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Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
Meg Gruber
()
Date: May 02, 2013 03:46PM
Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/article/20130426/OPINION/130429296/1065/lawmakers-failing-virginia-teachers-students&template=fairfaxTimes
Virginia teachers, who have lifted Virginia public schools to a ranking of 4th best in the nation (according to Education Week), have every reason to be upset with new laws coming out of Richmond that make it harder for them to deliver quality instruction.
The real upset is not being directed at the Virginia Education Association, it is being directed at the politicians — including Gov. Bob McDonnell and many of those in the General Assembly — who consistently ignore the real challenges facing public schools and, instead, promote misguided “solutions” that fit their ideology.
Students, parents and teachers care about whether we’ll have a highly qualified teacher and up-to-date materials in every classroom. They want manageable class sizes. The state is an essential partner in providing the funding to make that possible. But Virginia has slipped to 38th in the nation in state aid for K-12 schools, per-pupil. Since 2009, the state has cut its support for K-12 schools 20 percent per-pupil in inflation-adjusted dollars, and this governor did little to reverse the trend. Instead he trotted out a few gimmicks — grade schools on an A-F scale, have the state “take over” a few low-achieving schools — while ignoring the very real challenges facing educators.
The VEA has indeed heard from many members who are upset, and their anger goes back a few years.
They are upset because many politicians ignore the great things they are doing, and the great results they are getting, and blame them for every perceived “failing” of schools.
They are upset because they got into teaching to help kids reach their potential, but they’re spending more time on paperwork and burdensome new processes that take time away from teaching, lesson planning, grading and communicating with parents.
They are upset because they are less able to support or contribute to their family’s bottom-line budget, because their paychecks are not even keeping pace with the cost of living and their retirement benefits are under attack. Virginia teachers earn $6,500 below the national average in salary — a fact that should worry everyone who cares about attracting the best and brightest college graduates into teaching.
Teachers, school support professionals, parents and others in Fairfax should know that the VEA is dedicated to great public schools for every child. We will continue to fight to make sure Virginia students have the best opportunities we can afford them.
Meg Gruber
President, Virginia Education Association
http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/article/20130426/OPINION/130429296/1065/lawmakers-failing-virginia-teachers-students&template=fairfaxTimes
Virginia teachers, who have lifted Virginia public schools to a ranking of 4th best in the nation (according to Education Week), have every reason to be upset with new laws coming out of Richmond that make it harder for them to deliver quality instruction.
The real upset is not being directed at the Virginia Education Association, it is being directed at the politicians — including Gov. Bob McDonnell and many of those in the General Assembly — who consistently ignore the real challenges facing public schools and, instead, promote misguided “solutions” that fit their ideology.
Students, parents and teachers care about whether we’ll have a highly qualified teacher and up-to-date materials in every classroom. They want manageable class sizes. The state is an essential partner in providing the funding to make that possible. But Virginia has slipped to 38th in the nation in state aid for K-12 schools, per-pupil. Since 2009, the state has cut its support for K-12 schools 20 percent per-pupil in inflation-adjusted dollars, and this governor did little to reverse the trend. Instead he trotted out a few gimmicks — grade schools on an A-F scale, have the state “take over” a few low-achieving schools — while ignoring the very real challenges facing educators.
The VEA has indeed heard from many members who are upset, and their anger goes back a few years.
They are upset because many politicians ignore the great things they are doing, and the great results they are getting, and blame them for every perceived “failing” of schools.
They are upset because they got into teaching to help kids reach their potential, but they’re spending more time on paperwork and burdensome new processes that take time away from teaching, lesson planning, grading and communicating with parents.
They are upset because they are less able to support or contribute to their family’s bottom-line budget, because their paychecks are not even keeping pace with the cost of living and their retirement benefits are under attack. Virginia teachers earn $6,500 below the national average in salary — a fact that should worry everyone who cares about attracting the best and brightest college graduates into teaching.
Teachers, school support professionals, parents and others in Fairfax should know that the VEA is dedicated to great public schools for every child. We will continue to fight to make sure Virginia students have the best opportunities we can afford them.
Meg Gruber
President, Virginia Education Association
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
The GOP
()
Date: May 03, 2013 09:28AM
Shear literal nonsense.
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
zebra one
()
Date: May 03, 2013 09:38AM
Teachers have the whole summer off, they need to stfu and enjoy life.
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
IT Professional
()
Date: May 03, 2013 10:28AM
"but they’re spending more time on paperwork and burdensome new processes..."
Ha! Join the club! Spread the wealth!
Stop PMPs!
Ha! Join the club! Spread the wealth!
Stop PMPs!
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
katiesmith
()
Date: May 05, 2013 04:00PM
Um okay blah blah blah, what are the new laws?
If your talking about funding cuts, parents should be made to contribute more money to the schools not the general tax payer particularly when it comes to non-essential things and there are many of those.
Meg Gruber Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
> http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/article/20130426/OPINI
> ON/130429296/1065/lawmakers-failing-virginia-teach
> ers-students&template=fairfaxTimes
>
> Virginia teachers, who have lifted Virginia public
> schools to a ranking of 4th best in the nation
> (according to Education Week), have every reason
> to be upset with new laws coming out of Richmond
> that make it harder for them to deliver quality
> instruction.
>
> The real upset is not being directed at the
> Virginia Education Association, it is being
> directed at the politicians — including Gov. Bob
> McDonnell and many of those in the General
> Assembly — who consistently ignore the real
> challenges facing public schools and, instead,
> promote misguided “solutions” that fit their
> ideology.
>
> Students, parents and teachers care about whether
> we’ll have a highly qualified teacher and
> up-to-date materials in every classroom. They want
> manageable class sizes. The state is an essential
> partner in providing the funding to make that
> possible. But Virginia has slipped to 38th in the
> nation in state aid for K-12 schools, per-pupil.
> Since 2009, the state has cut its support for K-12
> schools 20 percent per-pupil in inflation-adjusted
> dollars, and this governor did little to reverse
> the trend. Instead he trotted out a few gimmicks
> — grade schools on an A-F scale, have the state
> “take over” a few low-achieving schools —
> while ignoring the very real challenges facing
> educators.
>
> The VEA has indeed heard from many members who are
> upset, and their anger goes back a few years.
>
> They are upset because many politicians ignore the
> great things they are doing, and the great results
> they are getting, and blame them for every
> perceived “failing” of schools.
>
> They are upset because they got into teaching to
> help kids reach their potential, but they’re
> spending more time on paperwork and burdensome new
> processes that take time away from teaching,
> lesson planning, grading and communicating with
> parents.
>
> They are upset because they are less able to
> support or contribute to their family’s
> bottom-line budget, because their paychecks are
> not even keeping pace with the cost of living and
> their retirement benefits are under attack.
> Virginia teachers earn $6,500 below the national
> average in salary — a fact that should worry
> everyone who cares about attracting the best and
> brightest college graduates into teaching.
>
> Teachers, school support professionals, parents
> and others in Fairfax should know that the VEA is
> dedicated to great public schools for every child.
> We will continue to fight to make sure Virginia
> students have the best opportunities we can afford
> them.
>
> Meg Gruber
>
> President, Virginia Education Association
If your talking about funding cuts, parents should be made to contribute more money to the schools not the general tax payer particularly when it comes to non-essential things and there are many of those.
Meg Gruber Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
> http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/article/20130426/OPINI
> ON/130429296/1065/lawmakers-failing-virginia-teach
> ers-students&template=fairfaxTimes
>
> Virginia teachers, who have lifted Virginia public
> schools to a ranking of 4th best in the nation
> (according to Education Week), have every reason
> to be upset with new laws coming out of Richmond
> that make it harder for them to deliver quality
> instruction.
>
> The real upset is not being directed at the
> Virginia Education Association, it is being
> directed at the politicians — including Gov. Bob
> McDonnell and many of those in the General
> Assembly — who consistently ignore the real
> challenges facing public schools and, instead,
> promote misguided “solutions” that fit their
> ideology.
>
> Students, parents and teachers care about whether
> we’ll have a highly qualified teacher and
> up-to-date materials in every classroom. They want
> manageable class sizes. The state is an essential
> partner in providing the funding to make that
> possible. But Virginia has slipped to 38th in the
> nation in state aid for K-12 schools, per-pupil.
> Since 2009, the state has cut its support for K-12
> schools 20 percent per-pupil in inflation-adjusted
> dollars, and this governor did little to reverse
> the trend. Instead he trotted out a few gimmicks
> — grade schools on an A-F scale, have the state
> “take over” a few low-achieving schools —
> while ignoring the very real challenges facing
> educators.
>
> The VEA has indeed heard from many members who are
> upset, and their anger goes back a few years.
>
> They are upset because many politicians ignore the
> great things they are doing, and the great results
> they are getting, and blame them for every
> perceived “failing” of schools.
>
> They are upset because they got into teaching to
> help kids reach their potential, but they’re
> spending more time on paperwork and burdensome new
> processes that take time away from teaching,
> lesson planning, grading and communicating with
> parents.
>
> They are upset because they are less able to
> support or contribute to their family’s
> bottom-line budget, because their paychecks are
> not even keeping pace with the cost of living and
> their retirement benefits are under attack.
> Virginia teachers earn $6,500 below the national
> average in salary — a fact that should worry
> everyone who cares about attracting the best and
> brightest college graduates into teaching.
>
> Teachers, school support professionals, parents
> and others in Fairfax should know that the VEA is
> dedicated to great public schools for every child.
> We will continue to fight to make sure Virginia
> students have the best opportunities we can afford
> them.
>
> Meg Gruber
>
> President, Virginia Education Association
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
Liberal Logic 103
()
Date: May 05, 2013 05:07PM
Teachers start at over 40 or 50k for a 9 month work year. They make well over the national average for jobs and dont even work a full year. Trying to say theyre underpaid is a joke. Especially in FCPS with their bloated administrative staff.
Class sizes are an issue but when you become a haven for illegals in an overpopulated area what do you expect.
We spend more on education per kid and overall than any country in the world or at any point in our history, continuing to throw more money at it will not solve anything.
Class sizes are an issue but when you become a haven for illegals in an overpopulated area what do you expect.
We spend more on education per kid and overall than any country in the world or at any point in our history, continuing to throw more money at it will not solve anything.
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
Teachers are UNDERPAID!
()
Date: May 05, 2013 05:14PM
Most FCPS teachers cannot afford to live in Fairfax.
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
Liberal Logic 103
()
Date: May 05, 2013 05:23PM
Teachers are UNDERPAID! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Most FCPS teachers cannot afford to live in
> Fairfax.
Neither can cops, fireman, emts, or anyone making under 100k a year per person.
Most people who work in georgetown couldnt afford to live there. Most people who work in NYC cant afford to live there.
Thats nothing new and doesnt mean youre underpaid
-------------------------------------------------------
> Most FCPS teachers cannot afford to live in
> Fairfax.
Neither can cops, fireman, emts, or anyone making under 100k a year per person.
Most people who work in georgetown couldnt afford to live there. Most people who work in NYC cant afford to live there.
Thats nothing new and doesnt mean youre underpaid
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
I live here
()
Date: May 05, 2013 05:27PM
I wish more teachers did live in the county, then they could feel the twice yearly screwing I get on my real estate tax.
Well boo hoo I cant afford to live here. Well you arent looking very hard. There are plenty of condos or small townhouses they could afford but they seek a McMansion anything less will not do.
Well boo hoo I cant afford to live here. Well you arent looking very hard. There are plenty of condos or small townhouses they could afford but they seek a McMansion anything less will not do.
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
Young Curmudgeon
()
Date: May 05, 2013 06:12PM
Liberal Logic 103 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Teachers start at over 40 or 50k for a 9 month
> work year. They make well over the national
> average for jobs and dont even work a full year.
> Trying to say theyre underpaid is a joke.
> Especially in FCPS with their bloated
> administrative staff.
Teachers are underpaid relative to the amount of education they need to do their job. You can't teach with a bachelor's degree in anything. FCPS' main issue is Gatehouse. Seriously, close Gatehouse and you eliminate at least 10 million in salary alone.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Teachers start at over 40 or 50k for a 9 month
> work year. They make well over the national
> average for jobs and dont even work a full year.
> Trying to say theyre underpaid is a joke.
> Especially in FCPS with their bloated
> administrative staff.
Teachers are underpaid relative to the amount of education they need to do their job. You can't teach with a bachelor's degree in anything. FCPS' main issue is Gatehouse. Seriously, close Gatehouse and you eliminate at least 10 million in salary alone.
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
Liberal Logic 103
()
Date: May 05, 2013 07:03PM
Young Curmudgeon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Liberal Logic 103 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Teachers start at over 40 or 50k for a 9 month
> > work year. They make well over the national
> > average for jobs and dont even work a full year.
>
> > Trying to say theyre underpaid is a joke.
> > Especially in FCPS with their bloated
> > administrative staff.
>
> Teachers are underpaid relative to the amount of
> education they need to do their job. You can't
> teach with a bachelor's degree in anything. FCPS'
> main issue is Gatehouse. Seriously, close
> Gatehouse and you eliminate at least 10 million in
> salary alone.
Theyres plenty of FCPS teachers with just bachelors degrees and plenty of jobs that applies to now as well. Not to mention they work 9 months a year so theyre all really starting at more than 60k a year for an entry level no experience job which is better than 95 is not 99% of first year jobs out there. If they need more money they can coach/tutor over the summer like everyone else but the ones who complain want their summers off without having to work while making more
They have more money than most school systems, whether or not they use it wisely is on them. If they cant figure out how to spend it better the answer isnt to give them more.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Liberal Logic 103 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Teachers start at over 40 or 50k for a 9 month
> > work year. They make well over the national
> > average for jobs and dont even work a full year.
>
> > Trying to say theyre underpaid is a joke.
> > Especially in FCPS with their bloated
> > administrative staff.
>
> Teachers are underpaid relative to the amount of
> education they need to do their job. You can't
> teach with a bachelor's degree in anything. FCPS'
> main issue is Gatehouse. Seriously, close
> Gatehouse and you eliminate at least 10 million in
> salary alone.
Theyres plenty of FCPS teachers with just bachelors degrees and plenty of jobs that applies to now as well. Not to mention they work 9 months a year so theyre all really starting at more than 60k a year for an entry level no experience job which is better than 95 is not 99% of first year jobs out there. If they need more money they can coach/tutor over the summer like everyone else but the ones who complain want their summers off without having to work while making more
They have more money than most school systems, whether or not they use it wisely is on them. If they cant figure out how to spend it better the answer isnt to give them more.
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
brandon lane
()
Date: May 05, 2013 07:09PM
If you are a teacher and thought you would be well paid then you are too stupid to be teaching kids. If I had the whole summer off you wouldnt hear a peep out of me. Join the real world where the boss thinks you are asking for their first born when you want two weeks off in July. BTW when you are on vacation in the real world you are expected to be answering emails and the cell phone.
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
union smoke screens
()
Date: May 05, 2013 07:11PM
The above posting nailed it, 2 things I hear from my teachers friends and neighbors: I took this job because I want my summers free. The other is my husband makes a ton of money because he has a great govt job so I don't really need to work all year. Just another myth along with how great the school system here is.
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
drop
()
Date: May 05, 2013 07:39PM
I live here Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I wish more teachers did live in the county, then
> they could feel the twice yearly screwing I get on
> my real estate tax.
> Well boo hoo I cant afford to live here. Well you
> arent looking very hard. There are plenty of
> condos or small townhouses they could afford but
> they seek a McMansion anything less will not do.
I moved here from Connecticut a few years ago and I'm loving my "twice yearly screwing"!
I was was paying 14 GRAND a year tax on my house in CT. On a similar house here, it is about a third of that.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I wish more teachers did live in the county, then
> they could feel the twice yearly screwing I get on
> my real estate tax.
> Well boo hoo I cant afford to live here. Well you
> arent looking very hard. There are plenty of
> condos or small townhouses they could afford but
> they seek a McMansion anything less will not do.
I moved here from Connecticut a few years ago and I'm loving my "twice yearly screwing"!
I was was paying 14 GRAND a year tax on my house in CT. On a similar house here, it is about a third of that.
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
Random Teacher
()
Date: May 05, 2013 08:56PM
Teachers are UNDERPAID! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Most FCPS teachers cannot afford to live in
> Fairfax.
I am a teacher and yes I and many like me can live here. Granted, I've got a decade in FCPS so my pay is about 15 grand more than a first year teacher, but between my wife and I we're right around the median income for FFX Co. Even young teachers can afford an apartment - especially if they get a roommate.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Most FCPS teachers cannot afford to live in
> Fairfax.
I am a teacher and yes I and many like me can live here. Granted, I've got a decade in FCPS so my pay is about 15 grand more than a first year teacher, but between my wife and I we're right around the median income for FFX Co. Even young teachers can afford an apartment - especially if they get a roommate.
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
Teachers are undervalued
()
Date: May 05, 2013 09:04PM
I did not become a teacher for the pay. I became a teacher because I love kids and teaching.
My job is hard. It is made much harder by the attitudes of others. I am with your child eight hours a day. The least I would like is respect.
PS I work over the summer too.
My job is hard. It is made much harder by the attitudes of others. I am with your child eight hours a day. The least I would like is respect.
PS I work over the summer too.
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
Jess1
()
Date: May 05, 2013 09:17PM
"The least I would like is respect"
Then start earning it. It's not given freely.
Then start earning it. It's not given freely.
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
Dear Jess1
()
Date: May 05, 2013 10:26PM
I can spot trouble a mile away. Look in the mirror. You are not so pretty.
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
stay north please
()
Date: May 05, 2013 10:37PM
drop Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I moved here from Connecticut a few years ago and
> I'm loving my "twice yearly screwing"!
>
> I was was paying 14 GRAND a year tax on my house
> in CT. On a similar house here, it is about a
> third of that.
Yeah and you can keep all your big government cradle to grave care and govt employee unions up north otherwise we will be another CT in a few years.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I moved here from Connecticut a few years ago and
> I'm loving my "twice yearly screwing"!
>
> I was was paying 14 GRAND a year tax on my house
> in CT. On a similar house here, it is about a
> third of that.
Yeah and you can keep all your big government cradle to grave care and govt employee unions up north otherwise we will be another CT in a few years.
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
sam the man
()
Date: May 05, 2013 10:39PM
Teachers are undervalued Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I did not become a teacher for the pay. I became a
> teacher because I love kids and teaching.
>
> My job is hard. It is made much harder by the
> attitudes of others. I am with your child eight
> hours a day. The least I would like is respect.
>
> PS I work over the summer too.
You get paid extra for working during the summer. The base pay does not include working over the summer. Nice try though.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I did not become a teacher for the pay. I became a
> teacher because I love kids and teaching.
>
> My job is hard. It is made much harder by the
> attitudes of others. I am with your child eight
> hours a day. The least I would like is respect.
>
> PS I work over the summer too.
You get paid extra for working during the summer. The base pay does not include working over the summer. Nice try though.
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
Liberal Logic 103
()
Date: May 05, 2013 10:57PM
Teachers are undervalued Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I did not become a teacher for the pay. I became a
> teacher because I love kids and teaching.
>
> My job is hard. It is made much harder by the
> attitudes of others. I am with your child eight
> hours a day. The least I would like is respect.
>
> PS I work over the summer too.
Most people do respect teachers, well some parents now a days dont but thats a whole different issue.
Just so were clear I wasnt saying you should make pennies, but at the same time I dont believe the profession to be underpaid in the area and I used to coach myself that pay was pathetic.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I did not become a teacher for the pay. I became a
> teacher because I love kids and teaching.
>
> My job is hard. It is made much harder by the
> attitudes of others. I am with your child eight
> hours a day. The least I would like is respect.
>
> PS I work over the summer too.
Most people do respect teachers, well some parents now a days dont but thats a whole different issue.
Just so were clear I wasnt saying you should make pennies, but at the same time I dont believe the profession to be underpaid in the area and I used to coach myself that pay was pathetic.
Re: Lawmakers failing Virginia teachers, students
Posted by:
Meg Gruber
()
Date: May 06, 2013 01:44PM
Teachers are UNDERPAID! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Most FCPS teachers cannot afford to live in
> Fairfax.
This is sad and true.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Most FCPS teachers cannot afford to live in
> Fairfax.
This is sad and true.