Resolved

• A free public education should reflect the values of the American democracy
• A free public education system is vital for the maintenance and continuation of American democracy
• Teachers have settled for wages that are too low
• Teachers do not make enough money
• Too many teachers must work extra jobs to support their families; thereby turning their teaching job into a de facto part-time job
• Teachers should not have to live a lower middle class lifestyle
• Teaching should be regarded as an exchange of service for wages
• The martyrdom syndrome depresses wages and drives away new teachers
• Teacher turnover is appalling
• Teachers have mistakenly traded job security for diminished wages
• Teachers work too many uncompensated hours: one uncompensated hour is one too many
• Teachers are donating millions, if not billions of dollars of uncompensated labor: lawyers can write these off as pro bono expenses on their income tax--why can't we?
• Schools in states with strong teachers' unions have the best schools
• Higher salaries will create competition for teaching jobs, driving out bad teachers and encouraging those who want to make teaching their life's work to remain in the profession
• Work conditions in many schools are appalling
• "Burning out" is not noble
• Teachers are neither governesses, nor are they babysitters
• Teachers have their own children to take care of after school hours
• Daycare should be provided on-site for teachers
• Education workplaces need more division of labor, not less
• Taxpayer dollars are being wasted on teachers doing tasks that do not require a college degree to perform
• Fewer teachers should be employed, so that those who remain make more money
• Teachers should never have to buy supplies or equipment
• If the school year, length of day, or time required is extended, salaries must rise commensurately
• Teachers are entitled to be paid for their labor, just like any other profession
• Summer vacation is not a vacation: it is an unpaid leave of absence. Salaries reflects that teachers work a 10 month year
• Many teachers would be happy to work a longer year, if compensated
• Attitudes towards teachers are appalling