High School

[Mousetrap]

I am a senior in high school, and I'm going to a university this fall.

I am part of the education process everyday. And I'm not one of the students that doesn't like their teachers either, I adore mine.

[Lloyd Brown]

Originally Posted by Mousetrap

I am a senior in high school, and I'm going to a university this fall.

I am part of the education process everyday. And I'm not one of the students that doesn't like their teachers either, I adore mine.

Explains everything. Wait until you get into the real world, then we will see if you still think they are paid enough.

In the meantime, I will apologize to all teachers that might be reading this on your behalf.

[Mousetrap]

Lloyd, you have no idea where I've been and what my "real world" is. I am more mature than most high school students, and you have no authority to tell me what is and is not reality.

In the meantime, I will not turn to petty insults to make my point.

[MikeHawk]

In the meantime, I apologize to the rest of mankind on Lloyd Brown's behalf. Give me a break. You're so disrespectful. It's obvious that you are not part of the education system Lloyd. If you're neither a teacher nor a student, what makes you the authority on teachers? I've seen in a previous post that you have children in their 20s. That means that any experience in education was several years ago. So can you tell me why you have the credentials and authority to say "that explains everything". What a douche. Unlike mousetrap, I will resort to petty insults.

[Lloyd Brown]

Originally Posted by MikeHawk

In the meantime, I apologize to the rest of mankind on Lloyd Brown's behalf. Give me a break. You're so disrespectful. It's obvious that you are not part of the education system Lloyd. If you're neither a teacher nor a student, what makes you the authority on teachers? I've seen in a previous post that you have children in their 20s. That means that any experience in education was several years ago. So can you tell me why you have the credentials and authority to say "that explains everything". What a douche. Unlike mousetrap, I will resort to petty insults.

I was very active in my kid's schooling, acting as a volunteer two days a week for about 4 years.

I pay enough attention to know that teachers have not made vast improvements as far as their wages are concerned, so I know they continue to be underpaid.

Oh wait, the teachers in NC are possibly getting a raise:

It's still fuzzy for most state employees, but budget documents indicate that teachers would receive an average pay increase of 5 percent, and that new teachers would also receive a $250 bonus to bring their annual pay up to $30,000. Budget writers say they are still working on other pay increases, but the latest plan calls for a 2.5 percent increase and a one-time $400 bonus for state employees. Budget writers also say that community college faculty would again receive an extra pay boost, putting them at a 5 percent increase.

Only someone not familiar with the real world would think $30k is a decent wage.

Teachers frequently use their own monies to provide tools to help educate their students. School districts rarely provide enough books for their students, and this is in fairly wealthy communities.

Tell you what, go ask your teacher how much they make per year, and then come back and tell me they are overpaid, or even adequately paid.

Teachers are responsioble for our most important resource, our children, yet they make less than some lady running a child care out of her living room.

[Lloyd Brown]

Interesting stats: AskQuestions.org - School Teachers

he US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the estimated average salary of all public elementary and secondary school teachers in the 2003–04 school year was $46,597. Private school teachers generally earn less than public school teachers, but may be given other benefits, such as free or subsidized housing.

In some schools, teachers receive extra pay for coaching sports and working with students in extracurricular activities. Getting a master’s degree or national certification often results in a raise in pay, as does acting as a mentor. Some teachers earn extra income during the summer by teaching summer school or performing other jobs in the school system.

The American Federation of Teachers, a national teacher’s union, publishes an annual survey of teacher’s salaries across America, including detailed information for every state. According to the AFT, beginning teachers with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of $31,704 in the 2003–04 school year. Some of the other facts identified in the most recent AFT survey:

* From 1994 to 2004, average teacher salaries, when adjusted for inflation, dropped in 22 states.
* The average beginning teacher salary in the 2003-04 school year was $31,704, up just 1.1% from the previous year.
* Since 1988, there has been only one year, 2001-02, in which teacher salaries have outpaced inflation by more than 1.1%.
* Connecticut had the highest average teacher salary at $56,516, while South Dakota reported the lowest at $33,236.


Get an estimate of what your teachers make at AFT - Press Center - Press Releases - 2004 Teacher Salary Survey Map

[Mom2one]

In addition to the poor wage, you have to consider that a teacher's job is NOT just 9-3pm, school time only. They have marking to do, they have lesson plans to write and submit and are often working till late at night every day to avoid doing the same all weekend (I speak from experience of my teacher sister). In the holidays whilst kids are taking it easy they often supplement their income with exam marking and other things.

An easy life it is not.

[Lloyd Brown]

This thread makes me laugh and weep at the same time.

[personalmedia]

This is obviously a heated debate. I can only comment on my own knowledge of two teachers I know personally. One is married to my best friend and teaches a high school English class for struggling students. He uses his planning time (2 hours a day) to come home and nap. My friend says he rarely grades papers. She sometimes grades them for him as a matter of fact. He takes every summer off. They live in a very nice suburb in a very nice home with many nice material things.

The other teacher is also a high school teacher and I know him from the tavern my boyfriend bartends at. He gets so drunk he falls down on the floor - and goes to school to teach the next day. He always seems to have enough money to spend freely at the bar on his drinks and drinks for others.

Seems like these teachers are making it pretty well without putting a lot of effort into their jobs in my opinion.

[Kermit]

Your closed mind makes me laugh and weep at the same time.