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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I went from teaching in public to teaching in private and am willing to answer honestly, but I also want to challenge some of the assumptions in this thread:

1. I initially made less in private school, but that was mostly due to the differential in health insurance cost. I am not paid in "lockstep" with teachers who have the same number of years of experience anymore, but that also means that over time I negotiated a far better salary. I make more in private now than I would have at the equivalent step in public. That is case by case.
2. That said, I only could take that initial cut because I have a much higher-earning partner. It was an inconsequential part of the decision for me.
3. I never looked back. Part of the value of private school is that 99% of my time goes to direct teaching and addressing students' needs. I'm not watching a series of dumb training videos that have no bearing on my work.
4. I have more flexibility to innovate and do what's right for kids. My hands were often tied when I was in public school. I don't need an IEP to give a child the right accommodations.

Now for the false blanket statements, at least from my perspective in a DC independent school, not a Catholic school:

1. My peers are not less qualified, though many are not certified. Think about it for a moment. I'm certified because I had to get certified to work in a public school, but that certification process has very little to do with what I bring to my school. I was a career changer with extensive experience in my field. I'd been working with children in other capacities my entire life. I have several graduate degrees and a passion for what I teach. I went to top 5 universities for both my undergraduate and graduate programs. When I changed fields, I went back for certification at a local university that accepts everyone. It was just a means to an end. The quality of that program was abysmal. Yet it gave me the piece of paper that allowed me to apply to public schools. It did nothing to improve my teaching. Everyone ends up learning things like behavior management on the job, anyway. There are excellent teachers in both settings, but independent school teachers' contracts are re-upped annually. If you're terrible, you won't be passed around the system; you'll be terminated. My colleagues now (and again, there are good and bad teachers everywhere) may not be certified, but they are incredibly intelligent, well-educated people who want to be there. So many of my former colleagues are riding it out until they have enough years to collect their pension. I hope to stay at my school for as long as they'll have me. 
2. Yes, the workload is lighter in an independent school, at least with regards to extraneous duties and number of preps you have to do, as well as the number of students in your classes. But many independent teachers still put in long hours because they don't feel like time punchers. It's their choice as long as they're doing their job well. You can pick up extra work in both settings for a stipend, ie coaching.
3. Sometimes the kids are all higher-achieving, better-behaved etc., but that isn't true for all schools. Given the economy, some schools have loosened standards without adding appropriate supports, so buyer beware. Look at how well their support programs are staffed.

Ok, that's my 2 cents. I'm aware that I'm very lucky that I get to work by choice and love my job. I probably would have stayed in public if that differential had made a substantial difference in my life, but that wouldn't have benefitted anyone's kids, because I was miserable. Never underestimate the importance of happy teachers to a school's overall culture. [/quote]

This is a great response.[/quote]

Yes thanks for this.[/quote]

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