WOW! I'm impressed. Chris Hanson has grown up into a very thoughful and intellignt young man...courtesy of both the Geneva school sytem and his dedicated and involved parents. I congratulate you all! Thank you for sharing this intereting and though provoking video Chris.

Chris, thank you for sharing the most insightful thoughts on the GEA strike mess. BRAVO! I hope the GEA sees this.

Excellent job Chris! It would be interesting to see a similar format reply from the GEA on why they feel this strike is necessary....in their own words instead of a talking head from union. Maybe it could sway some sympathy....but I doubt it.

That's an interesting comparison - teachers and musicians. Both are in their respective professions to do what they love, but I think one group has a bit more impact on the future success of our community. Likewise, the salaries of the top musicians in the CSO are reported to sway public opinion against them, so too the salaries of only the highest paid teachers are reported. What the public may not understand is that those salaries often include stipends teachers get for coaching, extracurricular activities, adminstrative duties, etc. In other words, those teachers have taken on a second job. If you knew how many hours a teacher puts into coaching you would soon realize that the stipend gets reduced to a minimum wage job. A strike is not something any teacher wants to do, but as a collective they want to ensure that those teachers coming into the profession or those who are less than 10 years into their career are paid fairly. It's not about the top tier teachers, Chris. I'm glad, though, that your teachers made enough of an impression on you to make you see the value of your education. Geneva has clearly done a good job in fostering dreams in you. Bravo!

Chris, I am so impressed by the fact that you took the time to care. What an outstanding person you are and I know that even if the teachers disagree with what you are saying, they will be proud of you for taking a stand, for voicing your opinion. What a better place the world would be if there were more "Chris" like people, that voice their opinions in a respectful, informative way. Best of luck to you Chris. You are a winner.

Chris,

I am impressed at your interest and concern for our community!
Also, I couldn't agree with you more about letting the teachers know what's happenening with pay raises and salaries in general in the "real world." I'm a senior financial manager and we have seen similar cuts and pay declines over the years in the Finance / Accounting field. Our teachers need to realize that they have been insulated from "real world" cuts over the years and had steady increases. They now make competitive wages, and it's time to put a stop (for the interim) on futher increases! We, the community of tax payers, don't have the deep pockets to pay for their demands right now.

Also, I wonder what kind of pensions, if any a professional musician has? I don't think most people watching your video realize how many students compete across the US for a professional orchestral position every year...that's why many fall back on teaching, because they can't make a living with their music, despite hours upon hours of practice daily, year after year!

Good luck with your musical endeavors, Chris!

Laurie

Really?? He just proved the point of the GEA Union by his comparison to the Chicago Symphony strike! Thanks Chris. Were all of your musician idols wrong to strike? You just benefited from their strike...I don't think you realize that.
Stay strong Geneva Teachers...just like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra did!

Nice try, kid! I am sure that the teachers who are at the bottom of the totem pole, living from pay check to pay check are not going to strike because a former student told them not to.

Chris, We moved to to St. Charles last year because we want our child to have a great education and make friends who care about the world like you! We looked at houses in Geneva, St. Charles & Batavia. Unfortunately, I don't think the teachers have thought about how the strike may hurt Geneva's image. You have created a respectful video that gives us hope for the future of America.

Sue...not snarky (haven't heard that word for awhile)
I was just trying to let him know that the same industry that he looks up to could not reach an agreement with their employer so they went on strike! Did he ask all of them "why did you start playing music in the first place..think about it." (then a heartfelt pause).
Very 2 faced...if ever he makes it to the CSO...he will benefit from their strike. The same way that future teachers in Geneva will benefit from the GEA.

@lox: Lox, Max, Jax- I am convinced that all of you guys are the same person.
Anyway, I bet the ghost of George Pullman is haunting Geneva and that is why there so much resentment towards any type of union activity because other rationalizations just doesn't make sense. To call all teachers "greedy" and "out of touch" is just plain wrong especially when so many are barely making ends meat. Why dont you go and talk to some of the teachers that are making 30-40k, Lox?

ughh Im not sure why the "delete" button doesn't work. Anyway, trying to fix from "meat" to "meet" typo in my previous comment. I know I wont hear the end of it from people.

Should we be taking someone called "Dr. Shmietenbloobenpoopen" seriously?

I agree. Should we be taking advice from a college student who spends all of his time video game dancing?
He's probably Bob's nephew.

This is from Jenny, Chris's sister. And I agree. Should we be taking advice from someone who rose above all the rude comments that people have been throwing at each other lately and respectfully offered an alternative opinion? Furthermore...should we take advice from someone who followed their dream and is currently attenting a prestigious music conservatory even though they come from little money, which means working extremely hard to get scholarships and keep GPA up for financial aid? (the previous two sentences were meant to be read in an extremely sarcastic tone).

I for one am very proud of my brother for making this video. He didn't sink to the level that some have sunk to throughout this ordeal and while he provides some of the commenters with hope for the future, the last few comments plague me with dismay. To know that there are adults out there that could have an influence over any student saying these terribly immature things about a hard working grad, and stalking his Facebook like a wounded ex girlfriend. Well...it just makes me sick. Have you no compassion for the way others feel? I dare say my brother's already gotten farther in his life than you ever will in yours.

See? It hurts when other people cut you down, doesn't it?

Bravo, Jenny! Boy, you're parents did something right! They raised one child to publicly voice his opinion and another one to publicly support him. Please know that the persons posting the negative comments are part of a handful (from both sides of the argument) who have taken to name calling and threatening each other on other posts relating to this subject. As you obviously know, this accomplishes nothing and it only tarnishes their reputations. As you read those posts, please do as my mother taught me and "consider the source".

Dear Chris,

I attended an Elgin Youth Symphony concert yesterday at Elgin Community College. A teacher from Geneva is a conductor of one of the ensembles and it appears that he was sporting a lime green union flair button on his lapel while conducting. I have to be honest and say at that moment I lost whatever shred of respect I had left for the teachers who feel it necessary to wear the green shirts, the buttons, etc., especially in the presence of kids. To bring this inappropriate and unprofessional display to another venue was so disappointing. Chris, you made several good points: 1) trying to point out the reality of the impact of the economy today on yet another profession. 2) asking teachers to remember why they became teachers in the first place. You provided a respectful opinion and made very good points. There are some people on this page that historically post some very hurtful and mean comments. Disregard them and thank you for taking the time to make the video. I believe you have a very bright future!

Melissa. So, agreeing with you = a bright future. Watch some of his other posted videos on You Tube. Looks like he can give some great opinions on how to beat a dance video game. Why is wearing a button that says "United we teach" inappropriate? Do you have something against the color green? And by the way. You'll never find a more dedicated pair of teachers who put in way more time and effort than they have to as the 2 teachers who conduct our Geneva High School Band. You really lost ALL respect for him because he had on a green button? You are a very shallow person.

Chris, I didn't say it was a Geneva High School teacher did I? It is not what the button says, but what it represents, who it is worn in front of, and why it is worn in the presence of kids and even in a totally unrelated venue that is wrong in my opinion. But the assumption that I am "shallow" does I think reflect more on your comments than my opinion.

Dear Chris and Melissa-
Is your real name Hal?