What a way to feel valued as a teacher...

[FruitChicken]

We've been told a big chunk of us are losing our jobs because of budget cuts in TX. I will honestly have to consider moving again back up north if it happens to me. I feel totally useless as a life-changing, inspiring, loving individual...I feel like TX is saying education is not important, teachers and the important job they do everyday isn't important, and that academics aren't taken seriously. It's funny, during our "emergency discussions," no one EVER brought up the idea of cutting the sports programs...


I'm panicking...I have 2 more months to see if I'm one of the people on the "chopping block" and then 6 months til the money runs out. I've got a home and a life here, somewhat. The idea of potentially having to pick up and move 2,000 miles is scary to me...I don't know what I'm going to do about the home I bought...rent it? My credit took a hit due to my own stupidity, although thank GOD I have no debt right now whatsoever so it should recover shortly. Has anyone else been in this position who can give me some advice? I'm scared, my colitis is hitting me hard, and I feel so depressed going to work everyday right now (we all do

)

 

[CathyM]

I'm so sorry to hear about your job situation -- but don't ever feel useless! It's the kids that count, not the administration!! Can you start looking around for other work now, rather than waiting? It might make you feel a bit better than just waiting. I don't have experience that I can share with you, but my heart and prayers go out to you!!

 

[noodleroo]

Be calm. The situation is the same whether you worry about it or not. No need making yourself sick about it. If it makes you feel any better, I was just at the capital yesterday for our county's 'day'. One of the topics that we all visited with legislators about is education and how important it is. I did not get the feeling that education would be cut, but LOTS of other things will be. I would look for the legislature to find different ways of using the money that is already generated. Expect no new taxes; not going to happen. What your school district decides to do is another matter all together.

Things always have a way of working out. Everything I thought was a disaster in my life turned out to propel me to another level of what I needed to get where I am. I am very grateful for every gift (wanted or not). The money situation will work out; the house, your credit - all of it - will be taken care of; it will work out IF you end up changing jobs. Even if you don't, take this opportunity to talk to a debt management company now and get a handle on your finances. I'll bet it's easier than you think... What ever happens, you'll be ok...

 

[debilorrah]

Here in CA, the new governor wishes to raises tuitions rates for all UC system school, cut grants available to student, and minimize student loans available. Now HOW does that make sense?

In 5 years the job market will be flooded with people seeking minimum wage jobs and there will be no one to fill top positions, research positions, management positions, etc, because no on can afford to go to school!!!

 

[sfw2]

 

[WyandotteTX]

Fruit, I know exactly how you are feeling. I am a Texas educator as well. It is going to be pretty bad all across the state. No district is going to be safe from the cuts. Whether its reducing the work force or not replacing teachers who leave or offering bonuses to teacher to leave the district, its all bad. It is estimated that 100,000 plus teachers are going to lose their jobs across the state. My biggest problem is the lack of desire by the politicians to use ANY of the rainy day fund of close to $10 Billion dollars. Also how the sacred cow of testing isnt to be touched as well. Standardized tests in TX are a big money business for all of the politicians cronies and will NOT get cut, even though if you added up all of the money spent on them it would be close to a billion dollars.
It is very disheartening. I have been an educator for 14 years, my father was one for 32. Its part of my life and the uncertainty of it all is upsetting.

 

[Welsummer Rancher]

I think if some (a lot) of teachers lost their jobs it might be a good thing. Compared to many other countries, our high school graduates fall far short in vital areas such as science and math. Our school systems seem to be more interested in sports and political correctness than in education. So, if some teachers lost their jobs, maybe they'd decide it's once again time to really teach our kids and earn their paychecks.

 

[Mahonri]

Hey in Milwaukee, the average teacher makes $100,000 a year and they are complaining.

Average Teacher Compensation in WI

If I were the governor of WI, I'd be firing folks next week.

 

[spiritdance]

Quote:
Ummmm, you think it's the TEACHERS who put the focus on sports and PC?!!! NOT! It is administration combined with community pressure from parents who want to viscerally relive their own "glory days" through their kids that put the focus there. I don't know any serious teachers that believe the sports budget should be any more important than other areas of the curriculum. As for how our students stack up against those from other nations, perhaps you should look at how our PARENTS stack up against those from other nations. As a teacher I consistently witnessed how different cultures value education and thus teach their young to value it. If I sent home a note to an immigrant parent from, say, Korea about a student misbehaving or under-performing, I had a parent meeting with me asap, wanting to know how to HELP ME HELP HIS/HER KID. I could send that same note to an American parent, and I was just as likely to receive 1) no response, or 2) a complaint to administration that I was "picking on" the parent's "perfect kid." The ironic thing is, the same parents who act this way are usually the ones hollering that teachers aren't doing their jobs. Sorry, but it's not teachers' job to raise those kids and teach them good citizenship and personal responsibility- that is the parents' job, one that is increasingly being abdicated by people who find it easier to point the finger out than to do some serious introspection. I don't know of any other profession that gets scapegoated like teaching for not only society-wide problems but individual disappointments on the part of parents. If little Johnny doesn't get into the college of his choice or make it to "the pros" in sports, it MUST be because all his teachers and coaches failed him. It certainly couldn't be because his parents taught him a sense of entitlement instead of a sense of investment in his own education and future. If a parent always tells a kid that his/her failures are someone else's fault, that parent has no one to blame for those failures but the person in the mirror.

 

[MeatKing]

I hope it all works out for you.. And I value our teachers.. Just had a parent teacher interveiw today.. I'm worried that if so many teachers lose their jobs, that this may start the econmey back into a downward trend

Those polliticians better figure it out asap, why don't they take a pay cut?

Can the US put on a demstration like Eygept?