This comment came from a teacher in Florida:
“Much as I feel for our NY colleagues, gaze south and see where it can all end up as we demonize the profession further. FL is an “annual contract” state.
“Every year I receive a “reminder” that I am an annual contract employee and will be “considered” for renewal of that contract by the district. The union is run by old contract “Continuing Contract” teachers pending traditional retirement and promotion, but the only ones free to speak under any hope of retaining employment. State law dictates that we cannot be provided anything but an annual contract. The district can then terminate, my word, without cause by merely not renewing. No reason is required for not renewing.
“Teaching is becoming a haven for those too foolish to seek employment elsewhere, dedicated, or those incapable of employment elsewhere, inept. It’s a terrifying mix.
“For FL: http://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2011/html/0736ED”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
That is why the “right to work” states are really the “right to get fired” states. North Florida is experiencing a teacher shortage. The media does not know how to explain it? Escambia County had a job fair yesterday where they are trying to fill 200 to 400 positions. They found about 150 poor souls that signed on for low pay, lousy benefits and and a convoluted pension. Come for sunshine, and get the vice grip of the FSA, the gator version of the CCSS.
Watch, they will start importing H1bs.
With the TPP lumbering forward and China’s big push to teach its citizens English, can math and science teachers from China be the next step?
Hey, now, retired teacher… leave our Gators out of any sentence with the FSU, I mean, FSA (ha ha)… seriously though, you are exactly right. Who in their right mind would come to FL to teach?
And, Diane, you let that annual teacher know, some of us professional contracts are only sticking it out long enough to fight for them to get their contracts back. Tell them, don’t lose hope. We will keep raising our voices!
I have a friend that taught in Florida, but left after two years of low pay and decided to put up with New York winters. He taught for thirty years in New York. Now that he has a New York pension, he has moved to Florida.
We had several high school positions that were never filled this year in my district. The expected shortage next year is being anticipated by my district with trepidation but they don’t seem to have any ideas about how to counteract the fact that in this state teaching has become an unappealing, low-wage, no security, frightening, stressful and temporary job for those who wish to move on to bigger and better things.
Everyone else who is trapped and nearing retirement is getting out ASAP, praying all the while that they won’t lose everything, including the pension they worked decades for, to the whims of an administrator or VAM score.
The local universities are reporting a 60% reduction in teacher education majors. We can’t even get substitute teachers when the only requirement is a high school diploma now.
Within a few years we will see how this free market fundamentalism that has ruined Florida’s public schools plays out. The charter schools are sprouting up like mushrooms and making big money for state legislators and their families/friends but they have revolving doors and constant employee turnover.
This is the same rotten deal Cuomo is trying to inflict on New York teachers.
Oh and on top of it………..”tenured” teachers will have to give up their continuing contract status (and become an easy target) if they want the extra $500.00 they would receive if their VAM score rates them highly-effective. What kind of fools do law makers think we are? Maybe that would be a way to go the year I retire, but not before then. I would have to be pretty desperate to sell out for 500.00.
And northern teachers……….I make 51,400. for 21 years in the system. Sounds dreamy, doesn’t it?
The teachers who have professional service contracts lose those protections and become annual contract teachers if they leave the District that they teach in for another District regardless if they continue to teach in the same State. So basically as a teacher in Florida you are held hostage within your District in order to keep your continuing contract. This was obviously set up with the intention of slowly eroding continuing contracts until the day when all teachers will ultimately become annual contract teachers.
I made $42,000 with 13 years in and that’s in South Florida. It is impossible to live off of that salary in Miami. I’m just glad I got out when I did because there is no light at the end of the tunnel for any teacher in South Florida. Florida is the absolute worst situation when it comes to teaching.
I know a stock broker who is rolling in $$$$$. Has so much $$$$$ that doesn’t know what to do with all that $$$$$. Person just purchased a home in Boca Raton, because this person needs the tax write off, plus property taxes in Boca Raton is CHEAP. This person already owns three homes. OY! Person has no clue re: ethics. So, person is pushing Pearson stocks, and hedge funds that maim schools. This is for real and not a joke.
Came up to Indiana from South Florida. The one thing that helps is the cost of living, otherwise, the only thing better thing is that Indiana voted against the mess in 2012, while Florida got the election leftovers. Still having to keep fighting, because of all the money involved that keeps pro-ed side from defeating anti-ed forces.
If you think Florida doesn’t pay teachers well then you haven’t taught in North Carolina! Much worse! I have taught in both states.
This sounds like more extortion to roll back workers’ rights; extortion tactics are being used by both state and federal governments to make workers vulnerable to dismissal.
Our South Central Texas district will be paying $50K to first year teachers…and our district is one of the lower-paying ones. This is one of the reasons (among many) that I left Florida.
This is my fourth year of teaching and I make a whopping 36K.
Florida: The NC of the Southern Coast
Within the past year, I lost my “tenure” as a sixteen year veteran teacher because I took a position as a virtual school teacher for 6 weeks over the summer. Even though it was over the summer, in Florida and as a highly effective teacher, I lost my “continuing contract” status when I realized that the online teaching forum wasn’t for me. Fast forward to the end of my first year as a non-protected teacher, I am not being “renewed” although this year’s evaluations have me categorized as “effective” with no disciplinary issues and with no explanation because under the contract, they do not have to provide non-reappointed teachers a reason. This allows power hungry, spiteful and vindictive administrators to get the so called “last laugh” if you challenged their authority with something contractual like having meetings that last an hour past our contractual duty day. This is rampantly happening in every school district in the state and union reps can barely help us. We need to be protected from unfair practices and we should have the right to strike!
Does the $51,400 include Health Insurance? If so how much? Do you get payed Sick days if so how much? Do you get payed personal days? If so How much? Do you have a retirement account? If so how much money is in it? We have teachers with 6 figures in theirs, but they have put in over 30 years?
I make 51,400. for 21 years in the system. Sounds dreamy, doesn’t it?
So in your case how much should a highly effective teacher get paid?
Let me ask you, William,………… what do you think I am worth? Your last name isn’t Gates, is it?
Haven’t used a sick day in over 4 years (we get 5 a year), and used 3 personal days this year(haven’t used any in 5 years)……… because I became a grandma. I don’t use anything unless I have to. Do you work 7 days a week? I do. I also work most of the summer pro bono getting ready for the next school year . Do you spend money from your paycheck to help you do your job? Yes I have health insurance, but I pay for part of it. as it is not free anymore. Do you have health coverage?
I also come from another career first, so I have experience outside the system. Teaching is by FAR much more demanding. With all our benefits and such a cushy schedule I can’t believe why anyone WOULDN’T want to be a teacher. Are you a teacher William?
I looked at the questions I asked you, I think it would have been more professional if I had said
“Please answer the following questions”
I am taking the high road in my conversation with you, and I always will. You deserve it!
So Please, Please, Pretty Please answer my questions. I believe a highly effective teacher would have given me a straight answer to my eight questions. Don’t you?
So again Please answer my eight questions, because I feel they all need improvement.
1. Yes, It has a cap of 4000., out pocket per year.I answered 5 per year.
2. We get 5 personal days per year.
3. I will receive 1400.00 per month at retirement, I am doing the pension vs. investment,
4. I doubt we have many teachers that have that sizable account. Most teachers I work with earn in the 40-45,000 range. They have their children on their health insurance. which can cost 4-500 a month. To add my husband would have cost me 750. per month.
The last thing I want to do is allow hedge-funders any more access to my retirement.
How about answering my questions now?
why doesn’t the progressive agenda say something about this labor situation and its effect on student learning?
Sent from my iPhone
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Good question! There is no consistency and in Denver some teachers leave during the school year for many reasons other than on their own. Denver got rid of career teachers through the annual RIBs which tells them they are out of a job if they do not secure another position in the district. However, when a contracted teacher tries to apply they have to agree that they do not have a contract. before the app. is sent in. I guess in that way you are giving up the legal contract you once had. Either way teachers are screwed.
I am on a PSC and certainly have NO desire to lose it or change it-so yes, I guess I can’t ever move where I’d rather live or change counties.
I taught in Texas, lovely upper middle-class suburbs of Dallas, before moving to south Florida at the age of 40. Moved because of husband’s job offer. Started all over here-so now not even quite 15 years in FRS but wish I could retire. Think about it every day! Schools, students, parents, and even teachers are TOTALLY different here than what I was used to in Texas. However-I MAKE AT LEAST $10,000 MORE IN SOUTH FL THAN I COULD HAVE EARNED IN TX DOING THE SAME JOB!!! Florida pay is very good-not sure why you all complain-guess you have no prior state experience to compare it to??? I have my M.Ed. and post grad. and earn $75,200, which I’m okay with. Even though my salary is frozen, apparently, as I haven’t had any raises in about 5 years!! In TX there were no unions, and we still got good raises, benefits, and planning breaks, etc. But the overall salary scale was lower. We almost moved to Charlotte a few years ago, and the salary for NC was lower than here too!! I would have had a big cut in pay! So FL teachers-be happy. You could be much much poorer elsewhere.
I know I’m replying a year after you posted this, but I want to address your comment just in case another person reads it. Your numbers don’t add up. In Broward County, a teacher with your experience and education would earn $51,500 (http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/teacher/employment/ins/salary/new_hire_salary_schedule.html). However, if your degrees are not in subject matters deemed “relevant” by the state legislature (and a Master’s of Education in curriculum and instruction is NOT considered relevant in Florida), you would only earn $44,700. That same teacher would have earned $65,511 in Dallas (http://www.nctq.org/docs/Dallas_13-14_SS.pdf). I know those are old numbers, but I ran out of time for further research. I doubt the salaries have gone down in Dallas.
It seems that EDUCATORS are not wanted, only INSTRUCTORS who proliferate that which the state and industry wishes for them to promote. Widgets in the cog of industry, not enlightened members of society who have delved into the deeper meanings of existence.
Promoting government, industry propaganda happens in a democratic form of government? It can never happen, never will.
Teachers in Tennessee don’t have security either. Every day I wonder if I will keep my job. I know several teachers who have been told that their job has been eliminated and that they have to find another teaching position elsewhere. These teachers have to go out, interview and find their own jobs. There is no security in teaching anymore, which just piles more stress onto an already stressful job. Maybe this is starting to take a toll on school districts. In Nashville, Metro Nashville Public Schools has 524 teacher positions listed on its website: , 35 instructional coaches, and 19 school-based administrators.
http://www.mnps.org/pages/mnps.
I’m one of those older teachers who is grandfathered in and not part of the annual invitation to continue to teach here in Florida. A younger teacher at my school was afraid to even bring up to the administration that the air conditioning wasn’t functioning in her room for fear that she would be perceived as a bother and not have her annual contract renewed. She begged me to bring the problem up to the administration for her because I don’t have to be concerned about having my contract renewed each year. Believe me, it doesn’t feel very professional to work under conditions like this but then again, I guess today teaching isn’t considered a profession any more.
It’s not it has been reduced to a job and an undesirable one at that. It’s sad what has transpired within the last 10 years as it relates to education simply demoralizing.
Sad to say, I feel exploited because I’m expected to perform miracles. I work as if it’s a vocation, not a job and still have the interest and curiosity that was instilled into me as a post Sputnik learner. I firmly believe that the Great Generation brought great things to my generation and in turn I was supposed to bring that to the following generations. Sadly I see and feel that there isn’t any value in original creativity or original thought. It’s all being snuffed out by standardization. It is the best of times, it is the worst of times.
Enabled by the poor job market despite the economic “recovery”. Only if the job market really does improve will state/municipal governments be forced to provide a better more secure work environment for teachers.
Is teaching a 21st-century career? A talk given to the School Board of Palm Beach County, FL.
Thank you, Mr. Goldstein.
Florida is controlled by Tallahassee Republicans. The leadership is only concerned with people who pay to play – charter corporations, crony capitalism – charter corporations, and corporate welfare – charter corporations. There is a teacher shortage in Floriduh. It will get worse, and Tallahassee Republicans DO NOT CARE. The only chance of this changing is for communities, through their Superintendents and School Boards, to demand a change in the contract restrictions. Ironic that the Republicans fear market driven solutions to a teacher shortage. The only true fix would be to STOP ELECTING REPUBLICANS (too bad the Democrats are just as bad). I almost crashed when I heard the Escambia County Superintendent talking about “all the great reasons” to be a teacher – I was laughing so hard I could barely see the road.
Nevada is sliding in this direction to! They want to change the pension into a hybrid 401 K mess that assures you will never retire and they can raid the pensions by means of fees that enrich the conservative’s and their buddies. They do not believe in taxes to pay for anything, then they complain roads need care….They also plan on ending professional contracts and collective bargaining. Clark County estimates they will need 2000 teachers this coming year…Good luck! Many people are retiring while they can get a decent pension. A few more years and I will be among their ranks.
As sad as this is, teachers truly hold all the cards. What do you think would happen if all of the nations teachers quit tomorrow?
Nevada roads in disrepair? Don’t raise taxes –just have teachers repair them during summer vacation. That way the taxpayers will get their money’s worth.
We Floridians had the chance to do something in 2014. Sadly, we did not turn out in enough numbers to shift the election in favor of working people and their rights. I voted and, in spite of my frustration, will continue to advocate for my peers. What is comedic and tragic at the same time is that teachers with continuing contract have the option to relinquish their job security to sign up with the performance pay. I think that we all know that I opted to keep my continuing contract and to stay on the ‘grandfather pay schedule.’ It’s not worth it to change over.
In Wisconsin, teachers don’t even have annual contracts anymore. Just an offer of a job, which, if you sign it, subjects you to all the rules that used to be in the contract, but provides you none of the protections that used to be in the contract.
So before your anger at Obama and Arne cause you to vote 3rd party, consider that Scott Walker is a front runner in the GOP primary race right now.
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I am an Ohio teacher. Is Jeb Bush responsible for this horrible treatment of Florida teachers? I know that John Kasich is a clone of Jeb’s. I know that Bush and Kasich have no chance of a Republican nomination. I am horrified at Scott Walker’s advancement, although my husband says he has no chance either. He is flat out not smart enough. Could someone write me back? Thanks!
Hello
Would teachers please write in and let us know which districts, cities, and states have taken away seniority/collective bargaining,and/ or pensions?
Cal kinder
I am a Florida teacher. I have worked in the state for 12 years. My rate of pay has went from 38, 000 to 42,000. However, three years ago my principal non reappointed me for performance reason. These three years has been awful. I cannot even get on at surrounding counties. My principal refuses to call or even give me some kind of reference. When I give the other school alternate people to call, they refuse to call them. I am at lost for what to do. I have tried to leave education all together but cannot find another career path since I still owe 60, 000 dollars in student loans. I have tried to get my union to help but they say that there is nothing they can do. If someone can please give me some suggestions to help me out?