Learning and Teaching Do Matter

Poignant and revealing.

loved this piece.

teachers deserve a higher station in our society for their contributions. sadly, teacher's unions bear the brunt of the politics of fear/anger.

I am thinking that if everyone in this country was required to serve in some kind of public service and one of those ways was teaching school or working in the school system in some capacity for a year--then,I think the chances that we would have:

1. an improved education system;
2. more compassion for people who truly have difficult challenges in life;
3. a more evolved society--it would take a lot of will power not to be moved by some of the situations teachers deal with everyday with the students
4. Less violence and disruption in our schools
5. More funding for the school system
6. More priority on learning and teaching and less on test scores and evaluations
7. A better educated society and happier people

If everyone was a part of and committed to, the education of our children, if only for a short while, it would make a huge difference.

I am thinking that if everyone in this country was required to serve in some kind of public service and one of those ways was teaching school or working in the school system in some capacity for a year--then,I think the chances that we would have:

1. an improved education system;
2. more compassion for people who truly have difficult challenges in life;
3. a more evolved society--it would take a lot of will power not to be moved by some of the situations teachers deal with everyday with the students
4. Less violence and disruption in our schools
5. More funding for the school system
6. More priority on learning and teaching and less on test scores and evaluations
7. A better educated society and happier people

If everyone was a part of and committed to, the education of our children, if only for a short while, it would make a huge difference.

I love this. And you are so right about the compassion part on #2.

I love this. And you are so right about the compassion part on #2.

Interesting. we just spent an evening with our BFF's daughter that has her first year teaching. We brainstormed all evening to engage her class into "getting it"! She was amazed at how many ideas the "old folks" came up with.

One of our most creative and inspiring people is in her 90s. She worked until she was 90, then "people" insisted she must retire and "take it easy" ...
when "they" wouldn't let her work anymore, she started to volunteer!

She is fantastic and the students love her, and I have not done a tally, but I'm betting that she is running 'way ahead of everyone else in the New Ideas department.

Her life story is incredible and most of it has been in some kind of public service...starting with a top secret military job having to do with code breaking and the Navajo Code Talkers. Her mind is just as sharp today as it was then, if her conversation and contributions to the students are any indication.

I am thinking that if everyone in this country was required to serve in some kind of public service and one of those ways was teaching school or working in the school system in some capacity for a year--then,I think the chances that we would have:

1. an improved education system;
2. more compassion for people who truly have difficult challenges in life;
3. a more evolved society--it would take a lot of will power not to be moved by some of the situations teachers deal with everyday with the students
4. Less violence and disruption in our schools
5. More funding for the school system
6. More priority on learning and teaching and less on test scores and evaluations
7. A better educated society and happier people

If everyone was a part of and committed to, the education of our children, if only for a short while, it would make a huge difference.

GoodWitch, it's a lovely thought, the idea about having compulsary public service, but can you imagine the hue and cry if anyone in this country was "forced" to do something? The outrage that would unleash!

The fact of the matter is that good and decent people will always--and have always--volunteered of their own free will.

One of my greatest hopes about our current president was that he would motivate people to share the wealth. And I don't mean $$, not in this case, but the wealth of talent and energy that so many people possess but do not use to the betterment of anyone but themselves. Think of how many teachers would be undyingly grateful for someone to come into their classrooms and volunteer to read, help with projects, mentor students...the list is endless! President Kennedy was very successful in motivating people to go forth into their communities and even to the world (think Peace Corps and Vista). What I would give to see this happen once more in America on the same scale as it happened in the '60s.

GoodWitch, it's a lovely thought, the idea about having compulsary public service, but can you imagine the hue and cry if anyone in this country was "forced" to do something? The outrage that would unleash!

The fact of the matter is that good and decent people will always--and have always--volunteered of their own free will.

One of my greatest hopes about our current president was that he would motivate people to share the wealth. And I don't mean $$, not in this case, but the wealth of talent and energy that so many people possess but do not use to the betterment of anyone but themselves. Think of how many teachers would be undyingly grateful for someone to come into their classrooms and volunteer to read, help with projects, mentor students...the list is endless! President Kennedy was very successful in motivating people to go forth into their communities and even to the world (think Peace Corps and Vista). What I would give to see this happen once more in America on the same scale as it happened in the '60s.

I agree. We have wonderful volunteers but it is the same people over and over again. They are motivated to give and in almost every case, say they end up receiveing much more than they ever give.

I too wish more people were motivated to share their knowledge and experience. I agree there would be a "hue and cry", but sometimes I think it might be worth it. The Peace Corps is a wonderful organization IMO and Americorps does good work too. I wish both got more attention.

Okay, what about everyone who receives federal financial aid for college has to show the love with one year of community service, and they get to choose from several different options (or maybe they get a better interest rate or a better grant/loan if they opt to do the service year). Volunteering in schools would be one of the options, as would Green Corps, National Guard (basic training), City Corps, WWOOFer (willing workers on organic farms) Corps, etc. What about one of the options being to get trained in water safety, lifeguarding, first aid/paramedic basics, and other sorts of emergency rescue stuff, so we would begin to have a resident population of trained emergency folks throughout the population.

This way, folks could choose the kind of service that most closely would fit their interests, and perhaps they would enjoy it so much that they would make a lifelong habit of it. That might over time increase the number of "regulars" -- those folks that are always the same ones volunteering for everything.

good ideas, Susan. Thanks for posting. Maybe more attention to the ideas will influence others to participate.

I am thinking that if everyone in this country was required to serve in some kind of public service and one of those ways was teaching school or working in the school system in some capacity for a year--then,I think the chances that we would have:

1. an improved education system;
2. more compassion for people who truly have difficult challenges in life;
3. a more evolved society--it would take a lot of will power not to be moved by some of the situations teachers deal with everyday with the students
4. Less violence and disruption in our schools
5. More funding for the school system
6. More priority on learning and teaching and less on test scores and evaluations
7. A better educated society and happier people

If everyone was a part of and committed to, the education of our children, if only for a short while, it would make a huge difference.

I agree with all except #'s 5 & 6.

#5 There is plenty of funding already it just needs to be budgeted better. I heard on the news the other day that an Alabama school had to lay-off 150 support staff before school started. If they were able to do that and still run, they had too much staff. Possibly not 150 too many, but certainly more than they needed.

#6 How can we keep the best teachers and cull the worst without evaluations and test scores? There is no way to assure that the children are getting what they need without it. Some people go to school for careers in which they are never effective. It's a sad fact of life but students shouldn't have to suffer the consequences of it.

Okay, what about everyone who receives federal financial aid for college has to show the love with one year of community service, and they get to choose from several different options (or maybe they get a better interest rate or a better grant/loan if they opt to do the service year). Volunteering in schools would be one of the options, as would Green Corps, National Guard (basic training), City Corps, WWOOFer (willing workers on organic farms) Corps, etc. What about one of the options being to get trained in water safety, lifeguarding, first aid/paramedic basics, and other sorts of emergency rescue stuff, so we would begin to have a resident population of trained emergency folks throughout the population.

This way, folks could choose the kind of service that most closely would fit their interests, and perhaps they would enjoy it so much that they would make a lifelong habit of it. That might over time increase the number of "regulars" -- those folks that are always the same ones volunteering for everything.

I don't think freshly graduated people would be financially able to spend their first year out of school volunteering unless it was in Peace Corps or somewhere else that provides a stipend and housing. I think Florida already has a program that helps with or forgives college loans if you teach here for 2 or 5 years. Something like that.

Florida ranks 50th in nation in education funding; local districts foot much larger portion Florida ranks 50th in nation in education funding; local districts foot much larger portion

By LAURA GREEN

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Florida confirmed its reputation as a state that's cheap when it comes to funding education in a new report released by the U.S. Census Bureau this week.

Out of 50 states and the District of Columbia, Florida ranked second to last in spending compared to relative wealth.

For every $1,000 of residents' personal income, Florida spends $33.51 compared with the U.S. average of $43.34. Comparably poor Georgia ranks 13th, spending $48.21 per every $1,000.

I am sure that all schools budgets could be better spent; however, it is a real indictment of our priorities when one looks at the salaries paid to teachers versus the salaries paid to some other professions.

And, it is disgraceful that many teachers, especially those in the elementary and middle schools, must buy supplies themselves if their students are to have any; and that in America we have to have grocery stores collecting school supplies for students.

It is also shameful that we serve the kind of food we do to our children.

Perhaps it is a budget problem in part, but the statistics do not demonstrate that. It is that we, as a country, do not value the teaching profession nor do we value the education of our children as we should IMO. We (as a society) are much more interested in other things. We only have to look to the closing of our local library on the weekend to see where the priorities lie.

Many parents and some teachers and administrators strive to provide the very best education possible and do it in spite of the institutional structure and an apathetic public. It is always an uphill battle and getting one's child a quality education is an effort not for the faint of heart.

Florida ranks 50th in nation in education funding; local districts foot much larger portion

By LAURA GREEN

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Florida confirmed its reputation as a state that's cheap when it comes to funding education in a new report released by the U.S. Census Bureau this week.

Out of 50 states and the District of Columbia, Florida ranked second to last in spending compared to relative wealth.

For every $1,000 of residents' personal income, Florida spends $33.51 compared with the U.S. average of $43.34. Comparably poor Georgia ranks 13th, spending $48.21 per every $1,000.

And yet Florida does not rate 50th in quality of education. There seems to be no correlation between dollars spent and results.

I am sure that all schools budgets could be better spent; however, it is a real indictment of our priorities when one looks at the salaries paid to teachers versus the salaries paid to some other professions.

And, it is disgraceful that many teachers, especially those in the elementary and middle schools, must buy supplies themselves if their students are to have any; and that in America we have to have grocery stores collecting school supplies for students.

It is also shameful that we serve the kind of food we do to our children.

Perhaps it is a budget problem in part, but the statistics do not demonstrate that. It is that we, as a country, do not value the teaching profession nor do we value the education of our children as we should IMO. We (as a society) are much more interested in other things. We only have to look to the closing of our local library on the weekend to see where the priorities lie.

Many parents and some teachers and administrators strive to provide the very best education possible and do it in spite of the institutional structure and an apathetic public. It is always an uphill battle and getting one's child a quality education is an effort not for the faint of heart.

Many other professions relate salary to performance. I think it is hard to argue that our public school systems are doing a great job at this time.

What are the statistics you refer to above that don't support the idea that there are budgeting problems preventing children having enough supplies or better foods?

Schools would be much better if parents were involved. I don't think that is possible to legislate. I do think financial incentives and disincentives would promote better results overall.

I would like to inject 2 comments to this thread, please.

1. My husband, who had owned and started 2 different retail businesses over the years, subsituted at my school for a couple of weeks after his retirement. His experience garnered MUCH more respect for the profession I chose for 27 years.

2. Within the last nine years after my retirement, I have had 2 jobs in the "business world", the one my husband calls " the real world" and it galls me at the amount of waste that takes place each day. I told the agents in my real estate office I could have run an entire classroom for a year on the paper they wasted in a week.

Just an observation from a "poor" (money-wise) old retired school teacher. So rich in many other ways, thank you for your indulgence.

Many other professions relate salary to performance. I think it is hard to argue that our public school systems are doing a great job at this time.

What are the statistics you refer to above that don't support the idea that there are budgeting problems preventing children having enough supplies or better foods?

Schools would be much better if parents were involved. I don't think that is possible to legislate. I do think financial incentives and disincentives would promote better results overall.

teachers are paid poorly now. they should be paid a proper base salary. talking of financial incentive when teachers already are underpaid is counterproductive because it ignores the underlying problem that causes talent to seek other professions. what you are left with is underappreciated and overstressed professionals spending too much time teaching kids for "bonus" tests.

teachers are paid poorly now. they should be paid a proper base salary. talking of financial incentive when teachers already are underpaid is counterproductive because it ignores the underlying problem that causes talent to seek other professions. what you are left with is underappreciated and overstressed professionals spending too much time teaching kids for "bonus" tests.

In your opinion what is a "proper salary base" for walton county, and based on that, how much additional revenue would need to be generated through local property taxes to pay for it?

In your opinion what is a "proper salary base" for walton county, and based on that, how much additional revenue would need to be generated through local property taxes to pay for it?

a proper base salary would be enough to buy a stater home in the community in which they live. without checking i would say starting pay in walton county is low mid 30s, and i would pay for it with a state income tax.

teachers are paid poorly now. they should be paid a proper base salary. talking of financial incentive when teachers already are underpaid is counterproductive because it ignores the underlying problem that causes talent to seek other professions. what you are left with is underappreciated and overstressed professionals spending too much time teaching kids for "bonus" tests.

I disagree. They are paid around $45,000 a year average? They have every major holiday and Summer off. They work less days and their work day is shorter than many other professions. I agree that working with children is a challenging proposition. It's really more of a calling than a career.

What is a proper base salary for teaching? I read (in an old article) that overall teachers make about $30 an hour. Isn't that fair? The same article puts dentists at about $44 an hour. It looks fair to me. I'll bet many teachers make more. There is potential for even better pay if we are allowed to reward good teachers financially. Do teachers have it easy? - Jul. 28, 2003

Every profession is a choice. Individuals have to decide for themselves what career choice is "worth it" to them. I'm glad there are people who choose to teach and are very good at it. If a person feels more comfortable making $90,000 yearly average, teaching is probably a poor choice of careers.

And as to not basing bonus money on test results; have you come up with a more efficient evaluation of progress? Your earlier idea of peer review would be abused. Even when honestly carried out, there is too much bias and subjectivity for that. Results need to be quantified and then rewarded. We could wait until the class graduates and see how their lives turn out, but it would be a long wait for elementary teachers to realize rewards for their hard work in those cases. Right now, testing is the best way I've seen to judge student knowledge. I'm open to better ideas.

I disagree. They are paid around $45,000 a year average? They have every major holiday and Summer off. They work less days and their work day is shorter than many other professions. I agree that working with children is a challenging proposition. It's really more of a calling than a career.

What is a proper base salary for teaching? I read (in an old article) that overall teachers make about $30 an hour. Isn't that fair? The same article puts dentists at about $44 an hour. It looks fair to me. I'll bet many teachers make more. There is potential for even better pay if we are allowed to reward good teachers financially. Do teachers have it easy? - Jul. 28, 2003

Every profession is a choice. Individuals have to decide for themselves what career choice is "worth it" to them. I'm glad there are people who choose to teach and are very good at it. If a person feels more comfortable making $90,000 yearly average, teaching is probably a poor choice of careers.

And as to not basing bonus money on test results; have you come up with a more efficient evaluation of progress? Your earlier idea of peer review would be abused. Even when honestly carried out, there is too much bias and subjectivity for that. Results need to be quantified and then rewarded. We could wait until the class graduates and see how their lives turn out, but it would be a long wait for elementary teachers to realize rewards for their hard work in those cases. Right now, testing is the best way I've seen to judge student knowledge. I'm open to better ideas.

are you a teacher?

are you a teacher?

Are you learning anything?

a proper base salary would be enough to buy a stater home in the community in which they live. without checking i would say starting pay in walton county is low mid 30s, and i would pay for it with a state income tax.

Current salaries (administrative):
http://walton.k12.fl.us/Employees/contracts/a/aschedule.pdf

Instructional:
http://walton.k12.fl.us/Employees/contracts/i/insss.pdf

So what adjustments would you make to these rates, and since you will not be able to pay for it through a state income tax, I assume you would be willing to accept higher property taxes or some other local tax increase like the sales tax?

Current salaries (administrative):
http://walton.k12.fl.us/Employees/contracts/a/aschedule.pdf

Instructional:
http://walton.k12.fl.us/Employees/contracts/i/insss.pdf

So what adjustments would you make to these rates, and since you will not be able to pay for it through a state income tax, I assume you would be willing to accept higher property taxes or some other local tax increase like the sales tax?

$34,700. that will get you great talent? you could pay a proper starting salary by amending the state constitution to include a highly graduated state income tax. or you can keep cranking user fees, imposing a poverty tax through the lottery, and starving local government with the property tax shell game currently in place.