Some say teachers should be happy with low pay because they are dedicated??

Question

Well well well.... I do not think so. I am working my best to become a teacher so I can teach students how to speak foreign languages better than most teachers do, not for the money. But you know what, I would like to retire when I feel like it, not keep going on teaching and become a grumpy teacher because I cannot pay my bills and retire comfortably. I wonder what everyone thinks about this topic? Do you think teachers should get better pay? Believe me, I love teaching, but I also love to travel and a teacher's salary will not help me do that unless I am a college teacher after 8 years of school...

Answer 1

Problem is, people tend to think and invest in terms of short term - immediate and tangible. (instant gratification, such as a big TV or a Football game, Legal Winnings in a law suit, Plastic Sugery or Emergency Medical treatment... I am not saying these are all bad things, only that the rewards are quick/instant, and tangible).

Teaching is a long-term, and often intangible investment. It actually yields a significantly greater value (or could if people would recognize the benefit of a socially, intellectually and morally mature population and invest accordingly), but few have the... vision... to see that. You deserve better pay, better treatment, and greater respect. Sadly, I have no idea how to help you obtain any of those, but hope you won't give up and become a lawyer ;).

Answer 2

I agree with you!  Teachers are the backbone to our society and should be compensated accordingly.  They sometimes deal with overcrowding, lack of supplies, rude kids, etc. and don't always get the respect they deserve.  I think if the pay were higher, we would have more educated people in the educational system because it would be worth their time and energy.  Let's be fair and demand higher wages.  Good luck!

Answer 3

One thing to also consider (and I know this might come off as sexist but it can apply for male teachers too) is that when you get married and have kids, teachers have to spend less on daycare (during the school year) for school aged kids and none at all for the summers. It can balance out for a family where both work year round and need to find a sitter for the summers which is what we are looking at.

Added comment: One day I was waiting for my son after school and was standing next to a man who was a den leader in my cub scout pack. I said to him that I wouldn't mind being a teacher if I could afford to live on what they make. He turned to me and told me he would love to make what they make. He works at a local Big Ten University as a maintenance worker and supports himself, his wife and two kids. I believe his wife works at the gas station. For everyone who complains about what they make there is always someone who would love to make it.

Answer 4

I am a teacher and am most definitely underpaid.

Answer 5

Dedicated people deserve to raise their families comfortably and to have the choices that others have in life.  By the way, I'm a college professor at a religious university, and for many years, we were told that we had no right to luxury (our housing plan even specified that it could not be used for luxurious housing), and should be dedicated enough to work without much pay.  I still hear people talk enthusiastically about part-time faculty who are wonderful because they don't care about the pay and would work just for the love of it.  Part of this came from our heritage, in which our predecessors were often people in religious communities.  What they failed to recognize was that their communities supported them comfortably, giving them housing, food, and all other necessities, at a relatively luxurious level.  Their communities also voted on extras.  I had a colleague who was a religious whose community paid for her to go on a cruise every year.  She used to urge me to do the same, and seemed genuinely confused when I explained that my salary did not stretch to cover cruises, given that I had to pay for the basics in an expensive city.

Answer 6

The pay is not great. For a comparison of pay by state adjusted for cost of living see the AFT web site:

http://www.aft.org/salary/index.htm

Answer 7

Well, when we are expected to have expensive credentials (such as a degree in Education, a teaching license, Master's degree, refresher courses, etc.)  we should be compensated for THAT first a foremost. After that, we should be paid what other professionals make. Teaching is a skilled, full time profession. Teachers should be paid accordingly.

Answer 8

Teachers should be paid much more.  We're entrusting our children and basically the future with the teachers we choose.  Not many talented teachers are going to want to teach if the pay isn't enough to live a decent life on.  I respect teachers of today, but there needs to be some respect given to them or there will be dire consequences.

Answer 9

Well of course teachers should get better pay!  Sadly, the majority doesn't believe that, or if they do, they have a really interesting way of showing it.

Answer 10

yes teachers should get more pay as they have to put up with the brats for {8} hours a day ,and try to teach those that want to learn at the same time .I say if the brats do not want to learn sent them home to mom and let them put up with them for a few days .Now see how fast they will make them want to study after staying at home for a week with dear mom. I say more pay to the hero's who want to teach for they are teaching the next intellects of tomorrow.Santiago