While I was thinking about how teachers should be paid more, I thought of this downside, your thoughts?

Question

I feel that teaching is one of the "higher calling" careers where the amount of work and sacrifice is greater than the pay. (Other such careers are social work, fire fighter and police etc.) It is the enjoyment of the work or the personal need to serve others that helps these heros keep on working.
I was thinking about how teachers should get paid more (average between 50,000 and 125,000) but then I thought about how paying more might encourage people who no longer have the "higher calling" to stay being teachers because they can't make that sort of money outside of teaching even though they no longer enjoy teaching.
Now if someone no longer enjoys teaching they can usually get another job paying roughly the same amount if not more. What do you think about this situation?

Answer 1

Flip side -- we would retain a lot of really great teachers, particularly in our troublesome areas like HS Math and Science. We might even be able to raise a family on a single-income, which is something a lot of folks making $100 K can do, which pays dividends in the long run for the children. Many more men (traditionally being the primary breadwinners) would be attracted to teaching and we could actually rejuvenate our "higher calling" visions by relaxing during our non-teaching time, as opposed to working another job to make ends meet.

Answer 2

I know what you are saying and, yes, it would entice bad teachers to stay in the profession. But, all the other good teachers shouldn't have to pay for a few bad apples. Teachers spend alot of money on their college education and continueing education. They also put up with a lot of crap from the administration, kids and parents. I think they deserve to make really good money and it is sad that some of them are only earning $24,000 per year.

Answer 3

I became an elementary teacher because I loved it. then switched to high school because I loved it. I would work for any pay that I can support my family. Most teachers don't so it to become rich, amd I don't think the salary would keep a person in a position. Tenure keeps lots of burnt out teachers working, so salary has less to do with it.

Answer 4

I know a few that really like their weekends, holidays, summers, spring and fall break off.There really isn't too many jobs like that, that do even pay to make a living. So wouldn't you think some stay because of that?

Answer 5

Most teachers don't just quit though because they don't love teaching. They just move teaching jobs.