…one more person say…
1) "They should be happy with the 20%."
2) "They are abandoning my child."
3) "They knew what it was they were getting into."
4) "They should find a new job."
My out loud and in their face reply to WHOMEVER makes another $%^&!* statement of complete ignorance WILL be…
1) Please take a moment, or 10, and use your ability to read to actually educate yourself about the "20%".
-- it's been promised before - government lies
-- Dear AZ State Government -- you have violated my trust, I'm not going to believe you now.
-- it's not the only dog in the fight.
-- EDUCATE YOURSELF -- the information is out there -- find it.
2) Get over yourself.
-- school is not free childcare.
-- YOU are responsible for your child's well being.
-- again, use your brain -- educate yourself -- figure out a solution for your family. You can do it.
-- and… this argument/statement doesn't make any sense -- really -- it's loud eye roll worthy.
3) Did they? Did they really?
-- I would bet that the pay scale new teachers were presented with at the time they signed their contract was filled with hope and possibilities and numbers that their districts were crossing their fingers would -- if they held their breath -- come to pass.
-- And what if teachers did know? How does that negate the fact that they have not received what they were promised? Or are not paid a fair wage?!
-- they have to use their own funds for @$#%&*! pencils!! Did they know they would have to do that? I have used MY FUNDS for my daughter/s classroom (she is a teacher) -- yes I was willing and financially able -- but why should I have to?!?!
-- My husband's job would NEVER require him to purchase any equipment that was needed to do his job or the job of any of his co-workers.
-- extra time teachers spend finishing their job outside of work hours is outrageous!! They do not receive extra pay.
-- My husband might be on call after hours for a week, but he is PAID EXTRA for his time.
4) THEY ARE!!
-- and it's hurting the students. Students need structure. Students need stability. There are 2,000 open teaching positions in Arizona that are being filled by temporary substitutes. Substitutes have their place in the education system, but it is not fair to them NOR the students that the subs are being thrown into disrupted classrooms with no resources, no mentors and are required to know and do the same as certified teachers. WHAT?! Why is that even a thing? The subs are absolutely doing their best -- but it still doesn't make it ok.
-- qualified, excellent, passionate teachers are leaving Arizona -- and it's not because of our delightful desert winters. We need them to stay in our communities and build safe places for learning. We need their passion and love to sustain and increase communities and families. We need them to teach our children!!
And about the Walk-out that have the whiners out in freakin' droves…… (where is my loud eye roll emoji when I need it?!?!?!)
To the whiners -- shut the $&*@#^ up and educate yourself.
To the Teachers -- GO. FIGHT. WIN.
I am with you. I am on your side. I will help you fight your battle. GO. FIGHT. WIN.
Yes -- this is hard and messy and probably inconvenient. OK so is giving birth and raising children -- but yet -- HERE. WE. ARE.
My teacher friend reminded me that this MOVEMENT looks like Newsies the Musical!! (which is my fav and a MASTERPIECE!! I dare you to fight me on that!!) And yeah, it was messy, and yeah people got hurt, and yeah it's going to be loud!!
But when do we get to have a voice? When do we get to stand on the side of right?
NOW -- we get to have a voice NOW.
NOW -- we get to stand up for right NOW.
To the teachers and the parents supporting teachers and the students supporting teachers:
SEIZE THE #@!#%#* DAY!!
AND THE WORLD WILL $@^#* KNOW!!
CARRY THE %#$!!&% BANNER!!!
WATCH WHAT !@$%&* HAPPENS!!
MARY'S #$%%^&*^% HERE!!
ONCE AND FOR $%&$!!* ALL!!!!
And yes -- I visualize it all ending with a pose of papes (textbooks) in the @#$^& air -- fists (holding brand new pencils) pounding the sky and voices as LOUD AS THUNDER!!!
P.S. And you better believe my head was saying every single !#$^&* with zero shame -- I just chose to spare you. You are welcome.
