thanks gov. christie

melliott09

I know I'm late jumping into this post, but as a parent and taxpayer, I feel compelled to add in my 2 cents.

SOME teachers are grossly overpaid. SOME teachers went into this profession for the "benefits". THESE are the teachers who should NOT be retaining their positions. There are more good then bad teachers out there, and as a parent, I realize that being a full-time working parent, you, a teacher, spend more time with my child during the day then I do. You are laying the ground for their future. Are you doing it all alone, NO. Should you be compensated for dedication, YES. Should taxpayers have to foot the bill for the district, YES. Should taxpayers be paying for your "benefits", NO!

Teachers are so important to every town, and it's sad that there are many people like Brad out there who do not understand your value. But at the same time, when it was budget voting time, I voted NO. The teachers in my district wouldn't even consider paying into their benefits, wouldn't compromise with the parents who attended the meetings and just blindly followed NJEA. Unfortunately, my town's budget passed, and you know what happened???? They got rid of EVERY sport program in the middle school, which is 6-8 grade, raised class sizes, canceled all before school activities and got rid of many elective type classes, like wood shop, metal shop, etc.

As a parent of a middle school child, I AM FURIOUS!!! Did I vote for Christie, YES! Do I agree with his harsh budget programs, YES and NO. I think things would have been so different for the school districts, had teachers agreed to make payments into their "benefit programs". From what I understand, there are some payments made, but I pay a HUGE portion of my medical. Why shouldn't everyone be reasonable for paying into their medical? If NJEA was more compliant with the governor's requests, it would not only assist the state, but it would work out better for the students. And shouldn't the students be who we are thinking about FIRST?? The only people suffering from all these budget issues are the kids and the taxpayers. Now my taxes go up, and my son gets less offered to him in school. Doesn't make sense and it does make a lot of people angry.

Now, addressing the situation in the way Brad did, is just arrogant and obnoxious and he seems like a miserable person who is looking for attention. The general population of teachers should be somewhat understanding to the publics response, but the real culprit here is the NJEA. I know first hand of a school district in Middlesex County who wanted to specifically make that step forward and participate in the "benefit" program, and contribute. NJEA's answer, NO. They wouldn't budge at all. Now how is that fair? NJEA isn't in the schools, dealing with the kids and parents, teaching....They are collecting your dues and being your voices, but I don't think they have NJ teachers best interest at heart.

Sorry this is so long.....Just wanted to give everyone a parent's point of view.

clarereedy

I have to throw two cents in here.  I am a teacher.  I work in New York State, not Jersey. However, we still get the same "teachers work half a year, are overpaid and are glorified babysitters" garbage like New Jersey teachers do.  (Brad most of this is directed at you)

The payscales that you talk about with our guraranteed raises were put into place in the late 70s early 80s.  The school districts could not afford to pay teachrs top doller, but the scales gave the teachers guaranteed gradual increases.  This worked in the district favor in the beginning, now it works in ours.  Blame your districts for agreeing to this back in negotiation time with their unions. 

For years, teaching was a "noble" profession and we made a small salary.  In order to get the best people, the salaries eventually had to become competitive.  Brad, you too could have chosen to be a teacher....don't be bitter because you didn't make that choice. 

Teachers who are making anywhere from 80K to 125K (top pay in my dsitrict) have a minimum of 75 credits over their masters.  They have worked hard to get where they are and are well educated. 

I have those 75 credits and make a good salary.  The only reason I am not working this summer is because Summer School is not mandated for elementary school and was cut...or I would have been working. 

Anyone who is not a teacher does not realize what we deal with on a daily basis.  I receive and answer e-mails from parents almost any time of day even though contractually I don't have to do a thing after 2:55.  The majority of your teachers do work outside of school - lesson plans, parent phone calls, grading, etc. 

But, one thing I will point out....you mentioned that you were still at work when you were posting some of your responses.  There is not one teacher on this page who could take the time to sit and write this many posts on any chat board (or even one post) during their work day.