Money Problems
Money Problems
When I tell someone I plan to become a teacher money is one of the first things they mention. Unsurprisingly, this is the most popular comment when people hear someone is becoming a teacher. When the unit mentioned that Texas had an F ranking for state spending I was shocked it was the worst tier but not surprised it was low. In all my times in the classroom no matter what the role was I have noticed the lack of funding for many things. I think what is most eye-opening is when you see classrooms before and after being teacher funded. If we were to send each student into the classroom only being funded by the school it would be sad to see how hard it would be to teach the students their required curriculum. The first article talked about the ranking system and what could cause each ranking. They came up with two observations. One the schools in poor communities often are ranked low and two the teacher workforce. The state is giving up on the communities that are not so well off. They also are having a hard time getting people to join the workforce. People who want to go into the workforce now are having second thoughts because of the salary teachers are making. If teachers are expected to supply materials, furniture, etc. for their classroom but are not making any money it will not work or be desirable for a career. I think we need to make some policy changes to help fix the education system.
I often hear the same comment about teachers not making very much money. I have to remind people that I am a paraprofessional making $19,000 a year doing a very similar job and the jump in pay from para to teacher is astronomical. It doesn't make it easier, but is helpful in understanding the lives of my students. I live and work in the same district so I can sympathize with my students living situations. Texas has to make a change for the students, but overall the United States as a whole needs to revamp the education system as far as funding goes. They really need to take a page from other countries education system and how the government funds them.
ReplyDeleteHi Chavon. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog post. I can't believe that this is such a common topic to bring up with teachers. Sadly I have heard about the way the education system treats paraprofessionals. I agree that the connection we have with our students makes it easier. I will also work and live in the district my students are so it will be easier to make that connection. I agree that changes need to be made everywhere. I think that a lot of people do not realize no matter what you are involved in school life somehow. I really hope that this all changes in the future to help our students out and create better schools. Again thank you for taking the time to read my blog and to make a response.
DeleteI am often warned against becoming a teacher for the very reason that we would not be making much money. I have grown up watching my mother drop several figures a year just on basic materials for her classroom that the district refused to supply, even having to occasionally purchase her own paper to make copies if the school decides she prints "too much" for her 250+ students a day. She was actually asked to speak at a AISD board meeting last night, and got super annoyed because she had to sit through a 4 hour long conversation about budget only for nothing to really be said. Where do you think we should be pulling/creating resources to help better fund our schools and our students?
ReplyDeleteHi Lilli! Thank you so much for reading my blog and taking the time to respond. I think it is so shocking that that is the first thing people think of when someone mentions that they are going to become a teacher. I think this is shocking because there are so many things that could be mentioned about the education system. I am very nervous to see the number of things I will have to provide for my students just so they can get a good education. I think that the one article we read that mentioned about having a higher wage for teachers will bring more teachers into the field and that way we can have more opportunities for schools in poorer districts to get better schooling.
DeleteHi Sadie! Thank you for sharing your personal experience and thoughts on the challenges facing teachers and the education system in general. I'm curious to know more about your perspective on the impact of funding on the quality of education that students receive. How do you think the lack of funding affects the classroom environment and the ability of teachers to deliver effective instruction? Additionally, you mentioned the low salaries of teachers as a major deterrent for people who are considering entering the profession. What other factors do you think contribute to the shortage of teachers, and how can we address these challenges? Finally, you suggested the need for policy changes to address these issues. What specific policy changes do you think would be most effective, and how can we work towards implementing them? I look forward to hearing your thoughts on these questions and continuing this conversation.
ReplyDeleteHello Sadiie, I really enjoyed reading your blog post about this week’s question. That is usually the first question or comment that I hear all the time from people who discover my major/future job. The truth about Texas's rank is hard to digest but not shocking to see due to the world we live in, and also listening to the district's frustrations and problems. It is extremely sad to really see and learn more about the lack of financial support and even more disappointing at how teachers must provide personal money if they want their students to succeed on a somewhat even playing field. These students that they’re negating and not taking time to support and the fund is our future, we cannot expect for the future to be great if we’re not helping them be great. I think the funding problem will never change, and teachers will have to support their students from their own pockets sad to say.
ReplyDelete