Why are teachers paid such a low salary for the incredible work that they do?

Question

I do not understand this. How do you think our great world leaders came to be? How do you think doctors and lawyers got to where they are now? Not to mention our world's technicians, plumbers, businessmen and so many other jobs that are out there. The work of a teacher taught these incredible people in order to prepare them for their futures.

Now, without these teachers, there would not be all of those people out there. Teachers are the ones that teach the rest of the world, and yet they are paid such a low salary and for many, they are not treated with respect. I do not see how this is fair. Some say, "Teachers do not do anything other than boss around a classroom full of children and assign homework. That is not a hard job." But it is so much more than that. They are contributing to the FUTURE of a child. Where would the world be without our teachers? It is almost shameful!


Does anyone agree with me that teachers are not treated with the respect and paid the $$ they deserve?

I'd also like to include this small 'quote-like' thing that would be said by a teacher:

"In ten years, it will not matter what clothes I wore,
What car I drove,
Or what house I lived in.
All that will matter is that I was important in the LIFE of a CHILD."

That was rather touching, just thought I'd share it.

Answer 1

Thank you for your thoughts, as a teacher I appreciate that you feel that way about us. The truth is, most teachers teach because they love to teach and have a passion for their subject area. At the end of the day, we are happy because we make a difference, not because we have a lot of cash in our wallets. You make some very good points, however, our society seems to value many other things above education so our salaries will never compare to a professional athlete :) If we did make a lot of money, I'd worry about the quality of teachers (people might be in it for the money then). I'm very happy to teach - I even left a career where I made more money to do so.

I'd like to add something for the skeptics of teachers out there or those who think we only work 180 days. On paper, it looks like a teacher does not work much 8-3:30pm, monday-friday, 180 days a year. However, most teachers I know get to school by 6:30 am and stay there until well after 5pm. "Planning periods" are usually time when I meet with a student who needs help, meet with other teachers to discuss curriculum or student needs or plan field trips. Most of my planning and grading is done outside of those hours at school. In addition, I generally talk to parents by phone, email or face-to-face meetings and that takes another hour of my day. Each week, I easily work 70-80 hours. During "summer vacation" I do not sit by the pool sipping drinks, I am keeping current in my studies to make sure my curriculum is top-notch. So, I take 2 classes each summer that I personally pay for and also work as a meteorologist so I can make some extra cash.

Do not take my above statement as a complaint. Again, I love my job. However, I get annoyed when people assume that teachers only work 7 hour days, 5 days a week and enjoy summers off. Teaching is not a "cushy" job. Many teachers work just as much (if not more) as somebody who works all year around.

Answer 2

Teaching, when done right, is a difficult, exhausting, and incredibly rewarding job. Teachers are not paid what they are worth, but I am a teacher and I feel that I am paid enough. I wouldn't want people in the profession just for the money, anyway.

Benefits are a different story. I am fortunate enough to be married to someone who is employed in the private sector and to have additional benefits, but I know several teachers who must support their families on just their salaries and benefits and have a difficult time doing it.

Answer 3

As a former compensation consultant, the bottom line answer to this question is VERY simple: How much someone gets paid has very little to do with the intrinsic or societal value or worth of the job or the incumbents--and everything to do with old fashioned supply and demand. Historically women went into two fields: nursing and teaching. Hence the supply was plentiful and the price was held down. With women having many more career options, the supply is growing smaller and the pay is going up.....slowly....for both nurses and teachers.

The fact that pay is primarily a function of supply and demand but not be "fair and equitable", but it is reality. And as a former coworker of mine used to say: Fair is where you buy a corndog and equity is what you have in your house.

Answer 4

I wish I knew the answer to that. It's sad that the person that childen depend on throughout the day, besides their parents doesn't ge the credit they deserve. A lot of people make their decisions based on what they've learned. Do you honestly want a p*ssed off teacher teaching the future president?

Answer 5

Depends on the district and other factors.

Considering the poor performance that many states have with the math, science and english scores on standardized tests; I would lean toward saying a lot of teachers are overpaid. To be fair, the parents also bear much of the blame.

Considering they usually work 9, maybe 10 months a year, most are paid quite well.

I also don't get the sense that there are an overwhelming number of great world leaders coming from government run schools.

So, I don't agree with you.

Answer 6

It's like that with so many government tax money jobs like fire fighters and police. But remember there are some that don't deserve a damn cent and shouldn't hold such a crucial job.

Answer 7

Your original question : Because with todays society there are untrained people putting their hands up for all jobs, so if the teachers complain, they know someone else will take their job, who may not be able to provide the kids with as good an education. They do it because they care about the kids.

Your second question : Yes, I deffinetly agree with you, but fire fighters and paramedics are also in this boat.

Answer 8

Some are, some aren't. Some teachers are terrible teachers and don't deserve the money they do make, but the teacher's unions make sure they continue in their jobs. There are also some teachers who ARE underpaid and over qualified.

Answer 9

Move to Michigan and help pay the taxes for our great teachers salaries.

A starting teacher in Detroit makes $53,000 a year, to START. Then they get raises all the time and will be paid everyday for the rest of their lives.

In Michigan their pay is just fine, $53k for around 185 days work (or less) isn't bad, in fact it is above the median wage.

Woe is them.

Answer 10

Salaries are paid with our tax dollars(Public Funds). They should be paid much more but unfortunately, the people voted into office find other ways to spend the money.