The current issue that my contact talked about is the same issue that we have here in America. Teachers are getting paid less for the work that they are doing. Aside from this issue, the lack of funding for schools to provide basic things for the classroom. Children share seats and tables, books and textbooks due to high-adult child ratio. Basic things such as papers and pencils, and other art materials are also lacking.
For teachers who are dedicated and committed to giving their children the best education and understand the importance of encouraging children to express themselves and their creativity, they take the expenses out of their own pockets. Some teachers can afford to do it but others have their own family to take care too and this situation frustrates them because they know that they can do more to improve the quality of education for these children but there is nothing they can do about it. Professional wise, they do not see bigger opportunities for their career, but given the opportunity to build their own center is one of their ultimate dreams.
She also mentions to me that those teachers tend to shift their profession to housekeeper or nanny in another country because they get paid more than being a professional teacher. It is disheartening to hear to hear this story but this is reality. We have lots of good teachers in the Philippines but were not given the opportunity to practice their profession. Some of them tried to apply for a visitor or tourist visa in America and use this as a stepping stone to look for employment but very few gets the opportunity. She was fortunate ones to get the visa but not fortunate enough to be hired right away. There were private school here in America who wants to hire her but the law requires employer to give priority to our citizens first before importing teachers or employees abroad. They said they will process her papers (visa) and wait for them to contact her again.
I totally support America’s effort to take care of its citizens first, then seek professionals abroad, but only a number of people want to take our work as teachers. Our current situation tends to make our profession the last resort for those people who cannot or do not qualify for another kind of job. The idea of being a teacher or caregiver, because it will definitely land you into employment and the qualification is very minimal is really sad.
My friend told me , if they will be given a chance to fill in the lack of teachers in other parts of the world such as America, she believes that they can expect “ the high-quality of care and education for their children, because we are passionate, hardworking and committed to giving our children a better future.”
It is unfortunate that they have to seek opportunities abroad but if there are no opportunities in their own country, what choice do they have? It is also saddening to hear that they give up their profession to become a housekeeper or nanny abroad but what can they do to support their families? If there are anything that we can do to advocate for them, get them employment as teachers, let us help them.
Anabel-One of the articles that I recently read stated that the rate of pay for a preschool teacher who completed at least some college was the same as a parking attendant. When I consider that tidbit of information, it doesn't surprise me that your contact made a higher wage as a housekeeper or a nanny.We lose a great deal of qualified individuals due to the low pay offered to childcare workers. Considering the important work that we do, you'd think that rates of pay would be greater.
ReplyDeleteHi Anabel,
ReplyDeleteThat is funny that they change professions to nanny or housekeeper. I have given that change some thought. Perhaps nanny/home school teacher. I have not looked into this idea, but it maybe something that will occur here in America. We already know there is differences being made in educating our children.
Anabel,
ReplyDeleteI know a lot of teachers who pay out of pocket for supplies in their classrooms. It is a sad fact that funding cannot support classroom supplies and it is even sadder that our tax laws cannot support a full deduction of these additional expenses individual teachers pay out of pocket to benefit anywhere from 17 to 26 children in their classrooms! Right now the tax law only allows up to $250 tax deduction for K-12 teachers; this does not include early childhood educators. Also, the deductions must be more than the standard deduction determined by the IRS. If the teacher does not own a home for mortgage and property tax expense deductions they probably do not qualify to take the deduction for personal investment in classroom supplies. It would be nice to see this tax law change for all those dedicated teachers who continue to invest their own funds in classroom supplies.