Teacher Salary Stories

"Any job change now ... would end up being a pay cut instead of a pay raise."

"I plan to stay in education only because my degree is not transferable to anything other than childcare. I cannot afford more education."

"People lament the difficulty schools face in hiring and retaining teachers, yet balk at the notion of higher taxes needed to pay their salaries."

She says teacher salaries should reflect the high honor and responsibility of educating the next generation.

"I can't imagine what my life would be like in California."

"It is the only career I ever wanted, and still the only thing I want to do."

"The sad part is the cost of living increases have not matched up to the actual cost of living."

"We've had to tell our kids there are things they can't be involved in because we don't have the money."