I just started my first year as a teacher. I am a career switcher and came from the social work field. I must say...I would have never imagined the amount of work being a teacher actually is...I am a special education teacher so I have IEPs to write, cases to manage, and lesson plans to write for 8 different educational sessions. I have literally worked non-stop since I started. Teachers work at least 80 hours a week during the school year; therefore, the time off isn't really time off...it is comp time as far as I am concerned. I have worked for my summer off.

Anonymous wrote:These teachers are actually paid a decent salary. The cost of living is just too high and as such, most of you non-teachers are grossly overpaid. Its the truth.

This is truth.

Average teacher salary in Virginia is $43,823. Maryland's is $54,333 (http://www.teacherportal.com/teacher-salaries-by-state).

I think the issue here is respect. As a teacher, I would like a bigger salary, yes, but what I'd really like is respect. I constantly feel that others do not respect my job...that they think it is a 6 hour day for 9 months out of the year. They think it's such an easy job that they could do it. Maybe they could, but would they for the salaries offered to educators?

Everyone, please just take a look at this. Very informative for parents especially:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T8ovblvQM0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see any underpaid teachers on this thread. I also don't understand why you need/deserve accolades. Are doctors/military personnel this needy?

Umm...Doctors are living high on the hog the last I check so there's their accolade. Don't know about military personnel though.

I do. They receive shitty pay, put their lives on the line daily and you rarely hear them whining. Teachers need to relax with their saint act.

Please

There's ONE teacher who complained she was basically a goddamn saint.

I call BS.

There is no other profession that basically looks the other way when employees are paying for their own supplies and materials.

When I worked in an office, I'd look through the books to order what I needed. Of course, I had a budget, but there were always exceptions that were made if I needed to go over budget.

This "for the children" stuff is crap.

Again, what message are we giving the public if this "practice" becomes the norm?

Saint Pollyanna in the above posts is doing a disservice to all of us in the profession, and usually these types either burn out or live on Mac 'n Cheese forever.

I don't know about some of you, but I have a family to support. So my number one obligation is to them. And the way to provide for them is to be a PROFESSIONAL, which means having some self-respect, intelligence, and strong work ethic.

Without the self-respect, however, intelligence and work ethic mean nothing.

I'm confused. Which teacher was whining?

My brother is in the military. He has complained. And no, his life has never been on the line. He's only ever been stationed in the states and his job is 'behind the scenes'. Still important, but not life threatening.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see any underpaid teachers on this thread. I also don't understand why you need/deserve accolades. Are doctors/military personnel this needy?

Umm...Doctors are living high on the hog the last I check so there's their accolade. Don't know about military personnel though.

I do. They receive shitty pay, put their lives on the line daily and you rarely hear them whining. Teachers need to relax with their saint act.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see any underpaid teachers on this thread. I also don't understand why you need/deserve accolades. Are doctors/military personnel this needy?

Umm...Doctors are living high on the hog the last I check so there's their accolade. Don't know about military personnel though.

doctors are getting raped by lawyers due to malpractice insurance and obama care rules so no they aren't living high on the hog

Anonymous wrote:I don't see any underpaid teachers on this thread. I also don't understand why you need/deserve accolades. Are doctors/military personnel this needy?

Umm...Doctors are living high on the hog the last I check so there's their accolade. Don't know about military personnel though.

I don't see any underpaid teachers on this thread. I also don't understand why you need/deserve accolades. Are doctors/military personnel this needy?

Anonymous wrote:

Cut the sanctimonious BS. Early childhood teachers need amply supplied classrooms. That's the bottom line. You can't tell a five year old, "Sorry, we don't any more crayons until the administration figures it out."

The only sanctimonious BS is the BS coming from the poor mac and cheese eating teacher. All teachers need amply supplied classrooms. If you spend five minutes researching donations and grant writing sites, you can find funds to buy crayons. This whining from you about the poor five year olds is getting old.

Where was the whining?

I might be in the minority but I feel that certain school professionals in certain areas of the country are paid well. I am the poster with the doctorate who makes 80,000 in moco with 8 years of experience for a 12 month position as a school psych. I have excellent health benefits and god willing, a nice pension one day. I never bring work home after the school day. Classroom teachers and administrators generally have more stress and demands than related service professionals from what I observe. Public school teachers do better than private school teachers. Affluent areas pay much better than urban or rural areas. Most school systems in the south or midwest really pay peanuts. Teachers without strong unions also get hosed. Also, you really need a master's degree as those with only a bachelors are penalized on the salary scale.

Cut the sanctimonious BS. Early childhood teachers need amply supplied classrooms. That's the bottom line. You can't tell a five year old, "Sorry, we don't any more crayons until the administration figures it out."

The only sanctimonious BS is the BS coming from the poor mac and cheese eating teacher. All teachers need amply supplied classrooms. If you spend five minutes researching donations and grant writing sites, you can find funds to buy crayons. This whining from you about the poor five year olds is getting old.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a lawyer and work my tail off and don't make much more. Yet not one feels sorry for us.

Seriously? What kind of law do you practice? I figured in this area no Lawyers made under 3 fig's.

No, you're right. I believe all full time lawyers make more than $999 a year.

Hilarious

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a lawyer and work my tail off and don't make much more. Yet not one feels sorry for us.

Seriously? What kind of law do you practice? I figured in this area no Lawyers made under 3 fig's.

No, you're right. I believe all full time lawyers make more than $999 a year.