For the sake of my sanity...

I am putting myself on a news blackout for the forseeable future- no Gotham, no blogs, de-fanning the various FB pages. I'm surprised at how all the negativity has really gotten to me. If I don't stop, I really feel that I will be unable to do my job. And while I am probably safe for now if LIFO is overturned, part of me almost thinks I would welcome a layoff.

Re: For the sake of my sanity...

I agree with you

Considering I teach college Economics to HS seniors, I knew this would trickle down to the states for 3 years now I've been ranting and raving about the Great Recession and my fears the entire time.

I have a lot of family members who are teachers... my MIL, both SIL's, aunt, uncle, two cousins. We, the teachers, have been holding up our families as our spouses have been hit hard in the private sector...

This latest round of attacks is really getting to me because I've been fighting against this economy for the past three years now, ever since I returned from maternity leave. I can't get up any earlier, I can't go to bed any later... I can't take on anymore I'm grateful that we are both employed (at the present moment) but we are in our early 40's and we are working our @sses off to keep our heads above water.

Right now tenure and seniority are on my side. If things change significantly. If my pension becomes uncertain... I'll be resorting to plan B. If we are going to become "at will" employees, then I'll join the private sector, have an opportunity to make more money and not deal with the attacks and lack of respect.

Education is just not valued.

And why should it be when our student role models are famous, and overpaid, for doing nothing

Re: For the sake of my sanity...

I am working on my "plan B" right now. I think suburban teachers are safe with regard to tenure and seniority- for now. But I feel like a moving target and I hate living my life worrying about the scores my kids are going to get. I really hope the economy picks up by next year because my plan is for 2011-2012 to be my last year.