It has been a rough start this year. Phew! I am thinking my besties and I deserve a raise this October! As a teacher, I am pretty sure that I could quickly come up with an extensive list of reasons that all educators deserve a raise for EVERY SINGLE MONTH of the school year but definitely in October! October is my favorite month and always signifies change – changing seasons, changing colors on the trees, changing time with daylight savings. So, I thought it might be the perfect month to dream about a change in my meager teacher income! Let me take a moment to reiterate the word dream. Sadly, we all know that although teachers deserve a raise in October, all months for that matter, it is a rare and unlikely event.
On the other hand, we don’t teach for the money. We teach because we totally and completely love it! Well, okay, most of the time we love it. And even on the days that we struggle to love it, ultimately, we know that we have one of the most important and rewarding jobs in the world. So, pat yourself on the back for a moment and join me in dreaming up some of the many reasons teachers deserve a raise in October!
Raise Reason 1 – Surviving the First Month(s) of School
The beginning of the school year always stirs up a good mix of emotions for me, as it does for most teachers. On the one hand, I am devastated that summer is over, and my alarm must once again be set to such a ridiculously early hour that even the birds aren’t awake yet. But on the other hand, I feel excited for a fresh start with a new group of little learners. And once I get into my classroom and get decorating, well, that’s when the real excitement begins. And then, as I sit through endless pre-planning meetings, the enthusiasm wanes. But then I meet my new group of kids, and the excitement is back! I think it goes like this for the first few weeks of school. I am feeling happy about being back in my classroom. And I have a healthy dose of desperate yearning for lazy summer days again. By October, the reality of 5 am wake-ups and having about 3 minutes total to accomplish eating lunch and peeing every single day has fully set back in. Hence, a raise in October would be the perfect little pick me up right about now!
2 – School Supplies
“You have to spend your own money on your classroom and school supplies?” I can’t tell you how many times my non-teacher friends have asked me that incredulously. My response is always the same – HAHAHAHAHA, occasionally followed by a few tears. Many kids come equipped with crayons and pencils, and folders on the first day. But, it generally takes about 2 minutes before all of their supplies have been lost, stolen, or destroyed. So, aside from ensuring that I have an endless backup supply of crayons and paper and pencils, I also have to buy every single decorative or cutesy item in my room. Okay, I don’t HAVE to. I have seen teachers who keep a very bare and basic classroom (and probably have a larger bank account balance because of it). But, my classroom is my second home. If I have to spend all day in one room, I want it to feel cozy! And, of course, I make my room cute so that the kids have an effective learning environment, not just for my aesthetic satisfaction. Obviously.
3 – Fall Fashion Bought with a Raise in October
Above all else, back to school means having to peel those yoga pants off your body and put on real adult clothes. UGH. The yoga pants to real pants transition is a painful one. Honestly, the only way to ease that pain is by treating yourself to a little back-to-school shopping spree! Hey, the kids go back to school shopping, so why shouldn’t the teachers?! Plus, whether it’s fair or not, it has been proven time and time again that a teacher who shows up well-dressed and looking put together commands far more respect than one who shows up in crocs and sweats. More respect equals better behavior equals more learning. So really, if you think about it, buying yourself some new clothes is actually in the best interest of your students’ learning.
Raise Reason 4 – Parent Conferences
Depending on what type of school you work at, the beginning of the year is often ridden with constant contact with parents – forming new relationships with them, getting to know which ones will be on your side, and quickly learning which ones should be avoided at all costs. Parent-teacher conferences generally fall right around October as well. An entire day spent being forced to smile while discussing each and every one of your student’s behaviors, social skills, and academic progress with their parents. FUN. (That was said with the heaviest layer of sarcasm, in case you didn’t catch it.) I don’t think I need to explain further why getting through parent-teacher conference day deserves a raise. If you have ever been a teacher and spent the entire day with all of your student’s parents, you know EXACTLY what I mean.
5 – Meetings are a Great Reason for a Raise in October!
I saw a little button once that said, “I survived another meeting that should’ve been an email.” I cannot tell you how much I regret not buying that button and wearing it EVERY SINGLE DAY at school. Because that is about how frequently teachers have meetings, every single day. Sometimes twice a day!! Between pre-planning, PLCs, faculty meetings, training, PD’s, committees, RTI meetings, clubs, IEP’s, ESOL meetings, parent meetings…my brain hurts just thinking about it. The most aggravating part? That button was completely accurate in that 90% of the meetings that teachers are required to attend could be sent in an email. When I already work about 70 hours a week but get paid like I work 20 hours a week, the last thing I want to do is sit in pointless meetings. If we can’t have a raise, can we at least all get that button?
Raise Reason 6 – Sore Feet
Seeing a teacher with their feet kicked up on their desk is something you will rarely witness. You will rarely see a teacher sitting, period. I can honestly say that my Fitbit hits those step goals during the school year like a boss!! While constant standing and walking are helpful for my waistline, my poor feet sure do take a beating. Even if you only wear comfy, cushy flats, you likely drag your throbbing, achy feet to your car each night after a long day of teaching. Schools should install some foot massage devices in the teacher workroom or padded floors in the classroom. Ah, it’s nice to dream.
Raise Reason 7 – Halloween
Halloween is hands down my favorite holiday. I love everything about it, and you better believe that I break out those Halloween decorations the very second that Oct 1st hits. Sadly, my school does not allow Halloween decorations in the classroom or any serious Halloween-based celebration. We can celebrate ‘fall,’ but not specifically Halloween. (deep sigh) Don’t get me wrong, I do Candy Corn Math, and we cut open pumpkins for ‘scientific purposes’…basically, I find ways to sneak Halloween in, but we aren’t allowed to go into full-on spooky Halloween mode like I want to. Of course, this ban on Halloween doesn’t stop the kids from being excessively excited and rambunctious about the sugar-drenched holiday pretty much all month. And when Halloween falls on a weekday, watch out. I don’t know which is worse, spending the day of Halloween in school with the kids or dealing with them the day after Halloween. Why do you ask? One word- CANDY. COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF SUGARY CANDY + Kids = TEACHER NIGHTMARE. HALLOWEEN equals an excellent reason for a raise in October!
8 – Preparing Holiday Parties
I generally feel like I need to start saving money for my classroom holiday celebrations back in October. Before winter break, a teacher can go broke on that last week of school between gingerbread houses, decorating cookies, small gifts and prizes, and classroom decorations. Not to mention the fact that constantly trying to get your students to focus for the weeks leading up to the holidays takes superhuman patience and strength, leaving teachers broke AND exhausted this time of year. Even with already knowing all of this, every year, I still get overly ambitious with planning tons of fun holiday activities to do with my students – and every year, the second that they leave my room and winter break begins, I find myself lying on the filthy floor of my destroyed classroom shoving leftover cupcakes in my mouth as I curse my over-ambitious holiday spirit.
9 – Navigating Technology and Distance Learning for a 3rd Year
So, this reason doesn’t need an explanation. We’ve been in a whirlwind since the spring of 2020. During this time, we have learned new applications, used different technology, and ways of delivering instruction we never imagined. Not to mention opened up our homes and created “classrooms” in the corners of living rooms. Now that most of us are back in the classroom, we haven’t truly “gone back to normal”. Our students still complete many assignments on the computer. We are responsible for making sure Chromebooks are charged nightly, or that they return from home on the daily. Some of you are still teaching hybrid with students in class and others live streaming on a computer. (Bless your hearts – I have complete respect for the work you are doing. Hybrid instruction is no joke!!!)
And most importantly, you continue to take all of these technology updates in stride. When the virtual platform changes, you adapt and adjust quickly. If technology isn’t working that day… no problem. You have backup activities. The flexibility of a teacher is a skill to be marveled at.
Raise Reason 10 – It’s October and I’m Wearing a Mask (and it’s not part of my costume…)
So, this reason is two-fold. I am so ready for my students to be able to see me smile when they accomplish things and work hard, as well as frown when expectations aren’t being followed. But, wearing a mask has also been helpful when I whisper WTH to myself throughout the day.
11 – Shaping the Future: Best Reason for a Raise in October
At the end of the day, teachers are truly the most selfless, generous, kind individuals in the world. As teachers, we not only shape and fill the minds of future generations with knowledge about math and science, and reading, but we teach our students how to be good people, good friends, and decent members of society. We are more than just teachers to our students – we are parents, friends, counselors, doctors, and more. We show up every day simply hoping to help improve the lives of the kids that sit in our classroom, and in turn, we help improve the entire world. If that reason alone doesn’t justify a raise, I don’t know what does!!
Well, unfortunately, we all know that it will be a long time before the powers that be decide to compensate teachers for what we are truly worth. In the meantime, Education to the Core would like to invite you to become a subscriber to our Premium Membership site. For a small monthly or annual fee, you can have access to ALL of the printable resources that we offer in our shop. No more having to wait for TPT sales to save money on the resources you really want. It is all included in your membership!!! ? Click the link and try for free. We promise that you will want to become a member once you try it.
WRITTEN BY – SUZANNE KELLEY
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