My children have had some fabulous teachers that went over and beyond for the students in their classes and then there have been some horror stories on how some of the teachers have taught. (the worst one in particular left the district—yee hah)

Right now the average pay for a teacher in this district is $47,743. If you take that pay and divide it over the nine months that most actually work; then take that monthly figure and take it times twelve months the average yearly salary equals $63,657.33. That is a nice paycheck and now they will get a 4% raise on that. They will be making approximately 1.75 times what I make in a year working full time 40 hours a week, 49 weeks a year (I have earned 3 weeks vacation time). Even though my boss acknowledges that I deserve a raise, the funds are not there so I won’t be recieving one this year. Maybe that will help you understand my frustration on them automatically getting a raise. I even read some articles that said the union estimated that the average raise that the teachers would get on their contracts was 2.7% or something like that as that is what the cost of living went up this last year. Seems like they should be very happy with the contract that the board gave them.

How can you possibly measure merit if one teacher has a class of normal, adjusted kids who all pass a test versus a teacher how has a class of (sorry to be blunt) stupid kids from broken homes who all fail the test?

What criteria can you use that is fair and objective? I agree that I would like to link pay with results or merit but I find it almost impossible to determine how to truly measure and rate teachers objectively.

“An annual report card from Education Week magazine gave Minnesota low marks for its TEACHING QUALITY and said the state’s education spending was middle-of-the-pack.”

Teaching quality? Mmmm-to me that says something on the work the teachers are doing. Now that may be closely tied with the amount of education spending, but the fact remains that there had to have been some lacking in the teaching somewhere. Ultimately it is the teachers that are suppose to perform, that is what they are paid for, to teach the children.

Otherwise why would the head of the education system say this? Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said the report will prompt more discussion of ways to IMPROVE TEACHING and ATTRACT MORE HIGHLY QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO THE PROFESSION.
This gives us an opportunity to really examine our policies in Minnesota,” she said.
Seagren noted the state already has policies to improve math and science teaching and to link teacher pay to merit.

Her comment on linking teacher pay to merit is all that I am asking for. You should not be entitled to a raise simply because you are a member of a union. Your pay should be based on the work that you do.
Not just an across the board raise for everyone.

Just my thoughts. No one has to like my thoughts but me.

If you look at the statements “The low score came mostly from the state’s lack of various teaching programs and effectiveness measures that other state’s have. For example, the state was docked for lacking a statewide program to reduce class sizes.” You will realize that the study shows that the state policies are not supportive of the teachers and that is where the low marks come from.

The statement “On the upside, the report showed that Minnesota student’s chances for success based on education and family factors were far better than students in most other states. In that category, Minnesota got a B+, and ranked seventh nationwide.” Tells me that the teachers and parents are doing a very good job in our state.

Education Week Magazine Slams Minn. Teaching
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ― An annual report card from Education Week magazine gave Minnesota low marks for its teaching quality and said the state’s education spending was middle-of-the-pack.

The group’s “Quality Counts” annual report on K-12 education gave Minnesota a D+ for how well the state is improving its teaching. In that category, the state placed 39th out of 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The low score came mostly from the state’s lack of various teaching programs and effectiveness measures that other state’s have. For example, the state was docked for lacking a statewide program to reduce class sizes.

Minnesota ranked 22nd in terms of state funding for schools and how the money is divided out.

On the upside, the report showed that Minnesota student’s chances for success based on education and family factors were far better than students in most other states. In that category, Minnesota got a B+, and ranked seventh nationwide.

Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said the report will prompt more discussion of ways to improve teaching and attract more highly qualified people to the profession.

“This gives us an opportunity to really examine our policies in Minnesota,” she said.

Seagren noted the state already has policies to improve math and science teaching and to link teacher pay to merit.

“We can look at this report and say, ‘What are we doing and how can we grow those things?”‘ Seagren said.

The statistics show that the children of most single parents end up in poverty. How did I keep my kids and myself for being a statistic? Education! I can’t tell you how much it has empowered me and given me so much hope for the future. I agree I am fortunate that my parents support education, and although they didn’t go to much schooling past high school, they knew it was important for this generation of children to survive in a competitive economy.

I guess the question we have to answer is…how do we support an education system so it provides the most benefit to everyone in the community? Money is a factor, but definitely not the only way to support our education system.

I think the easiest thing we can do it show support for our teachers, not in the form of money, but verbally expressing our appreciation. Also, volunteering in the schools and getting involved. It’s disappointing to see people bashing the jobs of teachers when they are so incredibly vital to our children’s future.

I agree that checks and balances need to be put in place for all government subsidized organizations, including public schools. They need to be accountable for their spending habits. However, it would be silly to assume that all of the teachers out there are teaching because they love to teach and they would do it for free. I guess in a perfect world, we would all want to make the world a better place with no monetary compensation.

So, how do we teach our children?

What about the children from poor families…Their parents didn’t have access to opportunities, and didn’t pursue higher education. Do you repeat the cycle and keep opportunities away from those kids? Often, education (good teachers!!!) gives those kids hope.

What about the gifted and talented children who could be our nations next doctors, teachers, accountants, and lawyers? Do we not offer the programs in our public schools that would encourage them to reach for the starts? Programs for gifted and talented students also requires more funding.

My wish is that both sides of the negotiation settle on a fair contract.

And as some have stated prior to this post- Bravo for Teachers! They truely are molders of the future. Ask a successful person who it was that inspired them and other than a family member, I bet the majority would state it was a teacher!

Education is the future…and it opens a lot of doors…it gives children hope…

I hope the next generation of children graduating from D/C will have good, hard working, inspiring teachers, that give them opportunity for future success. If you don’t think teachers deserve money, you should at least support them for what they do for our children.