Over Paid. That's Me!

It has become very clear to me over the past year and a half or so that many people consider educators to be grossly overpaid.  This was never the case in the history of education as most begining teachers with families are working slightly above the poverty level.  It takes a minimum of 3 years plus 1 day to attain tenure, that cursed word, and anywhere between 13-25 years to reach maximum on the salary guide.  Many teachers have or may be required to have Master degrees and many have 2 or more Masters.  If one achieves a Master degree, one can expect to be paid $1000-$3000 more per year.  It might take 10 years to pay that Master degree off.  For many it is not an option due to financial constraints.  Exactly how much does a teacher get paid per ten month contract.  Please remember it is a 10 month position that is slowly easing it's way up to an 11 month one.

So what is the salary, you ask.  It depends on the school district.  Go to Alabama and check out those salaries.  One will get a real shock.  I can really only speak for New Jersey.  I do not know exact figures because, again, it depends on the school district.  Every public employee's salary whether active or retired is available on line.  In NJ enter the state government site and you will be directed.  As an about figure, inner city teachers may average around $60,000 if they have been working  8 or 9 years.  At the top of the guide, after 2 Master degrees and 15-20 years of service a teacher may make $100,000.  That is a lot of money for putting up with crap from kids, parents, administrators, secretaries and custodians while trying to give those kids an education.  In smaller districts with a less unruly population to serve, a teacher with the same qualifications might make $80,000 a year.  Combat duty pay is what it is called when you have the courage to enter that inner city crime area and risk not only your life or limb but your car.  Lot's of little kids like to play throw rocks at the teachers cars as they are leaving for the day.  Once in a while as you are walking on the campus you may get hit with ice balls, snow balls or even a stray or maybe not so stray(who knows)bullet.  Maybe a book flying out of a third floor classroom might land on your head or car windshield.  If your car is damaged on school property, you will not be reimbursed your deductible.  Worse yet, once the car insurance company finds out you park in a school parking lot or on an inner city street, you are in line to have your premium doubled.  Rather than have that happen, many employees pay for the damage out of pocket..  After all, they are paid such  high salaries and can afford to repair their 5-20 year old cars.  As you climb the salary guide you are thrown, like it or not, into a higher tax bracket and social class.  As you move through life, no matter what your altruistic motivations, one wants to have a nice, safe place to live.  Purchasing a house or condo is part of the American Dream almost all college grads want including those grossly over paid teachers who generally are far behind their non teacher peers in saving up a down payment.  After spending between $100 and $1500 or more of their extra money each year on supplies they need to teach, they complain they do not have money to put away for that down payment.

to be continued.....