Why don't teachers quit?

[Anonymous]

If they don't get the respect and income they think they deserve, why stay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they don't get the respect and income they think they deserve, why stay?

Because some people do things because they a) believe they are the right thing to do, b) choose a profession and see it as a calling, c) let things other than money drive all their career decisions, d) consider teaching as an honorable, if unappreciated position like police officers, fire fighters, etc.

If everyone did things because of the money this world would be a scary and lonely place.

I'm not a teacher - but I can point to one in my life that made such a difference for me that it changed my life if not for their very importance guidance and help when I was young.

[Anonymous]

For many of them, it’s because they believe deeply in what they do, and will tolerate those things you listed in order to keep doing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they don't get the respect and income they think they deserve, why stay?

How does that solve anything, OP?
To stay onboard in a worthy profession, a teacher can and will fight for the betterment of the profession and education in general.

[Anonymous]

But then why bitch about it ad nauseam?

FWIW, I had a career I loved, and I made pennies. I never complained about the pay because I knew what I was getting in to beforehand, and I knew it would never change. I loved it regardless.

[Anonymous]

In addition to the above comments, it’s what they’re trained to do...it’s what they know and are presumably good at. What do you propose they do instead when their degree is in teaching?

[Anonymous]

Many wouldn't have other, better options.

[Anonymous]

I dont quit because I dont mind my job. I think it has downsides but I also knew *most* of them before going into teaching. I also dont think Im underpaid. I do take summers "off" (I know many teachers who work on their classroom and curriculum and all of that but I dont…because Im not paid to do so) and I work another job that supplements my income. I know a lot of people on the other thread went on tangents about how they could NOT be a single mom on their teaching income and thats true of my income too but thats true of like 50 percent of working women. A lot of us work jobs at a significantly lesser salary than our partners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In addition to the above comments, it’s what they’re trained to do...it’s what they know and are presumably good at. What do you propose they do instead when their degree is in teaching?

That’s fine. But:

Why go to school to become a teacher when it’s common knowledge they are an underpaid profession? And then complain constantly.

If it is such a passion, then don’t complain.

Is this not true? I mean, sure teachers should make more, I agree, but they’ve been complaining about it since I was in school 20 years ago. Nothing has changed so the complaining has been for nothing. Tax payers don’t want to pay more.

So either be a teacher because it’s a passion, fully knowing you’ll be underpaid, or stop complaining.

[Anonymous]

I feel respected and appreciated by most parents and am happy with the pay. I will never be wealthy but knew that going in. I don’t understand why they don’t look for jobs in other schools or districts if they are unhappy. Complainers in general are annoying.

[Anonymous]

they do, in droves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But then why bitch about it ad nauseam?

FWIW, I had a career I loved, and I made pennies. I never complained about the pay because I knew what I was getting in to beforehand, and I knew it would never change. I loved it regardless.

Kudos to you and all that but everyone is different. And not all teachers are "bitching" all the time.

People are allowed to vent - if taking your stance if once people get married are they just supposed to STFU about their spouse? We'd all be single, I promise you.

You don't sound like you are well versed in social dynamics and life in general.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But then why bitch about it ad nauseam?

FWIW, I had a career I loved, and I made pennies. I never complained about the pay because I knew what I was getting in to beforehand, and I knew it would never change. I loved it regardless.

Kudos to you and all that but everyone is different. And not all teachers are "bitching" all the time.

People are allowed to vent - if taking your stance if once people get married are they just supposed to STFU about their spouse? We'd all be single, I promise you.

You don't sound like you are well versed in social dynamics and life in general.

Well, it’s like going and buying a green car but then complaining your car is green. Or going to donate blood but hen being upset it hurt and you were tired afterwards. Or complaining that your husband is lazy when he was lazy before you married him.

Nobody wants to hear people complain about things they knew about and had control over. That’s different from venting and you know it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But then why bitch about it ad nauseam?

FWIW, I had a career I loved, and I made pennies. I never complained about the pay because I knew what I was getting in to beforehand, and I knew it would never change.[u] I loved it regardless.

But for many teachers it has changed. The amount of paperwork, the number of students in a classroom, the number of learning standards, the number of hours of instruction, and the expectation that I'll spend my own money have all gone up, while my salary related to that of my similarly educated peers has gone down. This is true all over the country.

In addition, teachers advocate for change because they see the impact that teacher shortages, and high burn out rates have on their students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In addition to the above comments, it’s what they’re trained to do...it’s what they know and are presumably good at. What do you propose they do instead when their degree is in teaching?

That’s fine. But:

Why go to school to become a teacher when it’s common knowledge they are an underpaid profession? And then complain constantly.

If it is such a passion, then don’t complain.

Is this not true? I mean, sure teachers should make more, I agree, but they’ve been complaining about it since I was in school 20 years ago. Nothing has changed so the complaining has been for nothing. Tax payers don’t want to pay more.

So either be a teacher because it’s a passion, fully knowing you’ll be underpaid, or stop complaining.

Why be married if you're going to complain about your spouse?
Why buy a car and complain about traffic?
Why take a job and complain about your boss?
Why go to church and complain about the sermon?
Why vote in a President and complain about policies?

Honestly, you sound nuts. People are allowed to complain. You, as a listener, are allowed to disengage or tell people that you don't like listening to anyone complaining about anything.