The hardcore kid-to-school teacher pipeline is well established by this point. But nobody tells you about the "passion tax" you might be asked to pay on either road.
Yeah. Thanks for sharing. I appreciate the parallels you describe here. I’m a teacher of 20+ years, a fan of punk and hardcore, and an appreciative reader. A student asked me today what my favorite music is. I told her punk, but it left me wondering what the label punk means to a teenager today. Music continues to be such a blessing and pathway toward making connections with others. And hey, I even have my students create zines. Not a bad way to spend the day/make a living.
"Show dissent and your fitness for teaching is questioned: How dare you ask for more! Do you even understand what a gift it is to be doing the important work of a teacher?"
God, I feel this. Point out how little we're compensated or how dangerous being a teacher could be during COVID and all of a sudden it's "but aren't you doing this for THE KIDS?" Like I tell my students, I can't pay my rent with "making a difference."
And I'm lucky enough to be in higher education, where I have a lot more autonomy than teachers in primary and secondary school, even in a public university system. Being that underpaid, having no resources, and having your job dictated by whatever whims the school board comes up with? No wonder the burnout is so high.
Thanks for writing about this issue, Norman. I spent 15 of my years teaching also being the union negotiator at our school. I often thought it was only because we had an in-house union that I was able to teach as long as I did. That being said, I miss the classroom a lot. I tink it’s not just idealism that drives so many hardcore kids into the classroom, it’s also the opportunity to cultivate community similar to hardcore scenes. Few other jobs offer that.
This is a touching word of encouragement and connection, Norm. I also got my teaching credential, (Culinary Arts) after music and touring slowed down. So, now of course I teach how to pair music experiences with food and beverage and so on. It has come full circle, and I am willing to pay the taxes to make it so. 🤘🏽
I spent 10+ years teaching. First in a private school then at three different public schools in Florida so oof. The last three years I was a teacher mentor and basically did to new teachers what was done to you. What made matters worse but didn't affect me was when our lovely governor decided brand new teachers should get paid more and all of a sudden they were getting paid just as much if not more than teachers who had been teaching for many years but because of how raises work were now making a few dollars more than recent college graduates. That was a low blow. Our state has a great virtual school which a lot of public teachers have left to go teach at. I now spend my time volunteering at my kid's school because I know how much it sucks needing help and not getting any.
My route to teaching was also not direct. I got a degree in music business and then had to go back and get missing AA credits so I can get an English degree with a minor in English language arts education. I then went and got a masters in instructional design and educational technology all for naught. I quit teaching because my admin left, Covid happened and our new admin thought it would be ok to give me over 190 students when my class limit by law was 125 but because most were virtual they thought that was ok. Usually when you have 150 you got an extra period and paid, they refused. I fought them for half a year. I had no time to grade 60+ extra assignments as I had a hard time limit. I used to go to school an hour and a half early and stay an hour late. I didn't bring work home. If it didn't get done there it didn't get done. We only got paid for 37.5 hours. Towards the end I was very jaded obviously but my life could no longer revolve around work, my migraines were increasing, my health was declining. The last month I was there was before spring break. I think I was only able to drive in about four days because of my migraines and my body shutting down over the stress. So yeah teaching today especially in Florida is hard. Thank you for writing about this.
The punk tax is a really interesting idea, and I find it very plausible. Do you think there is a bias in the hardcore community against participants who can afford the punk tax more easily, as in from families with money, or that they have a decent paycheck? If so, any idea(s) where that bias comes from?
Catching up on reading but thank you for this. I always feel bad given my passion for education but my reticence to join the teaching force: I can't live on the salary. It's preaching to the choir but teachers deserve more, so much more.
Yeah. Thanks for sharing. I appreciate the parallels you describe here. I’m a teacher of 20+ years, a fan of punk and hardcore, and an appreciative reader. A student asked me today what my favorite music is. I told her punk, but it left me wondering what the label punk means to a teenager today. Music continues to be such a blessing and pathway toward making connections with others. And hey, I even have my students create zines. Not a bad way to spend the day/make a living.
I just wanted to say I think its great how much zine creation has continued to exist no matter what the age? kudos to your students!!
"Show dissent and your fitness for teaching is questioned: How dare you ask for more! Do you even understand what a gift it is to be doing the important work of a teacher?"
God, I feel this. Point out how little we're compensated or how dangerous being a teacher could be during COVID and all of a sudden it's "but aren't you doing this for THE KIDS?" Like I tell my students, I can't pay my rent with "making a difference."
And I'm lucky enough to be in higher education, where I have a lot more autonomy than teachers in primary and secondary school, even in a public university system. Being that underpaid, having no resources, and having your job dictated by whatever whims the school board comes up with? No wonder the burnout is so high.
I'm a teacher and I appreciate hearing your point of view. Thanks!
Thanks for writing about this issue, Norman. I spent 15 of my years teaching also being the union negotiator at our school. I often thought it was only because we had an in-house union that I was able to teach as long as I did. That being said, I miss the classroom a lot. I tink it’s not just idealism that drives so many hardcore kids into the classroom, it’s also the opportunity to cultivate community similar to hardcore scenes. Few other jobs offer that.
This is a touching word of encouragement and connection, Norm. I also got my teaching credential, (Culinary Arts) after music and touring slowed down. So, now of course I teach how to pair music experiences with food and beverage and so on. It has come full circle, and I am willing to pay the taxes to make it so. 🤘🏽
Great read. I'm a teacher, too. And I make podcasts about punk music and the academic study of religion. Life is so goofy sometimes.
I spent 10+ years teaching. First in a private school then at three different public schools in Florida so oof. The last three years I was a teacher mentor and basically did to new teachers what was done to you. What made matters worse but didn't affect me was when our lovely governor decided brand new teachers should get paid more and all of a sudden they were getting paid just as much if not more than teachers who had been teaching for many years but because of how raises work were now making a few dollars more than recent college graduates. That was a low blow. Our state has a great virtual school which a lot of public teachers have left to go teach at. I now spend my time volunteering at my kid's school because I know how much it sucks needing help and not getting any.
My route to teaching was also not direct. I got a degree in music business and then had to go back and get missing AA credits so I can get an English degree with a minor in English language arts education. I then went and got a masters in instructional design and educational technology all for naught. I quit teaching because my admin left, Covid happened and our new admin thought it would be ok to give me over 190 students when my class limit by law was 125 but because most were virtual they thought that was ok. Usually when you have 150 you got an extra period and paid, they refused. I fought them for half a year. I had no time to grade 60+ extra assignments as I had a hard time limit. I used to go to school an hour and a half early and stay an hour late. I didn't bring work home. If it didn't get done there it didn't get done. We only got paid for 37.5 hours. Towards the end I was very jaded obviously but my life could no longer revolve around work, my migraines were increasing, my health was declining. The last month I was there was before spring break. I think I was only able to drive in about four days because of my migraines and my body shutting down over the stress. So yeah teaching today especially in Florida is hard. Thank you for writing about this.
Hardcore kid and HS English teacher here; thanks for writing this.
The punk tax is a really interesting idea, and I find it very plausible. Do you think there is a bias in the hardcore community against participants who can afford the punk tax more easily, as in from families with money, or that they have a decent paycheck? If so, any idea(s) where that bias comes from?
Catching up on reading but thank you for this. I always feel bad given my passion for education but my reticence to join the teaching force: I can't live on the salary. It's preaching to the choir but teachers deserve more, so much more.