Why do teachers get paid in average $36 000 nationwide?

Question

I am myself a former teacher; I left teaching after 5 years of financial struggle (I am licenced) I guess I am bad teacher since I don't whant to sacrifice myself more than I did (I now make twices much... in 40 Hours
- I will will be able to say, "I tried it" -

I am now in IT & IS solutions (using my teachers skills...)

Answer 1

Teachers are paid poorly because we allow it. I've been a teacher for 10 years and I don't buy that "you knew what it paid when you got into the profession" crap. Paying teachers what we do results in good, qualified teachers leaving the profession and good, qualified people never considering the profession because they can't live on the salary. The result? More and more unqualified and/or disgruntled teachers=a lower quality of education=more high school drop-outs=more crime and more people on welfare. If we spent the money up front on education (teacher's salaries, smaller class sizes, etc), then we wouldn't have to spend it on the back end (prisons, higher insurance rates, welfare). The answer? Teachers should be allowed to strike for fair wages just like most every other profession. Then we should not be afraid to do it. Just my humble opinion.

Answer 2

When I became a nurse a thousand years ago, I knew the average pay of a nurse in different fields before I began my education. I also knew I would be working weekends, holidays, evening, nights, on my feet and touching, smelling and looking at things many people would find nauseating. It factored into the decision to pursue that degree. It was not great pay at the time, but it was not a surprise, and I was prepared to live at that level of income.
As my life circumstances changed, the income was not where I wanted it to be. I went back for another degree, changed professions, and went into that new one with full knowledge of income expectations. I knew that accountants worked 12 or more hours a day, seldom saw the light of day, came in on weekends, took work home, and sometimes lost their two weeks of vacation a year because of deadlines or other work pressures. Once again, I did my homework and went into my prep for my new career with eyes wide open. Once again, we lived within the constraints of our new income.
When we make our career decisions we have to "do our homework." If you are following your heart and passion, as you should when you can, then you need to be realistic about income expectations. You can't say "I really want to be a cotton ball fluffer, but I really want to make 6 figures." Take responsibility for the career decision you made.

Public school teachers are working govt jobs. Traditionally the pay is lower than the private sector and the benefits are better. If you did not know the hours involved when you went into the profession then you must have been living in a cave, because teachers have ALWAYS worked hard. But you have to weigh the pros and cons and if you don't think that you understand all the ramifications of being a teacher on your earning potential, your job satisfaction, your personal life and private time, then choose a different path. If one school district doesn't pay well enough.........find another one or go to a private school, or start a company using the skills you have, or think of some other option. Go back and get another degree if you think that will improve the situation. And if not, change careers.
The life pursuits we choose are within our control. It is probably much more productive and healthy to take personal action than to lament a socio-economic condition which is out of your control.
And please realize, that when you fight to mandate govt control over systems such as education, there is a cost and it is paid by the taxpayers. The resources are not unlimited. All govt services are fighting for a piece of the action. The systems have to function efficiently, the people we elect have to allocate the money wisely, and we need to stop thinking we can mandate universal control over people's lives because we all have to pay for it. Public schools cannot effectively educate everyone from cradle to career. There have to be options to lessen the burden on the resources and there has to be some sort of competitive pressure to induce efficiency and effectiveness.

Answer 3

Because the school boards and the city councils do not value teachers. Many parents do not respect teachers. Many people think teaching is one of the greatest jobs since they get July and August off. But they work extra extra hard from September to June.

Answer 4

The higher your degree, the more years you put in and who u know...will make a difference in your pay. Yes, the pay is sad. Private sectors pay less than public schools. You get more benefits working in public schools. Sad thing is... in public schools.. the teachers are not respected as much as private. The kids and parents don't care it seems and see you as a babysitter. That hurts and gets in the way of a teacher doing his/her job. What profession are you in now? Good for you if you are happy!!!!

Answer 5

Because our education system is free and our government is the #1 employer in the nation. The government can't afford to pay what the private sector pays.

Answer 6

Most of us in teaching knew the pay coming in. We are here for other reasons.

Answer 7

I ask myself the same thing (future teacher). If they only knew the amount of work and effort they would realize the unfairness,