What do Teachers Make?

[GoodWitch58]

I love the original post. My 84 year old father was a music teacher in the Chicago Public School system... I don't really know what his salary was, or what percentage he gets now as his pension. I know that it wasn't very much, but he had a passion for what he did.

Last Christmas my brother and I set him up with a facebook account, and other than us and a few other family members, his friends are all former students who find him to tell him what a difference he made in their lives. And because our last name is rather unique, on more than one occasion I have met people who ask me if I am related to him, and then they tell me what a great teacher he was. It makes me feel proud and humble all at the same time.

Money is not the only thing that matters when you love what you do, and inspire others to find their passion in this world.

What a wonderful experience for your Dad. I can think of no greater experience to have put your heart and soul into inspiring your students; and to know what a positive difference you have made! That is priceless.
Great idea that you and your brother had for FB.

I am not a "traditional" teacher (my work is more one-on-one tutoring) but there is no greater joy in my work, than when a student who had been struggling to write a paper comes running into my lab with this incredulous expression on his or her face, yelling: "I got an A! I got an A!" you can't put a price on that--

It is sad, though, that generally speaking, teachers' efforts are not recognized/compensated as much as they should be in our society.

 

[Yzarctoo]

This sounds like it describes an excellent teacher.

Unfortunately, this teacher probably works in public school in a suburban wealthy area. Or this teacher probably works in a collegiate prep high school.

If this question was asked of a certain South Walton teacher, the response would be "I make $50,000 a year sitting in my chair playing fantasy football on the computer while my 9th grade world geography class copies notes directly out of the textbook, during class-time."

But, it's ok because that teacher gives his students OPEN-BOOK tests (even the Final) so he doesn't really have to do anything at all.

You're probably thinking "well teachers spend hours outside of class, grading tests and work." Well, he uses class time to have students grade each-others work. Which is a too often occurrence at South Walton.

Don't get me wrong, I know that there are many great teachers who work very hard and are deserving of more credit. I just wish more students had access to them.

......since you have so much information on this teacher...why not discuss him with the principal ...or to be fair , why not go directly to the teacher...have a conference and lay it on the line...if you can address it here on forum why not directly to the teacher?

 

[hkem1]

......since you have so much information on this teacher...why not discuss him with the principal ...or to be fair , why not go directly to the teacher...have a conference and lay it on the line...if you can address it here on forum why not directly to the teacher?

Good question.

Looking back at it, when I was a freshman I think I had a very narrow view on the whole educational process. My only goal was to go to one of my dream schools, which were Stanford, UC-Berkely, Harvard, Penn and Texas.

So I felt the only thing I needed to do was go through high school with all A's and I would be fine.

Only now, after leaving South Walton and being around more students who share my goals have I realized how wrong I was.

So, the reason I did not want to bring it to anyones attention was that I felt like I was making a 100 in the class and nothing else matters. But obviously, as I am sure that most people will agree, it is more important that a school give a student challenging material that will prepare him/her to succeed at a competitive institution; than for the school to simply inflate grades so that a student can be accepted to these institutions.

So maybe I should have said something, but looking back at it I had no way of knowing how unprepared I would be for college until I left.

I think parents should go up to whom they consider the best teacher(s) at South Walton and ask him/her/them, "Do you think my child is being adequately prepared for whatever his/her post-secondary education goals are." If the answer to that question is yes, then you are asking the wrong teacher(s).

 

[croixbum]

What a wonderful experience for your Dad. I can think of no greater experience to have put your heart and soul into inspiring your students; and to know what a positive difference you have made! That is priceless.
Great idea that you and your brother had for FB.

I am not a "traditional" teacher (my work is more one-on-one tutoring) but there is no greater joy in my work, than when a student who had been struggling to write a paper comes running into my lab with this incredulous expression on his or her face, yelling: "I got an A! I got an A!" you can't put a price on that--

It is sad, though, that generally speaking, teachers' efforts are not recognized/compensated as much as they should be in our society.

My educational career was in the field of Vocational Education, some as a teacher and 25 as an administrator. My time was truly a rewarding experience, it was so good to see students who werent going to college, get skills training and go to work after high school. Most of them always checked back to tell us what they were doing, some even dropped out of high school and ended up making more than I did. My wife and I have retired, we made a good living in education, not wealthy by no means and are drawing a decent retirement. We always manage to find enough money to go to Seagrove 2 weeks each year.

I have connected with many former students through Facebook, it is a joy to see how they have done well, just as I had hoped they would. One problem I have with them, they still want to call me Mr. My hat goes off most teachers, sadly, we have some like the one mentioned.

 

[iwishiwasthere]

I'm curious about the question of what teachers make as well. I have been told that here in Georgia, public school teachers can retire after 30 years years of service with the same income they had while working (due to retirement accounts), and they keep their health insurance. I know this is true because I have many acquaintances who retire at 52 (22 years old plus 30 years teaching equals 52).

As a college professor I don't get those benefits. If I retire early, I lose my health insurance. So can't do it.

I have a Ph.D., two M.S. degrees, and a B.S. degree, and am the computer science department chair. I obviously know what I make.

So what does a high school teacher with fewer credentials, let's say an Ed.D. and 10 years experience, make?

WOW! I am teaching in the wrong state! I can retire at 30 years, but cannot draw any benefits until I am 62. Then I pay for my ins., at the present around $550 a month. Retirement is about 60% of your salary. I have taught 28 years, have a masters, and make $48,000. That is with at state bonus of $3,000 that the state is considering taking away because it is from an old law.

Teaching IS NOT about money, but a love of students and helping them be a success in present and future activites. Nothing is more fun than watching the expression of a child understand a concept or grasp something new. It is additive for me! All I need is that look and I would probably work for free if I did not have a house payment and like to vacation in SoWal!