I support them 100%....Let your voices be heard

Actually others are getting raises and a teachers job is more important then many others.. Where would the kids be without them? On the streets or not going to college... So before you tell them to get over yourself know your role and what they do..

Well said, Bob. No one thinks who will be there for our children when those selfish teachers walk out. Contract or not, consider the days off work you had, WITH PAY.

Please understand, We are NOT asking for a RAISE. When we were hired we signed a contract that included a cost of living increase for the first 10 years. This increase is called a step and is a fixed expense in the county budget.. The Board of Ed and the county council have decided they don't want to honor this legal and negotiated contract for the last FOUR YEARS. This is breaking the law and is unfair.

And what days off do they have with pay? And your right it is about the children but it is also bout a male teacher trying to provide for his family instead he's working two jobs and spends more time away from his family.. One to three year without a raise fine but going on four and five it's not okay.. They deserve it just like the next one deserves a raise.

Exactly it's a part of their contract

What is this showing the children about their lack of commitment? Just to walk out when things don't go your way. Looks like mine will be staying home for the remainder of the school year. At least they will have supervision at home.

Thought this wasnt about a raise? Proper steps should have been taken to ensure someone would be there for the students. Not at last minute, either, you knew it was coming, take your concerns where they belong and if it is unfair and unjust take it to the proper judicial authorities. Giving up and walking out on other tax payers children IS NOT THE ANSWER.

The teachers pay is for the agreed upon number of days worked, I am not sure if it is 186 or thereabout. I think you will find if you divide their average workday/salary with individuals in the public sector with the same level of education (master degrees are basically required at some point ). teachers are very UNDERPAID!

Depends on how dedicated they are Megan. I have worked overtime for free, I have made service calls for free. Dont question me unless you know what I do. You are wrong and I accept your apology. Some jobs are more than just a pay check. Now you want to call names Megan? Did you even go to school? Obviously, you werent taught respect. Whether or not you agree with my comments you are in no position to call names.

And you don't know what your talking about... They don't get paid in the summer they dont get paid for days off and they don't walk out on children.. So they don't work extra hours and only what's in their contracted.. I guess your telling me at your job you stay extra and spend time away from your family and don't get paid for.. I didn't think so.

Very good point Susan, thank you for clarifying.

Don't question me unless you work a day in a teachers shoes.. Dedication or not.. They have families at home and dedication start there.

They chose not to work in summer when they took the job and for the record, some teachers do have jobs in the summer during time off. I know several of them and 2 work for me. I have plenty of time with my family and when the need has been there, so have I, not paid. You are wrong again.

Megan you make a valid point, dedication at home. However, time and a place. Children will be in school for more time than the teachers will, because they will be walking out on their students. Respectfully, Megan, you were the one questioning and calling names.

You are a stand up guy Joe. We all should be more like you. You seen to know so much bout teachers and what they do and don't do for never being one. My point is you said teachers get paid for days off but yet could explain what days they are? Your right they don't get paid in the summer and they knew that and they work second jobs like I said they HAvE to do to support their kids and families. But what I don't get it what teachers walked out that you are finger pointing at and what days do they get paid for that they don't work?

Salary=sick days, personal leave, etc. Our taxes supply teachers with these benefits that a lot of jobs right now cannot fund. You also said "dedication or not", are you suggesting that perhaps some are not dedicated? Dont complain about having to work 2 jobs and not having off for the entire summer, with all due respect you are not the student. AGAIN, this is about the potential WALK OUT, WHILE MY CHILDREN WILL BE IN SCHOOL.

For someone who complained about questioning you sure do a lot of it. Honestly, I debated enough with you and Im offended with your child like name calling towards me and I will discontinue the conversation with you. Im entitled to my opinion and unlike you I have voiced it without offending anyone.

And chances are you probably got a raise in the last five years bob. Pat on the back to you.

Good call, Bob! Hahaha very good call. Yes, indeed they are, dont get me started on that. Several have LOST thier jobs with the County due to cut backs.

See ya Joe it's been a pleasure.

I work extra at my job all the time and don't get paid. I have no pension and I pay for a portion of my health benefits. What world do these people live in. They chose this occupation. No one drafted them to serve the public.

There will not be a single teacher that walks out on the kids.....get your facts right people, the teacher work day ends at 2:20 PM for high schools and later for middle and elementary; 20 minutes after students get dismissed. The problem is that teachers often times work for free and do not get the recognition they deserve, many teachers staying 1 to 2 hours after the time that they are getting paid for. So, if you want your children to get the education that they deserve, you may want to rethink your stances.

Dear people on this post,
Bottom line...this post, the comments, the computer you are using to type your post or write the post, the fact that you are typing...is brought to you by a teacher!! None of this could be possible without them. They are part of the foundation that has help build your future and your children’s future. They are one of most underappreciated job out there.

Well said bill and Colleen

If your child is still at the school 20 or more minutes after dismissal, why is that and who is in charge of that child? Our work day ends 20 minutes after dismissal and your job as a parent resumes....unless you are paying us to be your babysitter as well...didn't think so

"What is this showing the children about their lack of commitment? Just to walk out when things don't go your way."

Too long, didn't read: blaming teachings on everything again

not trying to be offensive but do teachers really make that little? Someone on here posted they make $22k/year? That doesn't sound right for 4 years of college...

I've added a photo from Havre de Grace High School this afternoon. Does anyone have photos from elsewhere in the county? Please add them to this article. I'll have more tomorrow, including video.

Please, when commenting, keep in mind our terms of use: http://havredegrace.patch.com/terms

Thanks,
Sean

From the comments made by many of the posters, I think there is some misunderstanding of the basic facts regarding teachers' hours.
Here are honest facts from a former teacher:
I regularly worked-
7:30-5 daily at school(47.5 hours @week)
2 hours each evening at home ( 10 hours@week)
4 hours each weekend
61.5 hours @week x 38 weeks= 2337 hrs during the school year
Plus ~50 hours during 2 extra weeks before and after the school year.
Total – 2387 hours per year
This total does not include after school meetings with parents, clubs, tutoring , committees etc.
Just the hours accounted for spread out over a year would equal 50/ 47.74 hour work weeks, with a two week unpaid vacation.
On today’s pay scale, I would posit a generous avg of $50,000 pay@year for an average teacher salary. This equals about $21 per hour for an employee with a masters degree.
I have not accounted for extra hours as noted nor for out of pocket expenses for classrrom supplies etc.
This is NOT overpaid.
Think about this for a mo’:If a teacher was paid $5@hr per child for 6hours a day for merely baby sitting 25 children, s/he would earn $750 per day/$125@hour.

A contract is a contract - realizing that times are tough, it should still be honored because....it's a contract. How would you feel if you entered into a legal contract with someone and they didn't honor that contract?

The staged walk out, IMO, teaches the children to stand up for themselves and for what they believe is right. As the mom of two teenagers, I would rather my children stand up for what they believe in than roll over and allow someone to walk on them.

A contract is a contract.

WELL SAID STEPHANY!

Walk outs, protests and strikes are for are for blue collar common labor. If teachers want to be considered professionals, such behaviors shouldn't cross their minds.

I'm sorry, but you are not the only members of the county workforce. All the employees would like a step, raise, or what ever. The old standby that if we dont get what we want little johnny will grow up stupid because the teachers didnot get a raise wont work. You should be going to Annapolis and raising the ruckus there. I spent 35 years in county government and went thru this several times. WE just sucked it up and moved forward. If you can't make it on your pay then maybe you should look to the other counties that can pay more. This is getting old, kinda like reading about the "Kardasians" DCL, BelAir

I'm not going to judge but I work 7:15am - 5:00pm everyday and ALL SUMMER. This is without a contract or union and if I walk (which somedays I would like too) I am screwed!! Just sayin.

Wow...Look all of us over the last 4 years are working more and getting paid less. My health insurance premiums have gone through the roof. I agree teachers work hard, but I employ some of the kids you teach and they are coming out of High School with less and less of an education year after year. Stop complaining, start working harder and show us taxpayers who pay your salary, that you are actually earning your pay. Teach our kids instead of showing them videos. I vote for merit based pay. Teachers get bonuses for kids that pass standardized tests. Give us some kids that can work for a living!

Does anyone on this list think they can be a teacher? I did. I taught for 2yrs and it was the hardest job I ever had, and I have been working over 25years. I admit it-it was very hard. Not just showing up for school time, but planning lessons, grading homework, quizzes, tests, etc. As well as creating a classroom environment where kids are engaged, and trust me, there are very few kids out there who think learning a foreign language is the greatest thing since sliced cheese (there are some who want to learn and move ahead, but at the high school level, not alot). Teachers spend alot of their own time and money to help ensure other people's children get an education, learn manners and good behaviorn, develop skills that will make them a positive addition to society. And most governments treat them like they are the gum on their shoes - if the county has funding. Can someone ask Mr. Craig how big his raise was last year, or is going to be this year? How about his executive team's raises. And don't tell me their job is hard. They got to where they are because of teachers instilling in them something to make them get an education and want to give back to society. Why can't the politicians shut up, open their tight purse strings, and give back to teachers. When I was a kid there was a saying, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste"

If you look back to last year, you'll see that:
1. Teachers and School board finally agreed to a contract.
2. County council would not fund the agreed upon contract.
3. A year later, the county had more than enough surplus $$$ that could have been used to fund the teachers' and other county employees contracts.

Actually, it's not a raise. It is a contractual step AND "raises" aren't the only issue here. Harford County has money, often a surplus, but doesn't put it toward education. Harford County students score in the top 5 out of 23 counties on tests, but Harford County is in the bottom five for what they spend per pupil. Teacher salary is included in that low funding per pupil, but so is technology, books, etc. Our kids lose because what Harford County doesn't spend on its pupils, their teachers do. However, the teachers cannot continue to spend money on their students if they are not properly compensated (and sadly, shouldn't have to in the first place). They also cannot give any extra time to coaching, tutoring, and other extra curricular activities if they must report to a second or (in some cases) third job, in order to make ends meet.
Many fabulous teachers are leaving Harford County and some are leaving teaching altogether. It is a sad situation for students. The counties leaders want to spend money on such projects as expanding David Craig Park in Harve de Grace and trash transfer stations that no one wants, instead of on kids.
Rather than taunting teachers, as in the previous comment, Harford County citizens need to push for more educational funding for our children's sake. Teachers deserve to have their contracts honored and they deserve more respect and our children deserve more educational funding in order to make them more successful citizens in the future.

There's no doubt; teachers are leaving for other counties and other states. Pay is definitely not the only issue here. In many schools, teacher employee moral is very low - aside from pay, teachers and other support personnel in Harford County, as well as other public servants, aren't feeling valued here. So the many of the good ones, especially those that are still young, will go elsewhere. Settling this contract situation should not be this difficult. Man,just another example of why I can't stand politics!

After reading all of these comments my head is spinning! Obviously there are valid arguments all around and having never been a teacher I am commenting as a parent and a Harford County resident with two daughters in high school. There is no doubt that there are some hardworking teachers out there who love their students and go above and beyond what they are required to do in their contract. Unfortunately I have many more stories of teachers who are not as caring and many of whom have mentally checked out. Case in point: my daughter is a sophomore at a local high school and has been having some medical issues thus year and has a long awaited appointment with a specialist this Thursday, the same day she has a final which should only take about 30 minutes to complete. When she asked her teacher if she could stay after on Friday to take the final her teacher said "I'm not taking time out of my Friday for that". Not exactly a shining example of compassion and dedication! Also, teachers, please remember that economic times are tough all the way around and if you don't like the loophole in your contract that allows the county to opt out of giving you the salary increase then take it up with your union...unless they are too busy campaigning for Obama!

Sorry to be so blunt.
Teaching is not a Civil Sevice job. In the real world if you are mistreated or don't like where you are, make a choice, deal with it or leave. There are teachers who would love to have your job and wouldn't complain about working 9 months with good benifits making between 40 and 60k per year.
I have had the same experience as Katherine. My Kid (not an A student) used 4 days goint to Ft Meade to swear in for military service after graduation. One teacher in particular gave him Zeros for those days, would not let him make them up because she concidered them unexcused absences. this came very close to failing him for the year in that class. In fact we didn't know if he was going to graduate till 4 days before the ceremony.

for the teacher's who aren't "up to snuff" let's blame the administrators and mentor teachers who, year after year, allow these individuals to remain in the school system, doing a disservice to our students. And as a teacher in Harford County, I have worked with many of those teachers and administrators.
As a teacher, I never assume to know the demands of any other profession out there, nor do I comment on them, their salary, or their work ethic.
I invite anyone out there assuming to know how "easy" we have it to give up your current profession, go back to school for your Bachelors and Masters in teaching and join us and do it better!

I never assume any profession is easy, as I have never worked an "easy" job in my life! I am tired of some teachers who abuse the power they have over students. And while teachers may not feel us "civilians" have a right to comment about their work they are dead wrong. Your salaries are paid by our tax dollars, you spend a large amount of time with our children and you play a large role in educating our children. My husband has been in his profession for over 20 years and has reached the highest level in his line if work. He too has his Masters degree but there is no such thing as a cost of living increase for him. He gets a performance appraisal every year and if he doesn't perform, he doesn't get a raise. Why should teachers be held to a different standard than the rest if us? Oh that's right...unions! And let's not even get me started in tenure.

Katherine,
I agree with you to some extent. While, even as a former teacher, I'm not a big fan of tenure as it can be abused, the problem is that a lack of protection is often abused by the school system and individual principals. Does your husband get fired every spring, regardless of performance, and have to wait around for a few weeks for a letter to find out if he'll have a job next year? Many school systems do that to untenured teachers. If your husband gets fired, even for something that is his fault, there's a large number of options for him to get employment in his field--he can even hire a recruiter to help him find another job. Here in MD, if you get let go, you have to go to another county or state to stay in your profession.
I'd be 100% on board for merit pay, but exactly what do you base it on? # of students graduating? Test scores? It is very difficult to come up with a fair system that won't be abused. As a Data Disaster Recovery Specialist, that merit based system was easy: did my customers report that I did a great job on the post-test survey? Those were hard numbers. But as a teacher of sophomore English students, are you telling me that MY merit-based pay is going to hinge on the results of a test that's assessing where a student should be after 10 years of schooling?

Teachers they are as different as the flowers in a flower bed. Most teachers are a gift from God then you have those that, well I don't need to say but I believe we have all had one or two that could have gone in another field of work. But those that teach from the heart are worth way more then what they are getting paid. It's not easy teaching, you have so may different kids with problems, parents that teachers have to put up with, sometimes you jsut can't seem to win no matter what you try.

To all those. That won't support the teachers you are all horrible people. I am a student in harford county. My mom is one of the best teachers they have. She works hard everyday. She deserves a raise. She take all her work home. Anyone that says she doesn't deserve a raise you're pathetic and you don't understand all that these teachers do for students like me. All my teachers help me when I ask. They never turn me away. Teachers deserve a raise

No Former, I'm not saying pay increases should be based on standardized test scores by any means. I find those tests to be a complete waste of important classroom time. Performance appraisals can be based in many things for teachers....classroom observation, success of students in their class, parent and student surveys to name a few. The system seems to be very flawed and needs lots of revamping but you know there are other options out there. People change careers all the time so if someone is a teacher and they are unhappy with their pay or anything else for that matter you can leave and choose another profession. Many stay because of tenure, because of the benefits and some even stay because they want to be home during the summer months. Yes there are resources available, like recruiters, for corporate executives like my husband but again remember that is the path he chose and teachers have chosen theirs.

Here's some video from the protest in Havre de Grace yesterday: http://patch.com/A-tTkj

Thank you all for reading,
Sean

The problem with the "Teachers have chosen their path" is that when I was interviewing and hired I was presented with a chart demonstrating pay step increases. Now, there was no chance for me to excell (and I would argue, based on student feedback I still recieve even 3 years after I left CMW) and get rewarded financially for excelling, but on the flip side, I'd not receive less than that chart, plus the COLA. What I was told is not what they're getting now. This has been to the arbitrator, won by the HCEA, and still the board is balking.
A large part of the problem is that administrators, principals on up, don't view even the best teachers as genuine resources. Myself, for example: my principal told me, "The problem with you is that if I asked you to build a shed out back, you'd build a mansion." I was blown away by that comment. I'd never been taken to task by a supervisor for being too dedicated. I worked hard to push through important reforms to the school culture as a member of the School Improvement Committee, but the second I was chased away and not offered tenure, those reforms were dismantled. Students flocked to my room before and after school for additional lessons; one student even gave up going part-time just to take my class because he could only fit in an afternoon class with me.They didn't do it because it was an easy class, but because they knew I'd challenge them and make class worthwhile. I'm supposed to let that principal make merit pay decisions?

Former, nobody is questioning your personal commitment to your job as a teacher and if everything you say is true it's a shame that you are not still teaching. Academia rewards mediocrity and the staus quo more than leaders and individuals. Its all part of the dumbing down of society so nobody is too successful and nobody gets their feelings hurt. Many of us in the workforce have taken jobs that don't turn out to be what we thought or what we were told they would be. It sucks but you have to deal and move on. My main point in all of this is that times are tough for most everyone right now. We all wish we were making more money and not working extra hours without getting paid for them but that's just the world we live in at the moment. Until things get better and we are making more money and getting those salary increases we deserve we can adjust and make changes. We all do it and teachers are not sacred cows, they can do it too.

And by the way Former, now that I know you worked at C Milton Wright I am totally on your side! :) the administration there never ceases to disappoint me! The turnover rate for vice principals alone since my children have been attending there is atrocious!

I forgot to mention above my daughter is a teacher. She is a damn good one. Nominated for teacher of the year good. I respect good teachers, BUT their are many of you that Phone it in. Lets see the good teachers protest the bad ones. Call them out! Let some of the new grads from Towson and Salisbury take there jobs for $40K. They will gladly do it. Now don't taint them, but reward them for helping students and give merit based increases. Stop complaining and change things for the better. My youngest graduated from a county High School last year. He said most (not all) of the teachers could care less what you did as long as it was easy on the teacher....Come on. That,s why he wasn't prepared for College and I have to pay for a bunch of extra classes. Oh, and the college teachers are reteaching him and he is doing well. Wake up.

I am just a student and I know you get more bees with honey. But my argument is no one will be heard if they just act all sweet and nice. Sometimes you need to be harsh to be heard. There are so many good teachers in harford county and they deserve the raise. I know what paying bills is like I'm not some stupid child. I work hard also. Teachers take a lot of crap from many students and faculty and yet some of them keep calm. The teachers want to be heard. And so do the students. Have anyone of you thought of how this will affect the students?

I do work hard. and my teachers don't even know my mother. i ask for help when i need it. i cant help it if other students don't ask for help. thats not my fault. and fullname I'm sure your kids are right i know you probebly work hard. I respect you. but the teachers have been getting payed less and less. and when i say teachers deserve the raise i don't just mean my mother I MEAN ALL HARDWORKING TEACHERS. And im not complaining i want more. this isn't about me this is about what is right. yes we live in a great country. but changes still need to be made

As a student at HHS, I say, that teachers should most definetly get a raise. All year they have to put up with meetings, unpaid overtime, and a student body that isn't the most well behaved. Their jobs are very demanding and require alot of sacrifice, they work tirelessly every single day to provide education to your children, the least they could ask for is a raise. Further more, their pay has been frozen, as well as a rise in medical insurance which means that MORE money is coming out of their paychecks, and with a salary of about $22,000 a year, they need everything they can get. I will continue to support my teachers, as they see fit. (P.S. I was out there bringing in the support too) :)

I'm pretty sure the average teacher makes more than $22,000 a year Shekinah! Everybody's health insurance premiums are going up...you can thank Obamacare for that! Perhaps they should ask their almighty unions to lower the amount of dues they pay to balance out the lack of a pay increase.

You would think that they would Katherine! But the Union isn't exactly on their side, all I'm saying is that they deserve a raise, or at the very least, what their contract says they should get. And as a matter of fact they do, I was having a discussion with my teacher about this matter just before the strike, and she admitted that she does in fact make $22,000 a year.

I hope that some of the people who are against teachers on here act this way with other people they know. The next time they are sick and have to pay the doctor, I hope they yell at them and say that they should work harder and get paid less. The next time they have to pay the atrocious dental bill, I hope they yell at the dentist and tell them they won't pay. We don't argue with this in society, but we argue over teachers being paid to educate the future of our world!!! I hope none of you have a favorite sports team such as the Baltimore Ravens or the Orioles who get paid RIDICULOUS amounts of money for entertainment. I bet you just sit at the games protesting how much they get paid. Have you been on forums blasting them? I think not. So what is the beef here? Did you have a teacher who was bad to you? Do you feel you are superior to teachers? Obviously, you have some sense of entitlement as you claim the teachers do, or you wouldn't be here bragging about your hard work and posting about their lack of empathy for those around them. Why don't you get off of this forum and go work harder yourself? Someone said they are losing money for their own company... and yet you are wasting time here? How does it feel to be talked down to and blamed? I, for one, don't like it and won't tolerate it! God bless the teachers and all who support them!!!

Oh, and yes, I am a teacher and have been for ten years. In all that time, I have NEVER seen someone who is supposed to be a PARENT talk down to a CHILD, even if she was on this forum. It takes a village to raise a child, therefore, you should be ashamed for speaking down to this intelligent young lady. You claim to have children of your own...would you let someone speak to them as you just have to Felicia? Children believe that change for good can be made in the world...who are you to take that away from them?

Respect goes two ways particularly from a child. Not sure I believe a kid would ever log into the Patch and post without prompting if indeed we're dealing with a child.

Well then believe it because us "kids" want justice for our teachers, so we'll get on the Patch and do what we can for them. Thanks for the support Miss or Mrs Linda, Felicia and I really appreciate it.

Tim,
Before teaching me comprehension, check your grammar. It is horrendous. The fact that you are listening to your teenage son complain about teachers demonstrates for me the kind of parent you are. You are most likely the kind that never shows up to school to see for yourself but instead listens to every word your child says. I know very few teenagers who adore their teachers. The reason your son needs additional classes is probably because you believed his teachers were bad instead of teaching him to pay attention in class, regardless. That's how my husband and I raise our son. Do you go to school to ensure that your child is receiving the best education? Do you write letters of support to those teachers who you feel are the best? How many thank you letters did you write? Did you complain specifically about teachers who weren't doing their job? I wonder if you took action? Don't hate me because I am taking action for something I believe in. As a matter of fact, I am a Ravens fan myself. We do have something in common. Do you know how I teach? I model myself after Ray Lewis. He lives, eats, and breathes football. That's what I do for teaching. I have worked at almost every grade-level, run a teaching blog, teaching FB page, teaching Twitter page, write for a teaching magazine, and the list goes on. I help children as much as I can. I am only asking for you to support me in helping others like me so we can continue to provide for the students we love!

I'm so sorry, I typed Linda instead of Leanne. Thanks for supporting my teachers, Felicia and I really appreciate it! :)

@Shekina Hollingsworth,
I will ALWAYS be a teacher, ALWAYS support students, and you don't have to worry...we grown ups can handle this! Now, is there some homework you are supposed to be doing? ;-) Just kidding! Your teachers have the support of all the other teachers and we will fight for what is right. I hope you grow up and do the same.

I’m not writing to argue, but rather to make a few points clear. First of all, as a teacher I have complete respect for all professions, especially those that are hurting from the economy right now. In fact, I think we’re all hurting. Yes, I make more money than some people do. Yes, I have better healthcare than some people do. Yes, I have holidays and summers off. These are good things and no teacher will argue that. However, every job comes with its ups and downs and I strongly believe that until we have been in each other’s shoes, we can’t judge. I definitely agree that my job has perks. I spent approximately $80,000 on my education and worked my butt off to get this job and these perks were part of the attraction. Many of you have suggested those of us who are upset with the pay get other jobs. I suggest you reinvest in your education and become a teacher if you think we have it so easy.

My job also comes with an enormous amount of stress and responsibility. Over the past five years I have worked a minimum of two extra hours a day and I normally spend the majority of my Sundays lesson planning and grading. If I work a minimum of 10 extra hours a week all year, I would say it’s fair that I’ve worked enough to have time off. It’s similar to my nurse friends who work only three days a week but work 12 hour days. Also, in addition to the grading and lesson planning comes the actual process of teaching an effective lesson. Suffice to say education has changed. If you are picturing a quiet class working while the teacher grades at her desk, you are picturing something that is long gone. We often deal with disrespect both from students and from parents. My skin is thick now, but I spent many days crying my first year. Lastly, part of our jobs is caring about your kids. My work comes home with me every day whether I touch a paper or not. In addition to my own son, I worry about my babies at school. I have planted my face in my steering wheel in the parking lot after calling social services to report child abuse. In one class I had four pregnant girls, a girl whose father raped her and whose mother died, a girl who was brutally beaten for her sexuality, and a girl who was taken from her abusive parents. I cried for these girls too. As teachers, we are helping these kids to sort through their issues, no matter how big or how small.

I’m sorry some of you have had such bad experiences with teachers, but traumatic experiences are easier to remember. Besides, that’s the minority of teachers. Most of us really do care. As for the rest of them, I agree that more should be done to weed them out.My point is that every job is different. Most of my family is blue collar and I know how hard they work. Part of why I work as hard as I do is because of how hard my parents worked for me. My husband and I both have fathers who make good money but have worked hard, physical jobs their whole lives. There is no real world and fake world. We all live in the real world. Not only that, but we live in the same community and we need to support each other. Teachers are not trying to pull the pity card. I know darn well that I have a lot to be thankful for. I know that many other people are suffering and struggling. There is no reason for us to have a competition to see who is getting paid the least or who is getting worked the hardest. I’m sorry to hear about your struggles, but to say that everyone should struggle if one group of people struggles is not right. The world can be cruel, but we do not need to contribute to it. Please research what has been going on with the labor board and you will see that it's not us wasting your money. The board has been ordered to negotiate fairly; they're refusing.

All we are saying by working to order is, if we’re not getting paid for the extra time we put in, we are not going to put in extra time anymore. You may argue that I need to shut up and find a new job, but I’ll be the first to admit I’m not good at anything else. I’m darn good as a teacher though. In fact, you may tell me to quit whining and leave, but I’m telling you that it will be your loss. I will care more about your kids than any replacement ever could. I earn my money. I would love a system where harder working teachers make more money. I would gladly put my money where my mouth is and take that chance. However, a fair system that could assess how well a teacher teaches and base pay on that is a long way off. Right now it is all or nothing. Let’s stop arguing about who has it the hardest. If you don’t agree with the teachers, at least make an educated argument. Ask to shadow a teacher for a day or two and see what it’s like on the other side. Then if you still have the same opinion, so be it. You won’t see me judging any other job without first doing my research. Like I said, I know that everyone is getting hit right now, but instead of telling each other to shut up, let’s support each other. Thanks to those of you who have supported us, and thanks to those of you that have read my lengthy comments.

DONNA MARTIN GRADUATES!

OK, So i get the point the wonderful teachers in Harford didn't do a good job of teaching me grammar, and I guess the "Patch" spell check doesn't work very well. So put everything aside, and it comes down to a contract dispute over the teachers step. We all agree that teachers should make more money. Their contract says they get some set raise every year as long as certain criteria is met (budget, etc.). So the union must prove that all of that criteria was met and the county is in breach of contract. Well....Where is your beloved union on this? Evidently, from what I have read, the conditions to implement the "step" have not been met. In the private sector, if we don't have the income, we cant give out the raises, that's why I don't promise any particular amounts. So, the debate changes. Is the county in breach of contract and why?

Honestly, teachers are teaching the next generation of our society day in and day out. People are on here bashing teachers for just picketing for what they deserve. Whats the big deal? Are you saying that teachers should not have the right to stand up for what they deserve? Im in that high school every day learning from these teachers and they really put their hearts into our education. They Care about OUR well being. So should we crucify them for just picketing? They are not hurting anything at all. They just want what they are owed. Show some respect for the people doing the job every day that you wouldnt last a single day in.

Seems as though we have all created this nighmare. I say we because even though some of us didn't vote for any of the political leaders in power, we didn't do enough to stop them either.
Same goes for the Teachers and all of the higher powers that represent them.
O'Mally and the rest of his beloved subjects, voted to raise taxes on business and also voted to send the responsibility of the teachers retirement pension to Harford County to deal with. Why weren't you there to try to stop this? Why wasn't your Union Rep down in Annapolis trying to stop this? As long as These people are in power there will probably not be enough money to ever bring you back to where you should be. You just can't keep taxing the people and expect us to supply you with money for raises when we keep getting hurt everytime someone in Annapolis decides they want a vacation in Europe and NEED to raise taxes to pay for it. Or decides to double the tolls, or more tax on fuel, or tell us we have to pay a higher price for healthcare.
I'm sorry for the reality check but if we all did our part in the last election, we might not be talking aboput this now. Socialism hasn't ever worked, why do people keep wanting it?

For you teachers who chose this career you should be mad at your UNION not the taxpayers. To promise you a consistent raise for 10 years at the taxpayers expense is ludicrous. You have your own people to blame.

I am surprised by the amount of anger and mis-information that is being thrown around with the comments. I am a teacher that is currently working Harford county. i have taught in two other states for a total of 28 years. When I started teaching I was handed a box of chalk and some text books and told go forth and teach. Now teachers are handed a computer, several remotes, and CDs and told to go forth and teach. The behavior expectation of students has changed and there is less and less I can do about it. I still love to teach. I have seen the amount of money I bring home decrease because of taxes, pension contributions, health care and other deductions increase. Almost every bill that I have to pay each month has increased therefore I have less money. I still love to teach. I get told I am ungratful because I would like to have the pay increase that was voted on and approved by the HCPS board but then not given. I would like to get the bonus that Mr. Craig said he would give me but then changed his mind about. I still love to teach. I do not like being lied to, disrespected, told I have it easy because I work 190 days for 7.5 hours a day, adminstrators changing grades to satisfy a parent when I know the student earn the grade, and getting up early in the morning. I put with these things because I love to teach. So, if you see me on the side of the road exercising my first admendent rights, do judge or accuse until you walked a mile in my shoes.

@Margaret Fulkrod

@Margaret Fulkrod

Taxpayers are disappointed that the school system manages to waste a great deal of money and turn out a poor product. Heck you even said that "adminstrators changing grades to satisfy a parent". You, the HCEA, BOE and HCPS administrators are failing taxpayers, students and parents.

One of the Biggest problems taking prayer out of the schools, lets start there. Then there is No Child left behind. If you don't study and do your home work then you won't learn you might fail, Oh My I don't think I can say that it might make someone feel bad! Get over it when kids failed when I was in school they repeated the year and hoped they would not do that again. Young people today have to learn there is a price to pay for what you want in life it isn't a free ride, well it has been for a lot of folks for the pass four years. We need to put prayer and Bible reading back in our schools, if some want to complain then they don't have to do it, they should want to to because with out God we have no Hope. We need God Back in America

Effective teachers are tremendously valuable and should be fairly rewarded. When you look at other disciplines requiring at least a bachelor's degree, teachers make a very good salary. I know of many people, all with excellent educational backgrounds and a great deal of experience who LOST their job, benefits -- including healthcare. It is really hard for me to hear teachers complain that they haven't had a raise in several years, and they have to dig a little deeper in their pocket to pay a co-pay. I think they should be thankful that they have a job. There are others out there who also hail from very noble professions. I don't really feel sorry for those who have to cancel their cable, etc. when I know of people who are really hurting out there, who have lost access to affordable healthcare, who have made the difficult choice of not having their prescriptions filled so they could afford to put food on the table, and others who have lost their homes. It's really tough on a lot of our fellow tax-paying neighbors and those out there who are whining about their raises, go find another job (if you can). Remember Bethlehem Steel? Lots of people who worked there for 30-40 years, lost everything when the company went bankrupt -- including their health insurance and retirement benefits they were "promised." There are no promises.