It would have been alright if you had used my name. I don’t feel you have unfairly quoted me. I do stand by my general contention that your decisions lead to your financial insecurity. You decided to become a teacher and that was less financially rewarding, I imagine since you were warned by your father, you knew what you were getting into.
If less people became teachers, teachers pay would rise and teachers would have better working conditions and more influence over their profession. That would hurt the country because education would become less available. There are some perverse incentives built into the markets.
I acknowledge my privilege and I do give back. If people need me to testify as to the good deeds I do, I guess I could but maybe you can just take my word for it. I give back and don’t live as nearly as luxurious lifestyle as I can afford. We live modestly. I have helped teachers by going to their schools and presenting motivational pitches on STEM. Yes, I am a Technocrat, an analysist. Yes, sometimes my analysis is cold and seemingly heartless. I am just trying to be honest to the facts.
Regarding teachers, my best teachers were my mentors on the job. In school, I was book taught, the teacher brought very little insight that was not in the book, even in college. I hardly remember the names of any of my school teachers. I remember well my mentors a work.
I admit my arrogance and pride is a bit out of control. I know I was privileged and lucky but I also worked hard and made good decisions. I also know that I have helped create good jobs for friends and coworkers because I went back to work for a new company one of my previous coworkers started up when I didn’t need a job and could have stayed retired.
I love to teach but I don’t think I would ever do it in Academia. I only have a BS degree but more than a few times my bosses and coworkers have called my Professor or Doctor. I know they are joking but “many a truth is said in jest.”
Everyone should just major in math and design Fitbits.
NO, everyone should major in science and engineering and design a sustainable society. Well not everyone, we need starving artists, you have to suffer to make great art :-)
I don’t take offense at you response to me and am glad if my writing stimulated your writing. The subject is certainly worthy of more discussion.
In my arrogance I am taking credit for at least part of this stimulating conversation.
TEK
