The local Roman Catholic Church diocese announced in the Journal Gazette that it will find a way to fund a 10 percent increase in salaries for Catholic school teachers. It s a well-known fact that parochial teachers make far less than their public school counterparts, and that most teachers in general are underpaid. I had 32 kids in each class, a ton of work to do in preparing lessons and grading papers, and summer work on curriculum and preparation for the next year. I taught summer school, as well, to help make that income stretch a little further. While I applaud the diocese s decision, and hope they do find a way to fund that increase for all their member schools, I m disheartened by our country s, and our area s, lack of emphasis on funding for education.
Teachers deserve to make far, far more than they do.
They also deserve money to pay for further education so they can bring those lessons to their students. Teachers sometimes spend more time with children than parents do, yet they are paid less than a convenience store manager. The argument from those opposed to higher pay for teachers is that teachers get summers off and receive great benefits. I think the argument should focus on the importance of teachers' jobs, and the fact that the rate we pay them is incongruous with their importance to society. While you re there, feel free to offer a few comments on the education situation in this area.