Well, I was considering it. I am 66 years old and on Social Security($1502 per month + tutoring income). I was considering retiring in Florida, but it is expensive there. $55000(Teacher's salary w/Master's in mathematics +30 hours. Almost a PhD) + $18000(Social Security) + teacher benefits = $73000+ goes a long way in Florida and in much of the world 🌎.
been out of teaching for 8 years, don't miss it a bit, it became crowd control-not education, taught in the city and the violence, poor work ethic, horrible attitudes and complete lack of interest in learning was so disheartening I couldn't stand it anymore; it's a lost cause
A professor in Florida and I feel muzzled from saying many things because of the politics even though it is supposed to be my job. Trust me, it will get worse.
Teachers are leaving because of low pay; while in other states, teachers are being laid-off because the schools can’t afford them. What a conundrum? There are number of teachers who shouldn’t teach, but are retained. And some people who would be great teachers don’t apply because students are allowed to run amuck, and progressivism limits teachers from teaching academics instead of social justice issues. American schools suck; especially public schools. You’re better off homeschooling or sending your child to private school.
I got let go over petty things because I needed a mental day and I was hardly out. I was only out 5 times out of the whole year. Then as I started getting burned out. They over scrutinized my performance and put the blame on me because all my students failed the final exam when they usually pass regular test and quizzes. Then my boss asked don't you think that's a reflection of the the teacher. I responded NO. So they just contributed to another Teacher shortage.
Yes, by all means, become an educator. Subject yourself to daily gaslighting, victim blaming, verbal assaults, and even physical assaults, for pay so low that you can't afford to live in the district you are teaching in, and for a job that no one respects and has become a punchline ("if you can't do, teach"). But don't worry, you will be comforted by the pervasive mythology that you can be that one magical teacher you had as a student who changed your life. One day you'll be that teacher too. For one student, maybe, out of 1,000. But all of the emotional trauma and physical deterioration will make it worthwhile. The public school system is dominated by behavior coaches and principals with doctors of education degrees, which is quite frankly the most useless degree, whose only purpose is to bully and terrify educators with archaic licensing standards and absurd social-emotional-learning models, which blames the teachers for everything while holding students accountable for nothing. Student didn't show up for class? The principal will blame you. "What aren't you doing to MAKE the student WANT to show up? WANT to be on time? WANT to pay attention? WANT to be engaged? WANT to follow the rules? WANT to do their work? WANT to not verbally attack you or assault you?" Yes, the principal will even blame you for being verbally assaulted and physically assaulted by your own students. And all of this without even talking about the parents, who will blame you also for when their perfect little angels are misbehaving ("my kid doesn't act like that at home!").
Here's a clue. They are not going to figure it out. Most teacher salaries come from each state's legislative budget, and most states just don't want to pay teachers. Plus, until you get parents that want to instill learning and respect in their children, nothing will change.
Yes, teachers could use more money. Although I am not from Florida and live in Virginia, let's compare salaries as follows: Beginning Accountant in Virginia = $58,000 for 12 months work($4833 per month for 12 months); Beginning Teacher in RURAL Culpeper, VA with a master's degree: $54,000 for 9 months work.($6000 per month for 9 months) Hence, it's not the pay. The reasons that teachers are quitting are shown below: 1) Some teachers have been subjected to violence by errant students; 2) Educrats imposing impossible demands; 3) Parents giving teachers trouble; 4) In capitalist America people say, "Those who can do, and those who can't, teach." which shows contempt for teachers; 5) Teachers are expected to be counselors and social workers for disturbed kids; and 6) Kids from dysfunctional homes and disturbed kids bring guns 🔫 to school. With regard to reason 4), it should rephrased as follows: "Those who can do, and those who can't, are in prison." (Wrongfully convicted excluded)
Im glad there is someone betetr informed than these clowns on the news. As soon as I heard pay was the reason I just grew angry as I know thats a load of BS.
I agree with all your points; however, money is also a factor at least in Florida where the starting salary is 48k. Yes, the salaries you’ve mentioned might start very close but the manner of how a teacher can potentially increase their salary turns into a snail race. I’ve had friends that went to the field and due to inflation are unable to rent a 1 bedroom apartment and are then depending on their parents or friends to be their roommates.
There are only 3 times they will talk about teacher shortages: at the beginning of the school year, at the end, and during an election cycle to gain political points.
There is no quick fix anymore. Teaching has become too annoying and even humiliating to attract college graduates in any significant numbers anymore. The schools will be forced to automate to an extent tantamount to brick & mortar online academy. Teachers will literally specify that they are no longer willing to be in the same room as the little brats they are ostensibly “teaching”. They will have to hire youth leaders like what they have in the juvenile lock-ups to manage the more odious crowd control functions or no one will teach anymore.
Amazing what happens when parents don't parent, no state taxes to fund education, allowing politicians to tell what teachers can or can't teach and zero accountability of administrators and school boards can do for the profession.
