Teacher Envy

Blog post: Teacher Envy

Summer is winding down. There is a coolness on the breeze serving as a sweet relief from the humidity of July. The streets are filling with the traffic of returning cottagers, and the malls are filling with parents who have their kids in-tow bc they sprouted during the summer months and need new clothes for the coming school year. 

     As I sit on my back porch replaying the highlights of the past few weeks my mind rests on a bbq I hosted recently. One of my guests felt comfortable enough, while sipping the PIMMS cocktail I made her, to say that she can’t tolerate teachers who complain about their jobs. I was sitting next to her when she said this. She knows I am a teacher. 

     She did the same the last time she was over - I will not invite her again- but more importantly, I was bemused by her lack of understanding that what is at root here: teacher envy. Yup teacher envy- the 8 weeks off at summer - two at Christmas - March Break, etc. I get it. But I also ask - what should teachers be paid?  

     NPR ED June 6,2019 edition explored this question regarding US teachers. To quote:

“When we ask, "How much should a teacher be paid?" what we're really asking is "How do we get great teachers to choose to be a teacher and not, say, a lawyer ($144,230) or an engineer ($99,230) or something else?" Teaching generally requires a college degree, sometimes more. That comes with debt. And there's a growing pay gap between teachers and other similarly educated professionals. Last year that gap hit a record.”

     Not to mention that teachers make a lot of money for other people. Few people would deny that an influential teacher is key to many successful people of various walks of life. 

     Ironically, my bbq guest is in HR. Perhaps she needs to look at education from an economic growth POV before she insults me in my own backyard.

     As for me, I am turning my mind to a difficult year ahead with potential labour disputes, enlarged classrooms sizes and more teacher-envy fuelled prejudicial comments from many. Deep breath- here we go... good thing I’m well rested.

-A