If you are an instructional assistant in fcps

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is like $11/hour. I pay our teenage babysitter more.

Same here. Someone brought this up to the School Board awhile back and they trotted out some line about how IAs are eligible for health insurance and other benefits. I'm sure there are secondary-earner situations where this makes sense, but I doubt most of the IAs are maxing out their 403(b)s, or even contributing. If they use the county health insurance, it probably eats up most of their paychecks.

Do they get matching funds for their retirement savings? If not, I can't see how any benefits make up for such low pay. The county health insurance is no great deal.

Not for the 403(b). I think there is a 457(b) hybrid that is matched to a small extent, but definitely not enough to justify the crappy wages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't 23k basically minimum wage for a full time job?

They have far fewer work days than a full-time minimum wage job. Not that it justifies the pay, but someone with school-age kids would find the job desirable because of the schedule.

Obviously not too desireable, if they have so many vacancies. It makes more sense to sub on your own schedule, the hourly pay is a little more I think.

Subbing can be easier because they are usually released with the students. Instructional assistants typically have to stay for 20-30 minutes after the students are dismissed so you need to make arrangements for that, I pay the full aftercare fee. It is nice for breaks and summers. I also am off on teacher workdays.

[Anonymous]

I was an IA in FCPS. It's very stressful work. Kindergarteners are cute but try to imagine a room full of spoiled snowflakes with parents who don't know how to say no. There was a revolving door of IAs in my school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was an IA in FCPS. It's very stressful work. Kindergarteners are cute but try to imagine a room full of spoiled snowflakes with parents who don't know how to say no. There was a revolving door of IAs in my school.

I would agree that it is very stressful. You typically handle all the behavioral issues in the classroom. The thing I like about it is there is zero work to take home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't 23k basically minimum wage for a full time job?

They have far fewer work days than a full-time minimum wage job. Not that it justifies the pay, but someone with school-age kids would find the job desirable because of the schedule.

Obviously not too desireable, if they have so many vacancies. It makes more sense to sub on your own schedule, the hourly pay is a little more I think.

Subbing can be easier because they are usually released with the students. Instructional assistants typically have to stay for 20-30 minutes after the students are dismissed so you need to make arrangements for that, I pay the full aftercare fee. It is nice for breaks and summers. I also am off on teacher workdays.

do you make less money than an IA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't 23k basically minimum wage for a full time job?

They have far fewer work days than a full-time minimum wage job. Not that it justifies the pay, but someone with school-age kids would find the job desirable because of the schedule.

Obviously not too desireable, if they have so many vacancies. It makes more sense to sub on your own schedule, the hourly pay is a little more I think.

Subbing can be easier because they are usually released with the students. Instructional assistants typically have to stay for 20-30 minutes after the students are dismissed so you need to make arrangements for that, I pay the full aftercare fee. It is nice for breaks and summers. I also am off on teacher workdays.

do you make less money than an IA?

I'm in Arlington where sub pay is $13.20-15.28, I make significantly more as an instructional assistant but I have several years of experience and a BA+30.

[Anonymous]

If I have a BA in psych and 10+ years as a preschool lead teacher, what would I make as an IA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I have a BA in psych and 10+ years as a preschool lead teacher, what would I make as an IA?

I would think $23,403 starting on the entry step. I doubt you would be credited any years of experience. The BA is irrelevant in regards to the pay.