Why is there a teacher shortage?

[Anonymous]

A) lots of teachers aren’t making anywhere near 50,000. I taught high school for 3 years and made 33,000 starting out and 35,000 by the time I quit which was in 2014 so this wasn’t that long ago. Oh and I have 2 masters degrees, one in the subject area I taught and I’ve in secondary education. It would’ve taken me 15-20 years to get up to 50,000 and that’s IF the salary actually continued to increase as it should which often it doesn’t.
B) you don’t get paid during the summer months when you are “on vacation.” Almost every teacher I knew worked summer school, summer camps, or other summer jobs to make ends meet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teaching is an easy job! It's not long hours. Population is growing and no one wants to teach in a crappy school though.

Are you a teacher? If so and you still think teaching is easy, then you're not doing it correctly....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/america-has-a-teacher-shortage-and-a-new-study-says-its-getting-worse/2016/09/14/d5de1cee-79e8-11e6-beac-57a4a412e93a_story.html

Washington Post article claims there's been a dramatic decrease in new teachers entering the profession:

"Enrollment in teacher-preparation programs dropped from 691,000 in 2009 to 451,000 in 2014, a 35 percent decline, according to the study, “A Coming Crisis in Teaching? Teacher Supply, Demand and Shortages in the U.S.”"

It also claims nearly 2/3 of teachers leave before retirement age.

If teaching is supposed to be such a cushy job, "summers off, home by 3", and so well paid with great benefits ... why aren't people rushing to become teachers?

Also retire after 30 years with a pension for life.

Is that one of the main reasons you went into teaching?
For newer teachers in VA it’s more like 35 years now with changes in retirement qualifications.

^^Thank you, the qualifications change every few years!

[Anonymous]

I worked in a few different fields before deciding to go into teaching. Teaching is the only field I've worked in where I've been treated so poorly. Last week, one of my student's parents spit on me. He had verbally abused me most of the year but when I told admin, they said their hands were tied. Maybe I should't told him to spit on me months ago. He is finally banned from the campus but since he is a disgusting human being, he will ignore that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is $50000 for 9-10 months of work not a great salary? She is not making much less than engineers if you extrapolate for the months she is off.

OP here -- this is what I mean. If it is such a great salary for only 10 months of work, why aren't candidates for teaching lining up around the block looking for jobs? How can there possibly be a teacher shortage and why are teachers leaving the profession in such large numbers?

It 50K for ten months of work but at 40-60 hours a week. Why are they leaving? entitlement kids, annoying parents, unsupportive admin...that's just the tip of the iceberg.

But it isn't $50K.

Here is a listing of average teacher salaries by state in 2017. http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/teacherbeat/2018/04/teacher_pay_2017.html

14 states, the average teacher salary is below $50K.
14 states, the average teacher salary is $50K-55K.
9 states, the average teacher salary is $50-60K.

That means in 14 states, the average teacher makes below $50K. In 37 out of 50 states, the average teacher makes below $60K. And if these are the averages, that means that there are a lot of teachers making below the average.

In addition, here is a list of the starting teacher salaries in the 2017-2018 school year. http://www.nea.org/home/2017-2018-average-starting-teacher-salary.html

There is only one state (NJ) and one jurisdiction (DC) that starts teachers over $50K. In 49 states, the starting salary for teachers is under $50K. In 34 states, the starting salary for teachers is under $40K with the lowest being Montana where the average starting teacher salary is $31.2K. Again, that's the average and there are plenty of teachers that start below the average. The national average for starting teachers salary is $39.2K.

Niche provides more statistics, but the information was updated in September 2017, so the data is likely from 2015 or 2016. https://www.niche.com/blog/teacher-salaries-in-america/
Niche reports that the average starting salary is $38.K and the average salary for all teachers nationwide is $58.9K
Niche reports that based on years of experience, the average teacher salary does not pass $50K until they have 10 years of experience in public schools and 30 years in private schools.

There are a lot of teachers that make less than $50K annually nation-wide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is $50000 for 9-10 months of work not a great salary? She is not making much less than engineers if you extrapolate for the months she is off.

OP here -- this is what I mean. If it is such a great salary for only 10 months of work, why aren't candidates for teaching lining up around the block looking for jobs? How can there possibly be a teacher shortage and why are teachers leaving the profession in such large numbers?

It 50K for ten months of work but at 40-60 hours a week. Why are they leaving? entitlement kids, annoying parents, unsupportive admin...that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Realistically 45 seems more accurate and it's just 180 days not including sick days etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is $50000 for 9-10 months of work not a great salary? She is not making much less than engineers if you extrapolate for the months she is off.

OP here -- this is what I mean. If it is such a great salary for only 10 months of work, why aren't candidates for teaching lining up around the block looking for jobs? How can there possibly be a teacher shortage and why are teachers leaving the profession in such large numbers?

It 50K for ten months of work but at 40-60 hours a week. Why are they leaving? entitlement kids, annoying parents, unsupportive admin...that's just the tip of the iceberg.

But it isn't $50K.

Here is a listing of average teacher salaries by state in 2017. http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/teacherbeat/2018/04/teacher_pay_2017.html

14 states, the average teacher salary is below $50K.
14 states, the average teacher salary is $50K-55K.
9 states, the average teacher salary is $50-60K.

That means in 14 states, the average teacher makes below $50K. In 37 out of 50 states, the average teacher makes below $60K. And if these are the averages, that means that there are a lot of teachers making below the average.

In addition, here is a list of the starting teacher salaries in the 2017-2018 school year. http://www.nea.org/home/2017-2018-average-starting-teacher-salary.html

There is only one state (NJ) and one jurisdiction (DC) that starts teachers over $50K. In 49 states, the starting salary for teachers is under $50K. In 34 states, the starting salary for teachers is under $40K with the lowest being Montana where the average starting teacher salary is $31.2K. Again, that's the average and there are plenty of teachers that start below the average. The national average for starting teachers salary is $39.2K.

Niche provides more statistics, but the information was updated in September 2017, so the data is likely from 2015 or 2016. https://www.niche.com/blog/teacher-salaries-in-america/
Niche reports that the average starting salary is $38.K and the average salary for all teachers nationwide is $58.9K
Niche reports that based on years of experience, the average teacher salary does not pass $50K until they have 10 years of experience in public schools and 30 years in private schools.

There are a lot of teachers that make less than $50K annually nation-wide.

Doens't mcps pay range from roughly 50k to 120k for classroom teachers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is $50000 for 9-10 months of work not a great salary? She is not making much less than engineers if you extrapolate for the months she is off.

OP here -- this is what I mean. If it is such a great salary for only 10 months of work, why aren't candidates for teaching lining up around the block looking for jobs? How can there possibly be a teacher shortage and why are teachers leaving the profession in such large numbers?

It 50K for ten months of work but at 40-60 hours a week. Why are they leaving? entitlement kids, annoying parents, unsupportive admin...that's just the tip of the iceberg.

But it isn't $50K.

Here is a listing of average teacher salaries by state in 2017. http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/teacherbeat/2018/04/teacher_pay_2017.html

14 states, the average teacher salary is below $50K.
14 states, the average teacher salary is $50K-55K.
9 states, the average teacher salary is $50-60K.

That means in 14 states, the average teacher makes below $50K. In 37 out of 50 states, the average teacher makes below $60K. And if these are the averages, that means that there are a lot of teachers making below the average.

In addition, here is a list of the starting teacher salaries in the 2017-2018 school year. http://www.nea.org/home/2017-2018-average-starting-teacher-salary.html

There is only one state (NJ) and one jurisdiction (DC) that starts teachers over $50K. In 49 states, the starting salary for teachers is under $50K. In 34 states, the starting salary for teachers is under $40K with the lowest being Montana where the average starting teacher salary is $31.2K. Again, that's the average and there are plenty of teachers that start below the average. The national average for starting teachers salary is $39.2K.

Niche provides more statistics, but the information was updated in September 2017, so the data is likely from 2015 or 2016. https://www.niche.com/blog/teacher-salaries-in-america/
Niche reports that the average starting salary is $38.K and the average salary for all teachers nationwide is $58.9K
Niche reports that based on years of experience, the average teacher salary does not pass $50K until they have 10 years of experience in public schools and 30 years in private schools.

There are a lot of teachers that make less than $50K annually nation-wide.

Doens't mcps pay range from roughly 50k to 120k for classroom teachers?

Close, $49K to $109K.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/ersc/employees/pay/schedules/FY19%20MCEA%20Salary%20Schedules.pdf

Niche says that average teacher salary is $81K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is $50000 for 9-10 months of work not a great salary? She is not making much less than engineers if you extrapolate for the months she is off.

OP here -- this is what I mean. If it is such a great salary for only 10 months of work, why aren't candidates for teaching lining up around the block looking for jobs? How can there possibly be a teacher shortage and why are teachers leaving the profession in such large numbers?

It 50K for ten months of work but at 40-60 hours a week. Why are they leaving? entitlement kids, annoying parents, unsupportive admin...that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Realistically 45 seems more accurate and it's just 180 days not including sick days etc.

180 days is three weeks short of our 194 day contract in Fairfax County. Many districts in VA have a standard contract of 200 days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is $50000 for 9-10 months of work not a great salary? She is not making much less than engineers if you extrapolate for the months she is off.

OP here -- this is what I mean. If it is such a great salary for only 10 months of work, why aren't candidates for teaching lining up around the block looking for jobs? How can there possibly be a teacher shortage and why are teachers leaving the profession in such large numbers?

It 50K for ten months of work but at 40-60 hours a week. Why are they leaving? entitlement kids, annoying parents, unsupportive admin...that's just the tip of the iceberg.

But it isn't $50K.

Here is a listing of average teacher salaries by state in 2017. http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/teacherbeat/2018/04/teacher_pay_2017.html

14 states, the average teacher salary is below $50K.
14 states, the average teacher salary is $50K-55K.
9 states, the average teacher salary is $50-60K.

That means in 14 states, the average teacher makes below $50K. In 37 out of 50 states, the average teacher makes below $60K. And if these are the averages, that means that there are a lot of teachers making below the average.

In addition, here is a list of the starting teacher salaries in the 2017-2018 school year. http://www.nea.org/home/2017-2018-average-starting-teacher-salary.html

There is only one state (NJ) and one jurisdiction (DC) that starts teachers over $50K. In 49 states, the starting salary for teachers is under $50K. In 34 states, the starting salary for teachers is under $40K with the lowest being Montana where the average starting teacher salary is $31.2K. Again, that's the average and there are plenty of teachers that start below the average. The national average for starting teachers salary is $39.2K.

Niche provides more statistics, but the information was updated in September 2017, so the data is likely from 2015 or 2016. https://www.niche.com/blog/teacher-salaries-in-america/
Niche reports that the average starting salary is $38.K and the average salary for all teachers nationwide is $58.9K
Niche reports that based on years of experience, the average teacher salary does not pass $50K until they have 10 years of experience in public schools and 30 years in private schools.

There are a lot of teachers that make less than $50K annually nation-wide.

Doens't mcps pay range from roughly 50k to 120k for classroom teachers?

Close, $49K to $109K.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/ersc/employees/pay/schedules/FY19%20MCEA%20Salary%20Schedules.pdf

Niche says that average teacher salary is $81K.

Sure. Point? The PP is showing state-wide averages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is $50000 for 9-10 months of work not a great salary? She is not making much less than engineers if you extrapolate for the months she is off.

OP here -- this is what I mean. If it is such a great salary for only 10 months of work, why aren't candidates for teaching lining up around the block looking for jobs? How can there possibly be a teacher shortage and why are teachers leaving the profession in such large numbers?

It 50K for ten months of work but at 40-60 hours a week. Why are they leaving? entitlement kids, annoying parents, unsupportive admin...that's just the tip of the iceberg.

But it isn't $50K.

Here is a listing of average teacher salaries by state in 2017. http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/teacherbeat/2018/04/teacher_pay_2017.html

14 states, the average teacher salary is below $50K.
14 states, the average teacher salary is $50K-55K.
9 states, the average teacher salary is $50-60K.

That means in 14 states, the average teacher makes below $50K. In 37 out of 50 states, the average teacher makes below $60K. And if these are the averages, that means that there are a lot of teachers making below the average.

In addition, here is a list of the starting teacher salaries in the 2017-2018 school year. http://www.nea.org/home/2017-2018-average-starting-teacher-salary.html

There is only one state (NJ) and one jurisdiction (DC) that starts teachers over $50K. In 49 states, the starting salary for teachers is under $50K. In 34 states, the starting salary for teachers is under $40K with the lowest being Montana where the average starting teacher salary is $31.2K. Again, that's the average and there are plenty of teachers that start below the average. The national average for starting teachers salary is $39.2K.

Niche provides more statistics, but the information was updated in September 2017, so the data is likely from 2015 or 2016. https://www.niche.com/blog/teacher-salaries-in-america/
Niche reports that the average starting salary is $38.K and the average salary for all teachers nationwide is $58.9K
Niche reports that based on years of experience, the average teacher salary does not pass $50K until they have 10 years of experience in public schools and 30 years in private schools.

There are a lot of teachers that make less than $50K annually nation-wide.

In Prince William County, teachers start at $50,000.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is $50000 for 9-10 months of work not a great salary? She is not making much less than engineers if you extrapolate for the months she is off.

OP here -- this is what I mean. If it is such a great salary for only 10 months of work, why aren't candidates for teaching lining up around the block looking for jobs? How can there possibly be a teacher shortage and why are teachers leaving the profession in such large numbers?

It 50K for ten months of work but at 40-60 hours a week. Why are they leaving? entitlement kids, annoying parents, unsupportive admin...that's just the tip of the iceberg.

But it isn't $50K.

Here is a listing of average teacher salaries by state in 2017. http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/teacherbeat/2018/04/teacher_pay_2017.html

14 states, the average teacher salary is below $50K.
14 states, the average teacher salary is $50K-55K.
9 states, the average teacher salary is $50-60K.

That means in 14 states, the average teacher makes below $50K. In 37 out of 50 states, the average teacher makes below $60K. And if these are the averages, that means that there are a lot of teachers making below the average.

In addition, here is a list of the starting teacher salaries in the 2017-2018 school year. http://www.nea.org/home/2017-2018-average-starting-teacher-salary.html

There is only one state (NJ) and one jurisdiction (DC) that starts teachers over $50K. In 49 states, the starting salary for teachers is under $50K. In 34 states, the starting salary for teachers is under $40K with the lowest being Montana where the average starting teacher salary is $31.2K. Again, that's the average and there are plenty of teachers that start below the average. The national average for starting teachers salary is $39.2K.

Niche provides more statistics, but the information was updated in September 2017, so the data is likely from 2015 or 2016. https://www.niche.com/blog/teacher-salaries-in-america/
Niche reports that the average starting salary is $38.K and the average salary for all teachers nationwide is $58.9K
Niche reports that based on years of experience, the average teacher salary does not pass $50K until they have 10 years of experience in public schools and 30 years in private schools.

There are a lot of teachers that make less than $50K annually nation-wide.

In Prince William County, teachers start at $50,000.

Yes, but Prince William County is not the entire state of Virginia. Even with all 5380 teachers in the county making over $50K, they only represent 6% of the public school teachers in the state of Virginia. Virginia as a state comes in at $40, 453 as a statewide average of all teachers, not just starting teachers. So if all teachers in PWCPS start at $50K and above, that means that state-wide there are a lot of teachers making well below $50K. Plus the National Council on Teacher Quality (see link below) reports that teachers' salaries start at $48K, not $50K.

https://www.nctq.org/contract-database/district/Prince-William-County-Public-Schools
https://ballotpedia.org/Public_education_in_Virginia

[Anonymous]

There are less qualified teachers than our country needs because some parents are nuts.

99% of them are either fantastic or fine.

1% are complete whack-jobs -- especially in this area. Their little snowflake doesn't perform like they did at school & these parents won't accept anything but privilege for them. They won't admit that their kid might not deserve the accolades that they will make sure they get no matter what. They attack teachers and threaten whatever they can to get their way. And quite frankly, it's not worth the fight so they often win. But it's tiring.

[Anonymous]

The simple answer is to read most posts about teachers or schools on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

The abuse of teachers from students parents and especially administration makes it just not worth it. Teachers are babysitters these days who cannot enforce rules and are continuously threatened. Principals will fire away if you give grades based on performance. They want to pass everyone along even if they can't read. The want the illiterate kids even to take out the big loans for college. It's a business and the youth of our country is profits plain and simple.