Do you think K-12 teachers should be paid more?

Question

I always hear people saying that teachers should be paid more. I also frequently hear people complaining about how low-quality teachers have become.

So, which is it? Are teachers underpaid, overpaid, or paid their fair value?

(By the way, I'm talking about the U.S.A. here.)

Answer

Well if you're going to pay crappy wages, for a profession that comes with nothing but disrespect, stress, long hours, and a total lack of support from the community, then you're never going to keep the people who are really good at the job.

It kinda baffles me that people justify high CEO salaries with 'we gotta retain the talent' but that somehow doesn't apply to the educators responsible for making future CEOs.

Answer

Underpaid. Teachers do a LOT and mean a lot to the children and families they serve.

Answer

It's hard to make a generalization across all teachers. I taught high school for a few years (my masters degree is in education), and some of my colleagues were amazingly smart and inspiring. Unfortunately, I think most of them were below average in intelligence and character, however. Many seemed to have "fallen into" the profession. Let's face it, education isn't really a difficult major in college -- some (not all) get the education degree because it's easy. Half of U.S. teachers come from the bottom third of their graduating classes (citation below before anyone jumps on me for this)! Our kids deserve better than that.

However, who knows, if teaching kids did come with a higher salary, maybe some of the brighter college students would be motivated to go into education.

(http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/13/opinion/13kristof.html?_r=0)

Answer

I teach PK-5 special education to kids of low socioeconomic status in deep south Texas. My students are either learning disabled, have severe adhd that impedes their learning or are autistic. I have a few 10 year Olds that I am teaching phonics to as they still don't know how to read yet. I have 3 children of my own, and I consider my students to be mine as well. These kids are often cast aside because they probably won't pass their state exams and even at this age they know when a teacher doesn't care about them. I taught 4th grade for 6 years before I ventured into Sp. Ed. and in this position I work with all grade levels and can see the dynamics of the school through a completely different perspective. As others have commented, there are those teachers who genuinely devoted to the profession, whereas there are others who seem to stick around for the paycheck and insurance benefits. It's really sad that 'crops' of kids are shortchanged when dealt with teachers like that. Could I get paid more? Sure, that would be great. Do I make more money compared to most others in the area? Yes, I sure do. Lol. Parents around here think teachers are rich! With 7 years experience I'm close to making 50k a year and I'm faring well for the demographic area. I can sleep peacefully at night knowing I do everything for my students, and am in this profession for all the right reasons. =)

Answer

Teachers put in less because there's such a small amount of motivation. I mean, they're expected to put up with other people's kids, help review for state administered tests without extra pay, are often expected to put in time for clubs, and watch us at lunch without expecting much in return. It must make one bitter when some asshole kid you put so much time in for turns around and insults or otherwise disrespects you.

Answer

I work in a rural district and honestly, I'm thinking about quitting. I love my students, but the disrespect is too much.

Answer

I can't believe that it's not 100% on paying teachers more. My mom is a teacher and she's basically a saint. Every day she would come home and have a terrible story about an insane parent who always thought they were right. If you do the math, if teachers got paid hourly the same amount that regular babysitters got paid, they would be making around twice as much as they do now. Sure some teachers aren't great, but most are, and they should not be punished for doing one of the most noble jobs a person could do. The way the United States handles teacher salaries is just pathetic.

Answer

When I was choosing a job, I originally chose teacher but then realized I would earn more in a daycare center!

Answer

This post and your comments made my day and made me smile! I am a teacher in the inner city. I am learning to love it but like some of you mentioned it definitely has its days (like any job). Pouring your heart into these kids day after day and then listening to them disrespect you or others just sucks. So thanks for the appreciation ladies!

Answer

I think that it's wrong that they not only hardly get paid anything, many get disrespected on a daily basis, I know many that have crappy benefits, and they're expecting some levels to go back to school and further their education with almost no incentive. They deserve more. Like I said to one of our family friends about the private school system in my area, you get out of what you put into it. If people put more time, effort and money into the system then they will put out better prepared individuals, then they have a right to expect more out of them.

Do you think K-12 teachers should be paid more?

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