I have several relatives who are teachers, and in fact, if I had to do it all over again, I would have selected that as my profession as well. As someone who works in the private sector, I can't help but get annoyed when a teacher-friend or relative complains about how underpaid they are.
It seems that in many states the starting salary is anywhere between $35-50k. I don't believe that includes required health insurance premiums, and definitely doesn't include required union dues (whether you choose to be in the union or not-another time, another thread), but when compared to the private sector, that's a pretty damn competitive starting salary depending on the nature of your work (not to mention the good retirement/pension system many have in place).
When you consider that K-12 teachers are also getting a couple months off in the summer, another 3 weeks for Christmas/Spring Break, their salary starts to look pretty high. I've discussed this many times over, and at least anectdotally the teachers feel like they are underpaid, and deserve that time off because their job is so tough. To me, there aren't too many stressful jobs I'd turn down if I could work 180 days a year, and have year round benefits.
I don't take this position to undermine one of the most important jobs out there, but do you folks think teachers are underpaid, overpaid, or paid just about right. Me personally, I think their salaries are about right, if not on the high end, when benefits are included.
(Again, I'm talking K-12. I know dmaul is in the university system, and I don't know much about their career paths or salary structures, so I'm not talking about higher ed)
It seems that in many states the starting salary is anywhere between $35-50k. I don't believe that includes required health insurance premiums, and definitely doesn't include required union dues (whether you choose to be in the union or not-another time, another thread), but when compared to the private sector, that's a pretty damn competitive starting salary depending on the nature of your work (not to mention the good retirement/pension system many have in place).
When you consider that K-12 teachers are also getting a couple months off in the summer, another 3 weeks for Christmas/Spring Break, their salary starts to look pretty high. I've discussed this many times over, and at least anectdotally the teachers feel like they are underpaid, and deserve that time off because their job is so tough. To me, there aren't too many stressful jobs I'd turn down if I could work 180 days a year, and have year round benefits.
I don't take this position to undermine one of the most important jobs out there, but do you folks think teachers are underpaid, overpaid, or paid just about right. Me personally, I think their salaries are about right, if not on the high end, when benefits are included.
(Again, I'm talking K-12. I know dmaul is in the university system, and I don't know much about their career paths or salary structures, so I'm not talking about higher ed)