Fame has its price I guess. I read through some of the comments and many are quite anti-teacher/education. I understand the public's frustration, and I certainly understand that professions across the country have already had to deal with lay offs and that the economy has been in rough shape for a while.
This blog is not just about me complaining... and if I have ever seemed whiny, I certainly apologize--it is not my intent. It is just a blog that shares a perspective. One that people may not have considered before.
To those of you that are frustrated with teacher's salaries or our cushy jobs, I invite you to follow my blog. I hope to share more stories that can give you an insight to what we do, and the importance we hold for the future of this country.
I believe many of the commenter's from the Daily Herald didn't even click the link to read this blog. If you know of these people, ask them to spend the time reading through this blog. I may not change any opinions, but perhaps I can effect a few....
And lastly, I did see this comment from the Herald, the only one that I will directly respond to at this time.
Vambo wrote:
"cartooning, animation and photography classes"
'nuff said. I think education will survive.
Vambo, I invite you to come and take my class. It will probably be one of the most challenging experiences of your life. My students learn real world career based 21st century skills. I recently worked with the Art Institute in Schaumburg to improve our animation curriculum. 80% of their graduates are hired within 6 months of graduating (in 3 years, no less!). There are seniors that are considering careers in photography and graphic design that I have helped educate.
Art, design, animation, and technology are all around us--these are the things I teach. I love it, I'm proud of it, I deserve the money that I make, and I'll be sad to leave.
Thanks for reading--I may not post for a few days as I am super busy with an upcoming art show, graduation from my Master's program, the action research paper I have to finish in order to graduate, and of course, looking for jobs. (Apparently I am wasting my time blogging instead of looking for jobs, and yes, I took 15 minutes during the school day to write this, don't worry, I'll be here well after the bell rings.) Please continue to send stories--I'll need them to keep this blog going!
Art, design, animation, and technology are all around us--these are the things I teach. I love it, I'm proud of it, I deserve the money that I make, and I'll be sad to leave.
Thanks for reading--I may not post for a few days as I am super busy with an upcoming art show, graduation from my Master's program, the action research paper I have to finish in order to graduate, and of course, looking for jobs. (Apparently I am wasting my time blogging instead of looking for jobs, and yes, I took 15 minutes during the school day to write this, don't worry, I'll be here well after the bell rings.) Please continue to send stories--I'll need them to keep this blog going!
I'm in a similar boat, except I've been unemployed for 2 years. I went back to school to get an education degree so I could teach, and graduated just in time to watch the economy fail. And, as I also live in Illinois, which is so financially screwed that they estimate 20,000 teachers will be laid off due to funding cuts, the hope of getting a job is slim. I also teach a fine art (drama), which makes it harder, never mind my English and Speech certification. Districts look at me and see "Drama" and it's like the kiss of death.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thank you for bringing attention to this. Ignore the naysayers, because it's easy for them to sit back and point out where everyone else went wrong while you struggle to keep your own sanity. I just hope they never have to experience what so many of us are already living through.
Well said, and you are doing a good job of not letting the negative people get to you. They have probably not set foot in a school in years, and I would imagine rarely made it to class when they were students.
ReplyDeleteAs a former graphics technology teacher myself, and a teacher for 32 years, I know that my students left the classroom with a step up on others. Some became professionals in the field, not only in graphics, but engineering and even fashion design. Others became leaders at the university level because they knew design, computer technology, and 21st century skills.
Thanks for taking a few minutes out of each day for your blog......
Hi - I saw the article and am very glad that you started this. I'm a parent of starting next school year two middle school boys. We recently moved to Elgin from Chicago, getting away from the larger class rooms. Only to get next year most likely larger class rooms. I don't know how to express my apprication for what teachers do. They are shaping our future, with the help from parents. From the very basics that we all need, English, Math, Social Studies, Science to Drama, Art, Gym, ect... I was very pleased with the "rotation" class that my middle school student has this year, teaching life skills and showing him different paths he might be interested in taking. For the people who say teachers make to much, I say shame on you, look at what actors and pro ball players make. Who is helping our future more.
ReplyDeleteI recently heard on the news of a political person deciding to run for a certin office and receiving millions of dollars in donations in a matter of days, this makes me sad. We are laying off teachers and cutting back on public transportation, people are losing thier unemployment benifits and thier homes but this political person can now spend millions on useless advertising so they can be elected to public office to serve the people. ???? Someone please explain this to me.
I wasn't sure how to e-mail or post my own comment so I commented here. Again, I'm glad you started this I hope that people will understand what is happening to our country. I wish you and all the other teachers who were pink slipped the best of luck in finding new jobs. Thanks, Beth
My best friend is a teacher and she works her tail off. She works most weekends, planning or grading. She spends extra time with kids who need it. She teaches over the summer or takes workshops in order to be an even better teacher. She has to manage "attitude" from kids and, occasionally, snippy parents who expect failing children to be passed along. She contends with jealousy from weaker teachers because the serious students request her classes.
ReplyDeleteAre there lazy teachers? Dishonest administrators? Yes, just like any job/profession. Perhaps if we paid teachers more, offered more support, or weeded out the disinterested ones, the better teachers would stay or be attracted to the profession. When my mother taught, the best teachers were recruited for the toughest schools and paid more. It was a badge of honor. They were also replaced if they couldn't make it in the classroom, and an experienced teacher took over.
There are lots of careers where bad people are protected rather than fired, especially in management. Our economy didn't break on its own. Lots of people made lots of money in the financial industry before it collapsed.
I've been laid off (IT) and it's hard, but you get through it most of the time, and it can be a good thing in the end. I hope things work out for you.
As a Communications Professional currently looking for a new job, I can say with full certainty that design is an essential component to so many jobs these days. Every job description I read calls for "graphic design experience" now. I'm in my late 20s and am considering taking some kind of graphic design class at a community college to remain competitive in today's job market. I only WISH I would've had the opportunity to take a class such as yours while in high school.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you and thanks for starting this blog.
Your message is an important one, and one that needs to be shared. I am shocked and angered daily when I read the news about what Springfield is doing to our schools. Things like cutting teachers, cutting art, music, gym, sports, and cutting the school week down to 4 days. Education which should be our 1st priority when it comes to funding, is treated as if it is our lowest priority. My sons 1st grade class in u-46 already has 27 students. I don't see how any of these kids can get a decent education with so many students per classroom, and this is before our district has fired 732 teachers.
ReplyDeleteTeachers making lousy money?! I took a school cafeteria kitchen server job after not being able to find work in my industry (not teaching)-I too have a college degree ... however, what teachers take for granted is your wonderful health insurance and pension. Most small and medium companies now expect their employees to pick up a much greater portion of their own insurance...mine is $400 per month with a $6000 deductible! Salary cuts are across the board too. I'd love to work 9 months of the year with your great benefits! Welcome to the real world tachers!
ReplyDeleteTom,
ReplyDeleteKudos to you. My wife is a CPS teacher that added your blog to her blogroll.
So much of the public criticize teachers, almost completely from the outside, seemingly forgetting that teachers deliver a public servants set forth in our constitution. So many have little to no basis for the sweeping criticism, which I think come out of the rage and resentment lying beneath America's public veneer.
Politics channels alot of this rage and resentment, but I think the massive economic shifts of the last 30 years are its real cause. Teachers get targeted because they long traded in the risks and rewards of free enterprise for the stability of serving a public good. That stability is not threatened by economic interests that no longer align with the public good.
I hurt for classroom teachers, who are often sandwiched between people's sense of entitlement to an exemplar and hassle-free education and political expectation that it be provided at little to no cost.
I pray for public education and believe blogs that put real perspective out in public are part of the solution. Keep writing and caring for the minds and lives of children. Thank you.
Tom,
ReplyDeleteI so botched my last comment, I wanted to repost it. Feel free to discard my previous one. Here it is properly edited:
Kudos to you. My wife is a CPS teacher who added your blog to her blogroll.
So much of the public criticize teachers, almost completely from the outside. I think they forget that teachers deliver a public service set forth in our constitution. So many have little to no basis for the sweeping criticism, which I think actually comes out of the rage and resentment lying beneath America's public veneer.
Politics channels alot of this rage and resentment, but I think the massive economic shifts of the last 30 years are its real cause. Teachers get targeted because they long traded in the risks and rewards of free enterprise for the stability of serving a public good. That stability is now threatened by economic interests that no longer align with the public good.
I hurt for classroom teachers, who are often sandwiched between people's sense of entitlement to an exemplar and hassle-free education and the political expectation that it be provided at little to no cost.
I pray for public education and believe blogs like yours that put real perspective out in public are part of the solution. Keep writing and caring for the minds and lives of children. Thank you.
I decided to start a blog about my retirement year and find it very therapeutic. I have 12 followers and I know yours will be in the hundreds soon. Look at the reaction people have just from reading about you in the Daily Herald today. I think your blog will bring about an awareness that might not have existed before. Good luck, Tom, to you and your colleagues.
ReplyDeleteFirst time reading your blog, but I was wondering if you could provide some insight for me. I'm an IL resident and have heard from many friends about the harsh layoffs. A couple things though ... I believe pay and layoffs are dependent upon the district, but my old school district had an average salary of over $85,000 and median of over $85,000 as well (IL dist. 214 numbers for 2008). I know this is almost double to what you were making, but how come it sounds like all the "younger" teachers are the ones getting axed... or teacher's with what the board considers 'less important' areas of expertise.
ReplyDeleteI'm not trying to say teachers are not valuable, but it seems like some teachers are quite overpaid, and unfortunately they are not going anywhere. Why not cut salaries %-wise across the board? What are your thoughts on current salaries for teachers in IL, the power of the teachers union, and layoff strategy
Source : http://www.championnews.net/teacher.php?tid=104811&year=2008
The average IQ of the Daily Herald commenter appears to fall in the range of about 60. I wouldn't stress their ignorance. BTW, make sure you file for unemployment as of your official termination date. You will get it.
ReplyDeleteTom,
ReplyDeleteI have read the article and the people who are commenting fall right in line with the majority of the people on the web. It is easy to punch someone when they are down and complain about salaries and taxes but that is not where the real problem is.
The real problem is spending and the people who over see it. It is always easy to spend the money of someone else when you are doing it for "THE CHILDREN". Do all these new schools need to have state of the art football, baseball and track fields. Does every school need to have multiple pools.
Recently some smart guy at U-46 purchased a new phone system that is beyond ridiculous, it is VOIP based running thru very expensive digital lines and requires a large amount of cost to keep up. I wont go into the details of how it works but I can give you a rough amount of the cost from dealing with this sort of item my self. Now I am just talking our one location that as PRI or digital trunk system and we do a large amount of call volume our bill runs around $4000.00 a month. Yes that is 48,0000 a year this does not include the 3-t1 lines and Business Cable Modem that we also use for day to day operations, those together run around another 2000.00. So just our communications cost is around 70,000 a year.
Now, if that is just one location think about all the schools that are running thru the district thru what is called a Point to Point Network, yes you can use a VPN to do VOIP thru multiple locations but it is not as reliable as a PTP. I looked into adding a PTP for a remote offsite location and the monthly cost was way beyond the amount to just go with 5 regular phone lines and a small phone system.
Our phone system does some really cool stuff and cost us about 20,000 2 years ago and in the long run it will save us money as long as we keep on top of the costs of our PRI.
Now how many schools are there in the district and since they are all running the digital phone system how much do you think it costs? Do you think they even know?
It isn't the teachers that cost the school as much money as you think it is all the Day to Day costs that get tossed into the pile and no one blinks an eye.
Yeah are teachers over payed compared to the normal worker? Yes they are, but that said they also pay taxes just like the rest of us and the also pay into their own salary.
If you run a school district like a business you will make money hands down, but they run the school like a government where if you don't spend the amount you are given you might get less next year and that is what needs to stop.
There will be no teachers union and that is what the school district wants most because with out the union no one can question what they do.
In school the teach you to learn from the past so learn. Deregulated the phone company in the 70's ( can you even understand your phone bill ), deregulated the natural gas companies in the 90's ( heating bills are at an all time high ), deregulated the banking industry and we all know how that worked out. Got rid of the Auto workers Union and where do they sit now? People should be angry the should be pissed off, but Tom is not the one you should be angry at. He is just a person trying to live day to day like the rest of you.
Don't judge someone till you have walked a mile in their shoes. Yep I am a product of the U46 School District.
House Bill 174 is comprehensive tax reform to raise billions in new revenue desperately needed to close the state’s huge budget shortfall and make taxes fairer. The bill, which passed the Senate last year but stalled in the House, would increase the state income tax from 3 percent to 5 percent, broaden the sales tax base, and expand tax credits for middle class and low-income taxpayers, homeowners and seniors.
ReplyDeletePlease join us and send a message to our elected officials. Remind them that no part of their job is more important than passing a budget that protects the health, education, and well-being of Illinois' citizens – especially children. And doing so will require new revenue.
For more information:
www.abetterillinois.com
www.ctbaonline.org
www.voices4kids.org
"I only WISH I would've had the opportunity to take a class such as yours while in high school."
ReplyDeleteStudents need to learn about possible career paths earlier so that they can start college off on the right foot. I found my career path 2 years into college and was constantly a step behind students that came into the media program as freshman.
I am glad you started this blog to shed light on what is going on. I am a teacher out of work but not from the public schools. It is very difficult to find a job and even get sub work since so many people are subs. Although my daughter isn't at your school, I bet she'd love your class. It is teachers like you that help kids like mine make high school great! My daughter excels in the arts not academics. She needs classes like yours to get her experience before college and to help her perfect her talent. She also needs art classes for her self esteem. Whe she is creating on the computer, with pictures or just drawing she is in her element. Wish you were a teacher at Larkin so my duaghter could have had you. I hope you find a great job and am praying for all the teachers that are out of work.
ReplyDeleteTom,
ReplyDeleteI am writing you as a teacher in training but also someone who is interested in what you do--digital arts and animation--which is something that I have been fascinated with for the past 10 years. It's hard for teaching right now because the state budget is completely underfunded. I too am completing a masters program for teaching certification, but am not encouraged at the prospects of finding a job. I have a friend who teaches downstate and he just got RIF-ed and previous to that he was making $26,000 a year after insurance! The working poor. I'm afraid with all the contract renegotiations and pension reforms that they are going to have to do to get the budget back on some kind of track, that there is going to be a two-tiered system of teachers who got in and are tenured before the ax fell on benefits and those (like me) who came after.
But you've given lectures at Siggraph and worked on cg digital effects on major television productions. Have you ever contemplated going back to California to get back to that industry?
Judging by the staggering amount of layoffs, education in Illinois is going to be in bad shape for some time to come. They really got to get this figured out. The kids are the ones who stand to hurt the worst in this debacle.
Oh and by the way, I wish I had someone like you teaching digital compositing and animation in my high school, it probably would have changed my life...so ignore the small-minded haters.
Sorry to hear the news of your "honorable discharge". I didn't read every word of the blog word for word, but what I have read disapoints me. Reason: how many of the thousands of of government workers across this state (teachers, police, fire fighters, public works and so on) have taken the time TO WRITE THEIR STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS??? Readers, do we get the point of "thousands of government workers"? WE ARE ALSO VOTERS! If you fail to contact those who count on our votes to keep them in office, they will only respond to special interest groups or their own agendas. So enough of talking to each other; pitty begets pitty. Talk to the people that need to hear you...Senators, Representitives, and the Governor.
ReplyDeleteTom I wish the best for you.