basic question: why are private teachers paid less than public?

[Anonymous]

It is a numbers game. MCPS has 22,000 staff (teachers and administrators and building service workers, etc.). They can negotiate amazing/inexpensive health insurance for example because there are so many employees. At a private school, there are maybe 250-300 (less at smaller schools).

[Anonymous]

They are paid less because they get little to no government funding. Period. Fwiw, I work in public and make 75k. I came from Catholic school where I was paid 25k. My question is why do parochial school teachers stay? Yes, some independent private schools pay higher than parochial but seriously, 25k is less than what people make serving fast food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are paid less because they get little to no government funding. Period. Fwiw, I work in public and make 75k. I came from Catholic school where I was paid 25k. My question is why do parochial school teachers stay? Yes, some independent private schools pay higher than parochial but seriously, 25k is less than what people make serving fast food.

What did your colleagues say who stayed when you left? What are their reasons?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because they don't have to meet the same standards in some cases. I never had a science teacher who actually majored in the field they were teaching.

-private school graduate

I would blame that on your school, not private school education in general.

[Anonymous]

I used to be a public school teacher and am now a private school parent.

Public schools are much MUCH more stressful. There are kids with real, serious problems. The testing and having to teach to the test is draining. The public school parents are more demanding when they’re demanding and more checked out when they’re checked out. The kids are all over the map in terms of readiness for the grade but all in the same classroom anyway.

It doesn’t surprise me at all that my kids have had amazingly talented teachers in private school. The trade off is more than worth it for anyone who doesn’t absolutely need to max out their pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because they don't have to meet the same standards in some cases. I never had a science teacher who actually majored in the field they were teaching.

In others, not having to deal with the discipline problems and the ease of kicking kids out is a plus. No kid is required to have a private school education, so they can reject any kids with learning or behavior issues.

-private school graduate

I went to top publics in my city and I also never had a science teacher who majored in the subject they were teaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are paid less because they get little to no government funding. Period. Fwiw, I work in public and make 75k. I came from Catholic school where I was paid 25k. My question is why do parochial school teachers stay? Yes, some independent private schools pay higher than parochial but seriously, 25k is less than what people make serving fast food.

This is one of the questions.
The other question is: how amazing would private schools be if they paid even more to get the very, very best teachers? Surely they could afford it

[Anonymous]

It’s an easier job that doesn’t require as much training and qualifications for hiring. Of course they’re paid less.

[Anonymous]

Why do nonprofits pay less than government jobs? There’s your answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s an easier job that doesn’t require as much training and qualifications for hiring. Of course they’re paid less.

It is often the same job that requires the same training and qualifications. I taught in a local public school for over a decade before transferring to a Catholic school. I get paid a similar salary, I’m required to maintain my MSDE certification, and I am observed/evaluated using the same metrics as the public district I left. As for easier? It isn’t. I’m held to a high standard and I work hard to meet it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are paid less because they get little to no government funding. Period. Fwiw, I work in public and make 75k. I came from Catholic school where I was paid 25k. My question is why do parochial school teachers stay? Yes, some independent private schools pay higher than parochial but seriously, 25k is less than what people make serving fast food.

What did your colleagues say who stayed when you left? What are their reasons?

Some had spouses who made a lot of money and subsidized their job. Others tried to get a job in public and couldn't. It's just hard for me personally to understand why anyone would go to college and then work long term for less than minimum wage long term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to be a public school teacher and am now a private school parent.

Public schools are much MUCH more stressful. There are kids with real, serious problems. The testing and having to teach to the test is draining. The public school parents are more demanding when they’re demanding and more checked out when they’re checked out. The kids are all over the map in terms of readiness for the grade but all in the same classroom anyway.

It doesn’t surprise me at all that my kids have had amazingly talented teachers in private school. The trade off is more than worth it for anyone who doesn’t absolutely need to max out their pay.

The reality though is most people do need the better pay. When I worked for catholic school I qualified for public assistance. I used to go to the food bank. That's not sustainable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are paid less because they get little to no government funding. Period. Fwiw, I work in public and make 75k. I came from Catholic school where I was paid 25k. My question is why do parochial school teachers stay? Yes, some independent private schools pay higher than parochial but seriously, 25k is less than what people make serving fast food.

What did your colleagues say who stayed when you left? What are their reasons?

I assume they don't want to be stabbed with scissors or have to deal with the IEPs.
As a parent, that's why I have my child in private school with their "unqualified" teachers. I mean, they are learning more than they did in public school. They are around other students who are doing well and not as stressed out by teachers stretched thin with difficult classroom management needs. I'm cool with it. Glad there are teachers who make that career decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to be a public school teacher and am now a private school parent.

Public schools are much MUCH more stressful. There are kids with real, serious problems. The testing and having to teach to the test is draining. The public school parents are more demanding when they’re demanding and more checked out when they’re checked out. The kids are all over the map in terms of readiness for the grade but all in the same classroom anyway.

It doesn’t surprise me at all that my kids have had amazingly talented teachers in private school. The trade off is more than worth it for anyone who doesn’t absolutely need to max out their pay.

The reality though is most people do need the better pay. When I worked for catholic school I qualified for public assistance. I used to go to the food bank. That's not sustainable.

Was this locally here in dmv? I was able to find the starting base salary for a new teacher for some of the diocese by googling.

[Anonymous]

No. Midwest. Starting salary now is 22k.