Do I plan to teach next year?
Well, if I am like 1/2 of the new teachers in America, probably not. Yep...in the first five years of teaching, nearly 50% of teachers quit. Not a great thought.
Last year, as I was about to graduate from my school's teaching program, I assumed this statistic was either 1-inflated to spark national debate; or 2-proof of the sagging work ethic in America. Despite my best efforts, I managed to overlook the actual reasons for teacher dropout, which I'll share with you now...
1. $$$$$
Yes, that's right. We all need to face up to the fact that money is an important factor in our daily lives. It controls the kind of car we drive, the house payments we can afford to make, and even the brand of toilet paper we buy. And without a consistent paycheck, these small decisions become overwhelming obstacles. Take, for example, the fact that I am a single girl living in a modest apartment. I don't eat out, I drive an older model car, and my wardrobe is embarrasingly basic. And yet, on my salary, I am unable to scrounge up enough money to buy name-brand laundry detergent.
Let's make some comparisons. In my state, a teacher starts out at around $29,000 a year. The manager of a retail store averages $37,000 a year. A registered nurse earns $43,000. A private accountant starts at $44,000. Now, while none of these salaries are going to push us into the next tax bracket, it is clear that the teaching profession ranks quite low on the pay scale.
2. Parents
I love each and every student that walks into my classroom. I truly mean that with all my heart, and I hope that shows in my words and actions. For some reason that is totally lost on me, many parents feel that teachers "have it out" for their children. As a result, tension builds between school and home, buildng with each low grade and late piece of homework. In the perfect world, everyone would agree on the importance of rigorous education, but unfortunately new teachers find themselves faced with more parent issues than paperwork.
3. Administration
Did you know that a teacher has to complete just as many monthly reports, memos, supply request forms, and purchase orders as any secretary or office worker? Teachers are also responsible for curriculum guides, lesson plans, professional development forms, behavior modification worksheets, and gradebooks. And, oh yeah...we grade homework too.
4. Loneliness
I haven't talked to any one outside the walls of my school for about two months. With all of the above stress, there is no real energy left in the day for me to spend on outside activities. I think I would like to learn dancing, or exercising at the park, or dating. But unfortunately, school work has to take priority.
So that's just my two cents (better known as a half of my paycheck).
Well, if I am like 1/2 of the new teachers in America, probably not. Yep...in the first five years of teaching, nearly 50% of teachers quit. Not a great thought.
Last year, as I was about to graduate from my school's teaching program, I assumed this statistic was either 1-inflated to spark national debate; or 2-proof of the sagging work ethic in America. Despite my best efforts, I managed to overlook the actual reasons for teacher dropout, which I'll share with you now...
1. $$$$$
Yes, that's right. We all need to face up to the fact that money is an important factor in our daily lives. It controls the kind of car we drive, the house payments we can afford to make, and even the brand of toilet paper we buy. And without a consistent paycheck, these small decisions become overwhelming obstacles. Take, for example, the fact that I am a single girl living in a modest apartment. I don't eat out, I drive an older model car, and my wardrobe is embarrasingly basic. And yet, on my salary, I am unable to scrounge up enough money to buy name-brand laundry detergent.
Let's make some comparisons. In my state, a teacher starts out at around $29,000 a year. The manager of a retail store averages $37,000 a year. A registered nurse earns $43,000. A private accountant starts at $44,000. Now, while none of these salaries are going to push us into the next tax bracket, it is clear that the teaching profession ranks quite low on the pay scale.
2. Parents
I love each and every student that walks into my classroom. I truly mean that with all my heart, and I hope that shows in my words and actions. For some reason that is totally lost on me, many parents feel that teachers "have it out" for their children. As a result, tension builds between school and home, buildng with each low grade and late piece of homework. In the perfect world, everyone would agree on the importance of rigorous education, but unfortunately new teachers find themselves faced with more parent issues than paperwork.
3. Administration
Did you know that a teacher has to complete just as many monthly reports, memos, supply request forms, and purchase orders as any secretary or office worker? Teachers are also responsible for curriculum guides, lesson plans, professional development forms, behavior modification worksheets, and gradebooks. And, oh yeah...we grade homework too.
4. Loneliness
I haven't talked to any one outside the walls of my school for about two months. With all of the above stress, there is no real energy left in the day for me to spend on outside activities. I think I would like to learn dancing, or exercising at the park, or dating. But unfortunately, school work has to take priority.
So that's just my two cents (better known as a half of my paycheck).
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