Some Observations about Public Schools

Below are a few things I've observed about public schools, maybe some things you didn't know. These observations come from time I've spent on projects in local schools through my current job (e.g. school gardens). I also was employed as a high school agriculture teacher for a couple of years, and I'm married to a second grade public school teacher. Most of these observations stem from experiences in Vance County.

First and foremost, there are many fine and dedicated teachers in our public schools. I don't remember meeting a teacher who was in it just for the paycheck. The teachers I've met truly care about their students. They are heartbroken when one of their pupils faces challenges at home (and here in Vance County, many do). They work hard and frequently dip into their own pockets for classroom supplies. They desperately want their students to succeed in school and in life.

The annual salary for a new teacher in NC is $30,800 for the first five years. That's for 10 months of work each year. In many NC counties the local school board will supplement that amount. In 2010-2011, the salary supplement varied from a few hundred dollars to almost $6,000, depending on the school district. Some counties have no supplement at all. In addition, teachers get individual health insurance (free, with the option to pay for upgrades) and qualify for a pension after a certain number of years. They don't get paid over the summer, but health insurance coverage is year-round.

Now for a few observations about working conditions. Restroom breaks can be infrequent since they must be carefully timed and coordinated (students must not be left unsupervised). Lunch breaks are short, around 25 minutes. Often teachers have to supervise students during their lunch, so that doesn't really count as a break. The work day is a full eight hours, mostly standing. And yes, it's true that teachers spend additional hours shopping for supplies, planning lessons and grading papers. A teacher may have up to 30 students in a single class (and sometimes it's a challenge to find places for them all to sit!). Probably half of the work day is consumed with records/reports, student assessment, discipline, behavior management and other non-teaching tasks. On occasion parents can be disagreeable, or worse. Students are sometimes disrespectful in ways that would shock most people. Sometimes students are violent to each other, and, less frequently, to teachers. I know of two teachers who were injured by student assaults during my brief tenure. I personally have been threatened by a parent and assaulted by a student.

I've also observed something of a "management vs. labor" vibe regarding the relationship between teachers and school administrators (i.e. the school principal and assistant principal(s)). Don't get me wrong, it's not that principals are evil and callous. In fact, most of the ones I've met are incredibly hard-working and truly dedicated to students. When I was a teacher, I had good working relationships with my principals. Most try very hard to support the teachers in their school. But the school administrators have constant demands from parents, students and the superintendent's office, so sometimes the needs of teachers fall lower on the priority scale.

Of course, there are many wonderful things about working as a teacher. You meet wonderful people in your fellow teachers, many of whom become dear friends. Each year you get to know and love a new crop of students. With more years of experience, the pay gets better, and you have the comfort of a monthly pension and health insurance upon retirement. It's an incredibly rewarding, and often fun occupation. There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of making a real difference in the life of a student.

But it seems pretty obvious to me that student outcomes could be improved with two simple (although not free) changes; hire more teachers to reduce class sizes, and pay them more, especially near the beginning of their careers.

NC Teacher Salary Schedule:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/fbs/finance/salary/schedules/2013-14schedules.pdf

Why a cutting-edge hipster like me doesn't have a smartphone

I consider myself fairly tech-savvy. After all I tweet (@pgmckenzie), PLUS I have a blog and a dual-monitor set up on my desk. But I'm still using a feature phone, the kind with a slide-out keyboard (you know, like the Brady Bunch kids used to text their friends while dancing to 8-tracks).

I've thought long and hard about getting a smartphone. I've envied those who have them. I've done extensive comparison shopping. And these days you can pick up a basic Android phone for a c-note and use a pay-as-you-go plan at around $50 per month. Relatively speaking, that's a great deal. And it's patently obvious to everyone that I could afford it, what with all my expensive clothes and designer watches.

My phone and iPod Touch

But instead of using one convenient, modern, sleek device that does calls/texts, internet, photos and GPS, I have four stand-alone gadgets; my aforementioned slider phone, a second-gen iPod touch, a very basic point-and-shoot camera, and a refurb GPS I just bought on eBay for thirty bucks (with free shipping!).

Is it less convenient to have four devices (older ones at that) instead of one? Most definitely. There are times I wish I had my camera with me, but it's at home. My 2006 model GPS has 2006 maps, and the touch screen is small and a bit clunky. As I do more texting, the slider phone is getting tiresome.

But here's what it boils down to. My set up is not great, but in most cases it's good enough. It's also a collection of four amazingly powerful devices that most people could not even contemplate fifteen years ago. They are devices that were cutting-edge and transforming when introduced. And it saves me about $15 bucks a month, compared to the $50 pay-as-you-go plans (and I'll bet many of you are paying much more).

Fifteen bucks may not seem like much, but consider this: $15 per month invested in a retirement account with a return of 4% per year (a very conservative rate) ends up being worth almost $5500 in 20 years. That's a gain of almost $2000.

And of course, there's one huge advantage to not having a smartphone; I don't have to read e-mails when I'm out of the office.

There's also something to be said for getting excited about a "new-to-me" device purchased at 20 or 30 percent of the price when new (again, more to put into that 401-K).

This is not meant to be an indictment against those of you with smartphones. Your needs may differ. Besides, I'm glad you have them so I can ask you to look things up for me when we're out and about and there's no wifi for my iPod Touch. And undoubtedly, one day I will join you (although it will probably be a used iPhone from eBay).

My collection of designer watches.