Go teachers, as a bridgewater resident, we're behind you 100%. What the BOE is doing is simply unfair. Keep your heads up.

This goes to show you how badly Christie has beaten up the unions (and public perception of teachers) in his tenure. This would not have happened a few years ago...would have been unheard of. The problem is that none of it has led to tax cuts (or even tax stabilization) as promised. And yes...all of us in the private sector pay into health insurance and understand it costs money. But isn't the district wasting money on the lawyer they hired? Seems like Cindy needs to make sure she's cutting all loses and not just specific ones. Teachers in one of the best districts in NJ (and the country) should not be treated like this.

For those teachers who spoke on the behalf of myself and other teachers, thank you. Your words were moving and they were heard by all. The teachers tonight were strong, poised, and passionate. I hope that the board decides to start respecting teachers, do what is right and talk person to person with the teachers and settle this contract. One board member mentioned that the residents do NOT want our taxes to go up in order to pay teachers. As a teacher AND a resident, they will not. The 2.85 percent that the teachers are asking for does NOT come out of the taxpayers dollars. This 2.85 percent is the minimum to move the teachers on the scale without increasing the amount of any step. Meanwhile the board gave the Superintendent and some administrators a raise of 2.00-3.75 percent yearly for a guaranteed four years. This is unfair. The money is already there in the budget. Give the teachers what they deserve and settle respectfully.

It took me moving away from Bridgewater to another town in NJ to appreciate what we received for our tax money. It took me working in twenty-five schools in Plainfield, Elizabeth, and Linden to appreciate what we took for granted in the B-R school system. It took me a few minutes to read the reports of what the BOE is doing in B-R to realize that the harmony and teamwork many of us worked for decades to cultivate has eroded drastically. Sad. So sad.

Yes Ken, we're nearing the tipping point here in BR. This BOE, this Governor are going to break what was once a very good school system. Unfortunately, we'll be able to look back and say, you had it, you broke it. It will be left up to others down the road to fix it, sad to watch it happen.

n the real world, you are just told in November, "Your plans are changing. It will cost you more and you will get less" and in January you get a new cards. There's no mid-April warning that the cards are changing but you will have the same level of coverage - that was a good one.

In the real world, employees don't stand up and complain about 9-13 hour days, but then have the ability to cut those days hour days down to 7 hour days because they got a side job! That was a great quote too. I love The Patch!

in the real world you openly complain about the pending 2.3, 2.8% or 3.0+ guaranteed raise you are going to get. No, If you were the best employee in your division - say all of Van Holten School - you would be looking for a 3% raise because what you did was extraordinary and better than every other teacher in that building.
All the average teachers would get a 1.8%. The bottom 20% performers would get a 0% raise. They'd probably know it was coming because they had a mid-year written an oral review that said you are headed for 0%. (ps this is probably the type of employee that works 7 hour days). Probably the bottom 5% performers would just be laid off. Imagine if this "division" or Van Holten School could just eliminate a teacher that was performing poorly and be allowed to openly interview, attract and retain a potentially great teacher.

Gosh, can't you just negotiate in private? That how they do it in the real world.

I agree we have phenomenal teachers in Bridgewater, and I thank you for all of the great work. The frustration you hear from private sector workers is not aimed at you, but rather your support of an antiquated and unaffordable system of tenure and pensions. If you were able to break free from that albatross, you'd find a general population willing to whatever it takes to give their kids the best advantage possible, and willing to pay significantly more for the best teachers.

To Fred - the Board of Ed had a $10.6 million surplus this year. Guess how much they returned to the taxpayers - $600,000. Did you bother to ask what they did with the other $10 million. It sure didn't go to teachers. Though the superintendent got 3.75% a year for four years. And he makes over $200K. The reality is teacher will be taking home less and less money every year for the foreseeable future, EVEN IF they get raises. Projected raises for next year would be $1.4 million in a $128 million budget. Teachers will be giving $5 million back to the board for health care. Doesn't take a genius to figure out the teachers are the big losers. And where will that money go? The BOE conveniently took away your right to vote on the budget by moving elections to November, so who knows? It's time for people to realize we are no longer a Blue Ribbon District - we have not been since 1999. And with the current board's ant-teacher stance, it will take many years before we even approach any such success as a district. The ones I feel most sorry for are the kids, mine included.

The problem with the "real world" I keep hearing about is that the VAST majority of teachers have never experienced it first hand. I'm sick and tired of teachers crying a river. As an ex-Science teacher and Bridgewater life-long resident, the teachers really don't know how well off they are. Spend a few weeks teaching in Irvington, Elizabeth, Paterson and then come and complain to me with a straight face. As for the long days, you work 180 +/-. Hours vary, and don;t tell me you work 9-13 hours daily. I had more than my share of short days, a pile of sick-days, in-service days. My average day was 8-9. In private industry ( Medical devices) I am on call 24-7. I have not a completed family vacation in 9 years. I am routinely up until 2AM doing paperwork, then in an OR suite at 7. The quality of my weekends depends solely on whether one of the assigned MD's is called in to do a trauma surgery or not. I make about 1/2 of what I made 6 years ago, and I work more for it. My pay depends on what the insurance companies feel liekpaying. I have NO say. You at least have a voice and a Union. You want 2.8% this year adn raises for 2 more years consecutively? Get real. The REAL WORLD is giving concessions that make yours pale by comparison.

PART II.
Major companies here in Somerset cty. are outsourcing hundreds of positions. This si the price we pay for soaring benefits and pay due toa soaring economy. Time for a reality check. I see your medical plans in detail. I have treated a few of you. I wish mine were as good. As for the taxes...don't Christie bash. Like him or not, our State tax system was bankrupt, and a teacher should be able to understand the concept. You can not spend what you do not have unless you borrow and pay even more tomorrow. He has addressed major problems and told us the truth. What a concept. The truth. As for the property tax...I do know this: My taxes have decreased 3 straight years with no appeal. Stopping the upward curve pays even bigger dividends down the road when I sell or when rates do rise, it will be on a smaller valuation.

PART III
Thank you BOE and Somerset Cty and Gov. Christie for making some hard choices. I was here and affected by the big strike of the late 70's. Please don't embarrass yourselves lke that again. It was hard looking at all of you with a straight face the day after you picketed in the parking lots like clowns. Professionals do not picket. Time to put on your big boy and big girl pants and suck it up like the rest of us have for the last 4 or 5 years. Here's a real world fact: If we don't like our jobs anymore, or become unhappy with the pay, then our option is this: LEAVE. I suggest those of you truly unhappy with your present deal to do so. Please. You are SO replaceable. There are thousands of good teachers who would gladly take a pay CUT to work here in Bridgewater and be able to skip the metal detectors every morning. We can start with my Daughter's HS Science "Teacher" who spent 3 days in class teaching his pet theory that the Moon Landings were a Gov't fraud, that 9-11 was a hoax. Yep, this is opne of our "Professionals"...let's start there. Time to go.

Glenn,
In all fairness, can you disclose your actual salary? It's easy to afford big boy pants when you're in the six figures.

glenn, what was income over the last 4 years? What was the gross and what was the net? Let's see if we can compare apples to apples.
Name the science teacher! If my sons science teacher did what you say, I'd be meeting with his supervisor post-haste, have you?

glenn, I've explained this many times to people, but they don't seem to understand it. I'll say it yet again. NJ schools spend plenty per pupil. Where that money comes from and how it is dispersed is the problem. NJ is 48th in state support of schools. While elite wealthy districts in other States might get, say 30% funding from their state, the same district in NJ might get 0-10%. While NJ's cities get 80%...this is a fairly common practice nationwide for low income citiies. Your property taxes are high because your system requires schools to be funded directly at the local level, mostly from you. If it were funded by the state, the states varied revenue sources would come into play and less burden would be on you. Want lower property taxes? Start demanding that NJ becomes 25th in the nation for state support of public schools rather than 48th. Until then, don't complain about your property taxes while your schools receive 0-15% funding. Look up your district on the state report card and see how much your school dist. gets. Hint, it's below 12%

I am truly amazed by the negative attitudes and comments that have been launched at the educators here in Bridgewater. First and foremost, these are the people that educate our children, recognize their potential, open their minds, make them feel good about themselves and lead them to knowledge and understanding so they realize that they can become whatever they want later in life. Doesn’t that mean anything to anyone anymore! They don’t do this for recognition or money like the corporate world. They do it because they love the children and they love to teach. If they all did it for the money there would be a lot less teachers in the world. My father was a teacher for 45 years and he still runs into former students from 30 or 40 years ago that recognizes him and say hello to him. Who of those here in the corporate world that is bashing the teachers wants to talk to or even remembers their boss of 10 or 20 years ago? Wake up!!! These are the people that mold our children’s minds and make a lifelong impression on them.

Teachers are not asking for corporate-like compensation. They are asking for fair compensation. Yes, healthcare costs are rising everywhere and nobody is immune to that but it is unfair to compare them to corporate. I am in corporate and I can tell you that teachers are not paid on a corporate scale, it can and is significantly less. I have employees that earn 2-3 times what a teacher makes. So when benefits costs go up it’s a lot easier for the $100-150k employee to absorb it than it is for the $50-60K employee. Especially when the cost increase is levied on a frozen salary. Swallowing that pill becomes even more difficult when the administrators, superintendents, etc. who are earning six figure salaries are awarded increases when the teachers are told no. If anyone wants to continue using the corporate comparison then consider this – my salary has been frozen many times and when the pool of money is very shallow it is given to the LOWER paid employees. We do not pay the higher salaried employees. It went to the workforce not the managers. Why is that not the case in the BOE?

Do not misinterpret what I am saying here. The system is not perfect. It definitely has issues and is in need of repair. There must be a system of meritocracy implemented that clearly identifies performers and slackers in every area and role, not just the teachers. It should provide a mechanism for feedback on everyone. It must provide a process to weed out those teachers/supervisors/administrators that do the bare minimum and hide behind tenure. But this is a two-way street. The administrators, superintendents, etc. have to own up to their responsibility and do their job. They need to get out of their office and into the classroom, monitor the teachers and have the tough conversations when needed. In corporate I have to tell people when they are underperforming so either they can improve or I can replace them. Until that is done though, the entire teacher population in the schools right now cannot be blamed or sacrificed because of a broken system, years of unaddressed neglect and the arrogance and self-important attitude of some at the top.

There are three professions in my opinion that need to be appreciated, respected and valued above all others – police officer, firefighter and teachers. Police officers, firefighters and teachers are willing to do what very few others can or will. Who here wants to spend 7 hours a day with 20+ children, some with learning difficulties, and countless hours outside of school just to be able to see the child’s face when the new lesson makes sense to them or when they realize they can do something new? Who else wants to be an educator, a guidance counselor and a therapist all in one for these 20+ children five days a week? Think about that for a bit then tell me that 2.8% or $1500-1700 is too much to give a teacher to do things you don’t want to do.

Fred H - find anyone that wants to work for 45 years before they can afford to retire (if they ever can retire). Find anyone that wants to work 60+ hrs a week almost every week (only 10-20 hrs per week on vacation weeks). Find anyone willing to sign up for doing a great job, but still being fired. Find anyone that wants to spend hrs and hrs a week, every week, on conference calls, get hundreds of urgent emails, gets regularly yelled at by disgruntled customers....trying to say that one job is harder than the next is useless and wrong. The biggest issue is that until teachers move away from their union, they will be treated as a collective group. We do need to fix the system, and it should start with breaking the union. It is an antiquated organization that is holding teachers back. As long as teachers have the Union represent them, they will have to deal with the frustrations of the general population with 1) tenure and 2) on the ever increasing debt burden tied to pensions/benefits

Fix what? What was/is broken in BR? The similar district comparisons stand up well.

Fred H - I'm not discounting any job - just first getting to a level playing field. If breaking up the union conjures up images of Jimmy Hoffa for you, so be it.....no different than "20+ children are showing up everyday" tries to create an image that a teacher's job is harder. I'm simply stating that teachers need to appreciate that as long as they have the union represent them, they need to deal with the way the unions are perceived amongst many in the population.

Thanks to everyone who has commented so far, and please continue the discussion. But after you read this story, head over here: http://patch.com/A-sJds — take our poll and tell us if your opinion on the negotiations has changed after Tuesday's meeting.

Thanks for the 30-odd comments! I was asked to answer a few questions:
I left Teaching after a few years because I got sick and tired of spoiled rotten kids and their spoiled rotten parents. Kids who demanded specific grades, parents with their veiled threats if little Johnny didn't get his A in Advance Bio. It happened. And being new an non-tenured, I was tired of an administration that had 1 response..give the kid the A and move along. The poitics were unbelievable and unacceptable.

MeToo: I don't disagree at all. The entire educational system is broken. It rewards mediocrity and status-quo. Abbott didn;t make it any better as wealthier districs must funnel massive funds to urban districts where, for many reasons, performance will never be up to par with suburban districs, adn it's time we realize that mioney is NOT the fix. Motivation, expectation and a family support system all account for making a good student. In my World, anything less than a Masters Degree is not to standard. You think the families in Newark share that? Schools must be State funded and the propery tax quatioon rewritten. It is a regressive and broken system.

Concerned Citizen: Stop crying. If I could pay 6.5% of salary and draw a retirement, I would get on my knees and cry with happiness. My retirement melted 4 yrs ago.

Part II

To who asked about my current salary: It is now under 100K by a substantial margin. At least now I will not have to pay Alternative Minimum Tax for 2012. At my peak, I was topping 200K plus benefits, car and expenses. When the insurance companies started slashing reimbursements, first the car went, then the expenses, the medical was changed to some horrible plan based in WA and I couldn't find an in-net provider. Then the loyoffs started, then the base got cut twice, then commissions cut. I work my ASS off for what I make, but at least it's a job. At my age, changing is a non-issue as I was a late-comer and it's a young-persons biz.

FredH: I am NOT bashing teachers. BUT, they knew going in that they would never be huge earners, and they took it anyhow. I AM bashing thier ineffective, bloated Union that cares nothing for the members, but spits out a great rhetoric. And yes, I also agree, when the money pool dries up, those on top must look out for those in the shallow end. However, do you think the Union cares? How many hundred K did Barb Kesheshian make? Her cronies? Why do we need multiple administrators in each school? I went to EAST. We had a Principle and a VP> Now we have hoardes of 100k minions. We can get rid of 2/3 of the upper-admin IMHO. I also agree that we must pay for performance. It is impossible under current rules. There needs to be a clear and fair methodology that takes many factors into account. I can honestly say, through my K-12 years in Bridgewater schools, 30% of the teachers should have retired. They were used up, burnt out and it showed. Lasty, Fred: Under my current situation: I am called out of my home 2x/wk for approx 4-5 hrs per call. My product is used by many MD', and if some idiot wraps his car around a telephone pole at 2AM, I get a call. If I am on vacation,. I have coverage. But relying on that is often futile as the 'coverage' is out of position. So because I actually give a damn about the patient, I get in my car and go get the job done.

Glenn - I'm sorry to hear that you did not like teaching but am glad you pointed out a few of the major issues. If anyone understands what a teacher goes through, it's you. Certainly you saw that the teachers were not the cause of the problem and don't have it easy (the issues stem from administrators and district leaders). But am I to understand that the medical industry has no (or fewer) politics than the education profession? Especially in sales, I've always heard that drug companies (not saying that's what you do) give kick-backs to doctors that prescribe their brand of medication. And, of course, those who can't pay don't receive. I always believed teachers did not have to deal with politics. Thanks for the insight!

Fred H - you should check your facts before you quote them - the state rankings you quoted were blogged during the Wisconsin labor negotiations and were proved to be old and wrong. By taking my comments, and trying to imply something much more (painting images of Jimmy Hoffa, pitchforks, bashing teachers) is inaccurate and wrong. Your view that private sector people have periods of down time while teachers don't does not take into account that teachers only work with the kids 180+ days a year...I know they work more than those 180 days, but they CLEARLY have down time. This is a worthwhile debate to have, but not with someone who doesn't accurately represent facts or respect differences of opinions.

Then there is no point continuing the discussion with you. This entire thread is filled with differences of opinion. I've disagreed but made no disrespectful comments. I was not the one who used the "break the union" comment nor am I the only one who disagreed with it. I will agree to disagree with you and part ways in this discussion

glenn states: "At my peak, I was topping 200K plus benefits, car and expenses."
I rest my case.

Metoo: Yeah, that fat number was at my PEAK, and it was short lived. it was a long road there and a short road off the cliff. It allowed me a couple nice cars, a paid-off mortgage, but no way I'll be retiring anytime soon, if ever. As they say, walk a day iin MY shoes. I work a ton of hours. My income is falling off a cliff due to managed care cutbacks. I have 2 kids in College and because I had a coupld good years, I am so "rich" that we get ZERO aid of any kind, despite the AP-class kids and their 3.9's. NO aid of ANY kind. We pay absolute highest tuition..and in cash. Wanna see how fast a couple good years earnings can evaporate? At this point in my life, I have to either accept the fact I'll never make more than 75k again, or start my own company and specialize in a few areas where I can still make a living, That startup investment will blow through 100K in no time. With reward comes risk.

JasonS: The politcs of education are vast and deep-rooted. Change is snails pace becauese everyone protects thjeir own little turf. Case inpoint: why do we have schoolboards with 6-figure Superintendents that have NO SCHOOLS? There are several in NJ. They are 100% send districts. Paying all that overhead adn not a school building in the district. Why should a Super make more than the Governor? Who has the tougher job? I can go on and on. As for the Medical Industry, yeah, those kickbacks and things do go on, and of course the press jumps all over it. It is a highly comptetitive industry. But the reality is that those events are fairly rare and the reach is not great. MD's are under severe pressures, adn more than a few are counting the days unitll they pack it in. There are mountains of regulations to navigate. These deals are going away fast because payment and cash flow is very transparent now.What the press does NOT talk about is the freebies we pass along by the hundreds of Millions a year. Just today I gave away 2 pieces of equipment to needy people who got raked over by their insurers. Those 2 items cost me almost $400..direct out of my pcket, no manufacturer contribution. But bottomline,. it's the right thing to do.

I got out of teaching not so much because it was wrong for me, but I quickly saw that it was not what I expected it to be. I wanted to be judged on my ability and results...not by some burned-out hack counting the days to early retirement. It was such that if you talked to person A, then person B would snub you and then C and D would gang up on B. Really? I thought we left the High Schooll cliques behind us! Every day it went on.. Then dealing with the snob parents who have NO idea that their little darling is as dumb as a box of rocks, and that a 1/2 page paper of single-syllable words is NOT garnering an "A" grade. I got tired of defending good standards. But realizing that it was all about tenure..and doing whatever it took, because THAT was the prize. It was a learning experience for sure. Sad thing is that the District called me up for YEARS asking me to come back because I had Science Degrees. I wasn't being offered $50K ...they were doing a lot better. But it wasn't worth it. I respect teachers and what they do. I know I can't do it. But untill their Union is reorganized and actually concerned about kids and not themselves, the teachers will be thrown into the same pot. Entry level jobs in my biz are now paying as low as $30K base and commission. Health care contributions range from 30-50%. matching 401K's pay about 1/4 what they did 5 yrs ago. Company cars are a nice perk, but they now bill for personal use. Even the gravy jobs just are not what they used to be.

glenn, thanks for your candor. But, you did get to pay off a mortgage probably quicker than you would have otherwise. My teacher friend just told me, he'd like a year or two of 200k income; he also said he would swap his pension plan for a matching 401K tomorrow.

As for college, most people are dealing with that financial headache. Sounds like you chose expensive colleges, wouldn't a State school have sufficed?

With all the outsourcing, downsizing and mostly non-union work in the private sector, what do you suppose is driving costs up?

Glenn, my apologies for my snide "new BMW 5 series" comment. It was really not necessary. I am also sorry that you have suffered such dramatic reductions in your pay over the last few years. The reality is, we're all suffering in this economy. Perhaps this is part of the new normal? For so many years our economy was steam rolling ahead, it may be that level of growth is simply not sustainable long term. The funny thing about our current situation is that we have all become so very greedy, not any one group, but nobody is willing to blink first to "take one for the team". I am a fan of our capital system of government, but it really does place more emphasis on money than what is "right" sometimes....actually most times. To allow health insurance companies to go for profit, in the name of stock holders, CEOs, and I'm sure politicians that have their hand in the til, is shameful.

The only additional thing I'd like to add to this conversation is that people always talk about how well paid teachers are, and how "rich" our benefits are, yet, when asked if they would rather switch jobs with me they always balk. The only reason I can imagine this occurs is because deep down they know that teachers aren't overpaid, and that their "rich" benefits are part of their remuneration.

I think

I think that you all need to look long and hard at the issues at hand from the layman's perspective. Teachers, you chose this as your career. Teaching has never offered a financial windfall but it offered job security, good benefits and if you want it, summers off or an additional opportunity for increased income. Now, there may be an increased price for this but, your industry is no different than any other. I don't believe in unions and clearly, it's doing nothing for you but at the same time, it exists and is part of your culture so you have to take it with a grain of salt. I believe that teachers and administration need to take a long and hard look at things. If the teachers can't get a raise, administrator's should not either. Your benefits are better than the private sector hands down, even at 10% cost base. I haven't seen a raise in years and bonus...yeah...they were the first thing to get cut during the economic downturn and amazingly not restored 4 years later. I am sorry that some of you are not doing as well as others financially and may need to work second jobs but, its common in the private sector too, not everyone is making $100+K with a 50% bonus. If teaching is your love, your passion, just do your job and do it well for the kids and make your argument the fact that the administrators are taking annual raises when there is no money for anyone or anything else. If you hate teaching and think the grass is greaner, you probably have a masters, good luck.

Glenn,

Were you actually a teacher? Or a sub? Think hard before you answer.

Tell me about that 70k job your wife has. Sound pretty good compared to the 52k I earn teaching. Does she need a degree to do her job?

Clearly, this BOE does not respect the current system or teachers in general. Refusing to negotiate fairly is wasting the taxpayers’ money and creating a district of low morale. Please urge the BOE to reach an agreement before this battle begins to adversely affect the quality of teaching in Bridgewater.

Institutional memory is going bye bye...

Yes, we did go into this job well informed you're right, and when I chose to go into teaching I had a pension worth more than it is now, and benefits were part of the pay plan. I would NOT have gone into teaching for the low pay without those other benes to compensate for said pay. I have a degree in science and am a science teacher, I could have gone into something that paid much more, so the fact that the state didn't pay their share and my pension and benes are more costly and less supple, is a crime beyond forgiving. Bastard politicians STOLE MY money to buy votes, plain and simple. They should all go to jail.

As for paying me based on my students performance, bottom line, schools are not businesses, if my students decide to come to "work" I'll prepared to do their job, I can't fire them like an employee in business. If I could fire the ones that are I'll prepared, then I'll take my chances at being judged by their performance. Those that think otherwise are just ignorant.

There is so much more to the school budget than staff salaries and benefits. If you are really concerned about where your tax dollars are going, you should attend more board of education meetings and find out. What happens with the BREA contract neogtiations should be the least of your concerns.

It really isn't about what you make vs. what "they" make. If you really feel the need to compare, find a teacher with the same education and years of experience as you. Then make the comparison. You will be surprised.

These are the people to whom you entrust your children for over 7 hours every day. They shoulder the bulk of the responsibility for shaping who your children become over the course of 13 years. Do we really want to tell these people "you are not worth it, we'd rather have someone cheaper"? Or maybe "I didn't get a raise last year in my job, so you shouldn't either"?

I, for one, would not want to step into their shoes for even a minute. I know what my two sons are like on a rainy weekend. I would definitely not want 24 of them in one room with me for 7 hours every day!!!

I implore the Board of Education to stop playing around and lose the attitude. Figure out a way to make it work and get this settled. It's been going on for way too long and I'm ashamed of you. And I will remember, come election time.

I The Hardest Job Everyone Thinks They Can Do

By Dennis Hong, September 13, 2010 6:30 am

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Image by doug88888 via Flickr

This piece was inspired by a heated discussion I had with a man who believes that teachers have an easy job. Please feel free to share it with others if you agree with the message.

I used to be a molecular biologist. I spent my days culturing viruses. Sometimes, my experiments would fail miserably, and I’d swear to myself in frustration. Acquaintances would ask how my work was going. I’d explain how I was having a difficult time cloning this one gene. I couldn’t seem to figure out the exact recipe to use for my cloning cocktail.

Acquaintances would sigh sympathetically. And they’d say, “I know you’ll figure it out. I have faith in you.”

And then, they’d tilt their heads in a show of respect for my skills….

Today, I’m a high school teacher. I spend my days culturing teenagers. Sometimes, my students get disruptive, and I swear to myself in frustration. Acquaintances ask me how my work is going. I explain how I’m having a difficult time with a certain kid. I can’t seem to get him to pay attention in class.

Acquaintances smirk knowingly. And they say, “well, have you tried making it fun for the kids? That’s how you get through to them, you know?”

And then, they explain to me how I should do my job….

I realize now how little respect teachers get. Teaching is the toughest job everyone who’s never done it thinks they can do. I admit, I was guilty of these delusions myself. When I decided to make the switch from “doing” science to “teaching” science, I found out that I had to go back to school to get a teaching credential.

“What the f—?!?,” I screamed to any friends willing to put up with my griping. “I have a Ph.D.! Why do I need to go back to get a lousy teaching credential?!?”

I was baffled. How could I, with my advanced degree in biology, not be qualified to teach biology?!

Well, those school administrators were a stubborn bunch. I simply couldn’t get a job without a credential. And so, I begrudgingly enrolled in a secondary teaching credential program.

Continued from "Hardest Job..."
And boy, were my eyes opened. I understand now.

Teaching isn’t just “making it fun” for the kids. Teaching isn’t just academic content.

Part 3 of "Hardest Job..."

Teaching is understanding how the human brain processes information and preparing lessons with this understanding in mind.

Teaching is simultaneously instilling in a child the belief that she can accomplish anything she wants while admonishing her for producing shoddy work.

Teaching is understanding both the psychology and the physiology behind the changes the adolescent mind goes through.

Teaching is convincing a defiant teenager that the work he sees no value in does serve a greater purpose in preparing him for the rest of his life.

Teaching is offering a sympathetic ear while maintaining a stern voice.

Teaching is being both a role model and a mentor to someone who may have neither at home, and may not be looking for either.

Teaching is not easy. Teaching is not intuitive. Teaching is not something that anyone can figure out on their own. Education researchers spend lifetimes developing effective new teaching methods. Teaching takes hard work and constant training. I understand now.

Have you ever watched professional athletes and gawked at how easy they make it look? Kobe Bryant weaves through five opposing players, sinking the ball into the basket without even glancing in its direction. Brett Favre spirals a football 100 feet through the air, landing it in the arms of a teammate running at full speed. Does anyone have any delusions that they can do what Kobe and Brett do?

Part 4
Yet, people have delusions that anyone can do what the typical teacher does on a typical day.

Maybe the problem is tangibility. Shooting a basketball isn’t easy, but it’s easy to measure how good someone is at shooting a basketball. Throwing a football isn’t easy, but it’s easy to measure how good someone is at throwing a football. Similarly, diagnosing illnesses isn’t easy to do, but it’s easy to measure. Winning court cases isn’t easy to do, but it’s easy to measure. Creating and designing technology isn’t easy to do, but it’s easy to measure.

Inspiring kids? Inspiring kids can be downright damned near close to impossible sometimes. And… it’s downright damned near close to impossible to measure. You can’t measure inspiration by a child’s test scores. You can’t measure inspiration by a child’s grades. You measure inspiration 25 years later when that hot-shot doctor, or lawyer, or entrepreneur thanks her fourth-grade teacher for having faith in her and encouraging her to pursue her dreams.

Maybe that’s why teachers get so little respect. It’s hard to respect a skill that is so hard to quantify.

So, maybe you just have to take our word for it. The next time you walk into a classroom, and you see the teacher calmly presiding over a room full of kids, all actively engaged in the lesson, realize that it’s not because the job is easy. It’s because we make it look easy. And because we work our asses off to make it look easy.