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Amen.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m44fjeJbf91qewacoo1_500.jpg)
I never thought I would hear anyone say that teachers get paid too much. I was pretty sure it was common knowledge that teachers are underpaid. My dad was worried when I decided to major in Education, because teachers’ salaries are so low. Apparently, there is now some debate as to whether or not teachers are overpaid. I literally laughed out loud when I first read about this. When I realized that people where seriously considering the possibility of teachers making too much, I was mad. When I read the arguments, I became even more frustrated. As someone with a degree in Education, I would like to voice my opinion about each of these arguments.
1. Teachers only work about 36 hours a week.
Seriously? First of all, most teachers are required to report to school at 7:30 am. Usually, bells to let school out begin ringing at 3:00 and may last until 3:15. Let’s say the average teacher leaves at 3:30, giving them time to gather their “things” and make their way out of the building. That brings us to about 8 hours a day. School meets 5 days a week, bringing us to 40 hours. Now those “things” the teacher gathers at the end of the day may include, but are not limited to, papers to grade, tests to prepare, lesson plans to tweak, and other paper work required by his/her school system. Saying that a teacher works 8 hours a week in his/her home would not do justice to how much work is really done, but we will leave it at that to compensate for the lazier teachers out there. That brings us to 48 hours a week.
2. Teachers get summers off.
Yep. Teachers get to spend 3 months sitting by the pool. Ha. Teachers must continue to report to school after the students are dismissed for summer at the end of May. This ranges from a couple of days to a week after school is out. On average, teachers are required to attend service days the week before school begins in August. This leaves about 2 months in the summer. During this time, many schools require teachers to attend a few in-service days. This still leaves a large amount of time teachers are not in the classroom, but it is not spent simply relaxing and going on vacation. Summers are the time teachers have to prepare curriculum, lesson plans, activities, and classroom set ups. I would like to see results from a study showing how many hours educators spend planning during the summer. It’s not all work, but, trust me, after spending 40 hours a week with children, teachers need a break.
3. Teachers have an easy job.
This one just makes me angry. With the state standards teachers are required to meet today, it takes a lot of work to make sure everything is being taught. Students have differently learning styles and challenges. It takes a lot of effort to makes sure each student has the equal opportunity to learn. Once all this has been accomplished, teachers have to worry about standard test scores. This has been stressed so much, that many teachers have begun teaching test taking skills even more than teaching the knowledge. The best teachers can teach content in a way that students can retain what they learn and be able to score well on the tests, but it takes a lot of work. Finally, thanks to the new evaluation systems put in place by certain states, it has become even more stressful for teachers. They are evaluated numerous times throughout the year, and their lessons must meet certain requirements. Talk about stress. But yeah, being a teacher is easy.
In Tennessee, the average teacher salary starts at around $32,000, with the average teacher salary at around $42,000. In Alabama, the average starting salary is around $30,000, with the average salary about $40,000. That doesn’t seem like over pay for all the work teachers do.
Obviously, I did not choose to become a teacher for the pay. I want to help students grow. I want to see them excel. I want to watch their faces change, when they finally understand a concept. I want them to leave with the knowledge they need for their future. I want to be a good influence on them. I want to teach them good character. I want them to learn how to be good citizens. I want to change their lives. Then, one day, when they have grown into successful adults, I want them to look back and realize that I taught them more than just where to place their commas. That’s why I chose to be a teacher. I will get paid in more ways than with a pay check. :)
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Amen.
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“I just wonder what it would do in your heart and your mind if you really believe that God delighted in you.” — Matt Chandler (via kvcshutterbug)
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A post from a friend to make you think.
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: Why I Celebrate Resurrection on Easter (but don't feel compelled to banish the bunnies) -
Jen’s words are always beautiful.
Lately I’ve been reading some posts about Easter, a few focusing on our “misplaced priorities”—bunnies and eggs vs Jesus—and I have to tell you I’m quite torn.
I like the idea of Easter being about Jesus, of observing a sort of Christian Passover. I think it’s beautiful and appropriate. We do…
“Choose love, even when love is the last thing you want to give, because absolutely nothing you are is your own. You are a product of grace and every single part of you exists simply because He does. He needs to be what people see every single time, especially in those instances when you’re feeling bitter or angry at someone. Especially when all you want to do is leave. Especially when you’ve been disrespected and ridiculed and let down. Always choose the beat of God’s heart over your own, because there are too many cold hearts in this world and not enough that beat to the rhythm of love. You were not created to react to things like everyone else does.” — (via kvcshutterbug)
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Amen.
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Illegal immigration is wrong. Yep, I said it. It’s an issue most people don’t want to talk about, but today I am going to talk about it anyway.
I don’t usually talk about political issues. After reading some interesting comments on Facebook, I decided that I would. I do not profess to be a history or political person, but for this issue I don’t have to be.
America is a wonderful place. It is a country of freedom. It is a county of independence. It is a country filled with a variety of languages, races, religions, and cultural backgrounds. It is a melting pot. For years, people have been coming to America in order to experience the freedom that natural born citizens tend to take for granted. Immigration has created a country filled with diversity. And this is exactly what our founders had in mind.
In 1620, the pilgrims left Europe and came to the New World. They left their homes because they longed for religious FREEDOM. In the 1700s, members of the United Colonies began fighting Britain for their FREEDOM. On June 7, 1776, the issue of FREEDOM began with these words: “Resolved… That these United Colonies are, and of a right ought to be, FREE and independent states, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.” On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed by representatives from the 13 colonies in order to declare FREEDOM of the colonists. Our nation has been built on the idea that it’s citizens should be and are FREE.
With that being said, I believe freedom is a great blessing. There are people all over the world who long for the type of freedom we experience every day. America has been founded on the idea that people who wish to be free should have the opportunity. I, for one, am all for people gaining freedom. I am thankful I live in a free country. I am also completely supportive of people who choose to immigrate to America in order to experience this freedom.
Yes, I am for immigration. But let me be clear. I am for LEGAL immigration. If one chooses to come to America in order to be free and leave behind the hardships of another country, they should do so by following the correct procedures. There are appropriate ways to go about everything, including immigration. Just because someone has had a hard life, or they have worked extremely hard to get out of their country, does not mean that they have the right to ignore the system and live illegally. Why? I have only two reasons why I believe living illegally in a country — any country — is wrong. I’m sure you could think of more, but I think these two are enough to get the point across.
1. Illegal Immigration Is Illegal
That’s pretty simple to understand, I think. It’s in the name. According to the Federation for America Immigration Reform (FAIR), it is a crime to “unlawfully [cross] U.S. borders. Such entry is a misdemeanor, but, if repeated, becomes punishable as a felony.” That’s all that needs to be said. Going to a country without going through the proper channels is against the law. It is illegal.
2. Illegal Immigration Is Sinful
Romans 13:1-7 says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. …” As Christians, we are to obey the government. We are to be in subjection to the laws created by our governing authority. Laws have been put in place to protect the citizens. Some people have been blessed enough to be born into a free country, but those who wish to immigrate to another country must do so by following the laws that the government has set forth.
Now, after making my stance clear, I want to say that I understand that becoming a citizen of the United States is very difficult. While in a class entitled “Diversity In America,” I learned a lot about immigration. I was required to debate both sides of the issue. I also listened to a legal immigrant talk about her move to the U.S. and the difficulties she faced. The tests given to immigrants is very hard; many natural born citizens could not pass it. It is also extremely expensive to become a citizen. There are fees for everything. I understand that they have fought and worked hard to come to America, but that doesn’t mean that they can just live here illegally because of their efforts. I have worked very hard to graduate with a degree in Education, but that does not mean I can just go in a classroom and teach illegally. I have to pay a lot of money to take several tests before I receive my license. Although I have worked hard and think I deserve to be able to teach immediately, I have to wait and go through the process. In the same way, immigrants must go through the process. It takes time and money, but those are sacrifices that must be made in order to be here legally. I understand that those who have come to our country illegally have worked very hard and risked their lives, but that does NOT make it okay to be here illegally.
I agree with those who say we should try to teach the gospel to both legal and illegal immigrants. We are commanded to spread the gospel to everyone. The key here is that there are consequences for sin. When someone who is an alcoholic is converted, he/she must do what it takes to stop living in sin: quit drinking. When a prostitute is converted, he/she must do what it takes to stop living in sin: quit committing fornication. When an illegal immigrant is converted, he/she must do what it takes to stop living in sin: become a legal immigrant. Some sins have worse immediate consequences, but the ultimate consequence will be the same. Yes we need to teach them, but we also need to teach them how to correct what has been done and how to strive to live a life that is acceptable in the sight of God.
Visit the FAIR page for more on Illegal Immigration
http://www.fairus.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=16663&security=1601&news_iv_ctrl=1007