If anyone thinks a wage freeze does not hurt students, think again. As wages fall, many will look to jobs in the private sector and many talented and dedicated educators will leave their classrooms. Others who may have considered bringing their talents to the classroom will look elsewhere. As schools fail to recruit and retain effective teachers, students are the ones who suffer.
Julie Rasicot of Bethesda Magazine writes about Donna Thomas, formerly of Sherwood High School, in her story "MCPS loses a bright star." Ms. Thomas, a computer sciences teacher was part of a winning team of educators at the 2011 Global Innovator Educator Awards sponsored by Microsoft. Rasicot chronicles Ms. Thomas' decision to leave teaching because of effects of another year without a raise and a 2% increase in the contribution to her pension, meaning her salary, like all other MCPS teachers' salary, actually decreased this year.
This is becoming a trend for educators. A recent Ed Week story estimates that nearly 20% of teachers nationwide have additional jobs to make ends meet. In Texas, nearly 40% of teachers moonlight to make ends meet and a 2007 study of North Carolina teachers concluded that 72% of teachers hold additional jobs.
From Ed Week: "While moonlighting isn't unique to teachers, they do tend to have second or third jobs at a higher rate than other professionals. One researcher estimates their moonlighting rates may be four times higher than those of other full-time, college educated salaried workers."
Teachers around the country have seen their wages frozen and many, like here in Maryland, are making less than they did two years ago. This coupled with the constant attacks on teachers and the profession itself is going to continue to drive our dedicated and effective teachers out of the classroom. This hurts our students.
Let's work to stop this. Come to one of our Town Hall Meetings between December 6 and December 15 to talk to your state legislators about protecting education funding.
Julie Rasicot of Bethesda Magazine writes about Donna Thomas, formerly of Sherwood High School, in her story "MCPS loses a bright star." Ms. Thomas, a computer sciences teacher was part of a winning team of educators at the 2011 Global Innovator Educator Awards sponsored by Microsoft. Rasicot chronicles Ms. Thomas' decision to leave teaching because of effects of another year without a raise and a 2% increase in the contribution to her pension, meaning her salary, like all other MCPS teachers' salary, actually decreased this year.
This is becoming a trend for educators. A recent Ed Week story estimates that nearly 20% of teachers nationwide have additional jobs to make ends meet. In Texas, nearly 40% of teachers moonlight to make ends meet and a 2007 study of North Carolina teachers concluded that 72% of teachers hold additional jobs.
From Ed Week: "While moonlighting isn't unique to teachers, they do tend to have second or third jobs at a higher rate than other professionals. One researcher estimates their moonlighting rates may be four times higher than those of other full-time, college educated salaried workers."
Teachers around the country have seen their wages frozen and many, like here in Maryland, are making less than they did two years ago. This coupled with the constant attacks on teachers and the profession itself is going to continue to drive our dedicated and effective teachers out of the classroom. This hurts our students.
Let's work to stop this. Come to one of our Town Hall Meetings between December 6 and December 15 to talk to your state legislators about protecting education funding.
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