Substitute teachers feeling the fallout from a flailing economy…
Yes, it is depressing times for educators in these struggling times. For the most part, it seems like Americans are united when contemplating the most important assets of our country.
For example, we can, for the most part, unanimously agree that education is a vital part of our economy. It is an asset that should be continually challenged and updated. The system of education should be something that is at the forefront of all of our thoughts, since it is essentially the mechanism of manufacturing the next generation’s workforce.
And, since our motivated and educated workforce is what has given our country our powerhouse status and provided us the incredible way of life that we enjoy, you would think such obvious associations would encourage better behavior on behalf of our government and corporate citizens.
But, alas, it is never the case…
“The elimination of a $10 million Teacher Mentor Intern Program, which pays for substitute teachers to allow more experienced teachers to leave the classroom to mentor new teachers.” - Dec. 16th, 2008, New York State government website press release
Now, let’s take a moment and put this quote into perspective… So, recently our federal government provided a bailout package to the failing and completely insolvent AIG company. And, for the fantastic work of the financial department of this company who has successfully helped freeze our credit system, put many, many thousands of people out of work, bring our economic growth to a screeching halt and additionally smack a great big black eye on our country, AIG executives are being paid out MILLIONS in bonus payments.
To put this into perspective, the bonus payments of only a few of AIG’s top executives, who have blatantly robbed America, would be enough to cover the cost of the entire state of New York’s Teacher Mentor Intern Program.
There go a bunch of opportunities for new substitute teachers, and there goes a great opportunity for New York to advance there ability to create more highly effective educators.
Well… That’s life at the present. However, you can contact your local government and express your opinion with regard to new budget allocations. You can find out who your congressional representative is by entering your zip code here.
Let’s hope we can change the course of events and start creating more opportunities for substitute teachers and encourage more intelligent individuals to consider becoming a teacher.
Find teaching education options here.