Teachers and spouses of teachers unite!

[brentm77]

180 work days vs 260 isn’t exactly apple to apples. It’s just the difference of the days required by the contract, which means they are only paid for 180 days of work, not 260

Parents demanding 24/7 response time from teachers during nights, weekends, and even breaks. Principals holding teachers to this standard. Grading papers outside of those 7 hour work day. Volunteer time that is expected but unpaid. You get labeled as villainous if you “let the kids down” if you don’t decide to dedicate your time or even weekends. Not accounting for losing your planning time which isn’t uncommon meaning you have to plan outside those 7 hours.

Retirement plan that is mandated we participate in, atleast in my state. Both pros and cons with this plan, since you are contributing out of your paycheck and you have a minimum that must come out. Mostly good though.

Most counties in my state do not have a union. It’s actually illegal to “strike” with the state being able to revoke your license if you do.

Job security is much better vs other job markets.

However, these great benefits get you a starting salary 44,530 on average in the U.S and requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with a masters preferred. If this still sounds like a great deal, please be a career switcher, we need more teachers!

Fun chart from the National Center for Education Statistics. Looking like Teachers work closer to 53 hours a week. Which means, teachers roughly work 17.7 hours a week, unpaid.

And because teachers may not want to say it publicly, I will: Entitled parents. I can't imagine how many times they hear, "I pay your salary!" I hear from friends that it is an absolutely nightmare these days and they are afraid to even grade accurately. There is a lot I would like about being a teacher, but some parents would be terrible. At least in some businesses you can tell customers you don't want there business if they are too much trouble.

 

[MomOTwins]

And because teachers may not want to say it publicly, I will: Entitled parents. I can't imagine how many times they hear, "I pay your salary!" I hear from friends that it is an absolutely nightmare these days and they are afraid to even grade accurately. There is a lot I would like about being a teacher, but some parents would be terrible. At least in some businesses you can tell customers you don't want there business if they are too much trouble.

This is just going off the deep end now. Every career has entitled customers and nightmare bosses and coworkers.

Look at the end of the day, being a teacher is just like any other job—there are tradeoffs and the grass always looks greener when you look at other professions, but every job has its frustrations, injustices and annoyances.

If there is a perfect job that gives you great hours, good pay, job security, lets you take time when you want it (and actually enjoy that time off without interruption when you take it), and never have to deal with difficult people, let me know.

 

[MalvernPa]

180 work days vs 260 isn’t exactly apple to apples. It’s just the difference of the days required by the contract, which means they are only paid for 180 days of work, not 260

Parents demanding 24/7 response time from teachers during nights, weekends, and even breaks. Principals holding teachers to this standard. Grading papers outside of those 7 hour work day. Volunteer time that is expected but unpaid. You get labeled as villainous if you “let the kids down” if you don’t decide to dedicate your time or even weekends. Not accounting for losing your planning time which isn’t uncommon meaning you have to plan outside those 7 hours.

Retirement plan that is mandated we participate in, atleast in my state. Both pros and cons with this plan, since you are contributing out of your paycheck and you have a minimum that must come out. Mostly good though.

Most counties in my state do not have a union. It’s actually illegal to “strike” with the state being able to revoke your license if you do.

Job security is much better vs other job markets.

However, these great benefits get you a starting salary 44,530 on average in the U.S and requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with a masters preferred. If this still sounds like a great deal, please be a career switcher, we need more teachers!

Fun chart from the National Center for Education Statistics. Looking like Teachers work closer to 53 hours a week. Which means, teachers roughly work 17.7 hours a week, unpaid.

17.7 hours per week for 9 months, other 3 months complain about how expensive a Disney Cruise cost. Happy Cruising, or not.

 

[brentm77]

This is just going off the deep end now. Every career has entitled customers and nightmare bosses and coworkers.

Look at the end of the day, being a teacher is just like any other job—there are tradeoffs and the grass always looks greener when you look at other professions, but every job has its frustrations, injustices and annoyances.

If there is a perfect job that gives you great hours, good pay, job security, lets you take time when you want it (and actually enjoy that time off without interruption when you take it), and never have to deal with difficult people, let me know.

I disagree it's off the deep end. It's a real problem that many teachers face that is different than 20 years ago. Talk to a teacher if you don't believe me. The parent thing is a different dynamic than the normal customer relationship. I was merely pointing out a unique downside to a profession that is also low paid, despite being critical to our society. But of course there are many upsides too. I would love some of the benefits, leaving work behind when I travel, and extra time with the family. I also would enjoy the actual teaching part of it. In the end, I think it would be cool for Disney to offer a discount and a good marketing move, but obviously, it's up to Disney.

 

[LAS2AMS]

The notion that teachers are underpaid is purely a myth. Teachers have had strong wage growth in recent years; the state with the lowest paid teachers” median salaries is now almost $55k/annually. It’s over $70lK nationally and around $100K in CA and NY. These jobs come with generous benefits, including healthy pensions and healthcare that you and I pay thousands for. And the average teacher works between 30 and 40 working days — that’s two full months — than the average professional.

Yes, there are some districts that pay crap. But guess what? There’s plenty of higher paying positions nationally that are open. And yes some states still use progressive wage scales where you earn little in your early years, but after awhile you make up for it. This is true of many professional positions and is not unique to teaching.

And the notion that teachers are spending their summers and holidays meeting with parents and/ or creating lesson plans is absurd. Yes, some very dedicated… but you’ll find that in any profession.

 

[Hubalorian]

The notion that teachers are underpaid is purely a myth. Teachers have had strong wage growth in recent years; the state with the lowest paid teachers” median salaries is now almost $55k/annually. It’s over $70lK nationally and around $100K in CA and NY. These jobs come with generous benefits, including healthy pensions and healthcare that you and I pay thousands for. And the average teacher works between 30 and 40 working days — that’s two full months — than the average professional.

Yes, there are some districts that pay crap. But guess what? There’s plenty of higher paying positions nationally that are open. And yes some states still use progressive wage scales where you earn little in your early years, but after awhile you make up for it. This is true of many professional positions and is not unique to teaching.

And the notion that teachers are spending their summers and holidays meeting with parents and/ or creating lesson plans is absurd. Yes, some very dedicated… but you’ll find that in any profession.

You do realize those are mainly teachers with many years of experience. Would you like to go on record and state that 44,530 average pay starting out is great pay for a Bachelors or Masters degree? That’s the national average.

Unlike the vast majority of other fields, no matter how talented or decorated the teacher coming out of college, if they go into the public sector, they will always be paid at the bottom of the scale, they will never start at the “average salary”.

 

[LAS2AMS]

You do realize those are mainly teachers with many years of experience. Would you like to go on record and state that 44,530 average pay starting out is great pay for a Bachelors or Masters degree? That’s the national average.

Incorrect, it’s the median pay. The average pay is higher.

As I mentioned, some districts/ states still use progressive wage scales. This is no different than many professions, the only jobs that pay large wages out of college are those in highly competitive industries. Unsurprisingly, school districts/ states with huge shortages largely eliminated the progressive rate.

BTW, most progressive wage scales these days are found in union environments… and teachers have a powerful union. Do you know why the senior mamas are overpaid whereas new hires make poverty level wages? Because the senior mamas negotiate and vote for that. If teachers have a problem with the progressive wage scale, they can only blame themselves since they can always vote to eliminate it. Of course that’s as the senior mamas will make less so the new hires make more.

 

[Cfabar1]

If we're going to give teachers 'x' number of days per year, then just give them the days. Some districts do this, and I haven't heard any horror stories about how disastrous it turns out to be. Rather, it improves morale and makes it an attractive place to work.

This is true in every profession.... I really have no patience for employers who give employees benefits (of any kind) and then resent the employee for doing what is a stated perk/benefit of employment. Employers shouldn't offer something they aren't prepared for the employee to use.

 

[AZMermaid]

Teacher here with sporty middle schoolers! We can travel the week between Christmas and New Years or the last week of July. Hence the NYE Treasure plan for this year. Maybe we could make Thanksgiving week work. Although I’d love a discount, I doubt it’d ever happen. We are too big of a pool of people. For us it’s not even the cruise fare, it’s the flight cost to fly at those very limited times! We had planned to go to Aulani a few Thanksgivings ago and the flights were so expensive we switched to July, which was still a lot but not as high. It costs us roughly the same to fly to FL as HI due to our schedule. It is what it is. I dream of the day when I can take a cheap September vacation haha!

For reference on the other discussion…18th year, just bridged 60K this year! but considering I was under 40K before Red for Ed, it feels like a lot, lol. That was maybe 2018? 2019? Before Covid but not long….

 

[LAS2AMS]

Teacher here with sporty middle schoolers! We can travel the week between Christmas and New Years or the last week of July. Hence the NYE Treasure plan for this year. Maybe we could make Thanksgiving week work. Although I’d love a discount, I doubt it’d ever happen. We are too big of a pool of people. For us it’s not even the cruise fare, it’s the flight cost to fly at those very limited times! We had planned to go to Aulani a few Thanksgivings ago and the flights were so expensive we switched to July, which was still a lot but not as high. It costs us roughly the same to fly to FL as HI due to our schedule. It is what it is. I dream of the day when I can take a cheap September vacation haha!

For reference on the other discussion…18th year, just bridged 60K this year! but considering I was under 40K before Red for Ed, it feels like a lot, lol. That was maybe 2018? 2019? Before Covid but not long….

Good post. Here in SoCal, many school districts have three weeks off for Christmas/ New Year’s. Los Angeles Unified wants this to end, but the teachers fought to keep it during their most recent negotiations. Guarantee you they ain’t meeting parents or grading papers during this time .

 

[justme0729]

As a teacher, the comments on this post seem very negative and has turned into a discussion of what teachers do/ don’t do or have/ don’t have. The fact is that teachers can only cruise during high peak times while most parents or other professions can make the choice to cruise while school is in session if they really want to. So, if Disney decided to make a teacher discount to make a Disney cruise possible for teachers, it would be appreciated. It probably will never happen so everyone who feels it would be unfair can stop worrying.

 

[justme0729]

Good post. Here in SoCal, many school districts have three weeks off for Christmas/ New Year’s. Los Angeles Unified wants this to end, but the teachers fought to keep it during their most recent negotiations. Guarantee you they ain’t meeting parents or grading papers during this time .

I have spent time during Christmas break prepping lessons, writing IEPs (sped teacher), and grading. Not sure why you guarantee people aren’t doing this. Do I spend everyday doing this? No, but a few for sure to get caught up.

 

[AZMermaid]

As a teacher, the comments on this post seem very negative and has turned into a discussion of what teachers do/ don’t do or have/ don’t have. The fact is that teachers can only cruise during high peak times while most parents or other professions can make the choice to cruise while school is in session if they really want to. So, if Disney decided to make a teacher discount to make a Disney cruise possible for teachers, it would be appreciated. It probably will never happen so everyone who feels it would be unfair can stop worrying.

This is a good point. I agree it probably won’t happen. But I think I first envisioned a blanket discount, but 10% off in July with ID doesn’t sound totally unreasonable. Those cruises are higher priced already so those with more flexibility wouldn’t be terribly interested/offended. But I’m sure it’s supply and demand. Discounts are given to fill ships, not out of goodwill. The current military discounts only get offered on certain sailings. If presumably July cruises sail mostly full already, they have no need to discount them. But if they did need to, a teacher discount would be very effective. Have you ever been to chipotle on free teacher burrito day?

 

[MomOTwins]

This is a good point. I agree it probably won’t happen. But I think I first envisioned a blanket discount, but 10% off in July with ID doesn’t sound totally unreasonable. Those cruises are higher priced already so those with more flexibility wouldn’t be terribly interested/offended. But I’m sure it’s supply and demand. Discounts are given to fill ships, not out of goodwill. The current military discounts only get offered on certain sailings. If presumably July cruises sail mostly full already, they have no need to discount them. But if they did need to, a teacher discount would be very effective. Have you ever been to chipotle on free teacher burrito day?

Disney already gives 10% off to any returning cruiser via the placeholder discount—so I assume the advocated for this discount are wanting something more substantial.

 

[Dug720]

$100K in CA and NY.

Where the cost of living is significantly higher. I'm fortunate that I can afford an apartment by myself only because the landlord likes me and I help out with taking out the garbage, shoveling snow, etc. Other teachers I know live with roommates, still live with parents, have a spouse with a higher paying job, or are working multiple jobs just to be able to live. (Some have even resorted to moving to New Jersey for slightly lower rents, but that gets offset with transportation costs (or having to buy a car) so it's not really a feasible option for many.)

 

[MalvernPa]

Disney already gives 10% off to any returning cruiser via the placeholder discount—so I assume the advocated for this discount are wanting something more substantial.

Welcome to corporate America, Disney only answers to their shareholders. Disney is not going to discounts when supply and demand does not warrant it. Non-teacher parents pay the same ridiculous prices for peak season too.

If cheaper Disney cruise is that important to you, this is America, find a new career.

 

[Dug720]

Disney already gives 10% off to any returning cruiser via the placeholder discount—so I assume the advocated for this discount are wanting something more substantial.

OR - hear me out - they have to space Disney cruises out so much the future cruise thing does them no good because it would expire before they could use it OR they've never been on a Disney cruise before.

 

[brentm77]

Welcome to corporate America, Disney only answers to their shareholders. Disney is not going to discounts when supply and demand does not warrant it. Non-teacher parents pay the same ridiculous prices for peak season too.

If cheaper Disney cruise is that important to you, this is America, find a new career.

"Get another job!" is dismissive and doesn't really add anything to the discussion. Of course people already know that's an option, but it's ok for people to want to both stay in the career while improving conditions in it. Like others have said, it's unlikely to happen, but the hostility to teachers even raising the question it is interesting to observe. Are people jealous of teachers? If so, those people can "find a new career" and become a teacher too. Why does it get under people's skin that someone asked for a discount they wouldn't qualify for? What does it take from them? Do all of you get just as worked up over Disney's military or local discounts?

Anyway, it's time for me to move on from this discussion. It too quickly devolved into "us versus them," which is unnecessary. Thanks teachers for all you do for our kids. I hope you reach out to Disney and advocate for it, even if it's a long shot.

 

[tvguy]

Welcome to corporate America, Disney only answers to their shareholders. Disney is not going to discounts when supply and demand does not warrant it. Non-teacher parents pay the same ridiculous prices for peak season too.

If cheaper Disney cruise is that important to you, this is America, find a new career.

Well, not even the shareholders get a price break. Shareholder discounts went away long before Disney got into the cruise business. So if the "owners" pay full price, not sure there is a lot of motivation for discounts given the ships seem to be sailing at capacity.

 

[MalvernPa]

"Get another job!" is dismissive and doesn't really add anything to the discussion. Of course people already know that's an option, but it's ok for people to want to both stay in the career while improving conditions in it. Like others have said, it's unlikely to happen, but the hostility to teachers even raising the question it is interesting to observe. Are people jealous of teachers? If so, those people can "find a new career" and become a teacher too. Why does it get under people's skin that someone asked for a discount they wouldn't qualify for? What does it take from them? Do all of you get just as worked up over Disney's military or local discounts?

Anyway, it's time for me to move on from this discussion. It too quickly devolved into "us versus them," which is unnecessary. Thanks teachers for all you do for our kids. I hope you reach out to Disney and advocate for it, even if it's a long shot.

Sounds like you wants entitlements. Well, hate to tell you, the world is not fair.

I wish for a lot more important things to be discounted, but asking for a discount on something a privilege few can partake in is ridiculous. Sounds like a bunch 'Karens'