26 of 32 coaches from Texas in playoffs earn more than $100,000 per year

[Saggy Aggie]

What about those who are extremely smart, valedictorian and salutatorian in fact, choosing to be a teacher or a registered nurse? Both are making over a 97 average in college, but that is what they have chosen as their careers. Does that mean they are just not smart enough to become doctors or engineers? NO!

As the spouse of a teacher for 22 years, I can tell you that you really have no clue about the time teachers put in at their jobs. While it may be true for "some" teachers to only work about 9 months out of the year, it is not true for the vast majority of them. I've seen my wife work from 7:15 AM to 10:00 PM five days a week, and then at least 8 hours on Saturdays getting lesson plans together, grading papers, entering grades, etc. That doesn't include the continuing education classes they have to take during the summer. Suffice it to say, she used to work 12 months worth of hours in the "9 months" you're talking about. While her salary is "decent", it wouldn't be worth it for most people. You absolutely have to WANT to do it. Putting up with poor excuses for parents and state mandated testing guidelines, etc. is a whole other thing. The idea of getting rich is definitely not why teachers do what they do. If that were their intent, they definitely chose the wrong career. My wife worked 40 hours a week while working toward her degree. She knows what a "regular" job is for sure. I have nothing but respect for teachers, and yes, I believe they should be paid more. Incentive pay is extremely tough to gauge due to varying student abilities, so I wouldn't know the first "fair" way to make it valid.

I don’t think you understood the point of my post.

I’m not saying all teachers aren’t capable of doing other jobs. Vast majority certainly are. And for those who excel, they would have no problem getting the certifications even if the bar were raised substantially.

What I’m saying is they should make the degrees and certifications more difficult to get. That would force out the mediocre candidates, and the ones who aren’t doing it because teaching is what they love. This would drive up wages for teachers like your wife.....

I think everyone on this thread thinks I’m the bad guy because they aren’t actually reading what I’m saying. I’m saying good teachers are victims of the lax requirements to be a teacher.....

[waterboy]

I don’t think you understood the point of my post.

I’m not saying all teachers aren’t capable of doing other jobs. Vast majority certainly are. And for those who excel, they would have no problem getting the certifications even if the bar were raised substantially.

What I’m saying is they should make the degrees and certifications more difficult to get. That would force out the mediocre candidates, and the ones who aren’t doing it because teaching is what they love. This would drive up wages for teachers like your wife.....

I think everyone on this thread thinks I’m the bad guy because they aren’t actually reading what I’m saying. I’m saying good teachers are victims of the lax requirements to be a teacher.....

I understand what you're saying about incentives and making it tougher to become a teacher. I don't necessarily agree, though. I just take exception to the insinuation that people only take teacher jobs or nursing jobs because they weren't smart enough to do anything else. That may not have been the way you intended it, but that's the way it came across. That, and the "9 months a year" lie for teachers. My eldest daughter was valedictorian of her class, makes the President's list every semester in college, and yet she actually wants to become a teacher like her mother. She knows she won't get rich doing it but that is her chosen career path, and she will graduate in the spring. My youngest daughter was salutatorian (should have been valedictorian, but that's a whole other story) and has a 98 average in college right now. She has always wanted to be a registered nurse, and I know that she will be. She knows she faces extremely long hours, though the pay is good, but that is what she wants to do. They certainly have my blessing, though either of them are smart enough to be anything they want to be, including a doctor, engineer, accountant, etc.

[Saggy Aggie]

No teacher works 9 months a year. None. I work from the beginning of August to the middle of June almost. I get a month and a half off. No, wait, I don't because I have professional development workshops I go to through out the summer.

Yes, I knew what I was signing up for when I began teaching 18 years ago, and I can't see myself doing anything else, but don't think that teachers have it easy with our "three" months off during the summer and our 4 weeks we have off for various holidays and such.

I work in a small district, and my pay is not even what you quoted above, but again that was my choice to work here because of the lack of stress from working in a huge district.

Again, I’m not a teacher so my perspective is probably skewed... but my best friend is a teacher and he gets his summers off mostly. Sure there is a week or so that he has things he needs to do, but he again gets paid extra to attend those conferences. If he chooses to work the summer, he gets paid. Maybe that’s not the case for all of you.

Maybe you’re not off the full 3 months, but there is substantial time off.

Your regularly scheduled hours are no different than the rest of us who put in extra time every week. I find it very disingenuous for you all to pretend like you work long hours every single week.

Somebody else on this thread just tried to tell me their wife worked until 10pm 5 days in a row and then on Saturday. That may be the case once, but that’s not every week. We’ve ALL had weeks like that, if not worse.

I worked 56 hours just last week, and then worked 4 hours Saturday and 6 hours Sunday, and I got into the office at 4:30am this morning - granted I have a big deliverable this week. That’s not every week.

I have worked 112 hour work weeks offshore before and plenty of 80+ hour weeks offshore and in Louisiana. I have worked until 2 am to submit deliverables. To me the “12 months worth of work in 9 months” is BS.

Sorry, maybe it’s just me but I have 0 sympathy for crying about working long hours. Apparently no one else works long hours at work. Maybe the rest of the world works 8-5 M-F

[panther89]

Again, I’m not a teacher so my perspective is probably skewed... but my best friend is a teacher and he gets his summers off mostly. Sure there is a week or so that he has things he needs to do, but he again gets paid extra to attend those conferences. If he chooses to work the summer, he gets paid. Maybe that’s not the case for all of you.

Maybe you’re not off the full 3 months, but there is substantial time off.

Your regularly scheduled hours are no different than the rest of us who put in extra time every week. I find it very disingenuous for you all to pretend like you work long hours every single week.

Somebody else on this thread just tried to tell me their wife worked until 10pm 5 days in a row and then on Saturday. That may be the case once, but that’s not every week. We’ve ALL had weeks like that, if not worse.

I worked 56 hours just last week, and then worked 4 hours Saturday and 6 hours Sunday, and I got into the office at 4:30am this morning - granted I have a big deliverable this week. That’s not every week.

I have worked 112 hour work weeks offshore before and plenty of 80+ hour weeks offshore and in Louisiana. I have worked until 2 am to submit deliverables. To me the “12 months worth of work in 9 months” is BS.

Sorry, maybe it’s just me but I have 0 sympathy for crying about working long hours. Apparently no one else works long hours at work. Maybe the rest of the world works 8-5 M-F

I know it is futile for me to be arguing with you about this. So just a couple more things and I'll be done with this conversation.

1. No, I do not get paid to attend trainings or workshops during the summer. (That may just be the district I'm in though).

2. I get to work at 6:30 every morning, and don't leave until after 5. No it's not your 112 hours a week, but it also is not typical bankers hours either. And I am not coaching anymore, so this is a breeze compared to what it used to be. LOL.

3. I work doing something on most Saturdays and Sundays, although I am not physically at school.

4. With all due respect, I couldn't care less about your sympathy, as I am not asking for it. I am just stating a fact that most people don't know what being a "good" teacher entails.

5. Finally, as I have stated before, I knew what I was getting into 18 years ago, and I feel that I am where I belong. If that comes with a lower than normal salary, then so be it. It is what I signed up for.

Not trying to be a jerk, just wanted to put my side of it out there. Thanks for the good discussion Saggy Aggie.

[waterboy]

I know it is futile for me to be arguing with you about this. So just a couple more things and I'll be done with this conversation.

1. No, I do not get paid to attend trainings or workshops during the summer. (That may just be the district I'm in though).

2. I get to work at 6:30 every morning, and don't leave until after 5. No it's not your 112 hours a week, but it also is not typical bankers hours either. And I am not coaching anymore, so this is a breeze compared to what it used to be. LOL.

3. I work doing something on most Saturdays and Sundays, although I am not physically at school.

4. With all due respect, I couldn't care less about your sympathy, as I am not asking for it. I am just stating a fact that most people don't know what being a "good" teacher entails.

5. Finally, as I have stated before, I knew what I was getting into 18 years ago, and I feel that I am where I belong. If that comes with a lower than normal salary, then so be it. It is what I signed up for.

Not trying to be a jerk, just wanted to put my side of it out there. Thanks for the good discussion Saggy Aggie.

Thank you for what you do, panther89. It takes a special type of person to be a teacher, just like being a cop or firefighter.

[panther89]

Thank you for what you do, panther89. It takes a special type of person to be a teacher, just like being a cop or firefighter.

Thank you waterboy. I appreciate it. I could not do the jobs our law enforcement or firefighters do. They are the really special people.

[Saggy Aggie]

I understand what you're saying about incentives and making it tougher to become a teacher. I don't necessarily agree, though. I just take exception to the insinuation that people only take teacher jobs or nursing jobs because they weren't smart enough to do anything else. That may not have been the way you intended it, but that's the way it came across. That, and the "9 months a year" lie for teachers. My eldest daughter was valedictorian of her class, makes the President's list every semester in college, and yet she actually wants to become a teacher like her mother. She knows she won't get rich doing it but that is her chosen career path, and she will graduate in the spring. My youngest daughter was salutatorian (should have been valedictorian, but that's a whole other story) and has a 98 average in college right now. She has always wanted to be a registered nurse, and I know that she will be. She knows she faces extremely long hours, though the pay is good, but that is what she wants to do. They certainly have my blessing, though either of them are smart enough to be anything they want to be, including a doctor, engineer, accountant, etc.

I guess I’ll have to say it again but nowhere did I say that people ONLY take teaching jobs because they’re easier to get. I said SOME do that and it hurts those who do teach because they love teaching. Facts are facts any way you slice it

A portion of people do not reflect the overall teaching community

[speedbump]

.............. at any rate,many if not most coaches,are over paid regardless of the type of contract or what teachers make.

[oldtownag]

.............. at any rate,many if not most coaches,are over paid regardless of the type of contract or what teachers make.

You do realize that most coaches are teachers?

[speedbump]

You do realize that most coaches are teachers?

Yep, but I'm from the old school.

[Scoop27]

And the coaches in smaller enrollment school (A-3A) even more coaches are teachers

[Saggy Aggie]

9 months is a myth. Teachers (and especially coaches who teach) get about 4 weeks off during the summer if they're lucky and work for a good school district. Summer training, workshops, exchange days, comp days, etc have almost eaten away the "time off" you claim they get during the summer. Its a 12 month job now. Just because the kids aren't in school doesn't mean the teachers are just as free as they are....

You don't know what you're talking about.

Do you get paid extra for those trainings, workshops, etc.....?

Regardless, you get at least 4 weeks in summer. Roughly 4 weeks in holidays.... regular vacation time....

Anyway you slice it, that’s still an extra 7-8 weeks at minimum, LOL

[LH Panther Mom]

Unless someone is an AD in the big schools, they're not making anywhere close to this. Teachers get state mandated + whatever over, if any, the district pays. Coaches get a stipend/sport above that. And it is pittance to the hours. Whoever said click bait was right!

[Crow22]

Do you get paid extra for those trainings, workshops, etc.....?

Regardless, you get at least 4 weeks in summer. Roughly 4 weeks in holidays.... regular vacation time....

Anyway you slice it, that’s still an extra 7-8 weeks at minimum, LOL

No, we don't get paid extra for those trainings/workshops/etc. I'm a teacher and a coach. Been doing it for 22 years. I love it. However, there is a HUGE misunderstanding of all the "free time" teachers, and especially coaches, get during the year. I've been an AD as well and I can tell you that there's no comparison as to the amount of hours and responsibilities between an AD and a teacher. The AD is, and should be, paid like an administrator.

So I'm all for raising the pay for teachers and more specifically, teachers who coach. And saying that teachers only work 9 months a year is absurd, false, and misinformed.

[waterboy]

No, we don't get paid extra for those trainings/workshops/etc. I'm a teacher and a coach. Been doing it for 22 years. I love it. However, there is a HUGE misunderstanding of all the "free time" teachers, and especially coaches, get during the year. I've been an AD as well and I can tell you that there's no comparison as to the amount of hours and responsibilities between an AD and a teacher. The AD is, and should be, paid like an administrator.

So I'm all for raising the pay for teachers and more specifically, teachers who coach. And saying that teachers only work 9 months a year is absurd, false, and misinformed.

Thank you for what you do. I had no idea what teachers endured until I married one. People who say what Saggy is saying don't have a clue what teachers and/or coaches do, how many hours they put in, days they work, etc. And, NO, teachers don't get "extra" pay for the continuing education and seminars unless it requires an overnight stay. Then, it's only for the motel room, meals, and mileage just like any other job. Most teachers choose to have their annual salary spread out over 12 months, and only get paid once a month. Your last paragraph says it all.