Teachers in Santa Barbara, and in many other places throughout California, will go on strike. It is not a matter of if, but when. You may ask why. Are we being influenced by the fact that workers everywhere have had enough and are striking — autoworkers, health-care personnel?
Maybe, but this is not the real reason. The discontent has been simmering for a long time, and it is bubbling up. We have felt underpaid and unappreciated for forever, but even this was not enough for us to take action. We do our jobs for the children. We do it for love, not money.
However, there has been a tipping point. A few years ago it was okay just to get by, but now we can’t even do that on the salaries we are being paid. I had my "Come to Jesus" moment when I saw an ad outside Panda Express. The restaurant was looking for a new manager, the yearly salary at close to $90,000 was a lot more than many teacher salaries. I am not saying that the manager is overpaid, just that we deserve more than what we are getting.