hear hear!

[acroyear]

The Maturation of Charter Schools and Their Teachers : Mike the Mad Biologist:

For too long, we have been working under an old model, where over-qualified, well educated women had few options--teaching had a very talented and cheap work force. We need to realize that teaching is a skilled profession and should be compensated as such, regardless of the school administrative structure.

Comments

[blueeowyn.livejournal.com]

I know that in some areas teachers do get shafted. However, in some areas they are doing really well and still complaining. While I know a lot of teachers do work at home after dinner so it isn't that they are free at 2:30 or whatever; that does mean that if they need to get the furnace checked, go to the doctor, go to the dentist; etc. for stuff that has to be done in the hours 9-5 they don't have to use leave to get it done. I think most if not all of the counties in Maryland will reimburse for some if not all of the tuition to retain credentials (heck; for the STEM classes, they'll pay for your training WHILE paying you a salary to get the early credentials).

Most schools in this area seem to have an awful lot of days closed for "teacher inservice" and "Parent Teacher Conferences". While the conferences ARE important; I doubt that a lot of parents can do the every month take a half-day to meet with the teacher (esp. with a lot of on-line connection available). PG county is viewed as a lesser county so I looked at it. 8/11-13 - professional days for new teachers; 17-20 for all teachers
Classes start 8/24, end 6/10
Holidays - 9/7; 9/28; 11/25-28; 12/24-1/1; 1/18; 2/15; 3/31-4/2; 4/5; 5/31
Closed to students - 9/25; 10/30; 11/11; 1/25; 2/12; 3/26; + the MSTA convention
181 student days; 192 teacher days (195 for new teachers) which works out to 38.5 weeks of work at 5 days/week. Most people get 2-5 weeks of vacation + 10-15 holidays (maybe 8 weeks total) which works out to 44 weeks and that is the high end of both.

Starting salary $43,900 with a BA

Now, do teachers have to deal with a LOT of BS? Heck yes. Is it a lot of work? definitely. Are they abused by parents and admin? Yes.

However, in Maryland at least they make a pretty good salary for the weeks worked.