Area Private School Teacher Shortage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To get back to the original topic…

I am a teacher at a large, well-respected NOVA private. Our school has been very vocal about teacher salaries being “at or above those of our peer schools” (they have not said which schools those peer schools are). I have been teaching for 10 years and have a masters. I teach a STEM subject. I currently make about $68,000 annually and until recently our school was on a step salary scale that was public to all teachers. Our raises last year (which got me to my current salary) were between 3 and 3.5%.

Hey, I teach at a large MD private with a masters, 9 years of experience, and an Arts subject. My salary is just over $76K. You are getting shafted more than we are already being shafted.

Our school is pretending to compare our salary bands (that aren’t publicized) to our peer schools (that also aren’t publicized) to ensure we are comparable. When asked how they are making the comparison they said they are using Glassdoor… which I find to be a little low at least for my school. Perhaps we should make a salary transparency group/website to help add less obscurity to our salary bands in the area.

One additional thing I’ve noticed is the hiring process is long at my school and you don’t find out about salary until the end, even if you ask. This probably deters people and/or wastes their time interviewing for a job they can’t afford to take.

This is a huge discrepancy! I am fascinated. The MCPS 2023 salary scale shows 9 years with a masters as $75,306. I am curious which school is so closely aligned with MCPS on salary, if not benefits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To get back to the original topic…

I am a teacher at a large, well-respected NOVA private. Our school has been very vocal about teacher salaries being “at or above those of our peer schools” (they have not said which schools those peer schools are). I have been teaching for 10 years and have a masters. I teach a STEM subject. I currently make about $68,000 annually and until recently our school was on a step salary scale that was public to all teachers. Our raises last year (which got me to my current salary) were between 3 and 3.5%.

All of the peer schools work to keep their salaries in the same band, so none of them dares to start a bidding war. If one did, that nonsensical pay level after 10 years would reflect a mid-career professional, probably six figures in most professions. Young people starting their careers can see the difference and choose accordingly.

It's a racket.

How would this work? Wouldn't prices go way up at that school and make them lose students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To get back to the original topic…

I am a teacher at a large, well-respected NOVA private. Our school has been very vocal about teacher salaries being “at or above those of our peer schools” (they have not said which schools those peer schools are). I have been teaching for 10 years and have a masters. I teach a STEM subject. I currently make about $68,000 annually and until recently our school was on a step salary scale that was public to all teachers. Our raises last year (which got me to my current salary) were between 3 and 3.5%.

All of the peer schools work to keep their salaries in the same band, so none of them dares to start a bidding war. If one did, that nonsensical pay level after 10 years would reflect a mid-career professional, probably six figures in most professions. Young people starting their careers can see the difference and choose accordingly.

It's a racket.

How would this work? Wouldn't prices go way up at that school and make them lose students?

And that's why teachers will never be paid like other professionals. Most professionals only serve those who can pay for their services. Every kid gets a primary school education. Private schools could get more expensive and exclusive, but the result would be a few very highly paid teachers and a lot more teachers looking for jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To get back to the original topic…

I am a teacher at a large, well-respected NOVA private. Our school has been very vocal about teacher salaries being “at or above those of our peer schools” (they have not said which schools those peer schools are). I have been teaching for 10 years and have a masters. I teach a STEM subject. I currently make about $68,000 annually and until recently our school was on a step salary scale that was public to all teachers. Our raises last year (which got me to my current salary) were between 3 and 3.5%.

All of the peer schools work to keep their salaries in the same band, so none of them dares to start a bidding war. If one did, that nonsensical pay level after 10 years would reflect a mid-career professional, probably six figures in most professions. Young people starting their careers can see the difference and choose accordingly.

It's a racket.

How would this work? Wouldn't prices go way up at that school and make them lose students?

You get what you pay for. With teachers, people only want to pay for a Corolla, then they pontificate endlessly why their kids aren't getting the Porsche education they think they deserve.

The economics are really, really simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To get back to the original topic…

I am a teacher at a large, well-respected NOVA private. Our school has been very vocal about teacher salaries being “at or above those of our peer schools” (they have not said which schools those peer schools are). I have been teaching for 10 years and have a masters. I teach a STEM subject. I currently make about $68,000 annually and until recently our school was on a step salary scale that was public to all teachers. Our raises last year (which got me to my current salary) were between 3 and 3.5%.

All of the peer schools work to keep their salaries in the same band, so none of them dares to start a bidding war. If one did, that nonsensical pay level after 10 years would reflect a mid-career professional, probably six figures in most professions. Young people starting their careers can see the difference and choose accordingly.

It's a racket.

How would this work? Wouldn't prices go way up at that school and make them lose students?

You get what you pay for. With teachers, people only want to pay for a Corolla, then they pontificate endlessly why their kids aren't getting the Porsche education they think they deserve.

The economics are really, really simple.

Ok, I'm game. You start this new private school with exceptionally well paid teachers... what qualifications are you looking for when hiring?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's great that schools are ditching certifications. It doesn't seem to me that they do anything other than line the pockets of the mediocre degree mills that issue them. I'd much rather have a teacher with real knowledge, experience, and passion than one trained in pseudoscientific methods by a bunch of people who couldn't cut it as real academics.

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's great that schools are ditching certifications. It doesn't seem to me that they do anything other than line the pockets of the mediocre degree mills that issue them. I'd much rather have a teacher with real knowledge, experience, and passion than one trained in pseudoscientific methods by a bunch of people who couldn't cut it as real academics.

This

Not this. So many smart people with content knowledge come bounding into classrooms thinking they know it all, but have no grasp of managing a class or pitching their knowledge at a level that allows children to succeed and grow. Agreed, there are plenty of teachers who have been through teacher training programs that have organized bins and wall displays, but weak content knowledge. It all depends on having a smart curious person. If they have enough self-awareness to see their own imperfections and the ability to learn and grow, either background works. If they do not, neither background works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's great that schools are ditching certifications. It doesn't seem to me that they do anything other than line the pockets of the mediocre degree mills that issue them. I'd much rather have a teacher with real knowledge, experience, and passion than one trained in pseudoscientific methods by a bunch of people who couldn't cut it as real academics.

This

Not this. So many smart people with content knowledge come bounding into classrooms thinking they know it all, but have no grasp of managing a class or pitching their knowledge at a level that allows children to succeed and grow. Agreed, there are plenty of teachers who have been through teacher training programs that have organized bins and wall displays, but weak content knowledge. It all depends on having a smart curious person. If they have enough self-awareness to see their own imperfections and the ability to learn and grow, either background works. If they do not, neither background works.

That’s a long winded way of saying that good teachers are good at teaching, and bad teachers are bad at teaching. So glad you’re here to explain the obvious!

[Anonymous]

Yes, at least 2 teachers & one aide position not filled yet from what we have heard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's great that schools are ditching certifications. It doesn't seem to me that they do anything other than line the pockets of the mediocre degree mills that issue them. I'd much rather have a teacher with real knowledge, experience, and passion than one trained in pseudoscientific methods by a bunch of people who couldn't cut it as real academics.

This

It’s ironic how many private school parents have opinions like this considering how many of y’all couldn’t last a day in a real job that your family didn’t give you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To get back to the original topic…

I am a teacher at a large, well-respected NOVA private. Our school has been very vocal about teacher salaries being “at or above those of our peer schools” (they have not said which schools those peer schools are). I have been teaching for 10 years and have a masters. I teach a STEM subject. I currently make about $68,000 annually and until recently our school was on a step salary scale that was public to all teachers. Our raises last year (which got me to my current salary) were between 3 and 3.5%.

All of the peer schools work to keep their salaries in the same band, so none of them dares to start a bidding war. If one did, that nonsensical pay level after 10 years would reflect a mid-career professional, probably six figures in most professions. Young people starting their careers can see the difference and choose accordingly.

It's a racket.

How would this work? Wouldn't prices go way up at that school and make them lose students?

Not if a school actually puts the tuition towards teacher salaries and changes how they spend their money. If a head of school makes 600k a year (which ours does, for sure), then that’s 4 GOOD teacher salaries right there if a head of school makes 200k instead. Then, think about how many schools have a totally bloated administrative system right now — heads and associate heads of divisions, deans, associate deans, heads of diversity/curriculum/sustainability/etc… that’s just off the top of my head. The number of admin at my school has grown hugely since I started, and those salaries come from somewhere. If a school actually put its teachers first and was willing to make cuts at the admin level, I’m sure that stronger teacher salaries could be a reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To get back to the original topic…

I am a teacher at a large, well-respected NOVA private. Our school has been very vocal about teacher salaries being “at or above those of our peer schools” (they have not said which schools those peer schools are). I have been teaching for 10 years and have a masters. I teach a STEM subject. I currently make about $68,000 annually and until recently our school was on a step salary scale that was public to all teachers. Our raises last year (which got me to my current salary) were between 3 and 3.5%.

All of the peer schools work to keep their salaries in the same band, so none of them dares to start a bidding war. If one did, that nonsensical pay level after 10 years would reflect a mid-career professional, probably six figures in most professions. Young people starting their careers can see the difference and choose accordingly.

It's a racket.

How would this work? Wouldn't prices go way up at that school and make them lose students?

Not if a school actually puts the tuition towards teacher salaries and changes how they spend their money. If a head of school makes 600k a year (which ours does, for sure), then that’s 4 GOOD teacher salaries right there if a head of school makes 200k instead. Then, think about how many schools have a totally bloated administrative system right now — heads and associate heads of divisions, deans, associate deans, heads of diversity/curriculum/sustainability/etc… that’s just off the top of my head. The number of admin at my school has grown hugely since I started, and those salaries come from somewhere. If a school actually put its teachers first and was willing to make cuts at the admin level, I’m sure that stronger teacher salaries could be a reality.

The Superintendents of FCPS & MCPS make something like $2 per student. My HOS makes about $884 per student.

Something is INCREDIBLY wrong with that disparity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To get back to the original topic…

I am a teacher at a large, well-respected NOVA private. Our school has been very vocal about teacher salaries being “at or above those of our peer schools” (they have not said which schools those peer schools are). I have been teaching for 10 years and have a masters. I teach a STEM subject. I currently make about $68,000 annually and until recently our school was on a step salary scale that was public to all teachers. Our raises last year (which got me to my current salary) were between 3 and 3.5%.

All of the peer schools work to keep their salaries in the same band, so none of them dares to start a bidding war. If one did, that nonsensical pay level after 10 years would reflect a mid-career professional, probably six figures in most professions. Young people starting their careers can see the difference and choose accordingly.

It's a racket.

How would this work? Wouldn't prices go way up at that school and make them lose students?

Not if a school actually puts the tuition towards teacher salaries and changes how they spend their money. If a head of school makes 600k a year (which ours does, for sure), then that’s 4 GOOD teacher salaries right there if a head of school makes 200k instead. Then, think about how many schools have a totally bloated administrative system right now — heads and associate heads of divisions, deans, associate deans, heads of diversity/curriculum/sustainability/etc… that’s just off the top of my head. The number of admin at my school has grown hugely since I started, and those salaries come from somewhere. If a school actually put its teachers first and was willing to make cuts at the admin level, I’m sure that stronger teacher salaries could be a reality.

The Superintendents of FCPS & MCPS make something like $2 per student. My HOS makes about $884 per student.

Something is INCREDIBLY wrong with that disparity.

That’s disgusting.

I’m a teacher and at my school we had many more departures than usual at the end of last year. Speaking for myself, I know that I’ll be looking to leave within the next year (two tops). It’s just gotten too hard. The low pay is one thing but dealing with the low pay on top of the constant disrespect from parents (hugely increased over the past five years) and just knowing how little we are valued by the school is just too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To get back to the original topic…

I am a teacher at a large, well-respected NOVA private. Our school has been very vocal about teacher salaries being “at or above those of our peer schools” (they have not said which schools those peer schools are). I have been teaching for 10 years and have a masters. I teach a STEM subject. I currently make about $68,000 annually and until recently our school was on a step salary scale that was public to all teachers. Our raises last year (which got me to my current salary) were between 3 and 3.5%.

All of the peer schools work to keep their salaries in the same band, so none of them dares to start a bidding war. If one did, that nonsensical pay level after 10 years would reflect a mid-career professional, probably six figures in most professions. Young people starting their careers can see the difference and choose accordingly.

It's a racket.

How would this work? Wouldn't prices go way up at that school and make them lose students?

Not if a school actually puts the tuition towards teacher salaries and changes how they spend their money. If a head of school makes 600k a year (which ours does, for sure), then that’s 4 GOOD teacher salaries right there if a head of school makes 200k instead. Then, think about how many schools have a totally bloated administrative system right now — heads and associate heads of divisions, deans, associate deans, heads of diversity/curriculum/sustainability/etc… that’s just off the top of my head. The number of admin at my school has grown hugely since I started, and those salaries come from somewhere. If a school actually put its teachers first and was willing to make cuts at the admin level, I’m sure that stronger teacher salaries could be a reality.

The Superintendents of FCPS & MCPS make something like $2 per student. My HOS makes about $884 per student.

Something is INCREDIBLY wrong with that disparity.

Wow! I never thought of it like that. The MCPS superintendent is in charge of 150,000 students and 20,000+ employees and makes less than 300k.
Private school heads are paid way too much

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To get back to the original topic…

I am a teacher at a large, well-respected NOVA private. Our school has been very vocal about teacher salaries being “at or above those of our peer schools” (they have not said which schools those peer schools are). I have been teaching for 10 years and have a masters. I teach a STEM subject. I currently make about $68,000 annually and until recently our school was on a step salary scale that was public to all teachers. Our raises last year (which got me to my current salary) were between 3 and 3.5%.

All of the peer schools work to keep their salaries in the same band, so none of them dares to start a bidding war. If one did, that nonsensical pay level after 10 years would reflect a mid-career professional, probably six figures in most professions. Young people starting their careers can see the difference and choose accordingly.

It's a racket.

How would this work? Wouldn't prices go way up at that school and make them lose students?

While still a problem a Head of School is more skin to principal than superintendent.

Not if a school actually puts the tuition towards teacher salaries and changes how they spend their money. If a head of school makes 600k a year (which ours does, for sure), then that’s 4 GOOD teacher salaries right there if a head of school makes 200k instead. Then, think about how many schools have a totally bloated administrative system right now — heads and associate heads of divisions, deans, associate deans, heads of diversity/curriculum/sustainability/etc… that’s just off the top of my head. The number of admin at my school has grown hugely since I started, and those salaries come from somewhere. If a school actually put its teachers first and was willing to make cuts at the admin level, I’m sure that stronger teacher salaries could be a reality.

The Superintendents of FCPS & MCPS make something like $2 per student. My HOS makes about $884 per student.

Something is INCREDIBLY wrong with that disparity.

Wow! I never thought of it like that. The MCPS superintendent is in charge of 150,000 students and 20,000+ employees and makes less than 300k.
Private school heads are paid way too much