Any teachers here?

[Lindaloo]

I was just curious as to how many school teachers or principals we have here at storm2k.

[wx247]

I am working on becoming a teacher. I do substitute once in a blue moon. It looks like 2005 for me to become officially certified.

[JetMaxx]

My good friend and fellow Storm2K member TimnMS is a schoolteacher in southern Mississippi.

[Lindaloo]

Thanks guys. GOOD FOR YOU Garrett!! Why I asked is this... I read an article this morning about how teachers need pay raises or are underpaid, but yet Congress is getting pay raises all the time. It angered me.

Teachers, policemen and firefighters do not get the pay they deserve IMO. It seems as though Presidents elected to office would push that issue more. If not for teachers, they would not excell to become Presidents or Congressmen.

I forgot about timnMS Perry!! Being a citizen of MS I KNOW he is underpaid.

[Guest]

I totally agree with you. Teachers are such great people, they give of themselves so much. Their work never stops. My best friend's mom is a teacher and she brings work home everyday. She is constantly helping kids do a number of different things, related to school or not. It's so unfortunate how underappreciated teachers are. Even more unfortunate is the pay teacher's receive. Teachers are just as valuable (if not more) than doctors but their income doesn't even come close. I am a college student and all I have met is one awesome teacher after another. They are such great people and role models. I look up to my teachers more than they know. It's their guidance and wisdom that helps me succeed each and every day. Teachers are incredible people and most of them will do anything possible to help you succeed. It takes an extraordinary person to be a teacher. For all you teachers out there, thank you so very much for all you do.

[wx247]

Yes, I agree. I also feel that teachers (at least in MO) have too much paperwork to complete in order to be one. For example, I can only take basic education classes until I write an autobiography (around 3 pages), have an advisor write a letter of reccomendation, have my oral communications teacher fill out a form concerning my speaking competancy, and have another professor write a letter of recommendation highlighting my strengths and weaknesses. This is just to be considered to be inducted into the teacher ed. program. This only allows you take mid-level classes.

Other things that have to be completed in order to be a teacher include a huge scrapbook detailing all of your education classes through college, three major exams, and an exit compisition paper. This isn't all -- just some of the highlights or lowlights depending on the way you look at it.

Now, if you can do all that (which not many do) then you can go into the workforce and make nearly nothing, especially if you have others to support. However, the sense and feeling of accomplishment and pride of helping students is what drives me. I just think that is a lot to go through to be at the bottom of the pay scale for people with such rigorous standards and a 4 year degree.

[azskyman]

I taught ten years in Illinois...1969 to 1979 including for about 5 months while serving in Vietnam. I took 18 months off for the draft, but used that time to also help some kids, teachers, and even the principal at Thai Thong Elementary School in Nha Trang, South Vietnam.

Wish I knew then what I know now...I might have stayed in teaching for a lifelong career.

[ColdFront77]

One of my brother's is trying to become a history teacher in Massachusetts and is having a difficult time passing the test to become certified. He keeps getting very close, but not close enough.

There is a possibility that he may move "down here" to Florida to work. It is basically up in the air, as things stand now.

If he indeed moves to Florida, two out of my four siblings would live in the Sunshine State.

[streetsoldier]

Does "ex-teacher" count?

[CZonian]

Does married to a teacher count? If you can't be one of the great teachers at least you can marry one.

[Lindaloo]

Does "ex-teacher" count?

Yes Bill!! You are also a retired police officer. So that is two for you.