66 Comments

This site has helped me immensely. My wife live and teach in Hawaii, which ranks all the way at the bottom in the pathetic 50th slot. That's why there's a teacher shortage here - it's so expensive that teachers just can't make it. The teachers that thrive here over time are locals who have inherited home equity and so don't have to worry about buying a home, and teachers who marry doctors, lawyers, etc. The general pattern is for recent college grads eager to try life in Paradise, who stay a couple of years but quickly figure out it's not worth it in the long-term. To be sure, it's a great place to live and work for a couple of years. But my wife and I are now planning to move to #3 - Georgia, where median single-family homes run for a quarter of what they do here ($600,000 - and believe me that doesn't buy you much out here). So, thanks to your wonderfully useful site which has led my family to Georgia. I think the next step would be to rank the states according to job opportunity. For instance, my home state is Pennsylvania, and I wouldn't mind returning there, but I would be at a serious disadvantage as an English teacher without a Master's degree and five years of experience. I know that this is probably far more complicated than ranking teacher salaries, but it would be extremely helpful for teachers considering relocation.

Are there any teachers who teach in or near Lake Charles? B

Unfortunately, many states start their teachers out well below what is listed here as "starting salary." Texas is one of those states. Our 2008-2009 starting salary is $27,000. I understand that's minimum, but most of our teachers actually do start at that. In fact, to attract more potentials, I saw a school advertising that they paid $2200 over the state minimum. Some incentive! 8-( Here's the link, FMI http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/school.finance/salary/

I taught for many years and I must say that it was the best and easiest life ever. I don't know why I moved on to practice law. Consider the number of hours per year that a teacher works. In NYS, teachers work 180 days a year and their benefit package is worth 35%-40% of their salaries. The retirement plan and medical insurance are first class. In addition, sick leave, personal leave, teachers' aides etc., etc., etc. make their lives a dream - even though you would never know it from talking to them. All they do is complain, complain, complain. They should get with it and be grateful for the generosity of taxpaying citizens who support them and their families.

To the former teacher,now lawyer, who says it is the easiest job and that current teachers should not complain is ignorant of the current realities in the teaching profession. I am proud to say that I taught in two different states NY ( the city) and for 20 Yrs in MD a total of 30 yrs not counting two years of college teaching. Teaching , in and of itself, is a joyful and rewarding experience. You have to love kids and love your teaching area of expertise. When I retired 3 yrs ago I was called "teacher coordinator/ dept chair. I enjoyed the position but found the adminsitrative responsibilities a negative impact on my teaching to what had been my optinum level. The administration weighed heavily on demanding too much in too little time. I was called at night, I was pulled from my class room to cover for an absent teacher, I was forced to prepare lessons for absentee teachers, I was forced to coach inept teachers that the system was not or had not dismiissed for incompetence. How I managed I'm not sure. Some days I was working on pure spirit. By the time I retired, I was burnt out and terribly exhausted by the adminsitrative demands directed from administrators some of whom never taught a day in their lives. Teachers are not respected, they are underpaid, unappreciated and are obviously not valued. Most teachers would say " just let me teach" and leave all the beauracratic mess to the administration. Teaching is an art and the delivery of information is a skill ,not all are equipped to perform. I would recommend that anyone walk in a teacher's shoes for a few years before commenting on how we complain. It is an arduous job and it is only through loving children and wanting to bring about knowledge and helping others to become mindful adults that we do this job. For all those who are professionals .ask yourself,"where would I be without a teacher/" Teachers need encouragement, respect, support and time to reflect and regenerate and reinvent. Yes ,we have for the most part excellent retirement benefits and Lord knows we deserve it and we do pay for those benefits. School years have been extended, workshops and extra training is essential and when teachers leave the school house there work is never over. Their evenings are nights of correcting papers,, lesson planning and bearing up for one more day which can be hell. Respect and appreciate those who teach as it is a profession laden with love and dedication. Amen

Oh by the way , when I retired my salary was $77, 000.00 plus bonuses that yielded me closer to $88,000. That was of course due to longevity and education I had a masters plus 30 credit hours toward another masters.

@jafv: so...if a teacher's life is so easy (a "dream" as you state): 1. Why did you leave? 2. Why don't you go back? We all know you WERE NOT in fact a teacher and are simply yet another person who complains about teachers but knows nothing about the profession. I just love the clueless anti-teacher comments by people who just don't understand, nor take the time to try to understand. You my friend are probably one of those parents who can't control his kids and you send them to spend more time with me in school than with you at home. Oh by the way, why don't you go ahead and thank a teacher, or two, for helping you get your law degree.

I’m a 26 year old Latino woman interested in getting my Bachelors on Secondary Education (Spanish teacher). I been working in the Corporate America world for about 7 years (currently in finance dept) making close to 45K and have seen all the corruption, favoritism and unfairness that goes on in this world. Teaching was always something that interested me, but was always discouraged by negative people who stated that teacher’s are underpaid and can hardly survive with their income. I want a profession, I want to teach high school kids but I also want to make sure I will be able to survive with my income. Right now I can manage with my income, I’m single and no kids but I want to be able to support a family (of course hopefully along with a husband). I always ask all my teacher friends about their experience teaching, the pros and cons. I need advice from teachers who have experience this profession. One thing to keep in mind is that I live in Chicago IL and would start with a Bachelors. Can any of you help me out? Would this profession be for me and would I be happy with the income?

For rosie. Teaching is very rewarding, once you figure out how to manage your classroom. The first year is hell. Don't give up, learn from your mistakes, and ask for help from your teaching peers. I worked professionally for over twenty years, as a drafter, drafting supervisor, project engineer, and technical illustrator. Now I am teaching art and gifted art. I am not even teaching an academic, and I spend 2-4 hours everyday working at home, and another 4-8 hours every weekend, grading and preparing curriculum. After figuring my actual working hours, I am only making $12.35 per hour. Illinois pays better than my state, though. Good Luck!

Deliver me from the ignorant masses who think that teachers work "180 days" a year. And of course, we only work 71/2 hours a day. BULL. I teach kindergarten, and I love it, or I would not be doing it. It is work. It is consuming if you do it right, If it were only about teaching, that would be a piece of cake, sure. But it's not. It's about making sure the principle is satisfied with my work; meeting the demands of all the new programs the county thinks are the next great thing; catering to parents who think their child is the only one I have in my classroom and he/she is a perfect genius. It's also about finding time to teach 24-5 year olds how to read and write, do math, and understand science and social studies with minimal assistance while differentiating for multi-leveled learners AND assessing all these students individually in all the above mentioned areas. Oh, yea, those benefits. Yea, they're great. But if i have to take one of those "Paid' sick days, I have - while sick - to make plans for the one who will take care of my class while I'm gone, making sure they have everything they need to take care of those 24-5 year olds for the day and get them home safely. I can't just say, "put it on my desk, and I'll see about it tomorrow." Believe me when I say, I am not complaining. It is just the reality of teaching. I've also done other jobs outside the classroom, and nothing is as satifying as teaching for me. I just find it insulting for people to say, it's just. . . . It's not! That's like saying a surgeon's job is easy because he/she schedules surgeries at his/her convenience and only does a few each week. But, man, he sure makes more money than me. Teaching is the most important job ever. Who taught the surgeon how to do his job? If you don't want to do it, fine; but don't degrade the profession based on your limited and, obviously ineffective, experience.

Rosie - Teaching is a rewarding job and I wake up each day loving it! I was in banking for 10 years prior and now I am going on my 7th year teaching third grade. I am finally making what I was making in banking when I left, but I am grateful for it, as I didn't get the other side benefits that I am getting now. These benefits are the rewards of seeing light bulbs go on in the classroom, kindness, compassion, innocence, and a love for learning. This list goes on, and these are the reasons why people teach and stay teaching. It is a very tough job too, but like the person said before, if you are doing your job right and doing it well, there is a large investment of time and energy. You know, with the amount of schooling it takes to get here and continue growing in this profession, people like myself, could be doing anything else that might pay big money, but agian it's not about the money and benefits alone, which aren't bad (in California), but for me it was about giving back to our wonderful world and helping it remain and grow even more into a beautiful place with "Good" people (considering we are teaching character traits and life skills, not just academics). What other profession allows you to touch 20+ lives a year where you can make a difference and affect somebody's path in a way that may change their lives and the people around them. If that isn't a big enough benefit, I don't know what is. Also, the person that said we work 180 days, what do you think I am doing right now, and it's summer break? A teacher is thinking and working year round, just ask my kids and my husband. Also, my first two years of teaching were my VERY Best because I was untainted by the politics and demands of the district and state. Also, I was well prepared by my University by teaching me to be self-sufficient in using technology for resources and my co-workers forpp support. Also, your attitude is everything. I am very positive and I look at most situations as a learning experience, this helped with the kids, parents, staff, etc.. So Rosie, if you are passionate about teaching, because the passion is what drives you and keeps you going, then I say go for it! We need people in this field that REALLY want to be here FOR THE KIDS, not just for summers off, benefits, and money. Also, go sit in a classroom one day or a couple days with different grade levels, that might give you some insight. Good luck!

To the lawyer, you obviously are the type of "teacher" that gives us educators a poor name. You probably were the type that arrived at 7:30 and left by 2:30. You were probably the type that gave an assignment and sat at your desk and checked your e-mail. You probably got your job because you were a male in a profession dominated by women. I am a male educator who cares deeply about my students and puts in tireless hours in order to ensure that they grow and prosper the way they should. If you think that your time as a teacher was the easiest of your life, then you were a disgrace to the position. By the way, this comes from a person who has his educational law degree and has passed the Indiana State Bar.

Wow - I cannot believe that the public still doesn't get it. Teachers teach because they enjoy working with the students. It is not easy, nor monetarily rewarding. Good teachers end up working 9 to 11 hour days, usually taking work home. The retirement is secure, but you have to work a long time to get the max. and then you kick the bucket before you ever get close to collecting what you put in. We get an unpaid summer vacation and we do not get to choose our other vacations. We can't call in sick because it takes hours to prepare for a sub. For some reason just handing them our lesson plans is never good enough. I am a Middle School Math teacher. I love my job and my students. I love the challenge and the hard work. Most people do not understand how special teachers are! We cannot be made, or trained. In is a special gift the we were given. All we need is the proper education and we can enlighten others. Please do not criticize what you do not understand. Remember teachers helped you to get where you wanted to go.

Interesting that Mr. New York found teaching the easiest days of his life. I will speculate that he was not a teacher, just held the certificate and assigned worksheets and multiple choice questions, collected his check. Hurray to 5th Grade Nothing, you nailed it I am sure. Having taught for 29 years, I have seen the same kind. I would not go to them for legal advise either.

I'm a young teacher. I've had many jobs in my life before teaching. This is the HARDEST think I have EVER done. I'm 10 times more stressed than my friends who aren't teachers. Sure I HAVE to be at school from 7:02-2:20 but rarely do I leave before 5. Do I get compensated for that time? No. Do I still take home work? Yes. Do I eat, sleep, and breathe teaching? YES. Do I absolutely love it? YES! Why? I have no idea, I just do. Any one who says teachers have it easy, have no idea what goes on in schools today. They have no clue what a teacher has to put up with - complete lack of respect, apathetic students, new curriculum/programs yearly ... insanity is what we do. Teachers are the most important people. Without them, you don't have anyone else.

I must say that I stumbled on to this site by accident. As a former teacher, I couldn't help but read through the postings. I taught high school for 3 years. However, I was too young for the position. At 22 years of age, I was given the responsibility of the educator. Looking back, I was still a kid myself. Teachers are given the responsibility to guide our youth morally, ethically, politically, athletically, etc., etc. It was just too much for me, and I decided to move on to something else. As mentioned in another post, I just wanted to teach. I was good at it, and in only my second year, I was selected as teacher of the year. I believe there are so many people out there that would be excellent teachers, but the salaries, lack of respect, poor parenting, and the devotion required is simply too stressful. It has been ten years since I stood in front of a classroom. In that time, I have earned 3 Master's Degrees and become a CPA. I believe that I have been able to accomplish what I have because of the dicipline I learned teaching. It was the most difficult job that I have ever had, and I respect anyone that does this as a profession.

@rosie I am in a similar situation to yours, except I have been in the corporate world for almost 25 years. In that time, I have been promoted for excellent work, laid off twice due to slumps in the economy, had my pay cut by 1/4, been denied a pay raise for performance when it was promised me, and always held in high regard as an employee in IT. What did I get out of it? Another lay off, covering my own health insurance, and some company owners who can't remember that I even worked for them. I have always enjoyed teaching, and when I ran into former teachers of mine and I could tell them how they helped me, I realized that I wanted to be remembered like that too. Regarding the pay, that will depend on where you will be living. I would encourage you, however, to teach where you will do the most good. I received a grant which requires me to teach in a high needs school district for at least two years. I may change my tune later, but I am hoping that I can make a difference in those high need schools and never want to move to more affluent schools. Good luck! @Mr. Lawyer... Either you were never a teacher, or you were a p...s poor teacher. If it was so damned easy, why in hell are you a lawyer now? @bama It's not too late if you want to give it another go. I was an officer in the Navy, and I think, in part, I was overwhelmed by the early responsibility of that job. The difference is, the Navy doesn't want me at my age, but schools, hopefully, won't mind as much.

i dont know what planet some of you people are from ; but the kids i teach in an inner city school daily come with guns and drugs, if I were to be paid accordingly for working seven days a week, I would be receiving a doctors salary. I've been teaching long enough that my salary has dropped each year. Haven't seen a raise in 4yrs. My state is one of the lowest paid. To the lawyer obvisously you haven't had to deal with chronic behaviors in the classroom and out of control parents who send notes wtih their children asking you to buy shoes and coats and get mad when you dont do it. I work in a distrist that claims its broke, but surrounding districts in the same state are paying more. To the person thinking about going into teaching; your'e better off where you at if you plan on continuing to put food on the table, our salaries are so low, I qualify for food stamps, and before someone says it , this is my last year teaching, I cannot continue to live off this salary while welfare people around me are better off and they dont have to leave the house . For the folks that say they went into teaching for the kids, then why are you accepting a salary, you must have a second source to pay your bills. Everybody gets a job to pay their bills first and formost, every thing else outside your family is secondary I'am just being honest.

I live in PA and have two kids in public high school. I am not a teacher, but my wife teaches in a local private school. Right now the public teachers in my school district are threatening to strike if they don't get a raise. The average teacher in our district makes approximately $70,000. They are demanding an 18% increase in salary over the next three years. They are also demanding that the benefits continue to be 90% funded (they pay the other 10%). There are other demands as well, but this is the heart of the matter. As a parent, I want to give my kids the very best that I can. But after looking at this website and hearing the plight of many other teachers (guns, drugs, etc.), I don't know whether I should feel sorry for the teachers of my district, or outraged by their demands. Could other teachers who view this site please respond and give me a sense of what you think is fair?

To robo in PA, I think teachers should be paid the amount that is fair to live comfortably in your area. So when I think about housing, daycare, food, etc, a teacher should be to afford to live where he/she works and not struggle. Teaching is a demanding job that includes coming early, staying late, neglecting you family sometimes (even your own children), getting little sleep, continuous education, using a lot of your money for your classroom. I teach in an urban school district with low income children and I have to say the job is very demanding. Before my students need a teacher, many times they need a mom, a nurse, a counselor. Teachers also have a lot of adminstrative duties. For example, I have to take attendance in 3 different places everyday (online, in a book and one sent to the office.) Also many districts play with teacher pay. My district just keep a two pay check this year, put in escrow and said that we'll get this check when we leave the system. Then they paid us with the deferred summer pay they deduct from our checks, making our summer check significantly smaller. So maybe your teachers need the money, maybe they are asking for a lot to get what they really want, but in essence think about what is fair.

Does the comfort index take into account that some states take about 8% out towards their retirement plan and some don't? For example, my girlfriend is going to move from Texas to Florida. If she were to teach in Texas they take out 8%. Florida doesn't make you contribute anything towards retirement.

Great question, Ryan. This version of the TeacherPortal Comfort Index does not take teacher retirement plans into account: we will do so in the next version!

I'm just starting on my teahing degree, and am very concerned with the state of a teacher's pay check. First off, both my boyfriend and I want to be teachers. Second, I'm physically disabled(legally blind) and I'm afriad that would make teaching a impossibility for me, or a difficulty getting hired. Yet I want to teach more then anything. My experiences with mentoring and T.A. programs has had a huge impact on my life. I would live for it despite the drawbacks. I just want to make enough money to support a small family, pay my occasional hospital bills, and not struggle. Any advice?

Actually, I agree with the teacher turned lawyer about complaining teachers AND I AM A TEACHER. I have lived in NY and Virginia. NY teachers are among the highest paid, least worked and are beyond spoiled. A friend in NY complained the other day that it would take him almost 14 years to make $100,000. Poor Baby. My taxes in NY were over $10,000 a year and guess why? Teachers salaries!!! i love teaching. iIcurrently teach in VA where I will probably never exceed $50,000. Thats fine because I love teaching and I can afford my taxes. I will not retire sitting pretty like NY teachers who are sucking the tax payers dry of all of their resources. yet, I have received the same education and work harder. In fact, I work over 200 days a year, unlike my NY counterparts. That being said, the laywer does need to understand that not all teachers are spoiled. Most states pay a barely living wage and most teachers devote more than the traditional 7 hour day to their students.

to robo in PA: I am a new teacher and looking for employment and considering moving to PA. What district and what private school does your wife teach? thank you.

I am 24 and currently enrolled in an Educational program. Because NJ requires teachers to be "highly qualified", we have to be double majors. My main major is Education of the Deaf and my second is English. I will be able to teach, upon certification and my Masters, K-8 hearing children, K-6 Deaf children, and H.S. English for hearing children. Having this diversity gives me a false sense of hope that someday I can make enough money doing something that I love and will not be limited by my degree. My husband has declining health and I will become the head of household with him only working for extra playmoney. But looking at this website, I am getting a little scared. I originally had plans to commute the 80 train ride into NYC so that I could pay off my loans, get rid of the TEACH grant, and make a little extra to save up for a bigger home in Florida. I get that teachers are overworked and underpaid, but we are not flamboyant with our spending and I need some kind of reliable retirement plan. Am I being too delusional with my hopes? Am I going to regret my choice to teach? Will I ever repay my college loans? P.S. The website for NYC teachers claims that incoming teachers with a Masters and no experience start at $51K. Even so that is by far more than we are making right now together!

Lets compare teachers and baseball players. Teachers have at least a 4 year degree and usually more. Baseball players probably have no degree. Teachers work 182 days a year, ballplayers 162 unless they're in the series for which they are paid much more. Teachers work 7 1/2 hours, thats a laugh, a day, bplayers 3 1/2. Beginning teachers make about 30K a year to start. ARod makes 35K every time he bats, whether he hits a home run or more likely strikes out. He pays my salary through taxes and I pay his every time I can afford to go to a game, I can't or buy a item of clothes that he endorses for a lot more money. I am alone in the classroom where he has a team of 25 of which only 9 work at a time. Finally if it wern't for teachers, he wouldn't know how to sign his huge paycheck.

My coment is that I know many people that have teaching degree but can not get the job. Why ? Benefits, retirement, vacation are so great that everybody want to be teacher. Compare it to some other jobs where you work more, make less. We want our industry compete with word (like example car companies). Why do not we ask our teaches compete with world our kids results and what we pay for that. We have most expensive teaches in the word with 3rd world country results. If wo do not fix it we will be 3rd world country soon. Wake up world is passing us by.

I am a special education teacher /coach in AL. As did others, I come accross this sight a few moments ago and could not resist reading the post. First, to the lawyer above, teaching is the most mentally stressful job one could have. Especially this day and age where parent involvement consist of opening the car door to let their child out. To the above post, We have the most expensive teachers because of what it cost to live here and compare that to other professions here. Regardless of these post, parent involvement is the key to having a successful school. To the people considering teaching as a career, I believe I am 100% doing what I was put here to do. I love what I do and recomend it to anybody that has a passion for teaching and guiding young people. I am a 6 year teacher that moved from Ms. to Al. this year for a better coaching opportunity.

Hey, jafv! I know very few teachers who only work 180 days a year...to being with, contracts include required inservice days (at least in Texas) and "duties assigned" which very often require weekends and holidays (at least they do in my rural school). Don't get me wrong - I love what I do. I have over 25 years in and am not nearly ready to retire. However, "sick leave" in my district is 5 days a year - it took 3 to bury my father who died on Labor Day this year. When I go to my son's wedding next week, out of town and requires that I miss another 3 days - I'll be docked a day's pay for that. And there will be no substitute hired while I'm out - other teachers will have to watch my students during their planning periods. With so little time available to be sick (or for family emergencies), accumulating time is nearly impossible. Because special ed students are now mainstreamed in science, I have classes where the IQ ranges from 85 to 120 - no aides, all modifications left to me - no one has yet to tell me how to teach physics to someone who can't read or do math. My summers are spent at part-time jobs closing the gap....still making less than $55K a year and that includes the part-time stuff. Would I do anything else for a living - like practice law? No thanks. I'd prefer to think I can still fix things and make lives better through my efforts. And, by the way, I have a doctorate, so don't suggest that graduate work would make a tremendous difference - it does, I'll likely never be out of debt.

ohio: what? I really can barely understand what you're saying, which could be due to a language barrier, but still... And what you have to think about is the fact that teachers only have students for so long in the day and of the year, and then they go home. The HOME is where learning begins and should be expressed as a priority. I can talk til I'm blue in the face on how important education is, but if the parents don't support that same ideal at home, the students aren't likely to care. When are people going to look at the country's attitude as a whole towards education, rather than just at teachers' ability to teach?

I need to get this off my chest. I am a 2nd year high school teacher. I have family who tell me that I am a failure in life because I became a teacher. I was supposed to go to law school or medical school. Apparently I am throwing my life away. Part of me chose teaching to prove to my family that I can make my own choices, and part of me really wanted to teach. But half-way through my second year, I find myself sticking it out just so I won't have to hear my family say "I told you so." Also, I'm old enough that going back to school for something else doesn't really make sense when I already have enough student loans to pay off. The honest truth is, teaching IS the most stressful and least gratifying job on the planet. It is demeaning and humiliating. The hours are long, the pay IS low, and there is absolutely no respect from the students, parents, and the general community. I believe that I am a good teacher. I go above and beyond to try to make my lessons interesting and thought-provoking while at the same time trying to jump through the hoops that my administrators and superintendants require. Most days when I come home I am at the breaking point and wonder how I can do it over again the next day. I don't believe, for the most part, that our teachers are the ones to blame for the state of our country. Our teachers haven't gotten worse. Our parents have. The family in general has degenerated to the point that most parents don't teach their children moral values at home. They are not involved in their kids' lives and expect teachers to make up for where they have failed. We are not miracle workers, always. We cannot make someone want to learn who doesn't want to learn, and your kids don't want to learn if all they can think about are their home and family problems. Teaching is one of the worst careers on the planet. Not because it isn't rewarding, but becuase teachers are so disrespected by the general populace. We simply cannot compete with MTV, X-Box, and the 10,000 channels you let your kids watch to avoid communicating with them. And as far as the amount of work days, we don't work just 180 days. The pay we get is only for the 9 months we teach. Most new teachers still have to get another job during the summer just to make ends meet. And many I know are working evening jobs during the school year just to get by because what they make during the day doesn't pay the bills. Forget trying to raise a family, buy a house, or have a comfortable retirement. That will never happen unless you are single with no student loan debt, or married to someone who makes a ton more money than you do. I would discourage anyone thinking about being a teacher from even thinking about it unless you are serious about it. The horror stories are all true. If I had it to do all over again, I would have probably gone to law school despite the fact that I DO like what I do. Its just not worth the aggravation and stress. I'm sorry to all you good teachers out there who love what you do. Thank you for your sacrifices. We need you so much. To those of you who want to criticize teachers, examine yourselves first. Are you part of the problem?

I am currently going to school to get my K-6 degree. I am really excited to teach. I personallydo not believe its all about the money you make. And for teachers that huff and puff because they say they cannot stick it out, because they cannot compete with an X-box do not belong teaching. You have to have a passion for teaching. Of course teaching is going to have its stressful moments, but that comes up in every job. You should not choose a career just to spite your family, especially teaching. Teaching is not just about you and who your trying to impress. It's about the students that you teach. To help better them as growing people, and have a passion for teaching just as muchas students have a passion for learning; even though they do not always act like it. You should be committed to them and teaching them, because if you're not, your students do know and can sense that. And will make your job difficult, because they become intollerable. They do not want to respect a teacher that does not want to be there for them.

I find it is extremely difficult to compare teaching with other professions. I have found one example I like to use. Many people working in the private sector will ocassionally be required to present and idea to a group or to give an informational speech about something. I watch them prepare for hours, sometimes days to make sure their presentation will get the point across. As a teacher in a small district, I teach five different high school math courses, each requiriing a daily presentation. If I were allowed the same amount of time to prepare as these private sector critics, I'm sure my 180 measley days would turn into well over 500 days per year! for the lawyer working hard for a client, I see about 100 different clients every day with an equally life changing experience on the line. If anyone else thinks my job is easy - go get your secondary education degree, and your math degree - in Wisconsin you need both - and come to my class prepared to teach AP Calc AB, AP Calc BC, Pre-Calc, Algebra 2 and Algebra 1 every day with an hour and a half to prepare for all of them as well as grade all 100 assignments every day...

I just read the wvteacher's comment and had to reply. I am also a west virginia teacher with a masters plus 30 and fifteen years experience. I have also had cancer, and our health insurance did not cover anything. So with a salary of less than 40k in the part of the state that is the bedroom community for DC with DC cost of living, a retirement plan that was stolen by our governor - I too have to have a part time job. In fact on average at my school 75% of the teachers have second part-time jobs. So for those of you who think that all teachers have great health insurance, retirement packages, and loads of time off - think again. Not every state is the sameand the starting salary/average salary on this scale is not accurate. My state's starting salary is much lower. What I would like to see is the average net pay. My NET pay after taxes, health Insurance, etc (not including my personal IRA) is only 21,000.

Hmmm! To the young one just going through school to be a K-6 teacher---you have a rude awakening! Just wait until you meet the parents. It doesn't matter what grade you teach your parents will not respect you if they themselves have never been taught respect, or if they think you weren't being fair to their little Johnny. I have been teaching for 16 years and started at the age of 36. I absolutely love my job and my kids. (middle school) My kids love and respect me, BUT then you have the parents. Yes, I get along with most of my parents, but honey you don't have a clue what you will run into. This is something they do not teach you in school! Regarding teaching salaries--My salary started right around $19,000 I am now making 44,500, but I have completed my Master's since I started. I teach in Illinois and the average salary is misleading. This averages out quite well because they are averaging all of the Chicago district's teachers! They make $85,000 a year in a lot of their public school districts. I teach in a rural southern Illinois town. We do not make this average amount. Believe me, I am teaching two college night classes and work on Saturday nights at a store for extra money! I want to be paid what I am worth. Yes, we know--don't go into teaching for the money, but hey, aren't we the ones teaching all the ARods, Mark McGuires, Dr. Phil, Oprah? I just want our salaries to be fair. With all the new regulations Bush put on us with the ridiculous No Child Left Behind Act, we deserve more if we have to continue are education. Why do they make everything so difficult?

Forgive me for my typo's. Hard to write your comments and try to proofread. Thanks for understanding/

I have always known that teaching has been my calling. I am 23 years old and in my first year of a masters program. My undergraduate degree is in History and my masters will be in History as well. I know that I must take and pass Praxis I & II, but what must I do beyond taking and passing those test to become "highly qualifed" or to receive "certification"? I always wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. Initially I wanted to teach college but after a semester of working as an graduate teaching assistant, I have come to the conclusion that I care more about the student than the text. This stems primarily from my work as a tutor for a after school program. Is a strong desire to teach and help students all that is needed to be successful in teaching?

I would be grateful for any insight to my current situation. I am Canadian, completed my Masters teaching degree in NY and have been teaching in the UK for the last 10 years (nearly). I would love to return home to North America, but am wondering how to go about finding teaching jobs for my discipline (Science and Biology) for the North Eastern states. Any ideas? Or insight on whether positions are available? Or is it a bleak situation?

I live, work, and went to school in San Diego CA. I'm one of those people who worked between part to full time while going to school part to full time so it took me a long time to complete my education. I completed a credential in mild/moderate special education in June '09 at SDSU Special education, no matter how politically correct people like to sugar coat it , special education students are not exactly the most desirable and enjoyable students to work with. Special ed. teachers have a high burn out rate which proves my point. I worked as a teacher's assistant for 3 years and an on call substitute teacher for 5.5 years before I completed my credential. When I completed my credential in June '09 I was confident that I would land a job in a couple of weeks somewhere in CA. I'm willing to relocate to undesirable inner city areas as well as rural areas too. So far I've put out over 50 applications, and I've only had 3 interviews for junior or senior high school which is the age group I prefer to work with. I've also had about 4 interview offers to teach early elementary which is baffling because in every application I have made it clear that I prefer junior or senior high but will consider upper elementary and they offer to interview me for the position I don't want! It's almost as though they don't bother to read my application before contacting me. On top of this my educated guess is that about 60% of the people who completed their special ed. credential at SDSU when I did have been unable to get a full time teaching position. At the rate things are going I see no hope in sight for getting a full time position in this economy and I consider myself lucky to even be able to work as a substitute teacher....which is paying me just a little over half of what I could earn as a full time contracted teacher or about 24K a year if I'm lucky enough to work a full school year which never happens because there is always a day here and there that I don't get a job offer. Do I enjoy teaching? Absolutely, even on a bad day! After all of the time I've put in to my education I absolutely hate to start searching for a different career, but I don't have a career anyway if all I can get for work is substitute assignments. Had I completed my credential and began looking for a full time position before the economy went sour I probably would have been able to quickly land a job, but I don't see it happening in this economy. Think it over real carefully before you give up any decent paying job to become a teacher because even with a credential you might not have much of a chance at landing a job.

I am stil laughing at the teacher turned lawyer comments! That has to be a joke. No one who has ever taught before would ever make such ridiculous accusations. Before anyone goes into teaching at this point in time, I'd like to share a little insight. I currently teach public elementary school. The thing I love about my job today is the same thing I loved about my job 20 years ago--the children. My salary has moved from 23k to 49k. However, my job has changed description has changed greatly. I am no longer just a teacher. I am mother,father, social worker, nurse, lawyer, technology guru, court reporter, data doctor, production planner and production supervisor. School is not what it used to be. We are the only "industry" that can't control the quality of it's raw materials. When I hear talk of merit pay, I shudder. How about some merit pay for the politicians and public who are advocates ? Few teachers would take on the task of teaching little Johnny with no home support and an IQ of 70 how to read. If it hits my already thin wallet, I can't afford to teach Johnny how to read! The sad part is that Johnny can learn how to read in time from a highly skilled teacher. Getting back to my teacher salary--49k sounds pretty decent right? Lets give it a closer look. $900 a month goes to my family medical and dental insurance. We can't get cheaper insurance rates because the group we are with consistes primarily of women of child-bearing age. No other government agency wants to join forces with us because it would makes their rates go up. I pay about $70 in NEA dues to keep bus chasing parents from trying to sue me for pulling their child off another child in a fight. Now because of budget cuts, my school system is looking into furloughing to save money. We are contracted for 200 days and only spend 180 of them at school. If they can cut what they pay us for those extra 20 days--what a windfall for the schools! I guess the years of doing school work, grading papers, making phone calls at night, staying late, being present at PTA programs, making home visits, and staying late to conduct workshops will all become a thing of the past. Before anyone goes into teaching, they have to ask themselves if teaching is a career they can afford to have. Most teachers have to find some sort of side work to supplement their income--whether tutoring, selling jewelry and candles, working at the mall, waitressing, etc. Be prepared. I don't think the job is going to get any easier!

I am a young gay male, and Have recently started going back to school. I am majoring in English, and want to teach at the secondary level. My question may be a little unorthodox, but it is something that concerns me deeply. If any teachers can tell me their experience with themselves/collegues in this matter i will truly appreciate it. Thanks future teacher in Texas

What this list and others do not tell me is which states have a state-wide salary scale. For example, I live in Washington. Washington has a state-wide salary scale. If you have a BA and 2 years experience you will make $X anywhere you teach in the state. If you have a Master's and 10 years, you will make $X amount no matter where you teach in the state. In some areas (mostly around Seattle) some districts will offer a little extra pay ($1,000 - $5,000/year more). However, you can never earn BELOW that amount (unless you are 1/2 time, and then you would earn 1/2 that). I have heard that other states (Oregon, for one) have the teacher's salaries determined entirely by the district, so that a teacher in Portland would earn a very different salary than a teacher with the same education and experience in Ashland. I would like to know, which states have state-wide pay scales, and which states have district-controlled pay scales?

To Address the concerns of FutureTeacherNTexas with the current state of the economy the primary concern should be if it is possible to get a job at all. There are a huge number of unemployed newly credentialed teachers right now...and I dont' think they are all going to get jobs any time soon. Being gay, as long as one keeps their orientation private should not be a problem but has the potential to be a problem. In San Diego there was a case of a MS teacher (possibly HS I dont' remember all details) who was popular and well liked among students and parents being banned from taking students on a school supported week long trip to the DC area. He led students on this trip many times. One homophobic parent chose to raise a stink with the district that led to the entire trip being cancelled in spite of the fact that the majority of parents and students fully supported the teacher. The teacher received no disciplinary action...he did nothing wrong, but the teacher's union recommended that he not fight it and the district chose to honor the complaints of the homophobic parent while at the same time angering the supportive parents by cancelling the trip. This case took place within about the last three years. Sexual orientation is a touchy subject so my advice is avoid the topic and don't disclose your own orientation or beliefs to anybody, including administrators, other teachers, and especially students as it's none of their business. I firmly believe most administrators and teachers would do not treat a gay teacher any different than a straight teacher as long as you keep your orientation to yourself. You might even find sympathetic administrators who will favore you when it comes to offering you a job so I would not let your orientation be a worry. I would however seriously consider what it will be like to complete your degree and credential only to find that less than 10% the applications you send out to districts result in an interview offer where you are competing with 10+ other people who are offered interviews for the same position. You may find yourself working as a substitute for years at slightly more than half the pay of a new full time teacher and no guarantee of work before getting a full time position. Also consider what being broke all of the time is like.

For FCLaura: Montana has a statewide salary schedule. I haven't found it online, but I'll look again.

I stumbled on this site while looking for the state salary rankings. WOW what a suprise it is. I have been teaching for the last 25 years in Texas. We are not 'allowed' to demand anything. No unionization here. We are paid decently, but not professionally. I make about 52K a year but I started making 16k a year. Not really that much of a gain for the time frame and the job. I am expected to be NHS and class sponsor, policeman and tutor, special ed teacher and AP teacher, (often in the same period), go to school events, UIL coach, make my own copies for students, then make more when they lose them. In other words I wear many hats during the day and I am not compensated for any extra time that I put in. However I do LOVE what I do.

Check out www.caneducom.com for teaching and principal jobs in the UAE

Ohio's payscale varies greatly by school districts. Levies have to be passed to pay teacher salaries. My dad's farm tax went up $3000 last year because of this. No statewide scale there. North Carolina does have a statewide scale. A few districts pay an additional stipend. Virginia has a statewide scale too.

With all due respect to the many, many wonderful teachers who love what they do and are genuinely good at it, I have a few thoughts to offer. First, to all of the teachers who laid out paragraphs and paragraphs of the "extra" things that they do that lead them to work a 9-11 hour day, I say welcome to the world of the rest of the working public. We all have "administrators" and "principals" to answer to - they're called our bosses. We all have "children" to oversee/police/educate - they're called our clients. We all have stringent guidelines within which we work - they're called industry standards and best practices. And guess what? We don't always agree with them either, and they are difficult to meet, and sometimes they make no sense whatsoever. My point is this - we all have to make sacrifices if we want to work at a job we enjoy. We all think we are underpaid and undervalued and we all choose our fate. The difference is that most of don't have tenure - we have to continuously and constantly improve at our jobs if we want to keep them as well as continue moving up and securing pay increases. Our financial security is not based on just sticking it out for 30 years. The rest of us can be fired from our jobs at any given time - we don't have unions to protect us. The rest of us work year round. Say what you will, but you do get 2 months per year outside of your work environment with minimal to zero responsibility to your employer. That is worth a lot in terms of allowing anyone to regroup, relax a bit and mentally preapre themsleves to face another 10 months of full time work. (Take it from someone who took a 3 day maternity leave before work responsibilities called once again - that time is a very big benefit!) Whether you can elect for pay during the summer or not, your salaries are comparable to other industries that do work year round, so any argument around that issue is a moot point. Now, before you all attack me and tell me how undeucated I am about your industry and how I don't understand your plight, please hear this - I could not do your job. I do not want your job. I give you tremendous amounts of credit and I thank God that you all exist to do this job for the sake of my kids! But, by the same token, you might not want my job either... The reality is none of us are martyrs for waking up every day and going work. You have a job just like the rest of us, and relatively speaking, no one's job is any more or less difficult than anyone else's. No one's jobs are getting any easier, everyone is facing difficult cuts and choices, and everyone is contributing more toward their benefits. But for some reason, it just always seems that teachers are the loudest voices when it comes to complaining about all of the "injustice" they endure and trying to prove just how hardworking they are...

I teach 6th / 7th grade science; not today though for I have a cold. First of all, God bless all teachers. Everyone is someone because of a teacher. Second, God bless all teachers. We have on many hats during class and after while not getting a penny for most off those (most pay out of their own pockets for any needs). Third. God bless all teachers. Most teach for the love of teaching. Last. God bless all teachers. For those who comment we all have responsibilities, we all work long hours...., there might be a difference, While your commodity might be anything from a report to a tomato, teacher's have classrooms full of living, breathing and sentient beings that they are responsible for. Any action or event has much more impact upon more people on them than the same action or event has upon your report or tomato. Thanks for listening. I will now go blow my nose.

I am looking for a knowledgeable teacher. I am a H & P.E. teacher and coach in PA. I am looking to move to North Carolina. I know of two openings near Raleigh. I am wondering if any one can give me some helpful advice about retirement. I am told I have excellent retirement in PA but how does it compare to NC? What happens to my PA retirement if I go south? Can I bargin for the STEP I will be at next year? I will be in my 8th year of teaching. Will I make good money with coaching volleyball? Please any helpfuladvice or sites would be greatfully appreciated.

I'm tired of listening to teachers complain too. Any way you slice it, its a job. Teachers on Long Island have it easy. They work 180 days a year, full non-contributory pensions (or perhaps that contribute mintuely) and they work maybe a 6 hour day. Its a job that has been abused. They can't get fired after their ridiculous 3 year tenure and they always get some kind of a raise. The rest of the population, has to work each day as if it were there first, or they can be removed in seconds from there jobs. The vast majority of Americans haven't recieved any kind of a raise and their salaries are going down. They work all year round and many are working 14 hour days, for the same salary. Believe it or not, teachers aren't the only ones out there that have a masters, and although my masters was partially paid for by my company. Yours has been or will be paid for over and over again since you recieve pay raises everytime you take 15 credits, or so. In case your not a math teacher thats far more lucrative. Teachers view the rest of the world with bias too. They see people on wall street making hundreds of thousands of dollars and they are right. However, find out how much time in put in to make that kind of money. And the second the market crashes or the economy tanks, we still have to work those crazy hours (80-100 hrs a week, 52 weeks a year) and now you are just scraping by and hoping to keep your job. Remember we don't have a union/contract that stipulates that even if you/ or your department is notprofitable you can keep your job. If your a good teacher you should be paid well. If your a great teacher you should be paid even better. If you stink you should be dumped out on the street like the rest of society. If the economy is poor as it is now, none of the teachers should be getting raises, like the rest of society. It shouldn't come down to eliminating positions because the teachers who are safe, due to tenure, don't want to compromise on their salaries or benefits. It should never come down to students losing out because teachers have such a sense of entitlement. This is disgusting and the reason why so many people on Long Island take issue with this subject. I know many people making less money, working more hours and under more stress than ever before and just happy to have a job. But not the tenured teachers of long island. They are sitting pretty and don't like it when we, the taxpayers, want they to do a little more for their salary. Too bad, if you have to attend an extra seminar. Too bad if you have to start paying a little more into your pension. Welcome to Reality!!!!!!! And by the way I am the daughter of a teacher. And my mother agrees that too many people have taken advantage of the system. It's broken and needs fixing.

Well, I think teaching is alot of fun and the benefit of getting time off too is awesome. I get tired of teachers complaining as well. I put in lots of hours when I am in school and appreciate the freedom and creativity in the classroom. I work in Michigan where you get a prep hour each day...didn't get that in the private schools and I really appreciate it.

I have nothing against a good teacher. As a matter of fact, I just wish we had more. And I'm glad to hear you say that you appreciate the time off. Of course thats a great perk, I just wish more people would feel the same way and appreciate what the job has to offer, instead of complaining that they still have it so rough. KUDOS to YOU.

Hey everyone, im a college student in nyc and as most of us know these years are the hardest . due to confusion on what we should pursue career wise. at first i was going for nursing but i realized i dont want to deal with blood ,peoples lives depending on me and most of all the big responsibility. My second option was teaching. im the type of person that always wants more so im thinking about school psychologist. i was planning on teaching while i get my masters. from what i read so far im getting pulled back a lil just because idk if is the right choice. at the end of the day we all have to pursue something we love to do but then again money is a big factor. i dont want 10 years from now and regret the choice i have made today.. i dont mention the other aspects about patience etc because i believe in every profession you need patience, hard work and determination . i would love to have some comments about my decision and if it is a rewarding job; A job i can enjoy, and earn enough money . Thanks =)

I am in my second semester of college at the University of Memphis and I am double majoring in teaching special education and kindergarden through the 6th grade. I am willing to move out of state for my job. Tennessee teachers do not get payed all that much but money isn't why I want to be a teacher so it doesn't really matter. What would you suggest as a good state for me to teach in? I know this is a very broad question but I was wanting some honest opinions. I want to at least make enough money to live somewhat comfortably. I am interested in teaching 4th or 5th grade or 6th grade Science. Should I get my masters? Does it really make that much of a difference? -Thanks

Teaching isn't the piece of cake that some people seem to think it is. It requires many extra duty hours as well as huge investments in time and money to keep up with required continuing education. I have been attacked by students and parents both verbally and physically. It's not for the faint hearted because you really never know what's going to happen. I taught in Kentucky until I became totally disabled, then I found out how horrible teachers can be treated. I had 12 years in but in Kentucky they have a nasty little thing where they pay disability benefits for 5 years then they pretend that you retired with whatever service length that you have at the end of that period, oh by the way if you teach for 5 years in Kentucky you are no longer eligible for Disability Social Security. So now my total pension last year was $8490.78 out of that I had to pay $3270.48 for health insurance which I really need because I'm disabled. To top that off it's also taxable income for Federal Income Tax purposes. My check last month was $417.20 which went down $27.00 because they raised the price of the insurance at the first of the year. Also the State of Kentucky says it's illegal for teachers to go on strike for better wages. I enjoyed working with students but the bureaucracy behind the system stinks. My advice to anyone teaching in a state where teachers don't participate in Social Security is to either buy private disability insurance or get a part time job that will keep you eligible. Oh by the way I'm still struggling to pay of college debt for the Master's Degree, without my wife supporting me I suppose I would be a homeless former teacher.

I have been inspired by "reality check" to tap out a response. You say that you have "children" to oversee, namely your clients. However, unlike teachers you do have the option of cutting your client loose if he physically attacks you or if he throws a container of water in your face. When the water incident took place I took steps to have the child suspended but the principal refused because the boy was already under suspension for bringing a knife to school. I once saw a teacher patiently try to teach her class while one student repeattedly slid his book across his desk dropping it loudly on the floor while calling her "bignose" over and over. She warned him several times that if he continued this inappropriate behavior he would not be able to join his classmates on an upcoming field trip. His unacceptable behavior didn't stop so she talked to the principal who insisted that he be allowed to go on the field trip. The truth is, most of the time the behavior is caused by something outside of school. I am an art teacher in an inner city system. I have stopped doing father's day cards because the messages in them are too hearbreaking. They write things like "dear daddy, please call me". One second grade boy told me his daddy was shot when he was little. "He was a member of a club". I had a kindergarten girl come to class crying because her father was arrested the night before. Ten minutes into the lesson she was still crying on her paper while she was coloring when another little girl got up, put her arm around her and said "don't cry, my daddy went to jail but he came home". An older girl told me that her mom likes to be bailed out before 8:00 pm because that's when they remove her nail polish. One year I had a boy whose brother was murdered in a drug related incident. He was being groomed by his drug pushing mother to take his brother's place. My principal explained to me when I compained about his behavior that his life was not based in our school. The brother of the boy that fired the gun was my student in another school. Yesterday one boy told me that a lady in the shelter where he stayed had given him a space on a wall where he could hang his artwork. On the same day I found an older boy weeping in class for no apparent reason. I found out that he had recently moved away from his home because he was being abused by his father. One girl wrote a paper about "the worst day in her life". She told about the night the police woke her and her sister and took them away from their mother. People wonder why teachers are opposed to the idea of using test scores to determine the effectiveness of their teacing ability. I am thinking that it is wonderful if these kids can focus on school at all. Our teachers have become much more than teachers. At Christmastime we buy toys and clothes and food for our neediest families. We raise money to take them on trips and to build playgrounds. My principal paid for several field trips when school funds ran out. My budget for art class last year was $300.00 which was a little over a dollar per kid for art supplies for a year. This barely covered one box of crayons for each child. The rest came out of my pocket. I see teachers donating their time for music lessons and chess clubs and art clubs. All of this you would probably never hear about except for one thing. We have become the scapegoat for all that is wrong with the education system. We are not interested in getting attention for what you call being a martyr, we are defending ourselves againt the onslaught of negative PR that is fed to the public on a daily basis. For one thing, as I said earlier, the powers that be want the childrens' test scores to be the determining factor in whether or not we are effective teachers. The children in my system are very mobile. They take weeks off at a time to go home to "my country". I knew a teacher who over the course of a year had 38 names on her roster although she never had more than 22 kids in her class at one time. This means that out of the original 22 children, only six remained at the end of the year, and yet she is held responsible for this class's test scores. Would you want your productivity in the business world to be accounted for in this way? Also, I hear people complaining that teachers have so much time off. I don't apologise for that. My neighbor who is an engineer and who makes three times my salary, complained one day and I answered that he and I went to the same school and he could have chosen as I did. In my opinion, it is crazy for anyone to spend so much time at work, life is too short. I have never been but I have been told that in europe people enjoy alot more vacation time each year. Besides, in my case, teaching isn't a six hour a day job, it is a 24 hour a day job with 8+ hours spent at school and more at home. Many times I have driven past where I was headed because my mind was on the next day. I dream about school alot as well. You are correct, I wouldn't want any other job but the one I have. I get hugs and letters from children big and small (some so young I can barely read them) saying that they love art class and me. I get to hear kindergarteners say "I did it!" when they learn someting that they thought they couldn't and I see older kids beam with pride at their accomplisments. As you suggested, the union does protect teachers' jobs. I don't understand the problem people have with this, it is the job of the union to do just that. Asking the union to do otherwise is like asking a defendant in court to not hire a lawyer to represent him. It is the administration's job to find cause to terminate a teacher. In my school this year, two tenured teachers lost their jobs because their methods were deemed to be inadequate. In my opinion, the schools are failing in part because of some of the "innovative ideas" that have been instituted. The first was "open classrooms" a disastrous idea that tore down walls and had multiple activities happening simultaneously in the classroom. The second stupid idea was to get rid of phonics. That idea ruined another generation of students. Now, in many systems including my own, they are experimenting with math. They are not teaching multiplication tables. "Why waste time with that when we have calculators?" I submit that one cannot understand the fabric, the patterns, the interconnectedness of math without learning how to multiply. The teachers don't come up with these ideas but they have to implement them, and they take the blame when they don't work. I have seen the memos warning teachers not to send home any homework that was not specifically indicated in our district's math program. (Some teachers were sneaking multiplication tables as homework). I saw one of the best teachers that ever graced our halls, beet red with frustration come into the lunchroom saying " I have just done something I'm not supposed to do". I asked her what, and she said "I just taught them fractions". She finally had enough and retired. The last and maybe most important reason that our kids' education is failing is because of the lack of continuity at home. In many homes there isn't anyone there who is able to oversee homework and spend time baking and visiting parks and reading together and examining the stars at night. You would be suprised at how much is learned during these times. Most adults are too exhausted themselves from working all day to do any of this. My students tell me they see their mothers only 15 minutes a day. What a sad way to grow up.

i am in college. ive been struggling for the past 2 years on deciding what i want to do with my life. i really want to teach history at a high school/university level someday. the problem is that my family doesnt support me at all, they say id be throwing my life away. i guess what im trying to ask is...would i really be throwing my life away? keeping in mind that i am only 20 years old and i live in california..

Hey folks. i am active duty miitary. I am about to retire in 3 years. I am engaged to a teacher who i have been dating for 2 yrs. I love her very much. I hear her complaints about teaching. I also know her schedule and how much time off she gets, and how much sleep she gets. Let me share something with you. I work just like you. I run 10 miles a week. I go to the gym for 6 hours a week or more. I work 12.5 hour rotating shifts 5 on 2 off., and I get 4-6 hours sleep a night, or day if I am on the mid-shift, and I am always on call. ALL of these things that I just mentioned are mandatory. Not to mention that I deploy to the Middle East from time to time. My fiance..... Gets up 3 hours later than I do to go to her school. Gets off 2.5 hours ealrier than I do. Goes to the gym if she wants to. NEVER gets called in the middle of the night to come in to work. In fact she NEVER gets called from work ever, unless there is a cancellation for snow or something. I rarely see her doing ANY work at all at home. She says she does it all at school during her breaks. In other words.. I am retiring from the military and becoming a Teacher. After reading all of this, I cant believe you are complaining about anything except Salary which isn't real bad, but definately should be better. I just dont get all of the complaints, they dont seem valid. And my Fiance agree's. She loves teaching. She wants more money, but she loves teaching. I definately am going to love your hours! I cant wait to get to sleep in my own bed every night for 8 hours a night. Get summers off like she does. See my family every night, even if I have to grade papers. Wake up in the same house EVERY MORNING! Not gettin shot at or bombed either. I guess some of you might relate an angry Parent to that of a enemy combatant sometimes, but lets get real! Who really cares what a parent thinks? Teach the kid the subject that you are tasked with teaching. Share some life experiences and move on. Who really cares if the government or the school board changes things from time to time? Teach the kids and share some experience. Sure you will have the freedom to teach your own kids more and the way you want to, but in the end. Teach what you can and move on. Its still fun........ TLC in Maryland

Hey folks. i am active duty miitary. I am about to retire in 3 years. I am engaged to a teacher who i have been dating for 2 yrs. I love her very much. I hear her complaints about teaching. I also know her schedule and how much time off she gets, and how much sleep she gets. Let me share something with you. I work just like you. I run 10 miles a week. I go to the gym for 6 hours a week or more. I work 12.5 hour rotating shifts 5 on 2 off., and I get 4-6 hours sleep a night, or day if I am on the mid-shift, and I am always on call. ALL of these things that I just mentioned are mandatory. Not to mention that I deploy to the Middle East from time to time. My fiance..... Gets up 3 hours later than I do to go to her school. Gets off 2.5 hours ealrier than I do. Goes to the gym if she wants to. NEVER gets called in the middle of the night to come in to work. In fact she NEVER gets called from work ever, unless there is a cancellation for snow or something. I rarely see her doing ANY work at all at home. She says she does it all at school during her breaks. In other words.. I am retiring from the military and becoming a Teacher. After reading all of this, I cant believe you are complaining about anything except Salary which isn't real bad, but definately should be better. I just dont get all of the complaints, they dont seem valid. And my Fiance agree's. She loves teaching. She wants more money, but she loves teaching. I definately am going to love your hours! I cant wait to get to sleep in my own bed every night for 8 hours a night. Get summers off like she does. See my family every night, even if I have to grade papers. Wake up in the same house EVERY MORNING! Not gettin shot at or bombed either. I guess some of you might relate an angry Parent to that of a enemy combatant sometimes, but lets get real! Who really cares what a parent thinks? Teach the kid the subject that you are tasked with teaching. Share some life experiences and move on. Who really cares if the government or the school board changes things from time to time? Teach the kids and share some experience. Sure you will have the freedom to teach your own kids more and the way you want to, but in the end. Teach what you can and move on. Its still fun........ TLC in Maryland

Hey folks. i am active duty miitary. I am about to retire in 3 years. I am engaged to a teacher who i have been dating for 2 yrs. I love her very much. I hear her complaints about teaching. I also know her schedule and how much time off she gets, and how much sleep she gets. Let me share something with you. I work just like you. I run 10 miles a week. I go to the gym for 6 hours a week or more. I work 12.5 hour rotating shifts 5 on 2 off., and I get 4-6 hours sleep a night, or day if I am on the mid-shift, and I am always on call. ALL of these things that I just mentioned are mandatory. Not to mention that I deploy to the Middle East from time to time. My fiance..... Gets up 3 hours later than I do to go to her school. Gets off 2.5 hours ealrier than I do. Goes to the gym if she wants to. NEVER gets called in the middle of the night to come in to work. In fact she NEVER gets called from work ever, unless there is a cancellation for snow or something. I rarely see her doing ANY work at all at home. She says she does it all at school during her breaks. In other words.. I am retiring from the military and becoming a Teacher. After reading all of this, I cant believe you are complaining about anything except Salary which isn't real bad, but definately should be better. I just dont get all of the complaints, they dont seem valid. And my Fiance agree's. She loves teaching. She wants more money, but she loves teaching. I definately am going to love your hours! I cant wait to get to sleep in my own bed every night for 8 hours a night. Get summers off like she does. See my family every night, even if I have to grade papers. Wake up in the same house EVERY MORNING! Not gettin shot at or bombed either. I guess some of you might relate an angry Parent to that of a enemy combatant sometimes, but lets get real! Who really cares what a parent thinks? Teach the kid the subject that you are tasked with teaching. Share some life experiences and move on. Who really cares if the government or the school board changes things from time to time? Teach the kids and share some experience. Sure you will have the freedom to teach your own kids more and the way you want to, but in the end. Teach what you can and move on. Its still fun........ TLC in Maryland

I'm tired of teachers complaining too! It's ridiculous that schools are failing and teachers are automatically awarded a pay increase with each new degree or certificate earned. How do you find time to go and get an advanced degree when you have a classroom full of students who are FAILING? The reward system needs reform. I recommend this... If the students are failing, track those failures down to the specific teacher whose students are failing and simply deny a pay increase. It's a simple at that. I've worked corporate America for years. Yep, overtime, 80 hour weeks, no long summer vacation, no tenure. One thing I know for sure is that when the company fails and the money doesn't come in, you are shown the door, WHETHER YOUR PERFORM OR NOT! Why should it be any different for our students? STOP PAYING TEACHERS AT FAILING SCHOOLS! If you are a teacher getting paid with Master's degree or higher and your students don't pass standardized tests, SHAME ON YOU! It's time to re-evaluate the real reason why you are in education.

Are you kiddying me? I have taught for 15 years and am currently in a school where NO CHILD IS RETAINED...I have at least 6 kids who never do their homework because they know they will pass regardless. I call home and what does the parent tell me? Dont call me again, I am not responsible for my child's homework. Do you know what this does to my test scores?! Or how about the kids that miss months of school? I suppose thats my fault too because that lowers my test scores. You need a reality check and realize that there is a whole lot more to a child being successful than just the teacher.

Simple economics: if a job is easy and high-paying then people will flock to it. Fact: fully half of new teachers don't last five years. Inescapable conclusion: teaching is not an easy, high-paying job. I teach college chemistry and my wife teaches grade school. Her job is much harder than mine.

I am not a teacher. I am the daughter of a teacher and the sister of two teachers. Over the years, though, I have worked in an elementary school office, a middle school office (10 yrs.) and now am working in a college office. The middle school was private; the other two are public. Many of the situations described above also spill into the office so I can tell you for a fact - nobody but a teacher is expected to do as much with so little. There have been references to people who only work the 180 days and never bring work home. They may have the job of teaching but they are NOT Teachers. Read "Up the Down Staircase", which is still relevant even if it is dated. Teachers spend more time with our children than anyone else in their worlds. This means that they are on the frontline for our children in a divorce, an exploratory surgery, a drug/alcohol addiction, an inability to keep a 14-yr-old from conceiving by (or impregnating) another 14-yr-old, the death of a parent or a pet, ongoing domestic violence at home, gang violence, rape in the bathroom at school, malnutrition or NO nutrition, lack of weather-appropriate clothing, and the list goes on. Even professional social workers do not have the ongoing, day-to-day relationship with so many who need so much. Every Teacher I know tries hard to CUT DOWN on the amount of their own money that they spend trying to meet the most glaring needs that they see in their students. We almost always had other kids in our house when I was growing up because my dad 'adopted' them as the best way to get them out of whatever situation they were in. It's absolutely ridiculous to hold a teacher responsible for low test grades when three of the 28 kids in the class were fetal alcohol infants, five of them are ADD/ADHD, two of them need to be constantly restrained from acting out over their parents recent seperation/divorce, another goes home to care for younger siblings because the only parent in the home works afternoons and two of them never saw printed material other than TV Guide until their first day in school. Add to that the situation of passing kids regardless of subject mastery (my daughter's second grade reading class had a reading test score span of over four years) and the reluctance to group students according to ability so that none of them feel 'labeled'. To sumfun62, your suggestion of "tracking down the specific teacher whose students are failing" could work on a production line but it does not work when you consider the variables I listed above which are only a few of the things I have PERSONALLY seen over my years in schools and I'm not even IN the classroom. These are things that Teachers (not the people who work 180 days a year) deal with EVERY day while they also attempt to teach their subject. How about "tracking down the specific CAUSE of the failure" as I would bet $ that 99 times out of 100, it has nothing to do with a Teacher. It might be more fair to reward the teachers of those student EVEN MORE because, despite everything, they managed to teach them ANYTHING at all!