Kansas science and math teachers easily recruited away

*"Why should teachers be equated with architects or engineers just because they have a four year degree?"*

What proof do you have that <u><b><i>all</u></b></i> teachers stop at four-year degrees? How do you know there are not teachers with graduate degrees teaching advanced or honors-level courses?

*"Why are there eleven applicants for every job opening for teachers?"*

What proof do you have of this?

*"Where is the data that suggests teachers are leaving for the private sector?"*

Good question! I'd like to see it, too.

*"What about the very generous retirement provisions that private sector employees don't get?"*

It sounds like you're suggesting that teachers--especially public school teachers--get better retirement deals and/or severance packages than people in the private sector. What proof do you have of this? Have you never heard of a "golden parachute?" <a href="http://investorplace.com/2012/01/ceo-golden-parachute-executive-compensation/">Here's a list of 20 of the biggest golden parachutes ever given out in the private sector.</a> Can you find bigger and better ones given to public school teachers?

*"Teachers are vastly overpaid and have been whining for decades for getting full time pay for part time work."*

What proof do you have of this?

May 22, 2013 at 12:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas science and math teachers easily recruited away

I think you're on to something--but if we don't encourage teaching, who is going to teach the next round of scientists and mathematicians...?

It's like the Chinese and East Indians. They prized male children so much, they went crazy and aborted female children; now, their grown sons have no girls to marry, and therefore no wives to give birth to more sons.

**If you want more scientists and mathematicians... you must first have quality-minded, enthusiastic teachers of math and science. There is no other way.**

May 21, 2013 at 1:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

FreedomWorks urges Legislature to reject Common Core reading and math standards

I can't help but think that one segment of the population that would greatly benefit by Common Core standards would be our nation's military families. If a family is transferred to a different state in the middle of a school year, couldn't these Common Core standards *possibly* make it easier for teachers at both the old and new schools to coordinate lessons, abilities, skills etc. of the students in question?

It doesn't really surprise me that these Tea Party folks... and FreedomWorks... would have so little concern for our nation's military families.

Interesting to note that FreedomWorks operates under a number of different guises... it is, simultaneously, a 501(c)(3)... 501(c)(4)... and a 527 organization. Why so many? Are they trying to hide something from us?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FreedomW...

May 21, 2013 at 1:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas science and math teachers easily recruited away

When you constantly have to go out-of-state to have intelligent discussions on those topics with peers and colleagues... you might as well leave Kansas, and go to those other states where you peers and colleagues are located. States where innovative thinking and scientific exploration is encouraged and rewarded, not demeaned and discouraged.

May 21, 2013 at 1:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas science and math teachers easily recruited away

So, let me see if I get this straight: Solomon's wife deserves a pay raise and all the benefits, but all the other teachers in the district are coasting?

Is that how you see it?

May 21, 2013 at 1:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas science and math teachers easily recruited away

The constant complaining about teachers from "born-agains" drives me nuts. Why should *any* member of *any* profession be told to *"Sit down, shut up, and be thankful you get what you earn!"* Sounds like someone is more of a Communist than an American.

Do these usual complainers not do their jobs as parents at home? Do they actually expect that teachers are there to fix the children they broke through ineffective parenting? Educators do not pursue their degrees to clean up the messes left behind by bad parents--<u>that's not their job.</u> I also do not like that these zombie complainers seem to think that teachers have the cushiest job in the world--they should try going to *their* place of business every morning, and fixing other people's mistakes. They might feel a little put-upon once in a while, too.

May 21, 2013 at 1:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

As Legislature remains deadlocked, Brownback in Chicago touting tax cuts

I'm pretty sure politics, in general, got pushed to the bottom of the news pile this afternoon. :(

May 20, 2013 at 5:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Opinion: Scandals undermine trust in Obama

*"...and the corruption of our civic culture by the professionally pious..."*

Did George *actually write this* without even a thought of irony? Or the faintest clue of how hypocritical it sounded, coming from one of the most professionally-pious, self-righteous commentators of 20th Century journalism?

*"A fifth might be Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius soliciting, from corporations in industries HHS regulates, funds to replace some that Congress refused to appropriate. The money is to be spent by nonprofit — which does not mean nonpolitical — entities. The funds are to educate Americans about, which might mean (consider the administration’s Benghazi and IRS behaviors) propagandize in favor of, Obamacare and to enroll people in its provisions. "*

This *does* present a problem. Sebelius has no business doing this in her current position as Secretary of Health and Human Services. The proper way to do this would be...

1) Resign her current position

2) Open up a swank office in Washington D.C. ... maybe on K Street...

3) Apply for her very own 501(c)(4) organization. Because this is really about social welfare (I mean, c'mon... <b><u>health care!</b></u>), it should be a slam dunk. Often, when people are faced with difficult decisions about their health care, it stems from a place of crisis... a point in life when a difficult, life-altering decision is made. A crossroads. She could call her 501(c)(4) "Crossr-"... no, wait, that's already taken. Hhhhmmmmmmm....

Okay... let's call it "Intersections HHS." <b><u><i>Purely</b></u></i> a social welfare community organization, no political activity whatsoever!

This way, we can avoid the nasty taint of scandal!

May 20, 2013 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Opinion: Scandals undermine trust in Obama

It really is funny to watch the usual born-again 'Mericuns flop around in their usual fits of conniption against all things they perceive as "liberal." I really do take great fun and laughter in reading that misguided claptrap--especially from George Will.

May 20, 2013 at 10:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Sound Off: Truck dogs

Everyone knows the only safe way to transport a dog is in one of those carrier crates. Put the dog in the crate, strap the crate to the roof rack. Simple!

May 20, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )