wrath4771

I had two implants and the bill was close to 20k (bridge included), and no my insurance company didn't cover any of it because in their own words: "That stuff is expensive."

Fellow teacher and I'd like to make a point about tenure. Tenure actually helps protect good teachers and allows us to try new methods. What most don't understand is we (as teachers) have hundreds of bosses - every parent is our boss. It just takes one to say, "You're a pervert for teaching The Crucible." Which actually happened to me. Tenure gives me the security to try new things. It also keeps administration and parents from bullying me into sub standard methods that I know are horrible, but I would be forced to do if I want to keep my job.

As far as Rhee, I would like someone to show me the teacher in a right-to-work state that makes 140k a year. That teacher doesn't exist. Historically, right-to-work leads to wage suppression.

We keep saying we want the best and brightest to teach, but then take away any incentive to get talented people to enter education. No one ever enters teaching thinking they're going to get rich, but teachers would like to eat meat at least once a week and not live off of ramen noodles.

I think there is a misconception that teachers with tenure can't be fired. Things like sexual abuse, violence against a student, etc. tenure won't save that teacher. No matter the career, I think a worker should have the right to defend their work and be given the chance to improve. If they don't, then yes they should be removed.

Tenure isn't perfect, but I think it does a lot more good than harm. I wouldn't be opposed to tenure not being offered until after five years of teaching. That would give administration plenty of time to decide whether or not someone is a right fit for the profession. But, on the other hand, teaching does take a lot out of a person (50% of us quit within the first three years), and there are those who have been around 20+ years that are burned out and need to go.

Our union has done a great job working with our school district. I work in a low-income district and we went five years without a raise before getting one this year. Both sides have an understanding and respect for the other sides position and have done their best to find common ground knowing that the students come first.

Ever notice that the internet can't recognize the confused look on a student's face?

Ever notice a sixth grader has no concept of how to teach themselves?

"Useless crap" consists of state standards that are created by politicians and people who think they know what goes into education because they were a student once. Don't you think it's weird that those who actually teach for a living and know what actually goes into teaching have very little say in the process?