I spent the last half hour reading about the potential strike with the B.C. teachers. At first glance it sounds like they want more money. Isn't that what everyone is always fighting for? More money, more money! But after digging a little deeper it's apparent that may not be the case after all. One, teachers as most employees are looking for a wage increases equivalent to inflation. Which I think most people agree with. But they are also looking for funding for resources, smaller class sizes, less split grade levels, and caps on children with special needs in one class. As I read all of this I can't help but agree.
Then a student walks in (I am on spare) and takes the last piece of tissue out of the box. I go over to my stash and pull out a new one. Then think to myself, why as a teacher do I have to pay for my own Kleenex? Not too mention my own classroom resources, organization system, white boards, borders and the list goes on. Now before I continue I should say I did receive a classroom budget this year. With that budget I purchased a double helix model, protein synthesis kit and 18 novels of The Help.Of course educational materials are extraordinarily expensive. I used my classroom supply budget to buy manipulative's and current reading materials. Which left me buying my own Kleenex, pens, paper etc....
Why do I do it? I do it because I want to be a good teacher. I want to use current technology, reading material, manipulatives and resources. I want there to be value in their education and meaning. I want my students to be engaged and interested.
It seems though if you want to be the teacher that you planned on being while in university you have to be inventive or rich. To do the extra projects I have applied for grants, 2 of which I have received. But why do I have to constantly be digging in my own pockets or standing with my hand out everywhere I go?
It is just sad and slightly annoying because I feel as a society we know that education is so important, yet the adults/policy makers/politicians just don't see it. I am not sure if it has always been this way or if this is a recent phenomenon ?
3 comments:
I'm not sure what your class room budget is like but is it not possible submitt your receipts for class room organization and misc supplies to be reimbursed in a future year? Kind of like a 'prepaid'? Since you are a new teacher you are still building up your supplies of teaching materials so perhaps in a few years you will have a surplus to pay for the other stuff?
Althought this also goes back to why I consider Private Schools as a valid option for my future children. I know that are amazing teachers like you (and mom/dad) in the public school system but the funding isn't always available for you to provide the best learning environment and whos to say I'll find teachers like you that will go out of their way to find funding? At least in a private school environment I can be assured that my money will go to paying for the best environment possible for our children.
Don't be so sure your money is going directly to the best environment possible . There is huge administration cost as well as advertising/marketing, maintenance and repair etc.
Teachers also don't necessarily make more or recieve more funding in the private sector.
Not too mention the consideration of private school as a better option reinforces current policies right now.
At the end of the day the majority of families can not afford private school. Children deserve opportunities regardless of their parents financial situation.
In BC the Minister of Education sends his children to private school, do you think he has the same interest in public schools? Doubtful.
It's easy to simplify the situation and say I can afford a better education for my child, therefore I will give it to them. This perpetuates the constant shortcomings within the education system. It also grows the gap between haves and have nots.
I want to live in a society where all of our children are given an equal opportunity. Not just the ones that can afford it.
And no I can not save my receipts.
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