Discrimination at Jo-Ann's Fabrics and Crafts

[QualiTcare]

There are many companies that offer teacher discounts. I tried years ago to use my child care license to obtain the discounts, to no avail. Once I went to school and obtained my Master Teacher Permit through the state teacher credentialing system, I began recieving the disounts.

i still and apparently never will understand what you mean by this. here, you have a teaching license furnished by the DOE or you don't. you have a license number that is registered and can be looked up online. you have a bachelor's degree in education and pass a series of Praxis exams in order to get a teaching license and be a "teacher." i'm not a "master teacher," i'm just a teacher. point being - if you don't have a teaching license, you still shouldn't technically be able to qualify for teacher discounts according to the standards.

[nannyde]

i still and apparently never will understand what you mean by this. here, you have a teaching license furnished by the DOE or you don't. you have a license number that is registered and can be looked up online. you have a bachelor's degree in education and pass a series of Praxis exams in order to get a teaching license and be a "teacher." i'm not a "master teacher," i'm just a teacher. point being - if you don't have a teaching license, you still shouldn't technically be able to qualify for teacher discounts according to the standards.

I don't get it either

[Crystal]

what's not to get? I went to school, and then applied through the California Teacher Credentialing System to recieve my credential/teaching permit. "master teacher" is the title the state gives it, not me.

I also have a Child Care license, but that is through the county/state, not the teacher credentialing system.

So, I have a credential to present to businesses that offer teacher discounts, and they accept it.

[Crystal]

i still and apparently never will understand what you mean by this. here, you have a teaching license furnished by the DOE or you don't. you have a license number that is registered and can be looked up online. you have a bachelor's degree in education and pass a series of Praxis exams in order to get a teaching license and be a "teacher." i'm not a "master teacher," i'm just a teacher. point being - if you don't have a teaching license, you still shouldn't technically be able to qualify for teacher discounts according to the standards.

I do have a license number that can be looked up, here:

http://www.ctc.ca.gov/lookup.html

But I'm not going to share my last name on a public forum, so you won't be able to look it up.

I don't know why this is so controversial to you. It's the State of Ca.

[QualiTcare]

There are many companies that offer teacher discounts. I tried years ago to use my child care license to obtain the discounts, to no avail. Once I went to school and obtained my Master Teacher Permit through the state teacher credentialing system, I began recieving the disounts.

Honestly, I think the 15% is a drop in the bucket to companies like JoAnnes, and they should extend the offer to providers out of goodwill. BUT, technically they can refuse it, as providers are NOT teachers unless they have a credential to prove it.

I do think that many provders use the term "teacher" loosely and shouldn't advertise as a preschool if they do not have the education to provide a DAP preschool program, but that's a whole 'nother issue

it's not that it's controversial. like you said, people use the word "teacher" loosely and when you say "i'm a master teacher" all the time, that makes people think you are a TEACHER as in someone who could apply for, be qualified for, and be hired for a job in a public school system. that is what people assume you are when you say you're a teacher.

[Lucy]

yeah, teachers get paid, but the schools are not for profit AND stats show that teachers spend money out of their pocket to buy supplies - the number varies depending on where you look, but generally $500-$1000. how many non-business owners buy their own supplies? secretaries aren't buying copy paper. nurses aren't buying needles. there are many people who are employed by agencies that are non-profit. the agencies get tax breaks, but the employee of course gets paid. it also has zero to do with having a degree in another field. that would make as much sense as me trying to get a discount on medical supplies even though i'm not a doctor, "but i have a degree in another field."

either way, it's irrelevant because the discount isn't offered to only licensed teachers - it's offered to homeschool teachers with a GED. that's why i think it must have more to do with for profit vs. non-profit than how daycare providers are perceived.

Yes. TOTALLY agree. I gotta go with JoAnne's on this one. We're NOT teachers*. And I agree with giving K-12 TEACHERS the discount, because they DO spend tons of their own money on supplies.

*see clarification in my next post.

[QualiTcare]

Yes. TOTALLY agree. I gotta go with JoAnne's on this one. We're NOT teachers. And I agree with giving K-12 TEACHERS the discount, because they DO spend tons of their own money on supplies.

for the record, i always referred to my children's childcare providers as TEACHERS. they DO teach just like a piano TEACHER teaches music. it's a common term and it's accurate. HOWEVER, when we start getting technical about who is a teacher and who is not according to state standards - teachers hold bachelor's degrees in education and a license by the state. you can't go around calling yourself a Dr. or a RN and reap the benefits without having a degree and a license so why would it be any different with teachers?

[Lucy]

for the record, i always referred to my children's childcare providers as TEACHERS. they DO teach just like a piano TEACHER teaches music. it's a common term and it's accurate. HOWEVER, when we start getting technical about who is a teacher and who is not according to state standards - teachers hold bachelor's degrees in education and a license by the state. you can't go around calling yourself a Dr. or a RN and reap the benefits without having a degree and a license so why would it be any different with teachers?

Yes, I agree that if you were to define a teacher as "person who teaches something to someone", then yes, that definition could be extended to almost anyone. The cashier at the grocery store "taught" me how their new card swipe machine works, so by that broad definition, she's a "teacher". However, you and I are on the same page meaning K-12 private or public SCHOOL degreed and certified teacher.

[nannyde]

for the record, i always referred to my children's childcare providers as TEACHERS. they DO teach just like a piano TEACHER teaches music. it's a common term and it's accurate. HOWEVER, when we start getting technical about who is a teacher and who is not according to state standards - teachers hold bachelor's degrees in education and a license by the state. you can't go around calling yourself a Dr. or a RN and reap the benefits without having a degree and a license so why would it be any different with teachers?

I think it's a great shout out to teachers that JoAnne's made the distinction. The example Tom gave is a perfect example of how someone with such a small amount of education and experience (someone who is eligible for NAFCC accreditation) can really believe they are a teacher because they care for kids. They allow people who don't even have a high school education to be accredited.

If you have the time research what a GED really is and the history of it. It is NOT equal to a high school education. It's a test to measure your ABILITY to DO high school work NOT on your mastery of a high school education.

This is a good base article: http://www.essortment.com/family/hig...ldipl_svan.htm

I don't know about the person Tom is talking about who is disagreeing with their policy BUT the idea that having NAFCC accreditation is some kind of indication of education for the kids is just plain silly. It's no wonder JoAnne's put limits to the term. We can't seem to manage that within our proffession.

I'm am NOT a teacher. I do not have an education to teach. I should not ever be considered a teacher in ANY way. I have NO business educating kids. The classes that I take to be a child care provider in my State are set at a very very low level of education as so many providers don't even posess a high school education.

I think it's an insult to teachers to have people who do not have a Bachelors degree in education being referred to as teachers.

[Cat Herder]

I really just like the idea of simply asking for a group discount for art supplies since I buy in bulk. No other politics involved and that is what my post to them on facebook said .

Last year, when I was still homeschooling my kids I could have had their discount. This year I am ineligible. That was my point....and I was making a light hearted joke about my sisters being paid. Obviously there are a lot of raw nerves about training/credentials, personally I could care less how many degrees anyone holds who care for infants and toddlers, like me. I want to know they can keep the playroom clean, cook a good meal, change a quick diaper, use common sense/good judgement and soothe a little soul . I am not a TEACHER.

I just think the discount would be cool, and most likely encourage me to spend more there since I own and operate a Family Home Daycare. I, again, am a Child Care Provider, not a Teacher. My sisters are Teachers and they worked their rears off to earn their Masters Degrees. They will be paying off those loans for ever....I resent no discount they have. I simply see no problem in the asking.

[DCMom]

catherder, I love your avatar

Wow, all this over a 15% discount. I'll just use the coupon in the newspaper if I happen to go to JoAnn Etc.

[Blackcat31]

catherder, I love your avatar
Wow, all this over a 15% discount. I'll just use the coupon in the newspaper if I happen to go to JoAnn Etc.

Yes...me too!!! I knew what the words said in your previous posts but I couldn't help thinking it said 'catheter' rather than 'cat herder'...two separate words...the avatar keeps my mind from thinking! LOL!!! BTW...why are you cat herder...how many do you have?

[Cat Herder]

Yes...me too!!! I knew what the words said in your previous posts but I couldn't help thinking it said 'catheter' rather than 'cat herder'...two separate words...the avatar keeps my mind from thinking! LOL!!! BTW...why are you cat herder...how many do you have?

:: "Raising kids is like herding cats"..... It is an old southern saying. Although, I do currently have 3 spoiled cats that an irresponsible neighbor abandoned when she moved and another that was a foster and ****ed up to my kids in a conspiracy. 4 of the buggers bossing me around, ugh!

I am a dog person.

[jen]

I looked up California's teaching requirements. What Crystal is referring to is a Master Teacher Permit and the requirement are as follows. It is related (it appears) only to preschool.

Requirements for the Child Development Master Teacher Permit
To qualify for the Child Development Master Teacher Permit, individuals must satisfy all of the requirements
listed in one of the following options:
Option 1
1. Complete all General Requirements (see Terms and Definitions)
2. Complete 16 semester units in general education, including at least one course in each of the following
areas: humanities and/or fine arts, social sciences, math and/or science, and English and/or language arts
3. Complete six additional units in one area of specialization, which may include, but is not limited to the
following:
• Infant and toddler care
• Bilingual and bicultural development
• Children with exceptional needs
• Preschool programming
• Parent/teacher relations
• Child health
• Specific areas of developmentally appropriate curriculum
4. Complete an additional two semester units of adult supervision course work
5. Complete 350 days of experience in an instructional capacity in a child care and development program,
working at least three hours per day within the last four years (this experience must be verified by
submitting an original letter from the employer on official letterhead)
School-Age Emphasis under this option requires that 12 of the 24 semester units of early childhood
education or child development be in school-age course work.
Option 2
1. Complete a baccalaureate degree or higher
2. Complete 12 semester units of early childhood education or child development course work
CL-797 10/08 Page 5 of 8
3. Complete three semester units of supervised field experience in an early childhood education or schoolage
setting
School-Age Emphasis under this option requires that six of the 12 semester units in early childhood
education or child development be in school-age course work.
Term and Renewal
The Child Development Master Teacher Permit is issued for five years and is renewable for successive fiveyear
periods upon completion of 105 hours of professional growth. This permit may be renewed online. Permit
holders who complete the requirements for a higher level permit within three years of the date of initial issuance
may submit verification of completion of requirements, an application (form 41-4) for the higher level permit,
and half the application processing fee.
CHILD

[Crystal]

Thanks Jen, that is accurate.

My whole point is that I have a credential and am able to use it for the discounts that businesses offer teachers. I only call it "Master Teacher" because that is what the state calls it....they also have the "teacher" permit, but I hold the Master Teacher permit because I have a higher level of education. Either way, it's classified as "teacher" and I get the discounts. And, yes, I could teach preschool in the public school system.