I agree. I moved to GA from another southern state because
teacher pay was higher and benefits were cheaper.

All of the sudden, things in GA have done a 180. I am saddened
by all of the cuts to education that we have seen (and am fully
braced for many more in 2010). We are getting hit on the county
level and the state level. The only states that have made worse
cuts might be California and Arizona (or soon to be AZ) I have
to say, things were better where I came from.

Education does not seem to be a high priority for this state (or
any state in the South for that matter). To their credit, some
counties are trying to hold off on teacher pay cuts. You will
see that those are counties that recognize that having high
quality schools and well paid teachers leads to high property
values and economic growth (opposite of "brain drain").

The overwhelming theme in most areas of GA is "teachers make too
much money!" "Teachers should be glad to have jobs" and of
course "Teachers have it easy!" All spoken by folks who haven't
set foot in a classroom since 1965, and who don't even have a BA
degree themselves, let alone a masters.

My husband and I are both teachers. We have discussed the future
of education in GA, both in terms of our careers and our
children's education at length lately. We have decided that we
must make a move north. I have teacher relatives in northern
states and they can't believe how bad things are down here.
Heck, even in North Carolina teachers rallied to protest the 1/2
percent pay cut back in May!

I realize that getting a job up north is very difficult but we
will try until we succeed. If needed, I will go back into a
business career and use my MBA. (although teaching is the only
job that I ever enjoyed!)

So we are in full research mode and will do what it takes to
leave GA. There are a few places here that "get it" but the vast
majority (including all of our so called leaders) have no clue.
It's "bash the union" [ha ha, what union?] and "low taxes are
all that matter!" I honestly can't see teaching for another 20
years here.

On 10/29/09, New Yorker wrote:
> On 10/29/09, Juliet wrote:
>> I'm so bewildered right now. How can I continue to work
>> for a system in which I no longer believe? Things could be
>> worse, but things could be better too!
>
> I am with you 100%! I am wondering if I can continue in
> education. The demands are becoming too much and I can't
> really do what I went to school 16+ years for! TEACH
>
> Many days I go home defeated! I would work in a cubicle at
> this point. I think it is sad because my mission was to
> educate underprivilaged children but I have become BURNT
> OUT!!! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!!

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