Isn't it time teachers got a decent pay rise?

Answer 1

oh my goodness, don't get me started. Everyone complains about the state of public education, but they wont pay teachers beans. I am a stay at home mom, but I used to teach, and I am getting ready to start grad school, and I might go into something else that pays better. Intelligent gifted people don't go into it, because they aren't making enough money, and God bless the smart caring people who stay in it to raise your kids.

FOR NON TEACHERS: I made 26,900 for 60-75 hour work weeks. If I had a family of 3, I would qualify as low income and receive reduced lunches for my kids. I was there an hour early, didn't get home till 5 or 6, and was grading papers and writing lesson plans through dinner and into bed. Teacher get summers off, but work all those hours into the other 10 months. Plus I have to pay THOUSANDS of dollars out of pocket every school year for materials and to stay certified. Check a teachers tax return. You will find an average of 2k on work related expenses, and another 1k on college which is required by the no child left behind act. Teachers taking their kids abroad?? Maybe on their spouses income.

Answer 2

I'm sorry - I'm not having a go. Most teachers do a really good job, but there are an awful lot that don't.

12 weeks holiday a year is three times what the rest of us get - and yet it is still necessary to have inset days in the middle of term causing huge problems for parents who work. If they need training it should be done during the holidays. And I don't believe it's the fault of the local authority - they have to do it during term, because the teachers would kick up an almighty stink if they tried to change it.

Also, I am always amazed at the total lack of respect that the teachers I've come into contact with have for the children they're teaching. I know it must be difficult to maintain discipline, but screaming in the face of a 7 or 8 year old is inexcusable.

With 3/4s of 14 year olds having inadequate reading skills by this age - then something is going badly wrong.

Any spare cash should go to nurses who do their jobs fantastically and yet struggle to make ends meet.

I'm sorry - this really is my opinion.

Answer 3

it depends on if you are a nice caring teacher or a grumpy teacher who reckons teaching is misurable. Eirther than that teachers should get a pay rise because there are kids in this world who cannot spend 3 decent minutes not getting in trouble. You can not spend your days working with a bunch of children that drives you mad tachers just don't get enough for that so why don't you have a chat to the principal and work some things out.

Answer 4

You are joking aren't you? I can't believe how much teachers complain. It must be so terrible only having to work half the year. There must be 2 or 3 unpaid helpers in every class at my son's school so how much are the teachers actually doing? I have never met a teacher who couldn't afford to take their family abroad for 2 weeks every year so, sorry if I don't agree with you but if I had a teachers wages for the time I spend/have spent educating my children, I could be very well off by now.

Yes, education is important but my 6 year old learns more from myself and my family than he does at school. Most things he learns at school now, he already knew before he went to nursery.

I also agree with the answer above me. I know it is a bit different but my partner works in care. His wage is a bit higher than others in the same kind of job but I would be very surprised if he got more than a teacher.

Answer 5

Although I'm not a teacher I have a lot of friends that are. I was amazed to see just how much effort they put into there work, any nights spent planning a lesson or marking work. Society seems to be changing and part of that seems to be a decrease in the lack of respect shown by young people to elders, especial teachers. My friends have told me no-end of stories about abuse they have receive from students. So all in all the work load has increase and the number of difficult students too, I definetly believe it is time that teacher receive a payrise

Answer 6

It wouldn't be something you're personally interested in would it?? Yes, I agree. But as you sit down to enjoy your 6 week paid holiday spare a thought for other public servants who don't have this privilige and are a lot worse off than teachers! I'm not having a go, because I used to teach, and yes, teachers are under-valued and under-recognised. I think half the problem would be for teachers to be respected by parents and students alike, then the money issue wouldn't matter quite so much!

Answer 7

Teachers in the UK are overpaid for the work they actually do, 35 hours a week maximum, 12 weeks holiday a year. Some good teachers deserve a good rate of pay, generally they are overpaid and just want more money for doing less work. There is a saying "those who can do...those who cant teach".

Answer 8

They Should get the pay rise but the amount should depend on thier capacity, ability, skill, tolerance and Hard Work.
ie the better the teacher the more he will earn.
Therefore teachers will start working harder and this will do a lot of good for education.

Answer 9

Teachers should get paid relative to the graduation percentage of their students. Yes, I know most teachers only teach students for one year and only one class, but if the teachers at a school start working as a team for the long term, rather than worrying only about today, then maybe they could achieve a higher graduation percentage amongst today's teenagers.

Answer 10

Well, My siblings are teachers. They've always earned more than me!
You cannot deny that they get at least 13 weeks off per year. Paid.
Both my siblings enjoy all their leisure time, but still moan and claim they have to mark exam papers to pay for their latest trip abroad.
Poor loves.
I think they get a bloody good deal.
Ooh, someone kick me off my soap-box.!