"Kindergarting"? that's pretty damned funny. methinks somebody skipped skool that year.

Sweet sorrow, indeed.
(By the way, kid - don't pay any mind to the union solidarity button your teacher is wearing)

If you don't like the Unions, Pal, you are welcome to put your kids in private schools. And give up your forty-hour work week. And many of your benefits. And your weekend. Oh, and pay equality. And medical leave.

HA! You show me a teacher who works a 40 hour work week - PLEASE! I proudly bust my butt, planning and working 45 hours a week IN MY BUILDING, on instruction alone. This does not include the 4 hours of planning I do a week, the 1-2 hours I spend communicating with families, the 3-4 hours I spend a month serving on committees, and the Saturday mornings that I sometimes have to spend back in my classroom. Now let's talk about those fancy long holidays we get. The only time we can spend truly just sitting back and enjoying watching our children grow up. Oh, but wait ...nope, because I still have to plan for my students When I should be enjoying my husband and home. Winter Break and spring break Are half for my family, and half for planning for my school family, planning lessons, units, and professional development for my staff. Summer Break is another time that, while yes, it's a blessing, teachers are NEVER far from work in their minds. Se of our best planning is in the summer.

Please don't even open your mouth or waste your energy typing about how easy teachers have it. You are a moron (respectfully) if you feel that way. Walk in my shoes for one day and tell me again how cushy it is. And still, when I go home at night, I feel fulfilled and energized to do it again tomorrow. And it has nothing to do with my union, holidays off, or paycheck. It's about the kids. It always has been, and always will be.

Katie, first of all it would be "if it were", not "if it was". Second, it's not just about the money. Politicians want you to think that, but there are other reasons besides salary. But how dare teachers ask for anything anyway. They're just glorified babysitters after all, right? And Katie, or anyone else- I am not a teacher, nor is anyone in my family, nor do I belong to a union.

Wonderful! An artist draws a cute cartoon about the first day of school and the crazies think its an opportunity to bash teachers.

Like every other position, if they are unreasonable in their requests, they should be replaced! I think the $100,000 + a year Lake Forest Dist. ought to hold a teachers job fair tomorrow....let's see how strong that union is and if it's really about the kids! I would bet 100s of north side Chicago teachers would be applying, Lake Forest could reopen next week with a whole new staff and cut the salaries by 20%.
Sandy I am sure you are a great teacher, as are several in my family. But it is NOT anymore difficult of profession than anything else and you do receive many more vacations and sick days than most. As for seeing your kids...I'd kill for your hours. Perhaps you need some time management help, the teachers in my family are involved in everything their kids do and are totally committed to their school and students.

Teachers may want to teach- but the Teachers Union wants their union dues paid! Check out Dist 67 in Morton Grove. The students participating in 8th grade play, traditionally supported by volunteer parents and volunteer teachers, have no teacher support this year. The union will not allow the teachers to volunteer their own free time. Does this teachers union care about our children?? They are forcing their membership to stop doing what they are passionate about - teaching and developing our next generation! But we should support a massive tax increase to finance this district ?? Higher pay equals high grades...take a look at Chicago Public Schools and explain that correlation to me.

BOE hold your ground

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