Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Your Thoughts on Teacher Pay and Education Funding

    Posted 11-18-2020 02:49 PM
    Hi there! I am seeking some other teachers' perspectives on Teacher Pay and Education Funding for a graduate course.  I would greatly appreciate if anyone could share their thoughts on this subject. Do you think current teacher pay rates and funding for education needs to change? Why or why not? How might you go about seeking this change?

    ------------------------------
    Andrew Thompson
    PreK Counts Teacher
    Waynesboro Day Care Center
    Waynesboro PA
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Your Thoughts on Teacher Pay and Education Funding

    Posted 11-19-2020 08:48 AM
    In reference to Teacher's pay, I believe that most of us aren't paid enough for the work we do as educators. But I truly believe that you must have a love, passion, and dedication towards educating children. Many people who are in this profession are not for this profession. Looking at years of education, commitment towards the field of educating young children and families; I believe that we are of more value than how we are viewed from the world's view. Higher wages would truly be welcomed. 
    .
    ------------------------------
    Sheila Howell
    The Little Tree House of Knowledge
    Cincinnati OH
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Your Thoughts on Teacher Pay and Education Funding

    Posted 11-20-2020 06:30 AM
    34 years in this profession. 2 state teacher certifications. Bachelor of science. 9 masters credits. $16 per hour! Our wages are a disgrace! My agency does provide health and dental and spends a lot of time getting grants for conferences/professional development. Most in our area can’t afford those. The state compensates child care at $34 a day. 5x34=170 a week but 0 if the child is out and many are out due to demographics of lower incomes=car trouble, poorer health, fewer support systems.
    Education funding needs to include things like building maintenance, heat, lights, phones and cleaning supplies as well as classroom material replacement. We have done everything with nothing for far too long!

    Sent from my iPad


    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Your Thoughts on Teacher Pay and Education Funding

    Posted 11-20-2020 07:45 AM
    My story is similar. Fortunately, I have always had a job in the public schools. Not that I feel teachers receive adequate pay... I believe with all that is known through research about the critical importance of preschool in particular, preschool should just be part of public schools. Some in this thread talked about payment for utilities etc. many times I feel the world of Early childhood is trying to reinvent the wheel. Preschool should just be part of the public school system. Universal preschool for all kiddos.

    ------------------------------
    Pamela Sharrow
    Midland Public Schools
    Midland MI
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Your Thoughts on Teacher Pay and Education Funding

    Posted 11-20-2020 01:00 PM
    I agree that teachers are not paid enough for the type of work they do. Even at a preschool age and before, teachers put in a lot of time and effort preparing lessons that apply to specific needs of their children. Besides that, they are working on the social emotional skills all day long. It is a job that is physically and mentally tiring, even if you have a passion for it.
    What we teach has life-long consequences. The values  and habits we instill in the children will potentially help them in their adult life.
    We need to grow  mentally healthy adults to take over our country and jobs.

    ------------------------------
    Karen Castagna
    Happy Childhood School
    Preschool
    San Jose CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Your Thoughts on Teacher Pay and Education Funding

    Posted 11-19-2020 02:34 PM
    Are you referring to those teachers in early childhood programs within a school district or those teachers in the child care field?  Thank you.

    ------------------------------
    Cynthia Bohrer
    Director
    Kids International Early Childhood Education Cente
    Ellisville MO
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Your Thoughts on Teacher Pay and Education Funding

    Posted 11-21-2020 05:18 AM
    I believe they should value the role Educators make in molding the lives of children especially now because of covid19, my heart goes out to children during this time. We can make changes through NAEYC Advocacy, that's our platform to become ONE  VOICE. Together we can make a difference we can make a change!

    ------------------------------
    Laura Silva
    Infant Primary Teacher
    ECYC
    Elizabeth NJ
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Your Thoughts on Teacher Pay and Education Funding

    Posted 11-21-2020 10:54 AM
    I am very impressed with the Power to the Profession policy statement published by NAEYC and a group of early learning organizations.  It clearly lays out the benefits, challenges, and solutions to the many facets of early learning compensation, education, and equity.  I think our voice would be much stronger if we are all familiar with this information.  It was developed over several years with input from multiple stakeholder groups.  The beauty of this document is that it gives solutions.  We have been talking about the problem of low teacher pay for years and it never gets farther than the problem.  This document lays out public policy solutions that we all need to promote to our elected officials.

    ------------------------------
    Julia Capper
    ECSE teacher
    San Diego Unified School Distric
    San Diego CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message