Submitted by Teacher (not verified) on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 11:18am.
This free health care you seem to begrudge has always been one of the benefits of working for the state, an incentive for taking a lower salary in exchange for benefits. I would gladly contribute to my health insurance if I could be paid as the professional that I am. My six years in college spent earning an advanced degree could be much more monetarily rewarded in the private sector. Suggesting that "free" health care is just one more thing these greedy, free-loading teachers get is insulting to my profession, my students, and to the state as my employer.
This is the reason good teachers are choosing to leave the profession. Weakened benefits, the 45th lowest teacher's salary in the country, and constant negativity from the public about failing education falling on the shoulders of the classroom teacher is a difficult pill to swallow from those who've never stepped in a classroom. I challenge you to walk a week in the shoes of any one of us.
which is a state benefit...
This free health care you seem to begrudge has always been one of the benefits of working for the state, an incentive for taking a lower salary in exchange for benefits. I would gladly contribute to my health insurance if I could be paid as the professional that I am. My six years in college spent earning an advanced degree could be much more monetarily rewarded in the private sector. Suggesting that "free" health care is just one more thing these greedy, free-loading teachers get is insulting to my profession, my students, and to the state as my employer.
This is the reason good teachers are choosing to leave the profession. Weakened benefits, the 45th lowest teacher's salary in the country, and constant negativity from the public about failing education falling on the shoulders of the classroom teacher is a difficult pill to swallow from those who've never stepped in a classroom. I challenge you to walk a week in the shoes of any one of us.