I thought about Froma Harrop's op ed piece on Central Falls High School in Rhode Island. While I agree that the teachers should take concessions to save jobs, and would certainly take them myself, Harrop fails to understand the reality of most teachers' days. She said:
"[Superintendent Gallo]... wanted them to add 25 minutes to their 6.5-hour workday, provide one hour a week of tutoring and eat lunch with students once a week for the same pay.
It's true that these poor kids, many speaking only Spanish, pose more challenges to educators than children from privileged backgrounds. But the least they expect is that their teachers, making an average $72,000 to $78,000 a year, put in a full day on the job."
Really? Put in a full day? 16 hours isn't enough for Harrop? Granted, this was unusual. Usually, I only put in a ten hour day at the school. I'll throw in the three hours I spend at home reading for free. I've never expected overtime, and certainly, I don't HAVE to be this insane.
Teachers don't want more money, Ms. Harrop. Just a little respect. That is, after all, free.
I'm going to go catalog and process the books I'm donating to the school now. It's 5:48 a.m.
It's pretty unreal, isn't it? Seriously, I'd like to see her last a week in our job. Or a day for that matter!
ReplyDeleteIt is too easy to look at a teacher's schedule and say they don't work hard enough. After all, we get summers off. Nine and ten hour days are actually routine and I don't make anything near $72,000 a year even though this is my 34th year as a Media Specialist at the top of my district's pay schedule.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is, if you think it is so easy, try it!