Blog #5 - Ideology and Policy

After reading the article "Teachers' Cost of Living Matters More" I still reach the conclusion that all educators are underpaid. Yes, the cost of living for the area in which you teach should be considered when salaries are decided upon. It is understood that the cost of living in New York City is a lot more than in Nashville. I believe that this adjustment is necessary or our "lack of pay" which exists anyway would be an even greater deficit.

I have always thought it to be interesting that teachers make less money than most other professions, especially those "prestigious" careers like doctors and lawyers. However, it is interesting to me that someone (actually many someones) taught those doctors and lawyers. Without teachers they wouldn't have the "schooling"/education to perform the jobs that they currently have. It is quite upsetting to ponder this lack of pay. Anyone who is an educator will admit that they didn't enter this profession for the money. Is that why we are continually overlooked? Do we not demand enough for our contributions to the education of our society? Are teachers typically the type of people who "do good" with the expectation of little in return?

I am committed to this career. I value what I do and the impact I have on children's lives and futures. Thankfully money is not the driving force of my happiness, but who's to say it isn't nice to have a little extra? I would love to travel more frequently, own a little bit of land, and maybe even a "fun" getaway house on the beach or something. The reality is that this will probably not be my fate and I am okay with that. It would be nice for others to recognize the work that we do and better compensate us for the time and effort we put into our children. I would dare say that every single person has at least one teacher that he/she remembers well and appreciates for some little something he or she did in school that has impacted that person's character, education, or choice(s) about the future.