SameHere,
I am in the north and this is my second year without a job even
substituting is sparse because of the hundreds of people on the sub
list. Districts are having open enrollment in order to get students
to transfer in order to raise revenue(whereever the student goes to
school the money allocated for that student goes with them). The
school districts are having to place tax levies on the ballots to
raise money also and the communities are not passing them for the
most part. While the pay is higher compared to GA you don't get
year for year credit for your experience. You could go to a
district with 20 years experience and they may only give you credit
for half that or less. Be very careful if you have a secure
job...take it from someone who is considering every part time job
she can in order to get a paycheck. I have a master's and ten
years of experience and no job.

On 10/29/09, SameHere wrote:
> 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!!!!

Share This Post | Report This Post

Next Post >>

Posts on this thread, including this one