Are teachers paid poorly in your city?

[The Black Guardian]

$40K is fine if you're single and have no kids. But unless your spouse is making twice that, $40K is nothing - especially compared to the hours worked and the amount of work put into it.

Depends on where you live. My wife and I make less than $40k each, and we're living comfortable.

...not to mention their job security.

This is the thing. Our current governor is slashing education left and right. Lots of layoffs. Tenure? What's that?

[Arthur72]

My teacher friend told me to watch 'Waiting for Superman'. Apparently there are some teachers who cannot be fired and are collecting paychecks because of the difficulty to get rid of their incompetence. Supposedly they sit around a room in some different building doing absolutely nothing getting paid.

As for some teachers, I remember a few just going to the motions and waiting to retirement. They teach the same material every few years and are not challenging at all. My high school accounting teacher comes to mind. He did not have a difficult job at all.

[Vibranium]

My teacher friend told me to watch 'Waiting for Superman'. Apparently there are some teachers who cannot be fired and are collecting paychecks because of the difficulty to get rid of their incompetence. Supposedly they sit around a room in some different building doing absolutely nothing getting paid.

yup...thats states like New York, New Jersey where the teachers unions have been playing strongarm for years and the state government strongarms right back...its a really good documentary

I have friends who are teachers, most like it, some left...my cousin wanted to be a teacher, spent two years subbing and being an aide...now wants NOTHING to do with teaching...he went to go work for Verizon

[Rasputin9977]

Not to be judgmental or anything, but does what you do require a Masters and involve educating the future of this nation? Are you trusted with the safety of about 150 children a day? Just because someone makes as much as me or more does not mean they are getting what they deserve. Hell, I think I deserve a little more for what I do, but I could get paid more if I switched companies so I guess it's my own fault. Having a boss and coworkers I like and the nicest equipment in the area is worth missing out on an extra two bucks an hour for me. There are certain professions which contribute an immeasurable amount to society. Teaching is one of them.

Not all teaching positions require a masters.

[Rasputin9977]

My teacher friend told me to watch 'Waiting for Superman'. Apparently there are some teachers who cannot be fired and are collecting paychecks because of the difficulty to get rid of their incompetence. Supposedly they sit around a room in some different building doing absolutely nothing getting paid.

As for some teachers, I remember a few just going to the motions and waiting to retirement. They teach the same material every few years and are not challenging at all. My high school accounting teacher comes to mind. He did not have a difficult job at all.

Crappy teachers is a major problem in the US. I wish there were stricter guidelines to be a teacher.

[king mob]

Considering all the work they put in outside of school hours, and the incredible responsibility they have in shaping our children into productive human beings, probably not nearly enough.

Nope, they don't. In the UK a starting salary is about 20k but you do get a reasonable pension (which is going to end up being cut because the government are cunts) and a good chunk of summer off, but you also work 12 hour days and have the responsibility of being a teacher, social worker and parent to kids so I wouldn't do it, and I have toyed with the idea a few years back.

[Michael P]

And teachers often pay out-of-pocket as much as $1.5k in supplies, and instructional material, classroom decorations, parties, snacks, and some clothes for kids (for emergencies). They cannot claim most of that as an income tax deduction. I believe they are limited to $250.

Well, *that's* bullshit.

[o1pickleboy]

Crappy teachers is a major problem in the US. I wish there were stricter guidelines to be a teacher.

Which would reduce the number of people wanting to be teachers only upping the pay would offset that.

[Diamond Princess]

Which would reduce the number of people wanting to be teachers only upping the pay would offset that.

You mean to tell me that you can't get the most qualified people for the job while offering shit pay!?

[Jorriss]

It's hard to say if they're poorly paid.

They are not paid a lot but the product of their work is pretty dismal.

[Diamond Princess]

And that has nothing to do with NCLB, I'm sure. News flash: teachers are given a curriculum. They are to teach the curriculum. They are not to deviate from the curriculum. Why? Because their jobs relay on standardized tests. Any public school teachers knows what I mean when I say "teach to test." Critical thinking is not on the tests, so guess what? Kids don't learn how to think critically. And common sense? Please.

[Jorriss]

And that has nothing to do with NCLB, I'm sure. News flash: teachers are given a curriculum. They are to teach the curriculum. They are not to deviate from the curriculum. Why? Because their jobs relay on standardized tests. Any public school teachers knows what I mean when I say "teach to test." Critical thinking is not on the tests, so guess what? Kids don't learn how to think critically. And common sense? Please.

I'm aware of all that. Even teaching to exams, the quality of education is pitiful. Even with free range to teach, society would be, say, scientifically illiterate as the teachers are themselves as a whole.

[Diamond Princess]

Even with free range to teach, society would be, say, scientifically illiterate as the teachers are themselves as a whole.

How the hell would you know? When was the last time anyone had free range to teach in America?

[Rasputin9977]

You mean to tell me that you can't get the most qualified people for the job while offering shit pay!?

$50k isn't 'shit pay' in many areas in the US.

[Chiasm]

When figuring teacher's pay you do have to remember they only work 9-10 months a year. So naturally their pay is going to be lower than those of us who don't get summer's off.

I do agree though that during the school year many put in more hours a day than they get credit for.