So... currently I work as a teacher in Los Angeles. If anyone really wanted to question the level in which education is taken seriously, I feel living and being involved in education, in Los Angeles, can clearly paint the picture. Education -actually obtaining a sound, productive, strong and innovative education is becoming extinct. Teachers are not motivated to put their all in to a system that treats them like expendable pieces of a puzzle. Teachers are no longer feeling like their work is appreciated. Why would one dedicate their life to the teachings of others when their own government feels it necessary to cut and cut and cut from the already dwindling funds set aside for education?!?! I don'T understand it! Individuals choose to truly give back to their communities or the institution of education and then they receive pink-slips because of budget cuts, are forced to purchase classroom resources from their own bank accounts, are required to work many more hours than the actual school day to be a productive teacher and still get paid kibbles and bits...
Why would high Achieving college grads want to invest in a profession that doesn't acknowledge the importance of this job? The long lasting effects of a great teacher are priceless, but why would I or anyone else teach and be shat on constantly? I'm dealing with an inner battle because I am actually passionate about my kids and their futures, but if their government doesn't care, what can I really do to make a difference?!?! I can effect the experience of those students who are in my classroom, but what about those students who lose a teacher, or have a teacher who is completely jaded by the system, that they're entire life goal is to make it to retirement??
It's so frustrating, teaching isn't for everyone; however, for those of us who actually see a future in it, why not be compensated and understood and respected for the work we do? Why are teachers barely making the cost of living, but are one of the arteries of the community while other sectors of life contribute NOTHING to the well being of our kids and earn oodles and oodles of cash? It's never made sense to me, and it never will.
The US used to be a force to reckon with, used to be amongst the best of the best in the world. Foreigners worked (and work) extremely hard to have the opportunity to be educated in the US, this is still very much the case, but for how much longer? As the quality of education decreases, the sectors of business, finance, economy, health, etc. must also fall... I see it as a domino effect, I hope the incoming President also sees it as such.
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