DISQUS

jacrlsn · 1 year ago

A very well written, well thought out piece, Mr Benton. Do you really think anyone will get the message though? When is the last time anyone has checked to see if we're not paying top flight salaries to cops, firefighters and teachers? I believe the worms has turned and they are now getting the best at both front and back ends.

Scott · 1 year ago

Jim,

Do you really think teachers are paid anything close to what they are worth, particularly early in their career? In the community I live, 1st year teachers with a masters degree make $36,242. Hardly generous in my view.

Scott

bilge rat · 1 year ago

Hi Scott,

It's not only teachers who hold masters degrees that are earning salaries you referenced above. I think it's fairly typical of graduates entering the workforce.
Several of my friends hold masters degrees and started off with similar salaries upon graduation in their respective fields. Upper level degrees are no longer guaranteed upper level salaries immediately upon graduation. Education along with experience is what counts in today's world. It's just the nature of the beast.

My following statements are not meant to "teacher bash", but no one is twisting their arm to work in the education field. Hats off to anyone that wants to become a teacher. I know I could never do their job. However, it can't be that big a surprise to anyone entering a career in teaching that they won't be making a salary worthy of a shopping excursion to Saks Fifth Avenue.....

Also, simply because someone decides to become a teacher shouldn't mean the taxpayers have to shoulder the burden of an educators health insurance. Thousands of people in the private sector make similar salaries and pay the bulk of their health insurance bennies, so why should teachers be any different?

Scott · 1 year ago

65,000 to 70,000 is tops in any community with 10+ years of service and a masters degree. When teachers enter their field they give up any hopes for shopping excursions at Saks Fith Avenue but they have an expectation that they can live a middle class lifestyle with two working parents. Teachers are underpaid and underappreciated today.