[5yes]

Wow! My mind is still reeling from reading this thread. As a public school teacher who was homeschooled my entire childhood, I see things pretty differently from many of the posters here. While I personally disliked homeschool, I understand that it can have its place – to each his own. My parents homeschooled me to try to mold me completely and shelter me from the world. In my opinion, this was bad parenting. As I raise my children and teach at one of the top ranked public high schools in Southern CA, I realize how much I missed out on because my parents brainwashed me, oops, I mean socialized me only with their approved friend’s children. I hope that the homeschooling advocates are not choosing that path because of their own egos. The teachers that work in this valley love their students and try to teach them to be independent thinkers. We delight in our student’s wisdom and new ideas. We celebrate their successes and listen when they have problems. We run into our students at the grocery store, at the mall, at the dentist and we try to live our lives to be good role models. I am proud to live and teach in Temecula, and I am excited for the excellent education my kids are receiving.

[5yes]

Wow! My mind is still reeling from reading this thread. As a public school teacher who was homeschooled my entire childhood, I see things pretty differently from many of the posters here. While I personally disliked homeschool, I understand that it can have its place – to each his own. My parents homeschooled me to try to mold me completely and shelter me from the world. In my opinion, this was bad parenting. As I raise my children and teach at one of the top ranked public high schools in Southern CA, I realize how much I missed out on because my parents brainwashed me, oops, I mean socialized me only with their approved friend’s children. I hope that the homeschooling advocates are not choosing that path because of their own egos. The teachers that work in this valley love their students and try to teach them to be independent thinkers. We delight in our student’s wisdom and new ideas. We celebrate their successes and listen when they have problems. We run into our students at the grocery store, at the mall, at the dentist and we try to live our lives to be good role models. I am proud to live and teach in Temecula, and I am excited for the excellent education my kids are receiving.

[5yes]

Hi veees, here is a link to an article Rich wrote about median price: http://voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2007/05/02/toscano/918toscano050107.txt

You can also do a search on the website for median price and will see that this has been a very well discussed topic!

I hope you enjoy your piggington experience I know that I have learned a lot here — welcome!

[5yes]

Hi veees, here is a link to an article Rich wrote about median price: http://voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2007/05/02/toscano/918toscano050107.txt

You can also do a search on the website for median price and will see that this has been a very well discussed topic!

I hope you enjoy your piggington experience I know that I have learned a lot here — welcome!

[5yes]

Hi veees, here is a link to an article Rich wrote about median price: http://voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2007/05/02/toscano/918toscano050107.txt

You can also do a search on the website for median price and will see that this has been a very well discussed topic!

I hope you enjoy your piggington experience I know that I have learned a lot here — welcome!

[5yes]

Hi veees, here is a link to an article Rich wrote about median price: http://voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2007/05/02/toscano/918toscano050107.txt

You can also do a search on the website for median price and will see that this has been a very well discussed topic!

I hope you enjoy your piggington experience I know that I have learned a lot here — welcome!

[5yes]

Hi veees, here is a link to an article Rich wrote about median price: http://voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2007/05/02/toscano/918toscano050107.txt

You can also do a search on the website for median price and will see that this has been a very well discussed topic!

I hope you enjoy your piggington experience I know that I have learned a lot here — welcome!

[5yes]

First of all, That is Calpers retirement. Teachers use Calstrs which has completely different retirement formulas. We are not state employees. Calpers services police, firefighters, and others. I only wish I could retire at 50 — we get nothing until 65 and then we have restrictive % formulas and many required fees and monthly costs.

As far as being paid 35% more than the national average, all I know is that I taught in Mission Viejo for a while and could barely afford rent, much less save to buy a house. I can make a starting salary in TX of $35,000 and comfortably afford a low-median priced home at $140,000. To increase that salary by 35% I should be paid $47,250, which is spot on for an average southern CA starting teacher salary. Can I afford a low-median home in southern CA on that salary? Plus we have the 3rd highest state tax burden http://healthcare-economist.com/2009/02/12/cost-of-living-i-state-taxes/ Could I support my family with my income if my husband was laid off?

Again, I am sad that I feel the need to defend a profession filled with hard-working, low to medium paid, well educated folks who instead of being out to make as much money as they can are trying to do something good with their lives.

What about other issues like:

http://www.latimes.com/news/columnists/la-me-cap2-2009feb02,0,418500.column

some nuggets from the article:

* There are roughly 19,000 illegal immigrants in state prisons, representing 11% of all inmates. That’s costing $970 million during the current fiscal year. The feds kick in a measly $111 million, leaving the state with an $859 million tab.

* The state is spending $775 million on Medi-Cal healthcare for illegal immigrants, according to the legislative analyst. Of that, $642 million goes into direct benefits. Practically all the rest is paid to counties to administer the program. The feds generally match the state dollar-for-dollar on mandatory programs.

* So-called emergency services are the biggest state cost: $536 million. Prenatal care is $59 million. Not counted in the overall total is the cost of baby delivery — $108 million — because the newborns aren’t illegal immigrants.

PS. Thanks TG for the props, I always knew you were my favorite, add me to your fan club (if there’s room!)

[5yes]

First of all, That is Calpers retirement. Teachers use Calstrs which has completely different retirement formulas. We are not state employees. Calpers services police, firefighters, and others. I only wish I could retire at 50 — we get nothing until 65 and then we have restrictive % formulas and many required fees and monthly costs.

As far as being paid 35% more than the national average, all I know is that I taught in Mission Viejo for a while and could barely afford rent, much less save to buy a house. I can make a starting salary in TX of $35,000 and comfortably afford a low-median priced home at $140,000. To increase that salary by 35% I should be paid $47,250, which is spot on for an average southern CA starting teacher salary. Can I afford a low-median home in southern CA on that salary? Plus we have the 3rd highest state tax burden http://healthcare-economist.com/2009/02/12/cost-of-living-i-state-taxes/ Could I support my family with my income if my husband was laid off?

Again, I am sad that I feel the need to defend a profession filled with hard-working, low to medium paid, well educated folks who instead of being out to make as much money as they can are trying to do something good with their lives.

What about other issues like:

http://www.latimes.com/news/columnists/la-me-cap2-2009feb02,0,418500.column

some nuggets from the article:

* There are roughly 19,000 illegal immigrants in state prisons, representing 11% of all inmates. That’s costing $970 million during the current fiscal year. The feds kick in a measly $111 million, leaving the state with an $859 million tab.

* The state is spending $775 million on Medi-Cal healthcare for illegal immigrants, according to the legislative analyst. Of that, $642 million goes into direct benefits. Practically all the rest is paid to counties to administer the program. The feds generally match the state dollar-for-dollar on mandatory programs.

* So-called emergency services are the biggest state cost: $536 million. Prenatal care is $59 million. Not counted in the overall total is the cost of baby delivery — $108 million — because the newborns aren’t illegal immigrants.

PS. Thanks TG for the props, I always knew you were my favorite, add me to your fan club (if there’s room!)

[5yes]

First of all, That is Calpers retirement. Teachers use Calstrs which has completely different retirement formulas. We are not state employees. Calpers services police, firefighters, and others. I only wish I could retire at 50 — we get nothing until 65 and then we have restrictive % formulas and many required fees and monthly costs.

As far as being paid 35% more than the national average, all I know is that I taught in Mission Viejo for a while and could barely afford rent, much less save to buy a house. I can make a starting salary in TX of $35,000 and comfortably afford a low-median priced home at $140,000. To increase that salary by 35% I should be paid $47,250, which is spot on for an average southern CA starting teacher salary. Can I afford a low-median home in southern CA on that salary? Plus we have the 3rd highest state tax burden http://healthcare-economist.com/2009/02/12/cost-of-living-i-state-taxes/ Could I support my family with my income if my husband was laid off?

Again, I am sad that I feel the need to defend a profession filled with hard-working, low to medium paid, well educated folks who instead of being out to make as much money as they can are trying to do something good with their lives.

What about other issues like:

http://www.latimes.com/news/columnists/la-me-cap2-2009feb02,0,418500.column

some nuggets from the article:

* There are roughly 19,000 illegal immigrants in state prisons, representing 11% of all inmates. That’s costing $970 million during the current fiscal year. The feds kick in a measly $111 million, leaving the state with an $859 million tab.

* The state is spending $775 million on Medi-Cal healthcare for illegal immigrants, according to the legislative analyst. Of that, $642 million goes into direct benefits. Practically all the rest is paid to counties to administer the program. The feds generally match the state dollar-for-dollar on mandatory programs.

* So-called emergency services are the biggest state cost: $536 million. Prenatal care is $59 million. Not counted in the overall total is the cost of baby delivery — $108 million — because the newborns aren’t illegal immigrants.

PS. Thanks TG for the props, I always knew you were my favorite, add me to your fan club (if there’s room!)

[5yes]

First of all, That is Calpers retirement. Teachers use Calstrs which has completely different retirement formulas. We are not state employees. Calpers services police, firefighters, and others. I only wish I could retire at 50 — we get nothing until 65 and then we have restrictive % formulas and many required fees and monthly costs.

As far as being paid 35% more than the national average, all I know is that I taught in Mission Viejo for a while and could barely afford rent, much less save to buy a house. I can make a starting salary in TX of $35,000 and comfortably afford a low-median priced home at $140,000. To increase that salary by 35% I should be paid $47,250, which is spot on for an average southern CA starting teacher salary. Can I afford a low-median home in southern CA on that salary? Plus we have the 3rd highest state tax burden http://healthcare-economist.com/2009/02/12/cost-of-living-i-state-taxes/ Could I support my family with my income if my husband was laid off?

Again, I am sad that I feel the need to defend a profession filled with hard-working, low to medium paid, well educated folks who instead of being out to make as much money as they can are trying to do something good with their lives.

What about other issues like:

http://www.latimes.com/news/columnists/la-me-cap2-2009feb02,0,418500.column

some nuggets from the article:

* There are roughly 19,000 illegal immigrants in state prisons, representing 11% of all inmates. That’s costing $970 million during the current fiscal year. The feds kick in a measly $111 million, leaving the state with an $859 million tab.

* The state is spending $775 million on Medi-Cal healthcare for illegal immigrants, according to the legislative analyst. Of that, $642 million goes into direct benefits. Practically all the rest is paid to counties to administer the program. The feds generally match the state dollar-for-dollar on mandatory programs.

* So-called emergency services are the biggest state cost: $536 million. Prenatal care is $59 million. Not counted in the overall total is the cost of baby delivery — $108 million — because the newborns aren’t illegal immigrants.

PS. Thanks TG for the props, I always knew you were my favorite, add me to your fan club (if there’s room!)

[5yes]

First of all, That is Calpers retirement. Teachers use Calstrs which has completely different retirement formulas. We are not state employees. Calpers services police, firefighters, and others. I only wish I could retire at 50 — we get nothing until 65 and then we have restrictive % formulas and many required fees and monthly costs.

As far as being paid 35% more than the national average, all I know is that I taught in Mission Viejo for a while and could barely afford rent, much less save to buy a house. I can make a starting salary in TX of $35,000 and comfortably afford a low-median priced home at $140,000. To increase that salary by 35% I should be paid $47,250, which is spot on for an average southern CA starting teacher salary. Can I afford a low-median home in southern CA on that salary? Plus we have the 3rd highest state tax burden http://healthcare-economist.com/2009/02/12/cost-of-living-i-state-taxes/ Could I support my family with my income if my husband was laid off?

Again, I am sad that I feel the need to defend a profession filled with hard-working, low to medium paid, well educated folks who instead of being out to make as much money as they can are trying to do something good with their lives.

What about other issues like:

http://www.latimes.com/news/columnists/la-me-cap2-2009feb02,0,418500.column

some nuggets from the article:

* There are roughly 19,000 illegal immigrants in state prisons, representing 11% of all inmates. That’s costing $970 million during the current fiscal year. The feds kick in a measly $111 million, leaving the state with an $859 million tab.

* The state is spending $775 million on Medi-Cal healthcare for illegal immigrants, according to the legislative analyst. Of that, $642 million goes into direct benefits. Practically all the rest is paid to counties to administer the program. The feds generally match the state dollar-for-dollar on mandatory programs.

* So-called emergency services are the biggest state cost: $536 million. Prenatal care is $59 million. Not counted in the overall total is the cost of baby delivery — $108 million — because the newborns aren’t illegal immigrants.

PS. Thanks TG for the props, I always knew you were my favorite, add me to your fan club (if there’s room!)

[5yes]

As a teacher in TV I too am wondering how anyone could be making $98,000. Our salary schedules are clearly posted on our district’s website, but they do not mention the all the fees, dues and other things that unvoluntarily are taken out of the paycheck. Additionally, TVUSD teachers voted to keep class size reduction and other programs, as well as teacher jobs by voluntarily taking a pay reduction for next year.

http://www.myvalleynews.com/story/37701/

My first 2 years out of college I made way more money but teaching appeals to me and I think the salary is workable, though not generous. We do not have fablulous retirement programs, we have to reach a certain age and have to pay for our own healthcare in retirement, which currently for one person the cost is in excess of $800/month. I can’t imagine what it will be when I am ready to retire!

Anyone who thinks teachers are paid too well has no idea the amount of work we do and what our actual net pay ends up being. I am happy with my decision to teach, but still continually shocked by the lack of respect from the general community. When I voted to reduce my paycheck next year by a significant amount per month, as well as swallowing a 200% per month insurance cost raise, I did it to keep class size reductions for YOUR kids in their math and English classes, I did not receive a pink slip. At least in my district we have proven that most teachers want what is best for students even at a personal financial loss — what have you done for your community recently?

[5yes]

As a teacher in TV I too am wondering how anyone could be making $98,000. Our salary schedules are clearly posted on our district’s website, but they do not mention the all the fees, dues and other things that unvoluntarily are taken out of the paycheck. Additionally, TVUSD teachers voted to keep class size reduction and other programs, as well as teacher jobs by voluntarily taking a pay reduction for next year.

http://www.myvalleynews.com/story/37701/

My first 2 years out of college I made way more money but teaching appeals to me and I think the salary is workable, though not generous. We do not have fablulous retirement programs, we have to reach a certain age and have to pay for our own healthcare in retirement, which currently for one person the cost is in excess of $800/month. I can’t imagine what it will be when I am ready to retire!

Anyone who thinks teachers are paid too well has no idea the amount of work we do and what our actual net pay ends up being. I am happy with my decision to teach, but still continually shocked by the lack of respect from the general community. When I voted to reduce my paycheck next year by a significant amount per month, as well as swallowing a 200% per month insurance cost raise, I did it to keep class size reductions for YOUR kids in their math and English classes, I did not receive a pink slip. At least in my district we have proven that most teachers want what is best for students even at a personal financial loss — what have you done for your community recently?

[5yes]

As a teacher in TV I too am wondering how anyone could be making $98,000. Our salary schedules are clearly posted on our district’s website, but they do not mention the all the fees, dues and other things that unvoluntarily are taken out of the paycheck. Additionally, TVUSD teachers voted to keep class size reduction and other programs, as well as teacher jobs by voluntarily taking a pay reduction for next year.

http://www.myvalleynews.com/story/37701/

My first 2 years out of college I made way more money but teaching appeals to me and I think the salary is workable, though not generous. We do not have fablulous retirement programs, we have to reach a certain age and have to pay for our own healthcare in retirement, which currently for one person the cost is in excess of $800/month. I can’t imagine what it will be when I am ready to retire!

Anyone who thinks teachers are paid too well has no idea the amount of work we do and what our actual net pay ends up being. I am happy with my decision to teach, but still continually shocked by the lack of respect from the general community. When I voted to reduce my paycheck next year by a significant amount per month, as well as swallowing a 200% per month insurance cost raise, I did it to keep class size reductions for YOUR kids in their math and English classes, I did not receive a pink slip. At least in my district we have proven that most teachers want what is best for students even at a personal financial loss — what have you done for your community recently?

[Author]

Posts