Teachers

[MrsPete]

Below is the pay for a School District of Philadelphia teacher, they are paid well)

Keep in mind that teachers in the Northeast are unique in three ways: 1. Their salaries are much higher than the rest of the country. 2. They are represented by unions, whereas the majority of teachers across the country are not. 3. Qualified teachers are standing in line to get those jobs. However, teachers in the Northwest are not representative of the country as a whole.

 

After 23 years in the classroom, I am earning low 40s. That isn't whining -- just a statement of fact.

[Ocean Boy]

Disagree. Education has undergone a huge number of changes in the last few years:

 

- i knew the pay scale when I became a teacher, but I did not know that we'd be subjected to a six-year pay freeze, which affects my pay check today and my pension in the future. Because of increases in insurance, I actually make fewer dollars than I did six years ago, and I did not see that coming.

 

- With the implementation of online classes and blended learning, our jobs are changing significantly. In future years, I will be teaching literally twice the number of students I taught in the past, and I will be grading twice as many papers. This is something that none of us foresaw years ago, but already the classroom in which I began teaching is starting to look as outdated as a one-room schoolhouse,

 

- I did not foresee that standardized testing would become more important than my lessons, nor did I guess that data would be seen as more important than students.

 

- I did not know that my benefits would be slashed and that I'd be concerned about my pension disappearing.

 

- I did not know the legislature would so decisively turn against teachers and would actively campaign to rid themselves of those of us at the top of the pay scale. I did not know they would threaten our job security by trying to take away our right to due process.

 

No wonder teachers are bailing out of the profession in my state. This is not the deal for which we signed on. We anticipated low paychecks but a secure with good benefits. That is no longer the reality.

 

Teaching is hardly the only profession that has morphed into something very different from what the people who work in them signed up for. There really are two choices for folks in these professions. One learns to adapt or one gets out. Any other path taken is likely to make someone either very whiney,very miserable, or both.

[PoppyandNana]

You have a great deal of hostility towards teachers. I hope you understand that teachers PAY into their pension funds, and therefore, are merely getting back the money they invested. Also,in most states teachers are not entitled to social security benefits or medicare at 65. If YOU have been paying social security, then you certainly will have SS payments AND medicare FOR LIFE upon reaching 65. I do not know what the case is in New Jersey, but in Connecticut teachers DO NOT get free health care for life. In Connecticut, once a teacher retires, the teacher must pay for health insurance.

 

Teachers do pay into their pension but at rates that are a small percentage of the ultimate return. NJ teachers average 65% of their last three years of working. Now they are bitching because the Gov wants it based on the last five years of work.

 

No they are not entitled to SS or Medicare. They don't need SS because they enjoy a pension far, far greater than any SS recipient. The vast majority of Americans rely on what THEY put into their 401(k). I and the rest of America would love to retire on 65% of their average earnings for the three years before retirement.

 

A good friend of mine is a retired FBI agent based in NY. His wife is a retired second grade teacher with a BA. Guess who's medical plan they use? Yes, hers. They, her AND him, get free lifetime health benefits. When was the last time you did a cost analysis of Medicare deductibles? How about cost of a secondary plan unless you can live with only the 80% that Medicare pays? Oh, did you also calculate the cost of a Part D policy? Remember to add in the donut hole. Don't forget to multiply times two if you're married.

 

What were we talking about, oh yea the cruise discounts teachers deserve because they are under paid and over worked, can't take time off when the rest of us can, and have to pay as one OP stated TWICE as much for their cruises.

 

Well, here is a thought, don't cruise. Go camping, stay at Scotty's motel in Lake George, stay home, volunteer at a national park.

 

Or of course you can whine about how you deserve a more of a price break on a cruise than us mere mortals who enjoy the finer things in life without the burdensome struggles you all endure in the name of educating the future of our country.

 

Give me a ......ing break.

Edited June 4, 2014 by Redman1947

[Ocean Boy]

Keep in mind that teachers in the Northeast are unique in three ways: 1. Their salaries are much higher than the rest of the country. 2. They are represented by unions, whereas the majority of teachers across the country are not. 3. Qualified teachers are standing in line to get those jobs. However, teachers in the Northwest are not representative of the country as a whole.

 

After 23 years in the classroom, I am earning low 40s. That isn't whining -- just a statement of fact.

 

Now that is something that I did not know. I figured the unions were in everywhere as they certainly run the show here.

[MrsPete]

Teaching is hardly the only profession that has morphed into something very different from what the people who work in them signed up for. There really are two choices for folks in these professions. One learns to adapt or one gets out. Any other path taken is likely to make someone either very whiney,very miserable, or both.

True, other professions have changed significantly, but teaching is the a profession that outsiders assume they know, assume doesn't change, and feel free to criticize. The false information on this thread proves this point.

[bonsat]

omg, so many of you are haters. just be thankful for what you have.

 

a retired nyc teacher (collecting a pension and ss) enjoying the good life in florida

[MrsPete]

Teachers do pay into their pension but at rates that are a small percentage of the ultimate return. NJ teachers average 65% of their last three years of working. Now they are bitching because the Gov wants it based on the last five years of work.

 

No they are not entitled to SS or Medicare. They don't need SS because they enjoy a pension far, far greater than any SS recipient. The vast majority of Americans rely on what THEY put into their 401(k). I and the rest of America would love to retire on 65% of their average earnings for the three years before retirement.

 

A good friend of mine is a retired FBI agent based in NY. His wife is a retired second grade teacher with a BA. Guess who's medical plan they use? Yes, hers. They, her AND him, get free lifetime health benefits. When was the last time you did a cost analysis of Medicare deductibles? How about cost of a secondary plan unless you can live with only the 80% that Medicare pays? Oh, did you also calculate the cost of a Part D policy? Remember to add in the donut hole. Don't forget to multiply times two if you're married.

 

What were we talking about, oh yea the cruise discounts teachers deserve because they are under paid and over worked, can't take time off when the rest of us can, and have to pay as one OP stated TWICE as much for their cruises.

 

Well, here is a thought, don't cruise. Go camping, stay at Scotty's motel in Lake George, stay home, volunteer at a national park.

 

Or of course you can whine about how you deserve a more of a price break on a cruise than us mere mortals who enjoy the finer things in life without the burdensome struggles you all endure in the name of educating the future of our country.

 

Give me a ......ing break.

Again, incorrect information. The money we deposit over the course of a 30 year career -- invested well, compounded over the years -- does cover the pension costs of an average teacher. You could say that the few who will live to be 104 are really sticking it to the state, but they're the minority. Pensions have plusses and minuses -- they're a double edged sword.

 

As for New Jersey pensions, you're talking about that small area -- the Northeast -- that is very different from the rest of the country, at least in terms of teaching. MUCH of the false information about teachers comes from the idea that that small area is representative of the country, whereas on reality it's a world unto itself. Like I said in previous posts, after 23 years in the classroom, I'm earning low 40s, which is less than I earned a few years ago. This is the reality in the majority of the country. Further proof: my daughter is not studying to be a teacher, but her university is one of the biggest "teacher schools" in our state. Last year they graduated FOUR students qualified to teach high school. Young people are figuring out that this isn't the good deal it used to be, and they're making other choices. People my age, who are so close to the pension, are staying in -- but in another decade, we're going to hit an educational crisis. Everyone benefits from education, and everyone needs to understand what's happening in this arena.

 

Yes, I'm very familiar with health insurance costs. You're assuming that teacher insurance provides a " Cadillac insurance", when the reality is that (just like everyone else), we have seen our premiums and co-pays go up, while our benefits go down.

 

If you'll check my posts, you won't see me whining about lack of discounts. I'm just correcting false assumptions about teacher compensation. You, for example, are very poorly informed on the subject -- which probably doesn't affect your life in the least -- but it's wrong to go around spreading falsehoods.

Edited June 4, 2014 by MrsPete

[MaritimeR&R]

NJ teachers average 65% of their last three years of working. Now they are bitching because the Gov wants it based on the last five years of work.

 

 

A good friend of mine is a retired FBI agent based in NY. His wife is a retired second grade teacher with a BA. Guess who's medical plan they use? Yes, hers. They, her AND him, get free lifetime health benefits.

 

 

 

 

Keep in mind that not all states nor are all school districts within a state the same in terms of the benefits their teachers get.

 

I worked in NYS as a teacher for 30+ years, contributed to 3% per year to my pension and had to pay a percentage for my own group health benefits along with the total (though reduced for being part of a group plan) cost of my family's coverage. Now that I am retired, I still pay my own health insurance.

Edited June 4, 2014 by MaritimeR&R

[99florida]

Below is the pay for a School District of Philadelphia teacher, they are paid very well!

 

Philadelphia School District Pay Range: Certified Teacher (Regular)

 

Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree Master's Plus 30 credits

Step 1 $45,360 $46,694 $49,615

($241 daily) ($248 daily) ($263 daily)

daily rate based on 188 working days.

 

Step 10 $66,462 $73,454 $79,586

($353 daily) ($390 daily) ($423 daily)

Each step is a year, used year one, and year ten for comparison.

 

Total Number of Days Scheduled Student Attendance: 181

2013 Days of Attendance 2014 Days of Attendance

JULY 0 JANUARY 21

AUGUST 0 FEBRUARY 18

SEPTEMBER 16 MARCH 21

OCTOBER 22 APRIL 17

NOVEMBER 16 MAY 20

DECEMBER 16 JUNE 14

 

Total Number of Days Scheduled Teacher Attendance: 188

2013 Days of Attendance 2014 Days of Attendance

JULY 0 JANUARY 21

AUGUST 0 FEBRUARY 19

SEPTEMBER 18 MARCH 21

OCTOBER 22 APRIL 17

NOVEMBER 18 MAY 21

DECEMBER 16 JUNE 15

 

The above information is from the School District web-site (public information)

 

 

How sad it is that our public school teachers throughout our 50 states don't have the same rate but our country is going Common Core (same expectations regardless what state you are currently living). Yes the above looks great in salary but in reality most know that the southern states are far less on the salary scale but has the same expectations. Check out the state of Florida where they are 50th on the pay scale and yet quite high on the outcome of student performance. I know b/c I live and Florida and read up on the local issues. Let's leave the public teachers alone and praise them for having the strength to work with our children (our future) remembering that a little bit of honey goes a long way. Thank you TEACHERS of AMERICA :) If I had the ability to give you more (sorry I'm not a Bill Gates or Oprah) I would give you the moon. On a happier note summer vacation is almost here for you and your hard working students. :):)

[PoppyandNana]

Again, incorrect information. The money we deposit over the course of a 30 year career -- invested well, compounded over the years -- does cover the pension costs of an average teacher. You could say that the few who will live to be 104 are really sticking it to the state, but they're the minority. Pensions have plusses and minuses -- they're a double edged sword.

 

As for New Jersey pensions, you're talking about that small area -- the Northeast -- that is very different from the rest of the country, at least in terms of teaching. MUCH of the false information about teachers comes from the idea that that small area is representative of the country, whereas on reality it's a world unto itself. Like I said in previous posts, after 23 years in the classroom, I'm earning low 40s, which is less than I earned a few years ago. This is the reality in the majority of the country. Further proof: my daughter is not studying to be a teacher, but her university is one of the biggest "teacher schools" in our state. Last year they graduated FOUR students qualified to teach high school. Young people are figuring out that this isn't the good deal it used to be, and they're making other choices. People my age, who are so close to the pension, are staying in -- but in another decade, we're going to hit an educational crisis. Everyone benefits from education, and everyone needs to understand what's happening in this arena.

 

Yes, I'm very familiar with health insurance costs. You're assuming that teacher insurance provides a " Cadillac insurance", when the reality is that (just like everyone else), we have seen our premiums and co-pays go up, while our benefits go down.

 

If you'll check my posts, you won't see me whining about lack of discounts. I'm just correcting false assumptions about teacher compensation. You, for example, are very poorly informed on the subject -- which probably doesn't affect your life in the least -- but it's wrong to go around spreading falsehoods.

 

I don't want to go into an elongated debate but there is not one inaccurate statement in my post.

[MaritimeR&R]

I don't want to go into an elongated debate but there is not one inaccurate statement in my post.

 

Inaccurate, no. Misleading, yes. You use an example one NYS teacher whose district happens to cover her medical. That is not the case in the majority of school districts.

[mbjboyle]

Disheartening to read a question about a discount that can devolve into a long thread about money and professions, particularly highlighting undertones of distain for teachers...... I guess that's CruiseCritic.....

[Starry Eyes]

Keep in mind that businesses don't give discounts to teachers (or firemen, or students, or senior citizens, or any other group) because they want to be kind to those individuals. Businesses give discounts to attract new business or to entice consumers to spend with them instead of their competitors.

 

Teachers are a good group to target for discounts. They're large in numbers, and they tend to be thrifty /are motivated by a bargain.

 

Hmmm, if one stops to think about it from a profit-seeking company's point of view, maybe teachers are not a good group for cruise lines to target.

 

As the OP noted, the times most teachers can travel are already peak demand times, so little or no need to discount. At peak times, discounting to large groups is unnecessary, possibly counterproductive. If the discounts sell out before the demand for the teaching community is met, those teacher who miss out on the discount will likely be unhappy. That is not good as we know teachers have long memories. At least all the one's in my family do:eek:.

 

Furthermore, if teachers tend to be thrifty, they likely will spend less on board. The thrifty ones will surely be less likely to treat cruise-newbie extended families or friends to a fancy trip.

 

If teachers understand math and odds, they likely wager (and lose) little in the casino. They are not likely to find a whale in that group.

 

Finally, after seeing the teachers in the breakrooms at my husband's schools, I'd have to say able to devour substantial quantities of food remarkably quickly. That might not increase profit margins either...just teasing...mostly.

[PoppyandNana]

Inaccurate, no. Misleading, yes. You use an example one NYS teacher whose district happens to cover her medical. That is not the case in the majority of school districts.

 

I would venture to guess that if you were to do a side by side comparison of health care costs after retirement of two individuals one a teacher and the other an average American the stats would be even more pronounced. It would be my guess, that in those areas where teachers do not get free health care after retirement that the combined Medicare Part B premium, deductibles, a secondary plan and a Part D plan would cost far more than the annual health care cost of the retired teacher. These costs can be even more exacerbated by the donut hole many people find themselves in with even modest prescription drug needs.

[marci22]

Like I said in previous posts, after 23 years in the classroom, I'm earning low 40s, which is less than I earned a few years ago. This is the reality in the majority of the country. Further proof: my daughter is not studying to be a teacher, but her university is one of the biggest "teacher schools" in our state. Last year they graduated FOUR students qualified to teach high school. Young people are figuring out that this isn't the good deal it used to be, and they're making other choices.

 

This is something I didn't know. I assumed all teachers made the range that is common in our area. Teachers in my district earn from mid 50's (starting) to 101-ish (advanced degree and experience).

 

One gym teacher that I recognized makes 91k.

 

Administrators make more, mid 100s to 200s.

Edited June 4, 2014 by marci22

[Gopher1934]

Interesting reading this tread !! I think all jobs have pluses and minuses

It always seems that as you look at what someone else does for work we don't always see the real picture. I think the biggest problem today is that most people think poor me.

Not all pay is equal and it never will be. but we all have choices to go on a career path you and only you choose. Be happy with what you have and be thankful for it. I am now retired so I can only look back at the choices I made

not all were the right ones but they are what are now going forward we still have choices.

[MaritimeR&R]

I would venture to guess that if you were to do a side by side comparison of health care costs after retirement of two individuals one a teacher and the other an average American the stats would be even more pronounced. It would be my guess, that in those areas where teachers do not get free health care after retirement that the combined Medicare Part B premium, deductibles, a secondary plan and a Part D plan would cost far more than the annual health care cost of the retired teacher. These costs can be even more exacerbated by the donut hole many people find themselves in with even modest prescription drug needs.

 

Statistically speaking your side by side comparison would have way too many variables to garner any reliable data. The term "average" American in and of itself would be difficult to define. Demographics would play a major role and as stated earlier, it is not necessarily a broad "area" that defines teacher benefits but rather individual school districts which could encompass an area as small as a hamlet in some states.

 

As stated, I paid for my health insurance and continue to do so since I retired. I also paid into Medicare. When I turn 65, which is shortly, per my teacher's contract, I will begin paying all the lovely fees associated with Medicare and (though it is my choice to do so) will continue to pay for my existing health insurance despite Medicare becoming my primary and my existing health insurance becoming my "secondary."

[Indiana52]

Redman, you appear to be using a one size fits all formula in your reasoning. I taught school for 41 years in A Public School in Indiana. I had a Masters Degree plus 30 hours......the most I made in one year was 61 thousand dollars. My retirement benefit was based in how much I made PLUS how many years I taught. I also had an annuity that I paid into for all 41 years, money that I invested. I also paid into Social Security for all 41 years, so I think that I am entitled to my MY Social Security benefit. Please understand that each state is different in how they deal with retirement benefits for their teachers.....also understand the day that I walked out the door, I had to pay totally for my insurance.....I 100 percent pay for my Medicare, Parts A and B and my Drug plan plus Medicare supplement. I have no paid for Health Insurance from my employer, that stopped the day that I walked out the door. I worked in the greatest profession in the world, when it started to become a job, I walked out the door, and never looked back. I don't apologize the money that I made then ,and the benefits that I have now, I earned every one of them. Finally if you don't think that teachers might deserve some sort of break that is fine, that is your opinion......but it does amaze me how some other jobs or professions get a break on cruising , and no one blinks an eye.....just my opinion....