I know, I'm such a Debbie Downer in blogland these days. But seriously, there is some crazy stuff happening in public education. And it's all well and good to learn about it from an academic perspective, but when you're in it every day it can start to make your head spin.
Like how we have really good data to show that how we educate English language learners is almost completely ineffective and if they succeed academically, they are doing so in spite of what we're doing to them.
And how we have evidence that class size matters and kids will do better if classes are smaller... yet one of the first targets when there are budget cuts is to cut support staff and increase class size. I have a teacher friend in Kansas who had kids sitting on the floor of her first-grade classroom because there were not enough desks (nor room to accommodate them) until the superintendent finally came to visit the school a few weeks into the school year and they found a way to split the class and get another teacher.
And then there's the salary issue. We hear about teachers being underpaid. I think we hear it so much that it's just accepted. But seriously. It's ridiculous.
In my fair state we have a salary schedule for all public school employees. It's something that I guess the state legislature issues every year, and it has grids specifying exactly how much public school employees will make based on highest degree/credentials earned and years of experience. Then there are local "supplements" which are sort of bonuses that school districts can tack onto the state-approved salary to sweeten the deal for school staff in their districts. But the supplements aren't guaranteed or mandated, so if the district is short on cash, guess what you don't get?
Yesterday I took a break from report-writing to revisit the state salary schedule now that I'm months away from graduation and the prospect of having an actual job is becoming more real. Big mistake. It zapped all motivation and sent me into panic mode.
Why? Because when I match up my degree and years of experience under the little "School Psychologist" column of the pay schedule, I find that my salary will just barely cover what it will cost to have two little munchkins in daycare full-time. As in, we'll have like one c-note leftover from my salary. And we're looking at upwards of $600/month to pay off my student loans. So me getting a job will net us -$500 per month.
Fan. tas. tic.
We've discussed some things so far...
1. Chelsea doesn't work. Because really, I'm not going to work a stressful job with long hours and not see my kids just to net $100 per month. But then again, I really like our daycare. And I don't know that I'm cut out to be a full-time stay at home mom. I like working. I want to work in the public schools. As a school psychologist. I really do. If I can afford to.
If I don't work, and we do income-based repayment of my student loans, our household income would be lower than it would if I also had a job so our required payments would be lower. Like maybe in the we could afford to pay them range.
2. Chelsea tries to find a job in the private sector, where the pay and opportunity for advancement might be better.
For now, we're leaning toward option two. But I'll keep my fingers crossed that somehow, one day, I can afford to work in the public school system. I really love it there.
Like how we have really good data to show that how we educate English language learners is almost completely ineffective and if they succeed academically, they are doing so in spite of what we're doing to them.
And how we have evidence that class size matters and kids will do better if classes are smaller... yet one of the first targets when there are budget cuts is to cut support staff and increase class size. I have a teacher friend in Kansas who had kids sitting on the floor of her first-grade classroom because there were not enough desks (nor room to accommodate them) until the superintendent finally came to visit the school a few weeks into the school year and they found a way to split the class and get another teacher.
And then there's the salary issue. We hear about teachers being underpaid. I think we hear it so much that it's just accepted. But seriously. It's ridiculous.
In my fair state we have a salary schedule for all public school employees. It's something that I guess the state legislature issues every year, and it has grids specifying exactly how much public school employees will make based on highest degree/credentials earned and years of experience. Then there are local "supplements" which are sort of bonuses that school districts can tack onto the state-approved salary to sweeten the deal for school staff in their districts. But the supplements aren't guaranteed or mandated, so if the district is short on cash, guess what you don't get?
Yesterday I took a break from report-writing to revisit the state salary schedule now that I'm months away from graduation and the prospect of having an actual job is becoming more real. Big mistake. It zapped all motivation and sent me into panic mode.
Why? Because when I match up my degree and years of experience under the little "School Psychologist" column of the pay schedule, I find that my salary will just barely cover what it will cost to have two little munchkins in daycare full-time. As in, we'll have like one c-note leftover from my salary. And we're looking at upwards of $600/month to pay off my student loans. So me getting a job will net us -$500 per month.
Fan. tas. tic.
We've discussed some things so far...
1. Chelsea doesn't work. Because really, I'm not going to work a stressful job with long hours and not see my kids just to net $100 per month. But then again, I really like our daycare. And I don't know that I'm cut out to be a full-time stay at home mom. I like working. I want to work in the public schools. As a school psychologist. I really do. If I can afford to.
If I don't work, and we do income-based repayment of my student loans, our household income would be lower than it would if I also had a job so our required payments would be lower. Like maybe in the we could afford to pay them range.
2. Chelsea tries to find a job in the private sector, where the pay and opportunity for advancement might be better.
For now, we're leaning toward option two. But I'll keep my fingers crossed that somehow, one day, I can afford to work in the public school system. I really love it there.
Comments
If anybody can do it: It's you.
If there's anything I can do to help: Just tell me and I'm all over it.
I love you and consider myself blessed to get to read what falls out of that big ol' melon of yours. xoxo