I want to make this clear, I like teachers. I consider it a high calling. I have been fortunate to enjoy tremendously the relationship I have had with my children’s teachers, staff and volunteers at Grand Rapids Public Montessori. My children love to learn and for this I am thankful. I do not believe that my children’s experience is unique. There are many dedicated teachers and staff throughout the system.
In general I believe that teachers and staff tend to be diminished compared to their importance to the community. Many of my students at Ferris consider it a thankless career path with less than comparable compensation. So I am defensive of their commitments and their role. This extends to nearly all who are working in public education in the United States.
According to a recent study by the Economic Policy Institute, teachers earn less than their peers with similar education and this disadvantage has been growing over the past ten years. We also know that teacher compensation correlates highly with student academic success, and the ability to attract higher skilled teachers.
I believe Dr. Taylor is correct when he says no employees of the Grand Rapids Public School system are “just employees.” I also agree that there are many challenges facing the funding of a system that is seeing declining enrollments. I also believe that job security of public school employees is a positive benefit for the entire Grand Rapids community.
I hope and will promise to work diligently to assist in finding appropriate funding solutions to these challenges. This again is a community that needs to share the responsibility of the success of our most important institution.
I promise to listen to and can be expected to be a friend of the teachers and staff of the Grand Rapids Public Schools.
Links:
Economic Policy Institute