Attn: Teachers! What are the pros and cons of your job?

[chrissyk]

I work in a middle school - I think it is much easier than elem. ed. You teach 5 periods per day and the same thing, over and over. Once you have your lesson plan down you can coast the next year. You have to learn how to manage kids and your classroom most importantly. Cons are the parents, some can be real PITAs. Our teachers start at around $48K and top out at $80-90K. They get FULL salary when they retire. Can't beat that.

I want to teach in your district It looks like my MASTERS pay is going to top out at $56K...in 20 years I cringe when I think of the pay cut I took from engineering to do this. It's so worth it, though, because now I feel like I at least have the chance to make a difference.

 

[chrissyk]

Parents have become more abusive where I am...............they've always complained, but now they're calling names, threatening, and there's always the constant "I'm calling my lawyer"...............the best way to handle that is to know the law, carry insurance (be in an Association that offers legal support.........and this is for subs and student teachers too), and keep sticking to your legalese........"I am not allowed to discuss other students with you.

What kind of insurance do you carry for this situation? This seems so crazy. No wonder more people don't go into teaching

 

[CheshireVal]

I teach 8th grade English.

The pros:
--working with kids
--teaching something I love, hoping to pass on that love to the students
--holidays!


The cons:
--we're underpaid
--we don't get much respect from parents, who sometimes second guess every single thing we do
-- we don't get much respect from people who think we have the easiest job in the world
--at public schools, teachers get bogged down in a lot of bureaucratic paperwork and documentation
-- it's emotionally draining-- I leave work every day exhausted.

 

[swilphil]

Okay, off the top of my head...

Cons:
1. working with some difficult people (co-workers, students, parents - but you'll have those in ANY job)
2. Lots of planning/prep work/ time spent grading at nights and on weekends
3. In SOME places, a dismal salary. Where I am, we get a salary I am very happy with. I work part-time, but if I was full-time I'd be making $65K with a master's degree after 13 years.
4. Limited and/or expensive vacation time during the school year.I don't like to take off and leave my students with a sub, so we try to take our family trips during the summer. Doesn't always work out that way ~ life can't happen only in the summer for teachers


Pros:
1. Summers and major holidays off ~ a great job for parents!
2. Although you have a lot of work outside the actual classroom, I can do it at night after my kids and husband are in bed. I do not have to stay at school past my contract hours to grade or plan.
3. I like the renewal aspect of it. Every school year is a new start.
4. I like that while there are routines, every day, every class, every student is different. Definitely NOT a boring job!
5. I am constantly learning and reading for my work.I also know what's cool, what's not and the kids keep me up on elements of pop culture that I think, help keep me young.
6. I feel that my job is worthy one. When I have those rough days (or weeks)I often contemplate a career change to make more $ with less hassle. Just this past weekend, a friend's husband was talking about work and life and made the statement that he just earns a paycheck (although a VERY nice one). That really struck a chord with me.I make an impact on students' lives. I know because they and their parents tell me, especially at the end of the year. When my seniors graduate and come back to visit, that is one of the best compliments ever. This spring alone three former students sent me copies of work they are doing: one wrote and directed a film short, another sent me the inaugural copy of a magazine in NY that she works on and another sent me copies of a sports magazine he writes for regularly. That is cool.

Those are some of the pros and cons off the top of my head...Good luck with your decision!

I agree with soccerchick's assessment of the pros and cons though I love having summers, spring break, and Christmas break since that's when my kids are on vacation. I also like the hours--7:30 to 3:30. As a high school teacher, I can get done teaching and pick my son up from school so he doesn't have to do afterschool care.

I also like that most school districts have good benefits and parent-friendly policies (thanks to NEA). I was able to take a two-year unpaid parental leave after my second child was born, and the school district MUST give me a job when I return to work at the rate I was making when I left. I also get to keep my seniority in the district and remaining sick days when I return.

One con is it is a very emotionally, and sometimes physically, draining job. I find now that I'm a parent I would rather put that energy into my own kids. There are times when I wish I just had a career where I could go in, do my work, and leave without giving my job a second thought. Of course, if I had that kind of job, I would probably be bored stiff.

P.S.--Soccerchick, what area in Virginia do you live in? I've taught 14 years and have a masters degree plus 30 hours, but I only make about $53K a year.

 

[paigevz]

What kind of insurance do you carry for this situation? This seems so crazy. No wonder more people don't go into teaching

You can get independent professional insurance, but the easiest way is to join a teacher's association.............most have a legal department, and can represent you if needed, but especially give you advice not to get to the point where you need representation. It helps with administrative issues too.....if your boss is asking you to do something you shouldn't, or blaming you for things that aren't your responsibility...........bosses in education are like bosses anywhere! We have three major associations: Association for Texas Professional Educators, United Educator's Association, and I can't remember the name of the other.

I agree that teaching is extremely hard work, with personal satisfaction, but not much public acclaim or even acceptance. Your colleagues will understand, but no one else will....................it can be lonely and frustrating.........especially when you hear the same comments over and over from those who just don't get it, and that includes family members, friends, neighbors, parents of students, and yep--------even some DISers-------and for some, spouses (thankfully not mine).

 

[soccerchick]

Swilphil - I teach in Loudoun County. We are one of the fastest growing counties in the country right now. We have opened b/w 2 - 5 schools EACH year for the past 5 years. The School Board in the late '90s and early '00s was very good about raising teacher pay in order to stay competitive w/ Fairfax County, our immediate neighbor to the east. Fairfax in turn competes w/ Montgomery Co. Md for teachers, so they have raised their salaries as well. The teacher shorter is certainly felt here bc of our growth. In 1999, I made in the mid 30K, two years later, I made 26K as a part-time teacher . Starting salary for a Bachelors degree and no experience is just shy of 40K. I think Fairfax may be 40K.

 

[Cindy B]

I want to teach in your district It looks like my MASTERS pay is going to top out at $56K...in 20 years I cringe when I think of the pay cut I took from engineering to do this. It's so worth it, though, because now I feel like I at least have the chance to make a difference.

My daughters teacher who was recently a 1st/2nd grade teacher with a reading specialist, masters degree and such is making... get this....

$94,647! Yes, 94K! She is only about 43 years old as well. This salary is more than what we hired a new principal for (that new principal was $88K)

Starting teachers in my district bachelors is about 44K. Of course you get a masters, type of cert is higher. Special ed is around $50K starting.

 

[Grandma Bear]

A good adminstation can make or break a school. I've seen some really rough schools turned around and some good ones go bad with lots of teacher burn out due to lack of support and teachers overloaded.

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Last night I talked in depth about this with Dh. He used to work at an elementary school. Basically he said what another poster said--there isn't as much demand for elem. school teachers in our area. He said that for each job that became available that there were literally dozens of applicants. That really got me thinking. I like little kids but I don't want to go to school for years and then not be able to get a job! Just doesn't seem worth it. So now I am seriously considering sec. ed. Based on what I am reading on this thread though I am starting to realize that it might be wiser if I majored in something like English ,etc., and then got my masters to teach it. I think that is what I am going to do. Plus it gives me something to fall back on if teaching doesn't work out. The thing now is I am not sure exactly what I want to teach at this point. I like so many subjects and just don't know. I am really good at English and know that I would excel in that area. Plus, Mississippi's weakest area is reading and English. However, I am not sure if that is definitely what I want to teach or not. In high school I hated science but came to love it in college. I also love history and journalism. I am not sure. I think I am leaning towards English or Journalism but I am not making any definite decisions at this point. I have been looking into the curriculum required for all of these majors and basically I am lacking the same classes for all of them. So I can rest easy knowing that the classes I plan to take during the fall meet the requirements for all of these majors. I will have to give serious thought to what I definitely want to do but at least I will be earning credits even before I make a definite decision. Thanks so much everyone! You have all certainly been a big help.

 

[chrissyk]

My daughters teacher who was recently a 1st/2nd grade teacher with a reading specialist, masters degree and such is making... get this....

$94,647! Yes, 94K! She is only about 43 years old as well. This salary is more than what we hired a new principal for (that new principal was $88K)

Starting teachers in my district bachelors is about 44K. Of course you get a masters, type of cert is higher. Special ed is around $50K starting.

 

[WDWMom]

Aside from all the other stuff people have said, my biggest con has nothing to do with the classroom. I am sick of listening to my co-workers complain about our benefits and pay. We work 3/4 of the year for 6-7 hours of the day, yet many made over $60K a year. During planning time and recess they talk in the teachers lounge and get no work done. They are then the first ones to complain they have to come in at night to do stuff and grade papers at home. Those of us who actually work during plan time do not need to take home papers (or at least minimally). They complain about how our insurance isn't what it use to be. We now have to pay at $5 co-pay for prescriptions instead of $2. They obviously haven't been out in the real world where most people pay $20.

I think as a whole, or maybe just where I live, we are spoiled. Yes, we have a tough job, but no more so than a person who travels for his/her job and is away from the family or any other career out there. When I went into teaching, I knew what I was getting into. I expected to be paid 3/4 of a salary because that is what I work. I could work in the summer and make more if I wanted.

Off my soapbox now...

 

[Mickey76]

Pros:
Educating young minds
Doing fun activities
The look on a child's face when they all of the sudden understand what is being taught
Great co-workers
Summers off, although I'm teaching summer school
Whacky answers the students give me sometimes

Cons:

Parents who think they know better than you because they have a better job
Parents who think their child is a genius
Parents who complain about the homework load
Parents who call and complain about something that happened on the bus. It's not my responsibility, folks. Talk to the bus company or the principal.
The pay.
Some co-workers who seem to think being mean and unapproachable is a quality that makes a good teacher.


I love what I do. I wish the pay was better but I knew that is was bad long before I was hired.

 

[SpecialK]

DH and I are both teachers, though I have taken a break to be a SAHM for a while. Teaching is the greatest job IF you have the personality for it. It gives you a great amount of independence in your classroom and a great sense of accomplishment when you see those "aha" moments happening.
I don't agree with the poster who said that midddle school is easier because you only have one prep and you can "coast." I also taught middle school and would have been bored to tears teaching the same material the same way five times a day. Each class is made up of different personalities and has different needs. It's always necessary to be aware of that and address it.
As far as you major goes, around here, if you are going into elem. ed. your major is education. For sec. ed., you major in your area of concentration (English) and minor in educ. Check out the need in your area before choosing your major.

 

[teacherforhi]

As far as you major goes, around here, if you are going into elem. ed. your major is education. For sec. ed., you major in your area of concentration (English) and minor in educ. Check out the need in your area before choosing your major.

In NC, if you want elementary, you major in Elementary Ed. If you want middle school, you major in Middle School Math, Middle School Language Arts, etc., depending on what subject you want to teach. High school works the same way as middle school. For example, I am presently certified to teach Deaf & Hard of Hearing K-12 AND English 9-12. I have a degree in each.

 

[swilphil]

I would recommend getting certified in English and Journalism since you are interested in both subjects. That's exactly what I did!! For one thing, nobody teaches only journalism. Usually they teach English along with it. You can major in English, and then just take a few more classes to be certified in journalism. You will be able to be hired more easily if you teach two subjects, and if your school has layoffs, the journalism teacher is usually "saved."

 

[Tasha+Scott]

I would recommend getting certified in English and Journalism since you are interested in both subjects. That's exactly what I did!! For one thing, nobody teaches only journalism. Usually they teach English along with it. You can major in English, and then just take a few more classes to be certified in journalism. You will be able to be hired more easily if you teach two subjects, and if your school has layoffs, the journalism teacher is usually "saved."

Thanks for telling me that! That is what I have seriously been considering but wasn't sure if it was a good choice or not. Your post made me feel better! I also like the idea of having the journalism to fall back on if teaching falls through or something! As of right now that is what I think I want to do but I will keep my options open just in case! Thanks!

 

[lovingthemouse]

In response to your question: DH and I both teach - he has 1 yr to retirement and I have 3. We teach in a large city in Western MA whch used to have the highest pay but has been without a contract for the past 3 yrs, so money is a major issue!!

Pros:
1. met so many wonderful people and students who have enriched our lives
2. been able to share so many experiences
3. gotten paid for a job we have really enjoyed (most of the time)
4. had the summers and school vacations off to spend with our own children (although as they got older we did teach summer school)
5. had the chance to continue learning, whether through our students or from books
6. met each other!!!
7. the feeling that we have made a difference in so many lives

Cons:
1. not having enough parental involvement
2. kids growing up way too quickly (our students)
3. seeing the sad lives so many of them live
4. watching teaching become a less respected profession
5. feeling more like a disciplinarian than an educator
6. not being paid adequately for the phenomenal job we do

If you asked us, we would still choose teaching as our profession! Hope this may help you out.