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The article that I chose was found in the Minnesota Educator April issue. The title is Teachers Need More Than Apples. The author of this is Sandra Peterson, Co-president of EM. She talks about how teachers deserve more than apples for teacher appreciation day. She states that our schools are having trouble attracting new talent into the field because of low pay. She then discusses the fact that many good teachers are leaving the profession for the same reason.

My reaction to this article is: I agree with Sandra. It is common knowledge in the business that our salaries are lower than many unskilled and uneducated jobs. My concern is that this has been known for years and nothing has happened to help the situation. It creates optimism when you read articles like these but when will the great ideas turn into reality. I would hope that my union dues are being used to better my profession and salary not just to talk about it. The district that I teach in laid off 43 teachers this year and is proposing a salary freeze. I am dedicated and enjoy my profession but this is really starting to test my patience.

-- Anonymous, April 28, 1999

Answers

Hi Tony - by the looks of your address, you must be a fisherman! Recommend any good lakes up there? Sounds as if the article was a good one. It's nice to read articles written by people who know the trenches we go through! I just read a letter to the editor that basically stated the same feelings. What is MN going to do in a few years when there is a major shortage of teachers? Some incentives and attitudes need to be changed in a big hurry! Christi fills us in on all the extra work you guys are getting done during our lectures! WE CAN SEE YOU THOUGH!!! Sue J.

-- Anonymous, May 04, 1999

Tony, I agree with you it's great to read that there is an awareness that low salaries are deeping people away from our profession but little is being done about it. Our Principal is great at saying that 85% of our districts capital outlay goes towards salaries. The taxpayers say oh those greedy teachers. But not all of that salary is going toward educators. During the next ten years as teacher shortages hit the nation I do believe salaries will go up. They will have to.

-- Anonymous, May 22, 1999

Hi Tony, Great insights shared in your commentary. As a union activist in higher education, I can tell you that we are doing our best to help all levels in the process. There are glitches in the system as you well know. The biggest one is the proverbial "do more with less!". Anyway, keep up your efforts! Best Wishes! John

-- Anonymous, May 27, 1999

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