Any teachers out there?

[Maritta]

Yes, the government exams the kids have to take are also given to special ed kids but with the adaptations that they qualify for (such as reader, scribe, extra time). I work on the north end of Vancouver Island in BC and you start out making $50,000 each year with increases every year until 10 years in which you max out at $80,000 or $86,000 if you have your masters. If you sub you get $215/day but if you work more than 4 days in a row, you get more. Our dollar at the moment is just just a bit higher than yours but basically at par. We get 2 months off in the summer, 2 weeks at Christmas and 1 or 2 weeks in March. Not bad at all for doing a job I love!

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by Maritta

Yes, the government exams the kids have to take are also given to special ed kids but with the adaptations that they qualify for (such as reader, scribe, extra time). I work on the north end of Vancouver Island in BC and you start out making $50,000 each year with increases every year until 10 years in which you max out at $80,000 or $86,000 if you have your masters. If you sub you get $215/day but if you work more than 4 days in a row, you get more. Our dollar at the moment is just just a bit higher than yours but basically at par. We get 2 months off in the summer, 2 weeks at Christmas and 1 or 2 weeks in March. Not bad at all for doing a job I love!

Thanks for that info! Where I live the pay is really different! Starting pay is about $29000 for a bachelor degree and about $35000 with master. We get about $500 increase each year and max out after 28 years at $50,000. Subs get $60 a day. Of course, I know tere are states here that pay better than mine.

[Maritta]

Wow! I can't believe the pay difference! That is crazy! Which state do you live in?

[CouversMom]

Originally Posted by Maritta

Yes, the government exams the kids have to take are also given to special ed kids but with the adaptations that they qualify for (such as reader, scribe, extra time). I work on the north end of Vancouver Island in BC and you start out making $50,000 each year with increases every year until 10 years in which you max out at $80,000 or $86,000 if you have your masters. If you sub you get $215/day but if you work more than 4 days in a row, you get more. Our dollar at the moment is just just a bit higher than yours but basically at par. We get 2 months off in the summer, 2 weeks at Christmas and 1 or 2 weeks in March. Not bad at all for doing a job I love!

Wow, this is insane! I need to move back to B.C. with my husband! The starting pay here for teachers is $30,000. As a sub, you make $115/day in the highest paying district.

I cannot believe how different the pay is...

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by Maritta

Wow! I can't believe the pay difference! That is crazy! Which state do you live in?

Arkansas

[lisaly]

I have been teaching for thirty four years. My first six years were at the elementary level, but I have been a Resource Room teacher at the high school level since then. I hate all of the changes happening to education, but I absolutely love my students and teaching. I teach in an exceptional school, but that brings many different challenges and pressures. I wish you great luck and joy in teaching.

[Maritta]

Originally Posted by CouversMom

Wow, this is insane! I need to move back to B.C. with my husband! The starting pay here for teachers is $30,000. As a sub, you make $115/day in the highest paying district.

I cannot believe how different the pay is...

I can't believe the pay difference with you being in washington! I remember looking up the rates in Arizona and couldn't believe how low they were but I would have thought with Washington it would be pretty close. Crazy!! If you work in Northern BC you get paid even more. Our sub rate goes up even higher with 4 days or more depending on years of experience. So for example beacuse I am at the highest level (10+ years) if I were to sub again I'd be making $410/day if I worked 4+ days in a row....pretty good money for doing what you love! Come back to BC there are always jobs here!

[kwaymon]

Originally Posted by gumbysuz

I taught JHS (7-9) for forty years! Been retired for 6. Loved the kids and the many challenges. I'm happy to see young, enthusiastic new teachers pursing this very rewarding career. Continue to learn and be open to new ways of doing things. Good luck with your job search!

WOW! 40 years! Thats amazing. Thanks for your encouraging words hope you are enjoying your retirement

[kwaymon]

Originally Posted by Katie Jo

Stay positive I got observed by a neighboring principal my last day of student teaching last December. I started teaching that January! I love love love teaching fifth grade!

I love the upper elementary grades!

[kwaymon]

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie

Thanks for that info! Where I live the pay is really different! Starting pay is about $29000 for a bachelor degree and about $35000 with master. We get about $500 increase each year and max out after 28 years at $50,000. Subs get $60 a day. Of course, I know tere are states here that pay better than mine.

I live in Atlanta. I think ( and someone correct me if I'm wrong) starting pay is around 35,000-37,000. A masters will push you into the forties. And then of course, the longer you work, the higher your pay scale. My boyfriend has been teaching in Atlanta for 12 years. He has a specialist degree and he makes exatly 60,000.

[kwaymon]

Originally Posted by Maritta

Yes, the government exams the kids have to take are also given to special ed kids but with the adaptations that they qualify for (such as reader, scribe, extra time). I work on the north end of Vancouver Island in BC and you start out making $50,000 each year with increases every year until 10 years in which you max out at $80,000 or $86,000 if you have your masters. If you sub you get $215/day but if you work more than 4 days in a row, you get more. Our dollar at the moment is just just a bit higher than yours but basically at par. We get 2 months off in the summer, 2 weeks at Christmas and 1 or 2 weeks in March. Not bad at all for doing a job I love!

WOOOOW! no not bad at all

[JessnStoli]

Congratulations on your student teaching! This is my tenth year of teaching. I taught kindergarten for four years, then second grade, and am now back in kindergarten. I love the little kids. Good luck finding a job! I've been looking for a new position in a public school instead of the private school that I am currently teaching in.

[Katie Jo]

Kwaymon, when do you graduate??

[sandy simpson]

I taught k-1-2 for 34years. Teaching is a very rewarding job. If your gift is teaching, stay with it. I hope the field will open up and new teachers will get jobs. You must love children and be technologically minded these days. You need to be 100% dedicated and be willing to put in the hours it takes to be a great teacher. If you can specialize, do that. I stayed and got a special ed certificate in the learning handicapp area but was hired in regular ed.
Children need great teachers. Follow your heart and passion and do what you love to do in this life!

[shelimcallister]

Congratulations! I am an ESE teacher for fifth graders with autism. I have been doing it for 10 years and I am truly passionate about my job. Teaching special needs is VERY challenging, like any teaching job, and I agree that the paperwork is intense. I am pursuing my Master's now and am looking foward to new challenges in leadership. Best of luck to you!