Many people do not understand that teachers work long hours. They think that teachers work shorter days and have more holidays than anyone else. In reality, most teachers work long into the night and on weekends. Plus, summers are often spent planning curriculum and attending classes. Your points are well taken.

Many people think teachers have longer holiday than other workers, but teachers never stop thinking about the next material for the students. They are at home, but their thoughts are at work. with low salary, how could they manage their children? family? vacation well?

I'm a Spanish teacher and although the conditions of our work are different (we, teachers in public schools, are civil servants in Spain)our problems are the same. Years ago we used to be highly considered by the public in general and families as key members of the community and highly respected (but not so well paid). Things are changing quickly and we are getting rises in our salary ( My salary is 60 euros or $87 a day with just a three years career), but our social consideration is the lowest in years. Yes, I think teachers have to be well paid as Education and Education workers are basic for the future of a country. But you are right, we bring our work home. We don't disconnect. Our work doesn't end with the bell. And people don't always understand that. So, in America as in Spain I hope we could both earn a digne and fair salary and the respect we deserve.

Although teacher's may only have a Bachelor's Degree, we are continually attending workshops, training, and district education in order to continue our education.

You make it seem like once we have that degree we never go back to school. That is simply NOT the case. We are also REQUIRED, in Texas, to attend so many hours of professional development.

Although teacher's may only have a Bachelor's Degree, we are continually attending workshops, training, and district education in order to continue our education.

You make it seem like once we have that degree we never go back to school. That is simply NOT the case. We are also REQUIRED, in Texas, to attend so many hours of professional development.

We must care enough about our profession to lobby for what we deserve both by way of compensation and quality training for those entering our field. People tend to believe that "anyone" can teach. So, as the states continue to allow Colleges and Universities to provide "slack programs" for modified ceritfication requirements, we hurt our image in the public and we hurt students in the classrooms. No wonder they don't think they should pay us much.

Teachers used to be able to just teach. Now, we are expected to teach, council, nurse, and parent. More and more is expected in the assessments of students which leaves less time to cover the basic curriculum. As for all of our "time off"- it's hard to remember the last time I went home for the weekend or left for a vacation without thinking about what I would be teaching when I returned or what class I was supposed to sign up for to cover the new subjects. I sometimes think it would be nice to let someone who thinks teaching is so easy come into the class for a week and see how well they can handle everything. Remember, there are rules we need to follow and expectations we must meet and we have to keep control at all times.

And you think that you are not well paid? You couldn't survive with Mexican salary..... Our Salary, being an English Teacher (TESL) is 40 dlls a day and from that amount we have to pay taxes. So we are receiving like 21 dlls a day. BUT I REALLY LOVE MY JOB!!!!!! And is that or nothing!!!!

I am a teacher in Australia and we are constantly fighting for better conditions. Mind you though we seem to have a slightly higher median pay rate. we get the dame comments as everyone else: you have it so easy, you work a 6 hour day 5 days a week and have twelve weeks holiday a year. But then when we have parent helpers (when!!) they soon realise it is not so easy and comment "I don't know how you do it".
I have a Bachelor's Degree, a graduate diploma of Arts and a graduate certificate in Religious Education. I work in a Catholic school and am required to complete a certain amount of Religious education professional development a year as well as trying to keep up with the rest of the changes.

At age 52, I just earned my BA in English in 2005 and completed two whole years including summers to get dual licensed in Elementary Ed and Special Ed. I stayed home with my kids for many years and then worked in Administration in higher ed for several years. But my heart's desire has been to teach.
I have spent more than $45,000 in student loans and worked full time while going to school except for the last two years because of student teaching requirements. I have been told that the first three years of teaching I will have no life outside of teaching, professional trainings, and classroom preparation. Besides that I have to spend my own earned money to buy classroom supplies as they only give each teacher $200/year for supplies. My salary starts at $33,000/yr. and that doesn't include the benefits I will be getting which are really, really good.

Obviously, I didn't get into this for the money. I'm not getting into this because I'm hoping some miracle is going to happen and politicians on both sides will stop lying and stand on their word about giving raises to teachers. I knew when I went back to school to teach that I would not be earning a lot of money as a teacher and would get into a lot of debt. There are a lot of professions such as ours where people work grueling hours and get little pay. I know because I'm married to one.

I thank God I am finally able to work and get a paycheck doing something I love to do. I could be doing something I hate and getting thousands more dollars.

It's a good thing to ask for more money. I think teachers do work terrible hours for the pay they get, but why keep complaining about it and hoping for something that is never going to happen. They knew that teachers were paid low wages when they went into teaching. It was their choice to still pursue a career in teaching. This complaining about teacher wages has gone on for years and years. I know, because I've heard it for 52 years. Be thankful that we get to shape the minds of future generations and all it costs us is our lives and our treasure that we're laying up in heavenly places where moth and rust cannot destory them.
What a great way to live!!

I am a teacher in Western Australia. We have to have a four-year University degree (B.Ed.) to teach primary or secondary school students. It costs in the vicinity of $17-$20 to obtain this degree. We are currently 'negotiating' with our State Government for a raise in pay and conditions, but all the old vitriol is spewing out from both our Employer (State Gov't) and the public about the 'great' holidays we get and the 'six and a half hours per day we work'. Until the public appreciates and respects teachers, no teacher will be paid even HALF their worth. How can we hope to bolster our image when even our Government paints us as unworthy??

Teachers are the only professionals who will work for $35K a year. On top of that, why do we tolerate everybody and anybody second guessing every detail of our day? Teachers used to be highly respected. We must not be so compliant that our reputation as a professional is undermined.

After teaching for 34 years I am at the end of my career as a classroom teacher. While I remember well the days of low pay I cannot think of anything else I would have done any differently. I do have one observation to make. If I had funding to do the things I would like to do in my classroom or to provide my students with necessary materials to learn, then I wouldn't have to spend personal funds.

I'm a Romanian teacher.I have a same problem.My salary, after 13 years is 500 euro.I must work with 300-400 students/week and I teach logic, psihology, economy, philosophy and more.I ought to council,to nurse. I work 47-50 ours/week in school and sometime I work at home, because I manage a program for students who need more atention (they are so good, they read and write and our sistem cannot help them) and in summer I study for professional development.

I teach in San Diego Unified--need I say more? Im in my 30th year of teaching and am appalled at what our district is doing in the name of the budget cuts perpetrated by our famous governor. While Los Angeles (far larger than we are) laid off only a handful of people (and no teachers) and Long Beach (third largest district in CA) managed to save every job, San Diego just fired over 600 VETERAN teachers (those who have taught over 2 years). And they will probably raise class sizes in third grade. And they've laid off many counselors and school nurses. And they've cancelled summer school for grades K-4. But don't worry--we've been assured that they will not be cutting anything that will affect our students. (Did I mention that our new superintendent will be hiring 14 "chiefs" to help him. Minimum salary for these positions? $121,000 to $149,000--enough money to fund 40-50 new teachers.) I am embarrassed and disgusted!

The other thing that impacts salary for teachers is the amount of money they personally put out for their classroom and students. As a special ed. teacher, I not only put out money for classroom resources but to purchase incentives for my students as do many gen. ed. teachers. I am fortunate that my husband makes a good salary and I am retired military. Most teachers not only work full time as teachers during the school year, but take a summer job to make ends meet.

I am a product of an Alternative Certification Program. I have a Bachelor's And Master's degree in Speech, however, I never got certified until recently. I too, thought teaching was too easy until I got in the classroom. Boy did i get an eye opener. Although I love what i do, i did'nt realize that it was going to take so much out of me. I never stop. Even when I am off, it keeps going and going.

So for those of you who think that teaching is just something easy to do? think again.

I think it is sad when a teacher has to work two jobs to make a decent living. Many teachers stop teaching in the first 5 years because because of the long hours, grading papers, attending evening events, and writting lesson plans. Teaching is one of the most respected and important occupations and should be rewarded for their dedication and hard work. I also think that we need a lot more parent involvment in low income schools. Together we can all be a success.

I find amusing the fact that it is implied that 59% of these teachers are JUST at a BA degree.

ALL states require further professional development for certificate renweal and JUST a BA for education.
I don't know many doctors who earn the degree for their ocupation and then are expected to further their degree and continue doing the same job with little or no compensation for furthering their degree. They too take professional development and update classes but don't go back to work for a chance at a National Dr License.

The public does not realize that when they say that we have the summer off or 2 weeks at Christmas or spring break that we are only paid for 187 days and that our pay is spread out over a year, that we are not paid for 365 days like other people. When you figure up the hours that a teacher works grading papers, taking care of her classroom, preparing lessons, faculty meetings, schoolboard meetings, etc. above the regular classroom time, you are looking at maybe $2.00 an hour. Why do we pay the athletes millions of dollars and so many of them are bad role models but teachers, policemen, soldiers and firemen that teach and take care of our world are paid nothing in comparison.

When I was a little girl, I always dreamt of becoming a teacher. I felt that a teaching career would offer me the chance to properly raise my children and spend more time with my family. Boy was that far from the truth! I have worked harder longer hours as a teacher than I ever have in any other job. My work days are usually 10 - 12 hours long with all the grading, parent communication, meetings, etc... Yes, I get planning time, but it usually goes like this, 1 hour a day that actually equates to 40 minutes because you have to transport students, take parent calls, and handle problems that started in the morning because that was your only free time! And summers? Forget it! I have to work every summer to supplement my salary in order to maintain my bills throughout the year. The sad truth is that teaching is a calling and not a profession. If you're called to do it, think about yourself and your family before answering that call. Then ask yourself is it worth it.

The comments in Bob's blog as well as those posted by readers are reality. But I must also draw attention to the Early Childhood Teachers who have even less respect and lower salaries than teachers in higher grades and or public school. The young child has so much potential and with opportunity for positive, constructive and developmentally appropriate support and enrichment early in their lives they can continue to progress competently in their educational journey. Early Education also offers earlier identification of children needing remedial attention socially and cognitively at a crucial time in their lives.
I strongly believe the educational and larger social community needs to loudly express awareness and appreciation of this group of Early Childhood Educators who also put in long hours and have high energy demands and work loads.
I have my sixth year certificate and two state teacher certifications for N-3 and deaf education. I teach this level because of my belief in the importance of the young child. I do not receive a salary close to what I am probably qualified to receive, and I do not have opportunities for pension or great benefits.

I am one of the first NBCT's, ENS,in Orange County, Florida. As I contemplated the process and even before-, I constantly asked myself, "Why must I prove, again, that I am a competent teacher in my areas of expertise(read: certification)?"
I have just embarked on my 39th year and I have seen alot of changes, but sadly, NOT in the area of remuneration. In Exceptional Education, where I have worked in the last 19 years, the paperwork has increased 5-6 fold and the students have become that much more complex with an additional "explosion" of children/students with some form of Autism/ASD. In addition, the advent of Bush's NCLB legislation has increased the stress/workload of all teachers and administrators.
Everyone demands more, but the compensation-, respect-, ability to move into supervisory/leadership roles-,and the ability to affect change, have been steadily decreasing and, sadly, I do not encourage prospective students to enter the field of education. Apparently other teachers feel the very same way because it appears that it is increasily difficult to find teachers in certain subject areas such as: exceptional-, mathematical-, and science education.
The general public, state DOE's and local Boards of Education need to recognize that quality education does come with a price tag and they need to be prepared to "step up to the plate" and deliver!

I am interested in information regarding salaries basedon grades and performance. Also articles and info where "bonus" systems are in effect. thnak you

Embarrassing doesn't begin to describe it. Recently in Missouri our State Teachers Association lobbied for a minimum teachers salary of $31,000.00. Missouri is 42nd in the nation in teacher pay. The response from our legislature? Teacher pay is for teachers and does not benefit students! How sad, and devalueing of persons whose lives are spent nurturing and preparing our children for the future.
Consider this, many employers will pay for continuing education for employees even if the degree they are seeking has nothing to do with their jobs. Teachers, already underpaid, are required to continue their education with no financial assistance. As far as obtaining an advanced degree, the salary increase for an Master's degree amounts to less than 3 hours of graduate credits cost. I didn't get into teaching for the money. I teach because it is my passion and I don't believe there is a more important job or cause in the world. Still, it would be nice to be compensated relative to other professions.

How right you are! I have often heard it said that teachers only work from 8-3. What a crock! I spend numerous hours planning, grading, and assessing student lessons and work. A good friend of mine recently apologized to me. He said that he was one of those people that thought teachers only worked from 8-3, he did not realize how much time and energy we put into teaching. I live in West Virginia, we are at the bottom of the pay rate scale. I don't know if higher pay would keep teachers teaching, but it couldn't hurt. I would simply like the opportunity to educate students and parents as to the realities of the teaching profession. We don't stop when the bell rings, and summers are not just "time-off to play". Quality educators are always learning new techniques to use in the classroom. Learning NEVER ends.

Teachers are paid far too little for the time required to get the "job done". Many primarily hold a four year degree only because going back for a masters degree is another expense that must come from a teacher's already low pay. The economy of today places a teacher's salary at poverty level which is useless, unless there is a second income from someone else in the home.

Enough said. Who would want to spend $60+ thousand for a degree to teach? Payback is hard based on a beginner's salary.

Teachers are paid far too little for the time required to get the "job done". Many primarily hold a four year degree only because going back for a masters degree is another expense that must come from a teacher's already low pay. The economy of today places a teacher's salary at poverty level which is useless, unless there is a second income from someone else in the home.

Enough said. Who would want to spend $60+ thousand for a degree to teach? Payback is hard based on a beginner's salary.

Let me put NCLB requirements in a perspective that people can understand and that shows how ridiculous it is:

No Child Left Behind - The Basketball Version

1. All teams must advance to the Sweet 16, and all will win the championship. If a team does not win the championship, they will be on probation until they are the champions, and coaches will be held accountable.

2. All players will be expected to have the same basketball skills at the same time and in the same conditions. No exceptions will be made for interest in basketball, a desire to perform athletically, or genetic abilities or disabilities. ALL KIDS WILL PLAY BASKETBALL AT A PROFICIENT LEVEL.

3. Talented players will be asked to practice on their own, without instruction. This is because the coaches will be using all their instructional time with the athletes who aren't interested in basketball, have limited athletic ability, or whose parents don't like basketball.

4. Games will be played year round, but statistics will only be kept in the 4th, 8th, and 11th games.

5. This will create a New Age of sports where every school is expected to have the same level of talent and all teams will reach minimal goals. If no child gets ahead, then no child will be left behind.

I read with dismay the comment about "slack programs" for certifying teachers. I was a top student in my bachelor's degree program, but had no interest in becoming a teacher because none of my teachers had seemed happy or well paid. After many years of working in the private sector, and at the urging of my family and friends, I applied for alternate certification as a teacher. Thirteen years after I graduated with my BA, I tested for certification, and most of my scores were in the 90th percentile. At that time, our state required a score of 70% to be certified, so I was clearly more knowledgeable about my subject areas than many teachers who had just graduated with education degrees.

I became a teacher, excelled in my field, obtained my M.Ed. degree, and now coach other teachers in my school district. While "alternate certification" teachers do need assistance to adjust to the education world, after reading the term "slack program" for this doorway to teaching, I now understand the unhelpful attitudes and downright unfriendliness I have sometimes met since becoming a teacher. Please don't criticize your colleagues in this time of educational crises and teacher shortages until you truly understand the reasons that brought them (back) to the education world.

Many factors have contributed to the loss of prestige teachers have experienced. When many teachers send home letters to parents and other materials filled with spelling and grammatical errors, it may be that students and parents don't see teachers as the knowlegeable lifelong learners they used to be, nor do they believe teachers when they say that a good education is the only way to success in life, when teachers with master's degrees and doctorates receive the poor pay we see in many states around the country.

The vast majority of teachers are bright, caring, and dedicated people, whether they obtained certification the "normal" way or not. We need to support each other, not point fingers at other teachers.

Teachers must learn and manage curriculum delivery "best practices"; individualize instruction and implement accommodations to meet FAPE/goals for students with an IEP; collaborate/meet with special needs, related arts, grade-level colleagues and parents repeatedly throughout the year; assess instructional outcomes, coordinate high-stakes testing, and address AYP, regardless of the obstacles that must be overcome. And they have "recess" duty all year round, because school isn't all work and no play! Many give their lunchtimes to monitor homework labs that provide alternatives to failure. Few professionals are controlled more stringently by outside influences and still give as generously of themselves, so that others might succeed. It takes many school years and summer classes to build the mastery skills needed for excellence. Teachers deserve our support, respect, and fairer wages commensurate with the importance of their task -- empowering young minds for a brighter tomorrow. We all depend on them!

Teachers must learn and manage curriculum delivery "best practices"; individualize instruction and implement accommodations to meet FAPE/goals for students with an IEP; collaborate/meet with special needs, related arts, grade-level colleagues and parents repeatedly throughout the year; assess instructional outcomes, coordinate high-stakes testing, and address AYP, regardless of the obstacles that must be overcome. And they have "recess" duty all year round, because school isn't all work and no play! Many give their lunchtimes to monitor homework labs that provide alternatives to failure. Few professionals are controlled more stringently by outside influences and still give as generously of themselves, so that others might succeed. It takes many school years and summer classes to build the mastery skills needed for excellence. Teachers deserve our support, respect, and fairer wages commensurate with the importance of their task -- empowering young minds for a brighter tomorrow. We all depend on them!

It's after 4 and I'm waiting while one of my gifted students works on an overdue project. I've had a conference with her mom, said 'Hi' to the little sister, and answered phone calls about a field trip and e-mailed the second grader's mom about his project. A teacher's job is not just teaching. It's mentoring, placating, planning, organizing, and rearing kids. I've been helping to rear soldiers' kids at Ft. Benning, GA for thirty one years now. Before I retire, I may well teach a second generation. I love my job, but I wish I could afford a vacation this summer.

Many people think that teachers do nothing and sit around until paid day. Teachers must be always alert before,during, and after class. Many do jobs that are not in their contract. Teachers have holidays and longer summers, but during thses times many or not all teachers have a second job, teach summer classes , tutoring , and traking care of students that do not care about school. I bet that there many people that have never in their lives be in a school as a volunteer and see have students behave

I have had a standing offer for the last twenty-one years: I will write the lesson plans, I will prepare the materials, I will even sit in the room, come teach my class for a day. So far no takers.

Talk about embarrasing salaties here in Puerto Rico the starting anual salary is about 16,000 in the public school system. I work in a private school and my take home pay is 1,064 a month. The school janitor makes more than I do and he didn't finish school. How can anyone go for a Masters Degree on this salary. Many people down here also think that the teachers job is over at 3. My first year I got about 5 hours sleep per night and Saturdays were spent preparing for the following week. I love to teach.

I'm hearing a lot of dedicated and underpaid teachers here. Lots of work and not enough pay. I'm a parent and I want to know where all you guys are. I have a 2nd grader with an IEP, whose teacher this year was "teacher of the year" for our end of the state. Obviously a great teacher. But I didn't see any of what you guys are talking about. She didn't come to any of the IEP meetings. She didn't provide my son with basic things for any student---days and days went by and her most struggling student didn't read at ALL at school. I asked to see any reading assessments. None for the whole year. Lots of things just didn't get done. She was very, very busy giving speeches all over the state. She is a former Reading Recovery teacher and KNOWS how to teach reading. What's up? I have not "made a stink" with her because I don't want to be a problem parent. I can't say I would consider her underpaid, but maybe she is. Maybe the teacher loads have gotten so bad that we are squeezing actual teaching right out of the profession!

I would like to tell all the teachers who's comments appeared on this space- how wonderful they are. Without them students from all over the world would be lost.
So do not give up!, go ahead and keep working as professionally as usuall. Teaching is a field of endless rewards and inner happiness. CONGRATULATIONS!

To me is so patetic that teachers are not able to get what they really deserve. It's true that us teachers love to teach and change lives forever;however, it is unfair that this is the main profession of all. Who doesn't remember at least a good teacher that they had.
Many people do not understand that teachers work long hours and they have to pay day cares or simply bills like everybody else. Here in Texas if you really want to have a good retirement you need to really save a lot because towards the end of your career as a teacher you would not be able to afford all your medical bills, it's sad but it's reality. I think if most teachers united and ask for more we would be able to make things change and many politicians would start doing something. Hey!! Who does deserve a good salary at the work really should pleased you TEACH.

I know that I chose to become a teacher and feel thankful each and every year that I am asked to return to my teaching position. However, I don't know if it's a 7year itch or burnout when it comes to how I feel lately. I love what I do with the kids, but the demand on paperwork has increased and even though I want to conquer every aspect of my job successfully, I feel very drained. Yes I too wish I could go on a vacation or simply enjoy my "off time", but am totally consumed with anything that has to do with being a teacher. I'm always doing school stuff and truly wish I had a job that I could leave at my job. I will say this much though, it is good to know that there are other people out there who share the same feelings, because now I don't feel so bad or inadequate.

I know of no other profession that requires you to work an extra hour after your regular shift, but only pays you about 1/2 your regular hourly rate. Yet that is what happens every time I have to tutor a group after school. I am "required" to do it. Yes I could say no, but I might not have a job the following school year, since I would be showing myself as not willing to do my all for the sake of the students. I end up tutoring from the beginning of October to the end of April, usually 3 days a week. Of course, we can't tutor on Monday, because we are required to stay after school for a faculty meeting. I love my job, am willing to do my all for the sake of those students, but sure would like some respect to go along with all my hard work. I don't need parents second-guessing me, and telling me that if I was doing my job correctly, their precious little one wouldn't need tutoring. These comments come from a parent who is too busy to come to a parent conference, or help their child at home. I am expected to be a miracle worker, and am vilified when I can't do it. Sigh. Just venting.

What is going on in the public schools is terrible. I am a teacher with 15 years experience and a Master's Degree + who has had success as a teacher. I took some time off to have a family, and I am now having difficulty obtaining a job at the salary I deserve. Most recently I was able to obtain a position for 3 years, but was not given tenure unless I was willing to take a different position at a lesser salary. In fact, all of the experienced non-tenured teachers were let go and replaced with inexperienced, brand new teachers. These practices are poor, and the schools are failing because of this!

It's been a long time since teachers were underpaid here in CT.

I don't have the time to get into it now, but I'll spend a few minutes...

Frankly, I'm a taxpayer sick and tired of teachers complaining about their pay and benefits. (And the extra hours they "work".)

In small town America, the education budget is the biggest consumer of tax money, and the biggest consumer of that budget is teacher/administration wages/benefits.

Pay increases apparently haven't increased student intelligent levels- how many of them can find Canada (much less China) on a map?

Do you expect me to feel pity for a teacher who has to work "extra hours" correcting papers in the convenience of their home?! Be real.

When I'm maintaining my landscaping equipment, should I bitch that I'm not getting paid?

Yes, you have an easy schedule... come clean, folks. Look yourselves in the mirror and take an honest look. Snow days, vactaions every 8 weeks, Christmas, summer, etc etc.

To the teacher w/ the 21-year "challenge" and no takers- I'll switch w/ you anytime you want. :>)

teachers are the heart of every career!you can't be succesful without passing through the learning process.

I decided not to retire when I reached the usual retiring age. I love my job. I call on all you disgruntled teachers around the world to come and teach here in the Northern Territory in Australia. By the way, at my school the teachers tend to work part of the weekend, and most of standdown, and some of our vacation, and take work home too. Did I mention that we usually have teachers in the school before seven o'clock in the morning? And sometimes until ten thirty at night? My school has an art teacher, two ESL teachers, half a Special Ed teacher, an Indonesian teacher and a Physical Education teacher. No teacher librarian. Only 550 students. But on the other hand my employer pays for any courses, my laptop, etc. If I worked in a bush school I would be provided with free housing. Come and join us and work so hard your family will hardly know who you are. Look up the salaries on the website!!!

Where to start? Okay, to the gardener - You maintain your equipment outside of your paid time if I read your comment correctly. Well, I'd dearly love to have the equipment to maintain! My students are supposed to have access to a computer - yes, there is one in the library. The class has a turn at it for 45 minutes a week. I have classroom materials and supplies given to me by the school - yep, one box of crayons per student and 3 pencils a year. Beyond that the students or I (working in one of the 10 lowest per capita income communities in the country it is usually I) must provide. One ream of paper per month. That makes one page a day for all (not each) subjects that my students may use. No mistakes allowed.

Forget the underpaid teacher, I'd like to have the tools necessary to do my job.

Wait, no. Don't forget that underpaid teacher yet. After I had been teaching 12 years I was offered a job as a trainee at another job. I was sorely tempted because the starting pay, as a trainee, was more than I was making as an experienced teacher.

The problem with the undervalued teacher is that there are not many people out there who are willing to attempt to keep a room full of 25 to 40 youngsters attentive and listening 6 hours a day 5days a week. The students are with us for those 6 hours, the rest of the time we spend is to prepare so that time will be spent in effective activity, not simply keeping control.

I started in this profession in 1968, at a time when I had a husband and didn't need to make enough to live on. Luckily we saved early on, because I'm now about 2 years away from retirement, a widow, and wondering if there will be enough $$ to maintain the home I've had for 30 years and pay the bills (frivolous things like medical insurance, electricity and water).

Gotta go now. The students have gone home and the meeting to plan for interventions with those who are not progressing well is about to begin. Last week it lasted until 4:30. Sorry, I won't have time today to write up that extra assignment for your child.

Wow - how's this for light summer reading? And, take note - it is summer and what am I doing? I am checking out resources for my new class for the next school year. What can I find - what might I do differently - what new ways of proving I do my job can I incorporate - are there new network connections I can make? Heck of a fun summer! And of course, this morning I got all my paperwork together to take down to the Department of Ed to get my certificate renewed, plus add on my new Structured English Immersion certificate (required now). I had just finished my last class for this certificate the week after the kids left my class. Luckily I already have an Early Childhood Endorsement or I would have to get that now too (I teach K). I don't think I will go for the Reading Endorsement - I took all those classes in college and have no desire to pay extra money to take the same course over again.

I, like so many others, did not go into teaching for the money. I really don't know anyone who did to be honest. And it's not money that really concerns me - although please don't take that to mean that I wouldn't GLADLY accept an increase. What concerns me is the lack of respect and the enormous amount of extra work required of teachers (and I am not talking about grading papers, etc. I consider that part of the job). I am talking about extra meetings, on OUR time, extra committees, on OUR time, evening and weekend "required" appearances (all in the name of community building) on OUR time!!!! And then add to that teachers who are required to do lunch and playground duty and do not get compensation for it. Schools have to pay an aide - why should the teacher not get that extra funding as well then?

I have been in education for most of the last 30 years of my life. I have taught from preschool through Community College levels. I have watched the amount of testing we do with children go up, and the test scores do not necessarily follow. We need to let teachers get back to teaching.
Teaching is a hard enough job without all the extra stuff and that includes having to parent the parents!!

Teachers teach because it's what they do and what they love. But, more and more teachers - good ones - are leaving the profession due to burn out. I saw a recent statistic that said the average time for new teachers to last is five years. Ouch! My nephew had 12 subs this year in the last quarter of one of his classes - how do you learn in THAT environment?!

So...if the world is not ready to pay us the BIG bucks that we deserve, just let us teach. Respect the jobs that we do and help provide the tools for us to do the job (instead of making us use our own funds). Do it for the kids - and they are the ones that should count most.

I have just the article and then the most of the posts. I agree with what others before me have said. After some thought I decided that I needed to make a comment. My school year ended 2 weeks ago and since that time I have had a total 3 days off. I attended a professional development workshop for 5 days and then another one for 3 days. There is rarely a day that goes by during my summer break that I am not reading up on some new research in education or making plans for the new school year.
People are always complaining that we have so much time off. Well, I sat down and compiled some figures. I went back to school after my children were a little older and I have been teaching now for 11 years. I also have a Masters Degree in Reading.
Now I would like to compare the number of days I work with someone I know who works in the private sector. I am working my figures with working days...5 days per week.

Okay now--- My yearly days 196
The examples yearly days 260
The example has 6 weeks vacation for a total of 30 days. He also gets 2 weeks off at Christmas for a total of 10 days. So let's see I figure his real yearly days are a total of 220. For those extra 24 days a year that this person works he gets an additional $23400. a year. Wow, almost a thousand dollars a day. This person works 8 hours a day.. My paid hours are 7 3/4 hours a day.
The example person does have a BA degree but no further degrees. The example does not have to attend professional development, does not bring work home, and never stays late to finish any work.
With this in mind, I ask myself, how are they coming up with teachers' salaries? I did not go into teaching to become wealthy. But I know that I have become rich. Rich with knowledge, with hugs, and the feeling that I make those jobs that make more than I do possible.
I would just like to be treated like we are professionals. There was an article in my local newspaper a few years ago when we were going through salary negiotiations. The person said teachers didn't need a raise because they were overpaid as it is. The person said that all we were was "glorified overpaid babysitters". Has he noticed the price of daycare lately. Let me see, roughly $150 a week for fulltime times 25 kids...I wouldn't mind that kind of salary a year.
And then there is this NCLB. I need a secretary just to keep up with the paperwork.
Respect us and let us teach.

IT IS OFCOURSE IN THEORY THAT A TEACHER'S MIND IS EXPECTED TO WORK EVEN WHILE HE IS WALKING, TALKING, SLEEPING AND ALL. BUT HOW MANY TEACHERS DO IT. TO MY MIND, AN AVERAGE TEACHER DOES WORK IN THE FIRST YEAR ONLY FOR PREPARATION OF THE LECTURES AND MOSTLY MUGS UP AND REPEATS THE WHOLE THING MUGGED UP IN THE FIRST YEAR TILL THE REST OF HIS WORKING LIFE. THIS IS ATLEAST IN SOME OF THE UNIVERSITIES IN INDIA. I MAY BE WRONG.

It all goes back to the days of slavery, If blacks would have just realized the power the had through numbers and strength, they would have realized that they could have over taken their captors by sheer force! The same applies to teachers! Imagine school systems around the world with no teachers to teach the children! "Hummmm!" Maybe then someone will listen and respect what it is that we do!

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