Dear Mayor Nutter and Governor Corbett,
How many students do you have in your class?
How many tissue boxes do you buy for your class?
How many bottles of hand sanitizer do you buy for your class?
How many snack bars or pots of oatmeal do you cook for your hungry students?
How many shirts did you hurry to get from the corner store because of the red juice your student spilled on him?
How many pairs of socks do you buy for your little kindergarteners whose feet NEED socks with the sneakers they have on?
How many reams of paper do you buy to do your job?
How many class sets of books do your bid on via ebay so that your class can have a class set?
How many of your students' trips do you pay for at the last minute for a wide variety of reasons?
How many of your students come to you because they just need to cry and let it all out?
How many of your students come back years later to just say "thank you"?
How many pizzas have you purchased for your class because they all came to school that entire week or month?
How many pens, pencils, boxes of crayons, boxes of markers, and packages of lined paper have you purchased for your students?
How many times have you given your students $2.00....oh wait, it's gone UP....$2.25 to get home because they lost their money?
How many subscriptions to kid's educational magazines have you purchased so that your students can read real, authentic literary nonfiction?
How many subscriptions to internet educational software games/companies have you purchased to make learning come alive for your students?
How many computers have you spent money on to refurbish so that your classroom can at least have ONE in the class?
How much money have you spent to paint your classroom because it hadn't seen a coat of paint for at least a decade?
How many bookshelves and magazine racks have your purchased for your classroom so that reading can be inviting?
How many hats, gloves, and scarves have you bought for your 2nd graders?
How many gift cards have you purchased for your seniors in high school who are headed off to college?
How many fans have you bought so that your classroom can have SOME air flow?
Huh? How many? Answer me that!!
Wait, I have one more...
How many more "how many"s do you think I can come up with?
Don't wrack your brain, let me answer that for you!
A WHOLE LOT MORE!!!
You speak of shared pain? You berate us for not "sharing in sacrifice"? You want us to take a 13% pay cut? You say that we need to "step up"? You want us to pay to come to work? You want us to buy $45 million at a price tag of $133 million?
You, sirs, are clearly out of touch with the reality of our profession!
Sincerely
~Stephen R. Flemming and all the rest of us!!!
Some call me "Flem"
- Dr. Stephen R. Flemming
- I'm an elementary school teacher turned high school English teacher, School-Based Teacher Leader (SBTL), and adjunct professor here in Philly. These posts are the views, as I see them, from room 105, my first classroom number. Enjoy, engage, and share!
Well said!!1
ReplyDeleteI feel for you and your coworkers. Be strong and keep your voice strong and loud. We need to be heard, and it is about the kids.
ReplyDeleteMuch love and support from a public educator in San Francisco. We need to share our stories! Thank you for sharing a part of yours.
ReplyDeleteI love this. I get it. Title 1 high school in Charlotte, NC, 17 years. I get it, I love that you wrote this.
ReplyDeleteAWESOME POST!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! From one teacher to another.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! I don't know how long you have been teaching and I know that this is just a bump. You will always be a teacher no matter what! Much love and support.
ReplyDeleteI teach middle school: add to the list: a pencil sharpener that works; a paper cutter; scissors; calculator (even though I teach English!!) electric fans; composition books; pens; broom and mop; chalk and erasers (Yep. No fancy white board for me!); up to date maps; dictionaries; poetry books; extension cords; coats, gloves and hats; groceries to take to the students' home; clothing for younger siblings; prescription glasses; and on and on!!!
ReplyDeleteThe love, devotion and sacrifice it takes to be a teacher these days is immense. Thank you and all teachers for everything you do for our children. As a devoted mom and PTA President, I work very hard to help my teachers with these types of things. I only wish I could do more. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteThe Diary of a Not So Wimpy Teacher
You are absolutely correct, this is just a prime example of a "BELOW BASIC" performance when it comes to the children of Philadelphia and public education by Mayor Nutter and Governor Corbett!
ReplyDeleteSome pretty good questions here that deserve answers!
ReplyDeleteYou rock! Your students and their families are lucky to have you in their lives.
ReplyDeleteI have a question....how many weapon clips have you bought for you significant other because the military did not supply them with sufficent supplies? How many sweatshirts have you puchased for that same person because need I remind you nights in the desert get cold? How many nights have you gone without sleep because you had to pull double duty because your unit took fire earlier in the day? How many of you have experienced the veterans medical system when you come home with an injury and you get tossed in a vicious cycle of government mismanagement all the while you are trying to work a 40 hour work week 52 weeks a year to support a family? This my friend is the life of a veteran and his or her family. Yes, you do a commendable job that does require sacrafice, but what is going on is a result of years and I mean years of mismanagement on ALL levels. Also, just food for thought....veterans do not have a union to support them. They do it for love of country. They work weekends, days, nights, and, holidays. They don't get off for winter break or spring break. They work round the clock with little thanks especially when the media questions their every move. The general public gets a little tired of the constant complaints. Yes, I am sure you buy supplies and such but it is a choice and I am sure it is tax deductible. Yes, you should not take a cut in pay because who the hell can, but there are areas that can change and cuts can be made. What happened to love of profession?
ReplyDeleteI love my profession, but do not love people who try and belittle their suffering because they see theirs as worse. It's ridiculous. I could say, teachers don't get subsidized housing, military do. It's all a matter of perspective. And last year, I spent about $1500 on supplies for my classroom. I may get a deduction of $250. I do it for the money.
DeleteDear Anonymous,
DeleteGreat response! 90% plus, I venture to say, love our education profession or we wouldn't stay. If it weren't so many in public education, there wouldn't be many in any other profession or job! Here's to those who hold their heads high and do not belittle others by trying to one up them!!!
This isn't about which profession does the most suffering...all public service professions are suffering. This is a teacher standing up for himself and giving those who think they know more a dose of his own reality...a view from room 105.
DeleteI agree many professions are not recognized for the work they do!
DeleteTeachers are not standing up for themselves, they are standing up for their students! Our kids deserve an education, they are the future. We either put the money into them now or pay later.
DeleteIt wasn't a competitive statement. To answer your question, 250$ is the most teachers can claim, when we spend out of necessity far more.
DeleteForced transferred, went to my new school today to talk to principal who ignored 3 emails, 2 messages and a visit where she wouldn't see me. Do I know what I will be teaching on the 9th, no I do not. Could be 2nd grade, could be gym. I'm an expendable teacher and lucky to have any job. And yes, I still go out and buy all the school supplies while they are cheap. The basics. I have to wait apparently to find out what I need to get specifically. I blame Nutter, Gov Corbett and to some extent, Jerry Jordan for giving in to them. Comes in like a lion, but goes out like a lamb. Rolled over like a turtle. I am very pro-union, but mad as h*ll.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to blame Hite and Ackerman!!
DeleteAMEN and amen. Let it be. I must share this with others.
ReplyDeleteFrom San Francisco, with love and respect. Thank you for this post. I've forwarded it to all my friends.
ReplyDeleteMy choice to join the military was just that a choice. It was a path that afforded me many fond and painful memories. I am simply making a statement that rather asking for more, maybe you should be happy with the "benefits" you have at the expense of the taxpayer. That's right the taxpayer. You work for the taxpayer. You are afforded many benefits that if you joined the private sector, you would be paying dearly for similar benefits. Today, a person is lucky if medical, dental, and vision benefits are offered when employed. How much do you pay for benefits? How many days throughout the year are considered holidays? I understand in service days are actual work days, but how many days do you get for winter break or spring break? Better yet, most federal holidays are just that holidays. Yes, your job can be dangerous and yes you wear many different hats. You are the parent, the police officer, and the friend. You should be commended. Yes, I am not the "general public" so why don't we take it to a vote since it is taxpayers money paying for the school budget? You might be surprised at the results.
ReplyDeleteMilitary Anon... As a teacher and the wife of a veteran turned teacher, I agree with what you are saying. But Fiona, below, has it right. All of us who choose to serve the public need to come together. We are all getting the short end of a very wealthy corporate stick. There are millions of dollars for corporate pay. There are millions of dollars for athletes and musicians. As for taxpayers, perhaps we all need to look at what we spend our money on. We hate to pay taxes that provide us with needed services, but we have no problem giving the cable companies, the cell phone companies, the "app" companies, the music services, etc… our money every month. We don't hesitate to pay a couple hundred dollars to go to a ball game. Add it up. It is probably more than what we pay in taxes for schools, police, fire, and military each year. Perhaps if we all sacrificed some of these luxuries, and that is what they are, we could provide those who protect our country and communities with the resources, benefits, and pay they deserve. We could pay for schools and the teachers who help raise our children. We could ensure a safer, more secure, brighter future for everyone.
DeleteTo the other anonymous: It's not a pissing competition - "my life is harder than yours! So you should suck it up." Teachers might pay more for their benefits if they worked in the private sector, but their salary would be substantially higher. Some taxpayers may want to pay public sector employees less, but that doesn't mean that public sector employees would actually be willing to work for less. Also, you get what you pay for: when you pay people crappy wages, they do not give 110%.
DeleteThis is THE BEST!! I hope you put it into the Philadelphia Inquirer or Daily News!! It deserves a lot of press!!
ReplyDeleteMilitary anonymous...I think you are suffering from PTSD. Just saying...
ReplyDeleteI think this is very well written. I am a teacher in New Zealand and I can sympathize with a lot of what you say. We are definitely not where you are, but I fear it is heading that way. I met an American teacher on my travels around Europe a few years ago and was amazed at how little value teachers are given. Perhaps America needs to stand up and start supporting each other. Whether you're a teacher, or in the military you are giving your life to protect and care for others. Isn't it time we banded together instead of belittling each other? join together and become the change you want to see.
ReplyDeleteFiona, How are you treated in New Zealand?
ReplyDeleteSorry, anonymous. I left a job paying $30,000 more than what teaching pays me. Yes, it was a choice. Teaching is much more rewarding than selling insurance. Many teachers have a level of education that would earn a salary more than what we make. So many of us could get a lot more "benefits" by working in the private sector. Which is why it is so upsetting to be belittled by politicians and others who think so little of the sacrifices we make every day. I am pro military, I am pro police force, I am pro fire fighters, I am pro teacher. We all work for less than we deserve. We do it willingly. But to be kicked again and again is more than one can take. Cutting salaries is going to force teachers back into the public sector.
ReplyDeleteTo the person who posted about the military; you are correct. The military men and women, and their families are treated horribly in this country. You should be supporting us. While Philly teachers are not on the front lines risking our lives, we are on the front lines dealing with (in many cases, if not most depending on the school) the abject poverty in this country.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your service, and/or your loved ones service. We should be supporting each other!
And on a lighter note, when I graduated HS no teacher gave me no stinkin gift card anywhere! As a teacher, I also have never given a gift card to a student. Don't think it makes me a bad person.
Keep up the good work and please write into the Daily News Inquirer with these questions.
ReplyDeleteGreat statement! To continue.... How many student loans do they have to pay back? How many times in their careers have they taken a 13% pay cut? How many rolls of toilet paper have they purchased to bring to work? We could go on and on. This should be illegal to even propose such cuts for a mess educators didn't make.
ReplyDeleteI'm a teacher in Seattle-- even though we're 3,000 miles away, know that you have our support in your struggle against Corbett, Nutter, Hite, etal!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat is the common denominator to both the military and teachers' problem? Could it be....government? They are doing such a great job, we're turning our health care over to them. God help us all. I'm retired military And a retired teacher.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is true that the military is afforded a housing allowance, this is only if on active duty. And if you are on active duty, you are transfered multiple times and often at a moments notice. This is not a fair comparision. To answer an earlier question, yes I suffer from PTSD. This kind of thing happens when placed in a hot zone and memoirals are a weekly occurance. And yes....I did sign up and I would gladly experience it all over again. Fact is, I am not complaining for any of my time in the military. What is important to remember is someone always has it worse then you. The unemployment rate is still relatively high and more and more people are unemployed. If you have a job, no matter what your profession, you should be thankful. Yes....you should fight for your rights, but a right is not free medical or maintain every federal holiday. Should you take a pay cut, HELL NO. If you had to contribute a little more to your medical, I really don't see how that is unfair. This is something that can and does happen in the private sector. Should the decision be left public officials? No, because they will do what is going to keep them elected and not what is right. Best option, leave it to a public vote. Hell, it is the public who pays the taxes.
ReplyDeleteI retired from the Phila. district and I'm now teaching in a MD title 1 school. Hite was our Super before he came to Philly and he did nothing but freeze our steps, cut out our pay for graduate degrees, and eliminated our raises for 5 years. I know what you're going through having taught middle school in W. Kensington for many years and I spent tons of money on my students!
ReplyDeleteExcellent comments! Proud to be a Philly teacher and will continue to be a proud Philly teacher no matter what happens with the contract!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteFlem-- wow. It's obvious you give your heart and soul (not to mention any disposable income) to your kids. You deserve much love and respect from your community for your dedication to the future generation-- their future! So glad there are committed teachers like you out there. And never mind those who negate your sacrifices or mention all your "glorious breaks/days off"-- they simply have no clue what it takes -- a fellow teacher from AZ
ReplyDeleteI have 23 years with the district and I admit that even I am very nervous. My parents were Philly teachers who used to tell me about the days when they had 40-45 kids in their classrooms. Believe me, they were not bragging about superior management skills! They fought long and hard with the PFT to reduce class size. I teach kindergarten and I am expecting 30 5 year olds in a few weeks- with no classroom assistant. The mayor and governor can't imagine how challenging it is to do my job as well as I do it! I work my tail off and then go home and parent my own children. Now I have to worry that I won't be able to make ends meet due to proposed pay cuts?!
ReplyDelete