Two Sides

I received both positive and negative comments about posting the the Weiser salalries.  Hit a nerve and I guess I didn't realize it was such a big deal.  Salaries are public info and sharing them shouldn't bring shame and anger.  Although most of us feel our work is important if you read some of the comments on the blog it is obvious some people feel their work is over and beyond what the rest of us do for a paycheck. I also got a sense that some feel they need not produce what they are paid for. What I have learned from the post is that if my child doesn’t learn it’s my fault no matter what salary someone is being paid to teach them. Oh, and my job, cooking and caring for the elderly, just isn’t as important as being a teacher.  How sad that some of them feel they are worth so much more than the rest of us.  I received an email stating it was my fault if my children didn't learn how to balance a checkbook or write neatly.  Ummm I am sending my children to school for an education.  I have always been very involved in their schooling and found the statement very self serving.  I did teach them these things even though teachers at Weiser were being paid to teach them.  Sending my son to college at $60,000 a year I would expect teachers to teach him.  I am not checking up on everything he does and I don't feel it's my fault if a teacher can't teach him. It is their job!  When you are paying the amount of taxes we pay to have our children attend safe schools where they are suppose to be being taught they shouldn't walk away undereducated.  If I don't do my job I am held accountable for it.  I can't just blame family members or co-workers.  I also got badgered about my life.  I have been very honest and forthcoming in the Our Robesonia about all aspects, good and bad, of this life I live.  I assume most people know us and know the facts.  But it was more an issue to some if I am married or divorced, how much money I earn, what I own, how much money Dennis earns...I tried to answer and correct those issues.  Nothing to hide here.  I am also gathering the info on local salaries including mine to post and prove there is no comparison.  Where some of the remarks came from is beyond me.  I clearly stated my issue was more with administration than with teachers.  I know quite a few teachers in the district and I admire what they do and how they do it.  Sorry to be honest but not all teachers at Weiser are good.  Some need to retire and others I believe truly don't want to teach.  It is a paycheck.  They may be few but my sons both managed to have to sit through their unproductive classes.  I did complain about them but nothing was ever done.  Guess that is why more and more kids are home schooling.  I do believe we could employ a much more effective and less costly administration.  All around us people who think they are unreplaceable are being replaced by lower paid and much smarter people.  It is 2010 and things are back sliding.  We take pay cuts, are refused pay raises, have no health insurance and are afraid the market will eat up our retirement.  As realistic as I see all this I will continue to get pounded by those who are always on higher ground and just don't get it.  They'll call me names and berate my talents but I will still continue to tell it like I see it.