^and just to add, I'm from New York State where all of my teacher friends who've been teaching as long as I have with master's degrees (which are required in NY) make about $60K, except they live in houses that cost $150k. That is why teachers in this area feel deprived- if I weren't married to my lawyer husband, I'd need a special mortgage in an income-capped condo building.

I have an 80% position in MCPS- I have a PhD in my field (not education) and 7 years of experience in the classroom. My full-time salary would be $58K, so I make $46K.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My teacher wife did the senisble thing and married a lawyer. And she works just as hard, if not harder, than I do.

That's not a compliment you're giving your wife.

Agreed. What a jackass, trying to sound noble to boot. UGH.

I don't get the resentment (I'm not the lawyer husband). He's saying (a) she's not paid very well, and (b) she works harder than him. He was trying to be funny about it, and maybe that failed - well it definitely failed from your POV - but I don't have any problem with the essential message.

Also- keep in mind that private school teachers (like me) earn less than publicschool teachers. As for the lawyer married to a teacher- I do NOT think he is a "jerk" for his comment. It is a reality that many teachers cannot live well off their salary w/out an additional income coming in.

Anonymous wrote:I know how much my child's teacher makes and I don't think she is underpaid. If you're not happy with what you're making, make a change. You made a choice. I'm so tired of hearing about this issue.

I find that women are the least supportive of teachers, and it boils down to the "child-friendly" schedule - or what appears to be child-friendly.

I usually hear from men the old "I don't know how you do it" line. They're always supportive; some even say that if money weren't an issue, teaching is what they'd rather be doing.

Women, sadly, are always conflicted over the childcare issue. Again, we make our choices, and while I didn't enter this profession thinking about summers or holidays, I'm now grateful I have them.

The job, although rewarding, is quite hard, but it's worth the sacrifice b/c I do indeed spend quite a bit of time with my children.

So money, in this case, was never a factor - before OR after kids.

Anonymous wrote:The mcps payscale used to be available online (still might be). My sister has been teaching in mcps for nearly twenty years and makes $90k. That's $90k for a ten month job plus lots of holidays that I certainly don't get. I mean, what other job gives you a week or so off at Christmas and Easter? Yes, her job is very demanding...but so is mine, and I work twelve months. Not ten. Teachers aren't martyrs. They have excellent health benefits and a pension.

You and your system must have a close and loving relationship.



Has she had the knife removed from her back yet?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know a MCPS teacher, with a masters degree in special education and 15 - 20 years experience, who makes about $78k in a full time teaching slot.

I have a masters +30, and I'm in year 17 b/c I I took two years of childcare leave. I'd be in the $90s if I stayed full time. I think the plus 30 really helps. Encourage this person to earn a few more grad credits! seriously!

Years of child care leave? In what other profession is that even an option?

I have no idea what other professions offer this. Europe, however, seems to be on the ball.

I took my sick leave with my first and then returned to work. With my second, I took UNPAID leave - with a guarantee that I'd have a spot waiting for me in the system.

sorry if you're upset over this - But that's not my fault. I picked my job just as you did, and while I have my complaints. I also recognize the perks - summers off, holidays with my kids, and with my PT schedule, the ability to do school pick ups.

YOU chose your job; I chose mine. And I'm a career-changer. So don't complain to me. Look in the mirror first to figure out what your problem is. But don't blame teachers. We work hard enough to educate YOUR children.

The mcps payscale used to be available online (still might be). My sister has been teaching in mcps for nearly twenty years and makes $90k. That's $90k for a ten month job plus lots of holidays that I certainly don't get. I mean, what other job gives you a week or so off at Christmas and Easter? Yes, her job is very demanding...but so is mine, and I work twelve months. Not ten. Teachers aren't martyrs. They have excellent health benefits and a pension.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My teacher wife did the senisble thing and married a lawyer. And she works just as hard, if not harder, than I do.

That's not a compliment you're giving your wife.

Agreed. What a jackass, trying to sound noble to boot. UGH.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know a MCPS teacher, with a masters degree in special education and 15 - 20 years experience, who makes about $78k in a full time teaching slot.

I have a masters +30, and I'm in year 17 b/c I I took two years of childcare leave. I'd be in the $90s if I stayed full time. I think the plus 30 really helps. Encourage this person to earn a few more grad credits! seriously!

Years of child care leave? In what other profession is that even an option?

Anonymous wrote:Teachers have the option of making their pay either 10 months or 12 months. It is a reasonable salary in this area for the profession. They also get lots of other perks that other gov't workers don't get. No empathy here. You choose the profession. Just like any other profession, if you don't like it, leave!

I don't agree, although I'm not even sure what "reasonable salary for the profession" even means. I make $130K with a master's degree as a fed. Most teachers with masters are making 1/2 that. This doesn't sound reasonable to me.

And as for your lack of empathy, I suppose you just can't imagine why anybody would choose to help others over money. The other interesting thing to note is that teachers are not the ones doing the complaining on this thread, it's their spouses and the parents of their students, like me, who are using words like "underpaid." I think it's a loss to all of us, because clearly there are people who think like you do and just want the money.

Anonymous wrote:Teachers have the option of making their pay either 10 months or 12 months. It is a reasonable salary in this area for the profession. They also get lots of other perks that other gov't workers don't get. No empathy here. You choose the profession. Just like any other profession, if you don't like it, leave!

No other profession (govt. or private sector) has the task of educating the next generation. We're ALL affected by this, even those without kids. So you better get your head out of your rear and hope that teachers receive the pay and respect they deserve. Otherwise we'll be left with garbage for teachers!

Some counties/districts may have the option of spreading out the paycheck over 12 months. Mine does not. I usually save my tax refund to live off of in the summer. I do have to do a lot of tutoring though to make ends meet. It is a decent salary but not in metro areas. It is just too $$$ to live in the DC area on $50K with kids. People mistakenly think that teachers have no childcare issues b/c they have the same hours as their kids. My kids go to the before school program at their school b/c my school starts much earlier than theirs. My schools gets out earlier but I usually stay until after 5pm to prep for the next day/week and go to a zillion (mostly unnecessary) meetings. I bring grading home and do that after the kids go to bed. So I pay for the before and after school programs which isn't cheap. I am not complaining though b/c I am happy to have a job and decent healthcare coverage. It took me years to get into teaching. We lived very on mac and cheese for a few years while I subbed in order to get my foot in the door.

I know how much my child's teacher makes and I don't think she is underpaid. If you're not happy with what you're making, make a change. You made a choice. I'm so tired of hearing about this issue.

Anonymous wrote:Teachers have the option of making their pay either 10 months or 12 months. It is a reasonable salary in this area for the profession. They also get lots of other perks that other gov't workers don't get. No empathy here. You choose the profession. Just like any other profession, if you don't like it, leave!

And they do. Burnout is high and the churn does not benefit our kids.