Teachers— what is the highest step I can enter at?

[Anonymous]

I currently teach in DCPS but live in MoCo. I’m considering trying to get a position in MoCo now that my kids are in school since DCPS and MCPS calendars (and snow days!) don’t always align. I know it will be a pay cut, but I’m trying to figure out if the paycut is so big that I shouldn’t pursue this. I have 15 years of experience, but I assume that MCPS will not let me start at the 15 year step on the pay scale. Is the max years of service that they will credit 10? I have also heard 6. Any insights from those who have BTDT would be helpful. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Probably step 10 but it doesn’t it hurt to negotiate and they might give you one step higher. Every bit counts in the long run.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a Master’s? If so, step 8 is where you will start. I have 20 years experience (mostly out of state) and they only let me enter at step 8 as noted on the salary scale. However, you can get paid more for credits beyond your master’s. Can’t remember off the top of my head, but double check your transcripts because depending on your Masters program you may have enough for the “masters plus 30” track. I know some people that did a dual program that had enough credits.

Oh, and this demoralizing pay step is permanent. I specifically asked if it was temporary for a certain number of years and it’s not. Also, MCPS keeps lowering the max entry step. When I moved to MD their max entry was step 12. Then it was reduced to 10 and now it’s reduced to 8 😞

[Anonymous]

Max entry step for a bachelors is 7, 8 with a Masters and 9 beyond that

https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/departments/ersc/employees/pay/schedules/salary_placement_for_new_mcea_employees_7-1-191.pdf

[Anonymous]

Thank you! This is exactly the info I was looking for.

[Anonymous]

Forgot to add that this pdf was linked on the MCPS site

https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ersc/employees/pay/schedules/salary

“Is there a published set of salary schedules that I can print?

Yes. The link below provides tables listing the salary schedule for each group. They include a detailed extracurricular fee schedule. Note: New educators are placed on the salary scale according to current policies. New to MCPS? Learn how your experience translates to salary scale placement.“

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a Master’s? If so, step 8 is where you will start. I have 20 years experience (mostly out of state) and they only let me enter at step 8 as noted on the salary scale. However, you can get paid more for credits beyond your master’s. Can’t remember off the top of my head, but double check your transcripts because depending on your Masters program you may have enough for the “masters plus 30” track. I know some people that did a dual program that had enough credits.

Oh, and this demoralizing pay step is permanent. I specifically asked if it was temporary for a certain number of years and it’s not. Also, MCPS keeps lowering the max entry step. When I moved to MD their max entry was step 12. Then it was reduced to 10 and now it’s reduced to 8 😞

+1 They started me at Step 8 when I began at MCPS 6 years ago. I had 10 years of experience.

[Anonymous]

It is not worth it especially as DCPS pays more than MCPS to begin with

[Anonymous]

What do you teach? Depending on how in demand your specialty is, you could try negotiating to come in at equivalent salary, but be sure you will walk away otherwise. They are really short staffed. I know that's not the way HR works, but right now is the time to push it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is not worth it especially as DCPS pays more than MCPS to begin with

Yes, my pay would decrease from 116k plus 10k bonus to 72k but it would be for a lifestyle change as my family situation changes.

[Anonymous]

I negotiated two extra steps when i came in as a Middle School Science Teacher last summer. I had to show my past contract to them to show that I was taking a pay cut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I negotiated two extra steps when i came in as a Middle School Science Teacher last summer. I had to show my past contract to them to show that I was taking a pay cut.

With no teaching experience, where can one start teaching profession? What are the basic qualifications?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I negotiated two extra steps when i came in as a Middle School Science Teacher last summer. I had to show my past contract to them to show that I was taking a pay cut.

With no teaching experience, where can one start teaching profession? What are the basic qualifications?

Do you have any training to be a teacher? If not, start there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I negotiated two extra steps when i came in as a Middle School Science Teacher last summer. I had to show my past contract to them to show that I was taking a pay cut.

With no teaching experience, where can one start teaching profession? What are the basic qualifications?

Do you have any training to be a teacher? If not, start there.

What do you mean training to be a teacher? Is there any special training other than what you study for a bachelors degree in mathematics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I negotiated two extra steps when i came in as a Middle School Science Teacher last summer. I had to show my past contract to them to show that I was taking a pay cut.

With no teaching experience, where can one start teaching profession? What are the basic qualifications?

Do you have any training to be a teacher? If not, start there.

What do you mean training to be a teacher? Is there any special training other than what you study for a bachelors degree in mathematics?

Yes, there are courses in educational psychology, child development, syllabus planning, classroom management, etc.