My Favorite Things - A Post for My Most Favorite Thing!

As some of you may know, I am married to a fairly well known blogger that once made a appearance on the Dr. Oz show because of the wisdom of her publisher to change the title of her series of books.  The original title was going to be Amateur Mom vs Professional Kids  but when you Google search amateur mom some not very nice thing come up, and while my wife is known for oversharing, she does not go THAT far.

Anyways, Minivan Momma is doing a series called "My Favorite Things."  She has asked some of her favorite bloggers to share some of their favorite things, and since I sleep with her she considers me one of her favorite things/bloggers.  So here's my FAVORITE THINGS....

Sports, all sports and not really just sports, competition, games etc.  I will watch bowling or darts on TV because there is a competition and I just have to see who wins. I love board games and card games, but most of all, I love to play golf.  It is the ultimate competition with yourself.  That little white ball just sits there daring you to hit it where you want it to go, and on top of that you get to play with good friends or many times strangers that become good friends after a few hours together on that spoiled walk.  It is also a way I commune with nature.  I love the variety of the courses and the unique challenges each brings. I especially love that is gives me a chance to share this love with a couple of my other favorite things below.


                                


I also love basketball.  Watching, playing, it doesn't matter.  It doesn't matter if it is Fredrick State v Al's Beauty College if there is a  ball and two hoops at the end of a lined floor I will watch.  I love the athleticism, the teamwork it takes to do well, the creativity in defenses and offense that coach dream up.  I love that a good game plan can level the playing field.  When playing, I love the contact.  I love the gamesmanship, the chess match of moves and passes that one can make to throw the defense off.  I looooooove a good passing team.  There is no more fun to be had then playing with a good passer or more fun to be had than to watch a team that passes well.  Because of that love I have put pics of a few the the greats!

  



I looooooove baseball and now softball (I probably actually enjoy watching softball a little more, it is a much faster paced game) the smell of the grass, the crack (ping) of the bat, the slap of a ball hitting a leather glove. The power, the finesse, the speed, the nuance of the game, how a simple thing like hitting the cut-off can make or break a game, seeing an outfielder steal a homer or take away a hit in the gap or a first baseman digging one out of the dirt or a pitcher completely fooling a batter with change up. See a team perfectly execute the hidden ball trick. It's all good! And of all baseball and softball there are two things I love the most!

My Texas Rangers

Watching my girls play!

           


A few of my other favorite physical endeavors include racquetball, biking and swimming.  I am also running some, but I can't say that it is my favorite.

I love my job.  I get to teach the future citizens of this planet how to be effective, creative, critical thinkers that will hopefully be inspired to change the world in which we live.  I get to share the wonders of our world with a new generation of its citizens!

Now we come to my most favorite things of all:


                        

My girls!  I love that Briley is so silly and happy.  I love that she loves to be active. She runs, she flips, she swims, she throws, she has to be moving at all times.  She is so tender hearted, she loves to help others and will sacrifice her needs to help others.  Hadley is also a creative kind heart.  She writes wonderful stories, draws beautiful pictures and looks for ways she can make to world a better place for humans and animals alike.

My beautiful, smart, strong, creative, loving, funny wife.  I am married to  the most awesomest woman on the planet ya'll.  She is raising our daughters to be caring, independent thinkers.  She loves with her whole being, makes me laugh on a daily, if not, hourly basis. Is tender when she needs to be and tough as nails if she has to be.  I promise that I would not be the man I am without her.  To quote a sappy mid nineties movie, "she completes me!"  She my friends IS my most favorite thing of all.

Attitude and Effort - Attitude and Effort - Attitude and Effort

There is a quote that I may have even mentioned here before that I tell my students all the time:

"The only thing that you can truly control in your life is your Attitude and your Effort."

                                                                                                             Unknown

I say unknown but I think that was a Brian Davis original.  It may not be, but I have been saying to so long that I claim it now.  It has been my mantra today.  I have not been doing a good job controlling either of these.  I have not been consistently tracking my food intake, therefore I am sure I have overeaten.  I know this because I have gained weight this past month.  Too Much Weight!  I have not exercised consistently.  I know this because I feel like crap.

In the past this is where I would have thrown my hands up and said, "It's Too Hard!" or "I just don't have time! or "I'm too tired." or "I'll never be able to do this!", but now, now I have a steely resolve.  I have you to whom I am accountable.  I will persevere this time.  I will never go back. This morning I got up and swam before school.  I ate a healthy breakfast.  I have track my food today to the bite and for me this is the key I am finding out.(My preferred tracking method is MyFitnessPal) I have had more than half of my water intake for the day, and I already feel better.  Mentally! and Physically!  I will vow to keep this up throughout the next 24 hour, the next day and this week and this Year and next year and every year beyond that.  I will succeed!

I will control my ATTITUDE and my EFFORT!


My Runkeeper messed up this week so no knew stats!  I think i have it figured out.   I am currently 65 pounds down from my heaviest known weight as of this week.


 

Thanksgiving Strategically! Nov. 30 Check In

I have not participated in the 30 days of Thankfulness, but have been humbled by the outpouring of thankfulness I have witnessed this month.  So I will take this opportunity to tell you what I'm Thankful for:

I get to wake up next to my best friend everyday and partake of her beauty and humor.  I am thankful she keeps me grounded and sane.  I have two smart, beautiful, caring and talented girls.  I am thankful I get to watch them grow and learn everyday.  I get to help mold the world we live in.  I am thankful for a job that is rewarding and challenging.  There is never a dull moment when teaching 12 and 13 year olds how to become effective citizens of the World in which we live.   I am thankful for a roof over my head and the fact that God has provided so much that I have to battle with my weight.  I am thankful for the support and encouragement I have received from family, friends and new friends I have encountered on the journey of a life time.

Now about my week!!!

I went into this week with two goals.  Do at least one day of training in each of the Tri disciplines (done) and not gain any more weight (done).   I actually lost 3 pounds this week.  I did this by avoiding the kitchen and finally following the rules that got me this far.  On the sweets three bites of something I really wanted.  Chew, chew, Chew - eating much slower allowed me to get by with one plate of turkey and dressing/3 bites of mashed potatoes/3 bites of Granny Collins casserole and stayed away from the rolls!!! and drink lots of water.  Follow that up with playing with the kids in the yard and there you have it:  3 pound weight loss Thanksgiving Week.  Now I must keep these strategies going through December.  

December goal:  Lose 10 pounds and start training for the Shamrock the Ville in March -  Who's in with me!!!!!!

Kona - Harriett Anderson - Weekly Checkin

Back on track this week.  I lost 1 lb but that is after a gain of 5 lbs the week and a half before.  Walking, Swimming and catching a lot of softball pitching has helped immensely.  I feel soooo much better mentally and physically.

I also got a real boost also tonight.  I just watched the NBC coverage of the Kona Ironman.  I love watching the last 2 hours of the finish line coverage.  This year I teared up at several of them.  The dad who lost a daughter at Sandy Hook and his positive attitude on life along with watching Harriett Anderson (77 years old) finish 21st Ironman. Yes you read that correctly 21!

I am spurred on to push myself on to the next phase of my training.  I will be doing the St. Paddy's Day Run in Bartlesville with a goal of sub 45 min.  I will also complete the Woolaroc Run this year and the Tulsa Tri Clubs Sprint Triathlon.  I can't wait for these events.
Thank you Harriett for the extra Motivation!!!!!!

The Wagon Threw Me - Weekly Check In November 9, 2013

I know, I know I did not post last week.  The last two weeks have kicked my butt.  Between illness (Family and Myself), school meetings and kids.  I have not just fallen off the wagon, I jumped with both feet.  Stress induced comfort food along with poor time management causing some missed workouts have combined to trigger a minor set back in my journey.  Good news thought my enthusiasm is back, never waned really.  I finished this week up strong with a good swim and some racquetball with friends and actually felt very strong so the break from working out may have done me some good and allowed my body to recover some.  I will, however, recommit to better food choices this week. I cannot gain four pounds in two weeks very often or knowing myself, the enthusiasm will begin to wane.

The good news this week is that my older daughter is well on her way to raising the necessary funds for her trip to Washington DC.  She is a cookie dough and candy selling fool!!! Which helped contribute to my poor choices.  Those fundraiser candy bars are just sooooo good.  The Younger Daughter just had a tryout with Oklahoma Bedlam Softball 10U team last Saturday and has been invited to play with them this spring.  We met her new coach yesterday so she could watch her pitch and practices will begin soon.  I am hoping this will turn into built in workout time for dad.  If not the time management thing will have to get mucho better.

I will update my chart next week.  I have been swimming some and walking a little, but I will hopefully get back into the 4 to 5 workouts a week.  I need that to feel good these day.

Stay strong my friends and maintain your ENTHUSIASM!!!!

Milestone #1 Met!!!!!!!

"The person who starts the race is not the same person who finishes the race"

On June 4th of this year I set a major goal of completing an Ironman distance triathlon before I am 50 years old in my bid to become a healthier husband and dad.  I also developed a plan with lots of intermediate goals to get there.  Yesterday I met my first Goal on the list!!! I completed the Tulsa Run 5K.

Crossing the finish line with my little sis!  Thanks for pushing me!

My plan going into the race was to jog the first 15 minutes then walk 2 mins and run 5 mins to the last kilometer then jog the rest of the way in, finishing in less than 50 minutes.  

I ran the first 16 minutes then maintained the 2/5 pattern, but the long hill at the end got me and we followed a  2/3 pattern from 3.5 kilometers to 4.5 kilometers.  We did pick it up the last 3 blocks finishing with and official time of 49:56.  My Runkeeper app had us finishing in 49:38 and we stopped for 20 or 30 seconds to take a rock out of my shoe.  When I finished I could stop smiling!  I was changed.  I am ready to train harder for the next 5k and see how much I can improve.  This race was the first time I finished in a sub 16 min/mi pace.  I will attempt to break 15 minute/mi pace in my next race.  

This weekend was a great ending to a great busy week.  I got a lot of swimming in as well despite the busy schedule.  I failed to weigh in this week, but I feel great.  

I will be adding the quote above and the following to my truck window this week!

Here is my week:

Perks & Weekly Check In October 20

I teach! Therefore, I don't make a lot of money, but there are a lot of perk that come along with the job.  This was brought home by the events of last night. This journey I'm now on has a few perks as well!!!!!!!

Teaching Perk #1 - I get to hang out with 12 year olds everyday.  This truly keeps me young at heart!

FFFM Perk # 1 - A truly healthier Heart!

Teaching Perk # 2 - I get to influence the lives of said 12 year olds  (this may scare some of you that truly know me) and seeing them develop into mature, productive members of our society! Truth be told many times I learn as much from them as they learn from me!

FFFM Perk #2 - I get to motivate people with my successes and gain their support when I falter.  I also have more energy to keep up with said 12 year olds.

Teaching Perk # 3 - Getting to experience the monumental life moments of those students you have come to call your own: graduations, weddings, new jobs, Kids of their own.  The joy that comes from seeing their joy is endless.

FFFM Perk # 3 -  Knowing that I will have a better chance of being around to see these events in my very own children's live and their children's lives makes the hard work worth it!

Teaching Perk # 4 - Time- having the experience I have and the schedule I have allows me time to be a Future Former Fat Man. 

FFFM Perk # 4 - Time - Spending time becoming a Future Former Fat Man allows my students and my own girls to see me set and achieve goals, becoming an example they can hopefully follow.

This list could go on and on and on and on - especially if I included being married to a well known blogger/author, but I will stop here. But I do pose a question to you.  What are your perks?  Let me know. I would love to hear!

Here's my week:  6 days till the Tulsa Run!

 

Randomness and Weekly Checkin

I am not feeling inspired with any truly mindblowning wisdom this week.  I am full of random thoughts however.

First, Malala Yousafzai:  I have fallen in love with this young lady.  I even showed her interview with Jon Stewart this week to my students.  Probably the one and only time Jon kept it clean enough to use in a 7th grade class. Which is a shame because so many of his guest are so thought provoking.  In her interview she speaks passionately and eloquently on education for girls worldwide and passive resistance against the Taliban.  Hopefully, at least a few of my students are inspired as much as I am to speak up for what they believe in and are passionate about. I am very disappointed Malala did not win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Second, Diet Dr. Pepper: Over the passed several months I have read several articles on how Diet Soda is soooooo bad for you in sooooo many ways.  Well I love Diet Dr. Pepper, but finally gave it up last week.  I am 8 day Diet Dr. Pepper free as of this writing.  The first three day were very, very, very, very rough.  It is still not easy, but I am hoping if I hold out until race day (it takes 20 days to form a new habit, right) the new no DDP habit will be ingrained.

Third, Fall Softball:  I love fall softball.  Cooler temps, laid back attitude of "let's just learn the game" and every coach working with every kid.  It's what youth sports should be.

Fourth, My Week:  I had a great week.  Tied my swim week record and swam more than 1 and 1/2 miles on Saturday.  Need to kick up my running a little on the elliptical, but am feeling so great.  With a renewed focus on the food this week I lost 4 pounds.  I gotta keep going strong.  Thanks for all of you with your words of encouragement!  I really helps keep me going.

20 Days to Race Day

It's 20 days to race day, my 1st goal on The List!  I will be participating in the Tulsa Run 5K.  I would like to say running the Tulsa Run 5K, but I refuse to say running until I am doing sub 13 minute miles.  My goal is a sub 50 minute time for the race.  This will be pushing it for me, especially since, like I said last week, the last mile is mostly up hill.  I am excited and nervous.

It's Official. I'm registered!

To help make it easier to get up that hill I am going to really clean up my diet for the next 20 days.  So if you have stock in Sonic Drive In or QT you might want to sell now.  I will be developing a menu of 5 to 10 meals for Breakfast and Lunch making sure they are 300 to 500 calories each and snacks that are between 200 and 300 calories.  Along with whatever the Davis dinner will be.  I will also give up all soda.  Below is a pic of my last one.  This is one aspect of the cleaner diet that I hope I can continue after the 20 days.  If I follow this plan I should drop between 10 and 20 pounds if I keep up my activity level as well.

The Last DDP for a while!

This week illness, softball and poor planning keep me out of the gym and some poor food choices late in the week had the scale going the wrong directions this week, but I will turn this around.  The focus on the Tulsa Run is just what I needed.

I would like to thank everyone for the kind words and support I received this week on Facebook, The blog and in person. Your words of encouragement mean a great deal to me and motivate me to continue this journey to a healthier me and to the Ironman.

Here's my week:

New Mantra - Weekly Check In Sept. 28 - Before and After

Five Months of Progress 

Every step toward a goal requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; along with the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.
                                                                                                                                  Martin Luther King, Jr. 


Good Day all.  It was another great week for the Future Former Fat Man on my path to become an Ironman.  I lost another 2.5 pounds (now down 70+ pounds) and set new personal best for Swimming Distance in a week and a month and swimming pace in a week.  I even had a teen in the lane next to me tell me I was fast.  I told him he was just slow (just kidding - but I thought it.) I also picked up the Couch to 5k where I left off (because it was hurting my knees) at week three and the workout was easy.  Aerobically I feel I could have gone a lot longer.  I will continue the C25K doing two days a week on the Elliptical and one day on the road until the Tulsa Run at the end of October.  I also had my best Wednesday night bike ride. I improved my pace on the bike this week by a lot!

The quote above reminds me of the quote, "You have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable." which has been my mantra as I push myself each day a little harder or a little further.  This quote will become a fresh mantra;  "tireless exertion and passionate concern", "sacrifice and struggle" it is a part of this process. I really needed that reminder this week.  I will work for the next four weeks on sacrificing some of my food wants to hopefully come closer to my race weight goal, because I just saw the elevation change in the last mile of the race.  The last part of the race is all uphill, not steep but uphill none the less. So let the struggle begin!

 

Friends and Family - Weekly Check In Sept 21

My Mother-in-Law celebrated her 75th birthday this week.  Saturday we held a party for her in which most of her extend family and many friends past and present came to share in her special day.  It speaks to the the wonderful lady she is quick to laugh, always looking for a way to help another human being, she is a great example to my girls.  I am so happy she is part of my life.  Happy Birthday Harriett!

This week I moved a little closer to my goals and hopefully making it to 75 years young myself.

Here's my week:

Help From Will Rogers - Weekly Checkin September 14th

When I was a kid I had a shirt that said, "Will Rogers never met The Boz."  My dad told me why it was funny.  The Boz was a big jerk and Will Rogers once was quoted a saying, "I never met a man I didn't like." As many of you know, I love quotes and Will Rogers has some of my favorites.  So in looking for inspiration this week I went in search of Mr. Rogers (Will that is) quotes.  Here are a few that spoke to me this week.  Thank you Will for helping me refocus!

Don't let yesterday use up too much of today.

 Will Rogers

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
Will Rogers 

Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
Will Rogers

A man only learns in two ways, one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people.
Will Rogers 

I did not have a good week with the food.  I ate the WRONG things and too much of the wrong things.  Big problem this week I did not track my food intake.  Since starting this journey I would eat the WRONG things but by tracking I new that I had a bad day and made up for it in my workouts or adjusted the next day or two to make up for it.  This week I failed in that endeavor and therefore we had a gain. In attempts past this would have derailed me and put me back several weeks, because I would have beat myself up, said this is impossible and next thing you know that pound and half would have been ten, then twenty, but not now.  The       Ironman philosophy has entered my soul.  I will not give up.  I will continue to    train and improve.  The training probably is probably what kept this from being a 3 or 4 pound gain this week. I am refocused on the goal at hand.  This week food        tracking will resume.  I cannot function without this process in my life.  I know this.  There will be other stumbles along the way, but continuing this lifestyle and the support of you are keeping my eye on the prize, and my family and I will be    better for it.                                                                                                     

Tuesday Tip Review - Aqua Source Kayenne Swim Goggles

Have I mentioned I love swimming.  I do! It's my new favorite thing to do along my journey to the Ironman.  It now beats out racquetball and my recumbent bike as my favorite cardio experience.  Well basketball is still first, but swimming is a very, very very close 2nd.  Since I am swimming so much I have become a goggle aficionado.  I have tried various speedo, TYR and Aqua tech brands.  Some were OK.  Most were uncomfortable (I think my head may be shaped weird) and a lot of them leaked (again the weird shape?)
I believe I have found the solution to my problem.  The Aqua Sphere Keyenne goggles.

                               


Folks these are the most comfortable goggles I have ever found.  They are a little pricey, but well worth the cost, ranging from $18 to $35 depending on where you buy and which style you need, but did I mention they are super comfortable.  I have had them leak only once and that was user error.  I had folded the seal under.  The comfort comes from the nose piece being one solid piece across the bridge of the nose.  That is where most other goggle go wrong for me they are hard to adjust and most of the time still pinch or rub across the nose.  The Keyenne are also super easy to adjust.  There is a small button where the strap meets the frame.  When putting them on you push these buttons and pull the strap to make them super loose and then simple pull back on the straps until they seal. Perfect fit every time.  Not to tight or loose.  When finished just push the buttons on the side and the strap releases and they come off super easy.  Now that I have moved outside some to open water I will soon be investing in my second pair, mirrored this time to block out the sun's ray.  The Keyenne also come with a nice case to store the goggles in.  I believe this allows them to stay in better shape longer than just hanging out loose in my gym bag.

So if you are in the market for swim goggles. I highly recommend the Aqua Sphere Keyenne!

My New Hero - Weekly Checkin - Sept 7

I have a new hero! When I think I can't go any farther in any endeavor in life I will now remember this seen, and I will persist.  It is already paying dividends. On the bike and pool I set weekly records this week. Which with my ugly eating this week still allowed me to have a loss.  Prior to this week, I was, at times, a little overwhelmed by the goal I have set, but now it seems easy in comparison.
So to my new hero!  Thank you for the inspiration and motivation.

For those of you who were in a cave last week the above picture is Diana Nyad. She is the first person to swim from Cuba to the United States (110 miles in less than 60 hours) without a shark cage. This was her 5th attempt.  Four of the attempts came after the age of 60.  You can get the full story here!

I paled by comparison this week, but I will carry on!!

Here's my week:

Letter to Mr. Greene - Editor of Tulsa World in Response To Editorial Regarding Teacher Raises in Oklahoma!

The following letter is an email that I sent in response to the following article. 

Wayne Greene: What taxpayers should get for $2,000 in teacher raises, and why it's hard not to love Markwayne Mullin

By WAYNE GREENE World Editorial Pages Editor on Sep 1, 2013, at 2:26 AM  Updated on 9/01/13 at 4:35 AM

Dear Mr. Greene,

As a dedicated Oklahoma teacher, I am offended by your assertions in your article from the Tulsa World  entitled “What taxpayers should get for $2,000 in teacher raises, and why it's hard not to love Markwayne Mullin.” Your article prompted me to put pencil to paper.  Here is what I came up with so that you will know that the proposed $2000 dollar raise is not even a drop in the bucket of what Oklahoma teachers deserve. 

Below you will find a graph that details my last week.  This is a typical week for me.

Activities	Hours	Minutes
Contract hours  (Includes  15 minutes before students arrive and 20 minutes after students depart)	36	40
Prep for beginning of the day (average arrival time of at least 15 minutes earlier than required)	1	15
After School Meetings (This week I had three)	2	30
Outside planning/studying/researching/emails/parent contact/tutoring	8
Attending sporting events/chaperoning dances/dance recitals/rodeos, etc…; I do this to make connections with my kids. I know not every teacher does this, but A LOT do!	2
Totals	49	55

Using the above graphic. I devoted approximately 50 hours to my profession last week.  So for argument’s sake let’s take away the making connections line and the after-school meetings and the prep for the beginning of the day. I know I go above and beyond in this respect, but let’s be clear I believe most teachers do as well. That still leaves us with approximately 45 hours per week.

Now let’s look at the math:

Based on my current pay of $43,000 (this is total package not salary) divided by 180 days  with contract hours of 7 hours and 20 minutes per day I make approximately $32.60/hour

40 hours per week x $32.60/hr = $1340/week

Multiply that by 36 weeks of School = $46,944

If you add in 5 hours of “Overtime” with time and a half, which is standard practice in most organizations,

5 hours per week x $48.90/hr = $244/week

Multiply that by 36 school weeks = $ 8802

That comes to a grand total $55,700.  

If I were to work in Fort Worth, TX or Fayetteville, AR this is where I would be in the salary schedule.

Please reference below – 16 years of experience with a Masters:

Fort Worth Public Schools:

   http://www.fwisd.org/files/_raBjp_/96c1bebe0ba102f73745a49013852ec4/2013-2014_-_Salary_Handbook_-_for_board_meeting_-_8-13-2013.pdf

Fayetteville Public Schools: 

 http://www.fayar.net/DistrictPolicies/Pol4100/Pol4141.1.pdf

I reference these schools because I have seen our district lose at least five experienced and phenomenal classroom teachers to these districts within the last three years. Why? They are tired of being unvalued and brow-beaten by our State’s politicians.  

On top of this I volunteer two days a week to do cafeteria duty (my compensation- free lunch for the day) and have a week-long morning duty every four weeks that requires me to get to school even earlier to prep for the day.

Also, please consider this:  When I began teaching I was given a week of contract time to work in my room to prepare for students to come.  This year between required meetings and trainings I had exactly one half of one day of contract time to prep my classroom.  This does not mean I only took one half of a day.  I spent at least 40 hours getting ready over a two week period of time.  Fitting this prep time in between 10 days of training that I was required to attend to be current on district initiatives, by the way, I was compensated for those 10 days @ $50/day.  My average contract day is equal to $239/day.  By my math, “you” just received almost a $2000 dollar discount for my time.

On top of the above issues, my colleagues and I spend countless dollars of our own money on basic supplies as well, providing for students in need and a lack of our districts’ abilities to provide these supplies with the current level of funding from the state.  My wife (also a teacher) and I have averaged over $800 each year on our classroom the past three years.    

You also mention the raises should be tied to Merit rewards.  This is great on paper but is too difficult a concept to implement.  There is no fair way to do this.  We as public educators are like the Statue of Liberty, give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.  If a student comes to us hungry, abused, with little knowledge of the English language or with little support from home (whether due to lack of resources or knowledge) we as teachers love them and educated them despite these difficulties.  You should want your best teachers teaching the toughest students, but if you implement a merit pay system that good teacher is penalized by the system for taking on the tougher students, because our current system is based on meeting a criteria not growth of students. We, as teachers, should be the lamp beside the golden door of education for all students—not just the ones who are ready to top the scores of a standardized test.

By the way, under the current proposal I would rather not have the raise.  It does not make fiscal sense for our schools.  I believe the raise is more than needed but not at the expense of class size and putting our districts in fiscal dire straits. 

So please, Mr. Greene, don't ask what more you will get. I give you tremendous value for my current compensation. The proposed raise doesn't even begin to cover the current value we teachers give to the State of Oklahoma, especially considering that teachers have not had a true raise in at least 6 years.

Respectfully,

Brian Davis, MEd.