*A question for School Teachers in the U.S.A.*?

Question

I am looking into teaching for a future career after i graduate high school. (I am currently a senior.) I was just wondering how much money you make and what are some of your favorite perks as teachers besides summers off and the vacation time. Please tell me your salary, years experience, favorite perks and what state you teach in. Thanx!

Answer 1

To begin, the money thing is always a concern. It depends on the state you work in, but Michigan starts off around 30-32,000. It does increase well with each year and some schools even pay you more once you get your Masters. Yes, you have more school ahead of you but the classes are so much better at that level.
I have only two years of experience and the best thing is, I look forward to going back every day.
Some of the perks are simply being able to interact with our youth. I'm not that much older than they are but wow, they are so advanced than I was at their age. Very challenging but rewarding all in one.
Be prepared to work extremely long hours, especially your first few years. You are net set into anything yet and haven's established "your way" yet. On average, you will work two to three hours out of class each day and expect to work at least one day on the weekend just writing lesson plans and getting yourself up to speek on what you will be instructing.
Good luck and enjoy the experience.
Oh, when you get into college, use your observations and student teaching to your advantage. Be creative and do NOT be afraid to make mistakes. Try something new and exciting with the students and if you flop, rebound and try something else. They love it!

Answer 2

I work in Canada, but the working conditions are similar. The salary for a first-year teacher with six years of university (as most of Canada now requires a four-year Bachelor's degree in a teachable area followed by a two-year Bachelor of Education degree that focuses on teaching your area of specialization) in my area is $51,500 CAD annually. There is a high demand for teachers here, and 90% of the people who graduate from the local university's B.Ed programs are hired by the public school board within a year.

Some of the perks for me include:

- Working with different people. Although I love forming lasting relationships with my students, I would get bored working with the same people every day. Teachers have new students every year, so every year is a fresh start!
- Flexibility to determine how I will achieve the goals laid out in the curriculum. Although you always have to keep your students' strengths, weaknesses and needs in mind, teaching can be very creative and dynamic when you make the effort to plan engaging lessons.
- Professional development. Teachers at my school have many opportunities to participate in professional development activities, both during and outside of school time. It's rarely difficult to get funding approved for a substitute teacher if you want to attend a pro-d event and have to miss class.

What I really don't like about my current position is the schedule. The morning bell rings at 7:50 am and lunch isn't until 11:45. Neither the teachers nor the students get a break until then! I arrive at school sleepy and my tummy growls all morning. I'll admit it's nice to leave by 3:15 every day, but I don't think the current schedule is the best for anyone.

Answer 3

The only "perk" you get is about 8 weeks of unpaid leave per year. Some people feel life with time off, even if it is unpaid (and it IS unpaid) is better than working 52 weeks per year. The money is very low in comparison to being successful in some other career. There is no advancement in teaching; in year one you are a teacher; in year 30 you are still a teacher.
If you are looking for money or perks or a pleasant job, you will find teaching to be probably the most difficult, stressful, impossible job found on earth today.
And you ask about "perks"??? Get real.

Answer 4

It's my 6th year teaching and I make less than $30K in NC, but when I lived in PA I made almost $40K. If you are looking for perks like in the corporate world, teaching is not for you. Most teachers barely have time to eat lunch or use the restroom during the day. The perks would all be things such as seeing students improve, making a difference, etc

Answer 5

It REALLY depends on where you live, unfortunately.

I just retired from a 26 year middle school career in Colorado. When I taught in the rural eastern part, my salary was very low. Then I relocated to metro Denver and taught in Aurora and doubled my salary. My brother in Tennesse gave up teaching public school to teach in a prison, because they paid better!!! The south is nortoriously low for poor pay, because they totally embrace private education over public education.

since you will lose your benefits to a great degree if you move from state to state, another teacher minus, I strongly suggest you contace the NEA and view their list of teacher salaries. Once you pick a place, love it for life....and the best perk of all is touching the lives of all the kids you teach...even the ones that give you a lot of grief...

Good luck! it's a wonderful life.............

Answer 6

In Arkansas all starting teachers must be paid at least 27,500. I have been teaching for 3 years and my salary is 33,000. Favorite perks? Working with students, teaching kids who thought they couldn't learn spanish (what I teach), seeing the excitement of students when they earned their first A in high school ever.

Answer 7

The National Educational Association has many different resources about salaries and benefits offered to teachers in different states. The Occupational Outlook Handbook also has a wealth of information about salaries, expectations, required education, and so on. Research these and spend time reflecting if this is something you truly feel called to do. Teaching is not for everyone. There are many benefits from this career choice but it is not easy. Please do not consider it a "pud" job.

Answer 8

I actually think in most states, that is public information. I don't know in every state how you would go about finding it, but here is the link for IL. It lists by district, so just pick one and it will list names. It shows their salary and how many years experience, and other info. How much you will make to start really depends on your state and the area you will work in. Hope this helps a little.

http://thechampion.org/teachers.asp?formAction=district&year=2006&string=Enter+Employee+Name&option=NONE

I can say for myself, working in Special Education, that the whole experience is very rewarding. Seeings students learn something for the first time is an amazing feeling. it takes a lot of patience, however, but it is well worth it in my opinion.

Answer 9

I teach in Oregon, make about $65000 a year, and my favorite things about teaching are: I like working with kids, the job is different every day, and I know that I am helping people and making a difference in the world.

Answer 10

To answer your question, consult http://www.bls.gov/oco/. My favorite perk: teaching at a college where the students PAY to be there.