What do teachers really make?

[Rainey]

Re: What do teachers really make?

So...you'd say an actor/actress deserves a couple million per movie, while a teacher deserves 35k and a round of applause?

Why does the actor and actress get a few million dollars a film? Because their movies will have revenues of millions upon millions of dollars. Doesn't mean they are better than the teacher, but their job brings in more money and that is why they are paid more.

[Herbsinator]

Re: What do teachers really make?

Any person is worth as much someone is willing to pay them. If someone is willing to pay me $15 million a year to sit around and do nothing, then I would say that I'm worth it. However, if schools are only willing to pay 30k for a teacher then, sadly, that is all they are worth.

[lionsfan49]

Re: What do teachers really make?

Move north. There are plenty of teaching jobs in Michigan. Plus, we have real sports teams.

Hmmm, Don't know about "plenty". There are schools all over the state cutting jobs and laying off teachers left and right. (especially north of Saginaw) I lost my teaching job last year due to budget problems, but was extremely fortunate to find one in a neighboring district.

I have been teaching for 5 years now and love it. I decided to go into the profession to work with young people and to coach. I am currently head football coach at a class "B" (600 students) high school. If you are thinking about getting into teaching, being a coach will certainly help you land an interview.

Many teachers have summers off, but being a football coach, there are no summer days without obligations. Weightlifting 5 days per week--twice a day, fundraisers, 7 on 7's twice a week, team camps, fundraisers, youth camps, fundraisers, and so on. (don't get "paid" for summertime duties, for those wondering)

I'm not complaining one bit! I got into this profession with the understanding that I would never be "wealthy" in terms of bank account. I knew I would never ever buy a brand new car, brand new house, etc.
Hell, my first two years of teaching, I qualified for "free lunch"! Every two weeks I would get a check that, after taxes, union dues, and insurance costs, was $580-650 dollars. I made more cash delivering pizzas in college!

Bottom line for me is, do I love my job? Yep. I know plenty of people who make way more than me, that cannot say yes to that question.

Are teachers underpaid? I dunno. Ask anyone in any profession if they are underpaid and I wonder what their answer would be?

[ESPNdeportes]

Re: What do teachers really make?

You wouldn't say that if you had to teach in a public schools. Rich schools can afford all kinds of stuff but most public schools care barely afford busing and sports teams, let alone paying teachers $100,000.

I think its criminal what is happening to so many urban and rural public school systems. The lack of funding drives me nuts. There are districts where there are virtually no extra-curricular activities due to lack of funding.

The disparity in facilities, faculty, activities, etc. between school districts is a major problem.

In Ohio the public school system in all the big cities and most rural areas are a mess, and its directly attributable to slashing their funding.

[Brian Gee]

Re: What do teachers really make?

I don't even want to get into this argument, but I'm a first year teacher and for those of you who have never taught before (YOUR OWN CLASS...NOT SUBBING!), you can't say anything about the situation.

I'm beginning to find my rhythm, but it's not as easy as it may sometimes seem.

Subbing? I was a substitute for two years and that was the cakest job of all time. I wrote a book last November while subbing (321 pages).

[NoleFan]

Re: What do teachers really make?

I'm about to start substituting again and I'm considering going into secondary education. I'm 27 with a BS in Electrical Engineering Technology and an AS in Electronic Engineering Technology. The only way to get into Education is to go back to school but I need to be working...really working. If I were teach Electronics, my contact in the district tells me that I'd only have to take a couple of tests and I'd be okay.

Anyone have any leads on Electronics Instrustor positions? Thanks!

[longshadow11]

Re: What do teachers really make?

I am a teacher/coach. Some days I feel like I'm underpaid and some days I feel like I'm overpaid. This week I've been working with my 7th graders' composition writing. This week I feel underpaid.

What I want to know is what's wrong with asking for more money? What's the point in complaining about teachers complaining about our pay? Why don't you point out every other group of workers who go on strike, join a union, and scream for more money?

[Gary Armida]

Re: What do teachers really make?

What I want to know is what's wrong with asking for more money? What's the point in complaining about teachers complaining about our pay? Why don't you point out every other group of workers who go on strike, join a union, and scream for more money?

Well said...You know, according to some people in this thread, we do nothing, so why bother complaining? Hey, we get the summer off! Let the important, infinitely more productive computer programmers complain. :wink:

[ODogg]

Re: What do teachers really make?

I know two teachers and both are underpaid and overworked. And something I don't believe has been mentioned is that a lot of teachers have to buy supplies out of their own pay if they want to effectively teach class in a proper way. I honestly don't believe for one second that average pay. Average of what?

I will say I don't believe in that old arguement of "why do we pay rock stars or sports stars 5 million dollars and teachers 35k". That's a bunch of bunk, as has been stated, teachers do not have a talent that brings in mega millions, therefor they do not get paid for it. But even with that being said teachers should get paid more or this country will pay the price for it, if it's not already.

The bottom line I think is that teachers, for the most part, enter the profession for their love of teaching not for the money. And as it becomes more and more difficult with the coddled kids, disinterested and litigious parents, lowered budgets, etc, we are going to see less and less people entering the field, even if they would love to teach. This is good reason to be alarmed I believe.

[longshadow11]

Re: What do teachers really make?

BTW, it's not a vacation. It's two months in which we don't get paid. Our pay for 10 months is spread out over 12 months.

Geez, I could get into a ton of mess, but just let me say there's a lot of other professions to pick on, why teachers? Mister, we put up with a lot of crap.

A great teacher I work with is retiring this year because she is tired of the disrespectful kids and can make more moeny at another job. My wife is also an incredible teacher. She's giving it one or two more years while she looks for another line of work. Great teachers are getting out due to lack of public support.

[daflyboys]

Re: What do teachers really make?

I think its criminal what is happening to so many urban and rural public school systems. The lack of funding drives me nuts. There are districts where there are virtually no extra-curricular activities due to lack of funding.

The disparity in facilities, faculty, activities, etc. between school districts is a major problem.

In Ohio the public school system in all the big cities and most rural areas are a mess, and its directly attributable to slashing their funding.

Well, technically, schools are federal government operations cloaked under a county label. And, outside of highways, what exactly DOES the fed. gov't run well? I think it's time for that dreaded 8-letter word that teachers don't like: VOUCHERS.

[Scottdau]

Re: What do teachers really make?

Why does the actor and actress get a few million dollars a film? Because their movies will have revenues of millions upon millions of dollars. Doesn't mean they are better than the teacher, but their job brings in more money and that is why they are paid more.

Thanks, I cracked up when I read that post by Long. actor and athletes and musicians just make crazy amounts of money, but they make that because they bring in that money.

[NoleFan]

Re: What do teachers really make?

I was just given the opportunity to be a long-term substitute for a Sr statistics class at our rival high school. It's new to me because before I was just a "regular" substitute where I just had to maintain the class for a day. However, with this long term position I have to take all the normal responsibilities of a teacher including lesson plans. I only observed today but I know it's going to be a great deal of work and I'm ready for the challenge.

To top if off I've been "awarded" a Fr Algebra class during 2nd block. Nice!

The more I think about this and talk to people I believe I'd be better as a counselor or something of that nature. I love working with the HS aged kids but I don't know if I want to teach.

[Mike Lowe]

Re: What do teachers really make?

bump

I golfed 18 today. Tomorrow's wide open.

[dieselboy]

Re: What do teachers really make?

bump

I golfed 18 today. Tomorrow's wide open.

Exactly.