The last time teachers had so much to worry about was never. Even during the most significant economic downturns teachers like politicians didn’t have to worry about work or pay. What happened you ask? Well the number of people in the country has grown steadily over the years and that has set up a perfect storm. The increase in population had historically been matched by an increase in productivity. Had productivity and population remained in balance, teachers would continue to have good paying jobs and the security that comes with it.
Since productivity fell off, something had to give and God forbid the politicians and their minions take a cut. Based on recent events they will be the last to see anything resembling a reduction. Consequently, teachers have become the sacrificial lambs in the battle to keep the ship afloat.
Teachers are emblematic of our country’s goal to promote education as a way to realize the American dream. If you want to get someone’s’ attention go after teachers since they are in fact surrogates for our children and in the words of the reverend Arsenio Hall in Coming to America, “They are our future!”
By issuing Pink slips near the end of the school year, the politicians can deflect the wrong they have done and simultaneously pull on the heartstrings’ of the public. And the public is where they get their money to run and fill the coffers. It is about money!
What do you do if you get the pink slip? First, don’t panic, take a breath and remember you have a solid education and while you may have to do something other than what you love, the economy will improve. Hope springs eternal and the demise of our culture has been wildly exaggerated, thanks to the media. As written in The Teacher’s Pocket guide to Finance, you must look at investments as long-term endeavors. Your education was the biggest investment you will ever make, it is the foundation for a successful life. No guarantees, but plenty of evidence to support my view.
If you had followed my recommendation to put aside 10% or “pay yourself first”, you would see the pink slip and realize you built a buffer for this possibility. Finance is about using other people’s money and forecasting what could happen. At some point you will have to make assumptions and for the foreseeable future, the budget cuts and consequent pink slips will be with us. Ride it out and prepare by saving and paying your self first until this debacle of historic proportions passes. Do not panic, you have invested mightily in your self and over time that will pay off.
Stay the course and think long term, you are not alone and it will pass!