I don't think we be silent about problems at work just because others have it worse, but I do think we need to be mindful of just how bad this economy is and that we're public employees. It makes us look ignorant when we post about raises and insurance premiums like without aknowledging that everyone in the country is dealing with the same stuff. IPS has plenty of real b.s. without blaming the recession on them.
I agree. We need to keep talking up loud and clear about the abuses and ineptness of the Eugene White reign of terror. We do have a job [although we are abused and treated badly by the administrative team] while the unemployment rate is 10.2%. Our medical insurance is not very good and costs us more each year but 45 million Americans have none and many more Americans pay all of their medical insurance costs. We need to remember that most of us will be here long after IPS rids itself of this teacher bashing superintendent.
I see what all (so far) are talking about. I though would remind folks that things were going bad for us teachers while the economy was running high. The union/district cannot seem to bring in other insurance bidders. So we are not getting the lowest bid and best out there. We are just getting what they have.
When I started there were four insurance companies and one could compare and have real choice. Now we barely have two and almost no difference in the coverage. This is a problem that needs to be addressed.
I agree that things in the economy are bad. I though would challenge those who say keep quite. As this began long before the economy and job market tanked.
The union/IPS needs to address our needs and interest. We are the front line folks.
Cost causes many teachers to get second and third jobs. Classroom performance will/can be effected from those doing this. A tired teacher is not benificial to our students.
I remember the days of choice. This lack of choice is not limited to IPS or school systems. The insurance companies are cherry picking and avoid bidding for coverage when other companies do. Many private employers also have the same problem. When people refer to the healthcare crisis in this country, this is one of the problems that exists.
Teachers in this state have been treated like crap - good economy or bad economy - for decades. Many years ago, I heard of a local school administrator (not in IPS) quoted as saying: "These people who are teachers 20-25 years are just plain losers. If they had any real initiative, they would get their administrative licenses and try to improve themselves." And NO, I am not making that quote up. Do you think that might be the attitude among some IPS administrators?
Yes, some people are losing their jobs in Indiana. But 90 percent of people who want to work in Indiana still have jobs. So that means a teacher should feel extremely fortunate to have a job (in one of the hardest school districts in the nation to work in as a teacher) when only ONE out of 10 people who want to work do not have jobs? And, by the way, most of them have much better health insurance than IPS teachers - ask around and you'll see, because I have.
Kids coming out of IU and Purdue in other professional fields are making as much or more in their first year of working than IPS (and other) teachers who have master's degrees from prominent universities and 25 years of teaching experience.
I think a lot of teachers in IPS and Indiana become used to being treated like crap, so they develop a victim mentality. "Oh, I guess I should feel so fortunate that I get paid terribly and have lousy benefits and get told constantly by my bosses that I am doing such a lousy job."
When you get stuck with a pin, you yell "ouch!"
It's time for more IPS teachers - and their union - to be yelling "ouch" over the plight of teachers. In fact, it's time for teachers across this state to be yelling "ouch!"
I am not a teacher nor an administrator; but I have a loved one who is a teacher. So this is my reason for being concerned about what IPS teachers are enduring.
My advise to some of the posters here: get over the victim mentality. You deserve to be treated like the college-educated professionals you are and you deserve good health care benefits and good treatment on the job.
I feel blessed to have a job, insurance( crappy though it may be) and life insurance if I die. I can pay my bills on time, buy a little food, take in a movie for recreation. I long to take a vacation, a cruise one day. I long to afford a new car and to finally pay off my student loans. I guess for now, I am content because I love my job. I hate all the politics and b.s. that goes along with it, but I guess it goes along with every job. When I was growing up, I t hought teaching was a noble profession--I still do, it's just a shame others don't.
I don't think being thankful that I have a job precludes being unhappy with the status quo. Teachers are treated with disrespect and there are countless ways our students are shortchanged. I believe teachers and students in IPS deserve the same advantages that are given to the teachers and students in the surrounding districts. But I am thankful to have a job.
I get the impression quite a few (most,maybe?) of the teachers who post here regularly are young.
Perhaps you have not yet confronted the sobering reality of MANY veteran teachers who have become "stuck" in their jobs and do not have the option of change.
Many Central Indiana school districts now will not even consider someone for a teaching job who has more than one year of experience. Most will not consider someone who has more than 2-3 teaching years of experience.
So, this is a profession where someone can become "stuck" very easily and doesn't have an opportunity to move elsewhere because other districts do not want to pay for any years of experience.
Word to the wise, young IPS teachers. If you want to teach anywhere else besides IPS in your entire teaching career - then you better get a job in another district sooner than later. If you're in IPS more than two or three years, you may find yourselves in IPS for your entire teaching career (or for however long IPS continues to exist).
In other words, you will likely find yourself without choice for change in your teaching career. Many IPS teachers in that situation now aren't feeling so "blessed" to be in that position.
Nowadays, I read the average teacher only stays in the field for five years and then finds a real paying job in another profession with good benefits.
Unfortunately, many teachers cannot invest in new training/college/ etc. in order to escape from their circumstances.
Young teachers, you may feel optimistic now, but see how you feel about things after you've been "stuck" in IPS for 20 years or more.
While our current health insurance may not be Cadillac coverage, I don't want to lose it to any government run health insurance program. My fear is that soon we'll have no other choice because IPS will want to provide us with the least expensive option possible, which very well might be a government run health insurance policy. We need to be vigilant regarding this issue.
In a few short years, I will qualify for Medicare because of my age; however, the chances are high that Medicare recipients in the near future will see deep cuts to the program. The government pie can only be sliced so many ways.
The less the government intervenes in my personal life, the happier I am. I've yet to see any government run program that is an efficient program. IPS is an example of a government run program.
Of course, I'm very thankful to have my job. I'm keenly aware of the many unfortunate folks who are unemployed and suffering financially. However, with that said, it does not mean I'd like to forget the indignities that we, as teachers, frequently are required to endure in IPS.
Yes, We had a spy today who found one bulletin board without posted standards, and a class assistant with a tear in her jeans. (I still want that spy's job!!!!)
Yes, seemingly the only way to "advance" is to become an administrator.
But.........the glow on one kid's face when he gets a concept is worth all the crap.
Perhaps we can get hipwaders to trudge around and through the BS, earplugs to ignore the blathering from downtown, and blinders that will redirect our attention to the reason we chose this major.
To the teacher who posted that she wanted less government intervention in her life. I suggest when you reach the approprite age that you decline social security, medicare and your Teacher retirement program as these are all government run programs and you don't want government intervening in your life.
...but you can decline to accept it...just don't sign up for it.......also your paycheck is from a government entity so don't accept it.....Your teaching license is issued by the state. It is time to stop this anti government shit. You are on the government dole whether you like it or not.
"I pay into social security, medicare and retirement program because by government LAW I have to do this." ----------------- Well, then I'm sure that some day when you start receiving these benefits from the government that you will be quick to turn these checks you receive over to CHARITY.
Oh, good grief!!!!!! Isn't the board listening to us? They had a perfect chance to get rid of tyrant White! He practically volunteered. What a child like mentality to openly say play my game or I'll go someplace else. Please do and take Li Yen with you. Since White's reign of terror there are a lot of folks making big bucks spending their days justifying their position. Quantity not quality.
I don't think we be silent about problems at work just because others have it worse, but I do think we need to be mindful of just how bad this economy is and that we're public employees. It makes us look ignorant when we post about raises and insurance premiums like without aknowledging that everyone in the country is dealing with the same stuff. IPS has plenty of real b.s. without blaming the recession on them.
ReplyDeleteI agree. We need to keep talking up loud and clear about the abuses and ineptness of the Eugene White reign of terror. We do have a job [although we are abused and treated badly by the administrative team] while the unemployment rate is 10.2%. Our medical insurance is not very good and costs us more each year but 45 million Americans have none and many more Americans pay all of their medical insurance costs. We need to remember that most of us will be here long after IPS rids itself of this teacher bashing superintendent.
ReplyDeleteI see what all (so far) are talking about. I though would remind folks that things were going bad for us teachers while the economy was running high. The union/district cannot seem to bring in other insurance bidders. So we are not getting the lowest bid and best out there. We are just getting what they have.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started there were four insurance companies and one could compare and have real choice. Now we barely have two and almost no difference in the coverage. This is a problem that needs to be addressed.
I agree that things in the economy are bad. I though would challenge those who say keep quite. As this began long before the economy and job market tanked.
The union/IPS needs to address our needs and interest. We are the front line folks.
Cost causes many teachers to get second and third jobs. Classroom performance will/can be effected from those doing this. A tired teacher is not benificial to our students.
I remember the days of choice. This lack of choice is not limited to IPS or school systems. The insurance companies are cherry picking and avoid bidding for coverage when other companies do. Many private employers also have the same problem. When people refer to the healthcare crisis in this country, this is one of the problems that exists.
ReplyDeleteC'mon folks, get real!
ReplyDeleteTeachers in this state have been treated like crap - good economy or bad economy - for decades. Many years ago, I heard of a local school administrator (not in IPS) quoted as saying: "These people who are teachers 20-25 years are just plain losers. If they had any real initiative, they would get their administrative licenses and try to improve themselves." And NO, I am not making that quote up. Do you think that might be the attitude among some IPS administrators?
Yes, some people are losing their jobs in Indiana. But 90 percent of people who want to work in Indiana still have jobs. So that means a teacher should feel extremely fortunate to have a job (in one of the hardest school districts in the nation to work in as a teacher) when only ONE out of 10 people who want to work do not have jobs? And, by the way, most of them have much better health insurance than IPS teachers - ask around and you'll see, because I have.
Kids coming out of IU and Purdue in other professional fields are making as much or more in their first year of working than IPS (and other) teachers who have master's degrees from prominent universities and 25 years of teaching experience.
I think a lot of teachers in IPS and Indiana become used to being treated like crap, so they develop a victim mentality. "Oh, I guess I should feel so fortunate that I get paid terribly and have lousy benefits and get told constantly by my bosses that I am doing such a lousy job."
When you get stuck with a pin, you yell "ouch!"
It's time for more IPS teachers - and their union - to be yelling "ouch" over the plight of teachers. In fact, it's time for teachers across this state to be yelling "ouch!"
I am not a teacher nor an administrator; but I have a loved one who is a teacher. So this is my reason for being concerned about what IPS teachers are enduring.
My advise to some of the posters here: get over the victim mentality. You deserve to be treated like the college-educated professionals you are and you deserve good health care benefits and good treatment on the job.
Mitch Daniels has already warned that school funding will be cut next year.....it is going to get worse.
ReplyDeleteI feel blessed to have a job, insurance( crappy though it may be) and life insurance if I die. I can pay my bills on time, buy a little food, take in a movie for recreation. I long to take a vacation, a cruise one day. I long to afford a new car and to finally pay off my student loans. I guess for now, I am content because I love my job. I hate all the politics and b.s. that goes along with it, but I guess it goes along with every job. When I was growing up, I t hought teaching was a noble profession--I still do, it's just a shame others don't.
ReplyDeleteI don't think being thankful that I have a job precludes being unhappy with the status quo. Teachers are treated with disrespect and there are countless ways our students are shortchanged. I believe teachers and students in IPS deserve the same advantages that are given to the teachers and students in the surrounding districts. But I am thankful to have a job.
ReplyDeleteI get the impression quite a few (most,maybe?) of the teachers who post here regularly are young.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you have not yet confronted the sobering reality of MANY veteran teachers who have become "stuck" in their jobs and do not have the option of change.
Many Central Indiana school districts now will not even consider someone for a teaching job who has more than one year of experience. Most will not consider someone who has more than 2-3 teaching years of experience.
So, this is a profession where someone can become "stuck" very easily and doesn't have an opportunity to move elsewhere because other districts do not want to pay for any years of experience.
Word to the wise, young IPS teachers. If you want to teach anywhere else besides IPS in your entire teaching career - then you better get a job in another district sooner than later. If you're in IPS more than two or three years, you may find yourselves in IPS for your entire teaching career (or for however long IPS continues to exist).
In other words, you will likely find yourself without choice for change in your teaching career. Many IPS teachers in that situation now aren't feeling so "blessed" to be in that position.
Nowadays, I read the average teacher only stays in the field for five years and then finds a real paying job in another profession with good benefits.
Unfortunately, many teachers cannot invest in new training/college/ etc. in order to escape from their circumstances.
Young teachers, you may feel optimistic now, but see how you feel about things after you've been "stuck" in IPS for 20 years or more.
While our current health insurance may not be Cadillac coverage, I don't want to lose it to any government run health insurance program. My fear is that soon we'll have no other choice because IPS will want to provide us with the least expensive option possible, which very well might be a government run health insurance policy. We need to be vigilant regarding this issue.
ReplyDeleteMy parents have government run healthcare [medicare] and it is wonderful. Bring on the public option!!
ReplyDeleteIn a few short years, I will qualify for Medicare because of my age; however, the chances are high that Medicare recipients in the near future will see deep cuts to the program. The government pie can only be sliced so many ways.
ReplyDeleteThe less the government intervenes in my personal life, the happier I am. I've yet to see any government run program that is an efficient program. IPS is an example of a government run program.
Of course, I'm very thankful to have my job. I'm keenly aware of the many unfortunate folks who are unemployed and suffering financially. However, with that said, it does not mean I'd like to forget the indignities that we, as teachers, frequently are required to endure in IPS.
ReplyDeleteYes, pay is crappy.
ReplyDeleteYes, work follows us home late into the night.
Yes, we have challenges with administration.
Yes, We had a spy today who found one bulletin board without posted standards, and a class assistant with a tear in her jeans. (I still want that spy's job!!!!)
Yes, seemingly the only way to "advance" is to become an administrator.
But.........the glow on one kid's face when he gets a concept is worth all the crap.
Perhaps we can get hipwaders to trudge around and through the BS, earplugs to ignore the blathering from downtown, and blinders that will redirect our attention to the reason we chose this major.
To the teacher who posted that she wanted less government intervention in her life. I suggest when you reach the approprite age that you decline social security, medicare and your Teacher retirement program as these are all government run programs and you don't want government intervening in your life.
ReplyDeleteTo the above
ReplyDeleteI pay into social security, medicare and retirement program because by government LAW I have to do this.
...but you can decline to accept it...just don't sign up for it.......also your paycheck is from a government entity so don't accept it.....Your teaching license is issued by the state. It is time to stop this anti government shit. You are on the government dole whether you like it or not.
ReplyDelete"I pay into social security, medicare and retirement program because by government LAW I have to do this."
ReplyDelete-----------------
Well, then I'm sure that some day when you start receiving these benefits from the government that you will be quick to turn these checks you receive over to CHARITY.
Write it on your "to do" list.
Oh, good grief!!!!!! Isn't the board listening to us? They had a perfect chance to get rid of tyrant White! He practically volunteered. What a child like mentality to openly say play my game or I'll go someplace else. Please do and take Li Yen with you. Since White's reign of terror there are a lot of folks making big bucks spending their days justifying their position. Quantity not quality.
ReplyDelete