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| Livonia teachers grade papers at mall to show how hard they work; Livonia Observer-April 17, 2011 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 20 2011, 12:11 PM (1,745 Views) | |
| Otis B. | Apr 20 2011, 12:11 PM Post #1 |
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Livonia teachers grade papers at mall to show how hard they work http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20110419/NEWS10/104170425/Livonia-teachers-grade-papers-at-mall-to-show-how-hard-they-work?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Livonia|s Erika Rebbe expected 50 teachers to show up for the “grade-in” she organized Thursday evening at Laurel Park Place mall, but more than 120 came. Most were from Livonia Public Schools, but others came from Farmington, Northville, Dearborn, Walled Lake and Monroe. “I think it's important to educate the public that my day does not end at 3 o'clock,” said Kelly Eddy, an AP history teacher for Churchill High School in Livonia, explaining her reason for participating in the demonstration. The teachers, some with their own children in tow, sat throughout the mall grading papers 6:30-7:30 p.m., something they said they otherwise would be doing at home. Many wore red T-shirts that read, “Teachers United We Stand.” Gov. Rick Snyder has proposed cutting school funding next school year by $300 per student across the state. For Livonia schools, that would create a deficit of more than $13 million when combined with a $170 cut last school year, the state's projected increase in retirement costs averaging $230 per student and other budgetary pressures such as declining enrollment, according to administrators. Snyder has been quoted as saying the $300 cut would not be necessary if teachers contributed 20 percent toward the cost of their benefits, including health care. Salaries and benefits make up the largest portion of a school district's budget. For fiscal year 2009, personnel expenditures made up almost 90 percent of Livonia Public Schools' general fund. PORTRAYED AS ‘BAD GUYS' Eddy said teachers understand the state has a budget crisis, but are feeling stressed about being portrayed as the “bad guys.” “School districts have been making cuts for many years,” she said. Rebbe, a Livonia teacher, brought 120 copies of a flier with “talking points” to hand out to teachers as they came in to the mall, but within just a few minutes of the grade-in starting, she had none left. And many teachers were sharing, she said. “This was very successful,” she said, adding she plans to organize more. Several Livonia teachers who attended the grade-in said they work 50 to 60 hours per week during the school year, grading papers and planning lessons late into the evening. During their time off for holidays and during the summer, they often take classes or workshops to keep their certification or to improve their knowledge base, they said. They have to pay for their graduate-level classes out of their own pockets. Many also pay for supplies for their classrooms. Anne Sherwood, who teaches fifth grade at Johnson Upper Elementary School, said teachers start out making far less than other college graduates with an undergrad degree. Those in the private sector who go on to get a master's degree can expect to earn a six-figure salary, she said. NO APOLOGIES “I will not apologize for the salary that I deserve,” she said, adding that working with children is among the most important jobs. The Livonia teachers said they have agreed to concessions, including taking pay freezes, agreeing to seven furlough days over two years and doubling the contributions for their health care. Those contributions currently range from $560 to $960 a year for the 1,100 members of the Livonia Education Association. According to Donna McDowell, LPS communications administrator, a teacher with a bachelor's degree with no experience makes $37,429. One at the top of the scale (after 14 step increases) makes $70,661 with a bachelor's degree and $82,984 with a master's degree. Those salaries do not reflect lost wages through the furlough days, McDowell said. Karen Danke, a music teacher who works at three LPS schools, said the concessions have eaten up the contractual step increases she received so she's taking home less money than she used to. NOT ABOUT THE MONEY But, Sherwood said, “None of us went into this because of the money.” The proposed cuts will hurt kids, she said. Class sizes have increased, and programs like music and foreign language have been cut. “Children are our future,” Sherwood said. Kate Herriff, who teaches sixth grade at Johnson, is worried about the slippery slope. “Where does that end?” she said of cutting education. “Where does that stop?” Maureen McGowan, who teaches seventh-grade science at Holmes Middle School in Livonia, said the state needs to cut across the board to erase its $1.4 billion deficit. Cutting or eliminating taxes for businesses, as Snyder has proposed, isn't the answer, she said: “I don't think anyone should go without paying taxes. We all bear the brunt of paying for education.” She said well-educated students will be the business leaders of tomorrow. She also wants bargaining rights preserved without the threat of an emergency financial manager being able to come in and modify contracts. Chris Pinta, who teachers sixth grade at Johnson, said he doesn't begrudge the pay and benefits that people in other professions get, and he realizes they also work long hours. He said he doesn't have a problem with “reasonable concessions,” but he doesn't think education should bear the full burden: “Why is it that we have to take this hit?” Laura Zabo, a Garden City mom out shopping with her children Thursday evening, said she's always known how hard teachers work and didn't need a grade-in to realize it. “I really do appreciate the time they put into it,” she said. “It's a lot of work.” |
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| n73pm | Apr 20 2011, 01:07 PM Post #2 |
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I'm losing more and more respect for teachers as a whole every day. I'm all for ridding our country of the AFT and MEA... and UNIONS...and half of government jobs, etc. The more they 'demonstrate ugly' the less I will support them....but then I don't support them any more and haven't for quite a while! I didn't realize they could get this ugly and vile and nasty as we've seen in past footage. I'm sorry that the youth of this country has to be a witness to this...and be ''educated'' by them Teachers gone wild. LOL Now for those teachers that still have respect for themselves AND the field they've chosen to work in, they should put on more anti-demonstrations that may redeem the public's trust.
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| I support Global Warming cuz nothing grows in ice! | |
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| Otis B. | Apr 20 2011, 02:42 PM Post #3 |
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If anyone is interested, I will be at Laurel Park this weekend creating PowerPoint presentations and Excel spreadsheets. I'll make sure to wear a gaudy t-shirt and scream "HEY EVERYONE! I WORK SO HARD" so you all can notice me. |
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| Hopeful | Apr 20 2011, 03:16 PM Post #4 |
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Please, please, please do not forget to contact the media. Let's make sure that everyone knows that you will be there, and the point you are trying to make! Are you sure that Twelve Oaks may not be a better venue? there is another group that has already claimed squatters rights over at Laurel Park. |
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| LPS Reformer | Apr 20 2011, 07:30 PM Post #5 |
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
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Wait for the big strike to kick in, so they can force the Gov to raise taxes "for the kids sake". |
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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
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| DADDYOH10 | Apr 21 2011, 01:30 PM Post #6 |
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One of the biggest factors in all this discussion, that seems to be frequently forgotten, or otherwise ignored, is that 85-90% of our educational tax dollars go to wages and benefits, and the measly 15% (the crumbs) are what the children get. This has been going on for far too long, with the ad nausem slogan of "it is for the children". "Horsepuckies', as Col. Potter would say! I don't begrudge a salary, but the layers of Administration, stipends to those and others in the system, and the constant hiding behind my children and others, like some kind of Saddam Hussain Human Shield, all seems like the unpeeling of a rotten onion. It does not smell good and should be abandon for something a little fresher. A little Frebreeze is not going to do the trick as seen by the editorial regarding the teacher expo at the Mall. The public is much more informed than it used to be and it has awakened many who previously accepted the status quo...there are a few more "boat rockers" on board! |
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| Ava | Apr 21 2011, 03:39 PM Post #7 |
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So what? Who cares?
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Right on, Daddy-O! |
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| pavedave | May 2 2011, 10:47 PM Post #8 |
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You people are phenomenal. I don't know what part of Livonia you live in but my neighbors and I all make a lot more money than teachers. I want my kids to get a quality education without having to put them in a private school. I know I get Health Insurance as part of my salary package. It's not free, it's in lieu of more money. If you want them to pay for their insurance without giving them more pay, that's a pay cut. They already make too little. Today we need good teachers with strong skills in math and science to prepare our kids for the new work environment. Why would anyone with a college degree (probably a Master's), with strong math or science skills work for peanuts. Demanding they take pay cuts, disrespecting them, we're cutting our own throats. I can't imagine the lack of talent we're going to have teaching our kids. By the time we realize, a generation of students will have suffered. |
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| uh-oh | May 2 2011, 11:26 PM Post #9 |
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Maybe 80K plus your insurance and a generous pension is peanuts to you Paver, but to most of the rest of us, that is quite a good salary-especially for working 9 months of the year. Teachers in MI make 14% more than the national average and yet our students rank 39th in the country in academic acheivement!!! Did you hear the Gov's speech? Only 16% of our high school seniors are college-ready and 238 of our high schools do not have ONE single student who can pass the ACT in every subject area!!!! We are graduating students who will not be able to compete!!! A generation of students are already suffering here in good ole Michigan!! Teachers aren't teaching, and kids aren't learning!! Not only are we behind 38 other states, but the numbers get worse looking at global competition. Teachers and more importantly administrators should be required to meet certain standards in terms of the education they provide. Why should they get a free pass as the expense of our children???? I don't get free health care and pension, and neither should they. It's time they begin making a contribution just like rest of us AND be held to some standard for the work they do. The Gov is right on the mark with his education initiatives. I hope he wins the war for our kids sake. They are the ones losing out, not the poor teachers. Edited by uh-oh, May 2 2011, 11:26 PM.
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| Ava | May 3 2011, 09:29 AM Post #10 |
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So what? Who cares?
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Dave, You're right about one thing.....the only way your kid can get a quality education is at one of the area's private schools. Public schools put adults first; private schools put kids first. As they say, you get what you pay for! |
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| Ava | May 3 2011, 09:40 AM Post #11 |
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Hey teachers, You knew going into your field that you would have to grade papers and make lesson plans.It's what you signed up for! Maybe you should have done your "homework" before you applied for the job! I don't feel sorry for you! Or maybe you should go work at one of those schools that's stealing all "your money!" The truth is the community colleges need the money so that they can provide remedial courses for all the public school graduates who aren't ready for college! What Characteristics Do I Need To Work In This Field? A good elementary teacher enjoys being with children and introducing them to new things, has a lot of patience, and has imagination and creativity to present the same idea or lesson in different ways to match the needs of different learners. Plan to spend a lot of time outside the classroom preparing for class or working on evaluations. http://schoolcraft.edu/pdfs/guides/transfer/Education_Elementary_Transfer.pdf |
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| Sage | May 3 2011, 05:25 PM Post #12 |
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Thanks for posting. I don't agree with all you've said, but thanks again for your input |
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| LPS Reformer | May 3 2011, 07:04 PM Post #13 |
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
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Respect = Pay? In that case, you must really respect Randy. Edited by LPS Reformer, May 3 2011, 07:07 PM.
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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
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| Mrs.M | May 3 2011, 11:43 PM Post #14 |
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News Teachers stage Grade-Ins at malls Published: Tuesday, May 03, 2011 By Diana Dillaber Murray Journal Register Newspapers http://macombdaily.com/articles/2011/05/03/news/doc4dc0a92c16240381461797.txt?viewmode=default Teachers from Birmingham, Walled Lake, West Bloomfield, Farmington and Novi grade papers and do lesson plans at 12 Oaks Mall at their first Grade-In on Sunday. They chat with passersby about impact of cuts Snyder proposes Shoppers shouldn’t be surprised to see hundreds of teachers grading their students’ papers and doing lesson plans at local malls in coming weeks. Teachers from Macomb and Oakland counties are planning Grade-Ins at local malls for two weekends in May to show that their work day does not stop when children are dismissed after classes. The effort comes in light of proposed budget cuts to school districts that are concerned about the prospects of cutting programs. In turn, district officials are looking to teachers to give concessions such as wage reductions or paying more on their health insurance. The first Grade-In brought out at least 100 teachers from Birmingham, Walled Lake, West Bloomfield, Farmington and Novi to 12 Oaks Mall in Novi, said Scott Warrow. He is a 14-year Birmingham social studies and English teacher who is president of the Birmingham Education Association. He and other union leaders from Berkley, West Bloomfield, Walled Lake and Troy organized the Grade-Ins. Other teachers went to Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights and Somerset Collection in Troy on Sunday, he said. Hundreds of Oakland and Macomb county public school teachers plan to bring their schoolwork to local shopping mall Grade-Ins from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 15, and Sunday, May 22, from 1 to 3 p.m. Warrow made a point to say the Grade-Ins are not protests. “These Grade-Ins, like so many around the state, will let the public know that a teacher’s job doesn’t end at 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon,” he said. “In addition to grading papers and creating lesson plans, the teachers will answer questions related to the deep education cuts Gov. Rick Snyder and the Legislature have proposed. Continued... “These cuts will impact every school in Oakland and Macomb counties. Class sizes will increase, program choices will be reduced, jobs will be eliminated and our students’ ability to succeed in a global economy will be curtailed,” Warrow said. The Birmingham teacher said he thought the first Grade-In at 12 Oaks Mall Sunday went well. The teachers sat at tables in an open dining area doing their work. “I think we had a positive reaction. I think people were wondering what was going on. They were seeing people in red shirts; people grading and talking about lesson plans. “We are going to be doing this work at home anyway. It is nice to do it with colleagues sitting around a table. It was really great to see that many people doing what we all do. “We had shoppers come by and talk to us and they had questions about what we were doing and whether or not it was something they could find out more about. “We told them it was to demonstrate teachers’ work beyond the school day. I work three hours a day and on weekends,” Warrow said. “Most of us are taking classes every summer. We have to get six graduate credits every year.” Teachers will be at Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills, Macomb Mall and Partridge Creek May 22. Also part of the effort are teachers from Utica, Warren, Rochester, Ferndale, Troy, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Berkley, Avondale, Troy, Pontiac and Northville. |
| I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG. | |
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| pavedave | May 3 2011, 11:57 PM Post #15 |
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Actually, no, I don't think $80,000/yr. is a lot of money. I make nearly twice that amount. I suppose you think I don't deserve to make that kind of salary. Should a teacher be able to live in the neighborhood they teach in? Well you couldn't own a home in my neighborhood on $80,000/yr. (Well maybe in today's market you could, but that's another topic). Besides that, the only teacher I know barely makes $60,000. Yes they knew they would have to grade papers and make lesson plans, but they also "knew" they'd get a certain salary, benefits, and retirement. They're not asking for any more. The only thing different now is big banks and financial corporations who drove our economy into the ground are offering them up as a bogeyman to deflect blame for our economy from themselves. Teachers have made relatively the same amount of money for decades, how can it be their fault that the economy has crumbled. The housing collapse destroyed the tax base. Investments municipalities made crashed. None of that is the fault of teachers. If you get your way and we make teaching a low paying, no respect job we'll get the same level of competence we get from fast food employees. |
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| Vanna White | May 4 2011, 06:43 AM Post #16 |
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There are literally hundreds and sometimes thousands of qualified applicants each time a teaching job is posted in the state of Michigan. I doesn't appear that there is any lack of talent and concerns about people leaving the profession over pay and benefits seem unwarrented at this time or inthe foreseeable future. Where exactly would someone with a master's degree in teaching find employment if not in teaching or training? Very few have the kind of math and science skills that would be needed for careers related to those fields. Expertise and classes in Math Education is not the same as expertise in Math. There are some wonderful teachers and I think most of us have a lot of respect for the truely outstanding dedicated teachers, but that doesn't change the fact that many generations of students have already suffered from a system that rewards the status quo and seniority rather than innovation and results. |
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| Otis B. | May 4 2011, 08:21 AM Post #17 |
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Since you're such a high roller - and I'm assuming you work in the private sector - then I'm sure you'll understand that when a company is in serious financial trouble the only place they can make real cuts is payroll; since that takes up over 90% of any company's budget. Well I'm not sure if you've heard, but Michigan is broke and we need to start cutting payroll. Otherwise, you and I are going to have to pay a lot more in taxes. So what's your solution? I'm sure that someone with a 6-figure salary also realizes that salaries have nothing to do with what people "deserve." It has to do with what the market will bear. And frankly, if these teachers are so overqualified with their master's degrees in education, then they should have no problem finding high paying jobs in the private sector. |
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| Ava | May 4 2011, 08:24 AM Post #18 |
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Vanna hit the nail on the head when she wrote this: "Where exactly would someone with a master's degree in teaching find employment if not in teaching or training? Very few have the kind of math and science skills that would be needed for careers related to those fields. Expertise and classes in Math Education is not the same as expertise in Math." Additionally, as Vanna pointed out in another thread, the market is oversaturated with teachers. Seventy-five percent or more of MI graduates (with an education degree) won't be able to get a job in the state. The teachers whining about their pay and benefits should be concerned that there are many young, qualified people out there that want their jobs. School Districts Ignoring Labor Market Signals |
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| Momof4 | May 4 2011, 10:30 PM Post #19 |
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Otis B wrote: "I'm sure that someone with a 6-figure salary also realizes that salaries have nothing to do with what people "deserve." It has to do with what the market will bear. And frankly, if these teachers are so overqualified with their master's degrees in education, then they should have no problem finding high paying jobs in the private sector." I agree! It's not about how hard our teachers work or what they deserve. As I have said a bunch of times on this forum -- in a perfect world, teachers would make what professional athletes make and vice versa. Of course, tenure would not exist, b/c, like a professional athlete, a teacher would be let go if they didn't perform well. Sadly, this is not the cast. It's just too bad that teachers salaries are paid by funds that just can't support the status quo... most people I know in the private sector are not happy about it, but have had to take a pay cut to keep their job. Keeping a job at a lower rate is better than not having a job at all. Just a side note... I have a masters degree and my salary is a 1/4 of the teacher making $60,000. I get no insurance or retirement, except the little amount I can put in a 401(k) like fund. I work about 1 hour less a day than a teacher, but do not get summers off. I do not get a substitute if I take a day off b/c I'm sick so the next day I just have two days worth of work. I'm not complaining... I'm making a point. Everyone has a story... I do all this b/c I need the money and I want to work the hours my children are in school. It is a choice I make and it is what the business I work for can afford. I "deserve" a lot more than I make - even my boss agrees. |
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| Ava | May 5 2011, 09:38 AM Post #20 |
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Another grade-in: Gotta love those golden parachute pants!
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