No apologies for money earned
To the editor:
I am tired of apologizing for being a teacher and the salary that I make. It is not excessive for the service that I perform and the time that I put in.
During this extended recession since 2006, Florida teacher salaries have dropped from 25th in the nation to 46th. We teachers have more than sacrificed our share to help the state, and local school districts. We put out a good product with less money and more stress and work.
I am constantly dismayed at local and state officials who think we are not entitled to a fair wage. We know that our governor has an agenda; we need to contact our legislators and let them know that we have had enough. They are in the process of raising college tuitions 15 percent a year for the foreseeable future because they said our tuition rates were below the national average and they would raise them until they achieved that figure. This is at the same time as they are driving teacher wages from the middle of the pack to the bottom. We are in this together and must all fight the insanity.
Student loans just went past the amount of money Americans owe on credit cards. We are headed toward a disaster with very few jobs available and college costs quickly rising toward unaffordable. What will our young people do?
We need parents to support us in this battle; the vast majority of teachers care very deeply. It is these people that we remember later in life! In fact, nearly half of all teachers do NOT make it in the profession and move on. I would venture to bet that there are more poor legislators than there are poor teachers.
Parents send us your students and support the school, the administrators, and the teachers and your children will come out well educated. The two most important factors that determine a good teacher is good classroom skills and experience!
I love my job and will continue to do it in spite of how we are treated. I will not apologize for being a teacher and expecting a fair wage for my efforts, please join me in calling the local school board, the state Department of Education, and your misinformed legislators in demanding that all areas of education be respected. DO NOT apologize for expecting more common sense from our leaders, I will not. Thank you!
Tim Laughren
Cape Coral