A Goodbye Letter

April 20, 2017

Dear Teachers Leaving Education or Just Oklahoma:

I understand why you are leaving, but it can't be about teacher pay. When I started teaching in 1991, my net pay was $1000.00. After 26 years of teaching, my net pay is $2100.00.  I can't wait for my next small raise. Wait, I forgot! That's as high as my salary will go; I have reached the last step. This cost of living in Oklahoma is so low that I can still buy groceries at Walmart, well just 1/2 a cart for $150.00 compared to two carts of groceries for that same amount back in 2006. That year, there were 6 children in my house, and now, I'm down to one child. It's more expensive to raise this last child than the 5 that came before her. I'm just lucky that my husband does not have a job in education. But, sadly, low pay is the main reason why teachers are leaving the state or the profession.

I understand why you are leaving, but it can't be about class sizes. I have an English class with 33 students.  I never have any discipline problems, they are very quiet, and I never hear any complaining. They do have to share books and Chromebooks because I don't have enough for all the students, but assignments are really easy to grade. It only takes me 7 days to grade essays. I would rather have a bigger class than a smaller one; I can get more ideas accomplished and spend more time helping each student. I wish these statements were true, but larger class sizes don't help the students. Teachers need to have smaller class sizes so that they can pay attention to the individual needs of the students.

I understand why you are leaving, but it can't be about having the summers off. We get to travel the world on our yachts, walk on the beaches, or drive our luxury car. That's an alternate reality. Most teachers have another job, go to several workshops, or work on another college degree. I don't remember a time when I had a free summer where all I did was go on a three-month vacation. It has always been about preparing for the next year; I don't teach the same way each year because I always get a new set of students with different career choices, talents, and interests.

I understand why you are leaving, and I wish you the best of luck on the road you choose to take.

Best Wishes!

Shanna Mellott
English Teacher
Staying in Oklahoma