Thread: Is it worth it to become a teacher and make nearly nothing?

I realize the first post was years ago but I'd have her check her numbers. Starting salary of 33,000 sounds too low for the area. I live in an area of California known for not paying teachers well and my starting salary was over 44,000. Plus, it has gone up every year. I don't have my masters and I haven't put in the time to complete it since it only adds 900 dollars a year and I'm already "highly qualified." I will someday, but not while my kids are little. I find the pay to be decent for my education. I'm not sure what else I could possilbly do. I'd probably be working for a non profit for the same or less money.

It doesnt matter how much you make, if you dont enjoy what you do, you will be miserable.

I teach in a private school and make $17,000 (no benefits, other than kids free tuition and free lunches in a really good lunchroom) and I have a master's degree.

I love it. I love the kids. I love the environment. I love my classes. I love my colleagues. Sure, there are frustrations, but I am happy.

I am a registered nurse making very decent money. The problem is I do not at all enjoy what I am doing. I majored in elem ed in college prior to becoming a nurse and I changed majors to make more money. WHAT A MISTAKE!!!
I'd much rather have joy in my work doing what I feel I was meant to do than to make "good money." I'm getting married this Oct so my plan is to stay working as a nurse thru the fall semester to help pay down some pretty substantial debt. I'm going to school (prereq's) in the spring & summer part time while I do all my testing/applying to the program. Then, teacher's college in the fall while I sub.
Anyone have any different ideas as to how I can financially provide for my family while I prepare to go back to school? I'd really rather not be a nurse for the next 6 mos, but I'll do what is necessary.
Thanks for your time/responses!
Angie

Keep in mind that many people who go after National Board Certification do not make it. I applied for my National Boards about 8 years ago and was lucky enough to pass the first time I submitted my portfolio. The entire process is extremely demanding, and I've seen wonderful teachers not get it. National Boards are also not something you do outside teaching. You must have taught for a specified number of years and do video tapes and assessments based on classes you are currently teaching, so you can't apply if you don't have access to those classes. The pay increase for me was about 12%. With my Masters, National Boards, AG certification and years of in-service, I surpassed making $70,000 a year. Keep in mind, too, that your percentage of retirement pension is based on those figures, too. Teaching pays off in the long run, I've found. That said, if I didn't love it, or were just in it for the money, I would never go into teaching again. If you don't enjoy teaching children, you'll be beyond miserable every day you're there. So will your students.

Why do teachers feel compelled to do this? Teaching is just about the only job where you bring your work home. Where you are EXPECTED to work for free all the extra overtime. Well, I'm done. I've already had to quit my second job in direct sales because the sacrifices of time and energy were too much and I was spread too thin. The kids most likely to slip through the cracks are the ones who don't have enough support from their parents. They may have their love and devotion, but quite often it's time that makes the
difference. That isn't just for poor kids. Go places together, read stories, and just talk to them.

The majority of teachers do not go into the field for the money. Teachers have always been underpaid and underappreciated, but I love my job and I wouldn't trade it for another even for more money.

No doubt that in some areas or some states the teachers making more money as compared to the rural areas but i must say that
Parents and Teachers must be partners work on the same cause. That is the only way to succeed.
Basically it is not about the money all the time i have seen many peoples who were earning a handsome money from their businesses but now they have left everything and started teaching and no doubt that after masters the teaching sector do provide you more benefits...
http://fairwayssupportedliving.com.au/everyday-support

Hi - I just wanted to add another factor to consider...I switched gears after 20+ years in the corporate world, and began teaching. As a teacher, I am considered a state employee, and we pay into the state teacher retirement system. I am concerned about my retirement income, as I understand that we can not "double dip" into both social security and STIRS.
I am just beginning to look into the options in a situation like this, and perhaps others have advice on retirement considerations after corporate employment.