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I have been an educator for thiry one years and not one principal,superintendent, or legislator has ever asked for my opinion on how education can be improved in New Jersey. Who best to ask about education, of course, it would be the classroom teacher. No one has asked or cared enough to really listen to the concerns of the classroom teacher. This includes our union, NJEA, Administrative staff, state policy makers and Gov.Christie. I am now retired, and did so out of frustration, NO ONE EVER LISTENS! I loved each and every student I ever taught and gave them my all. I educated each child as if he or she was my own. I would never give them anything less than what I would want or expect for my own childs education. Let's respect our teachers,most of us are dedicate,effective,caring, and do our job well. Most teachers do not even look at education as a job, but a love, and work very hard to give your children the BEST education possible.Believe me, education is alot more than just reading and writing. We DO PUT STUDENTS AS OUR FIRST PRIORITY! There are policies, and systems already in place to check the performance, effectiveness,and established methods of evaluating teachers, so why not make those high paying supervisors and principals, who are hired to insure that the education your child is receiving is indeed the best, and make them weed out the deadbeat teachers. Ask any teacher, in any school, which teacher in their building is a strong educator and dedicated, and who should be fired for incompentence, and they can name them easily. Are parents empowered to aid in their childrens education, yes, but do they use this power to enable them to help the classroom teacher to succeed,NO! Let's also talk about the lack of parent accountability when it comes to their childs education. Many parents do not work with the teacher or their children, to reinforce what has already been taught.Many parents do not hold their children accountable for their own responsibilities. Many parents make derogatory comments about the classroom teacher in front of their children. There's NO respect from the parents, so how can you expect anything better from their children? Teachers and parents need to team up, working together for effective education. Learning should NOT be a political action controlled by a political committee, who is concerned only about their legislative efforts, rather than working with educators. These people should talk with educators, which would enable them to be informed, and aware of the difficult issues teachers face each day. Making money, and begging for supporters, to support their advocacy,and worrying about who they may run for these elections would be time better spent asking the real question: " What can we do with our power to aid every educator in America? " Let's stop bashing the teacher,they need your support! You need to learn,and understand what their job entails in order for them to perform their job well, then maybe,your opinions would be different. How many of you reading this have spent a week in a classroom,with thirty two students in your charge? Understanding ,informed knowledge,support and respect can go a long way in helping our system improve.

There is big money to be made from private schools. Vouchers funnel your tax money to money making private schools. Fat cats like Tepper get richer. Class dismissed.

non-profit organizations still make money for people... The officers get paid so much there could never be a profit.

Because wealthy Wall Street types know more about education than...educators! Let's sell off the public sector to the highest bidder, just like Greece is doing right now.