Recently in West Virginia, there is an uprising happening with Public Employees over insurance. Teachers are part of that group, which makes me part of that group. I find myself glued to Facebook pictures and comments on the direction and thought processes of my colleagues, as I sort out my own dilemmas. Throughout the last week, I have learned WV teachers are 48th in pay as measured to other teachers in this country. That some feel we do nothing, with seemly short working days, holidays off, and seasonal breaks. That our insurance is not only starting to cost us more, but also starting to infringe on our rights. That we are in the cross-hairs of strikes, walk-outs, walk-ins, and threats from the powers that be. People are being asked moral and ethical questions that effect their livelihood, which gives more ethical and moral dilemmas.
West Virginia regions are vastly different from coal fields to the northern panhandle. One of my historian teacher friends went live on Facebook and talked about why he teaches. Challenging teachers to do the same. Interesting concept of unity. I will say there is some truth to the Nay-sayers. There are those people in the profession of teaching that do come into it, because of yearly calendar. I will also tell you that they typically do not last. The realization of what your schedule says on paper is not accurate. They soon realize the scheduled time, and the money do not match up. Outside of work hours, I have multiple parents contacting me about work related things about their children. I work with special needs children, which heightens the concerns for most parents. Four days out of five in my work week, I cannot leave my classroom to have lunch nor get a break throughout the day. As it is too risky for me to leave for some of my children's medical needs. If I go to the bathroom I must take my phone, just in case there might be an emergency, and my aides need me in the ten minutes that I am gone. Almost everyday, I give a student clothes, more food, or some form of emotional support. Most parents cannot tolerate their own children for more than one day, and teachers sign up to take on 20+ in most cases. There are days you cry, laugh, and cry and laugh all at the same time. We are watching our students lose parents and family members to the drug epidemic. So now we also are grief counselors, and not just educators. We grieve because it is not uncommon to lose two or three children in your classroom to Child Protective Service (CPS), or that you gain two or three children because of CPS.
I knew what I was signing up for when I decided to teach in West Virginia. No money. Not much growth. I have a master's degree, and I make $20,000 less than the national average of those with master's degrees. So why do it? Why teach? Why West Virginia? If you are a real teacher, then it is no longer a profession, but a passion. You know that there are those that need you. They do not need you just because you are teaching reading, and math, or any other subject. Learning is so much more than that. We spend more time with your children than you do. We are teaching social skills, ethics, coping skills, and for some just how to survive. I teach in WV, because I want to give back what has been given. That does not mean it is not hard. That does not mean I have a spouse who supports my family financially, since I teach. Even in the hardness I stay, because it matters to me. It matters to my community, and it matters to this world. Public Employees are not asking for much considering what is really handed out across the state. We are the glue that keeps all underfunded programs and services working. I fear what is coming next. I fear for my own children. I fear for my family. I fear for this state.
Next week when I hear, "Teacher, Teacher " the cost will seem different.
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