The board finally reached an agreement that reflects the value of our teachers. It has been a long and exhausting road but the contract is finished. We need to keep our eyes on the classroom and ensure our mentors feel that respect every single day.
February 10, 2014
Final supporters
I READ THE FOLLOWING SPEECH AT THE JANUARY 13, 2014 TCAPS BOARD MEETING. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THIS SUPPORT FOR OUR AMAZING TEACHERS, PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION.
I WILL BE DELIVERING IT TO THE TCAPS BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION SOON.
THANK YOU!! KIM SMITH
I
am here representing a large group in the community (of which I will be
dropping signatures off soon) who want you to know we support our
teachers. We are in support of
Traverse City Area Public Schools and feel the biggest asset of this education
system is our teaching staff. We want
to see the board and the administration reflect this with a fair contract.
To say that we are concerned about the morale of our teachers is a grave understatement. Not only are they teachers but they are mentors with tremendous influence. The value in that alone is immeasurable. To hear that our teachers are earning 10-15% less than they earned in 2008 is incredibly discouraging. Our children have the most wonderful opportunity to be in these teachers’ classrooms and the teachers have a profound impact on their lives and outlook on education. How these teachers keep a smile on their face every day is beyond us. To have such demands as more students, fewer aids, less pay, a feeling of responsibility over the community’s vote towards proposals, and subjective evaluation systems determining their salaries makes it impossible to comprehend how teachers continue to give all that they do.
We understand there are governmental guidelines and constraints financially. Budgeting all of this must be a monumental task. However, we feel cuts cannot be made towards teachers – especially when we hear that administrative salaries have gone up 6-8% each year. We certainly are not saying that administrators don’t deserve this. However, it doesn’t sit well when we hear of our teachers’ income and contract status. We understand that buildings need improvements – dire improvements and it sickens us that the bond did not pass. However, buildings are not the only thing that will be deteriorating if we continue down this path. If we lose valuable teachers because they do not feel supported, the education of our children will deteriorate as well.
To hear of all the new programs you are exploring for TCAPS is exciting. However, when we hear that hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent on these programs while our teachers – the heart of the entire system – still do not have a contract is mind-boggling. These programs and most importantly, our children, will not thrive and flourish without the strength of supported teachers.
We are asking you to please hear and consider our concerns. We are very worried about the future of our education system. Just this morning as my family was getting ready for the day, my third-grader had a case of the Mondays about going to school. As might be typical of a 9-year-old, he griped “school isn’t good for anyone!” At that moment, my kindergartner piped up and proclaimed, “yes it is! It’s good for teachers!” As a mom, it was a very proud moment. As a member of this community, his statement fed my fear that this system isn’t making it good for teachers. We hope you will make it better.
Thank you.
Kimberly Smith
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
January 19, 2014
January 18, 2014
The silence from the board remains heavy but I am spending my evenings organizing these pages to show them exactly who is watching. This process is exhausting and the opposition is firm yet I refuse to let our teachers feel like they are fighting this alone.
Reached 100 supporters
January 18, 2014
129 Comments
I volunteer in a TCAPS elementary and I am so impressed with the education being delivered by the staff. the long hours of prep required, with limited materials and support. Morale is low, but never apparent in the classroom. Kudos to all teachers who are giving 110%!
How are you going to attract qualified teachers to Traverse City or inspire young people to become teachers if they feel the field is not valued and cannot support families AND pay back student loans!
My 3 children have always had amazing teachers in TCAPS. Most citizens have no idea of what it takes to do this important ans difficult profession. I am very disappointed in the way TCAPS have treated their staff. This last move to use a failed millage as a tool in negotiations in shamefull.
Teachers are underpaid! We need provide attractive salaries/benefits to our teachers so we can continue to attract and retain the best and brightest talent! We just lost a superstar Spanish teacher at East Middle School (Mr. Kelly Clark) because the pay was not enough on support his family!
As an academic advisor at this state's largest university, I am never worried about students from TC not being prepared. What does blow my mind is when I see what TCAPS teachers deal with contractually compared to other districts in this state. "The bay is half the pay" is the biggest load of crock ever established.
I am a TCAPS teacher and I support all TCAPS staff. Thank you so much to all who have signed the petition and support us for the work we do.
I would like to see us support our own community before reaching out to the global community.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
The board finally reached an agreement that reflects the value of our teachers. It has been a long and exhausting road but the contract is finished. We need to keep our eyes on the classroom and ensure our mentors feel that respect every single day.
February 10, 2014
Final supporters
I READ THE FOLLOWING SPEECH AT THE JANUARY 13, 2014 TCAPS BOARD MEETING. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THIS SUPPORT FOR OUR AMAZING TEACHERS, PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION.
I WILL BE DELIVERING IT TO THE TCAPS BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION SOON.
THANK YOU!! KIM SMITH
I
am here representing a large group in the community (of which I will be
dropping signatures off soon) who want you to know we support our
teachers. We are in support of
Traverse City Area Public Schools and feel the biggest asset of this education
system is our teaching staff. We want
to see the board and the administration reflect this with a fair contract.
To say that we are concerned about the morale of our teachers is a grave understatement. Not only are they teachers but they are mentors with tremendous influence. The value in that alone is immeasurable. To hear that our teachers are earning 10-15% less than they earned in 2008 is incredibly discouraging. Our children have the most wonderful opportunity to be in these teachers’ classrooms and the teachers have a profound impact on their lives and outlook on education. How these teachers keep a smile on their face every day is beyond us. To have such demands as more students, fewer aids, less pay, a feeling of responsibility over the community’s vote towards proposals, and subjective evaluation systems determining their salaries makes it impossible to comprehend how teachers continue to give all that they do.
We understand there are governmental guidelines and constraints financially. Budgeting all of this must be a monumental task. However, we feel cuts cannot be made towards teachers – especially when we hear that administrative salaries have gone up 6-8% each year. We certainly are not saying that administrators don’t deserve this. However, it doesn’t sit well when we hear of our teachers’ income and contract status. We understand that buildings need improvements – dire improvements and it sickens us that the bond did not pass. However, buildings are not the only thing that will be deteriorating if we continue down this path. If we lose valuable teachers because they do not feel supported, the education of our children will deteriorate as well.
To hear of all the new programs you are exploring for TCAPS is exciting. However, when we hear that hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent on these programs while our teachers – the heart of the entire system – still do not have a contract is mind-boggling. These programs and most importantly, our children, will not thrive and flourish without the strength of supported teachers.
We are asking you to please hear and consider our concerns. We are very worried about the future of our education system. Just this morning as my family was getting ready for the day, my third-grader had a case of the Mondays about going to school. As might be typical of a 9-year-old, he griped “school isn’t good for anyone!” At that moment, my kindergartner piped up and proclaimed, “yes it is! It’s good for teachers!” As a mom, it was a very proud moment. As a member of this community, his statement fed my fear that this system isn’t making it good for teachers. We hope you will make it better.
Thank you.
Kimberly Smith
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
January 19, 2014
January 18, 2014
The silence from the board remains heavy but I am spending my evenings organizing these pages to show them exactly who is watching. This process is exhausting and the opposition is firm yet I refuse to let our teachers feel like they are fighting this alone.
Reached 100 supporters
January 18, 2014
129 Comments
Teachers must be rewarded fairly for their expertise and superior college degrees. We will not be able to convince anyone to be a teacher with low level wages. My grandchildren attend TC Schools. Please respect our teachers with a good contract.
I volunteer in a TCAPS elementary and I am so impressed with the education being delivered by the staff. the long hours of prep required, with limited materials and support. Morale is low, but never apparent in the classroom. Kudos to all teachers who are giving 110%!
How are you going to attract qualified teachers to Traverse City or inspire young people to become teachers if they feel the field is not valued and cannot support families AND pay back student loans!
My 3 children have always had amazing teachers in TCAPS. Most citizens have no idea of what it takes to do this important ans difficult profession. I am very disappointed in the way TCAPS have treated their staff. This last move to use a failed millage as a tool in negotiations in shamefull.
Teachers are underpaid! We need provide attractive salaries/benefits to our teachers so we can continue to attract and retain the best and brightest talent! We just lost a superstar Spanish teacher at East Middle School (Mr. Kelly Clark) because the pay was not enough on support his family!
As an academic advisor at this state's largest university, I am never worried about students from TC not being prepared. What does blow my mind is when I see what TCAPS teachers deal with contractually compared to other districts in this state. "The bay is half the pay" is the biggest load of crock ever established.
I am a TCAPS teacher and I support all TCAPS staff. Thank you so much to all who have signed the petition and support us for the work we do.
I would like to see us support our own community before reaching out to the global community.
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Teachers must be rewarded fairly for their expertise and superior college degrees. We will not be able to convince anyone to be a teacher with low level wages. My grandchildren attend TC Schools. Please respect our teachers with a good contract.