This is my life...

When we focus on how “we’re not in it for the income,” which believe me, I have said and do believe to some extent we under-value ourselves and our profession.

Teaching is an important profession.  We need good teachers.  We need to attract the best teachers we can AND create circumstances to help retain.

If you don’t allow me to make a salary that a) shows a respect for what I do b) allows me to be able afford things reasonable things, c) doesn’t force me into looking for additional income, d)isn’t competitive to professionals in other fields with the same amount of experience of education, and e) you teeter on basically requiring me to spend my personal income on things NEEDED and REQUIRED to do in my job because you don’t provide them….

Why in the world would I stay?

The kids of course.  The passion.   But the mindset of not in it for the income makes teachers that seek a decent income the bad guys.  Because we should “do it for the kids.”   There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be able to support yourself.  Teachers are underpaid.   Teachers are underpaid.