Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="d20fool" data-source="post: 2048697" data-attributes="member: 5956">Them's Fightin' WordsMoney to pay a teacher is never wasted.I'd rather not.  What a ludicrous idea espoused by a guy who may have visited a school or two but has NO idea of what we do there.  Socialization and character education, for starters, are not even listed but are arguably the most important thing we do.  Because of public school, my two autistic students have a chance at living as productive members of society and my wife's at-risk program has turned around several students that were heading for jail.  Neither type of student would be served under your nightmare of a scenario.  Your politician clearly has no idea of what schools accomplish for society.  I hate this "low pay means dedicated teachers" argument with a passion.  It's a circular argument that takes advantage of teachers' best quality, dedication.  Here's the argument you just stated:Because teachers have low pay, they are dedicatedDedicated teachers are  desirableTherefore, let us continue to pay teachers little so they will all be dedicated.I want you listen up.  I am a college educated professional with two degrees who works long and hard.  I have a RIGHT to expect to be paid for my skills and my time.  I do not do this for the money, no teacher does it for the money.  If you don't want to be in a room teaching 25 ill-mannered children where you cannot even leave to go to the bathroom, no amount of money will keep you there.What a ludicrous argument.  Under this logic, all sorts of professions should be underpaid.  Let's see how that works out. . . [Doctors]I'm a bit incredulous.  People practice medicine because they want to practice medicine, not to earn money.  Unless you are telling me they absolutely could not afford food and shelter, then they probably weren't the kinds of doctors I'd want performing surgery on my children anyway.[Lawyers]I'm a bit incredulous.  People practice law because they want to practice law, not to earn money.  Unless you are telling me they absolutely could not afford food and shelter, then they probably weren't the kinds of lawyers I'd want defending me when I am falsely accused anyway.[Engineers]I'm a bit incredulous.  People become engineers because they want to build structures, not to earn money.  Unless you are telling me they absolutely could not afford food and shelter, then they probably weren't the kinds of engineers I'd want building the things over my head anyway.I am dedicated because I have a passion for what I am doing.  You haven't heard of anybody who couldn't afford to teach?!  Well, now you have.  I have applied at the local college to become a principal.  I love teaching, I love my job and I'm good at it.  However, I cannot afford it anymore.  Sadly, ironically, I can't afford the $30 application fee until next paycheck in three weeks either!  That's how ridiculous my situation is.So let's not question my dedication or imply that teachers are so mercenary that they have to be paid nothing to ensure their loyalty and devotion to other people's children.  I have a right to a decent wage, my children have a right to be provided for.  Might I suggest you not be quite so flippent when you discuss teacher's committment in the future.John "Mad as Nine Layers of Hell" McCarty</blockquote>

Verification