Comments on: Is An Elementary Teacher’s Pay Really That Bad?

By: Is An Elementary Teacher's Pay Really That Bad? | IgHive

Is An Elementary Teacher's Pay Really That Bad? | IgHive — Mon, 04 May 2015 12:38:41 +0000

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By: Patricia

Patricia — Sun, 20 Oct 2013 18:27:15 +0000

I worked in GA for six years and NEVER once paid for any of my supplies. I now work in PA (in my 7th year) and have spent $14,000.00 in school supplies and learning aids. That may seem unreal to some but I can assure you it is the sad truth. I work with low income students and NO budget. I do it because I want these children to have tools to work with and items that will promote learning. The government reimburses very little, too little to even mention.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 19:02:25 +0000

1. As noted by many, teachers are not paid for 12 months. They are paid for their work year, although they may choose to be paid over 12 months;
2. Many if not most teachers are required to continue their education during their summer free time;
3. Many others have summer jobs of one kond or other to supplement their overpaid professional careers;
4. As someone noted, many teachers supplement their classroom needs out of pocket;
5. Everybody knows how to “do school” because everyone has spent about 12+ years IN school. Being on one side of the desk is far different from being on the other.
6. There’s more to say, but this is enough for now.

By: Mary

Mary — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 12:34:05 +0000

Teachers do not get 2 months off with pay. This is misleading. We bank our pay to get paid over the summer so we can get paid 12 months per year. I would love to see doctors, nurses and even lawyers do this and see how they survive? We choose to take less pay over the school year so we can get paid over the summer, it is called a contact. We work 190 days out of the year. Remember there are weekends during the year that even well-paid professionals do not work.
Who else has to pay for their continued education? DOCTORS? NOOOO!! WE DO!
Summer is the time when we work other jobs to make ends meet. Take college courses to keep certified. Where I work there is no pay back for the college courses. That is from our own pockets.
What about school supplies that we have to provide? Every year I suppy about $1,000 or more in school supplies? Who reinburses me for that? NOONE!!
In addition, what about furlough days that are occurring all over? WE have a contract but they are still not paying for those furlough days. So we get less and less money per year? How do you expect a teacher to SURVIVE?
In fact without a teacher most doctors, nurses, medical field people, CEOS and even lawyers would not exits today becuase teachers have taught them to read, write, do mathematics etc…
We need more pay and I hope the day comes when people realize what teachers do. We not only teach, we set-appointments, we file, we use technology, we are always receiving staff deveopment with no credits, meet with parents and other community members after school hours, email information even after school hours and do paper work after school hours.
My friend and I figured out all the hours that we spend doing everything that most other professions do not have to do and we earned 14 centers per hour. Would a doctor, dentist, vet, lawyer and or CEO settle for that? NOOOOOOOOO!!!!
It is time society woke up and smelled the coffee and realized that teachers are underpaid. WE DESERVE THE SAME PAY at DOCTORS, CEO’s LAWYERS and other well paid people get.

By: Sue Castaneda

Sue Castaneda — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 14:58:54 +0000

I like your response.

By: Sue Castaneda

Sue Castaneda — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 14:57:03 +0000

Teachers do NOT receive paid vacations or holidays. Teachers are paid for the number of days that they work. If they work 180 days that is what their pay reflects. Nothing more. Teachers work on their own time, are expected to pay for their own supplies as well as ensure that ALL of their students regardless of ability level master grade level concepts. Teachers work with children and provide them with skills are preparing them for life. I think that the pay does not meet the demands required of teachers.

By: J. Brandon

J. Brandon — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:24:27 +0000

WE ARE NOT PAID FOR THE SUMMER. We used to have the option of getting checks for 10 months or 12 months, the 10 month checks being larger. The infographic at the top of this blog does not get its point through effectively. If I was in charge of a school furniture company, I WOULD NEVER EVER EVER have put such a thing on my blog. Way to go! I’m sure you have lost many customers.

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 16:34:18 +0000

I taught for 7 years (high school English) before receiving a reduction in force and finding work elsewhere – teacher pay is far better than anything else I’ve been able to find. And it’s not just summers off – the time off at holidays and spring break, etc., etc., also have to be considered. “I desperately need the time off” makes it sound as if teachers have a more difficult job than other professionals out there – not at all – it’s just the rest of us have to push through and be content with our 3 weeks off during the year. Teachers make an annual salary – they have contracts that say they only work a certain number of days during that year. How those days are spread throughout the year is up to the district and union to negotiate.

By: Al

Al — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 20:58:56 +0000

We can have our 10 month salary divided by 12. We do 12 months of work in 10. We do not get paid leave. You and so many others are misinformed. I’m with you Joyce! Please make that clear as soo many people think we are paid for 12 months. Look at it like this, let’s pretend that a year is 14 months long. Now take your 12 month salary and divide by 14. Big difference! If I take my salary over 10 months my monthly pay is much larger, but I have no income for the summer months. So, I either work over the summer for needed income or I choose a lesser monthly pay and have my check divided into 12 equal payments. Don’t forget that over the summer I’m trying to get inservice so that I can renew my certificate.

By: David

David — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 18:23:09 +0000

As physicians and other professionals acquire additional training their salary typically increases. Not true for teachers.

Teachers are paid for 10 months of work, nothing more. The fact that some teachers receive their pay over 12 months is not only unpaid leave, it is an interest free loan to the school district.