Poodles 0 Posted September 19, 2006 I am so mad at Rick Perry. I just saw a commercial touting his dedication to public education. He also praised himself for giving a merit pay raise and a $2000.00 raise to all TX teachers. But did you know... They raised the retirement age for teachers, because they want to keep qualified teachers in the profession longer. They decreased retirement payments by taking our highest 5 years and dividing that to find out our retirement payments. (They did take the highest 3.) They gave teachers a $1000.00 pay raise a few years ago... then took away half... then took the other half away. So that pay raise he is bragging about just replaced the $1000.00 they took away and gave us another $1000.00. (Remember 8 years ago when they promised a $6000.00 pay raise to be paid in two years? They gave the first $3000.00, but the next year they decided not to give the other half.) The public hears about the raises, but does not know about the times they take things back... Then the merit pay raise only goes towards teachers in core subjects and only IF the administration deems it necessary. They are not required to do it... so it is worthless to non-core teachers, and pretty much everyone. This makes me want to quit teaching. With the Social Security offset, the government giving and taking our money away, increasing retirement age, less retirement benefits, and low wages to begin with... why would anyone want to come into this profession OR stay???????????? (Oh yeah... the kids.) But with discipline problems on the rise, how long with that be a benefit??? GOVERNOR PERRY HAS DONE NOTHING FOR ME or TEXAS STUDENTS. Oh yeah... don't even get me started on that damn TAKS test. Worthless. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carlene 12 Posted September 20, 2006 That's not all, Poodles. Rick Perry is the reason thousands of poor children no longer have health care. He is the reason state parks are being closed for lack of maintenance funding, even though the money is there, in the form of special fees dedicated to parks and wildlife. I wouldn't vote for Rick Perry if he ran for dog catcher. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TexasTerry 0 Posted September 20, 2006 Ditto gals, Ditto.... (I'm a non core subject teacher too) Terry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dolphin_dreams 0 Posted September 20, 2006 Here's an AMEN from a first grade teacher. He stunk as the Commissioner of Agriculture and has gotten worse since then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mvpo8961 1 Posted September 20, 2006 HA HA HA HAHAH HAHAHHA I can't believe anybody would vote for mr. plastic man. He is so full of baloney you could feed an army for a month. M Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GayleTX 1 Posted September 20, 2006 He makes Kinky Friedman look mighty good..... BTW...I'm a teacher, too..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happyk 0 Posted September 20, 2006 I like Carol http://www.carolestrayhorn.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
picardy3 0 Posted September 20, 2006 Non-core subject teacher in TX here as well and Rick Perry is at the bottom of my list. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carlene 12 Posted September 20, 2006 Hell, I like Kinky better than Rick Perry! I just don't think he has a chance of winning. I wish his supporters would switch to Carol. At least she has a small chance of getting elected. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barbara465 2 Posted September 20, 2006 Why are educators always at the bottom of the list of wage earners? I was making some career choices and thought I would like to teach for a few years before retirement. I went through the accrediation course. I have an MBA and have taught some college courses. I spent some time substituting while taking the course. I saw more body parts than I care to and more discipline and disrespect than I expected. I went back to industry making once again over 4 times teacher wages. I don't have to worry about how to protect myself if a student wages war on me. I don't have to worry about trying to bring a diverse classroom to the same level of learning. I am relatively safe. Teacher's should get hazzard pay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Politicians just don't get it. Education is the answer, but we don't bring the best to the playing field because we won't pay them. Stepping down off my soap box now ...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
green 6 Posted September 20, 2006 Where I live teachers are unionized and they are well paid but this doesn't stop them from suffering from burn-out. One of my closest friends is a teacher and she has told me many stories over the years. At this point she is looking forward to retirement. It's a tough job and one that I couldn't handle. Teachers should be well-paid and well-respected. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tired_Old_Man 1 Posted September 20, 2006 Why are educators always at the bottom of the list of wage earners? Politicians just don't get it. Education is the answer, but we don't bring the best to the playing field because we won't pay them. Stepping down off my soap box now ...... Now I will get on that box. Some NBA Basketball players make more money per game than a teacher makes in a year. Any country that pays grown men more money to play a children's game than they pay the people who educate their children is doomed to mediocrity. :faint: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Poodles 0 Posted September 21, 2006 I agree with the Kinky/Carol thing. I know Bell is running as Republican. Just wish we could know which one would pull the most votes and go that way. With everyone dividing their votes Perry may pull it out. I would vote for any of the three running against Perry... just to not have Perry... but I do like Carol best of the three. She at least has some experience. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mousecrazy 2 Posted September 21, 2006 I thought Chris Bell was a Democrat. Rick Perry is the Republican candidate, and Friedman and Strayhorn are running as Independents. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carlene 12 Posted September 21, 2006 I thought Chris Bell was a Democrat.Rick Perry is the Republican candidate, and Friedman and Strayhorn are running as Independents. You are correct. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites