I am more than a public employee

It is contract time and I am so tired of people bashing teachers. The district, which expects the best from my colleagues and I, plants subtle messages about how the teacher's salary and insurance are the most expensive line item in the budget. The local newspaper runs with that, and usually publishes all of our contractual salary. Outrage appears in the editorials! How dare we teachers make so much money and want an INCREASE for the next 3 years! Not to mention, we aren't doing our job because the schools are still not performing well on the NCLB driven state exams. Teachers need merit pay, increases only if our students perform well.

BULL

Before you use that line, get rid of your child's Xbox, Ipod, MP3 player, TV/DVD combo in their room, computer complete with Myspace and Facebook and AIM, their cell phone AND THEN, sit with them while they do their homework. If the student is having trouble, write on the paper a note asking the teacher to review that concept. Sit and read with and to your child. Show them the beauty of the written word. Don't accept the skewing of the language. U is not an acceptable alternative for you.

As for my salary, well, I am 46 years old, I have taught for 20 years, I have a BA and an MA, and I still haven't broken $50,000 a year. How much does your CPA make?