View Full Version : Denver teachers strike
This is really huge. Teachers actually walked out yesterday leaving schools with subs and administrators only. One high school ended up having a dance in the hallway and then most of the kids walked out when the school wasnt prepared with enough schedules for the adapted school day. A law firm is bringing a lawsuit on behalf of disabled students saying the district is not providing for their needs. I cant imagine how a group of subs would actually handle a classroom without a lot of support (as a former sub myself). Just the basic medical training and delegations that a large number of teachers need would not be replaceable. If there had been a large strike when my children were in school I could not have sent them for medical reasons.
Some of the information shows top heavy funding with a large percentage of funds going to higher paid administrators. I also noted that it seems they all get good reviews. The percentage of administrators is way off compared to other districts in the state, which leads to lots of grand plans and initiatives being passed down without as much basic understanding of how much is already being done. At least that was my experience shared by many of my colleagues.
I got a red shirt to support but could only find a basic one in the mens department and i am not sure it is going to fit.
Teacher Terry
2-12-19, 11:31am
Here our schools aren’t very good and teachers make crap wages. Administration is paid a ton and we are definitely top heavy.
gimmethesimplelife
2-12-19, 12:15pm
We had our moment in the sun last year with publicity regarding the teacher walkout in Arizona - something that should have happened much sooner. Better late than never for teachers to take a stand. I'm wishing the striking teachers in Denver the best - I don't know the specific issues involved.....all I know about Denver is that it is scary expensive to live there but the climate in Summer is much nicer than in Phoenix - I was there in August of 2016 for a few days and it was actually only 69F on one of those days...pure heaven as it was 109F and muggy the same day in Phoenix.
But I digress. Educators play an important role in a civilized society, so I see it, and are coming up short on salary and respect. Rob
ZG, I thought of you when I heard about the strike on the news.
ToomuchStuff
2-12-19, 3:30pm
I got a red shirt to support but could only find a basic one in the mens department and i am not sure it is going to fit.
Caution if you get a star trek red shirt!
Caution if you get a star trek red shirt!
OMG you understand my fear!
Here is my funny story about meeting the former superintendent. We were at some event to build connections across departments, like small groups with everyone from facilities to cafeteria to teachers, etc. They had the 'cheerleaders' wearing red shirts, they cam around with a microphone if you wanted to share in the larger groups. The presenters kept on saying to call a red shirt. Well of course I was looking for the alien life form behind my colleagues to take them out.
The superintendent was standing off to the side so in my one chance to speak to him I expressed my fear that the red shirts were not going to last the day.
Maybe these social skills explain my career path, :cool:
ToomuchStuff
2-12-19, 3:56pm
Could be worse. In my high school days, our swim team got new white uniforms. Several events were forfeited after the swimmers were wearing swimsuits from home. The white ones went translucent when wet.
Williamsmith
2-12-19, 4:43pm
School choice. Problem solved.
I know several administrators who retired with 100% of their salary. All the school teachers in my community have a winter home in Florida, Texas or Aruba. I watch their condos for them. Meanwhile lots of taxpayers in the district are huddled around kerosene heaters in their trailers for the winter. Where is the Democratic Party when the poor need them?
Where is the Democratic Party when the poor need them?The Democratic Party has a vested interest in high rates of poverty, without which it couldn't exist.
The Democratic Party has a vested interest in high rates of poverty, without which it couldn't exist.
Let's get rid of it; other countries have, for the most part, and still have progressive parties. You righties are such cynics.
rosarugosa
2-12-19, 6:11pm
Alan: That sounds like how I describe the Catholic church.
iris lilies
2-12-19, 7:01pm
Alan: That sounds like how I describe the Catholic church.I like that analogy.
Alan: That sounds like how I describe the Catholic church.
They do have similar business models.
I have kept up with the news and from what I've seen there has been no mention of an average salary, not to mention some estimate of generous benefits value that are uncommon in the private sector. In the days when I was in closer touch with teacher acquaintances a lot of them had fun summer jobs to supplement income during their long summer vacation. Denver housing has become expensive and there are a lot of people with middle class incomes that have financial challenges, but not the ability to go out on strike. So, I'm unconvinced of the plight of teachers, but maybe so.
Teacher Terry
2-13-19, 10:09am
It really varies by state. I was shocked at how much money teachers in Minnesota make and how little here. Teaching is a much harder job now due to big class sizes, undisciplined kids and parents that don’t support the teachers among other issues.
I was a bit shocked when we moved to CO that many of my retired neighbors had been teachers. Nice homes, multiple vehicles, vacations, etc. I am guessing the state retirement benefits are better than most.
Does anyone seriously think that teachers are making great salaries? Check out this state-by-state list of starting salaries and average salaries. For a professional with a bachelor's degree.
https://www.teacherportal.com/teacher-salaries-by-state/
In Arizona we're basically tied with Mississippi for lowest of all 50 states. And before anyone mentions the lower cost of living here, that's another ship that has recently sailed: due mainly to the jump in housing costs, we are now at a higher cost of living vs. wages.
Arizona currently has so many vacancies that the legislature had to lower the requirements to be a classroom teacher.
Charter schools as an answer? Their promises of better education outcomes hasn't panned out so far - a few charter schools here and there will outperform the local district school, but it's not a statistical given. And think about the math: if a charter school has to show a profit to answer to shareholders, they'll have to offer even less pay then what a public school is paying.
Reminds me of the Catholic school system that was so strong in the 1940s - 1970s - Why? Because the nuns worked basically for communal housing and a tiny stipend.
The Denver Public School System website listed a starting salary of $43,000/yr. with a basic bachelors degree and just basic certifications.
From salary dot com,
The average Public School Teacher salary in Denver, CO is $57,109 as of January 31, 2019, but the range typically falls between $49,854 and $65,930. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including level of education, certifications, additional skills, years in your profession.
Not bad pay for 9 months and retire at 50.
Teacher Terry
2-13-19, 2:24pm
Someone on Mr. MM said she was making 91k/year teaching in Minneapolis.
Teacher Terry
2-13-19, 2:25pm
Teachers have preparation to do at beginning and end of school year. They don’t retire at 50.
Williamsmith
2-13-19, 2:39pm
I don’t begrudge teachers. Almost anyone who wants to be a teacher can get the degree and find a job. Personally, I couldn’t have survived taking crap from snotty nosed brats and not able to respond appropriately. I was much better suited for the “this can be done the easy way....or this can be done the hard way, your choice.” Profession. And I got to retire at 50. I don’t have any of my sanity left, but hey, I’m retired.
Many people begrudge teachers making a good living. Many people think anyone can teach. Many people think it is an easy job. Compared to police, fire fighters, nurses the hours are better, the stress is less. Working for a corporation has it's benefits as well as problems.
Colorado is very low on the per pupil funding on a national scale. In addition the salary information from DPS shows a much higher allotment of resources for administration compared to other districts. The pro-comp system is another issue, it is an incentive system that rewards working in high needs schools or showing specific improvements. This system is broken (one sign I saw was that pro-comp skis in jeans, lol). I have been hearing that teachers do not actually get the money. As for insurance, the year we all got raises the insurance got significantly worse and so took some of that money. It looked great on paper.
Yes many teachers did well and are now retired, that does not mean that these teachers in this state do not have a reason to strike.
The other point to consider is that the median price of a home in Denver area is pushing $400k.
Teachers have preparation to do at beginning and end of school year. They don’t retire at 50.
My wife did. Full retirement.
What irritates me is that so many people who begrudge teachers, fire fighters, police any decent salary and retirement have NO problem with corporate welfare paid by tax dollars, defense contractors and the lobbyists making a small fortune from tax money. Somehow any jobs dealing with children, women or those in need are the worst paid and most resented.
What irritates me is that so many people who begrudge teachers, fire fighters, police any decent salary and retirement have NO problem with corporate welfare paid by tax dollars, defense contractors and the lobbyists making a small fortune from tax money. Somehow any jobs dealing with children, women or those in need are the worst paid and most resented.
Needs to be said twice.
What irritates me is that so many people who begrudge teachers, fire fighters, police any decent salary and retirement have NO problem with corporate welfare paid by tax dollars, defense contractors and the lobbyists making a small fortune from tax money. Somehow any jobs dealing with children, women or those in need are the worst paid and most resented.
I continue to be surprised at this too. Overall, their anger about the way their taxes is spent is justified, it's just misdirected.
If we're trading anecdotes, here's a timely one from the local newspaper this week.
A 2016 Teacher of the Year says, "This is my 27th year as a teacher. I have bachelor's and master's degrees, but I make less money than my 25 year-old son, whose job only requires a bachelor's degree. I've been teaching for more years than he's been alive, but he makes more. … I'm talking about this not to cast resentment on my son or on his job (I'm super proud of him!) but because folks need to understand how tough it is to stay in teaching in an underfunded system."
She goes on to state more facts like, "about 23 percent of teacher vacancies across the state this year still remain unfilled, and more than half the vacancies are filled by teachers who do not meet the state's standard teacher certification requirements." Also, "913 teachers left the profession with the first half of this school year."
These numbers clearly show that teaching is not an easy or lucrative job.
One other factoid: Arizona districts are so desperate they are recruiting teachers from the Philippines -
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/02/us/arizona-teachers-philippines.html
What irritates me is that so many people who begrudge teachers, fire fighters, police any decent salary and retirement have NO problem with corporate welfare paid by tax dollars, defense contractors and the lobbyists making a small fortune from tax money. Somehow any jobs dealing with children, women or those in need are the worst paid and most resented.
or three times!
I volunteered as a kindergarten aide for a semester here and it really opened my eyes to the importance of that adult in these children's eyes. Many of the kids came from impoverished settings without good role models. The teacher provided warmth and stability in addition to all the other things she had to do.
I volunteered as a kindergarten aide for a semester here and it really opened my eyes to the importance of that adult in these children's eyes. Many of the kids came from impoverished settings without good role models. The teacher provided warmth and stability in addition to all the other things she had to do.
Don't forget the Active Shooter drills …. :(
Don't forget the Active Shooter drills …. :(
Aren't those fun, not. Then the actual incidents we have in our communities that we need to use those skills for lock-down, lock out, and other emergencies. Make sure you also have the medication for everyone when you lock down or evacuate, and are prepared to provide opportunities for kids to deal with all these incidents. Sigh,
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