Need to vent! School Days Missed

[bwilcox]

LOL. I wonder if we live in the same area -- the AVERAGE teacher salary here is $68,000, but $100,000+ salaries are not uncommon. And the average school day is under 6 hours -- Kids here don't start until 9 and they are out at 2:45 -- it is obscene. (Although individual schools set there own hours so some schools in the better neighborhoods aren't quite as bad.) And teachers here STILL complain.

Here's some facts. Average teacher salaries:
Mass. $56,587
Texas $41,503
Minnesota $47,393
Rhode Island $53,473
New Hampshire $46,696

The websites I looked at had the salary range, and none of the higher ends came close to $100,000, unless you are talking about administrators. And I can't speak for anywhere but TX, but here our insurance is FAR from free!

Most teachers I know (and I know a lot) never complain about their salary. There are a few bad apples in every bunch. However, most teachers know the low salary they can expect, but go into teaching anyway because they love teaching.

ETA: And I am surprised by the short hours kids in your area are in school. Ours are in school at least 7 hours a day, and it's hard to fit everything we need to teach even into that! If my kids only went to school 5 hours a day, I would be enrolling them in private school or homeschooling.

 

[LaurenLC]

I think that if you've been pulling your kids out of school for 6 years to go on vacation and are just now hearing from the school NOW, then congratulations! I am amazed they haven't had issues with it earlier.
At what age will you stop doing this?

Children don't take school seriously because parents don't take school seriously.... Would you be okay with your 'child' not attending their classes for 10 days if/when you are paying $40,000.00+ a year for them to go to college?

 

[pdmedic]

What is a NICU guard? We love NICU nurses. Sometimes it becomes about a conversation rather than just sticking with the OP.

I'm Starnightstarsky2000's DH so I'll give a quick answer on what the NICU guard is.

NICU is Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The hospital she works at has had a child abducted from it in the past, about 15 years ago, and part of their security procedure since that incident has been to have a "guard" or the actual title is surveillance attendant working at all of the entrances to the units where the infants and children are. They make sure that no one enters who doesn't have proper ID or a valid reason to be there.

Kinda sad that this position has to exist but at the same point it makes for a safer environment.

Of course if / when things go bad she calls my office. I work for the police department.

 

[palavra]

Just about any public school in the northeast, midwest and western United States. The south is the only area I know that may have a bit lower salaries/.
Throw in the free or darn near free health care, retirement and other benefits it is well over 100,000. The one good thing that most teachers have and you never hear them acknowledging it is the free to nearly free health benefits. Our teachers screamed their heads of when they had to pay $15 a week for health benefits! the horror, yeah join the real world and talk in the hundreds.
And saying they only work 185 days makes it worse, divide $60,000 by that and that is a good days pay. And all professionals work long hours and most much more than teachers. And stay and go in on weekends and holidays if needed and put in time at night. and don't get automatic salary increments just for coming back another year.

Once again, we have someone grossly overgeneralizing what an average teacher's salary, benefits and working hours are. Many of the teachers that I know work on weekends at the school. I spend from 2-4 hours every Sunday afternoon at my school planning for the next week and generally sprucing up my classroom. Most teachers work at least a couple of hours every night grading papers, planning lessons, making phone calls home or working on long range projects. This last year I got a 4% pay CUT. I am in the real world with health benefits that are going up each year, and so are most of the teachers that I know. Until you've actually done a certain job, it is best not to comment on the perceived niceties of said job.

 

[Michelle and crew]

I'm Starnightstarsky2000's DH so I'll give a quick answer on what the NICU guard is.

NICU is Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The hospital she works at has had a child abducted from it in the past, about 15 years ago, and part of their security procedure since that incident has been to have a "guard" or the actual title is surveillance attendant working at all of the entrances to the units where the infants and children are. They make sure that no one enters who doesn't have proper ID or a valid reason to be there.

Kinda sad that this position has to exist but at the same point it makes for a safer environment.

Of course if / when things go bad she calls my office. I work for the police department.

That is so sad that position exists. My niece was a 1' 4" baby. My best friends was a tad bigger. NICU staff are incredible. I was hoping that there was some other purpose for a nicu guard. Thanks for the verification, and for what you do for your community too.

 

[npcougar]

Just about any public school in the northeast, midwest and western United States. The south is the only area I know that may have a bit lower salaries/.
Throw in the free or darn near free health care, retirement and other benefits it is well over 100,000. The one good thing that most teachers have and you never hear them acknowledging it is the free to nearly free health benefits. Our teachers screamed their heads of when they had to pay $15 a week for health benefits! the horror, yeah join the real world and talk in the hundreds.
And saying they only work 185 days makes it worse, divide $60,000 by that and that is a good days pay. And all professionals work long hours and most much more than teachers. And stay and go in on weekends and holidays if needed and put in time at night. and don't get automatic salary increments just for coming back another year.

If you are in a major city in the midwest that may be true but generally those figures aren't close for most places. Starting salaries in the mid twenties with a max of low fifties is more the rule. Our teachers have never received free health care and they pay the same as most other employees.

 

[tartemis]

Here's some facts. Average teacher salaries:
Mass. $56,587
Texas $41,503
Minnesota $47,393
Rhode Island $53,473
New Hampshire $46,696

The websites I looked at had the salary range, and none of the higher ends came close to $100,000, unless you are talking about administrators. And I can't speak for anywhere but TX, but here our insurance is FAR from free!

Most teachers I know (and I know a lot) never complain about their salary. There are a few bad apples in every bunch. However, most teachers know the low salary they can expect, but go into teaching anyway because they love teaching.

ETA: And I am surprised by the short hours kids in your area are in school. Ours are in school at least 7 hours a day, and it's hard to fit everything we need to teach even into that! If my kids only went to school 5 hours a day, I would be enrolling them in private school or homeschooling.

Here is the STARTING salary for CPS (chicago public schools) for 40 weeks and 6.25 hour work day -- straight from the CPS website:

CPS Starting Salary Ranges* (School Year -- 40 Weeks/193 days):

$48,631 - $53,894 (B.A.) (Lane 1, Step 1 – Lane 1, Step 3)
$52,000 - $57,262 (M.A.) (Lane 2, Step 1 – Lane 2, Step 3)
$53,684 - $58,946 (M.A. +15) (Lane 3, Step 1 – Lane 3, Step 3)
$55,368 - $60,631 (M.A. +30) (Lane 4, Step 1 – Lane 4, Step 3)
$57,052 - $62,315 (M.A. +45) (Lane 5, Step 1 – Lane 5, Step 3)
$58,737 - $64,000 (Ph.D./Ed.D.) (Lane 6, Step 1 – Lane 6, Step 3)

The above salaries reflect annual salaries, plus the 7% employer pension contribution.

For more detailed information, click here for the Teacher Salary Schedule. The salary and total compensation figures are based on a regular school term of 40 weeks, at 6.25 hours per day, for staff holding regular Illinois state standard certificates.

http://www.cps-humanresources.org/Careers/salary.htm

And here is the link showing that the AVERAGE chicago teacher salary in 2009 was over 68,200 in 2009: http://www.alleducationschools.com/education-careers/teaching-usa/illinois-teacher

And in 2009, 43% of teachers in two Chicago suburbs made more than $100,000: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/...top-state-in-earning-six-figure-salaries.html

Oh, and despite all of this, I can't send my kid to public school because our neighborhood highschool has a greater than 50% dropout rate and 99+% free or reduced lunch rate.

 

[mjkacmom]

Here's some facts. Average teacher salaries:
Mass. $56,587
Texas $41,503
Minnesota $47,393
Rhode Island $53,473
New Hampshire $46,696

The websites I looked at had the salary range, and none of the higher ends came close to $100,000, unless you are talking about administrators. And I can't speak for anywhere but TX, but here our insurance is FAR from free!

Most teachers I know (and I know a lot) never complain about their salary. There are a few bad apples in every bunch. However, most teachers know the low salary they can expect, but go into teaching anyway because they love teaching.

ETA: And I am surprised by the short hours kids in your area are in school. Ours are in school at least 7 hours a day, and it's hard to fit everything we need to teach even into that! If my kids only went to school 5 hours a day, I would be enrolling them in private school or homeschooling.

I just googled the average teacher salary at our elementary school - $90,000. Our superintendent gets $165,000. The day is 6 hours, 45 minutes. Our teachers' yearly pension will equal their final salary. Our state's pension plan is very much in debt - it has become a crisis, thanks to the NJEA. Up until this year, our teachers have not had to pay a penny for health insurance. I realize things are different in other areas, but high teacher salaries/pensions/benefits do exist. I just read an article, that stated in NJ, public sector salaries are now more than the private sector salaries. The reason our unions rallied for such great benefits for the public employees was because their salaries were far below the private employees. However, that is no longer the case here.

 

[mwmom]

I am an elementary school principal and will speak from the "other side" of this matter.

I abide by our state law and district policy regarding truancy. Before you speak with the principal, check to see what the state law and district policy say about absences. This would not be excused in our state or district. When you are enrolled in a public school, you must abide by state laws. He/she may not have any choice even with an explanation as to why you need to go on vacation then. You mentioned that they are good students. Unfortunately, the law doesn't allow us to make exceptions for good students. It doesn't specify that only a student who is below level may not be absent for school for trips.

Most importantly, please understand that this is a lot of time to be out of school. With the rigor of our curriculum, our kids would be way behind if they missed 10 days of school. Could you cut it down to 5 days, even if it is unexcused?

Was the principal disrespectful to you when he/she called? If not, then realize she is just doing her job. While you may not like what he/she has to say, you can still be respectful and agree to disagree.

That all being said, I totally understand the need to travel when the parents can take off of work and when it is cheaper, but not everything is easy when kids are in school. Sometimes sacrifices (Is giving up a trip a sacrifice?) have to be made to get a good education!

I hope this helps in seeing the other side of things.

 

[jpeka65844]

LOL. I wonder if we live in the same area -- the AVERAGE teacher salary here is $68,000, but $100,000+ salaries are not uncommon. And the average school day is under 6 hours -- Kids here don't start until 9 and they are out at 2:45 -- it is obscene. (Although individual schools set there own hours so some schools in the better neighborhoods aren't quite as bad.) And teachers here STILL complain.


B

WHERE IS THIS?? I NEED TO MOVE! After 11 years of teaching and a master's degree, in my district, I only make $8K more than a first year teacher. Which I suppose is good for the first year teacher......

Ah well, we don't do it for the money, do we???

 

[mjkacmom]

WHERE IS THIS?? I NEED TO MOVE! After 11 years of teaching and a master's degree, in my district, I only make $8K more than a first year teacher. Which I suppose is good for the first year teacher......

Ah well, we don't do it for the money, do we???

NJ - and there is currently a HUGE battle between the new Governor (republican) and the teachers union, and it's ugly. Both are pretty extreme in opposite directions.

 

[Maus]

How did this thread go from taking children out of school for vacation to how much a teacher makes and why does it matter? If you take your children out for vacation and you do so against school policies you suffer the consequences. That is how life is. If the Disney trip is more important that the education they receive in this time than do it, but do not complain that you might get punished for it. I do not think that the teacher or the school should have to do anything to accomodate you for your vacation. Ask other parents/ classmates what has been going on after your trip and try to help your children catch up. My dh does not own his business, but he still cannot go on vacation whenever he wants to. And if his boss would want him to come in, I doubt he would tell him to discuss it on the phone. Having children means to travel on school holidays, has allways been like that. Teaches them the right attitude about responsibilities imo too. But you know, if you don't like the fact that other people have a say in your childrens education there is allways the option of homeschooling. For many homeschoolers this is one of the reasons they do it.

 

[MM27]

WHERE IS THIS?? I NEED TO MOVE! After 11 years of teaching and a master's degree, in my district, I only make $8K more than a first year teacher. Which I suppose is good for the first year teacher......

Ah well, we don't do it for the money, do we???

NJ - and there is currently a HUGE battle between the new Governor (republican) and the teachers union, and it's ugly. Both are pretty extreme in opposite directions.

There are some districts in NJ where that is true, but the whole state is not like that. I'm in my 11th year with a masters degree and I don't make anywhere near $90,000. Those extreme cases are what people bring up to make their point, but they don't look at all the districts where that doesn't happen.

If the average is $90,000, then the next thing you need to look at is how many years the average teacher has been there. If the district is heavy in older teachers that have more years of service, of course they are going to be making more than new teachers. The highest starting salary in the state is Westfield which is in the high 50s, but that is not the norm. Personally though, I'll keep my lower salary than have to deal with parents in a place like Westfield.

 

[hmacmahony]

Nj teachers do not make that much money.

Maybe in some of the elite districts, but thought out 90% of the state, that is NOT what teachers make.
I 100% support our teachers (we live in NJ). I know the govenor is screwing them big time. And who does it affect...MY CHILD!

NJ - and there is currently a HUGE battle between the new Governor (republican) and the teachers union, and it's ugly. Both are pretty extreme in opposite directions.

 

[mjkacmom]

Nj teachers do not make that much money.

Maybe in some of the elite districts, but thought out 90% of the state, that is NOT what teachers make.
I 100% support our teachers (we live in NJ). I know the govenor is screwing them big time. And who does it affect...MY CHILD!

I guess I'm in an elite section, so it doesn't bother me as much. The teachers here are happy with their salaries and benefits, and the only way to get a position here is to know someone (fortunately, if I decide to teach, I do know people). It's one of those towns where lots of people here grew up here, and I have friends who feel like newbies, and out of the loop, who've lived her close to 20 years.

 

[disykat]

Here is the STARTING salary for CPS (chicago public schools) for 40 weeks and 6.25 hour work day -- straight from the CPS website:

Teachers in Chicago only work 6.25 hours a day? I'm guessing you're mistaken. Around here teachers are contracted for a minimum of 7.5 hours a day and that is what they get paid for. Like many jobs, there is an assumption of overtime, but no pay for it since they are salaried.

 

[palavra]

Teachers in Chicago only work 6.25 hours a day? I'm guessing you're mistaken. Around here teachers are contracted for a minimum of 7.5 hours a day and that is what they get paid for. Like many jobs, there is an assumption of overtime, but no pay for it since they are salaried.

This is correct. I work from 7:30-4:00 everyday required and am often there later. Every Sunday afternoon, I spend at least 2 hours in my classroom getting ready for next week. On most evenings, I grade papers or work on lssons for at least an hour. Once a week, I have and academic bowl practice for an hour after school, and I spend at least 3-4 Saturdays (8-9 hours) at academic bowl competitions without extra pay.

 

[PEANUT1]

Nj teachers do not make that much money.

Maybe in some of the elite districts, but thought out 90% of the state, that is NOT what teachers make.
I 100% support our teachers (we live in NJ). I know the govenor is screwing them big time. And who does it affect...MY CHILD!

my mil teaches in NJ..not in a good district. actually a rather bad one. She makes 80k and she has only been a teacher for about 12 years. NJ teachers overall do quite well.

everyone can debate whether teachers are paid fairly or not...This is not the point of this thread. One of my friends is a high school math teacher and she always tells me that she gets all of her work done at school and NEVER brings work home.

 

[Darcy03231]

OP - If your school district allows it go and have a great time.

What I wouldn't do is ask the teachers for 2 weeks work ahead of time. I also wouldn't ask the teacher to be staying after school to help your children learn anything they might have missed (other than their regularly scheduled after school day). Your vacation shouldn't impact their time. I have a good friend who's a teacher and this is one of her biggest peeves. She refuses to give work out ahead of time. One, because it creates extra work for her which cuts into her family time and two, while there are lesson plans sometimes things go a bit slower or a bit faster than planned. She puts all work aside in a folder and the child does it when they get back.

 

[LaurenLC]

I just googled the average teacher salary at our elementary school - $90,000. Our superintendent gets $165,000. The day is 6 hours, 45 minutes. Our teachers' yearly pension will equal their final salary. Our state's pension plan is very much in debt - it has become a crisis, thanks to the NJEA. Up until this year, our teachers have not had to pay a penny for health insurance. I realize things are different in other areas, but high teacher salaries/pensions/benefits do exist. I just read an article, that stated in NJ, public sector salaries are now more than the private sector salaries. The reason our unions rallied for such great benefits for the public employees was because their salaries were far below the private employees. However, that is no longer the case here.

I am sorry, but that is ridicules! A lot of college professors don't make that much!