Even if #3 is correct, I'm not entirely sympathetic.
In many trades, e.g., auto mechanic, it's standard practice for the worker to provide his own tools. That can easily come to a few thousand dollars.
Even as a software engineer (where my main development environment is provided by my employer), I spend a not-inconsiderable sum on additional tools that allow me to work more efficiently.
So if it's true that sometimes teachers need to kick in a bit, that's far from an aberration across the universe of employment.
ADDED:
5. Many teachers ... are in a vacuum absent any meaningful feedback on the quality of their work
Isn't this their own doing, at least as much as the teachers' unions are working to prevent any merit-based compensation system?
Mechanics have to buy their own oil? They have to pay for customers' washer fluid?
Do you pay for the stapler you use at work?
As for the vacuum comment, you are speaking to the collective. I'm talking about individual teachers, many of the best of which are harmed by the teachers' unions.
In many trades, e.g., auto mechanic, it's standard practice for the worker to provide his own tools. That can easily come to a few thousand dollars.
Even as a software engineer (where my main development environment is provided by my employer), I spend a not-inconsiderable sum on additional tools that allow me to work more efficiently.
So if it's true that sometimes teachers need to kick in a bit, that's far from an aberration across the universe of employment.
ADDED:
5. Many teachers ... are in a vacuum absent any meaningful feedback on the quality of their work
Isn't this their own doing, at least as much as the teachers' unions are working to prevent any merit-based compensation system?