K-12 Confidential Co-Hosts, Trina and Mani, discuss the complexities and challenges faced by teachers and unions in K-12 education, specifically in the context of teacher strikes. The discussion includes U.S. literacy rankings, the impact of teacher unions, personal experiences of stress and burnout among educators, the financial struggles due to inadequate pay, and the emotional toll of going on strike. They highlight that teachers are often overworked, underpaid, and misrepresented by district leaders during strike negotiations. The hosts emphasize the need for a national K-12 Educator Governing Board to allow teachers to lead the profession from within, aiming for more substantial, systemic change over the current piecemeal improvements achieved through strikes.

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In this episode of K-12 Confidential, the hosts discuss the complexities and failings of K-12 governance with Roxanne, a former district office administrator with over 40 years of experience in education. The episode delves into the problematic nature of current K-12 administration, characterized by a lack of teacher autonomy, the detrimental effects of standardized test-driven governance, and the deprofessionalization of roles such as librarians and nurses. Roxanne provides a historical perspective on these issues and criticizes both the political agendas of Republicans and certain DEI frameworks in education. The episode emphasizes the need for a national K-12 educator governing board, advocating for teachers to lead the profession from within to reclaim educational quality and integrity. Listeners are encouraged to support this movement by signing a petition available on the K-12 Confidential website.

We need more teacher voices to this this justice! Visit us at k-12confidential.com to request to speak on the podcast.

Sign the petition to join the movement to save K-12 Education!

This episode of K-12 Confidential features an interview with Dr. Paul Bruno, a distinguished assistant professor of education policy. The discussion focuses on the complexities of teacher compensation, highlighting evidence that higher salaries significantly impact teacher recruitment and retention. The speakers emphasize the need for differential teacher pay and challenges the outdated step and column salary structures. Throughout, it advocates for the formation of a national K-12 educator governing board to address these systemic issues and empower teachers to lead their profession from within. The episode also covers the broader socio-economic challenges teachers face, including high living costs and the inadequate social safety net.

00:00 Introduction to K-12 Confidential

00:31 Meet Dr. Paul Bruno

01:36 The Teacher Pay Mess

01:44 Challenges in K-12 Education

02:17 Teacher Shortages and Pay Disparities

03:53 The Complexity of Teacher Compensation

11:58 Differential Pay and Teacher Assignments

14:03 The Role of Veteran Teachers

46:43 Impact of Housing Costs on Teacher Retention

53:06 The Broken Social Contract

54:27 Introduction and Welcome

00:31 Introducing Dr. Paul Bruno

01:36 The Teacher Pay Mess

03:53 Challenges in Teacher Compensation

11:53 Differential Pay and Teacher Incentives

46:43 The Impact of Housing Costs on Teacher Pay

54:20 Conclusion and Call to Action

We need more teacher voices to this this justice! Visit us at k-12confidential.com to request to speak on the podcast.

Sign the petition to join the movement to save K-12 Education!