why is there such a pervasive misconception that teachers are not paid well?

Question

Most teachers make 30K and up. This is a good salary. And yet,
there is a pervasive mentality that schools and teachers need more
funding.

to the people who say 30K is not enough,
you are spoiled and clueless. I make 22K
and I do fine. Give me a break.

Answer 1

only in some places

Answer 2

I wouldn't say that there is a misconception. There are a good number of teachers that are not paid well. Often to be a teacher you need to have two degrees. If you are teaching at a high school you will need to have at least two teachable subjects, thus you have to have a Major and Minor with your first degree. Most other professions that have similar requirements are paid better than teachers.

Now, think about all the work that a GOOD teacher does. Preparing lessons for each class every day. Maintaining a positive learning environment, which can be quite difficult as teachers in general are not allowed to discipline their students (parents don't like this, however in some cases the parents don't discipline their child so this creates a real problem for the teacher). Once the work day is done there are after school activities such a coaching, maintaining classroom supplies, and giving extra help to students who need it or want it. Finally when the teacher gets home there will usually be marking and grading to do.

Think the summer off is nice? Sometimes it is, but a GOOD teacher is taking upgrading courses so that he/she may remain a GOOD teacher.

So in a nutshell, often teachers are not well paid considering the work that they do. However, most teachers are not poorly paid.

Now a question for you. Would you like to look after 100+ students everyday?

Answer 3

Your figure includes college professors, who are often paid rather highly. The average teacher makes around 20,000 to 22,000 a year. Which may sound decent, until you add in the fact that they are dealing with some of the worst our society has to offer. And I'm not saying they don't have some of the best as well, but you try to hold your mind together when you are teaching some of those kids. Remember that friend of yours in college who would eat dog crap for $10, there were at least 13 (Kindergarten through 12th grade) teachers who had to teach that worthless son-of-a-b***h. And all they got for it was a lousy 20,000 a year (about $10 per hour for the average teacher).

And remember, that friend of yours wasn't the only one. There are probably more like him than not like him, considering how parents have more or less given up on the idea of parenting nowadays. And the teacher doesn't really have the option of firing the child, like most bosses have. She is stuck with him the whole year. And she'll probably get at least one more the next year, and the next one, and on and on until her retirement or death (whichever comes first, but guess which one she hopes for more often when dealing with those kids). The good teachers stick around anyway, and they definitely deserve something for it.

Answer 4

Where do you live? Do you rent or own? Do you have a car or car payment? Do you have kids or spouse? How old are you?
Do you have 3 months wages put away for emergency? Have you put money away for your retirement? Do you entertain or have friends over regularly? Do you do give to charity or financially help those in need?

In YOUR job do you purchase all of your supplies? Do you work 12 hours but only get paid for 8? Do you work weekends and holidays? Do you have a degree which cost you 40K and still are paying it off? Do you have to go back to school to keep your job?

If you are a teacher..then maybe you are the kind all these other parents are complaining about!

Answer 5

30k is not enough! They put with up with whiny, snivelling, potty mouths and THEN have to tell the parents what a rotten job they are doing at home. They take lots of work home with them and purchase supplies out of their own money.

If you can live on 20 - 22k, then great. The cost of living varies from east to west coast. But here in Houston, they earn every dime.

Answer 6

$30K is NOT a good salary.

It is barely enough to cover the rent in most places, and here in California, it's not even enough to cover the space to put your cardboard box.

Additionally, considering that today's teachers are in charge of the ability for our young people to be able to run the world in the future, don't you think they're worth a little more than that?

Answer 7

explain to me why you think 30 k is a lot.
in much of the country that is not enough to buy a home.
de facto to teach you need 6 years of education
if you are at all competent, your work day is 10 hours or more.
i make at least 3 times more working blue collar than teaching.

Answer 8

For what they have to do and put up with I wouldn't say 30K is getting paid well but it could be worse.

Answer 9

I would not work for only 30k a year to be around those nasty little kids all day.

Answer 10

Seriously? How old are you? 30k is not all that great. I'd say 45k is comfortable. To support 1 person.