You hit the nail on the head!!! Low pay, no professional respect, no back up with unruly students from school leadership, Tennessee political leadership got what they wanted a perfect time to push for profit making schools!
Yep. Came to TN over 20 years ago, and (newly retired) decided to substitute (basically help out). I found the substitute pay of about $50 a day to be insulting, but the worst thing was that the 'schools' seemed more interested in military training than they did in education. And, so, I declined the offer. Instead I tutored a student or two so they could pass their entrance exams for nursing, for free ! They passed, which was enough satisfaction, and then I went on to other projects.
Money isn't everything, but it helps. Most teachers, however, realize that they could make far more money in 'industry', but they choose to teach because they are empathic. It's a calling, and following that call is more important than money. The 'business major' idiots running not only our schools, but our government have no idea what they're talking about.
Thanks for these comments - glad you found a way to be helpful and "answer the calling." And you're right, those making the policies are not at all aware of what it takes to be an educator or run a school.
You hit the nail on the head!!! Low pay, no professional respect, no back up with unruly students from school leadership, Tennessee political leadership got what they wanted a perfect time to push for profit making schools!
https://dianeravitch.net/2022/02/12/tim-slekar-we-do-not-have-a-teacher-shortage/
Thanks for sharing this, Tim! You are exactly right, there's a massive shortage of respect for educators.
Yep. Came to TN over 20 years ago, and (newly retired) decided to substitute (basically help out). I found the substitute pay of about $50 a day to be insulting, but the worst thing was that the 'schools' seemed more interested in military training than they did in education. And, so, I declined the offer. Instead I tutored a student or two so they could pass their entrance exams for nursing, for free ! They passed, which was enough satisfaction, and then I went on to other projects.
Money isn't everything, but it helps. Most teachers, however, realize that they could make far more money in 'industry', but they choose to teach because they are empathic. It's a calling, and following that call is more important than money. The 'business major' idiots running not only our schools, but our government have no idea what they're talking about.
Thanks for these comments - glad you found a way to be helpful and "answer the calling." And you're right, those making the policies are not at all aware of what it takes to be an educator or run a school.