Teacher to Serfdom Response

The author of “Two Wasted Votes Will Get Me Eight Wasted Years” writes of a topic that flummoxes me every time I give the subject consideration. It is claimed in the nicely titled blog “State of Texas Education System: Forced Serfdom with a Touch of Discrimination,” that anyone that enters into the education workforce is handing over their freedom of ever becoming independently rich beyond their dreams and, at the same time, they will ultimately be the “fall guy” when certain test scores are not achieved. Teachers can forget about such sarcasm as being rich beyond their dreams and move on to considering if their retirement will be non-existent or if it consist of wearing a blue vest, greeting and counting people with a metal clicker at Wal-Mart.

Teachers receive more scrutiny, and sometimes disdain, from their superiors, peers, and parents of students that need to blame something or someone else for the shortcomings of their kids. I do not think that teachers should not be monitored or that they should be exempt from a little constructive criticism. However, being a son of a teacher, a stepson of a teacher, and a fiancé of third year teacher, I know from personal experience that their workdays rarely end early, and they receive more than a little monitoring, criticism, and blame.

The "State of Texas..." blog author appropriately addresses that the responsibility which befalls this job is so proportionally out of whack to its benefits and the consideration people give to it, it makes one wonder why anyone would volunteer for such a tough racket. The author clearly recognizes the teacher's plight and rightfully takes aim at the one in charge, Rick Perry. Excellent points are made. There must be a huge positive shift in public teacher appreciation, starting with increased wages or more widespread respect. If it is not obvious that more is needed, maybe everyone should live with one for awhile, or worse, three.