For the Underemployed and Overpaid

Years ago, a guy who played pick-up basketball with me railed against news of a teacher strike in Schenectady:

"Oh, God! Bunch of whiny bastards. I wish we could all work from 8-3 for nine months of the year. What do they want now? Everybody knows they're overpaid."

He had no idea I was a teacher and I had no interest in disabusing him of what is a commonly-held opinion.

I don't typically get too defensive when it comes to doing what I do. Some of the criticism is valid, at least from the perspective of the layperson. I'll admit, one of the BIG perks of teaching is the schedule. However, I flatly reject any claim that I work "only 180 days a year." Yes, that's the number of school days, but what (good) teacher leaves her work at school?

Not that your typical taxpayer understands that. Nor should he be expected to. We're not martyrs. And those of us overly concerned about what others think of our chosen profession might want to consider another career.

But, like anybody else, we do occasionally need a boost. Or some time to recharge our batteries. Summer works just fine. As does this YouTube video sent to me by a former student:



It's a poetry slam, so histrionics are par for the course, but it's really satisfying how animated he gets over spelling and final paper drafts. Plus the bad guy in the poem is a lawyer and everybody knows they're overpaid.