Neighbor News
Teachers Need Your Support Now More Than Ever
Some of the lowest paid teachers in the country struggle amidst some of the highest inflation nationwide - district balks at salary raises.
If you went to public school or have kids, read this.
Teachers need your help.
The teacher shortage and new legislation aimed at us is international news. Not only that, but all eyes are on Florida and Pinellas County, where I teach. Right now, our district doesn't even want to raise salaries to meet inflation.
Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Florida teachers are among the lowest paid in the country, starting at less than $50k/year. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay area has some of the highest inflation at over 10%.
If you know me, you know my previous landlord doubled my rent overnight and I had to move abruptly. I'm still feeling the impact in weekly groceries, gas, and maintenance.
Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
This is not sustainable. You can help us. I am a public employee, which means *you* are my boss.
Email superintendent Kevin Hendrick: super@pcsb.org,
the school board: board@pcsb.org,
FL education commissioner Manny Diaz Jr.: commissioner@fldoe.org,
Gov. DeSantis: GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com
Contact your local representatives. Tweet them, tag them all. This is an election year - they're listening.
But more importantly, teachers need you to show up. Pinellas County School Board meetings are public. You can go and just show support for teachers, you can speak, read a prepared statement, or share a letter from a former student about how important good teachers are and how they impact our lives for generations. In fact, if you write a letter and give it to a teacher, we'll read it for you. We're all going to be there.
The address is 301 4th St SW, Largo, FL 33770. The next meetings are:
Wed. 8/24: 10 am
Tues. 9/13: 5 pm
Tues. 9/27: 10 am
Tues. 10/11: 10 am
Tues. 10/25: 5 pm
Tues. 11/15: 10 am
We can't go to the 10 am meetings because we'll be working in our classrooms, so that's why we need you to fill your cars and go for us.
And if you don't live in Pinellas, I still encourage you to support your public school teachers wherever you are. Local politics matter and they affect our lives directly every day. Be vigilant, get involved, and stay educated.
Share the message, and I'll see you at the school board.
