Teachers' Salaries

[prowler1971]

I am not the original author of this piece. I also do not know the origins. As it does not put forward anything expected to be factual but is simply opinion, I feel safe re-posting it here for your pleasure. I have edited for typos and such:

Teachers get paid TOO much... I'm fed up with teachers and their hefty salary schedules. What we need here is a little perspective.

If I had my way, I'd pay these teachers myself, I'd pay them baby-sitting wages. That's right, instead of paying these outrageous taxes[1], I'd give them $3 an hour out of my own pocket. And I'm only going to pay them for five hours, not coffee breaks. That would be $15 a day. Each parent should pay $15 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their child. Even if they have more than one child, it's still a lot cheaper than private day care.

Now, how many children do they teach every day, maybe 20?[2] That's $15x20=$300 a day. But remember, they only work 180 days a year! I am not going to pay them for all those vacations! $300x180=$54,000. (Just a minute, I think my calculator needs new batteries.)

I know now you teachers will say, "what about those who have 10 years experience and a master's degree?" Well, maybe (to be fair) they could get the minimum wage, and instead of just baby-sitting, they could read the kids a story. We could round that off to about $5 an hour, times five hours, times 20 children. That's $500 a day times 180 days. That's $90,000...HUH?!?

Wait a minute, let's get a little perspective here. Baby-sitting wages are too good for these teachers. Did anyone see a salary schedule around here?

[3]

[1] I realize tax money goes to more than just the salary, such as the building, upkeep, support staff, administration, books, supplies, etc.
[2] I don't know any teacher who can claim a class size of 20 children or less.
[3] Remember, I DIDN'T WRITE THIS! I just think it adds some much needed perspective.

Comments

[guy-todd.livejournal.com]

Could you please explain your reason for posting this? I hope it is only to expose the stupidity of others.

[prowler1971.livejournal.com]

Which stupidity? The person who wrote the piece or the people who think teachers are overpaid?

Do I have to have a reason for posting it? It's my journal. What part do you object to?

[guy-todd.livejournal.com]

I just wasn't getting the point you were trying to make, or if the notes below were yours or the original author's. That's all. Don't be so testy. ;-)

[prowler1971.livejournal.com]

The notes are mine, I thought that would have been made clear with the third note, "Remember, I DIDN'T WRITE THIS! I just think it adds some much needed perspective."

The original piece is dripping with sarcasm. I would think that was also clear. So the point is that people who think teachers are getting paid too much are full of crap.

It was in response (I believe) to the FAUX NEWS folks who have, at once, claimed teachers make a ton of money while those who makes $250k or more a year are living near the poverty line.

[guy-todd.livejournal.com]

Thanks for clarifying. I'm glad you don't think teachers make too much, since my sister works several gigs *outside* of her full-time teaching position to make ends meet. ;-)