People who smell like cigarettes or who smoke around me period.
People who are mean to kids or animals
People who don't even try to control thier kids if they are being outrageously rude or invasive such as climbing on my shopping cart or hitting someone's car with stuff.
People who can't tolerate opinions unlike thier own or at least comprehend that there is more than one way to think about things.
My husbands ECigarette!! I hate it. He spends entirely way too much time getting it "ready" and it drives me crazy. He always says "well I could be smoking still"
Ugh my dad too. His smells like caramel and it makes me nauseous!
I agree with all the turn signal posts, and another one that just downright makes me mad is when people cut off semi's or are generally rude to them, don't let them over etc. Also when I'm out to eat and the other person pays and doesn't tip well, or won't even look at the waiter/waitress. Also the fact that is takes my husband FOR-EVE-ER to get anything done, or get ready to leave, I just don't understand how he thinks of the ten thousand things to do before we leave. He also just has a hard time with time management, and recognizing the things that are time sensitive versus not.
People who drive in the fast lane when there is no reason to. I find people from the city mostly do this. My fiancé is from the city and now that she lives "in the country" she brings these horrible habits here. I hate when anyone does it. It slows the flow of traffic and is generally just annoying.
Agree with the smacking, chewing, clicking mouth noises.
I'd also add people who whistle at work. It was fine for Snow White, because her co-workers were a bunch of woodland creatures. A tiny office of 6 people, not so pleasant.
One of my co-workers listens to music while they work, which is fine, BUT they have the volume cranked so loud I can hear it through their headphones from about 20 feet away. I've tried to be subtle by messaging them to say "Oh! Is this the new Florence? I love this song, great choice". It was too subtle. I just don't want to embarrass them, but it is so distracting. So, the pet peeve here is when people have their headphones so loud you have no choice but to listen to what they are listening to.
People who don't just do their f'ing jobs. Like. Please do what you're paid to do. Don't make me email you 7 times to ask you to do it. Don't make me pick up your slack. Don't tell me you're going to do something that you're responsible for doing, and then weakly apologize because you were "so busy." Everybody's busy. Just do your goddamn job.
Coughing. I don't know why but someone coughing drives me up the freaking wall. I am super lucky to now work from home because cold and flu season was the absolute worst for me. I'm usually torn between I'm so sorry you don't feel well and please for the love of everything get a cough drop! It's awful and I hate that it bothers me but it does! I even get annoyed with myself when I'm sick
joyful08 said: I agree with both of these I guess I just didn't word my thoughts correctly. I definitely understand that you shouldn't get paid a set amount of money just because of a degree. I just feel like he is cheated in a way even though he worked just as hard to get his degree. I know a few people that have desk jobs right out of college and spend most of their day browsing online not actively working and get paid tons to do it. And it makes me sad to see teachers work all day non-stop and get crappy pay. I know I am bias because I know lots of teachers I just think teacher pay is flawed.
We knew what we were getting into, @joyful08. If our goal was to collect a fat check for browsing the Internet, we wouldn't have majored in education! It depends where you are, too - I think I make a pretty good salary.
ETA: that last part sounds crass. I only bring it up in the context of the conversation because I think it's like "common knowledge" that teacher pay is shit when that's not universally true.
this. I used to be an assistant for a mortgage loan officer. There are teachers in my are making enough to buy $400k houses. That is double the average size house where I live. He made over $6k a month and his wife made average amount for our area of right at $4k (this is before taxes btw). So I do agree it depends on the area you live you in, even here it varies by district.
We have two sleeping beauties in heaven. Jack gained his wings on 09/02/2016. Kali gained her wings on 07/28/2015. They will be forever missed.
Coughing. I don't know why but someone coughing drives me up the freaking wall. I am super lucky to now work from home because cold and flu season was the absolute worst for me. I'm usually torn between I'm so sorry you don't feel well and please for the love of everything get a cough drop! It's awful and I hate that it bothers me but it does! I even get annoyed with myself when I'm sick
It's tough-I tend to get stubborn coughs that last long after I'm actually sick. Cough drops, cough syrup, etc. don't really help. I always feel badly because I know it is annoying to people, but at the same time I can't stay home for a month each time I get a cold. Luckily my current boss has a perma-cough, so she understands. I apologize on behalf of my people!
Phone zombies. Put your phone down and walk! Subway stairs were not made so you could have a place to tweet! Pokemon Go has made this even worse. I was hoping for some insecurity on the part of regular phone zombies- "Oh, I should put my phone down. I don't want anyone to think I'm lame enough to be playing PG." But nope.
Married: 2011 TTC #1: 3/2016 Me 39 - DH 44 BFP 5/27/16 EDD 1/30/17 DD born 2/3/17
Coughing. I don't know why but someone coughing drives me up the freaking wall. I am super lucky to now work from home because cold and flu season was the absolute worst for me. I'm usually torn between I'm so sorry you don't feel well and please for the love of everything get a cough drop! It's awful and I hate that it bothers me but it does! I even get annoyed with myself when I'm sick
It's tough-I tend to get stubborn coughs that last long after I'm actually sick. Cough drops, cough syrup, etc. don't really help. I always feel badly because I know it is annoying to people, but at the same time I can't stay home for a month each time I get a cold. Luckily my current boss has a perma-cough, so she understands. I apologize on behalf of my people!
I'm like this too. Any time I get sick for pretty much anything I develop a cough that will last another 3-4 months. Nothing really helps it, I've seen multiple specialists and tried everything from cough drops, to syrups, to inhalers, to honey and lemon teas. I'm sorry it's annoying and I realize it must be frustrating for people around me but it's not like I can 3 months off work. At least those people don't have a raw throat from coughing for 3 months straight. It sucks.
Me: 33 | DH: 34 Married: October, 19, 2015 EDD 2/22/17 DS1 born on 3/2/17 EDD 3/8/20 DS2 born on 3/10/20 EDD 11/24/23 (Formerly Marriedhamstermom Feb ‘17)
Hypocrites, my biggest number one pet peeve. And it is wide ranging, so for example do not tell to clean up if your area is messy. My dhs extreme religious side of family, who see nothing wrong about dictating how other should live and how we will go all to hell but then when I ask when the last time they helped out the poor and they are silent.
Next since other people brought up teaching, damn at this point I would be okay with my horrible pay if I did not have to pay for all/most of the supplies out of my own pay check. What other job do I need to bring in my own projector, speakers and computer. I have no text books and when I have used up my copies for the month, I pay out of my own pocket for copies. Why Cannot we not fund schools properly?! I do not even have air conditioning in my school, we live in a semi desert, where it is 90+ alot of the school year, kids get bloody noses from it being so hot but we cannot get funding to fix our school, noo!! Errg....
I make more per hour than many of my friends with degrees, and I only went as far as HS.
Same. I make more working part time that dh does full time with 2 degrees. That doesn't mean I haven't worked my ass off learning my craft and marketing it / building my brand. I just don't have a piece of paper reflecting that work.
Expecting #5 Rainbow baby after 3 losses Due February, 2017
Hypocrites, my biggest number one pet peeve. And it is wide ranging, so for example do not tell to clean up if your area is messy. My dhs extreme religious side of family, who see nothing wrong about dictating how other should live and how we will go all to hell but then when I ask when the last time they helped out the poor and they are silent.
Next since other people brought up teaching, damn at this point I would be okay with my horrible pay if I did not have to pay for all/most of the supplies out of my own pay check. What other job do I need to bring in my own projector, speakers and computer. I have no text books and when I have used up my copies for the month, I pay out of my own pocket for copies. Why Cannot we not fund schools properly?! I do not even have air conditioning in my school, we live in a semi desert, where it is 90+ alot of the school year, kids get bloody noses from it being so hot but cannot we get funding to fix our school, noo!! Errg....
Ok that's for you but its incredibly wrong to say teachers are paid badly as a general statement. The teachers were I live are paid very well for what they do and have excellent benefits. In fact, some are paid too much. It depends on where you are.
It seems to be a huge issue to say not all teachers are great. Some are, some aren't. Most are average, like in any other job.
Funding schools. The system here receives a lot of money but where that money goes is everywhere other than the classroom. I am not blaming teachers for that but someone needs to be held accountable and I am tired of it being the kids.
Coughing. I don't know why but someone coughing drives me up the freaking wall. I am super lucky to now work from home because cold and flu season was the absolute worst for me. I'm usually torn between I'm so sorry you don't feel well and please for the love of everything get a cough drop! It's awful and I hate that it bothers me but it does! I even get annoyed with myself when I'm sick
It's tough-I tend to get stubborn coughs that last long after I'm actually sick. Cough drops, cough syrup, etc. don't really help. I always feel badly because I know it is annoying to people, but at the same time I can't stay home for a month each time I get a cold. Luckily my current boss has a perma-cough, so she understands. I apologize on behalf of my people!
I'm like this too. Any time I get sick for pretty much anything I develop a cough that will last another 3-4 months. Nothing really helps it, I've seen multiple specialists and tried everything from cough drops, to syrups, to inhalers, to honey and lemon teas. I'm sorry it's annoying and I realize it must be frustrating for people around me but it's not like I can 3 months off work. At least those people don't have a raw throat from coughing for 3 months straight. It sucks.
This is why it's good I work from home, I wouldn't expect anyone to magically rid themselves of something they cannot control and is making them feel terrible. I can now hide away in my own world, people like me shouldn't work with people lol it's a win win! Again I hate that this is what grates on my nerves I wish it could be something else! I know it sucks for y'all that's why I feel so bad about being irritated!
Hypocrites, my biggest number one pet peeve. And it is wide ranging, so for example do not tell to clean up if your area is messy. My dhs extreme religious side of family, who see nothing wrong about dictating how other should live and how we will go all to hell but then when I ask when the last time they helped out the poor and they are silent.
Next since other people brought up teaching, damn at this point I would be okay with my horrible pay if I did not have to pay for all/most of the supplies out of my own pay check. What other job do I need to bring in my own projector, speakers and computer. I have no text books and when I have used up my copies for the month, I pay out of my own pocket for copies. Why Cannot we not fund schools properly?! I do not even have air conditioning in my school, we live in a semi desert, where it is 90+ alot of the school year, kids get bloody noses from it being so hot but cannot we get funding to fix our school, noo!! Errg....
Ok that's for you but its incredibly wrong to say teachers are paid badly as a general statement. The teachers were I live are paid very well for what they do and have excellent benefits. In fact, some are paid too much. It depends on where you are.
It seems to be a huge issue to say not all teachers are great. Some are, some aren't. Most are average, like in any other job.
Funding schools. The system here receives a lot of money but where that money goes is everywhere other than the classroom. I am not blaming teachers for that but someone needs to be held accountable and I am tired of it being the kids.
Hypocrites, my biggest number one pet peeve. And it is wide ranging, so for example do not tell to clean up if your area is messy. My dhs extreme religious side of family, who see nothing wrong about dictating how other should live and how we will go all to hell but then when I ask when the last time they helped out the poor and they are silent.
Next since other people brought up teaching, damn at this point I would be okay with my horrible pay if I did not have to pay for all/most of the supplies out of my own pay check. What other job do I need to bring in my own projector, speakers and computer. I have no text books and when I have used up my copies for the month, I pay out of my own pocket for copies. Why Cannot we not fund schools properly?! I do not even have air conditioning in my school, we live in a semi desert, where it is 90+ alot of the school year, kids get bloody noses from it being so hot but cannot we get funding to fix our school, noo!! Errg....
Ok that's for you but its incredibly wrong to say teachers are paid badly as a general statement. The teachers were I live are paid very well for what they do and have excellent benefits. In fact, some are paid too much. It depends on where you are.
It seems to be a huge issue to say not all teachers are great. Some are, some aren't. Most are average, like in any other job.
Funding schools. The system here receives a lot of money but where that money goes is everywhere other than the classroom. I am not blaming teachers for that but someone needs to be held accountable and I am tired of it being the kids.
A lot of mine are grammar related. Using the word 'like' as punctuation whenever someone speaks. Being a general asshat when you drive, i.e. not using your blinker, cutting someone off, riding your brakes, etc. Chewing really loudly. Ugh! I know sometimes it can't be helped, but I sometimes thing people try their hardest to be obnoxious about it. I worked with this pregnant chick last year who was eating ALL the TIME. Granted, I probably will, too, later on, but she was always eating really juicy things and kept making slurping sounds and chewed with her mouth open. Blekh! Being an inconsiderate butthead. Now this can take on many forms - not saying 'thank you' or using your manners, taking someone for granted, not cleaning up after yourself, etc. These things will make me give you the side-eye.
Hypocrites, my biggest number one pet peeve. And it is wide ranging, so for example do not tell to clean up if your area is messy. My dhs extreme religious side of family, who see nothing wrong about dictating how other should live and how we will go all to hell but then when I ask when the last time they helped out the poor and they are silent.
Next since other people brought up teaching, damn at this point I would be okay with my horrible pay if I did not have to pay for all/most of the supplies out of my own pay check. What other job do I need to bring in my own projector, speakers and computer. I have no text books and when I have used up my copies for the month, I pay out of my own pocket for copies. Why Cannot we not fund schools properly?! I do not even have air conditioning in my school, we live in a semi desert, where it is 90+ alot of the school year, kids get bloody noses from it being so hot but cannot we get funding to fix our school, noo!! Errg....
Ok that's for you but its incredibly wrong to say teachers are paid badly as a general statement. The teachers were I live are paid very well for what they do and have excellent benefits. In fact, some are paid too much. It depends on where you are.
It seems to be a huge issue to say not all teachers are great. Some are, some aren't. Most are average, like in any other job.
Funding schools. The system here receives a lot of money but where that money goes is everywhere other than the classroom. I am not blaming teachers for that but someone needs to be held accountable and I am tired of it being the kids.
I wi probably be back.
I will agree that in my particular district, I have excellent benefits. I am also slightly better paid than teachers in the surrounding counties. But I also work in a very high-needs inner-city district where kids are transient and frequently homeless, classrooms are overcrowded, and schools are woefully underfunded, so I more than earn that extra penny on the dollar. In what other profession can you work for twenty or thirty extra hours per week and still not even be allowed - BY LAW - to receive a pay raise? In what other profession can you bust your ass and be the best at what you do, and still get stuck in the same lane as people who barely show up on time every day? In what other profession are you required to get a post-graduate degree AND THEN pay out of pocket for 30 additional hours of professional development per year, only to be guaranteed an annual pay raise that is consistently outpaced by inflation?
Teacher salaries are such a small part of the pie when it comes to school district budgeting that it would make your head spin. My district spends less than 5% of its budget on teacher salaries. FIVE. PERCENT. Spread across more than three thousand teachers. And yet 1.5% of its budget goes to the salaries of about 100 upper-level management. Do the math on that for a hot second. Our superintendent of schools is the third-highest paid government employee in the state. So let's make sure we keep teacher salary discussions far, far away from conversations about school district funding. Trust me when I tell you that teacher salaries are not the problem.
Sure, not all teachers are great. Lots of them really suck, actually. Teacher salaries are part of the reason why so many poor teachers are allowed to continue in the profession. If teacher salaries were competitive with other professions, then many more talented and ambitious professionals would be drawn to the field, and the job market would be competitive. Instead, we suffer serious teacher shortages across the country.
I had another job before I was a teacher, and I was able to work from home and travel and make a lot of money. And I felt like a fraud. And so I put a year of my life into a career switcher program because I knew that I was meant to be in the classroom. I am poor as fuck (thankfully, my husband is not!), but I am so, so much happier because I'm doing the thing I was meant to do. It is hard and it is thankless and sometimes it is even scary, but it's the only thing I ever wanted to do and I am so, so grateful that I get to do it. Good teachers are not here for the paycheck or the summers off or the hilaaaaaaarious conversations we have with children on a daily basis. We're here because it's who we are. It's what we're meant to do. So we find a way to make it work.
Non-teachers who have strong opinions about the teaching profession, what educators should/should not get paid, and claim to know everything about what it is like to be a teacher simply because they were students. Unless you ever were a teacher, believe me, you have no idea.
Hypocrites, my biggest number one pet peeve. And it is wide ranging, so for example do not tell to clean up if your area is messy. My dhs extreme religious side of family, who see nothing wrong about dictating how other should live and how we will go all to hell but then when I ask when the last time they helped out the poor and they are silent.
Ok that's for you but its incredibly wrong to say teachers are paid badly as a general statement. The teachers were I live are paid very well for what they do and have excellent benefits. In fact, some are paid too much. It depends on where you are.
It seems to be a huge issue to say not all teachers are great. Some are, some aren't. Most are average, like in any other job.
Funding schools. The system here receives a lot of money but where that money goes is everywhere other than the classroom. I am not blaming teachers for that but someone needs to be held accountable and I am tired of it being the kids.
I wi probably be back.
I will agree that in my particular district, I have excellent benefits. I am also slightly better paid than teachers in the surrounding counties. But I also work in a very high-needs inner-city district where kids are transient and frequently homeless, classrooms are overcrowded, and schools are woefully underfunded, so I more than earn that extra penny on the dollar. In what other profession can you work for twenty or thirty extra hours per week and still not even be allowed - BY LAW - to receive a pay raise? In what other profession can you bust your ass and be the best at what you do, and still get stuck in the same lane as people who barely show up on time every day? In what other profession are you required to get a post-graduate degree AND THEN pay out of pocket for 30 additional hours of professional development per year, only to be guaranteed an annual pay raise that is consistently outpaced by inflation?
Teacher salaries are such a small part of the pie when it comes to school district budgeting that it would make your head spin. My district spends less than 5% of its budget on teacher salaries. FIVE. PERCENT. Spread across more than three thousand teachers. And yet 1.5% of its budget goes to the salaries of about 100 upper-level management. Do the math on that for a hot second. Our superintendent of schools is the third-highest paid government employee in the state. So let's make sure we keep teacher salary discussions far, far away from conversations about school district funding. Trust me when I tell you that teacher salaries are not the problem.
Sure, not all teachers are great. Lots of them really suck, actually. Teacher salaries are part of the reason why so many poor teachers are allowed to continue in the profession. If teacher salaries were competitive with other professions, then many more talented and ambitious professionals would be drawn to the field, and the job market would be competitive. Instead, we suffer serious teacher shortages across the country.
I had another job before I was a teacher, and I was able to work from home and travel and make a lot of money. And I felt like a fraud. And so I put a year of my life into a career switcher program because I knew that I was meant to be in the classroom. I am poor as fuck (thankfully, my husband is not!), but I am so, so much happier because I'm doing the thing I was meant to do. It is hard and it is thankless and sometimes it is even scary, but it's the only thing I ever wanted to do and I am so, so grateful that I get to do it. Good teachers are not here for the paycheck or the summers off or the hilaaaaaaarious conversations we have with children on a daily basis. We're here because it's who we are. It's what we're meant to do. So we find a way to make it work.
Ok, like I said it depends on where you are because nothing you mentioned has anything to do with where I am. I live in Ontario, Canada.(specifically several of the schools boards) Teacher salaries here are not low and they do receive raises. I will post more about that later. (Possibly tomorrow) We have a huge, and I mean huge, over supply of teachers. They can't find work because we have too many.
This is kind of what I mean. Say something about teachers and people get so angry without considering things are not the same all over.
Edit That is not the one I wanted but I will look later. I don't claim most teachers are rich but they are far from poor. (Check out the sunshine list last year for those making over $100,000+)
Non-teachers who have strong opinions about the teaching profession, what educators should/should not get paid, and claim to know everything about what it is like to be a teacher simply because they were students. Unless you ever were a teacher, believe me, you have no idea.
I have a strong opinion because it is tax money that pays them and yearly there are threats to strike and work to rule is a regular thing for many. I have a strong opinion after having volunteered in the school system over 20 years as an assistant. (Part of the time worked as an assistant) Also, I have been on the side of a parent. My sons are finished now. I have seen many good teachers and many who are not good.
I can not tell you what it is to be a teacher and I did not claim to know everything but I can certainly have an opinion. We all need to know more about what is going on with the school boards, the union and the government. (Will post more on that if I find the right articles)
@blush64 I have no idea how things are in Canada, but my facts are extremely common knowledge across the US. I would be happy to cite authoritative sources when I get back to a computer.
@MonaLisaRalphio that's ok, my whole point was things are different and it depends on where you are. When I replied the first time it was to say things aren't the same all over.
When I commented, speaking about where I am, you replied with information from where you are. I believe you. I was trying to explain things here because it isn't the same.
It is just a different situation entirely. And I don't even dislike teachers, I would not have spent so much of my life with them if I did. I like most of the teachers I have met.
Edit I never suggested teachers in the USA make a lot of money or anything about the USA. One more edit to avoid a new post- I don't think teachers are low paid where I live. I also don't think most teachers are over paid, some certainly are.
I was surprised to see that many teachers make less than $50k in the majority of states in the US. They make much more than that here, but it is also a HCOL state. The thing is, you have the ability to see what your salary will most likely be. Before H got his degree, he researched average wages. He made the best decision for himself and our family based on what he could see himself doing and what his earning potential was. He has a 4 year degree and makes quite a bit more than a teacher does. It's a choice. Nobody gets forced into any profession.
@gingersnap you're absolutely right that it's a choice, and I don't think there's a single teacher who goes into the profession thinking they're going to make bank. I just bristle at the assumption that US teachers are well-paid, except for in a handful of special cases, when it's so well-documented that we are underpaid AF.
@gingersnap you're absolutely right that it's a choice, and I don't think there's a single teacher who goes into the profession thinking they're going to make bank. I just bristle at the assumption that US teachers are well-paid, except for in a handful of special cases, when it's so well-documented that we are underpaid AF.
Oh, totally. I was referring more to the OP who brought up the whole making less and having a degree. Come to my state, they are paid well!
@gingersnap you're absolutely right that it's a choice, and I don't think there's a single teacher who goes into the profession thinking they're going to make bank. I just bristle at the assumption that US teachers are well-paid, except for in a handful of special cases, when it's so well-documented that we are underpaid AF.
What do you think a teacher should make? Serious question - I'm a teacher too. I just honestly don't know much/anything about what people in other industries earn, so I'm curious what you think would be fair compensation.
@gingersnap you're absolutely right that it's a choice, and I don't think there's a single teacher who goes into the profession thinking they're going to make bank. I just bristle at the assumption that US teachers are well-paid, except for in a handful of special cases, when it's so well-documented that we are underpaid AF.
What do you think a teacher should make? Serious question - I'm a teacher too. I just honestly don't know much/anything about what people in other industries earn, so I'm curious what you think would be fair compensation.
That's a complicated and totally fair question. In order to get a very objective view on the matter, you'd have to compare other professions with similar educational requirements, professional development/continuing education requirements, and professional responsibilities. Off the top of my head, I can think of legal services, healthcare professionals, and perhaps accountants? Salary.com quotes the median Nurse Practitioner salary as $99,451, the median entry level attorney's salary as $87,494 (with an associate attorney making just shy of $200k), and the median CPA's salary as $72,968. The median teacher's salary is $57,371, so clearly teacher salaries are significantly outpaced by other comparable professional levels. Even adjusting the 10-month teacher contract to a 12-month salary only brings you to $68,845, so even accounting for the "summers off" (which, don't even get me started on that joke) does not bring teachers to an equal footing.
The question becomes even more complicated when you account for the lack of leadership/advancement opportunities for teachers. As I'm sure you know (but I'll say it for those who don't!), there are only a couple of routes to take: the administration route, the specialist route, or the training route. All three take a teacher out of the classroom. Other than the occasional promotion to head of department (which usually comes with an extra few weeks of work per year and a very small raise - my department head, for example, makes about $5k more than I do, which doesn't even cover the extra time she works), there are no opportunities for advancement without leaving the classroom completely. Even if a teacher does advance professionally, he or she will never make the kind of money that comparable professionals will make. A school principal, for example, makes a median salary of $98,646. A Managing Attorney makes on average $187,308.
On top of that, merit pay is not available to a teacher. My husband is an attorney who makes well over twice what I make per year, and his income is supplemented by significant merit bonuses each year. That's never an option for me. I can (and do) take on extra work to make a small additional stipend, but that means I spend an extra 200 or so hours per year to make about $1200 bucks. Before taxes.
So, all that is to say that I think a teacher should be paid commensurately with his or her training, skills, and experience. Just like people in every other profession.
@gingersnap you're absolutely right that it's a choice, and I don't think there's a single teacher who goes into the profession thinking they're going to make bank. I just bristle at the assumption that US teachers are well-paid, except for in a handful of special cases, when it's so well-documented that we are underpaid AF.
What do you think a teacher should make? Serious question - I'm a teacher too. I just honestly don't know much/anything about what people in other industries earn, so I'm curious what you think would be fair compensation.
IMO, for the level of skill and professionalism required, and the importance of the job that they do to all of society, the majority of teachers in should make between $60,000 and $100,000 a year. I wouldn't mind if my tax dollars went to even higher pay for those that deserve it. I consider summers "off" to be completely balanced by all of the unpaid time worked during the school year.
Additionally, teachers should not have politicians or sketchy "textbook committees" telling them how to do the job they trained for.
Qualifications of my opinion: I am a former teacher (very brief career) who couldn't hack it. It's hard, really hard, but what really drove me away was the strict testing requirements that have seemingly quadrupled since I graduated college in '07. I'm now a nonprofit coordinator who does work with schools, and my salary is about what it would have been had I stayed in the classroom, so I didn't leave for the money.
@MonaLisaRalphio thank you for your well-researched response! Interesting info for sure. And @Xstatic3333 for your thoughts as well. It really is crucial that teacher pay be competitive with other demanding careers to attract and keep talent. You can't be a good teacher if you're only in it for the money, but good teachers will go elsewhere to meet their personal or family's needs.
It's amazing how much it varies from district to district; that national median is near some districts' entry level, but I saw a headline recently about preschool teachers living below the poverty line. Speaks to priorities, I guess!
I am seriously floored that the average teachers salary is $57k.. I make literally more than $20k less than that as a (new) teacher even with stipends from doing extracurricular coaching.. Sad day.
@fourPsinapod I make significantly less than the median, too. You have to factor in the step-ups for people who are teaching for 25 or 30 years, plus various incentive programs (Title I bonuses, teacher residency programs, etc.) plus cost of living increases in expensive cities for it to make any sense. I don't know if salary.com factors in department head salaries, or if that's a different category.
Geez @fourPsinapod and @MonaLisaRalphio, I'm really sorry to hear that. I'm curious what area you're in bc it's a very different experience where I am, but 1. we've already hijacked the heck out of this thread and 2. that's TMI for bump strangers
Re: GTKY: Pet Peeves
People who are mean to kids or animals
People who don't even try to control thier kids if they are being outrageously rude or invasive such as climbing on my shopping cart or hitting someone's car with stuff.
People who can't tolerate opinions unlike thier own or at least comprehend that there is more than one way to think about things.
I'd also add people who whistle at work. It was fine for Snow White, because her co-workers were a bunch of woodland creatures. A tiny office of 6 people, not so pleasant.
One of my co-workers listens to music while they work, which is fine, BUT they have the volume cranked so loud I can hear it through their headphones from about 20 feet away. I've tried to be subtle by messaging them to say "Oh! Is this the new Florence? I love this song, great choice". It was too subtle. I just don't want to embarrass them, but it is so distracting. So, the pet peeve here is when people have their headphones so loud you have no choice but to listen to what they are listening to.
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Started TTC #1 November 2015
BFP 6/10/2016 - EDD 2/22/2017
Also, one-uppers.
And people who post on FB pictures of mutilated kids or sad dogs and post "1 like = 1 amen" or something like that. That is not how this works, pal.
Jack gained his wings on 09/02/2016.
Kali gained her wings on 07/28/2015.
They will be forever missed.
People who leave like 3 seconds on the microwave at work. It takes 1 second to hit the clear button and I shouldn't have to do it for you...
People who go below the speed limit... look you may not have anywhere to go but I'm not just out joyriding I have somewhere to be.
Married: October, 19, 2015
EDD 2/22/17
EDD 3/8/20
EDD 11/24/23
(Formerly Marriedhamstermom Feb ‘17)
TTC #1: 3/2016
Me 39 - DH 44
BFP 5/27/16 EDD 1/30/17
DD born 2/3/17
Married: October, 19, 2015
EDD 2/22/17
EDD 3/8/20
EDD 11/24/23
(Formerly Marriedhamstermom Feb ‘17)
Next since other people brought up teaching, damn at this point I would be okay with my horrible pay if I did not have to pay for all/most of the supplies out of my own pay check. What other job do I need to bring in my own projector, speakers and computer. I have no text books and when I have used up my copies for the month, I pay out of my own pocket for copies. Why Cannot we not fund schools properly?! I do not even have air conditioning in my school, we live in a semi desert, where it is 90+ alot of the school year, kids get bloody noses from it being so hot but we cannot get funding to fix our school, noo!! Errg....
Married to my Soul Mate since 09/06/09
Rainbow baby after 3 losses
Due February, 2017
It seems to be a huge issue to say not all teachers are great. Some are, some aren't. Most are average, like in any other job.
Funding schools. The system here receives a lot of money but where that money goes is everywhere other than the classroom. I am not blaming teachers for that but someone needs to be held accountable and I am tired of it being the kids.
I wi probably be back.
Married to my Soul Mate since 09/06/09
White knighting for someone who completely took things out of context
Married to my Soul Mate since 09/06/09
Married to my Soul Mate since 09/06/09
Using the word 'like' as punctuation whenever someone speaks.
Being a general asshat when you drive, i.e. not using your blinker, cutting someone off, riding your brakes, etc.
Chewing really loudly. Ugh! I know sometimes it can't be helped, but I sometimes thing people try their hardest to be obnoxious about it. I worked with this pregnant chick last year who was eating ALL the TIME. Granted, I probably will, too, later on, but she was always eating really juicy things and kept making slurping sounds and chewed with her mouth open. Blekh!
Being an inconsiderate butthead. Now this can take on many forms - not saying 'thank you' or using your manners, taking someone for granted, not cleaning up after yourself, etc. These things will make me give you the side-eye.
Teacher salaries are such a small part of the pie when it comes to school district budgeting that it would make your head spin. My district spends less than 5% of its budget on teacher salaries. FIVE. PERCENT. Spread across more than three thousand teachers. And yet 1.5% of its budget goes to the salaries of about 100 upper-level management. Do the math on that for a hot second. Our superintendent of schools is the third-highest paid government employee in the state. So let's make sure we keep teacher salary discussions far, far away from conversations about school district funding. Trust me when I tell you that teacher salaries are not the problem.
Sure, not all teachers are great. Lots of them really suck, actually. Teacher salaries are part of the reason why so many poor teachers are allowed to continue in the profession. If teacher salaries were competitive with other professions, then many more talented and ambitious professionals would be drawn to the field, and the job market would be competitive. Instead, we suffer serious teacher shortages across the country.
I had another job before I was a teacher, and I was able to work from home and travel and make a lot of money. And I felt like a fraud. And so I put a year of my life into a career switcher program because I knew that I was meant to be in the classroom. I am poor as fuck (thankfully, my husband is not!), but I am so, so much happier because I'm doing the thing I was meant to do. It is hard and it is thankless and sometimes it is even scary, but it's the only thing I ever wanted to do and I am so, so grateful that I get to do it. Good teachers are not here for the paycheck or the summers off or the hilaaaaaaarious conversations we have with children on a daily basis. We're here because it's who we are. It's what we're meant to do. So we find a way to make it work.
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Started TTC #1 November 2015
BFP 6/10/2016 - EDD 2/22/2017
Ok, like I said it depends on where you are because nothing you mentioned has anything to do with where I am. I live in Ontario, Canada.(specifically several of the schools boards) Teacher salaries here are not low and they do receive raises. I will post more about that later. (Possibly tomorrow) We have a huge, and I mean huge, over supply of teachers. They can't find work because we have too many.
This is kind of what I mean. Say something about teachers and people get so angry without considering things are not the same all over.
Edit Your facts are specific to your situation like what I am saying is specific to where I am. This is not the best article I can find but my computer is broken and I am not as good mobile. (As far as searching and attatching) https://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/allan-richarz-ontarios-teachers-are-overpaid
Edit That is not the one I wanted but I will look later. I don't claim most teachers are rich but they are far from poor. (Check out the sunshine list last year for those making over $100,000+)
I have a strong opinion because it is tax money that pays them and yearly there are threats to strike and work to rule is a regular thing for many. I have a strong opinion after having volunteered in the school system over 20 years as an assistant. (Part of the time worked as an assistant) Also, I have been on the side of a parent. My sons are finished now. I have seen many good teachers and many who are not good.
I can not tell you what it is to be a teacher and I did not claim to know everything but I can certainly have an opinion. We all need to know more about what is going on with the school boards, the union and the government. (Will post more on that if I find the right articles)
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Started TTC #1 November 2015
BFP 6/10/2016 - EDD 2/22/2017
When I commented, speaking about where I am, you replied with information from where you are. I believe you. I was trying to explain things here because it isn't the same.
It is just a different situation entirely. And I don't even dislike teachers, I would not have spent so much of my life with them if I did. I like most of the teachers I have met.
Edit I never suggested teachers in the USA make a lot of money or anything about the USA.
One more edit to avoid a new post- I don't think teachers are low paid where I live. I also don't think most teachers are over paid, some certainly are.
The thing is, you have the ability to see what your salary will most likely be.
Before H got his degree, he researched average wages. He made the best decision for himself and our family based on what he could see himself doing and what his earning potential was. He has a 4 year degree and makes quite a bit more than a teacher does.
It's a choice. Nobody gets forced into any profession.
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Started TTC #1 November 2015
BFP 6/10/2016 - EDD 2/22/2017
Come to my state, they are paid well!
The question becomes even more complicated when you account for the lack of leadership/advancement opportunities for teachers. As I'm sure you know (but I'll say it for those who don't!), there are only a couple of routes to take: the administration route, the specialist route, or the training route. All three take a teacher out of the classroom. Other than the occasional promotion to head of department (which usually comes with an extra few weeks of work per year and a very small raise - my department head, for example, makes about $5k more than I do, which doesn't even cover the extra time she works), there are no opportunities for advancement without leaving the classroom completely. Even if a teacher does advance professionally, he or she will never make the kind of money that comparable professionals will make. A school principal, for example, makes a median salary of $98,646. A Managing Attorney makes on average $187,308.
On top of that, merit pay is not available to a teacher. My husband is an attorney who makes well over twice what I make per year, and his income is supplemented by significant merit bonuses each year. That's never an option for me. I can (and do) take on extra work to make a small additional stipend, but that means I spend an extra 200 or so hours per year to make about $1200 bucks. Before taxes.
So, all that is to say that I think a teacher should be paid commensurately with his or her training, skills, and experience. Just like people in every other profession.
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Started TTC #1 November 2015
BFP 6/10/2016 - EDD 2/22/2017
Additionally, teachers should not have politicians or sketchy "textbook committees" telling them how to do the job they trained for.
Qualifications of my opinion: I am a former teacher (very brief career) who couldn't hack it. It's hard, really hard, but what really drove me away was the strict testing requirements that have seemingly quadrupled since I graduated college in '07. I'm now a nonprofit coordinator who does work with schools, and my salary is about what it would have been had I stayed in the classroom, so I didn't leave for the money.
It's amazing how much it varies from district to district; that national median is near some districts' entry level, but I saw a headline recently about preschool teachers living below the poverty line. Speaks to priorities, I guess!
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Started TTC #1 November 2015
BFP 6/10/2016 - EDD 2/22/2017