I worked in an elementary school for 13 years as a paraprofessional. I served in the Media Center where we saw all of the students each week - served as a substitute teacher as both the "teacher" and aide in all grades prek - 5. I also served as the computer teacher (I acted as a TEACHER, sans teacher pay) for the last year I worked before I retired because of health problems.
I can honestly say that elementary school teachers DO NOT get paid nearly enough. They should be some of the highest paid individuals in the country - they are responsible for shaping the minds and hearts of our future. What I concluded about elementary school teachers is: 1) they consider their jobs very important; 2) they love the hours - long summer vacations 3) they all feel underpaid.
Many teachers teach for 20 - 30 years (sounds like a long time to someone in their late teens early 20's), retire and start getting retirement checks immediately, then embark on a new carreer in their early 50's having time to get a second retirement.
Teachers last because they value their job, love the children and feel like they are making a difference. |