Originally posted by LisaP: Congratulations, GenCan! I also believe teachers can make a difference. Take a look at the "most inspirational person" thread on our site, as several people mentioned teachers.
My husband started teaching about four years ago. He left the IT field to do so. It's hard work, but rewarding. The only problem, at least where we live, is that the hiring process leaves a lot to be desired and is very political. Many new teachers give up because of it. But, don't let that dissuade you. Send me a PM if you want to know more on that topic...
I don't think we can blame public schools or welfare. This problem is much more complicated. I went to public schools from K-12 (New York and Atlanta). I turned out pretty well. I have a job that pays well, I pay my taxes and am a positive member of society. The difference is family and upbringing.
I agree that education staff hiring is grossly political. To make an example of this, the president of the united states receives a base salary of $400,000. The head of the AEA (Alabama Education Association) has a salary of $378,500. When state teachers are paying $300-400 in annual membership dues from lower than national average salaries, how can he justify his exorbitant compensation?
Posts: 1424 | Location: birmingham, al | Registered: April 30, 2007
Originally posted by drlivingston: I agree that education staff hiring is grossly political. To make an example of this, the president of the united states receives a base salary of $400,000. The head of the AEA (Alabama Education Association) has a salary of $378,500. When state teachers are paying $300-400 in annual membership dues from lower than national average salaries, how can he justify his exorbitant compensation?
SO the head of the Alabama Education Association makes almost the same as the President of the U.S. Ummmm, that seems wrong on so many levels.
The AEA is such a racket. It's president has been there forever and wields so much power in Alabama that it is legend that he sits in the gallery at the state house and gives a Caesar-esque up or down thumb on bills being voted on, which is dutifully followed by his lackey elected officials. Probably a bit of hyperbole but it goes to show the power the man has.
WOW! I thought having the "Governator" in CA was bad enough.
After more than 35 years in public education, my dad retired as the director of special education in 1984 with a salary of $38,300. Adjusted for inflation, that's about $75K +/-.
Posts: 1371 | Location: Cameron Park, CA | Registered: January 23, 2007
Here in California, the voting public repeatedly defeats efforts to infuse more money into the school system. Then we complain about how poorly the system is managed and we wonder why Johnny can't read.
Don't want to start a political spat here, but it must be noted that throwing more money at a problem does not make it go away. More and more money is spent on education every single year in California (it's over 11K per student per year nowadays) and test scores continue to go down. The system is so terribly mismanaged that the extra money thrown into the system year after year never even reaches the classrooms. We're lining the pockets of administrators and bureaucrats, not helping our children get a better quality education.
However, I do agree that the "dumbing down of America" is rooted in the woeful state of our education system. Our standards are much too low, and we spend too much time making excuses for those who can't meet even the lowest of standards instead of challenging them to succeed.
Originally posted by Dave Beers: The AEA is such a racket. It's president has been there forever and wields so much power in Alabama that it is legend that he sits in the gallery at the state house and gives a Caesar-esque up or down thumb on bills being voted on, which is dutifully followed by his lackey elected officials. Probably a bit of hyperbole but it goes to show the power the man has.
Dave, unfortunately, it's not hyperbole. Paul Hubbert does give hand signals to show his minions how to vote. He has actually been banned several times from being in Montgomery while the legislature is meeting. He has the audacity to actually come on to the floor and berate legislators to their face if they go against his will.
Posts: 1424 | Location: birmingham, al | Registered: April 30, 2007
Boy this thread has really taken off...my two cents now:
I live in SC, it has gotten to the point that the students practically run the schools, kids have no respect for adults, teachers or anyone in authority...so you say..its the parents fault, not really. The govenment has taken the disciplining of our children out of our hands. Really? you say..yes in this state if you discipline a kid like we were disciplined back in the 50's, 60's and 70's then you will have the law at your door. I was raised that you respect ALL adults, you respected your teachers, and if you got a whippin at school, then by golly you would get it twice as hard when you got hom. TODAY: Teachers can't even discipline the unruly kids in school.
We were foster parents for a few years, we had a foster teen; every other day I was called to the school about her, the teacher told me that she only has 50 minutes per class, she spends over 40 of them trying to get the kids settled down and doesnt have the time to teach the lesson, so the ones who really want to learn are cheated. BUT can she do anything about it, NO just send them to the pricipals office. What good does that do, kids have no fear of authority.
The supervisor of Social Services in our town told me recently that they have taken in over 18 teens in the last few weeks, why? because of abuse...parents trying to control their kids. On the news last week a local woman was arrested and they publicly broadcast it, she was charged with Assult and Battery because her and the teen son got into an argument, she was trying to discipline him, he screamed and cussed her, she slapped him, she went to jail he went in to foster care.
If a bully picks on another child in school, the police are called and both kids are expelled immediately, doesnt matter if one was totally innocent, they both will be thrown out.
Single parents are raising kids, they have to work to support them so the kids are left to their own devices. If a parent really wants to take an active role in the kids life, then their hands are tied due to laws...
Its all politics...if things dont change my fear is that these are our future leaders...scary isnt it??
Oh well off my soap box..got a lot more to say, but gonna shut up now.
^^I'd say you pretty much summed it up Cruise Specialist.
You're right on target about one thing. I didn't dare come home and have the phone ring from a teacher and/or principal. I would have been knocked into tomorrow. I was raised in knowing that the school officials are always right and you treat them with respect. Never give them reason to call home. Unless, of course, it was to praise my work.
A'ndrea
Posts: 1785 | Location: New York | Registered: January 21, 2007
Originally posted by Cruise Specialist: On the news last week a local woman was arrested and they publicly broadcast it, she was charged with Assult and Battery because her and the teen son got into an argument, she was trying to discipline him, he screamed and cussed her, she slapped him, she went to jail he went in to foster care.
If my mom got arrested for everytime that she slapped me, she would be in court more than the Smoking Gun could keep up with. I grew up in a military setting. EVERYONE on the block was your parent. That also entitled them to physically discipline you if they felt that whatever mischief I was getting into warranted it. Discipline is almost considered a profane word in today's society. There was a time if you got out of line in a grocery store, it was nothing for your mother to spank you in the middle of the aisle and dare you to cry. Nowadays, that is a felony in most states. These are the future leaders of our world. God have mercy on us for we know not what we are doing. Proverbs 29:15. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but the child that is left to his own will, bringeth his mother to shame.
Posts: 1424 | Location: birmingham, al | Registered: April 30, 2007
[QUOTE]Originally posted by drlivingston: There was a time if you got out of line in a grocery store, it was nothing for your mother to spank you in the middle of the aisle and dare you to cry.
What about good ole' Dad's belt. Ever felt that? Not pleasant.
A'ndrea
Posts: 1785 | Location: New York | Registered: January 21, 2007
The belt. I remember. "Wait till your father gets home!" And in the early 60s it was those thin little belts that left a more defined mark than the wider belts in the late 60s and 70s.
Oops! Sorry. I went off on a tangent.
Posts: 224 | Location: Birmingham, AL | Registered: August 14, 2007
The backside is a perfectly designed, well padded area for dealing with disobedience. It recovers nicely and keeps it's shape.
Associating pain with dysfunctional behavior is not such a bad idea. It worked on me, it worked on my kids.
When they refer to shooting people or dealing drugs or running a dog fight as "a mistake" or "bad choices", that reflects the dumbing of America, (or any culture for that matter.) Those are wrong, not mistakes.
I remember one time when my sister and I knew our mom was going to spank us, we put books in our pants so she hit the books instead of us! I don't remember the consequence of that, probably blocked it out of my memory.
Posts: 378 | Location: Central Coast of California | Registered: May 17, 2007
My mother had a leather strap about a foot long that stayed in a kitchen drawer and was only pulled out when a serious point needed to be made. Often just the sight of the strap was enough to evoke the correct behavior. I am a strong believer in spare the rod spoil the child. But there is a difference between corrective discipline and beating.
