Why Is Underpaid, Underappreciated, And Misunderstood

Underpaid, Underappreciated, and Misunderstood

People often say, “Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.” We live in a society where education is one of the most important parts of life. We offer free education for everyone ages five through eighteen. We expect everyone to go to school, and receive an education in order to get a good job and have a successful life. In fact, the government even fines us if we decide not to attend school. Public education is a privilege that we take for granted far too often. Teachers spend countless hours preparing lessons, grading papers, and imparting knowledge to young minds. Many think that teaching is such an easy job. Teachers’ days end early; they have weekends off; they have

Over time, classrooms have the potential to suffer when teachers have to spend their time pursing other interests. I personally knew many teachers while I was growing up who sold candles, makeup, and other products in an effort to live more comfortably. A teacher can either be paid throughout the entire year, or can only be paid during the nine months spent in the classroom. If they choose to take it in twelve months, the monthly pay is decreased. Teachers spend a significant amount of money out of their own pockets in order to decorate their classrooms, provide adequate supplies for their students, and to promote fun and exciting ways of learning. Numerous teachers have reported spending their own money on classroom materials. Since many parents of students no longer lend a helping hand, teachers feel obligated to provide materials for the entire class Teachers are paid what would be considered a middle class wage, but no amount of money will ever truly be enough to show our appreciation for the teachers who are leading the next

In order to become a teacher she has to pursue higher education, graduate with a Bachelor degree, and pass the certification test. Teachers are not in the profession for the money or for the glory, but they truly have a passion for young people. They want to make a difference in the lives of their students. Teachers do not desire to see students fail classes, and they do not enjoy placing failing grades on assignments that the students didn’t put any effort in to. They would much rather have classrooms full of students who are eager and willing to learn. They don’t enjoy standing up in the front of the classroom staring at blank faces, but they desire to see students engaging and being excited about learning. A teacher’s work is never finished and she is never satisfied with the way things are. The responsibility of a teacher is great. Robert J. Marzano, author of The Art and Science of Teaching says, “The teacher must provide clear direction to students and generate an atmosphere in which all students feel valued and intellectually challenged.”(85) She is always looking for ways to make the classroom experience more enjoyable, and one of her top priorities is making sure that her students feel loved. We need to understand that the ideas that many people have about teachers are