High Paid Teachers

[teach1027]

This was sent to me in an e-mail. Read it and Smil;e.


I, for one, am sick and tired of those high paid teachers. Their hefty salaries are driving up taxes and they only work nine or ten months a year!

It's time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do...baby-sit!

We can get that for less than minimum wage. That's right...I would give them $3.00 dollars an hour and only the hours they worked, not any of that silly planing time.

That would be $15 dollars a day. Each parent should pay $15 dollars a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now, how many do they teach in a day..maybe 25. Then that's 15x25 = $375 a day. But Remember they only work 180 days a year! I am not going to pay them for any vacations. Let's see... that's 375x180= $67,500.00
(Hold on, my calculator must need batteries!)

What about those special teachers or the one's with master's degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage just to be fair. Let's round it off to $6.00 an hour. That would be $6 times 5 hours times 25 children, times 180 days= $135,000.00 a year. Wait a minute, there is something wrong here!!

I think so, but I like their way of thinking.

[Chef Dave]

Hah-hah ... I appreciate the humor of your post.

The sad thing is that this actually reminds me of my teaching experience in Beirut, Lebanon. I spent a year working at an elite private school back in '98-'99. During that time I met a number of public school teachers. I was shocked to find that public school teachers in Lebanon were so poorly paid that baksheesh or bribes were a way of life.

You want your kid to have a textbook? You pay.

You want your kid to sit in the front of the class? You pay.

You want the teacher to actually teach your kid? You pay.

There was a very strong socio-economic deliniation between the haves and the have nots in Beirut.

Public school teachers were so badly paid that use of baksheesh was necessary for them just to make a minimum working wage.

[mopar]

Wow! Can we take bribes in the US. That would really help make a living.

I have heard this babysitting pay before. I wish we could make that. It would be a whole lot easier of a job. No teaching required from us. We would just have to watch the kids. Who's going to start that school?

[Chef Dave]

Wow! Can we take bribes in the US. That would really help make a living.



I'm sure there are teachers who take bribes. Here are a few accounts I found via google. Keep in mind that these were the ones who were caught. I can't help but wonder how many teachers aren't caught.

In 2006, a Florida PE teacher was charged with six counts of receiving bribes. She allegedly told her middle school students that if they gave her $1, they could sit out of class and receive full credit for participation. In another report on the same story, the assistant superintendent said that this woman may have been taking in as much as $600 a week!

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/07/national/main1482698.shtml

Also in 2006, a college computer teacher accessed student records and inflated grades in exchange for bribes of $200 to $2500. He was charged with grand larceny.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12072006/news/regionalnews/bribe_teacher_degraded_regionalnews_.htm

In 1996, a New York high school teacher was sentenced to 6 months in prison and fined $2500 for taking a student's bribe in exchange for giving a passing grade. The teacher is said to have demanded $290 for a passing grade. The student reported the teacher and Mr. Cotton was convicted on charges of receiving bribes, falsifying records and official misconduct. Mr. Cotton, whose salary was $62,331, was also placed on probation for four and a half years and was required to perform 500 hours of community service.

[mopar]

I wasn't really serious. I just thought that it was funny that some teachers really do take bribes. Its just not part of the American education.
I would like to get paid like I have a degree though. Most with a bachelor's make far more than the starting teacher and its just ridiculous.

[Chef Dave]

Having worked in the private sector, I will point out that teachers are being paid for a 9 month work year. Nobody in the private sector has anything remotely like the vacations that teachers enjoy.

When I was a restaurant manager, I got Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day off. I also got one week of vacation per year.

In contrast, teachers have 4 days for Thanksgiving, 2 weeks for Christmas, a week for Spring Break, various 1 day breaks, and 3 months off for the summer.

Part of the reason I got out of the food service industry and returned to teaching is that there's less on the job pressure (depending upon what you teach and where you teach). I have weekends off. I have a better holiday schedule and once I nail down my curriculum, I'll be able to work 50 hours or less a week.

I am fortunate that even though this is my first year as a chef instructor, my district has recognized my Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. They've also credited me with 10 out of 17 years of experience.

[mopar]

Yes teachers work less days in the year. But many times we put in more than 40 hours a wee and receive no credit for it. We are also expected to set up our classroom and clean up our classroom without getting paid for it. So yes, we may work less days, but often we don't work less hours. And our vacation is set, whereas most people in the workforce can choose their vacations.

[javamomma]

and 3 months off for the summer.


I wish I knew where you worked! I only get paid for the 190 contract days I work. The others day are off without pay. Think about it.... Your pay is divided into 12 paychecks. That is why you get paid holidays ect....

I get off in June 1 and return to school mid August. That is in addition to 4 inservice days in the summer that are required and any other days that are "recommended" to us.

I am not complaining, I love my schedule and vacations. But it irritates the heck when people say "You get paid holidays, paid vacation" ect...

[Chef Dave]

Yes teachers work less days in the year. But many times we put in more than 40 hours a wee and receive no credit for it.

When I was a restaurant manager, my contract stipulated a 50 hour week. I typically worked a 70 hour week because of staff shortages or other problems. I didn't get paid overtime for all the additional hours I worked any more than teachers get paid overtime.

On top of that, I sometimes worked night shift followed by opening shift. Night shift closed the restaurant at 9 PM but as the closing manager I had to complete end of shift paperwork that typically kept me at the restaurant until 11 PM. Opening shift required me to be at work by 5 AM. By the time I got home, I got about 4 hours of sleep since I had to be out the door by 4 AM.

There is no doubt that most teachers work hard - but so do people in the private sector ... and if you're a manager, you don't have the benefit of overtime like the hourly employees.

I wish I knew where you worked! I only get paid for the 190 contract days I work. The others day are off without pay.

I never said that I got paid for summer vacation. My new district has credited me with 10 of my 17 years of experience and my Master's degree gave me another step increase on the salary schedule.

As my needs are small, I can actually live on my salary.

If I needed the work, I could easily find a part time job. Since I am a chef instructor, I could always get a job in the food service industry. I could also teach a culinary arts course for Eastern Arizona College.

Insofar as I don't need the money, I plan to complete certification requirements for my renewable 6 year CTE teaching certificate.

[mopar]

A lot of teachers do have part time jobs. But trying to sufficiently plan and work a second job is rather difficult on the family life. Then throw kids into the mix and its very difficult to get ahead.

[javamomma]

I know that the private sector works just as hard, it just irritates the heck out of me when teachers are catagorized as having it "easy".

[ginger11]

I don't have any kids yet. Right now my 2 dogs are my kids. I am a second year teacher and I am still trying to organize myself. I couldn't imagine if I have kids yet.

[leafy seadragon]

No worries ginger11, you'll be fine. I have five kids and I think it helps my teaching. Anyway, if you can keep two dogs well fed, watered, exercised and happy (not bored) kids are no problem. I swear my cocker spaniel is way more work than my kids, who over the years have grown up and learned to look after themselves. Toby alas, has not.

[ginger11]

Well my cocker spaniel is about 5 years old. Our lab is 17 weeks old. I work harder to keep them apart because she hates him. With getting married in June and him being 26 and me 25 I know he wont wan't to wait too long before we try to have kids.

[Bananas]

Even though contracts serve for the specified number of days, it is often a fallacy that teachers enjoy the breaks and summer months off. Many teachers are taking courses and workshops during these off times to further their education. Books come home for the professional reading. Materials come home for revision, reorganization, and improvement. The work continues for many.

Our mutt is 15 years old and still shows his bursts of energy and barking to let us know he is still here. He can't hear much anymore, but he sure is quick on his feet when he sees an opportunity to swipe some people food!

Children vs. dogs? They each have their own quirks and assets. A dog's schooling of obedience school is much cheaper than college for the kids. They ask for so little and give so much in return.

[ideapreneur]

How many of you guys have 2nd jobs? Have any of you considered starting a part-time business that wouldn't require too many hours to help supplement or diversify your income during throughout the school year and the summer-time?

[busbus]

How many of you guys have 2nd jobs? Have any of you considered starting a part-time business that wouldn't require too many hours to help supplement or diversify your income during throughout the school year and the summer-time?

I got a job one summer because I wanted to do something else besides taking classes. That job became my second job throughout the year for years.

The money that I made on this second job, supplemented my salary as a teacher. It helped with car and insurance payments, my gas, plus it gave me extra spending money. What I liked most about the job, besides making the extra money, was the fact that as time went by, I created my own hours and still maintained my salary.

I must admit, I was very fortunate. I was able to take classes and not be penalized. I took mini-vacations and was not penalized. It was a plush job. When I finally gave it up, I knew that it was the right time. There was little work for me to do. And, truly, I did not feel right to earn my regular salary for doing work that could be done in a few hours in one day, even though I was encouraged to stay.

[Chef Dave]

How many of you guys have 2nd jobs?

I don't have a 2nd job at this time but could easily find a job in the food service industry if I really needed to. I could even teach culinary arts for our local college. Since the college doesn't have a culinary arts department, previous culinary arts instructors at my school have gotten permission from our district office to use our high school culinary arts department.

When I was a much younger teacher I actually had two part time jobs in addition to my full time job as an elementary teacher. I drove a school bus before and after school. I also taught adult community education classes at night. My work day began before dawn when I reported to the transportation department to pick up my bus. It ended long after sunset at 10 PM.

[Lollie]

I know that the private sector works just as hard, it just irritates the heck out of me when teachers are catagorized as having it "easy".

Why can't the private sector get it through their mushy brains that we only work 9 months a year and we're only PAID for 9 months! they're spreading out 9 months of pay over 12 months. IRRITATING!

I've been looking for a way to supplement my income and just as i started PRAXIS was taking applications for scores...it's online from home. Sounds cool NOW but we'll see what happens.

[MsCoffeeLover]

How many of you guys have 2nd jobs? Have any of you considered starting a part-time business that wouldn't require too many hours to help supplement or diversify your income during throughout the school year and the summer-time?

Last year I did some after school tutoring with an independent and local tutoring company. Just a few hours a week brought in an extra four hundred bucks a month or so. I also did Mad Science. They have local chapters all over the place. One year I also taught summer school, and that gave me more money that I previously thought I would earn.

[ideapreneur]

I see this all the time with teachers who want to start or grow a part-time business, they have to first overcome the pre-conceived notion that they don't necessarily have it "easier" than corporate America; It is ok though to view your summer as a unique opportunity (time currency) not a hindrance)...I think the summer time is a huge plus for any teacher willing to take the entrepreneurial route.

[Chef Dave]

Why can't the private sector get it through their mushy brains that we only work 9 months a year and we're only PAID for 9 months! they're spreading out 9 months of pay over 12 months. IRRITATING!


Have you ever worked full time, year round in the private sector? Yes, teachers get paid for 9 months. Teachers also get a week off for Spring Break, four days for Thanksgiving, a couple of weeks for Christmas and various one day holidays.

Do you know what the average food service employee gets in terms of vacation? We get one week per year. We also work weekends and most holidays.

Is it any wonder why I left the restaurant business and went back into education - this time as a chef instructor of a high school culinary arts department?

My old restaurant contract required me to work a minimum of 50 hours a week. Since I was under contract, the general manager typically had me work 10-20 hours extra per week for which I was not paid. On average I worked about 65 hours a week.

In contrast, as a chef instructor, I typically work from 5 AM to 4 PM. I work a 55 hour week and rarely have to take work home. (There is a DEFINITE advantage to not being a core academic teacher and teaching an elective class that's limited to no more than 15 students per class).

A teacher's job isn't easy but make no mistake ... few people in the private sector have vacation schedules as lavish as those of teachers.

As for nine months pay ... if you want more income get a summer job ...

As for myself, I'm really looking forward to this summer. It will be nice to have 3 months off. I haven't had a summer vacation since I was an elementary teacher seven years ago.

[teachercbelle]

Having worked in the private sector, I will point out that teachers are being paid for a 9 month work year. Nobody in the private sector has anything remotely like the vacations that teachers enjoy.

When I was a restaurant manager, I got Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day off. I also got one week of vacation per year.

In contrast, teachers have 4 days for Thanksgiving, 2 weeks for Christmas, a week for Spring Break, various 1 day breaks, and 3 months off for the summer.

Part of the reason I got out of the food service industry and returned to teaching is that there's less on the job pressure (depending upon what you teach and where you teach). I have weekends off. I have a better holiday schedule and once I nail down my curriculum, I'll be able to work 50 hours or less a week.

I am fortunate that even though this is my first year as a chef instructor, my district has recognized my Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. They've also credited me with 10 out of 17 years of experience.

You then, Chef Dave, should be laughing all the way to the bank. Tell me, when you were in the food service industry, did you:
- run into your customers who had to tell you what you've done wrong the last time they were with you?
- worry about your customers?
- spend hours on the phone working with the parents of customers who didn't "pay"?
- spend your own money for books for your customers to use?
- spend your own time in meetings for your customers?
- spend your own money taking classes to learn how to better serve your customers?
- spend time working on things to inspire your customers to succeed and participate?
- spend time after your work day was over working on what your customers left?

I thought not. I earn every day I have off, sir, and I take umbrage (no, it's not a spice, look it up) at people who transferred into this profession who still think that I have no reason to gripe because of all of the "vacation time" I have as a teacher. When the CEO of a major corporation has to go through what I go through during most weeks, then I will think they have earned their money. Until then, stay quiet and enjoy your money.

[Chef Dave]

Tell me, when you were in the food service industry, did you ...run into your customers who had to tell you what you've done wrong the last time they were with you ... I thought not. I earn every day I have off, sir, and I take umbrage (no, it's not a spice, look it up) at people who transferred into this profession who still think that I have no reason to gripe because of all of the "vacation time" I have as a teacher.

What is the point of asking me questions that you already have the answers for?

Why did you feel it was necessary to explain the meaning of the word "umbrage?" Does my culinary arts background somehow make me less educated than you?

I have three college degrees including a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. How many do you have? C'mon, fess up. Who is more educated?

As for being a "Johnny come lately" to the field of education, I think you should know that I was an elementary teacher for SEVENTEEN YEARS before I left the field of education to get a culinary arts degree and enter the food service industry.

How many years have you taught? Have you taught longer than me? Notice that I am not answering my own question.

I have taught in five different states and in three different countries. My teaching experience includes rural, surburban, and inner-city public school districts as well as international private schools. Is your teaching experience more diverse than mine?

Having now spent a total of 18 years in the classroom, I believe that I am surprise-surpriseactually entitled to my opinion.

As a younger teacher I moonlighted to help make ends meet. I drove a school bus before and after school. I also taught adult community education classes. I literally reported to work at 6 AM, had a half hour break for lunch, no break for dinner, and didn't get off work until 10 PM.

If I was lucky, I got home by 11 PM just in time to get six hours sleep so that I could get up at 5 AM and start my day all over again.

I have PAID my dues. I've been in the trenches. Have you ever worked a full time year round job in the private sector? Have you noticed that I continue to have the good manners to NOT answer my own questions? That's because this isn't a monologue. It's a dialogue. Try looking up the meaning of "dialogue" in one of your college level how to teach language arts textbooks.

So if you think your income is insufficient for your needs, why not do the same thing I did when I was an elementary teacher? Get a second job or leave the field of education and seek employment in the private sector.

Do you seriously think that teachers are the only people who have it rough? Oh please ... :eek:

"Boo-hoo-hoo ... I have to spend my own money on supplies and books ... I have to spend HOURS on the phone ... I have to take workshops ... my life is so hard ... I'm overworked and underpaid and I think I'm entitled to a nice long vaction because my job is soooooo rough ..."

http://www.jsd.k12.ca.us/bf/teachers/Metz/website/images/random/crying_baby.jpg

With regards to vacation, you have the option of either enjoying a three month summer vacation or getting a job. Spare me your histronics about whether or not you're actually entitled to a vacation because I've already been there and I've already done that.

I have been a University security guard, a free lance software programmer, have worked in restaurants and supermarkets, and have worked as a desk clerk at a motel to help make ends meet as an elementary teacher during summer vacation.

Anyone who goes into the field of education is hopefully doing this with eyes wide open regarding pay and benefits.

If you don't like it ... change professions ... or get a part time job. It's that simple!

P.S. If you're looking for a part time job, try taking your "my life is so hard" monologue to a comic club. Private sector employees will laugh their heads off. I kid you not, your list of for instances nearly made me fall out of my chair laughing. I really thought it was a wonderful example of dark humor. :)

I'm actually being quite serious, though I don't expect you to believe me. I think you have a hidden talent. You're really quite funny. How then can I possibly take "umbrage" against a person who gave me my best laugh of the day?

P.P.S. With regards to having been told to "be quiet," Walter Bagehot once said, "An inability to stay quiet is one of the conspicuous failings of mankind." :)

[Chef Dave]

I just got a PM asking me whether or not my PS was intended as sarcasm.

To answer this question, I thought teachercbelle was hilarious. If I have to explain why, you either don't appreciate dark humor or you've never worked at a restaurant.

Look at it from my point of view.

teachercbelle shared a whole list of "for instances." It was clearly her intention to have me read the list and quail from the sheer length and depth of this listing. I was supposed to gasp and say, "Oh my goodness ... I never realized how hard teachers had it."

The thing is after reading through the list, I started to laugh. I couldn't help myself. I mean, THIS was supposed to be an AWE INSPIRING and TERRIBLE listing of teacher responsibilities that was supposed to have me quaking in my shoes? :)

I was underwhelmed.

It was like watching a gun fight in which the guy with the massive bulge in his jacket was found to only have a pop gun.

As intimidating as this listing was supposed to have been, I could have made a listing that was even worse ... and that's why I thought this posting was funny.

The fact that teachercbelle thought she was being serious made this even funnier. All Chihuahuas take themselves seriously but to everyone else, they look and sound like frenzied little yap-yaps. :) No offense intended ...

http://www.tishasharp.com/archives/chihuahua.jpg

"Be silent thou horrid man! Quail before our awe inspiring list of teacher responsibilities. Admit that we are entitled to a long vacation or suffer our wrath! Grrrrr ... grrrrr ... Bow before our temper for we have taken 'umbrage' and knowst thou that 'umbrage' be not a spice! Admit thou the error of thy ways lest we 'cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war; that this foul deed shall smell above the earth with carrion men, groaning for burial'"

:)

[Bananas]

At least this started out as a warm fuzzy thread. :)

[Chef Dave]

At least this started out as a warm fuzzy thread. :)

I take umbrage with this comment. Chihuahuas are very warm and fuzzy! :)

I challenge you to a duel!

Bicycles and croquet mallets - AT DAWN!

P.S. Did you know that "umbrage" is not a spice? :)

En garde!

http://www.themountainculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/duel.jpg

[Bananas]

Chef Dave,

I will have you know that Bananas was parts poodle, terrier, and chihuahua on his mother's side. His father was some unknown rogue who jumped the farm fence, but clearly had good hunting instincts. Bananas could bark a lot, like present Zacchaeus, but both hold the territorial instinct as important. Bananas was truly a unique, hyperactive dog.

Mr. Bananas bought me when a poster of two chihuahuas hugging when we were first married. It said "It's you and me against the world." Can't find it online, but it was so cute. Chihuahuas are yappy and soft and cute and warm.

Bicycles and croquet mallets at dawn? Quite a bit of snow needs to melt before that can happen. :)

Yes, I did know that umbrage is not a spice. An it is Mrs. Umbridge in the Harry Potter book.

[Chef Dave]

I will have you know that Bananas was parts poodle, terrier, and chihuahua on his mother's side. His father was some unknown rogue who jumped the farm fence, but clearly had good hunting instincts. Bananas could bark a lot, like present Zacchaeus, but both hold the territorial instinct as important. Bananas was truly a unique, hyperactive dog.

When I was a kid, I had a Lhasa Apso. It wasn't a yap-yap dog but it sure was poofy. My mother found her while visiting a Tibetan refugee camp in Nepal. We named the puppy, "Yum Yum," which is Tibetan for "girl."

I enjoyed growing up with Yum Yum ... but I now have cats and like my cats even more.

Cats don't need to be bathed. They don't need to be walked. They can even entertain themselves ... though I take umbrage when they claw my furniture. :)

My cats all greet me with raised tails when I come home. They're all quite affectionate and I am constantly amazed at how different each cat's personality is.

Bob (the bobcat) is a Manx. Manx cats have no tails. Bob is a little runt of a cat but he's got a heart as big as a lion and is the "alpha male" by sheer force of personality.

His brother, Jasper Baby, is a poofy looking cat who looks like a stuffed toy. He's painfully shy and hides from strangers.

Charlie is my adventure kitty who thinks he would make a great outdoor cat. The word "danger" is not in his vocabulary and he can't conceive of the peril formed by dogs, passing cars, or other cats.

Scraps is a cat that I rescued from under my neighbor's porch in Pennsylvania. He was abandoned as a kitten and was near death from starvation when I found him. Since he gobbled down every scrap of food I gave him, I named him Scraps. Scraps has grown into a huge twenty pound cat. He's the biggest cat I have ... but as big as he is, he's even more cowardly than Jasper. For reasons unknown, he's especially afraid of sneezes. The sound of a sneeze will send him diving out of sight - usually under a bed or sofa.

One of the neatest things about my cats is that they don't bark. They're not annoying little yap yap dogs who are in love with the sound of their voices.

My cats only talk when they need something. They make different sounds for "feed me," "play with me," "pay attention to me," and "what's that?"

[Bananas]

Funny how some folks are cat people and others are dog people. It is in knowing what you want in a pet and what will fit the needs of your family, as well as what an animal will need in the people. I enjoy the constant companionship and interaction. Ours will bark some, but he warns us all the things he perceives as threats to us. With most of the family members being extroverted and being pretty active, a dog needs to be extroverted to hold his own. If he gets too yappy, the word muzzle works wonders. :)

[DanaPendarvis]

Boy some of you really have it good. As a paraprofessional, Teacher's aid, for those of you who do not know what that is. I get paid about $490 every two weeks, the 15th and 30 of every month. like clock work. I pull up to 50 students a day on a one to one bases and am still expected to work the morning bus lines, a lunch duty, and parent pick up in the afternoon. But I have the satisfaction of knowing that the work I do every day is helping kids read better and faster. I have several students that I am having to come up with things for them to do because they have completed sections of the Great Leaps book I use with them. What a wonderful life. I am also a deacons wife teach Sunday school and help with the youth group, children's church, and nursery, and the only pay I get is to see the kids get baptized or that they answer my questions correctly. I just love my life.

[Bananas]

And that is being successful! Welcome, Dana! I am a pastor's wife and a special education teacher.

[wtrafton]

Interesting read!!! It's all about perspective and individual experiences. Some comparisons are hard to make. We have many choices to make in life and I believe we NEED to feel happiness and success to make it worth it.

[jsfowler]

This is cute. I am a 7th year teacher with my Masters. I have 2 children. I just finished putting my husband through college and beyond. He has a great job and now I feel we are living the life. It is not as much as what many people make, but to us it is a lot. I am glad we went through the rough times (money wise) because it has taught us to manage our money. We are going on vacation for the first time since our honeymoon - beach house in Gulf Shores...here I come!