It does help to have strong union representation on your side, and school teachers throughout America, have two strong unions that represent them, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Educational Association. For some reason, there is a myth, that school teachers are not compensated fairly, are underpaid, have exceedingly demanding jobs, and are not appreciated, but in fact, in today's world, there are fewer and fewer good middle class jobs, that require just a Bachelor's degree, and that pay as well and have the generous benefits of a typical school teacher's salary. It can be said, unequivocally, if you believe that you have teacher like capabilities or desires, that being a school teacher, is probably one of the very best jobs that you could aspire towards.
For instance, recognize that the salary of a school teacher, depending upon the State and country of residence, can range from about $40,000 to $84,000 per annum, depending upon experience and educational achievement, to which a school teacher has typically a commitment of only 190 work days a year, and might be entitled to 15-20 days off for sick and personal reasons. On the other hand, employees working for private enterprise, on average work about 224 days a year, a significant and meaningful difference in hours and days worked. Additionally, whereas a large portion of those employed by private enterprise are responsible for the funding of their 401K retirement plans, perhaps with company matching, while often receiving absolutely no pension benefits, school teachers are provided with very generous pension plans, of which the formula is based upon their highest three to five salaried years, depending upon their location, and their years of service being a school teacher. As reported by theday.com, the average school teacher pension is: "…$47,386 for Connecticut retired teachers."
In addition, teachers are able to purchase through a program called "The Teacher Next Door" a HUD house for a 50% discount off of the list price, and further are eligible to apply for a loan with the FHA to which the down payment could be for said home as low as $100. This important benefit, in and of itself, is absolutely massive, as there is no material asset that will cost more money for the typical American, than the purchase of their home.
Yet, for the most part, most Americans are bamboozled by the mass media, to believe that the school teacher's job is a job of woe, and of unlimited thankless service, to which school teachers are the suffering servants of the State. In fact, school teachers, are extremely well compensated, especially given their salary, their hours, their pension, and the security of their position. Additionally, school teachers as a whole, are accorded a fair amount of respect from the public.
While the importance of having good teachers cannot be discounted, it would appear, that given their compensation and their generous benefits, that the school teachers of today, should be some of the most qualified and competent school teachers ever, based upon the fact that smart people gravitate to where the money is at.