after sitting through a two hour faculty/staff meeting this morning and having much of the discussion be about budget reductions for education, I was feeling a bit down.
This made me feel better:
"What Do Teachers Make?
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.
One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He
argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best
option in life was to become a teacher?"
To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher,
Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"
Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You
want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)
"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner.
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents
can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.
You want to know what I make? (She paused again and looked at each and
every person at the table)
I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't
everything.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given
brain, not the man-made calculator.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to
know about English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say
the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live
in the United States of America.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were
given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life?
(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)
Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money
isn?t everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention
because they are ignorant.? ?. You want to know what I make?
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make Mr. CEO??
His jaw dropped, he went silent. "
thanks to all who contribute to education--a special thanks to our teachers!
Replies
24
Beach Fanatic
Thanks for sharing, as a former teacher I can so remember those meetings.
I still hear from many of my former students.
I still hear from many of my former students.
needs to get out more
My educator friends tell me they love the parents who come in and tell them how to teach their kids.
SWGB
Short answer: Not enough!
picky
My sister teaches high school English and she'll love reading this little essay!
Beach Fanatic
Help is on the way!!!
Organizations like this one are showing that differentiated pay based on knowledge and skills yields meaningful student achievement results.
Organizations like this one are showing that differentiated pay based on knowledge and skills yields meaningful student achievement results.
SoWal Insider
There is a speech teacher living next to me and a school librarian across the street. The librarian is making in the 80's and the speech teacher is close to that. Both public schools and neither Fulton Co. I am a huge proponent of good teachers making strong salaries. I feel the same way about firemen and policemen! They all perform a thankless service and I have been thankful for all three in my life. SWFD is an incredibly awesome group! Sheriff's deputies in sowal are great as well as the force in City of Atlanta! Have protected my home! I went to parochial schools and while I had an outstanding education, private school teachers make even less than public school teachers! My hat's off to all of them!!
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Posted via Mobile Device
Edited
SoWal Insider
Help is on the way!!!cannot be fairly implemented
Organizations like this one are showing that differentiated pay based on knowledge and skills yields meaningful student achievement results.
hmmmm......can't remember
If a teacher is in it for the money or any sort instant gratification, it should be a short career.
My school said goodbye to a beloved teacher who died of lung cancer on Saturday. He was 49. I was just reading the tributes to him on facebook from his former students--how sobering! Dozens of young men who aren't ashamed to write that they loved him and that they were changed by his influence. I doubt his family will be thinking about his salary or lack thereof when they read what he "made."
And on the ugly side, some bonehead in a suit decided that today would be the proper time to notify members of our faculty who will not have a job in the fall. Nothing will take your mind off grief like looming unemployment, apparently. I wasn't one of the ones who got the axe, but it was still like a kick in the head in addition to the broken heart today...
Please go hug a teacher. It's okay if he/she is a good-looking teacher...just hug one.
My school said goodbye to a beloved teacher who died of lung cancer on Saturday. He was 49. I was just reading the tributes to him on facebook from his former students--how sobering! Dozens of young men who aren't ashamed to write that they loved him and that they were changed by his influence. I doubt his family will be thinking about his salary or lack thereof when they read what he "made."
And on the ugly side, some bonehead in a suit decided that today would be the proper time to notify members of our faculty who will not have a job in the fall. Nothing will take your mind off grief like looming unemployment, apparently. I wasn't one of the ones who got the axe, but it was still like a kick in the head in addition to the broken heart today...
Please go hug a teacher. It's okay if he/she is a good-looking teacher...just hug one.
Beach Lover
Not enough!!!!
Beach Fanatic
This sounds like it describes an excellent teacher.
Unfortunately, this teacher probably works in public school in a suburban wealthy area. Or this teacher probably works in a collegiate prep high school.
If this question was asked of a certain South Walton teacher, the response would be "I make $50,000 a year sitting in my chair playing fantasy football on the computer while my 9th grade world geography class copies notes directly out of the textbook, during class-time."
But, it's ok because that teacher gives his students OPEN-BOOK tests (even the Final) so he doesn't really have to do anything at all.
You're probably thinking "well teachers spend hours outside of class, grading tests and work." Well, he uses class time to have students grade each-others work. Which is a too often occurrence at South Walton.
Don't get me wrong, I know that there are many great teachers who work very hard and are deserving of more credit. I just wish more students had access to them.
Unfortunately, this teacher probably works in public school in a suburban wealthy area. Or this teacher probably works in a collegiate prep high school.
If this question was asked of a certain South Walton teacher, the response would be "I make $50,000 a year sitting in my chair playing fantasy football on the computer while my 9th grade world geography class copies notes directly out of the textbook, during class-time."
But, it's ok because that teacher gives his students OPEN-BOOK tests (even the Final) so he doesn't really have to do anything at all.
You're probably thinking "well teachers spend hours outside of class, grading tests and work." Well, he uses class time to have students grade each-others work. Which is a too often occurrence at South Walton.
Don't get me wrong, I know that there are many great teachers who work very hard and are deserving of more credit. I just wish more students had access to them.
beats on hood
I'm curious about the question of what teachers make as well. I have been told that here in Georgia, public school teachers can retire after 30 years years of service with the same income they had while working (due to retirement accounts), and they keep their health insurance. I know this is true because I have many acquaintances who retire at 52 (22 years old plus 30 years teaching equals 52).
As a college professor I don't get those benefits. If I retire early, I lose my health insurance. So can't do it.
I have a Ph.D., two M.S. degrees, and a B.S. degree, and am the computer science department chair. I obviously know what I make.
So what does a high school teacher with fewer credentials, let's say an Ed.D. and 10 years experience, make?
As a college professor I don't get those benefits. If I retire early, I lose my health insurance. So can't do it.
I have a Ph.D., two M.S. degrees, and a B.S. degree, and am the computer science department chair. I obviously know what I make.
So what does a high school teacher with fewer credentials, let's say an Ed.D. and 10 years experience, make?
beats on hood
This sounds like it describes an excellent teacher.That's sad. I have colleagues who give multiple-choice tests provided by the textbook authors so that the tests are easy to compose and grade.
Unfortunately, this teacher probably works in public school in a suburban wealthy area. Or this teacher probably works in a collegiate prep high school.
If this question was asked of a certain South Walton teacher, the response would be "I make $50,000 a year sitting in my chair playing fantasy football on the computer while my 9th grade world geography class copies notes directly out of the textbook, during class-time."
But, it's ok because that teacher gives his students OPEN-BOOK tests (even the Final) so he doesn't really have to do anything at all.
You're probably thinking "well teachers spend hours outside of class, grading tests and work." Well, he uses class time to have students grade each-others work. Which is a too often occurrence at South Walton.
Don't get me wrong, I know that there are many great teachers who work very hard and are deserving of more credit. I just wish more students had access to them.
I would never do that. According to Bloom's taxonomy, multiple-choice and T-F exams test the lowest level of understanding. When I was a professor at the University of South Carolina, we were not allowed to give multiple-choice/T-F tests. I always give my exams in a manner in which students are forced to verbalize their answers. Yes, it is more work for me to grade them, but I firmly believe in writing across the curriculum.
Beach Fanatic
I'm curious about the question of what teachers make as well. I have been told that here in Georgia, public school teachers can retire after 30 years years of service with the same income they had while working (due to retirement accounts), and they keep their health insurance. I know this is true because I have many acquaintances who retire at 52 (22 years old plus 30 years teaching equals 52).
As a college professor I don't get those benefits. If I retire early, I lose my health insurance. So can't do it.
I have a Ph.D., two M.S. degrees, and a B.S. degree, and am the computer science department chair. I obviously know what I make.
So what does a high school teacher with fewer credentials, let's say an Ed.D. and 10 years experience, make?
Well a lot of that depends on where they teach, but it is very easy to find it usually with simple google search of " (insert district name) pay scale."
I did Arlington school district in Texas and there a Teacher with a general degree and ten years experience makes $49,670 a year.
beats on hood
Well a lot of that depends on where they teach, but it is very easy to find it usually with simple google search of " (insert district name) pay scale."Not even a Ph.D. or Ed.D.?
I did Arlington school district in Texas and there a Teacher with a general degree and ten years experience makes $49,670 a year.
And can this person retire at 52 (graduation age of 22 + 30 years of service) with full benefits?
Beach Fanatic
Not even a Ph.D. or Ed.D.?
And can this person retire at 52 (graduation age of 22 + 30 years of service) with full benefits?
Well for whatever reason the master's degree pay chart begins at 20 years experience, so I don't know what happens before then but the pay for a masters degree is roughly 2,000 dollars more than a general education degree. And a doctorate adds 1500 dollars on top of that.
It differs though with every school district, and I don't know about benefits, that would be interesting to find out.
I would imagine most teachers (not all i know) with doctorates work in private schools, the majority of my teachers have doctorates (not in education but in their field) and they each negotiate their own salaries and presumably all make something different.
They also have the option of living on campus for free which I would think is an extremely tempting benefit.
Beach Fanatic
In most districts, the difference in pay between masters and terminal degree is marginal enough to effectively not matter in terms of classroom pay. (ie, about as much as being advisor for Latin club) The only teachers who generally go after doctorates are the ones looking to move up to high level management positions in a district outside the classroom.
beats on hood
I started teaching as a TA at the University of Florida when I was 22. TA was a joke because I had no supervision in terms of syllabus and grading -- I was the one in charge, not a "teaching assistant." My students were lucky because I cared more about them than working on my Ph.D. dissertation.
Although I did schedule my office hours at the Broward pool so that I could keep my tan going.
Interesting info. If I had to do it over, I would have gone public over private due to the benefits. But when you are under 30, retiring is beyond comprehension, so you make questionable life decisions.
Although I did schedule my office hours at the Broward pool so that I could keep my tan going.
Interesting info. If I had to do it over, I would have gone public over private due to the benefits. But when you are under 30, retiring is beyond comprehension, so you make questionable life decisions.
Banned
I'm curious about the question of what teachers make as well. I have been told that here in Georgia, public school teachers can retire after 30 years years of service with the same income they had while working (due to retirement accounts), and they keep their health insurance. I know this is true because I have many acquaintances who retire at 52 (22 years old plus 30 years teaching equals 52).
As a college professor I don't get those benefits. If I retire early, I lose my health insurance. So can't do it.
I have a Ph.D., two M.S. degrees, and a B.S. degree, and am the computer science department chair. I obviously know what I make.
So what does a high school teacher with fewer credentials, let's say an Ed.D. and 10 years experience, make?
That is a pretty sweet deal for the Georgia teachers, I retired in Miss with 30 and got about 52 % and I have to pay my own insurance.
Beach Fanatic
I love the original post. My 84 year old father was a music teacher in the Chicago Public School system... I don't really know what his salary was, or what percentage he gets now as his pension. I know that it wasn't very much, but he had a passion for what he did.
Last Christmas my brother and I set him up with a facebook account, and other than us and a few other family members, his friends are all former students who find him to tell him what a difference he made in their lives. And because our last name is rather unique, on more than one occasion I have met people who ask me if I am related to him, and then they tell me what a great teacher he was. It makes me feel proud and humble all at the same time.
Money is not the only thing that matters when you love what you do, and inspire others to find their passion in this world.
Last Christmas my brother and I set him up with a facebook account, and other than us and a few other family members, his friends are all former students who find him to tell him what a difference he made in their lives. And because our last name is rather unique, on more than one occasion I have met people who ask me if I am related to him, and then they tell me what a great teacher he was. It makes me feel proud and humble all at the same time.
Money is not the only thing that matters when you love what you do, and inspire others to find their passion in this world.
Beach FanaticAuthor
I love the original post. My 84 year old father was a music teacher in the Chicago Public School system... I don't really know what his salary was, or what percentage he gets now as his pension. I know that it wasn't very much, but he had a passion for what he did.
Last Christmas my brother and I set him up with a facebook account, and other than us and a few other family members, his friends are all former students who find him to tell him what a difference he made in their lives. And because our last name is rather unique, on more than one occasion I have met people who ask me if I am related to him, and then they tell me what a great teacher he was. It makes me feel proud and humble all at the same time.
Money is not the only thing that matters when you love what you do, and inspire others to find their passion in this world.
What a wonderful experience for your Dad. I can think of no greater experience to have put your heart and soul into inspiring your students; and to know what a positive difference you have made! That is priceless.
Great idea that you and your brother had for FB.
I am not a "traditional" teacher (my work is more one-on-one tutoring) but there is no greater joy in my work, than when a student who had been struggling to write a paper comes running into my lab with this incredulous expression on his or her face, yelling: "I got an A! I got an A!" you can't put a price on that--
It is sad, though, that generally speaking, teachers' efforts are not recognized/compensated as much as they should be in our society.
Beach Fanatic
This sounds like it describes an excellent teacher.
Unfortunately, this teacher probably works in public school in a suburban wealthy area. Or this teacher probably works in a collegiate prep high school.
If this question was asked of a certain South Walton teacher, the response would be "I make $50,000 a year sitting in my chair playing fantasy football on the computer while my 9th grade world geography class copies notes directly out of the textbook, during class-time."
But, it's ok because that teacher gives his students OPEN-BOOK tests (even the Final) so he doesn't really have to do anything at all.
You're probably thinking "well teachers spend hours outside of class, grading tests and work." Well, he uses class time to have students grade each-others work. Which is a too often occurrence at South Walton.
Don't get me wrong, I know that there are many great teachers who work very hard and are deserving of more credit. I just wish more students had access to them.
......since you have so much information on this teacher...why not discuss him with the principal ...or to be fair , why not go directly to the teacher...have a conference and lay it on the line...if you can address it here on forum why not directly to the teacher?
Beach Fanatic
......since you have so much information on this teacher...why not discuss him with the principal ...or to be fair , why not go directly to the teacher...have a conference and lay it on the line...if you can address it here on forum why not directly to the teacher?
Good question.
Looking back at it, when I was a freshman I think I had a very narrow view on the whole educational process. My only goal was to go to one of my dream schools, which were Stanford, UC-Berkely, Harvard, Penn and Texas.
So I felt the only thing I needed to do was go through high school with all A's and I would be fine.
Only now, after leaving South Walton and being around more students who share my goals have I realized how wrong I was.
So, the reason I did not want to bring it to anyones attention was that I felt like I was making a 100 in the class and nothing else matters. But obviously, as I am sure that most people will agree, it is more important that a school give a student challenging material that will prepare him/her to succeed at a competitive institution; than for the school to simply inflate grades so that a student can be accepted to these institutions.
So maybe I should have said something, but looking back at it I had no way of knowing how unprepared I would be for college until I left.
I think parents should go up to whom they consider the best teacher(s) at South Walton and ask him/her/them, "Do you think my child is being adequately prepared for whatever his/her post-secondary education goals are." If the answer to that question is yes, then you are asking the wrong teacher(s).
Edited
Banned
What a wonderful experience for your Dad. I can think of no greater experience to have put your heart and soul into inspiring your students; and to know what a positive difference you have made! That is priceless.
Great idea that you and your brother had for FB.
I am not a "traditional" teacher (my work is more one-on-one tutoring) but there is no greater joy in my work, than when a student who had been struggling to write a paper comes running into my lab with this incredulous expression on his or her face, yelling: "I got an A! I got an A!" you can't put a price on that--
It is sad, though, that generally speaking, teachers' efforts are not recognized/compensated as much as they should be in our society.
My educational career was in the field of Vocational Education, some as a teacher and 25 as an administrator. My time was truly a rewarding experience, it was so good to see students who werent going to college, get skills training and go to work after high school. Most of them always checked back to tell us what they were doing, some even dropped out of high school and ended up making more than I did. My wife and I have retired, we made a good living in education, not wealthy by no means and are drawing a decent retirement. We always manage to find enough money to go to Seagrove 2 weeks each year.
I have connected with many former students through Facebook, it is a joy to see how they have done well, just as I had hoped they would. One problem I have with them, they still want to call me Mr. My hat goes off most teachers, sadly, we have some like the one mentioned.
Beach Fanatic
I'm curious about the question of what teachers make as well. I have been told that here in Georgia, public school teachers can retire after 30 years years of service with the same income they had while working (due to retirement accounts), and they keep their health insurance. I know this is true because I have many acquaintances who retire at 52 (22 years old plus 30 years teaching equals 52).
As a college professor I don't get those benefits. If I retire early, I lose my health insurance. So can't do it.
I have a Ph.D., two M.S. degrees, and a B.S. degree, and am the computer science department chair. I obviously know what I make.
So what does a high school teacher with fewer credentials, let's say an Ed.D. and 10 years experience, make?
WOW! I am teaching in the wrong state! I can retire at 30 years, but cannot draw any benefits until I am 62. Then I pay for my ins., at the present around $550 a month. Retirement is about 60% of your salary. I have taught 28 years, have a masters, and make $48,000. That is with at state bonus of $3,000 that the state is considering taking away because it is from an old law.
Teaching IS NOT about money, but a love of students and helping them be a success in present and future activites. Nothing is more fun than watching the expression of a child understand a concept or grasp something new. It is additive for me! All I need is that look and I would probably work for free if I did not have a house payment and like to vacation in SoWal
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