The Death of the Florida Teachers

It seems as though Governor Crist has passed Senate Bill 6 here in Florida. The bill will make it so that teachers will be paid according to the performance of their students on new tests created by the state. The better students do on the test, the more money teachers will receive in their salaries and vice versa. Furthermore, teachers who's students do not meet a minimum requierement will be laid off. Of course, their has been major controversy over this bill, especially in the city of Miami. Not too far from F.I.U. in Southwest Miami high school, the school I graduated from, eighty one teachers did not show up for work to protest the newly passed bill. These teachers feel that the bill is the final straw after an ever decreasing salary for teachers around the country. These teachers have families, houses, and cars to pay for and take care of. How can they if their salaries are being changed completely? What is a teacher to do if her students decide not to come to school? What will the teachers who educate the disabled or impaired do? The bill does not consider any of these questions or situations. Some teachers here in Miami are fed up with the education system in Florida. I've spoken to a few of my more favorite teachers in the past. For example, Mr. Cancio was my government and economics teacher my senior year of high school. He was by far one of the most educated and intellectual men I have ever met. He did exactly what a teacher is meant to do or should do, which is to educate and inspire you. He opened my eyes and actually interested me in politics, which was no easy task. I looked up to him and still do. Mr. Cancio told me that if the bill was passed and remained the same, he would no longer be a teacher. Other teachers informed me they would leave the state and continue educating in another state. Each of them have been tremendous educators and I can only wish that students everywhere could have teachers like them. This bill seems like a terrible thing and I in no way support it, but there might be an upside. For a very long time teachers salaries have been very low. These people educate our children, the future of America, they should be paid more for their efforts. This bill, with enough awareness, can create a movement that will start a change in how we perceive the importance of our educators. One day soon, the resurrection of Florida teachers will be at hand.