Really? Do you work weekends or holidays? Do you not have “teacher planning days” and Christmas break, Spring Break and other holidays off that other workers don’t get? Be honest. I’m not knocking Teachers. I’m simply stating that you work less days than most folks. The average starting salary for a Teacher in the state of Florida is 45,000 a year. Obviously, we have no snow days here etc, and most teachers work between 190 and 200 days a year, while the average non teacher works 261 days a year. So you really don’t have alot to complain about.
Oh I didn’t complain. I have great benefits and a good salary because of two degrees and my National Board status. However I get two planning days a year which usually are filled with meetings. I spend about two weeks a year in professional development. I spend a week before school setting up my room using my break. I’m at school 10 hours a day typically. Then I go home and work another hour or two.
My point is this : the stereotype of teachers is greatly flawed. Teachers work hard. They don’t sit around 6 months of the year.