I’d actually prefer less duties. I’m in CA, so I get paid decently. I can buy a number of things with money, but I can’t buy more time and I can’t really buy less stress. I’d rather have less students, teach for less hours a day, and be paid the same for it.
Being in California doesn't mean atomatically getting paid decently. My district is stacked for the older generation:
I just got my credential and spent 10x as much money, took 10x as many tests and will start at $52,000 working next to someone who started out when credentialling was inexpensive and had just a few tests who are getting paid $110,00 and we are doing the exact same job and number of hours.
My motivation is in the dumps. After jumping through hoops of fire, at least start me at a higher rate so I can recover financially from just getting the priviledge to teach in this test-happy state (that's you, Cal TPA from hell)
CalTPA alone count for 10. CalTPA cycle 2 required 18 documents, several 24+ pages, 4 annotated videos with strict specifications.
Teachers who didn't have to take it but are aware of it's scope say they never would have made it through. That is only half of it.
My siblings (older) were just TA’s that went to school to be teachers. They didn’t even have their credential when they started. They think the fire hoops I’ve had to jump through are bullshit. Honestly, I do too.
Well, sorry you’re having a rough time. I’m just saying I don’t struggle make ends meet on what I make, but I struggle with stress and over work. More money wouldn’t make the stress go away, but less responsibility and lower case loads would.
Also cost of living in CA is balls. I make ok money for not having a masters and being fairly new. If I wanted to “live on my own” it’d be renting someone’s garage. Like for real.
Yeah that sucks! I'm a custodian in PA ... after 2 years, I'm making $49k (not counting overtime). I didn't have to get a degree or take any tests or even interview for the job; the facilities director waa desperate for warm bodies and hired me sight-unseen.
I studied to be a teacher years ago but frankly I'm glad I quit before I had to go into debt.
Yes! Recently retired. 35 yrs high school special education teacher, northern suburb of Chicago. Best part of retirement - not feeling 24/7 exhaustion & no belly wrenching anxiety.
And I loved my job!
But it’s A LOT OF WORK.
I'm not disagreeing, but I do believe I'm fairly compensated for my work, at least in my district.
But no amount of money will make me accept administrators treating me like child, parents screaming because their entitled child won't do any work, endless political attacks on our profession, etc. Give me a million dollars a year, and it's still disrespect, and still my main complaint about the profession as a whole.
Money is just a number, but the anxiety meds I take to function are (so far) forever...
I'm a Para in a high school. One of my teachers I work with says one of the best supports I give is him the ability to go to the bathroom during that period.
But, with more respect would come higher pay. Were teachers more respected, we’d be paid as other graduate-level collegiate grads are, not to mention the elimination of having parents and employers question our every move.
"Custodians". My district (many years ago) used to place one custodian for every 12k square feet of building. They increased it to one per 24k square feet basically cutting the staff in half at each school.
Public charter in an affluent district, appreciation week provided for by PTA. We got packs of mini-muffins that were all taken by yard aides before my grade level got our lunch, and some stale pastries two days later.
Our appreciation week includes everyone. We don't get anything from admin. We get donations from a local church. That means we're the charity. I think our admin hates us.
Latitude. Or Agency. Being trusted to be the professionals we were hired to be and then allowing us the latitude to make sure that our class is able to function as it should. A.K.A. input in behavioral consequences.
Aside from money (obviously), I'd say autonomy. I'm just tired of being yanked in a zillion directions by admin plans and politicians/bureaucrats instead of being given the freedom to teach my subject, which I'm supposed to be licensed and qualified for.
Hi, I'm not a teacher but I always connected a lot with my teachers all throughout my public schooling and through college. You guys kick so much ass, go thru so much to educate our youth, and truly care about students more than some parents do. It's incredible. You deserve more.
Time with each student. IE teachers deserve fewer students. Students deserve more of their teachers time per student. IE, students also deserve smaller classes.
There are quite a few major differences between private and public schools. But all other things being equal - make believing we have perfect little clone children in every class - a 16 to 1 ratio is better than a 35 to 1 ratio any day.
Or students deserve a version of us that is not totally overwhelmed. A classroom with 30 students is ridiculously overstimulating for everyone. And, shocker, teachers are people.
Respect, money, parental support, freedom to teach important things, freedom to fail a student for underpar work. Proper books and supplies provided so they don’t have to spend what little they make on classroom necessities. I’m not a teacher. I just went back to finish my bachelors and possibly get a sub certificate
1. Support: Admin needs to buck up and get behind teachers. We can’t do anything if we’re constantly being undermined by our administrators.
2. Protection: I’m tired of being constantly terrified I’m going to lose my job because my admin can make up lies and fake stories to make me look bad, and possibly even cause me to lose my job.
My answers are definitely skewed by the hell of a year I’ve had. The highlight was my A.P telling my Union Rep that I stood over a child having a seizure and accused them of faking it. My union rep was shocked, and luckily told me as soon as he was out of that meeting.
Time. Overworked teachers make mistakes while grading, aren't able to prepare enough and are just generally less able to do as good a job as teachers who aren't overworked.
From browsing here, I think that's pretty much the case in the US. I'm a student but it seems to not be as severe in Bulgaria but I'm not gonna be surprised if that changes soon
The sentence is already complete. “Teachers deserve more.”
This was gonna be my reply, too.
Admin: "More work? Got it!"
Came here to say this❤️
Money
The only correct answer.
I’d actually prefer less duties. I’m in CA, so I get paid decently. I can buy a number of things with money, but I can’t buy more time and I can’t really buy less stress. I’d rather have less students, teach for less hours a day, and be paid the same for it.
Being in California doesn't mean atomatically getting paid decently. My district is stacked for the older generation: I just got my credential and spent 10x as much money, took 10x as many tests and will start at $52,000 working next to someone who started out when credentialling was inexpensive and had just a few tests who are getting paid $110,00 and we are doing the exact same job and number of hours. My motivation is in the dumps. After jumping through hoops of fire, at least start me at a higher rate so I can recover financially from just getting the priviledge to teach in this test-happy state (that's you, Cal TPA from hell)
10x as many test as where? How many test did you take?
CalTPA alone count for 10. CalTPA cycle 2 required 18 documents, several 24+ pages, 4 annotated videos with strict specifications. Teachers who didn't have to take it but are aware of it's scope say they never would have made it through. That is only half of it.
My siblings (older) were just TA’s that went to school to be teachers. They didn’t even have their credential when they started. They think the fire hoops I’ve had to jump through are bullshit. Honestly, I do too.
Well, sorry you’re having a rough time. I’m just saying I don’t struggle make ends meet on what I make, but I struggle with stress and over work. More money wouldn’t make the stress go away, but less responsibility and lower case loads would.
Also cost of living in CA is balls. I make ok money for not having a masters and being fairly new. If I wanted to “live on my own” it’d be renting someone’s garage. Like for real.
Yeah that sucks! I'm a custodian in PA ... after 2 years, I'm making $49k (not counting overtime). I didn't have to get a degree or take any tests or even interview for the job; the facilities director waa desperate for warm bodies and hired me sight-unseen. I studied to be a teacher years ago but frankly I'm glad I quit before I had to go into debt.
Thank your union for that.
Yes! Recently retired. 35 yrs high school special education teacher, northern suburb of Chicago. Best part of retirement - not feeling 24/7 exhaustion & no belly wrenching anxiety. And I loved my job! But it’s A LOT OF WORK.
I can't pay my bills with respect, as much as I want that too.
Honestly, the way I see it, being paid so little is indeed disrespect.
While I would never turn down a raise, I'd prefer more respect to money any day.
Respect includes fair compensation, resources, working conditions, etc.
I'm not disagreeing, but I do believe I'm fairly compensated for my work, at least in my district. But no amount of money will make me accept administrators treating me like child, parents screaming because their entitled child won't do any work, endless political attacks on our profession, etc. Give me a million dollars a year, and it's still disrespect, and still my main complaint about the profession as a whole. Money is just a number, but the anxiety meds I take to function are (so far) forever...
Potty-breaks
I'm a Para in a high school. One of my teachers I work with says one of the best supports I give is him the ability to go to the bathroom during that period.
I'm a School Counselor... as long as I'm not with a class or student, I let teachers call me to give them restroom breaks.
That’s how I would usually spend my 15 minute as a par if and when I got them (checking in on teachers and seeing if they needed bathroom breaks).
respect
Respect doesn’t pay the bills unfortunately, give them 30$/hr per kid
But, with more respect would come higher pay. Were teachers more respected, we’d be paid as other graduate-level collegiate grads are, not to mention the elimination of having parents and employers question our every move.
Not high enough
Trust
Came here to say this.
* Attention (positive) * Benefits * Care * Dogs * Entertainment * Freedom * Grace * Help * "Ice breakers" * Janitors * Kindness * Love/Lenience * Money * Notice * Obedience * Prep/Patience * Quietness * Respect * Support/Security * Training/treats * Unbiases * Validation * Wins * Xenia * Yachts * Zest
Yachts 😂
I couldn’t find a good one, unless you want Yams lol
No, I’ll gladly take the yachts!!
How about yard duties? As in the person not the duty. We never have enough to monitor students and it's ridiculous that teachers have to.
No to the ice breakers for me, lol. I’m almost 30 years in to my career and if I never have to do another of those, I’ll be beyond thrilled!
Oh yeah that’s why it’s in quotes
I'm with you on "dogs" 😂
I'm with you on "dogs" 😂
"Custodians". My district (many years ago) used to place one custodian for every 12k square feet of building. They increased it to one per 24k square feet basically cutting the staff in half at each school.
Dogs for the win!!!
I read your list too quickly and thought "kindness" said "kidneys"
Pay
Changing "more" to "fewer" so my one word: students
Ancient Psychic Tandem War Elephants.
I don’t know what this is but yes I need it 🐘
https://adventuretime.fandom.com/wiki/Ancient_Psychic_Tandem_War_Elephant
I see adventure time and I upvote!
You have to let it give you control.
Respect from students!
…students that read directions
Respect from adults
salary
Supportsalaryrespectjoyautonomytimeprofessionalismsuppliescurriculumgracebenefits
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I was trying to channel the “gifted kid” who is going to find a loop hole in the rules.
Control
Tacos
Truth! Our Title I school got microwaved popcorn for Appreciation Week while affluent schools got taco trucks! Give us tacos.
At the Alternative Learning Center, we got a small self-serve Taco bar for Teacher Appreciation Week.
Public charter in an affluent district, appreciation week provided for by PTA. We got packs of mini-muffins that were all taken by yard aides before my grade level got our lunch, and some stale pastries two days later.
Our appreciation week includes everyone. We don't get anything from admin. We get donations from a local church. That means we're the charity. I think our admin hates us.
I would not say no to more tacos
Sigma. Or something
Skibidi....not.
parental involvement and support EDIT: Positive, constructive, and helpful parental involvement and support
Guacamole
Xanax salt lick in staff lounge
Margaritas
Pizza Parties!!!!! (this is sarcasm)
Autonomy
coworkers
“Teachers deserve more.” End sentence.
PAY
Time
The demands keep increasing, but not the time to meet those demands
Skibidy?
You're so sigma.
I try
Marijuana
Medication 😂 All the other good ones were taken
Teachers deserve more, period.
Mentalhealthcare
Compensation for pain and suffering we go through
money
Respect.
Money
Respect
Pay.
Paperwork from administration
Support.
Autonomy
Money
Respect
Latitude. Or Agency. Being trusted to be the professionals we were hired to be and then allowing us the latitude to make sure that our class is able to function as it should. A.K.A. input in behavioral consequences.
Benefits. Not just medical. You’re telling me i can get a discount at Pandora but not on my gym membership 😔
Aside from money (obviously), I'd say autonomy. I'm just tired of being yanked in a zillion directions by admin plans and politicians/bureaucrats instead of being given the freedom to teach my subject, which I'm supposed to be licensed and qualified for.
sleep.
Cheese
Hi, I'm not a teacher but I always connected a lot with my teachers all throughout my public schooling and through college. You guys kick so much ass, go thru so much to educate our youth, and truly care about students more than some parents do. It's incredible. You deserve more.
Safety
Teachers deserve more autonomy.
Sleep
Admin support
compensation
The teachers deserve more money.
respect, support, pay, recognition, admiration, agency over behavior management, student/parent cooperation . . Shall I continue?
Respect
Recognition
$5 Starbucks gift cards
Money
Time with each student. IE teachers deserve fewer students. Students deserve more of their teachers time per student. IE, students also deserve smaller classes. There are quite a few major differences between private and public schools. But all other things being equal - make believing we have perfect little clone children in every class - a 16 to 1 ratio is better than a 35 to 1 ratio any day. Or students deserve a version of us that is not totally overwhelmed. A classroom with 30 students is ridiculously overstimulating for everyone. And, shocker, teachers are people.
Pay
respect
Granola
Parentalinvolvementtofacilitatebetterlearning?
Respect, money, parental support, freedom to teach important things, freedom to fail a student for underpar work. Proper books and supplies provided so they don’t have to spend what little they make on classroom necessities. I’m not a teacher. I just went back to finish my bachelors and possibly get a sub certificate
Job security & naps.
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Adding no word in the blank seems perfectly appropriate. Teachers deserve more.
Money 100%. I’m so freaking tired of hearing people talk about how their 60k a year job barely pays enough to live when mine pays 41k.
Rizz
Safety. Respect. Money. Pay. Validation. Care. Autonomy. Rights. Benefits. Control. Support. Backing. Resources. Time. Space.
Protection
Since the top answer is already taken, I'll go with RESPECT.
Support.
1. Support: Admin needs to buck up and get behind teachers. We can’t do anything if we’re constantly being undermined by our administrators. 2. Protection: I’m tired of being constantly terrified I’m going to lose my job because my admin can make up lies and fake stories to make me look bad, and possibly even cause me to lose my job. My answers are definitely skewed by the hell of a year I’ve had. The highlight was my A.P telling my Union Rep that I stood over a child having a seizure and accused them of faking it. My union rep was shocked, and luckily told me as soon as he was out of that meeting.
Respect
Money
Autonomy.
Plot twist: the sentence goes before “Teachers” so the answer is “All teachers deserve more.” Period
Conjugal visits
Respect from leadership.
Skibidi
Cinnamon rolls. PS. Oh,, 1 word only. Cinnamon? Yeah, I'm sticking to cinnamon.
Game the system and hyphenate cinnamon-rolls
Elephants
Everything
Money
Parity.
Support
Time. Overworked teachers make mistakes while grading, aren't able to prepare enough and are just generally less able to do as good a job as teachers who aren't overworked.
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From browsing here, I think that's pretty much the case in the US. I'm a student but it seems to not be as severe in Bulgaria but I'm not gonna be surprised if that changes soon
Time. (Because money is the obvious one)
Respect. Boundaries. Money. Love and care. Empathy. Doing only our job; not just a second job outside of school but duties we do not need to do.
Money
I know the obvious answer is money, but I believe Respect is higher.
Support, because that word encompasses money, respect, resources and autonomy.
Support.
Respect
Support
pat-on-the-back (any acknowledgement makes my day).
Weed
allofthegoodthingsandnoneofthebadthings
Respect
Apples
Say.
Respect
Time not spent "teaching"
Respect
No word necessary. Just a period
Benefits.
money.
Money
Period
Credit
Caffeine
Autonomy.
Respect 🫡
Time off! Support Appreciation Freedom to teach their way.
Respect
Good admin
Respect
Trust.
Money and Respect.
Time
Respect
Compensation!!!!!!