tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post1509330354547159549..comments2022-02-28T23:09:06.522-11:00Comments on Dr. Homeslice: Seneca Valley Teachers Will Strike!Dr. Homeslicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00783745875952845318noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-26164141031271493842008-05-01T11:19:00.000-11:002008-05-01T11:19:00.000-11:00Some of the comments on this board are so ignorant...Some of the comments on this board are so ignorant. I personally know the daughter of the union leader, and he for a fact did not want the strike, but was pressured to be the leader for it as well. Also, a lot of teachers were upset with the strike and would not even allow discussions on it in class because they were so angry with their fellow teachers who did want it. The voting was very close. A huge majority did not want the strike, and the students did not want the strike (I am also one of those students), but that doesn't mean they shouldn't have the right to strike. Some of you act as though they have to be saints and do the jobs out of the goodness of their hearts... but that's the thing. It is a job, not volunteer work. If they have the opportunity to make life better for themselves, why not? It's a dog eat dog world. Nothing in life is fair. And honestly, the way I look at it, all I've lost over this strike is a month of summer vacation, which is the only reason my fellow students did not like the strike.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-19593112186995675532008-01-21T12:32:00.000-11:002008-01-21T12:32:00.000-11:003% cost of living per year and pay half of their h...3% cost of living per year and pay half of their health care package.<BR/>All they care about is money, money money. Not the kids but if ya corner a teacher and ask they say different.<BR/>But less than 2% is too cheap.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-51257589899848650042007-11-26T08:54:00.000-11:002007-11-26T08:54:00.000-11:00Dear Dr.I am on a fixed income. I was a union man ...Dear Dr.<BR/>I am on a fixed income. I was a union man my self. Asking for this kind of raise from a union or not is out of there mind. We have Police,Paramedic, and other professional don't make what you make. Gees Volunteer Fire Fighters put there live on the line every day. Wake up Doc and do your job. The last I heard your scores was not there. That means your not doing your jobs. I am so mad at your union rep. He needs to geat the sucker out of his moth and do what the sign says."I want to teach"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-18074207455040351272007-11-16T18:14:00.000-11:002007-11-16T18:14:00.000-11:00In my humble opinion, both sides are severely flaw...In my humble opinion, both sides are severely flawed. The school board has made some ridiculous moves and incoherent proposals. I can't even describe some of them without becoming tongue-tied. Something to deal with comparing salaries to one school and PSSA scores to another school and having the power to fire 1% of all teachers indiscriminately? It's just a big mess.<BR/><BR/>But the union has not done much better. They say they will accept a 4% raise, but then they propose a contract with a 4% raise, with a statement about attrition savings. Under "attrition," the money that would be saved when a teacher retires gets reinvested, but under the proposal it gets added as a raise to the other teacher's salaries. It's basically rehiring a teacher year after year, and gives the teachers an average increase of over 6%. This money should be reinvested in the education of the students. The Intermediate High School doesn't have a French 3 teacher, none of the foreign languages (except some Latin classes) don't have enough books to go around, the library books that I've had to use for research are older than me (this can be quite distressing when researching modern issues such as the sociological impact of the Internet and there's not a single book with the word in it), history books are inadequate at best (my teachers won't even use them), lack of funding to extra-curricular activities, and I can go on and on.<BR/><BR/>I know the school board sets the funding for these things, and there may be a few dollars in surplus, but there's still a new addition to the Senior High School that needs to be paid off and a new football field that needs to be paid off. Based on my knowledge, it's understandable to have a couple million dollars set aside to pay for these things.<BR/><BR/>I'm not saying the teachers don't deserve a raise. I know of some who have greatly influenced me for the better and me lessons I'll never forget, and these teachers deserve all they can get. ...But I know of others who really need a pay cut. They despise parent interaction, take out frustrations with parents on the students, won't answer students' questions, and assign busy work so they make sit at their desks. I've seen both extremes in my educational career at Seneca.<BR/><BR/>On a personal note with this whole strike, I feel kind of like a captive held for ransom by both the board and the union. They both say, "If you want to see the students back in school again, you'll abide by my demands." As a Seneca Valley student, I wish I could have a greater say in what goes on. I've sent e-mails and attended meetings, only to be dismissed as a "child." I've tried appealing through my parents, but things get lost in translation.<BR/><BR/>It's a real pity when the students, the true victims of this whole ordeal can't speak out, be heard, make a sound, or say a word.<BR/><BR/>To the person who said, "I think it's a joke that poeple want teachers to strike in summer. Are you people that stupid? Who would care? Your kids aren't in school so it wouldn't affect you." That's the whole point of striking in the summer, so we don't get hurt. I've missed early admission deadlines for college because I couldn't get access to the guidance office, which hurts my chances of acceptance by 75%, and AP tests aren't getting postponed by my understanding, so I'm a month behind in my education. Graduation date may be postponed, and it definitely will if the teacher's strike again in the spring. I was going to go on a Mission Trip in June, but that won't happen if I'm supposed to be graduating then. Students who want to get into Penn State Main can take a summer school program that practically guarantees main campus rights, and it starts June 22, but that will be missed if they graduate that week. We have been thoroughly screwed by this strike, and that comment is nothing but pure ignorance of our plight. You should be ashamed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-36450759364615246532007-11-16T15:54:00.000-11:002007-11-16T15:54:00.000-11:00If the teachers are so jealous of what NA is payin...If the teachers are so jealous of what NA is paying please by all means put your name on their waiting list and maybe sometime by the year 2019 you may get a call. The grass is always greener...This is a free country and everyone is free to choose where they would like to work. When the teachers at SV signed on to work at SV did they know what the salary was or was that a secret, were they forced to work at SV? I didn't think so, so now they don't like it well tough, then get out. This isn't the 1930's and the union has picked the WRONG community to **** with, we are sick of the strong arm of the PSEA and they thought we would just stick our heads in the sand and give them what they wanted. Well, I guess they thought wrong!! Go fight with Shaler or Hampton and leave our community alone!!!<BR/>PS I am in a UNION!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-26170083805726745852007-11-12T15:14:00.000-11:002007-11-12T15:14:00.000-11:00Hello all you teacher bashers. I love to bash peo...Hello all you teacher bashers. I love to bash people also, but unfortunaly I am not on your side. Everyone that states no companies pay for insurance is totally wrong, my insurance is paid for and I get paid well also, that's without a degree. Maybe you people should look for a new job and quit bi******. Hey everyone has a choice to be a teacher. I was going to go back to become one until I saw how the school board appreciates the teachers. I graduated from Seneca Valley and now I am embarrased to see how you parents treat the teachers as well. <BR/>It's pretty damn funny that Shaler School District was ready to sign a new contract, until Seneca Valley School Board met with Shaler School Board and showed what they were willing to give and now Shaler is going end up striking. What does that show for Seneca Valley? We are very cheap and show no respect for our teachers. <BR/>Hey I am all for the teachers leaving and bettering themselves. But just remember who's fault it is when your kid's education is poor. Seneca used to be a great place for teachers to work, but unless we the comunitty show our appreciation towards the teachers, Seneca will be known as the stepping stone for teachers. Well I guess you won't care as long as the teachers don't get a raise. <BR/>Why don't you parents ask the School Board why the state is threatening to take away the grant Seneca Valley recieves every year. I can answer it for you. It's because our district has banked well over the alloted amount of money and the taxes are so low. So what is our school board going to do about it? They have already come out and stated that they are going to raise our taxes every year. And that is not because of our teachers since they haven't even recieved a raise last year. That's our School Board for you. A BIG JOKE!!!!!!!<BR/>Instead of meeting with the Union Rep. the school board hides behind Tom King who is making a killing off of our taxes. Maybe we should be complaining on how much money the board is spending on stupid things. So then our teachers can get paid what they are worth. Giving Westinghouse a 15 year tax break, what the hell is that all about? So Cranberry gets more congested? Cranberry is already like Wexford. Rt. 228 is a total mess. Our population is still booming along with our taxes, but yet we don't pay our "TEACHERS". Come on people, it makes no sense. Haven't the teachers showed there dedication to the students by working over a year without a contract? I sure think so. <BR/>I think it's a joke that poeple want teachers to strike in summer. Are you people that stupid? Who would care? Your kids aren't in school so it wouldn't affect you. Where were you people last year when the talks were going? Sitting at home or at work because it didn't affect you. But now that it is affecting you, you all blame the teachers. Bull Sh***, blame the board for letting this get out of hand. Nobody knew what was going on until the strike happened. It's not the teachers fault for wanting a raise. I bet if you didn't get a raise you would be mad also. Hey it's not there fault they have a union and you don't. I am all for the strike, it is showing the true ignorance of our society. <BR/>I support the teachers because they do a heck of a job and you can't take that from them. And Seneca is just like NA in education and population. So give them a fricken raise and show some support.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-69725957637100036232007-11-09T11:38:00.000-11:002007-11-09T11:38:00.000-11:00Has anyone considered the impact a large private s...Has anyone considered the impact a large private school as well as an established very large private high school will have on enrollment in this district in the near future. Will there be a need for this many SV teachers over the length of the next contract? And also how easy is it to remove those teachers if they are in a union? Just wondering.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-14570975411131784762007-11-04T09:59:00.000-11:002007-11-04T09:59:00.000-11:00You have got to be kidding me. If teachers at NA ...You have got to be kidding me. If teachers at NA are making $90,000 a year, they sure as hell shouldn't be. There is no way any high school teacher should be making that much money. Most college professors, with real degrees (PhD's) don't make nearly that much. And what's this bull s*** about wanting the school to pay for their health insurance. That's absurd. You know how many people don't have to at least contribute to their health insurance...practically none. Health insurance is expensive for everyone, but that doesn't give them the right to strike because their employer wants them to contribute to THEIR insurance.<BR/><BR/>Can't wait til that new law gets passed in Harrisburg making it illegal for teachers to go on strike. It's one thing for miners or factory workers to go on strike. If they do, it only hurts the company because people can get the products from alternate sources. Teachers going on strike is like police or paramedics going on strike (which is illegal). There is no alternate source of education for most people.<BR/><BR/>I'm not saying that the school board is right in all aspects of this issue, but the teachers have got to get their act together and get back to school, or there's going to be hell to pay. <BR/><BR/>Finally, if teachers want more money, why don't they just go to NA instead of making a big catastrophy out of this school year. It's simple supply and demand, there is a greater suppy of teachers than demand, so they have no right to ask for more money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-58683574209694251762007-11-03T06:47:00.000-11:002007-11-03T06:47:00.000-11:00Most people do not have a clue as to how much time...Most people do not have a clue as to how much time a teacher spends preparing for a lesson. I worked in industry and went back to graduate school to get my certification. Working as an analytical chemist was much easier than as a teacher. Teachers spend many evenings and weekends preparing. The time off during the summer is usually spent taking courses to keep your certificate valid. As for merit pay, how do you inspire a student when the parents do not even know what subjects their child is taking or what homework is due? No one will want to teach the special ed students because or students with IEP's. How would you like your pay raises to be influenced by kids and parents in which school is not a priority. How many students have jobs? Education is not a priority for those students however payment and gas money for a car is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-69631389805946171692007-11-01T18:32:00.000-11:002007-11-01T18:32:00.000-11:00Response to:"You keep on harping on teachers in ot...Response to:<BR/><BR/>"You keep on harping on teachers in other districts make more. You are all free to leave Seneca Vally and apply elsewhere. As far as I am concerned, it's GOOD BYE and GOOD RIDDANCE. It is not the Seneca Valley tax payers fault if other districts boards don't have the backbone to stand up to union thugs.<BR/><BR/>Tax payer financed unions should not be allowed to strike. The people who negotiate the contracts with these unions do not have enough of a vested interest in keeping costs down. As a result, tax payers are burdened with more and more and more government spending."<BR/><BR/><BR/>---I addressed your first point in an earlier post, though I doubt someone with your terribly obvious intelligence bothered to actually read what anyone else has contributed to the conversation. You needn't consider anyone else's thoughts, you clearly have already considered all possible solutions and consequences.<BR/><BR/>Regarding your second point, you seem to be rather confused. The union isn't taxpayer funded. Last I checked it was teachers paying union dues out of their paychecks. Also, if you're truly concerned about the taxpayer being so burdened down by the government, then I suggest you pursue a more useful agenda than simply bashing the teachers who care for your children. Might I suggest petitioning for tax reform in the funding of public schools that places less of a direct burden on the taxpayer. Or perhaps you might demand that our federal government stop wasting so many tax dollars on insignificant pet projects and boosting the bottom lines of private contractors. It's quite amazing how many teachers, books, and facilities you could purchase for the cost of say...a certain bridge in Alaska, or one Tomahawk cruise missile, or the daily wage of a military contractor in Iraq. It is, however, much simpler just to be angry with the teachers you should revere than it is to actually think and work actively to resolve one of our nation's most serious problems.<BR/><BR/>By all means, just keep whining. You're what makes America great.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-11183701926892077882007-11-01T09:20:00.000-11:002007-11-01T09:20:00.000-11:00You keep on harping on teachers in other districts...You keep on harping on teachers in other districts make more. You are all free to leave Seneca Vally and apply elsewhere. As far as I am concerned, it's GOOD BYE and GOOD RIDDANCE. It is not the Seneca Valley tax payers fault if other districts boards don't have the backbone to stand up to union thugs.<BR/><BR/>Tax payer financed unions should not be allowed to strike. The people who negotiate the contracts with these unions do not have enough of a vested interest in keeping costs down. As a result, tax payers are burdened with more and more and more government spending.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-30559489469526419342007-11-01T01:20:00.000-11:002007-11-01T01:20:00.000-11:00I was in the education field for most of my career...I was in the education field for most of my career, as a non-educator. In fact, part of my job was negotiating AGAINST the teachers union. I spent a lot of time producing memos and news releases to show how "greedy" they seemed to be, to gain support of the voting public. Let me first say is that you have to read between the rhetoric to get at the facts. Both sides show their numbers in a way to promote their own cause. <BR/><BR/>When you read about the board offering 4%, and thinking that is above cost-of-living, you need to remember one thing often overlooked. IF a teacher comes out of college and starts at the lowest wage scale, a cost of living increase for the rest of his/her career would not ever move them off the lowest pay rate. That is, he/she will be expected to live at the same standard they start with for the rest of their life. <BR/><BR/>When those in industry talk about cost-of-living increases, it is typically beyond some built-in longevity or pay scale increases. And, one very overlooked factor, is that most professionals working in industry or some other field can get periodic promotion to another higher job. If you want to remain a teacher, and a good teacher, there is no new pay scale to aspire to. No matter how hard you work, how diligent you are, and how much experience you accrue, you're on the same pay scale as when you first start.<BR/><BR/>That being said, the board's offer is truly a cost-of-living offer of less than 2% per year. That's not to mention that the teachers have worked more than an entire year without any cost-of-living increase.<BR/><BR/>We need to value our teachers and attract the best, not put out statements that give them little credit for the future of our children.<BR/><BR/>Lastly, anyone who says "Teaching is about the kids and their education, not about the teachers" needs to re-think just how that education comes about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-10725644466909857602007-10-30T08:10:00.000-11:002007-10-30T08:10:00.000-11:00" Anonymous said... Fire them all!!! Hire from ..." Anonymous said...<BR/><BR/> Fire them all!!! Hire from the 1000 applicants SV receives each year and we should be up and running by Dec. 1 Start salaries higher, go to merit based raises and NO UNION. See what happens, you will pleasantly surprised. Teachers will actually want too be rated. Go figure...<BR/>9:32 AM"<BR/><BR/>Clearly the concept you aren't grasping is why SV hasn't already hired those "1000 applicants" for available positions. They're less qualified, less educated, and less dedicated than the teachers they have hired. Of course, if you'd prefer running through your child's teachers like water and don't mind your community's children being educated by math teachers who could barely pass calculus, English teachers who still don't know basic grammar rules, science teachers who only took basic biology in college, and history teachers that think memorizing dates is learning, then you should be just fine.<BR/><BR/> Meanwhile, all of the strong teachers will be working in the private sector, where normal economics will likely guarantee reasonable salaries and raises, without the imbecilic input from parents and school board members who really don't know the first thing about contracts or negotiations. But it's nice to pretend, isn't it?<BR/><BR/>Personally, I'll continue pushing for reform of taxes and the finances we use in PA to fund our public schools. That way we might use some of the state's plethora of wasted tax dollars to fund a true education for our children and adequately compensate their valuable teachers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-84795172875645273672007-10-30T06:06:00.000-11:002007-10-30T06:06:00.000-11:00Reguardless of these specific teachers' demands.. ...Reguardless of these specific teachers' demands.. all of the people that are here saying "Death to the Unions!" YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES!!!! Were it not for unions, workers in COUNTLESS areas would not have a say in their workplace. This is the United States of America... if you don't like the fact that EVERY SINGLE PERSON can be represented in some way.. PLEASE, pack your bags and move to Cuba! Go live under a dictatorship.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-68845195280543662392007-10-30T03:37:00.000-11:002007-10-30T03:37:00.000-11:00Question - why did the teachers and the union call...Question - why did the teachers and the union call a stike in the summer recess - when school was NOT is session to aviod the educational disruption? I have heard may arguments by teachers that they do work in the summer months (both at their teaching jobs and other supplimental jobs). Stiking in the summer would show the community that you DO have a full time job and that you DO care about the damage a stike does to the education of the students!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-66101315486295255572007-10-29T01:43:00.000-11:002007-10-29T01:43:00.000-11:00I find it interesting everytime I read the so call...I find it interesting everytime I read the so called "facts" about SV teacher strike. The teachers keep saying that the union is only offering 1.78% however the teachers want 4% ontop of the 2.22% they automatically receive. According to the teacher's union web site the teacher's receive 2.22% increase every year (automatically) the union wants to give 1.78% more which equals 4% and the teachers want 4% more which equals 6%, no matter how you type it comes out to 2% difference. <BR/><BR/>The other fact is right now the teachers are not getting paid, they are still receiving their health care, however they will make up those 4 weeks at the end of the year - what are they really losing? How many of the teachers put in for vacation/sick time around the holidays as our kids are in school?<BR/><BR/>And lets make this perfectly clear, we do have great teachers at SV, we have won numerous awards, so are you saying that if you don't receive 4% more in monies that all those great teachers are not going to teach - does money make you any better of a teacher than you already are?<BR/>And please stop saying how hard it is to teach our kids, yes there are some kids that are difficult just as there are some teachers that are difficult, however these are our kids too and 90% of these kids are good kids as 90% are good teachers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-23888267830572944062007-10-27T11:28:00.000-11:002007-10-27T11:28:00.000-11:00This strike hurts the youngest teachers the most -...This strike hurts the youngest teachers the most - the older teachers, and the union, do not care about them at all. If you're at, say 55,000 a year, you can save up some money in case of a strike (especially if you're married and your spouse works as well). How about a new hire, who has college bills and car payments? They're the ones who are truly living paycheck to paycheck - the union doesn't care about them, all they care about is the people with "seniority".<BR/><BR/>SVEA is about screwing the young people over just so the old teachers can buy a BMW instead of a Toyota.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-63989419801442338272007-10-27T09:32:00.000-11:002007-10-27T09:32:00.000-11:00Fire them all!!! Hire from the 1000 applicants SV ...Fire them all!!! Hire from the 1000 applicants SV receives each year and we should be up and running by Dec. 1 Start salaries higher, go to merit based raises and NO UNION. See what happens, you will pleasantly surprised. Teachers will actually want too be rated. Go figure...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-55215548114613115992007-10-25T12:02:00.000-11:002007-10-25T12:02:00.000-11:00Please note that the aforementioned salaries are a...Please note that the aforementioned salaries are at the very TOP of each districts' payscale. One has to teach many years to reach the so-called sweet spot. After five years in my "high-paying" district, I just topped out at 41K. I hold two undergrad degrees and a masters degree from Cornell, 21 additional graduate credits, plus three areas of certification. In my district, these qualifications are not a rarity. If communities wish to have qualified and dedicated educators, they need to provide adequate compensation. Consider that a six percent raise for a highly educated teacher currently making $35,000 a year only bumps them to $37,100. I'll guarantee that one or two years of their undergraduate studies surpasses this amount. I know many teachers who live with their parents so they can scrape by while paying off student loans. <BR/>Also, most teachers I know work during our six weeks off in the summer (no, we don't get the "whole summer" off anymore, so shut it!) <BR/>I cannot believe how poorly informed some of the previous posters seem to be! Have ya been in a school lately? Do you know what we deal with on a daily basis? Do you know how much we actually care about your kids?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-84809820442368457492007-10-22T16:42:00.000-11:002007-10-22T16:42:00.000-11:00In order to illustrate just how easy teachers have...In order to illustrate just how easy teachers have it- let's continue our comparison to the private sector. Picture a manager that is directly responsible for 120-150 people. He/she must spend 40 minutes each and every workday in the supervision of their training... in face-to-face interaction with each and every one of them. Add in such factors as a general reluctance to be managed, and a lack of socialization and maturity. Clearly some of the manager's charges are developmentally and/or emotionally disabled. These are people with the most basic of skills that will be expected (without exception) to achieve at a proficient level. None of them can be fired or transferred elsewhere. The manager is personally accountable for the security and well-being of everyone at all times. Aside from the training and supervision, the manager is wholly responsible for the evaluation and reporting of each individual's progress. And there are twice as many people who consider themselves to be the manager's "employers", who watch their every move... just waiting for them to slip up and do something to offend them. What do you think such a corporate manager would demand in compensation?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-24328674549420580092007-10-22T05:00:00.000-11:002007-10-22T05:00:00.000-11:00How can one not in the teaching profession evaluat...How can one not in the teaching profession evaluate a teacher? Difficult. That said, teacher comnmunication with parents could be a guide. I well remember calling a teacher about a deficiency report. Took three phone calls before he condescended to return mine. He then said he could tell me nothing more than was on the report; and there was nothing on the report to begin with. When I asked if it was true half the class was failing, he claimed he couldn't comment. When I inquired to an administrator about the teacher's evaluation, I was told that was a private personnel matter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-56733071884283124752007-10-21T18:39:00.000-11:002007-10-21T18:39:00.000-11:00"Other schools pay teachers holding a masters the ..."Other schools pay teachers holding a masters the following:<BR/><BR/>North Allegheny 95,000<BR/>North Hills 91,000<BR/>Montour 92,000 (Triple A)<BR/>Moon 91,000 (Triple A)<BR/>Shaler 91,000<BR/>Pine Richland 78,000 (Triple A)<BR/><BR/>That's wonderful. That will give you more places to submit resumes to. After all, no one is asking you to stay. If the grass is greener elsewhere, pack up your stuff and leave. There are plenty of people right behind you that will be more than happy to take your job. And, chances are test scores will not change."<BR/><BR/>You're absolutely on the money. The decent teachers will do precisely what any other working individual would do in their place: they will leave for higher paying jobs with institutions and communities that actually respect and value what they do. <BR/><BR/>This is of course absolutely fine, provided you don't mind your children being educated by the least qualified graduates from the poorest colleges. I attended a local public high school and am currently enrolled out of state at an Ivy League institution, so I have a rather unique perspective. At one point, I myself considered teaching as it is a wonderful profession, but considering how disrespected and underpaid public school teachers are, it simply isn't worth it. I plan on having a family of my own, and I am going to have to support them. You can't afford a decent college education for your own kids on $40,000 a year.<BR/><BR/>I've unfortunately witnessed the decline in quality of public school teachers in recent years. Several of my former classmates are just now entering as teachers at local schools, and being aware of their own academic abilities, suffice it to say I would be horrified to have them teaching my children. Ironically, the only one of my peers that currently teaches and is not only eminently qualified but superbly talented, just began at SV this year. Thanks to opinions such as yours, and the terrible treatment s/he's received at this school board's hands, she plans on leaving to teach at a private school next year.<BR/><BR/>So by all means, continue to insist that teaching remains one of the least valued professions in our supposedly advanced nation. I'll be out earning my living elsewhere, and making sure I never let my kids be subjected to the horribly negative impact of your frightfully ignorant opinions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-10516311486053022152007-10-21T16:12:00.000-11:002007-10-21T16:12:00.000-11:00I have to say this...please don't assume all teach...I have to say this...please don't assume all teachers are for the strike. People assume it is all of the teachers, however if you look closely it is Seneca Valley Teachers Union, aka SVEA. SVEA authorized the strike and not all of the teachers are part of SVEA. There are some teachers who feel 4% is plenty, others feel it is not enough. Please keep in mind that it is SVEA doing the harm, not the teachers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-33830246359540767532007-10-20T15:53:00.000-11:002007-10-20T15:53:00.000-11:00Maybe you should get educated on the subject. You...Maybe you should get educated on the subject. You could have been a teacher if you think they make so much. Oh that's right, you don't have enough education, time, patience and caring to do that. Your too busy sending your kid in to school with pants with holes, gaged ears, blue mohawked hair, pants hanging off their butt, and tattoos,claiming that is alright if that's the worst they do (which it is not) for a teacher to raise. I guess you should stop spending your time bashing teachers and learn the real facts, because as long as there are people with poor attitudes like yourself you are going to have plenty of quality time with your 3rd grader at home to explain it to them. Go teachers, fight for what you deserve. I am glad that I live in a wealthy district that pays their teachers what they are worth. I know because of that, my children will continue to recieve a higher level of education than yours. Some of you bashers are correct, there are many quality teachers in the Seneca Valley School District, that is how our district continually fills open slots. We take your quality teacher when they apply here. Thanks parents of the Seneca Valley School district. When you don't pay your teachers it helps my kids.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29735096.post-91574442426185259652007-10-20T09:50:00.000-11:002007-10-20T09:50:00.000-11:00WA WA WA !!!Have you looked around at Rowan and se...WA WA WA !!!<BR/>Have you looked around at Rowan and seen any children who are disrespectful or dress in an inappropriate way??? These kids come from very good families. Cry me a river about how hard you have it! Sorry the last post got the calendar wrong you get 15 personal/sick days, 5 family illness days on top of the 8 days for Christmas, 3 days, for Thanksgiving, 3 days for Easter and the 12 1/2 weeks in the summer. Let's not forget the pay you get for being department/grade level chairpersons, staying longer than the 186 days you work or the summer school pay or the athletic activities. All this along with free healthcare, free life insurance, free disability insurance, tuition reimbursement etc... <BR/>Wow, sounds like a great deal to me. <BR/>Oh and you may be able to fool some people with the cry about 1.5% raise because the 4% increase offered is on top of the "step" raises. You all feel the step raises are automatic and don't really count to the bottom line. Well, it does. There isn't a money tree out back and someone has to balance a budget and be fiscally responsible, not just write blank checks. Maybe if they polled the teachers with the least amount of time they would have decided the 4% was great. It's the teachers with no more step increases that are mad because they don't get that automatic "step pay raise".<BR/>Oh and by the way, just because some people have nicer houses in Cranberry it's a shame that you expect that they should pay more just because they can afford too. The teachers need to remember who pays their salary, the taxpayers and we don't forget who locked their students out of school for more money! Try explaining the strike to a 3rd grader.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com