So evidently a few thousand teachers marching in Raleigh tomorrow is enough to bring out all that is fine in humanity or at least that’s how my Facebook feed makes it appear.  After a cordial back and forth with a relative over the weekend, it became apparent to me that there may be some misunderstanding about the march, specifically, and education in general.  Instead of my normal attempt at a cohesive set of thoughts (I know right?!), I will instead list the opinions that I have heard expressed and my response.

“I don’t have a problem with teachers trying to make every cent they can but a march isn’t the way.”— Protests, if that’s what this is, aren’t meant to be comfortable but I’m pretty sure the NCAE and the teachers that I know are describing this as a “march for students” to the legislative building then a “rally for respect” afterwards.  They believe that N.C.’s per pupil spending (39th in the nation) is an embarrassment and that our kids deserve better. On that point I agree. More on pay later.

“The real problem is the bloated bureaucracy at the state and local level.”— One of the powers that the U.S. Constitution reserves for the states is the ability to authorize and administer every government within that state.  Since there is a veto proof, Republican majority in the General Assembly I’m assuming that bureaucracy will be shrinking any minute now. Let me know when that’s going to start…

“How would you like it if we brought Bev Perdue and the Democrats back?”— I love the reference to the former governor who committed political suicide by furloughing (i.e. not paying) teachers and other state employees in order to meet the restrictions of the N.C. Constitution’s balanced budget amendment.  I would think there must have been another way and I will admit it hurt when it happened and I was angry but Purdue’s commitment to education far outstripped our current legislature. If someone can find me some numbers about education spending in the 1990s and early 2000s I would be much obliged.

“You shouldn’t be laying out of work” or “Think of the burden and money lost by parents.”— Using a personal day and paying for your sub is hardly “laying out of work” but I plan on working myself.  My prayers and support go to my colleagues heading to Raleigh and I’m working for change one blog at a time.  As for all of this “scrambling” that parents have had to do, I believe this has been in the works for a few weeks now.  Scrambling is what you do when your kid throws up on you right before you walk out the door for school.

“It’s political”— Although I’ve heard it from others, the award for most ironic use of this phrase has to go to Phil Berger.  You attacked the NCAE with some late-night shenanigans and your colleague was heard on a hot mic chuckling like a Bond villain about it.  Killing teacher pay boosts for having a Master’s Degree and attempting to turn teachers on each other to compete for bonuses like some twisted Educator’s Hunger Games means that a lot of people don’t want to see you get reelected.  Yes Phil, it’s political.

“Find a new job if you want a raise.”— So if I’m understanding you correctly an American’s only choice if they want a raise is to leave their current job.  I teach economics so I should probably figure that out. An alternative to this one is the tried and true “You knew what you would get paid when you started teaching” or my personal favorite “You only work 10 months a year.”  This is a delicate subject for me because I was brought up not to talk about money and also I don’t care about it. I was also brought up to value myself based on how I treated others and what I do to help society. I won’t be so prideful as to speak for myself but the folks I work with are underpaid.

“Public education isn’t a good return on investment.”— By definition, public education is paid for by taxpayers and they deserve to know what they are getting for their hard earned money.  Right now they are getting higher graduation rates and performances on national tests that surpass states that spend far more per student.  And speaking of funding… when you adjust for inflation (sorry economics again) N.C.’s per pupil funding is 19.6% lower than 2008. We should be able to cut corporate taxes again however.

Finally, as an olive branch to the General Assembly, I would like to take a second to defend State Representative Mark Brody.  Technically, he didn’t directly call North Carolina teachers “thugs” but instead he insists he was referring to the national level of teacher organizations.  N.C. teachers are not allowed to unionize but folks like Rep. Brody and Dallas Woodhouse like drag out the ghost of Jimmy Hoffa every now and then for effect.  If I were a thug I would drive to Monroe and beat Brody up but I’m not a thug, or a commie, or a Teamster. As I have said before, I’m just a teacher.