Teachers--underpaid, overpaid, paid just right?

As a teacher, I think our salary is meager. Are we underpaid, probably. This however, is not exactly the financial concern that most teachers have.

Someone has already responded, "They still have the guts to ask for more funds" and then in the same response this person has pointed out that the classrooms, textbooks, and the physical environment of the school is deplorable. I, and most other teachers, would agree wholeheartedly. The financial increments that most teacher would most like to see is not in their own paychecks, but in the education system as a whole. If more money were allocated to education, schools would be more aesthetically appealing, textbooks would be current and not falling apart, class sizes would decrease, and classes would be able to take more educational field trips. More money devoted to education would make a teacher's job easier to do as well as creating an environment more conducive to learning. As it is, teachers are underpaid because we have very few resources to work with. Most teachers spend hundreds of their own dollars annually to teach their students. If however, the education system as a whole were given more financial and physical resources to work with, I believe the salary would be less of an issue. These are changes that most teachers would prefer rather than an increase in salary.

Teachers are one of the most underpaid people in the working profession. They put up with so much, no matter what grade they teach. From screaming brats to irate teenagers, they have to be politically correct and at all times and never say too harsh a word to reprimand them. Their paychecks get cut every year because of budget cuts, and they work hours that go beyond the classroom. From grading papers to making a lesson plan to dealing with parents, they spend a lot of time in their home dealing with kids other than their own. They often have to sacrifice time with their family to take care of someone elses, like at an after-school program or bus duty. With all they have to do, and so little they are paid to do it with, I have to say teachers are definitely underpaid.

Underpaid. Teachers have what is arguable the most important job. They are entrusted with teaching our children the ways of the world. Yet, where I live, anyone below college level is lucky to make $30,000/year. With a masters degree and national certification and several years of experience, you might be able to MAX out at about $50K.

With the low pay, we cannot attract the most qualified people. So we are left with mediocre people teaching our children.

I won't get into the other issues that plague our teachers because you didn't ask about that.

Teachers are overpaid.

They still have the guts to ask for more funds, while the school classrooms are falling apart, they only beautify their main office, with newer toilets.

Classrooms are overcrowded.

Not enough school supplies in the classrooms. Go check them out at the main office.

Old desks and chairs.

Old text books, from the '60s.

Boys/Girls restrooms need a lot of repairs.

No recreation fieldtrips.

Teachers don't teach what they are supposed to teach the students.

I understand they get money for passing a student who's supposed to be failing.

Cafeteria food is not nutritious, is junk food.

Underpaid, why, teachers have to teach these kids things their parents should have teach them. It's like a big day care where the money is very low for everything that these teachers do. Do teachers get noticed for this, the answer is NO, also teachers have to be careful these days for some snot nosed brat trying to say that the teacher some how is molesting them.There is always some thing . "Teachers Rule"

Oh yeah underpaid definetley. Thats exactly why I wouldnt be a teacher. If the pay was decent enough Id be a teacher. Teachers dont get paid for the work they do. Grading papers and putting up with other peoples stupid kids.

Underpaid

Underpaid very much so. There is no more important job in the world than molding our young ones. I think it is so ridiculous that ball players get multi millions of dollars for playing 6 months a year, and people like teachers, firemen, police, etc. are so grossly underpaid. My favorite soapbox subject.

UNDERPAID, they work day in and day out. They check homework,test and they have to make daily lesson plans.They cant be paid more because there are too many teachers in the U.S. and the gov will run out of money for everyone else!

Underpaid. Too much work to do outside of class. For best performance they should be able to spend more time preparing classes.