In case you hadn't heard, 88% of us voted for the new contract. The IPS Board unanimously approved it. If you voted "yes" share your reasons why? Some teachers told IPS B.S. some deal is better than no deal. Do you agree?
I'd like to know the percentage of members who voted, I'm not the least bit pleased at how the whole thing was handled. Nothing in print until after it was ratified, I never got a post card even though I've been a member over 25 years, and am at the same address. When someone I knew voted there was no one at the desk, just ballots sitting out, and a sign in. No one checked to see if he was even a member before he voted and he could have put as many ballots in the box as he wanted. This is no way to treat the members.
As I earn my 30-year pin this year, I am proud to remain an IPS Educator and IEA member.
While we could have held out for more money, our calling is to meet each individual child's needs as he or she enters our doorway tomorrow morning.
Many years ago, my daughter asked why I worked so hard for my students. I vividly remember telling her that our school might be the best place our students would experience. She will be 40 this winter, and society has drastically changed since then. I still hold that feeling.
Like you, I spent today counting books, labeling folders, and working with my teammates to create a schedule that will enable our students to gain all that we're supposed to provide.
Education isn't about the paycheck. We knew that when we declared our major.
Let's band together now to provide the excellent education all children deserve.
Oh I am so sorry to hear you say this, just today I was talking to a young teacher. Her husband was training to be a teacher, but didn't finish. Now he works in construction and makes more then she makes as a teacher with a masters degree. They can't afford a house because of their student loans.
I never thought I'd become rich teaching, but I did think I'd be able to support myself, and if I hadn't worked a second job for 20 years I'd never have made it.
I am guessing that since you had a daughter you are married, and probably had help supporting your family. Many of our young teachers aren't married and are scraping by on their own. I knew a first year teacher who had less the $100 a month after all her bills (rent, student loans, insurance, utilities) anytime I had any leftovers I fed her lunch.
Perhaps we should have negotiated a flat raise, that way every one would have gotten the same amount, your $2081.00 is a lot larger then the fourth year teachers $1,176. Just give everyone a flat $1500. raise. This type of raise would have benefited the system and the new teachers who are just scraping by.
Way back when, a pregnancy relegated female students to night school. I did marry, had another child, earned my IPS diploma at age 22, then entered IUPUI at 24.
My first two college years were spent working full time while carrying a full load. Thank God for financial aid!
Year followed the last strike, and concluded with the beginning of desegregation. I felt lucky to stay in IPS, since our pay scale was higher than any of our surrounding townships.
Due to the huge financial burdens IPS endured via deseg, we gradually fell farther behind our neighboring educators. Some of us still remember the reign of James Adams, who held us at no increase, then engineered a "stipend" that did not appear on our payscale.
When my daughter made that comment, both of my children qualified for reduced lunch, even though I had earned my Masters, and was fully employed by IPS.
My household survived on only my salary. My ex took the role of househusband. It worked for 34 years. Both of my children graduated from Manual, and each out-earn their mother.
Hopefully the taxes I now pay will help another little family "in love" to pull itself out of poverty, and will enable another IPS child to take his or her position at the head of the classroom.
Look at each student tomorrow morning, and think, "What if?????"
Last year I worked with a first year teacher who worked as a waitress for 2 or 3 nights a week. She made more in her waitressing tips than she made from IPS.......she is a good teacher but has school loans and supports herself......I hope she holds on and stays in teaching but I doubt it...
Bottom line...Our checks will be a bit larger. Now our bargaining team can work on language which will benefit working conditions for all.
It's a shame when talented people desert a passionate calling for the money. I'd rather sit in a fieldhouse and applaud my graduating students than drive past a house and say, I drove the forklift there.
By voting yes, we only support the public opinion that teacher's are not professionals deserving of the same raises that other professions receive. Everyone professional I know has been given atleast a 3% raise each year. We accepted 3% over 3 years??? How dumb are we. I think that's less than the union dues. Oh wait, why would I say we. I voted NO because I think I'm worth every penny they should have paid us.
I'd like to know the percentage of members who voted, I'm not the least bit pleased at how the whole thing was handled. Nothing in print until after it was ratified, I never got a post card even though I've been a member over 25 years, and am at the same address. When someone I knew voted there was no one at the desk, just ballots sitting out, and a sign in. No one checked to see if he was even a member before he voted and he could have put as many ballots in the box as he wanted. This is no way to treat the members.
ReplyDeleteWhy did Dr. White make the comment at the end of the Secondary Level meeting, "Thank you for ratifying the contract."?
ReplyDeleteI voted yes.
ReplyDeleteAs I earn my 30-year pin this year, I am proud to remain an IPS Educator and IEA member.
While we could have held out for more money, our calling is to meet each individual child's needs as he or she enters our doorway tomorrow morning.
Many years ago, my daughter asked why I worked so hard for my students. I vividly remember telling her that our school might be the best place our students would experience. She will be 40 this winter, and society has drastically changed since then. I still hold that feeling.
Like you, I spent today counting books, labeling folders, and working with my teammates to create a schedule that will enable our students to gain all that we're supposed to provide.
Education isn't about the paycheck. We knew that when we declared our major.
Let's band together now to provide the excellent education all children deserve.
Oh I am so sorry to hear you say this, just today I was talking to a young teacher. Her husband was training to be a teacher, but didn't finish. Now he works in construction and makes more then she makes as a teacher with a masters degree. They can't afford a house because of their student loans.
ReplyDeleteI never thought I'd become rich teaching, but I did think I'd be able to support myself, and if I hadn't worked a second job for 20 years I'd never have made it.
I am guessing that since you had a daughter you are married, and probably had help supporting your family. Many of our young teachers aren't married and are scraping by on their own. I knew a first year teacher who had less the $100 a month after all her bills (rent, student loans, insurance, utilities) anytime I had any leftovers I fed her lunch.
Perhaps we should have negotiated a flat raise, that way every one would have gotten the same amount, your $2081.00 is a lot larger then the fourth year teachers $1,176. Just give everyone a flat $1500. raise. This type of raise would have benefited the system and the new teachers who are just scraping by.
Way back when, a pregnancy relegated female students to night school. I did marry, had another child, earned my IPS diploma at age 22, then entered IUPUI at 24.
ReplyDeleteMy first two college years were spent working full time while carrying a full load. Thank God for financial aid!
Year followed the last strike, and concluded with the beginning of desegregation. I felt lucky to stay in IPS, since our pay scale was higher than any of our surrounding townships.
Due to the huge financial burdens IPS endured via deseg, we gradually fell farther behind our neighboring educators. Some of us still remember the reign of James Adams, who held us at no increase, then engineered a "stipend" that did not appear on our payscale.
When my daughter made that comment, both of my children qualified for reduced lunch, even though I had earned my Masters, and was fully employed by IPS.
My household survived on only my salary. My ex took the role of househusband. It worked for 34 years. Both of my children graduated from Manual, and each out-earn their mother.
Hopefully the taxes I now pay will help another little family "in love" to pull itself out of poverty, and will enable another IPS child to take his or her position at the head of the classroom.
Look at each student tomorrow morning, and think, "What if?????"
88 out of one hundred? 44 out of 50? How many out of how many?
ReplyDeleteLast year I worked with a first year teacher who worked as a waitress for 2 or 3 nights a week. She made more in her waitressing tips than she made from IPS.......she is a good teacher but has school loans and supports herself......I hope she holds on and stays in teaching but I doubt it...
ReplyDeleteBottom line...Our checks will be a bit larger. Now our bargaining team can work on language which will benefit working conditions for all.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame when talented people desert a passionate calling for the money. I'd rather sit in a fieldhouse and applaud my graduating students than drive past a house and say, I drove the forklift there.
Thank goodness, no more administrators, no more endless meetings. Today we get to see the kids, I can hardly wait!
ReplyDeleteAnon 6:49 PM
ReplyDeleteWell said. I agree - the financial aspect is behind us now, so we need to work on teacher working conditions.
Good luck to all today!
By voting yes, we only support the public opinion that teacher's are not professionals deserving of the same raises that other professions receive. Everyone professional I know has been given atleast a 3% raise each year. We accepted 3% over 3 years??? How dumb are we. I think that's less than the union dues. Oh wait, why would I say we. I voted NO because I think I'm worth every penny they should have paid us.
ReplyDeleteHow dumb are you 3:34am??? By agreeing to the contract we agree on no wording on working conditions.
ReplyDelete