to become a teacher because of the studies I have done as an undergraduate related to the philosophy of education and pedagogy.
In the essay for application I wrote, "I know that making the decision to become a teacher is like making the decision to live a life of poverty... my studies, however, have taught me that the education of children is more important than wealth. Therefore, I have decided to become a teacher when I know very well that I could be very successful elsewhere."
It took most of the last year for me to convince my wife (a second grade teacher) that I need to do this. She cried when she realized that she would have to work while our kids are young.
It's sad that we've had to make these decisions.
Joe | 10:10 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
I really wish that teachers earned more, that would be great. The truth is, if
you want to earn more, you need to work more. Plenty of other professions deal
with difficult clients, kids, stress etc. No one else gets the summer off to
rest. Social workers, nurses, counselors and many other people deal with the
same low pay and stress, but work year round. Everyone is underfunded and
underpaid, not just teachers. I had to leave the state for adequate pay, and I
am not a teacher.
cs | 10:23 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Legislature approved raises were a great idea. Lets put it in the paper and on the news. Lets not really give them to the teachers but it sounds great. Have you heard anything about the big joke on the news about how they arent gettng the raise or bonuses? Wonder why?
C | 10:31 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
A teacher has the future of our children in their hands. Those children turn
into tomorrow's adults. Wouldn't it be worth every penny to attract
AND retain the most competent, professional teachers that we can? More
attractive paychecks would save costs (more than just dollars) in the end. There
would be less turnover and all of those associated costs. Teachers could
actually focus on their job of teaching rather than looking for somewhere else
to go to get a salary they can live on and support their own families. Less
stress for administrators constantly having to find replacements for those who
left, etc. Having excellent, focused, teachers with good morale benefits
everyone in our society- from the children on up.
Ellsworth | 11:16 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Incentives only deal with the symptoms of an inherently flawed system. Stress
causes burnout. I taught in Utah for eight years. Money will never change the
level of stress that our school system puts on teachers who are often powerless
to eliminate the problem situations in the classrooms. As long as schools are
politically driven entities they will never function well. Long live vouchers
and freedom to choose. Only that freedom of choice will strangle a public school
system into change.
Cecil Ellsworth | 11:22 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Incentives only deal with the symptoms of an inherently flawed system. Stress
causes burnout. I taught in Utah for eight years. Money will never change the
level of stress that our school system puts on teachers who are often powerless
to eliminate the problem situations in the classrooms. As long as schools are
politically driven entities they will never function well. Long live vouchers
and freedom to choose. Only that freedom of choice will strangle a public school
system into change.
Flexible schedules | 11:24 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Not every ex-teacher quits to make more money elsewhere. Utah needs to make
better use of the resources available to them-- the 50% of teachers who leave
the profession within 5 years.
If Utah offered half-time "job sharing" where teachers could work either mornings or afternoons, or just a couple of hours per day, they might attract some of those (thousands of) teachers who would love to teach but choose to stay home with the kids instead of teaching full time.
If Utah offered half-time "job sharing" where teachers could work either mornings or afternoons, or just a couple of hours per day, they might attract some of those (thousands of) teachers who would love to teach but choose to stay home with the kids instead of teaching full time.
Ann | 11:57 a.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Maybe teachers don't get a lot of money, but do they have a great schedule.
They get Summers, weekends, holidays, and Christmas and Easter breaks. And
teachers get great benefits from the state. Teachers knew they wouldn't
have a high salary when they chose their profesesion, so they should stop
complaining. I agree with Joe. There are plenty of other underpaid professions,
but we don't constantly hear them complaining.
well duh | 12:39 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Also need to pay teachers on what they are teaching, not just their tenure. If
Chemestry teachers are in more demand than an art pe teacher, they should be
paid more. that is how the real world works.
How about performance based pay. No I don't mean the amount of "A"s in a class because that will punish teachers who work with special needs students. Set goals and measure based on goals. That is how the rest of the world works.
Oh yeah, that requires that UNIONS change their mentality.
How about performance based pay. No I don't mean the amount of "A"s in a class because that will punish teachers who work with special needs students. Set goals and measure based on goals. That is how the rest of the world works.
Oh yeah, that requires that UNIONS change their mentality.
Jeff | 12:40 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
I wish I could take the summer off to recharge from my stressful job. But then
again I knew what I was getting into when I went to college and chose my
profession. Not only that, but I wouldn't make very much money. Of course
if somebody offers me a $10-15,000 raise, I'll take that in a second. It
would also be nice to have a job I know I can never lose because of tenure.
Good call, Ann | 12:43 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Great comment, Ann. But unless you are planning on teaching those classes,
maybe you should consider supply and demand instead of trolling on about
complaining. Nobody is complaining. We just need more teachers here.
Benefits? | 12:43 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Anybody that thinks teachers still get great benefits doesn't know what
they are talking about. Dental? NOPE. Vision? NOPE. Health care? Yes but
only after paying a big portion of the premium and having huge out of pocket
deductibles. I realize that other professions have the same employee costs.
I'm just making the point that they aren't GREAT benefits like
ignorant people claim.
The only great benefit is retirement and a VAST majority of teachers don't make it that far. It is cheaper for the districts to burn out the old teachers and keep hiring new teachers at lower pay and no experience. Don't worry about what it does to the school or kids. Just keep the revolving door going....
The only great benefit is retirement and a VAST majority of teachers don't make it that far. It is cheaper for the districts to burn out the old teachers and keep hiring new teachers at lower pay and no experience. Don't worry about what it does to the school or kids. Just keep the revolving door going....
a REAL Republican | 12:50 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Here's the actual reality from a TRULY REPUBLICAN point of view.
Market forces of supply and demand drive the engine of our free market economy.
If the state of Utah refuses to pay teachers a livable wage, they will leave the state or quit the profession. If the so called "Republican" legislature tries to incentivize teachers by giving them pay equal to that of the surrounding states but requiring more labor than the surrounding states, the teachers will leave the state or quit the profession. This is actual factual reality - no politics, no unions. The laws of supply and demand can't be negotiated.
Our so called "Republican" legislature needs to stop spending time and money on the subsidy of private enterprise and start doing what they were elected to do, manage the affairs of the state. Howard Stephenson and his pro-voucher crowd are as republican as the FDR New Dealers.
When they fund a living wage for educators, the labor shortage will end.
Market forces of supply and demand drive the engine of our free market economy.
If the state of Utah refuses to pay teachers a livable wage, they will leave the state or quit the profession. If the so called "Republican" legislature tries to incentivize teachers by giving them pay equal to that of the surrounding states but requiring more labor than the surrounding states, the teachers will leave the state or quit the profession. This is actual factual reality - no politics, no unions. The laws of supply and demand can't be negotiated.
Our so called "Republican" legislature needs to stop spending time and money on the subsidy of private enterprise and start doing what they were elected to do, manage the affairs of the state. Howard Stephenson and his pro-voucher crowd are as republican as the FDR New Dealers.
When they fund a living wage for educators, the labor shortage will end.
Anonymous | 1:10 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
So Ann what your saying is we should ignore the problem? Anyone foolish enough
to choose teacher as an occupation should accept reality.
I digress.
Hopefully I never have to teach your kids Ann.
This comes back to the whole point of RESPECT. Ann doesn't give it, and many other parents as well.
I digress.
Hopefully I never have to teach your kids Ann.
This comes back to the whole point of RESPECT. Ann doesn't give it, and many other parents as well.
evensteven | 1:09 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Teachers, through their blind towing of the union line, have sacrificed
financial rewards for guaranteed employment. At every turn, they decry the
proposal of changes that would allow for the increased salaries they so vocally
seek. In short, this is a problem largely of their own creation.
There are few, if any, other 'professions' which rely on union muscle. Attorney's don't. Engineers don't. CPAs don't. Doctors don't. If teachers want respect and to be treated like professionals, they should act like professionals and break their chains to the educational-industrial complex.
Allow competition by schools and teachers. Quit allowing a small number of unruly, undisciplined kids to ruin it for the rest. Provide flexiility in work schedules. Allow for easier transfers between districts without losing seniority and benefits. Get rid of the poor performers in your ranks.
Teachers do deserve more. The free market is sometimes scary but if they want the rewards, teachers must let go of their guaranteed jobs and actually be professionals.
There are few, if any, other 'professions' which rely on union muscle. Attorney's don't. Engineers don't. CPAs don't. Doctors don't. If teachers want respect and to be treated like professionals, they should act like professionals and break their chains to the educational-industrial complex.
Allow competition by schools and teachers. Quit allowing a small number of unruly, undisciplined kids to ruin it for the rest. Provide flexiility in work schedules. Allow for easier transfers between districts without losing seniority and benefits. Get rid of the poor performers in your ranks.
Teachers do deserve more. The free market is sometimes scary but if they want the rewards, teachers must let go of their guaranteed jobs and actually be professionals.
Vaughn Marietta | 1:22 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
The common misconception is that the legislature gave Utah teachers a $2500
raise; first it wasn't
$2500, it was $1960 before taxes, and it was a
one time bonus. Next year our salaries go down
again.
$2500, it was $1960 before taxes, and it was a
one time bonus. Next year our salaries go down
again.
Robo | 1:37 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
These things seem to always get off topic. The point is there is a SHORTAGE of
teachers and therefore YOUR CHILDREN are not in the best learning environment.
Every profession has to balance between making the job profitable and enjoyable
enough to retain employees while still controlling costs. The point isn't
teachers complaining, or how much they do or don't work, or do or
don't get paid. The point is not enough are going into or staying in the
profession in its current situation to teach YOUR KIDS in the best learning
environment. Does society want to change that or not is the question, and if
so, how? Teaching gets more public discussion simply because it is a publicly
funded social program.
Darren | 1:44 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Everyone needs to understand how technical science and math careers work. We
have to put ourselves through continual learning to stay competitive in our
industry. The nature of our jobs requires continual learning. If I, having 15
years experience in a professional science field were to start teaching I would
give up over two thirds of my salary and I would still not be a
"qualified" teacher in the eyes of professional educators even though
I own a masters degree and 15 years of real life science and business leadership
experience.
Why do you think folks in the science industry don't want quit and become teachers. I have thought many times I would like to teach but I know the financial and educational reality of it. When the legislature and school districts and the teachers union get off their high horse and enable experienced individuals like me to have starting salaries in the 70,000$ range for a 10 month contract. Then and only then will you start to make progress on getting folks to come over from private or government industry. Also starting salaries need to be in the 40-50,000$ range or industry will continue to win out.
Why do you think folks in the science industry don't want quit and become teachers. I have thought many times I would like to teach but I know the financial and educational reality of it. When the legislature and school districts and the teachers union get off their high horse and enable experienced individuals like me to have starting salaries in the 70,000$ range for a 10 month contract. Then and only then will you start to make progress on getting folks to come over from private or government industry. Also starting salaries need to be in the 40-50,000$ range or industry will continue to win out.
College Student 101 | 1:51 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
I am currently in my 3rd year of college in Utah and I am planning to teach at a
secondary level. However I am not planning to teach in Utah because I cant
afford to. I believe that teachers make a very large impact on the future of
young people. It seems to me that Utah should put their money where their mouth
is when it comes to education. Teachers do make a difference, in EVERY content
area and often the most underfunded programs such as physical ed, drama, art and
music provide the greatest self-esteem for students. Utah, promote high morale
amoung your teachers!!!
Anonymous | 1:56 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Define Teacher. It seems in Utah that include janitors and secretaries and
school lunch workers. My daughter works in the Jordan District and has never
seen the money promised by the last legislative session due to the fact the
district cannot define teacher. Maybe the legislature should define the term
before they throw out tax payer money.
EVERYONE MISSING THE POINT! | 2:04 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
This article is hilarious! We have all become so brainwashed that Public
Schooling is the only way to go that we spend all our time trying to fix an
inherintly bad system. Trying to put band-aids and throw money at Public Schools
is like a flu-shot to a heart attack victim! Public Schooling is Socialism and
socialism NEVER works, no matter how many committees and bright people you throw
at it, it simple cannot work!
We should all get signs in our yards that read, " Enough Excuses, Privatize Public School"
We should all get signs in our yards that read, " Enough Excuses, Privatize Public School"
A.K | 2:14 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
No offense but those people reprimending teachers for not being grateful for
their jobs and their salaries because they get summers off, benefits, etc.,
never were teachers. Teachers enter the profession because they are concerned
with the welfare and growth of our children. Unfortunately, a lack of
resources, overcrowded classrooms, and ridiculous rules and paperwork is far too
taxing on anyone to bear and especially over a long period of time. In the
three years I taught my husband was amazed at the stress level and requirements
of my job. He has a very demanding job where he works late and even all night
at times, but he felt my job was far more difficult and impossible to meet the
needs of my students-which is disheartening for a teacher. It's no wonder
many teachers have to stop teaching after a few years. Seriously, if it really
is just a whining ingratitude problem with the teachers of Utah then why do the
other 49 states feel differently. Why do they bother paying their educators far
higher salaries if it's because their just selfish? Is it the teachers that
don't get it or Utah's government? Increase salaries and classroom
environment and requirements.
Simple Answer | 2:21 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Teachers are ungrateful and whine about their great jobs with lots of holidays
and benefits. What! That's funny it must only be in Utah because the
other 49 states' goverments seem to think differently about their
educators.
Retiref Teacher | 2:23 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
After reading the comments I see that very few understand the problem. Society
has changed, but the perceptions of teachers and education have not. This year
Utah school districts were scraping the bottom of the barrel to such an extent
that the governor helped them hire elementary teachers from Mexico. (I guess
Mexico is doing so well that they didn't need them). Teacher availability
is product of supply and demand, which can only be cured by higher wages and
benefits. Utah is not only in competition with other states, but other
professions as well. Now that society fully accepts women into all professions,
and has become child friendly with those with families, women no longer see
teaching as the only profession available to them. Dedication gets a little thin
(burnout) when teachers see others doing much better financially and with less
stress. Perceptions of teachers, parents, and taxpayers are going to have to
under go considerable change before there will be any improvement to the teacher
shortage. It will get much worse before it gets better.
tongue and Cheek | 2:30 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
I agree with EVERYONE IS MISSING THE POINT. If we can get rid of Public
Education it will solve the Immigration issue and stabilize our economy.
Instead of having to choose Non-speaking low wage workers, we can instead choose
Utah natives at half the cost. Of course once Mexico builds a fence to keep us
from slipping over to their country for the higher paying jobs we might have a
new problem. Until then by your gum from my kid on the corner.
Anonymous | 2:32 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
I'd like to see a study done why teachers leave the field in Utah. I
suspect a fair number have a baby.
Yes to trimesters | 2:37 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
I say yes to trimesters, and yes to vouchers. Let teachers get paid more, and
bring in the competition. Let the best teachers be picked out of a handful, and
make them keep being good to keep their jobs.
Buckeye Ute | 2:38 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
I am finishing my M.Ed at Ohio State this year. I had thought about moving back
to Utah to teach, but after looking into the situation in the State of Utah I
have decided to look elsewhere for employment. Utah needs to realize that cost
of living in the state is high and teacher salaries are lowest in the nation.
Add to that the fact that there is a nationwide teacher shortage and salaries in
other states are increasing (not to mention that Ohio and other states have
lower cost of living.) So the Utah legislature's brilliant idea to have
teachers work more hours for the same pay will increase the shortage. Also the
fact that Utah has the highest teacher to student ratio in the country makes it
impossible to be a competent teacher and get to know your students. As a
student teacher in an underfunded district in Ohio I only have 15 to 22 students
per class not 25 to 30 per class I would have in Utah. Wake up Utah and this
well trained teacher may think about coming there to teach.
ex teacher | 2:39 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007
Hey lets flush more money down Utahs public school toilet that will fix it. Fix
the bloated top heavy school districts, Stop the waste,Teach the kids and when
the schools do rank in the top 10 then talk about a raise.
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We have the same problems here in Australia that you do in Utah! When will legislators wake up? When it is too late!!