On Wednesdays we wear Red for Ed.
In case you’ve not been brought up to speed, the public education system in Arizona is not great…and that’s being generous.
For one, our teachers make next to nothing. My first teaching job in Arizona was the school year of 2002-2003. My starting salary was somewhere around 26-28k. (I can’t remember.) What I do remember is that after paying taxes and benefits and supplying my classroom, I would not have been able to live on my own. Even if it was just me, on my own…not going to happen.
Now you may look at that and say “teachers spend their money on their classrooms but they are just buying the extra things they want.” Well, let me paint you a picture of my first classroom. 25 student desks, 1 teachers desk, a table, a computer, white boards, and maybe a couple of bookshelves. Oh, and some construction paper in the closet. The school supplied the furniture for my classroom. That was all. I was fortunate to work at a school with a PTO that gave new teachers a couple hundred dollars to help off set the cost but when you are a teacher, you know a couple hundred dollars doesn’t go far. There are books and bulletin boards (especially in the primary grades, which I was in) and white boards for students and paper that helps them learn to write and books that help you teach (no Pinterest or Ed sharing sites back then). There is SO much.
Another issue is that because we aren’t paying teachers a livable wage, they are leaving the profession or moving out-of-state to teach where they can make a living. This leads to a teacher shortage (which we definitely have) and everyone and their brother being certified because the state is desperate. This means that people who are not highly trained are often times the ones teaching our kids. Now, don’t misunderstand me, there are those not highly trained who are amazing teachers and there are teachers who are highly trained who are awful (I’ve seen both situations). My point is, this would NEVER fly in another profession. “Hey, we don’t have enough doctors. You put a band-aid on someone once, sure here’s your medical license.” Yes, that is an extreme example but don’t we want the best people teaching our kids now so that when they do become doctors they are not only amazing doctors but amazing humans?
My 5th grader doesn’t go to art anymore. Middle of the year, no more art. (Which she loves, by the way.) And why? Because the schedule had to be changed and the art teacher needed to each lunch so no more 5th grade art. I’m sure that no one is happy with this decision but it was necessary. The problem, no qualified teachers. No money to pay them.
And let’s talk about technology. Obviously our world is not going to go back to pen and paper anytime soon. State tests are taken on computers and tablets for goodness sake. But here’s my question, does every school have the technology to take them? Does every school have a computer lab? Our school does, but our PTSA raises money like crazy to make it possible. Parents are funding the technology in many schools in Arizona. So my question is, what about the districts where parents can’t fund the technology. Do those kids not deserve it? We want to pull people out of poverty but we aren’t giving kids a fair shake to learn the skills to do so. It’s so frustrating.
What else is frustrating to me, you ask? The current ads running with teachers saying they are so happy with the way education is going in AZ. The ads that talk about all the money the government (aka Ducey) is adding to education. Well…is he really adding it? Or is it money that was there and being renewed? If those facts were true, would we have the Red for Ed campaign? I don’t think so.
I was away from Arizona for 13 years and saw education systems in 2 different states, one as a teacher and one as a parent. What I can tell you is that I wasn’t looking forward to coming back to Arizona because of the public school system. And I don’t plan on returning to the classroom anytime soon. The demands and pressure our teachers have on them is unimaginable. Between the testing and the meetings and the kids and the safety and the parents (yes, we can definitely make their lives more miserable), they are overworked and underpaid. I compare it to a company Adam used to work for – “There’s this project we have and you have to do it. Oh, but we can’t fund it for you so just figure it out.” Expectations are set so high but we can’t fund them. Last I checked, our teachers couldn’t multiple school supplies or turn paper into text books.
So, after all of this rambling what I am asking is that you do your research. You get your facts straight. Talk to your kids teacher. Don’t have kids in school? Chances are someone on your friends list is a teacher. And I would bet that if you don’t personally know a teacher, you know someone who knows someone. Everyone has a chance to talk to a teacher and I would encourage you to do so. Talk to them about the hours they put in after school or the papers they grade at their kid’s practice. Talk to them about the parents who expect them to raise their kids. Ask them what supplies they need. Ask them about the meetings they are required to attend and ask them whether they really get the whole summer off. Ask them about what breaks their heart. Teachers are willing to talk, if you are willing to listen.
Please don’t assume that because you went to school, you know what their life is like. I’ve been to the doctor but I would never assume to know what their job is like or that I could do it. You know what they say about assuming something…
So, if you stand with teachers in Arizona, on Wednesdays let’s wear Red for Ed! Not only do they need it but our kids do…the same kids that will be running things when we are older.
katymordka.com 