Cappuccino Soul

Cappuccino Soul

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Praise for the Equity Project

A Teacher’s Salary You Could Live On

If I could get one of these teaching jobs, I would seriously consider going back to NYC. I used to live just a few minutes from the location of this school anyway (in Inwood). Check out the salary—wouldn’t that be grand? I wouldn’t mind singing, “I love New York,” if I could snag this job. Kudos to the founders of the Equity Project (TEP) Charter School, the new school in Washington Heights that will pay its teachers $125,000!

Read all about it here.

Click here to visit The Equity Project (TEP) Charter School Web site.

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Nice incentive! But I still would not move back to NYC.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

teachers need more, nice blog, chk me out one day

Cappuccino Soul said...

Regina,
Don't worry sister. I was just dreamin'.
:-)
Peace,
Alicia

Cappuccino Soul said...

Torrance,
Teachers need a LOT more.
Your blog is nice too.
:-)
Peace,
Alicia

Anonymous said...

I would look into this more. Does anyone know whether or not there's going to be union representation/protection?

Does anyone know that the prospectus for this school will require that teachers do more administrative work in addition to what is required of NYC teachers in non-charter schools?

Is anyone aware that the amount of time to be worked... as in the calendar year is longer?

And...when you add up the responsibilities and how one would be held accountable do you really think that the salary is commensurate?

Cappuccino Soul said...

Anonymous,
I hear and appreciate your concerns. I really don't know the answers to those questions. But I do know that some teachers are already putting a lot of that time and effort into their current teaching positions and getting less money. I say if a teacher can really have a say, be creative, make a difference and doesn't mind putting in the extra time and sweat than he or she should get paid for it. I know if I lived in NYC right now, I'd LOVE to teach there.
Thanks for commenting!
Peace,
alicia

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous:

As far as union representation/protection, I believe the answer is no. The pay is already set, so there's no negotiation. I spoke to the founder when my preliminary application was accepted, and he made sure I understood that poor performing teachers can and will lose their jobs. I left teaching for a career that pays more than twice what I earned as a teacher. TEP pay is much more in line with what I earn now, but I want to teach. I simply can't afford it at current teacher salaries.

But the salary in my current field comes with a caveat - if my work is poor, I lose my job. So I'm used to that and I keep my work level high, partly to keep my job, but mostly to keep my job interesting. I believe in equal pay for equal work when the work is truly equal, as in an assembly line or a retail store. But when that work centers around people, especially children, and/or intellectual 'currency', then I believe that exceptional work deserves exceptional pay.

Cappuccino Soul said...

Anonymous,
I like your way of thinking:
"when that work centers around people, especially children, and/or intellectual 'currency', then I believe that exceptional work deserves exceptional pay."
I especially think that day care teachers deserve a big boost in pay also. Think of the impact they can have on the little ones FROM the VERY START!
I take it that you've applied to the Equity Project charter school? Are you going to work there? I'm very curious.

Anonymous said...

Hi Alicia,
I agree, I think that ALL teachers deserve a big boost in pay! But the best teachers deserve the best boost, and foundation is critical.

I did apply, and I have to admit I was quite surprised (and very pleased) when I was asked to continue to submit a full application. This is the second of a 4 stage process, and I have not received a response yet to my full application. Because I haven't been in a classroom professionally for several years, I think my full application may fall short.

Cappuccino Soul said...

Don't count yourself out! You might be just the kind of person that they're looking for. May God bless you with success!
Peace,
Alicia

Anonymous said...

Hi Alicia,
I just got word that my full application is leading to an interview - step 3 of 4. I'm stunned. Thanks for your blessings!

Cappuccino Soul said...

Hey!
That's great! May God continue to shine on you. I really do hope you get the job. If you do, maybe I can do a Q & A with you for Cappuccino Soul. What do you think?
Alicia

prdmama said...

Sure. :-)

Cappuccino Soul said...

Wonderful! Let me know when you hear the good news.
:-)

prdmama said...

Happy New Year Alicia!

Well I have heard from TEP. I posted all their letters on my blog. In the words of a friend, "I gotta say, that's one of the best 'no' letters I've seen".

On to my next project!
Be well,
PRDMAMA

Cappuccino Soul said...

PRDMAMA,
Happy New Year to you too!

I am so very sorry that you didn't get this teaching job. I was so looking forward to hearing about your journey and the progress I know you would have made with these children. It is a great and flattering "no" letter though. It shows what a true talented and gifted educator you are. God's got something special planned for you, I know.
Peace and I wish you all the luck in the world.
Alicia