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I am a New Jersey teacher who hears so many lies. First, the state is not broke over my benefits. In my district we have given up larger pay raises to keep our modest benefits. No vision, limited dental. A benefit package that we do pay into! In 20 years, the most I have ever received in a raise was 3.5%. However, you will read that teachers often receive much higher raises. Often my raise was in the hundreds each year not thousands. The highest possible salary a teacher can make in my district is $78, 000. I have taught for 20 years and because of constant changes to the guide, I am 4 steps away from the top salary. I can't afford to live in my own district so I live out of state. Go ahead and attack me for stealing your dollars. For all of my career I have loved my job while at the same time wondered why I didn't choose something more profitable like most of my friends. When have you ever heard someone say, " I wanted to get rich so I became a teacher." Now although most of my friends make tons more than myself, and will continue to have more earning power, I am the problem to New Jerseys financial problems?? It is easy to blame the little guy. As for the NJEA, we have to pay dues to our association. It is taken from my paycheck automatically. I am not allowed to choose if I want to be a part of the association or not. What does the NJEA do with my money? I have no idea. The last thing I got into teaching for was to be involved with any type of teacher unions. I like most other teachers I work with pay not attention to the NJEA. I pay attention to the kids and families in my classroom. I do as my boss, my principal instructs me to do. Freeze my salary? Fine if it will save jobs. Otherwise no. Tell the Governor to freeze his salary and the rest of the Government officials. That won't effect kids and families. Everything we built is going to be gone. Strive to be the best and this is what we end up with. A Governor looking to make a name for himself in spite of the kids and families in New Jersey. It is all ego and lies.