I have been teaching 4th grade in Miami, Fl. for 15 years, I have a Masters, a Specialist and soon Nationally Certified.I was in school a total of 8 years, equivalent to an attorney and now is when I am making $50,000 a year. As Maxmom said the pay here is not great and it doesn't look like they will honor our contract. Our stipend for being an A school after the FCAT testing is up in the air also. I just finished my National Boards ( I am waiting for the results in November) and while the state says we will get our bonus, if I finally do get certified they will only pay it for the next 10 years. Clearly teaching is not about the money and you certainly won't be wealthy if you teach. I know this may sound corny but my students enrich me everyday with laughter, compliments, perseverance, and a whole lot of patience. After 15 years I really do love what I do.
