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You get Bennett!!! (good luck with that)

by retired

Dec 13, 2012

Hey, Floridian public school teachers- You get Tony Bennett for your Education Commissioner, since Indiana teachers threw him out of his state superintendent post there. Good luck to you!!

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elective On 12/13/12, Broke FL Teacher wrote:

> > More details, please. What made him a failure?

Go read dianeravitch.net. Lots of stories on him.

Dec 14, 2012

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Broke FL Teacher Thanks, retired. At least we have nothing new to worry about with him. He's par for the course.

Indiana was at least smart enough to defend public education. Florida is not.

Dec 14, 2012

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Possible motive in Conn

by pw

Dec 15, 2012

I believe all the staff was female in this school...this may have something to do with the motive as few organizations are all female...many school districts in the US do not hire male teachers for elementary schools. In 2012 you would think that no common institution would be only one gender but here it is. This is also true in Florida especially ...See More

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STAN L On 12/17/12, Stan L wrote: > On 12/16/12, Broke Fl Teacher wrote: >> On 12/15/12, pw wrote: >>> I believe all the staff was female in this school...this >>> may have something to do with the motive as few >>> organizations are all female...many school districts in the >>> US do not hire male teachers for...See More

Dec 18, 2012

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Broke FL Teacher On 12/17/12, male tchr wrote: > If a man/boy had a weird pych issue with women,an elem school is a > place to find women without being concerned about opposition by a > man. Young children would also be vulnerable. From the photo the > killer looked like a very slight guy...looking more like 16. I don't > know what the solution is bu...See More

Jan 18, 2013

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Any updates on our pension case in FL Supreme Court?

by Scooby

Dec 20, 2012

Just wondered if anyone had heard when the court is supposed to have a decision on our pension case. I know they heard arguments from both sides in September. Good grief, they take forever.

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orange The Supreme Court releases rulings on Thursdays.

I remember getting an email from our CTA on Thursday afternoon about the pension ruling being released at any moment and the court being very careful with its language because it looked like things were going to be in "our favor."

Then I check the newspaper's website a few minutes...See MoreThe Supreme Court releases rulings on Thursdays.

I remember getting an email from our CTA on Thursday afternoon about the pension ruling being released at any moment and the court being very careful with its language because it looked like things were going to be in "our favor."

Then I check the newspaper's website a few minutes later (all during lunch btw) to see that we lost.

What a letdown!

On 1/17/13, Scooby wrote: > Holy crap! When was the decision made public? OMG, I have got to get > out of teaching. I can't afford this profession anymore. You are > correct. The #!*&^'s will come after state employees again for more $$ > when they need to "balance" the budget. This state sucks! > > > > > > On 1/17/13, Bitterly Numb wrote: >> We lost, 4-3. The 4 evil stooges on the FSC think the state >> legislature can break a contract for any reason that they see fit. >> >> Thanks to everyone who voted for Rick Scott and the Republicans in >> Tallahassee. The GOP thanks you for your 3% contributions to their >> coffers. Don't be surprised if they ask for 5% fairly soon as > these >> 4 hacks have given them the green light to fleece us to their >> hearts' content. >> >> On 1/02/13, wjs wrote: >>> On 1/01/13, CTA member wrote: >>>> On 12/20/12, Scooby wrote: >>>>> Just wondered if anyone had heard when the court is >>>>> supposed to have a decision on our pension case. I know >>>>> they heard arguments from both sides in September. >>>>> Good grief, they take forever. >>>> >>>> >>>> I would love to hear an update as well! Since our FICA taxes >>>> went back up as of today, my take-home pay is now $70 less. It >>>> would REALLY help if we could get refunds on all of that >>>> pension money that has been robbed from our paychecks! >>> >>> I read that it usually takes the FL Supreme Court around 6 months >>> to announce their decision on a case they have heard. That >>> would put a decision on our 3% FRS contributions around March, >>> as the case was heard in September.

Jan 18, 2013

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Broke FL Teacher On 1/18/13, orange wrote: > The Supreme Court releases rulings on Thursdays. > > I remember getting an email from our CTA on Thursday afternoon about the > pension ruling being released at any moment and the court being very > careful with its language because it looked like things were going to be > in "our favor." > > Then...See More

Jan 18, 2013

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great blog...

by wjs

Dec 30, 2012

great blog...

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pre K special needs

by Heather

Jan 1, 2013

Hello everyone, I know the job markets are taking a hit but I was wondering what the out look is for preK special needs teachers in the Tampa area. I will complete my masters this spring and have 7 years experience and looking to relocate. Really like teh Tampa area but also like the area around Okeechobee. Thanks for any advice you can provide. Al...See More

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SSYRA list author available for Skype visits

by Danette Vigilante

Jan 9, 2013

Good Morning, all!

I am so grateful to have had my first middle grade novel, THE TROUBLE WITH HALF A MOON, make the Sunshine State Young Readers Award List. What an honor!

I live in NYC and unfortunately, don't get to travel as much as I'd like to. But, I am available for Skype visits! If you're interested in having me present t...See More

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Collier County

by Bill T 6 science

Jan 16, 2013

Can anyone tell me what it's like to work in Collier county? They're recruiting nationally for teachers.

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Math2Teach On 1/16/13, Bill T 6 science wrote: > Can anyone tell me what it's like to work in Collier > county? They're recruiting nationally for teachers.

I've been teaching here for 6 years, and have no complaints regarding our district. Decent benefits, one of the top paying counties, "A" rated district, sound financial management, and very,...See More

Jan 18, 2013

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Wizzard On 1/18/13, Math2Teach wrote: > On 1/16/13, Bill T 6 science wrote: >> Can anyone tell me what it's like to work in Collier >> county? They're recruiting nationally for teachers. > > I've been teaching here for 6 years, and have no complaints > regarding our district. Decent benefits, one of the top paying > counties, "A"...See More

Jan 18, 2013

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Teaching Positions

by Linda

Jan 17, 2013

Illinois teacher looking to relocate to Florida. Will there be Elementary teaching positions available for the 2013- 2014? If, so in what part of Florida?

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Math2 Teach On 1/17/13, PB Teacher wrote: > It's bleak here. many districts are laying off teachers. > > On 1/17/13, Linda wrote: >> Illinois teacher looking to relocate to Florida. Will there >> be Elementary teaching positions available for the 2013- >> 2014? If, so in what part of Florida?

Collier County

Jan 18, 2013

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Scooby Linda: STAY where you are or you will be sorely disappointed to become a teacher in FL! Sunshine and milder temperatures wear off after awhile, revealing a state where teachers (and other public service employees) are degraded, demoralized and just plain treated like dirt by our governor and legislature. Florida's rank in teachers' salaries is BELO...See More

Jan 18, 2013

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Becoming a FL teacher was the worst mistake of my life

by Broke FL Teacher

Jan 18, 2013

...and it suc k s to say that because I love teaching! But with the FRS contribution, pay cuts,furloughs, salary freezes, and now an increase in SS contribution (not to mention merit pay which I guess will freeze my pay for the rest of my life at my current rate unless I trade in my tenure), my paycheck has not once increased in six years of teachi...See More

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Jamie There is however enough money to give Florida business a tax cut of 50% in Scott's plan for 2013 but as a teacher...U don't count and in Florida...you never did...Find a different job? No employment ads saying: "must be certified teacher with 5+ years experience" Its a dead end job...now days only young fools spend $$$ and time to get a BA in Educa...See MoreThere is however enough money to give Florida business a tax cut of 50% in Scott's plan for 2013 but as a teacher...U don't count and in Florida...you never did...Find a different job? No employment ads saying: "must be certified teacher with 5+ years experience" Its a dead end job...now days only young fools spend $$$ and time to get a BA in Education. I read where enrollment in teacher education programs is down over 40% in California....

On 1/18/13, Scooby wrote: > I feel your pain. I was so upset over the pension case > decision, I did not sleep well. When did we and other FRS > state and local government employees become the bad guys? > When the governor and legislature saw a way to balance the > state's budget on our backs, and make us look like > bloodsuckers on the state's coffers, so the public would be on > their side. When someone asks me why I don't frequent their > business anymore, I tell them to thank the governor for taking > the money I used to spend with them. I also feel for current > pensioners who now have NO cost of living increase EVER > again. I have been teaching in Polk for 20+ years, and my > last good year, where I could actually afford to maybe take a > small vacation was 5 years ago. For the past 4 years, my > income has shrunk, due to a lack of a substantial pay raise > (WHEN Polk does see fit to increase salaries, the folks at the > top of the scale only get $500/yr.) inflation and the pension > contribution. I feel like the person re-arranging the deck > chairs on the Titanic. No matter what I do, I am going DOWN > financially. > > > > > On 1/18/13, Broke FL Teacher wrote: >> ...and it suc k s to say that because I love teaching! But >> with the FRS contribution, pay cuts,furloughs, salary >> freezes, and now an increase in SS contribution (not to >> mention merit pay which I guess will freeze my pay for the >> rest of my life at my current rate unless I trade in my >> tenure), my paycheck has not once increased in six years of >> teaching!!! I am not taking about keeping up with >> inflation: I am talking about the actual, literal, numbers >> on my paycheck. Then, add inflation to that: the price of >> gas, groceries, rent, and everything else has increased. My >> highest-paid year was my first one (literally and >> considering inflation BOTH) I have been sinking into a hole >> for the 5 years since. >> >> "But at least you have a job!" everyone reminds me. Yeah, >> whatever. That's like telling an abused woman "at least you >> have a husband!" I can't afford a decent house in FL. I was >> going to buy one if the supreme court ruling went our way, >> since I will finally have an increase on the payscale next >> year due to college courses completed. But now I can see >> them taking more and more out of my paycheck, and I am >> afraid to buy a house and stay in teaching. I am afraid my >> kids won't get good enough VAM scores, and I lose my >> certification, and then my job, and then the house I would >> have bought. My students have always done well on test >> scores in the past, I am confident in my ability to teach, >> but will they get their 'predicted growth' according to >> VAM? It's all so scary to me. >> >> The public doesn't realize we have mortgages, car payments, >> and contribute to the economy as much as private-sector >> employees do. They see us simply as a drain on society, >> instead of the productive, contributing members we are (or >> could be, if they'd stop bleeding us dry!). I am so very, >> very sad today. I am devastated.

Jan 21, 2013

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Elaine On 1/21/13, Jamie wrote: > > There is however enough money to give Florida business a tax cut > of 50% in Scott's plan for 2013 but as a teacher...U don't count > and in Florida...you never did...Find a different job? No > employment ads saying: "must be certified teacher with 5+ years > experience" Its a dead end job...now days o...See More

Jan 21, 2013

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