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I LOVED the Waltons--kind of where my values lie and what my parents taught us. There's a LOT MORE to deal with nowadays, but I think if people can just get all the monkeys off their backs and just get back to simple values like giving compliments, not blaming others, recognizing the positive and the negative, dealing with things rather than complaining all the time, showing thanks, being thankful for what we have, not always saying that you have to have what the other guy does, recognizing the traits of personal responsiblity and effort, working with not against people, being honest, and so on and so on, things would go a lot better. That's my approach--those simple values. Besides, I'm a simple person so I have to take that approach:)

Speaking of private schools and pay....I've had an interesting morning. I received a phone call from an acquaintance of an acquaintance who happens to be the principal at a prestigious private school in my area. The kids pay OVER $20k a year to attend (closer to 15K for elementary). This school wants to add a learning disabled component and a lead reading teacher to be able to provide services for those students who need assistance accessing the general curriculum. Since I have certification in teaching kids with disabilities and a masters in teaching reading he thought I would be the perfect candidate.I listened to his pitch and then asked the "winning" question--"What is the salary?"

I would have to be willing to take a $25,000 pay cut each year. He tried to sweeten the deal by offering my younger daughter reduced tuition, but I reminded him that he had offered her a free tuition two years ago and we had said thanks but no thanks then (my daughter considered their AP and math offerings to be significantly below those of the public school.)

But here's the wild part, he wanted to know if my assistant that I've worked with for over 5 years would be interested in the position!! He was unconcerned that she did not hold a degree. I kind of chuckled and told him she was a free and independent person and if he had her number give her a ring. So I guess he did because she just called me and told me he offered her the same position for $8k less than he offered me. The salary he offered her was actually 2k less than she earns now as a public school assistant.

Interesting huh?