Letters
Mr. Carlise should get his facts straight
As a teacher in Cupertino Union School District (CUSD), allow me to respond to Mr. Carlisle's letter, "Teachers should stop complaining," in the May 15 issue of The Cupertino Courier, which suggests CUSD teachers are greedy ingrates. It is said that other professionals work 12 month years, and nine or 10 hour days. They shoulder a portion of their health care benefits and take required classes on their own time. Teachers are characterized as working 71/4 hour days, nine month years, and whining about the prospect of having to pay a portion of their benefits and about classes taken during summer months.
Mr. Carlisle needs to check his facts. Teachers work almost 10 months per year, not nine. Many teachers would love to work a 12 month year. We are shown the door each year by the state of California for a two month, unpaid hiatus. In addition, CUSD teachers typically work nine or 10 hour days on behalf of your children. This additional, uncontracted time involves correcting papers, developing curriculum, preparing materials, calling parents, attending mandated meetings and so on. Teachers only begin to work the contracted 71/4 hour day when they have become exasperated with district leadership.
Regarding health care benefits, I am curious as to Mr. Carlisle's yearly salary. The respective salaries of an engineer and a teacher with 10 years of experience surely differ--$40,000+ per year is an educated guess. And I am told that companies in the valley often pay the tuition for required courses. This is seldom the case for teachers. There is a difference between whining and groaning, Mr. Carlisle.
Regarding exasperation with our district, this began some years ago with the advent of a new management style. Under the prior superintendent we felt welcomed as professionals to work together toward common educational goals. We now feel cynically manipulated by an indifferent, insensitive management.
At the most recent board of education meeting we presented a Vote of No Confidence concerning our superintendent, Dr. William Bragg. More than 90 percent of CUSD teachers (96 percent, I believe) voted a lack of confidence. Our problems are about more than money; they are about a staggering lack of simple managerial common sense. Look into the affairs of history, Mr. Carlisle, and you will see more American people moved to action over the egregious insults of a distant aristocracy than over mere money.
Alex Purdie
Finch Way
Teachers need support
I am writing in response to Mr. Carlisle's letter in the May 15 issue of The Cupertino Courier.
I am not a teacher, but am married to one. Most teachers don't work a 7 hour day. Most teachers' days start at about 7 a.m. and end after 10 p.m. Before and after school, teachers meet with parents, help students, meet with team teachers, and attend staff meetings that are not part of the 7 hour workday. Most teachers arrive home after 5 p.m. After dinner, they begin the nightly routine of correcting papers, preparing lessons, and worrying about some student who can't grasp a concept. Weekends are not much different. Report card time is another matter. Extra hours are spent calculating grades and developing progress statements.
Teachers work in the classroom for 10 months. Yes, teachers do attend classes, as required by state law to renew credentials, and they do so at their own expense and during their off time--summers, at night or on weekends. During the school year, they come home after classes and start the nightly routine, plus study. I, too, attended school while working full time. However, I was never expected to correct papers and make lesson plans, plus study for class.
Before my father's death, while he was living with us, he made a comment about my wife's work, saying, "She sure puts in the hours." I have spent many extra hours and weekends working in this valley. I never put in the hours most teachers do annually.
I am not alone in my thoughts. Many spouses of teachers I talk to have the same story.
Jim Pierce
November Drive
Does parade really encourage unity?
How can a Lunar New Year Unity Parade "bring the community's broad spectrum of cultures together"? Just the name of the event causes segregation. Why can't it be called simply "Unity Parade," which might encourage a blending of cultures? As a longtime resident of Cupertino, I have been bombarded with terms such as "diversity" and "multicultural." I question why our leaders do not promote festivities honoring residents representing cultures from other countries, such as India and Mexico, and areas such as the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, as well as Europe.
Lynn Keberle
E. Estates Drive
Teachers shouldn't tolerate poor treatment
Elaine Yee was concerned and thoughtful in her letter "Parents deserves more," in the May 22 issue of The Cupertino Courier about teacher salaries--"Teaching is a gift and a core competency, which for some reason we as a society don't recognize and reward appropriately."
I agree that good teachers are indeed gifted, and that they should be better compensated. But I have a hunch about the "reason we as a society don't ... reward" teachers--because we have no way to reward the good teachers without overcompensating the drones. Every parent has known poor teachers who should be encouraged to leave the classroom, by low pay if nothing else. What is needed is some way to recompense the many hard-working and dedicated teachers!
Eliza Harp
Cupertino
Cupertino, California Since 1947
