What will make our state appreciate educators?
This past week has been very difficult for teachers in WV. We have watched as our governor introduced a bill into legislation that totally infringes on our rights. There are suggestions to bring people who are not certified into the WV classrooms to teach. It totally changes the way teachers are hired. It limits snow days and requires all snow days be made up. If the students miss 20 days because of inclement weather during the year it will require educators to teach into the Summer and students to attend extra days into the Summer. Planning periods are threatened or shortened.
While all of this is going on the state superintendent is hiring people to fit high class positions which pay huge salaries. When WV educators ask for raises we are told we didn't do our jobs and don't deserve to be paid more.
We devote our lives. When I was raising my own children they would stay with me late hours after school until I could finish my job. Summers were spent working with cheerleaders for little pay or other groups. Yet, they can say we don't do our jobs. I have been teaching for over 36 years in WV. I have won awards for my work. Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I will be okay but, I feel I must leave the profession and retire. It is making me very sad to retire as I watch my colleagues fight for the very rights I stood on picket lines years ago to gain.
I don't understand the politics involved here. The state fired a wonderful superintendent, Dr. Marple and hired a man that has a reputation for working his people to death while he takes all the benefits. While this guy was superintendent in some of the counties in WV he got paid a huge salary compared to educators. He was hand picked by the governor to be our state superintendent of schools. Our Democratic leaders are acting more like Re-thugs then Democrats. It is strange. WV is supposed to have a budget surplus and none of this is trickling down to the educators. They like to blame Obama for everything wrong that happens. They have been sleeping with the enemy. WV is not a "right to work" state but, it seems to be headed in that direction unless we get help. They are not listening to the teacher's unions. Educators have been deciding what actions to take all week. The bill continues to work it's way into becoming legislation while the educators cry for help.
Why do I write all of this? In some way I am hoping some outsider will see the shady dealings going on and stop it all before it is too late. Maybe our President can call and ask what is going on? Someone out there help the educators who have devoted their lives to help others. Someone out there listen to us because our newspapers are not covering our story. The WV Chamber of Commerce is supporting the bill against the wishes of the educators. They say it will help children. There are so many untruths to their statement. We are currently 49th. on the pay scale for educators in the nation. WV teachers don't even worry about the pay scale as much as no planning periods, faculty senate meetings, seniority rights, union rights, etc. All of these things are threatened.
