Do you think kids are back in school in the fall?

[Chescat]

She's in Cobb County, GA, which is the richest county in the state, by far. I probably rounded down a little bit and they have finally got raises the last 2 years. Still, our rates are way below PA (even though we have a 6% state income tax and a local sales tax of 9%): teachers with 1-3 years experience get $47,000. She's at Step 7 so that's $52,000 or $59,000 with a Master's Degree. I'm sure down in Southern GA it's way worse. I think the lowest paid person in my company, who doesn't have a college degree, makes about $45,000.

GA teachers also have a terrible pension system. It's basically a 401(k) that you can't touch until: a) you do 30 years; or b) you do 20 years and turn 65. Gone are the days that you'd go into public work for the benefits. Her health insurance is even worse than mine.

You make some very good points about the state of affairs in Georgia as
compared to Pa. If you looked at the second link I provided above, you'll
see Georgia really lags behind most of the country with starting salaries
at $35,474. Compare that to Pa at $44,647 and New Jersey at $51,000+.
BTW your neighboring states of South Carolina and Florida are also not
very high at $33,148, and $37, 636.

It's obvious that there's a tremendous disparity geographically when it comes
to these salaries. I won't pretend to have the solution, but I think it's safe to
say there are a lot of factors that come into play; Socio economic differences,
regional attitudes and values, political and lobbying power of unions in
different states (don't underestimate that last one) etc. etc.
Bottom line, we need strong, effective teachers....especially now.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

You make some very good points about the state of affairs in Georgia as
compared to Pa. If you looked at the second link I provided above, you'll
see Georgia really lags behind most of the country with starting salaries
at $35,474. Compare that to Pa at $44,647 and New Jersey at $51,000+.
BTW your neighboring state of South Carolina and Florida are also not
very high at $33,148, and $37, 636.

It's obvious that there's a tremendous disparity geographically when it comes
to these salaries. I won't pretend to have the solution, but I think it's safe to
say there are a lot of factors that come into play; Socio economic differences,
regional attitudes and values, political and lobbying power of unions in
different states (don't underestimate that last one) etc. etc.
Bottom line, we need strong, effective teachers....especially now.

Southern states typically pay teachers very little. Its really sad. They have a hard time even getting people to want to do it.

 

[FallingRun84]

I agree, teachers should make an excellent salary and benefits. However, they are their own worst enemy. They have chosen to put their financial fortune with Teachers Unions, as opposed to themselves and / or a professional organization. (Like CPA's or Bar Association). The Teacher Unions, run by corrupt bureaucrats choose to protect administrators, # of positions and poor performers as opposed to education excellence. They will never be consider a top echelon profession as long as they have a rank and file structure.

 

[superstein61a]

Starting teacher salaries in some districts in PA is $25,000. How many years it takes to be making $40,000 let alone $60,000, I don’t know.

Teachers make a lot more than that in Western PA and start a lot higher than $25K

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

Teachers make a lot more than that in Western PA and start a lot higher than $25K

It all depends on which school district, and whether it is public or private. Catholic school teachers probably start out at less than that, and a school like NA is quite a bit higher.

 

[superstein61a]

I agree, teachers should make an excellent salary and benefits.

They have that in PA. The benefit levels they receive is far more than the average employee in other industries

 

[superstein61a]

It all depends on which school district, and whether it is public or private. Catholic school teachers probably start out at less than that, and a school like NA is quite a bit higher.

Yes - I was talking about public school teachers. Catholic teachers typically earn less. Private school teachers depends on the school but most are usually competitive with public schools and have a LOT less work to do

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

They have that in PA. The benefit levels they receive is far more than the average employee in other industries

What benefits are you referring to, and which industries?

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

I feel really bad for those of you who have school age kids. Like I have stated many of times, give me an hour long training or some online session at home, and my mind wonders, I surf other things (like this board). Having to do this everyday to learn, be held accountable and also parents who may or may not be staying home. That's tough.

Not to mention I think it is generally good for kids to be with one and another to become socially acclimated and for their overall physical and mental well being.

 

[superstein61a]

What benefits are you referring to, and which industries?

Health Insurance and Pension. These are better for teachers in PA than most other industries.

PSERS is the pension plan for public school teachers in PA. The benefits are phenomenal.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

Health Insurance and Pension. These are better for teachers in PA than most other industries.

PSERS is the pension plan for public school teachers in PA. The benefits are phenomenal.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pennsylvania-state-workers-pension-law-20181231-story.html?outputType=amp

Not anymore.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Health Insurance and Pension. These are better for teachers in PA than most other industries.

PSERS is the pension plan for public school teachers in PA. The benefits are phenomenal.

This post is like an ad for unions.

 

[superstein61a]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pennsylvania-state-workers-pension-law-20181231-story.html?outputType=amp

Not anymore.

That is only for newly hired employees who started in the current 19-20 school year and going forward. Every existing teacher will get fat and happy under the previous plan rules they are grandfathered in. Plus the new plan for new employees still has a true guaranteed pension option for half their benefit - which is richer than most industries

 

[superstein61a]

This post is like an ad for unions.

More like a warning about dumb school board members who have no sense of financial awareness

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

yeah, my second grader's assignments are laughable. he's done in 20 minutes. i make him read a book just to feel like he is using his brain a little bit..

these teachers are probably enjoying the hell out of this.. i get an email with 15 pdf attachments of assignments once a week and they do a live chat video once a day to say hi to the kids. i should have been a teacher.

You have some parents that cannot stay at home with their child to do the school work. Do you think it would be better to bury those families with school work? It is actually a no-win situation for the teachers. Some people want more work, and others simply cannot be there to guide their 2nd grader. Teachers are hearing complaints from both sides.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

That is only for newly hired employees who started in the current 19-20 school year and going forward. Every existing teacher will get fat and happy under the previous plan rules they are grandfathered in. Plus the new plan for new employees still has a true guaranteed pension option for half their benefit - which is richer than most industries

What industries are you referring to?

 

[superstein61a]

What industries are you referring to?

As I said - MOST other industries.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

As I said - MOST other industries.

Which ones? Teachers are a lot like health care workers. Under appreciated until you need them, or you see how difficult their job is by walking in their shoes. A good health care worker or teacher are worth their weight in gold.

 

[superstein61a]

Which ones? Teachers are a lot like health care workers. Under appreciated until you need them, or walk in their shoes.

What about MOST don't you understand?

And since you mentioned health care workers - teachers benefits are FAR greater than that of health care workers

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

What about MOST don't you understand?

And since you mentioned health care workers - teachers benefits are FAR greater than that of health care workers

So you think some slug in IT making twice as much as a teacher is more deserving. You think their job is more important than a teacher. You think a new teacher is going to be ahead of the IT person financially. Interesting.

 

[superstein61a]

So you think some slug in IT making twice as much as a teacher is more deserving. You think their job is more important than a teacher. You think a new teacher is going to be ahead of the IT person.

You obviously have an agenda. I never said anything about whose job is more important.

IMO every job is important

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

You obviously have an agenda. I never said anything about whose job is more important.

IMO every job is important

Okay - how is a new teacher coming out of college going to be ahead of an IT person?

My wife and I are working full-time, and juggling our kid’s school work. Teaching 25 elementary kids a day or 125+ middle school students doesn’t look easy to me.

 

[jtownknowitall]

Yes - I was talking about public school teachers. Catholic teachers typically earn less. Private school teachers depends on the school but most are usually competitive with public schools and have a LOT less work to do

come to pennsyltucky sometime. Cambria County. Somerset County. Bedford County. Fulton County. Etc.

 

[jtownknowitall]

I was wrong. Apparently the minimum teacher salary in PA is $18,500.

 

[jtownknowitall]

How do we think online learning is going at Fannett-Metal High?

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I was wrong. Apparently the minimum teacher salary in PA is $18,500.

Salaries vary widely by district. Basically goes by the district's per capita income (ie property tax base). You could have a teacher in 1 district starting at 50 and maxing out at 120 and the poor district next door starting at 25 and maxing out at 60

 

[superstein61a]

Okay - how is a new teacher coming out of college going to be ahead of an IT person?

My wife and I are working full-time, and juggling our kid’s school work. Teaching 25 elementary kids a day or 125+ middle school students doesn’t look easy to me.

No one was talking about who's job was easy. Every job is important and requires different skills.

 

[jtownknowitall]

And both teachers have the same degree

 

[superstein61a]

Salaries vary widely by district. Basically goes by the district's per capita income (ie property tax base). You could have a teacher in 1 district starting at 50 and maxing out at 120 and the poor district next door starting at 25 and maxing out at 60

WRONG - Not in Western PA. While there is some disparity among districts, the salary ranges are far closer than the silly numbers you use

 

[superstein61a]

I was wrong. Apparently the minimum teacher salary in PA is $18,500.

That is par for the course - you are wrong a lot.

And that $18,500 sure is not in Western PA

 

[jtownknowitall]

Like I said venture out into Cambria, Somerset, Bedford and Fulton Counties.

Sheetz pays better.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

No one was talking about who's job was easy. Every job is important and requires different skills.

I think a good teacher deserves to be paid well and should be able to retire comfortably. The same goes for other jobs that help shape our future generations. Why do you feel differently?

 

[LivinWell]

This. My wife is a teacher and it's an objectively miserable job. The money sucks ($40,000 for a person with a Master's Degree). Long hours - minimum 9 hours per day and often 10-12 with meetings, conferences, and events. Work on the weekends (lesson plans, etc.). Work over the Summer. Paying for supplies for your students. Parents who constantly think they know more than you. You're on your feet all day. It's a crap job. No chance we let our kids do this.

Wow move to my district south of Pittsburgh. Teachers max out at $104,000 in year 16 (age 40?) and with the killer health plan you can add another $10,000 that all others would pay for such a plan that they don’t. 9 months a year and mandatory vacation over the holidays and spring break. Lots of sick days which carry on until Retirement. We can’t get my sons Chem teacher to meet with him before or after school for even 15 minutes. Teachers have it real good in the suburbs of PA

 

[Bethlehemjohn]

The Colorado governor recently told Superintendents to prepare for a return in January.

https://www.kktv.com/content/news/C...ll-Polis-tells-superintendents-569842041.html

I have kicked around the idea of "redshirting" my own kids depending on the level of education that a potential online program would offer. They are not in HS but I would wonder if there may be many kids out there who would "redshirt" themselves to get an extra year of sports if HS sports are canceled for 20-21. Lets say there's a group of seniors to be, who arent necessarily big-time college recruits but want to play their last season, maybe they take some general classes so they don't graduate and then play their senior season in 21-22.

I think elementary, middle school and high school may, not sure about colleges.

 

[Fan101]

Well, signed my grandson up for a Steeler football camp in Latrobe June 25th......so far, it's still scheduled - and he will participate even though he's only a 2nd grader.....

 

[lilspainishflea]

I agree, teachers should make an excellent salary and benefits. However, they are their own worst enemy. They have chosen to put their financial fortune with Teachers Unions, as opposed to themselves and / or a professional organization. (Like CPA's or Bar Association). The Teacher Unions, run by corrupt bureaucrats choose to protect administrators, # of positions and poor performers as opposed to education excellence. They will never be consider a top echelon profession as long as they have a rank and file structure.

The teachers in PA, where there's a strong union that lobbies for teachers at every level of state government, outearn teachers in GA by 15%, who have no such union, even though PA's per capita GDP is only about 8% higher.

You can say what you want about a union, but having lived and paid taxes in both PA and GA, I have no doubt that the PA teachers union has a huge affect on teacher pay in that state.

 

[FallingRun84]

The teachers in PA, where there's a strong union that lobbies for teachers at every level of state government, outearn teachers in GA by 15%, who have no such union, even though PA's per capita GDP is only about 8% higher.

You can say what you want about a union, but having lived and paid taxes in both PA and GA, I have no doubt that the PA teachers union has a huge affect on teacher pay in that state.

I am not saying there are not unions who have done effective jobs regarding compensation. I question the value of the dollars spent , in whole. My point is that the teaching profession, will never be an upper echelon profession, and will never get the respect it deserves until it sheds the current union structure, nor should it. Just for transparency, I went to elementary school in rural south GA, public schools, and currently live in western PA where my kids went through public schools

 

[superstein61a]

I think a good teacher deserves to be paid well and should be able to retire comfortably. The same goes for other jobs that help shape our future generations. Why do you feel differently?

People need to be paid FAIRLY no matter what they do. The healthcare worker, the IT worker, the restaurant worker all should be paid fairly commensurate with their skills.

Just so happens that public school teachers in PA have overly generous benefits. And in Western PA their salaries are very high especially taking into consideration the amount of time they have off

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

People need to be paid FAIRLY no matter what they do. The healthcare worker, the IT worker, the restaurant worker all should be paid fairly commensurate with their skills.

Just so happens that public school teachers in PA have overly generous benefits. And in Western PA their salaries are very high especially taking into consideration the amount of time they have off

Teachers average about $25 an hour, and are responsible for about 25 students per class. Lawyers average about $250 an hour for 1 client. You should be barking up another tree if you want to point out salaries and benefits that do not match up to their profession.

 

[Burgh15]

My point is that the teaching profession, will never be an upper echelon profession, and will never get the respect it deserves until it sheds the current union structure, nor should it.

The moment the union disappeared so would better salaries, benefits, working conditions, jobs, etc. It's not a secret why PA is one of the better states to teach in.