Does pay reflect merit?

Although news events like workers’ walk-offs at fast food restaurants in major cities already had me asking this question, personal events in the past week really brought it home.

Late on Mother’s Day, my father-in-law finally succumbed to a rare neurological condition called progressive supernuclear palsy (PSP). Thanks to the love of his wife and kids, a solid medical team and home healthcare workers, he was able to die peacefully, without much pain, at home.

Two days afterwards, as we made plans to join the family in Illinois, my mother-in-law related over the phone an item on her memorial planning to-do list that brought this question back. She was taking a thank-you card and monetary gift to their home health aide, a young woman with a child. Every weekday morning, she came to help my mother-in-law prepare Dean for the day. And in her efforts to care for the caregiver, she frequently shooed Shirley out of the house to take a break.

But as Shirley pointed out, the pay was minimal. “She relied on us for her income,” Shirley said about her errand. She wanted to be sure Addie was taken care of, too.

Why does the pay of home and other health care workers not reflect the importance of caring for our loved ones? Does that work not merit a living wage?

I experienced this vital work 14 years ago here in Montgomery County with my own parents. Hospice workers helped my siblings and I care for our parents at home, allowing them the dignity and peace of dying in the place they loved.

And I know people in care centers and those who work to care for them. It’s vital work. Yet these workers struggle to pay their bills. Why doesn’t their pay reflect the critical importance of what they do?

In one of my son’s many organizing jobs (part of a continuing search for stable full-time employment after college), he spent several weeks helping the Service Employees International Union contact home healthcare workers in the Twin Cities. The goal was to organize these workers to bargain for better pay and benefits. Shouldn’t the work merit better pay?

Coincidentally, a Facebook infographic popped up last week highlighting the pay of state employees. It noted the highest paid state employees were likely college sport coaches. Iowa reflects this trend, as outlined by the Cedar Rapids Gazette’s post on the Iowa State Employee Salary Database. “Iowa Football Coach Kirk Ferentz remained the state’s highest paid employee last year . . . ”

Do we really value sports more than care of each other? What about other types of work?

For example, financial executives at some of the Wall Street firms bailed out by our government have continued paying executive bonuses and bloated salaries. In any other industry, they’d be out of jobs.

If worker pay is to reflect merit (and our values), shouldn’t we demand a living wage for all workers?

Have you thanked a teacher today?

Did you know today is National Teacher Day? It’s always Tuesday of the first full week in May.

Being married to a teacher, I am reminded of this observance via the annual arrival of graduation announcements from Curt’s former students. Some of the kids were in his classroom; some of them ran on his cross country team. And they may not know it, but their invitations give my husband great joy as he celebrates their accomplishments and the time they shared.

It also reminds me of the teachers in my life who’ve helped shape my course. On my mind as I write this column are two: my 8th grade social studies teacher and the college professor who taught expository and persuasive writing. They are a study in contrasts.

Some of you may know my Social Studies teacher, Lila Hoogeveen, as she’s still active here in southwest Iowa. A creative dynamo, Mrs. Hoogeveen developed a marvel of integrated learning: the Convention of the Continental Congress.

This activity included a homework assignment to make a powdered wig to wear while the Congress was in session; a reenactment of the Congress’ agenda to create a Constitution for the United States; and ongoing personal journals, written in the voice of our assigned characters. The entire process modeled democracy in a way which still resonates with me.

The hours we delegates spent arguing our positions demonstrated powerfully the difficulty of our founding fathers’ work. It was uncomfortable, messy and slow, much like real governing. And that picture of our democratic process has stuck with me and given me patience during my own work as an engaged citizen.

In contrast, my college professor, whose name I cannot even remember, drilled into me strong skills without much appreciation or awareness from me. A creative writer, I wasn’t excited about the class, but it fit my schedule and fulfilled a credit. So I hunkered down and did the work for the desired grade.

It was a work-intensive course, with assignments for nearly every class. And my instructor marked each assignment with constructive criticism. We also had assigned reading to develop our understanding of logic and persuasion.

While this professor’s low key kill-and-drill style didn’t inspire excitement and admiration at the time, I credit her with my ability to tap out this column every other week without much difficulty.

Of course, these two teachers aren’t alone in my teacher Hall of Fame. I could tell you stories (and probably will) about other influential teachers in my life. I owe them all a debt and honor them for their work.

So today, I’d ask you to thank a teacher in your life. Copious research highlights that learning is anchored in strong teacher-student relationships. That gets lost in all the talk about test scores, accountability and reform.

Because no number can measure the skills, values and understanding teachers like Mrs. Hoogeveen and my writing professor develop when they give students their time, effort and attention. We need to remember that whenever we hear calls for education reform.