I think teachers are too low-paid. Do you think so and WHY?

Answer 1

Definitely!!! They have a tremendous responsibility with our children. Not just teaching then academically, but emotionally, getting along with others... the list goes on.
They also have to deal with problem children who aren't trained correctly at home, abused children, troubled children, violence..etc.

Answer 2

Absolutely. (1) They have to be academically prepared, emotionally prepared, and critically think every day because kids and classrooms are highly unpredictable. (2) They usually have to pay for quite a few school supplies on their own, since schools don't have a lot of money. (3) Don't think for a minute that "having the summer off" is really true - they've done 60-80 hour weeks for 9 months and have to have a little break! And during that "break" they're cleaning out the old and preparing the new. And some have to bag groceries or work on construction crews in the summer to make ends meet - I know some of these people! (4) K-12 teachers have to put up with parents, too, not just the kids, and that can be a formidable task.

To be fair, there are some teachers who are overpaid because they don't put in the time and effort and don't think about the kids' welfare (academically and otherwise). That's where the tenure system has failed us. But ... you find the same kind of laziness in every business. (Many of us can think of a boss or two who should have been fired instead of being made the boss. Just figures!)

Overall I believe teachers are quite underpaid.

Answer 3

Of course we are! The reason is because we all care so much about teaching and about children that we will do it even though the pay is low. And because we do it when the pay is low, why would anyone pay us more? It's a cycle that would be very hard to break out of. Until teachers are paid based on their performance (and this could be done in many different ways!), we will never be paid what we are worth!

Answer 4

I'm about to start my teaching carreer. I just finished students teaching this week. Someone said that teachers get paid 50,000 a year...I want to know where this magical land is!! I am starting at 29,000. Many people have asked me, "Why do you want to be a teacher?? You won't make any money!" To some extent, they are right. But I see the big picture. I see WAY too many kids who do not have someone they can look up to, someone who shows compassion and caring, someone who will be a support system when things are down. I want to be that good example for kids who do not have one at home.

Secondly, I know people who work in very good jobs. Some are making anywhere from 50,000 -- 80,000 dollars a year. That's very good, but you should hear what they say about their job. "I don't want to go to work today" and "I hate my job" and "I am totally misserable!" They are making great money, yet they are not happy.

I think people need to do what they love to do, not for the money, but for non-monetary rewards. Nothing makes me feel so proud like a student that has struggled for years and finally says, "Oh, I get it now!!!"

Answer 5

Well school has a budget which is very low and teachers only get paided about 3000-5000 dollars a year and its like all that for nothing so they do other jobs over the summer, like waitering ,etc

Answer 6

Teachers have ongoing education for themselves to teach the children new procedures and techniques. They have to act as mentor, teacher, confidant, warden, babysitter, negotiator, mediator...and so much more. They are mentally alert and active for the children 10 hours a day. They have night meetings and saturday meetings with students and their parents. They tutor at the childs request before and after school at no cost to the childs parents. They are always at extracurricular events to cheer the children on. They only get paid about $10 an hour with a masters degree.

Answer 7

depends what city/area and what subject. some are paid on the lower end and some are paid far too much.
Your question is the same as asking are all doctors good?
Without any details it is far too vaugue.
However I do believe teacher are not supported (backed) by the governing structure very well. They (teachers) take abuse from students, parents, admin people, and newspapers, all for trying to teach children.

Answer 8

I agree!! Without teachers, no body would be anybody! Literally. A doctor wouldn't be a doctor without a teacher. One of the top most important jobs ever. We give our teachers about $50,000 a year and our athletes millions because they happen to be able to swing a bat or throw a ball better than some.

Answer 9

In 2001, I made a mere $19,600 as a teacher in Chicago. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

That's less than 400 bones a week, and I worked well over 40 hours. Slave labor is alive and well with pink collar jobs like teaching.

Damn those republicans!

Answer 10

Yes, very underpaid, Why? because without teachers, we would not have Doctors, Lawyers, Police officers, Judges, etc...I respect anyone willing to teach today's children... =)