Pinellas teachers, support staff asking for more money to tackle ‘critical shortage’

This is long over due. EVERY teacher and anyone who works in our schools should get better pay and better benefits. We expect so much from our teachers. And everyday with mass shootings becoming commonplace they put their lives LITERALLY on the line. Teachers have a HUGE impact on their students lives now and in their futures. I still remember my favorite teacher from 3rd grade. Mrs. Roberts. She always every Friday bought the entire class treats, fun stuff, games. That was her own money she used that bought these things for her students. Every student knew one thing for sure that she CARED about her students. And little did she know that may have been the only "care" a lot of these students ever got. How many teachers out there that this is THEIR story? They spend their own money for supplies for their students BECAUSE they care and then they get kicked to the curb when it comes to salary. We should ALL be ashamed of ourselves. Good luck. My prayers are with you all. And if your going to do this whoever makes the decision of how much of an increase to give them, please do it right. Don't give them a 50 cent or a dollar raise. Make it worthwhile. Make it something that will impact their lives because they in turn impact YOUR children's LIVES. How much is that worth to YOU? Think long and hard before you put any ole offer on the table.