Teach them well and let them lead the way
August 4th 2008 08:57
A proposal that a teachers’ salary should be on par with their ability is currently being debated. The Business Council of Australia is suggesting that top teachers should be paid in the vicinity of $130k per annum, almost double the highest current rate of pay for classroom teachers.
It’s an idea that I think has great merit. Here’s why…
Like most students I progressed through the school system with little appreciation for teachers. Rather, I saw most of them as disciplinarians, not clever people from whom I could gain knowledge, insight and confidence.
Now, as I’m a mum contemplating where to send my son to school, teachers are at the top of my list of very important people.
My wish is for Ike to benefit from an exceptional and inspiring History teacher so he won’t wait until he’s a 22 year old backpacker before he is interested in ancient civilizations and the legacy of war.
I hope that he will benefit from dedicated Maths and English teachers so he has the potential to follow whatever academic path he chooses.
I hope he will benefit from compassionate and experienced Economics and Geography teachers so he is aware of the issues and sufferings of the broader world.
I hope he will benefit from a strong and encouraging PE teacher so good sportsmanship becomes one of his redeeming features.
Above all I hope I will benefit from a solid relationship with Isaac’s teachers and that I will have total confidence in their ability to help ME shape his personality, experiences, education and morals. I strongly believe that parents are ultimately responsible for the behaviour and future of their offspring. However it’s also obvious that school teachers play a crucial role in helping parents to raise good kids. Crucial enough for them to be paid good money for their efforts.
I grew up in a teaching family. My dad was a teacher, as is my uncle, and I have two cousins and several close friends in the teaching fraternity. I even considered teaching as a career myself – and I must admit that the crappy pay contributed to my decision to pursue other avenues.
Now that I see the value of good teachers, I’m all for a merit based pay system with outstanding educators enjoying similar salaries to successful execs.
It’s a lot like that song by Whitney Houston… “I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way”.
It’s an idea that I think has great merit. Here’s why…
Like most students I progressed through the school system with little appreciation for teachers. Rather, I saw most of them as disciplinarians, not clever people from whom I could gain knowledge, insight and confidence.
Now, as I’m a mum contemplating where to send my son to school, teachers are at the top of my list of very important people.
My wish is for Ike to benefit from an exceptional and inspiring History teacher so he won’t wait until he’s a 22 year old backpacker before he is interested in ancient civilizations and the legacy of war.
I hope that he will benefit from dedicated Maths and English teachers so he has the potential to follow whatever academic path he chooses.
I hope he will benefit from compassionate and experienced Economics and Geography teachers so he is aware of the issues and sufferings of the broader world.
I hope he will benefit from a strong and encouraging PE teacher so good sportsmanship becomes one of his redeeming features.
Above all I hope I will benefit from a solid relationship with Isaac’s teachers and that I will have total confidence in their ability to help ME shape his personality, experiences, education and morals. I strongly believe that parents are ultimately responsible for the behaviour and future of their offspring. However it’s also obvious that school teachers play a crucial role in helping parents to raise good kids. Crucial enough for them to be paid good money for their efforts.
I grew up in a teaching family. My dad was a teacher, as is my uncle, and I have two cousins and several close friends in the teaching fraternity. I even considered teaching as a career myself – and I must admit that the crappy pay contributed to my decision to pursue other avenues.
Now that I see the value of good teachers, I’m all for a merit based pay system with outstanding educators enjoying similar salaries to successful execs.
It’s a lot like that song by Whitney Houston… “I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way”.
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