I am a not a parent. I am not a teacher (I would get kicked out of the system). I do have friends and relatives who are teachers, many of whom work for the Chicago Public Schools.  And I support them fully. They should be paid for the extra time they are being asked to work.

I know what I’m writing sounds simple; however, I am fully aware that there are more factors involved in this entire situation. And the public may not know – or care to know – everything. But from where I stand, I think teachers should be paid the extra hours since they are not paid for the work performed in their duties.

Let’s Discuss Teacher Pay (according to Shorty)

Teachers are already underpaid because it’s a predominantly female profession.

Teachers are not paid for the additional roles and responsibilities they already assume in their positions. These roles include: caretaker, homework monitor, disciplinarian, truant officer, tutor, student advocate, adviser, counselor. What did I leave out?

Teachers are not paid to deal with uncooperative parents. And the parents who blame the teacher for failing their child even though they aren’t put forth the effort to help him or her. And the parents that know that they got some bad a** kids, but still make excuses for the little monsters they created. And then there are parents who fight teachers, most likely for their lack of responsibility and accountability for their children. Would you intentionally sign up for this unless teaching is your purpose and passion?

Teachers are not paid to deal with the administrators who serve as puppets because they don’t want to lose their nice cushy positions and high salaries.

And do you know that teachers are blamed when children do not perform well on tests even though they are only following the standards that have been set by the school board? It’s a cruel set-up.

Of course, there are more things I do not know because I am not in the system (thank God); but I do know that they are not paid enough for a lot of stuff they go through.

Consequences of the Chicago Public School teachers strike (according to Shorty):

Teachers, not the board and administrators, will be blamed for being selfish for not working for free.

Teachers, not the board and administrators, will be asked to make sacrifices.

Working parents will have to find and pay someone to take care of their children. So, that’s a double burden.

Lazy stay-at-home parents will either be bothered by having their children at home all day or will send them somewhere else to get them out of the way.

Okay, I”m getting off my soapbox now. All I’m saying is, if you have ever worked on a job, you want to be paid for all hours you work. Free labor is not an option, right? Well, Chicago Public Schools teachers shouldn’t be asked to work for free either.

Just a random thought: Are the people who are asking the teachers to work for free working for free or cutting their pay in any capacity?