Work
So.
Here is another school year. This past summer I was looking for something to read. I spent much of my time at the library because there wasn't much else to do with my summer as it was too short. I picked up a book by Daniel Moulthrop, "Teachers Have It Easy: The big sacrifices and small salaries of America's teachers." It talks about how even though we're degreed and do stuff almost no other job is required to do, we make really little money. It's pretty good at hitting all the points. Stuff like continuing educational costs, bad schools based upon poor pay scales because really what should motivate teachers and the fact that the profession really doesn't attract the best and the brightest, because if you're going to study to be a scientist its way better and more lucrative to do that than you know actually teach.
Anyways, although it held no stunning revelations for me, I did come to a crossroads of thought.
I have always thought I made fair money. I get most of summer off and a long time off for Christmas and various other holidays. Stuff not many other people get. However, I started focusing on how much extraneous time I devote to my professional career as a teacher and the amount of respect I get and it gets disturbing, or even depressing.
Why do we stick it out? Is it because we like our jobs? Sometimes it's hard to tell. I feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day or fulfillment occasionally, but does it measure out in the long run?
Things to ponder...
Especially as my health insurance has risen but my raise after five years here in Texas is paltry.
My cats are doing well.
I've been working up some jeopardy literary questions. They suck.
Also, I'm finally reading the Harry Potter series.
That's about it for now.
Here is another school year. This past summer I was looking for something to read. I spent much of my time at the library because there wasn't much else to do with my summer as it was too short. I picked up a book by Daniel Moulthrop, "Teachers Have It Easy: The big sacrifices and small salaries of America's teachers." It talks about how even though we're degreed and do stuff almost no other job is required to do, we make really little money. It's pretty good at hitting all the points. Stuff like continuing educational costs, bad schools based upon poor pay scales because really what should motivate teachers and the fact that the profession really doesn't attract the best and the brightest, because if you're going to study to be a scientist its way better and more lucrative to do that than you know actually teach.
Anyways, although it held no stunning revelations for me, I did come to a crossroads of thought.
I have always thought I made fair money. I get most of summer off and a long time off for Christmas and various other holidays. Stuff not many other people get. However, I started focusing on how much extraneous time I devote to my professional career as a teacher and the amount of respect I get and it gets disturbing, or even depressing.
Why do we stick it out? Is it because we like our jobs? Sometimes it's hard to tell. I feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day or fulfillment occasionally, but does it measure out in the long run?
Things to ponder...
Especially as my health insurance has risen but my raise after five years here in Texas is paltry.
My cats are doing well.
I've been working up some jeopardy literary questions. They suck.
Also, I'm finally reading the Harry Potter series.
That's about it for now.