Teachers around here don’t make that much. They are more around 26 to 30k

i agree but teachers tend to overlook how good they actually have it. Besides making difference in students lives (if you’re passionate), you are technically off from june-aug (june-sept in some school systems), and the only time you have to go during the summer are “staff developments.” You get to teach the same thing, and you’re home before 5 or 6 most of the times with weekends off! If that doesn’t help then the benefits a teacher receives and retirement are pretty much parallel to none! Honestly i think teachers come out WAY too good considering what they’re complaining about! That’s just me though!

Actually, many teachers do work in the summers, and even more significantly, many hold down another job during the school year. Creative, good teaching is exhausting. Teachers often have more homework than their students. Yet, they “moonlight” to make up in the discrepency in income for the amount of education they have had to become certified and qualified to teach. Doctors and lawyers can charge fees to help them to pay for their own education debts; teachers get what their school boards give them.

Teachers are professionals (at least that’s what they tell us). But we are not treated that way. We do what we can with what is given us–your children. I prepare lesson plans that are exciting because we are not allowed to lecture anymore. Kids will get bored, they say. We correct papers (for myself, that’s 150 students per day). I compute grades, counsel students when they need it, help out with extracurricular activities, fill out state reports, advise the Senior class, advise the Newspaper reporters, advise the finances for the Yearbook, and do career guidance. I teach 7 classes a day, with 5 preps. I maintain a room of 35 computers, troubleshooting every day. I have meetings to attend, a personal development plan which I must complete each year, and cover classes when there are no subs.
I never complain until I read an answer like above that we are overpaid, and have 3 months off….absolutely not true. I have about 8 weeks off in the summer, unpaid. I had to pay off college loans from going to school for 8 years on a salary that started at $12,000. Yes, I’m at the top of the scale right now, and I deserve it. Just like anyone else who does their job well—from the service worker up to the CEO of a company. Walk a mile in my shoes!

what vacation time do I get? I was grading papers on thanksgiving day!

With your 148 leading questions – you may have more time than I.

No “job” for me is possible – because on my vacation where I am sipping by the pool:

I have to go to school meetings, rewrite curriculum, tear down and rebuild my classroom, continue my education (already have a masters – but had to pay for and attend a UCLA math course this summer) meet and plan with department, grade level and team, plan the science fair, order and restock curriculum consumables, plan for a new prep, read 90 student records to plan for any needed enrichment or remediation, attend textbook selection and department selection comittee meetings. and the pool of course…

I have a list of 20 things I did not have time enough for. Do you think that those of us who work at home – teachers, journalists, writers…are on “vacation” because we have no where to clock in? I worked more than you! i will pit my work load against anyones.

But apologies, I did not get into this profession to have a flexoff. I am here to help kids realize their hopes and dreams. because you cant see it, makes no difference to me – but I’ll tell you what – most people can only dream of having a calling – it has nothing to do with the hours on or off the clock.

If I indeed had the time you suggest – I wouldnt look for a “job”.

I would be teaching.

because of the fact they work so hard during the school year that they shouldn’t have to get a second job, they deserve to be paid more without getting a second job