I recently came across an ABC News video by Eliza Murphy of a fifth grade English teacher in North Carolina who completes personalized handshakes with each of his students before they enter his classroom. The teacher, Barry White Jr., and his obvious connection to his students prompted me to consider how influential of a role teachers play in children’s lives growing up, and how too many of them are under appreciated.
I’ve always thought it was a shame that teachers don’t get paid as much as they’re worth. Many of the teachers and professors I’ve had so far have been integral in shaping my character, my interests and my education. They teach so much more than math, writing and science. They often have to take on the many roles of a mentor, counselor and personal cheerleader for their students.
The most significant conclusion I came to after seeing this video, however, is that I wish videos such as this one didn’t have to be newsworthy. I wish all teachers cared as deeply for their students’ futures as much as White clearly does. Most of all, I wish this country as a whole would start to appreciate teachers as much as they deserve. I give kudos to White and his dedication to his students, but the fact of the matter is that there are teachers all across the country who feel the same way about their classes, yet their efforts often go unrecognized. Students of all ages and all backgrounds need to be told and shown someone believes in them and wants them to succeed. After all, our future presidents, surgeon generals, district attorneys, farmers and yes, future teachers, are being molded every day.
Can we make thanking our teachers an everyday practice now?
This article appears in Jan 26 – Feb 1, 2017.
“I’ve always thought it was a shame that teachers don’t get paid as much as they’re worth.”
Could it be that their salary is based on 9 months of work, not 12 like those paying their salaries?
And there are now many that if paid what they were really worth, would starve. NEA has given us the lowest possible quality based on tenure protection.
I do enjoy the positive stories. He is doing a great job.
I still have his father’s first album, “Pillow Talk.”
Teachers salaries are not based on 9 months of work. They routinely work during the summer in order to maintain their certification, take professional development, etc. Don’t put a whole profession down until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes. And walking that mile 10-25 years ago doesn’t count….it has to be a mile that includes a metatistisized standardized testing regime, no PE (no exercise during the day), more poverty stricken students (because our economic system in this country is so very compassionate) and, at least in TUSD, more DISTRICT mismanagement than anyone would think is humanly possible.
Most poverty in this country is due to out of control immigration. That said, yes, teachers have a lot on their plate and in general work harder than most professionals at a similar pay scale.
No they don’t Betts. I know many teachers that travel, or take summer jobs of all sorts, or do nothing. That is a fact.
But I would encourage voters to pursue info about what Pima County is doing through their Industrial Development Authority. They are financing the conversion of low or untaxed land into charter schools where they can collect exorbitant property taxes from the operators of the charter schools. (Thereby stealing more of your tax dollars.)
The Democrats in PC have devised a bond scheme that uses your tax dollars to destroy your own jobs in public education by funding construction of charter schools. Is it because it grows their tax base? Without any additional citizen homeowners? Where should those funds be spent?
And I thought you guys marched in lock step. I think I see a knife in your back.
TUSD pays no property taxes on a school property. But a charter school pays $300,000.00 per year to Pima County for taxes?
Where would your allegiance be? Thieves have no honor amongst them.
https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2017/02/03/phoenix-based-lawson-misused-customer-funds-breached-fiduciary-duties/
https://www.munios.com/
(google pima county and look at the projects these bonds are funding around the country.)
Could it be that they have state funded retirement plans that are far more lucrative than 90% of the taxpayers that are funding it?
Betts – – –
Maybe you should take a walk in the shoes of those not on the guvmt gravy train, the ones footin the bill!
Teacher do seem to consistently haters unite here in comments. Sorry your experience was so bad and so unhappy crappy. What’s the solution to such bitter bile?