Michael Denis of formerly of Waterville, ME Redsox19, I'd love to have had a 7-1/2 hour work day when I was teaching. Teachers don't just work at school, in fact most of the planning, correcting, preparation, etc., is NOT done between 8 and 2:30, but because the public doesn't see it, it doesn't happen. Summers off? Yeah, with classes, second or third jobs -- yeah, we sure had it easy. I don't know what you do for a living, but I'd bet I could find something to criticize about it, too.report abuse

thinking of farmington, ME You think $25K a year is a good starting salary for someone with a four year degree? When cost of college(tuition plus room and board), even at a state school, is $14,000 a year and up?

Many, if not most, of the starting teachers I know need to work a second or even third job to make ends meet. They go in early, stay late (no overtime pay), and take work home for evenings and weekends.

I think anyone who actually goes into teaching despite the pay, bureaucratic hassles, and, once again, lack of respect is wearing those rose colored glasses. It is often a thankless job, as some of the postings here demonstrate.report abuse

redsox19 of Oakland, ME "No one goes into teaching for the money these days. Those who teach do so because they care about our kids and their future and want to make a POSITIVE contribution"

Okay, you can take off those rose colored glasses thinking of farmington, ME.
Let's see starting pay of $25K a year. 2 months off in the summer, full benefit package including state retirement package and a 7-1/2 work day with no week ends.

Can I also assume that the same can be said about Doctors, nurses and politicians?report abuse

thinking of farmington, ME I've got a job, pay my taxes, and believe I get a good value in return for my tax dollars. Ive got kids in the school system who have excelled in grades, extracurricular activities, sports, test scores, and have earned academic scholarships to colleges. They play sports quite successfully, somehow managing to survive INSTRUCTIONAL leagues (that's what they call it now) rather than competitive leagues when they are young. They manage to strive to do their best while respecting others. No, they're not perfect angels, but their parents and teachers work to teach them a good work ethic, strong values, a positive outlook, and respect for others.

I also believe that my kids have had excellent teachers who work VERY hard for VERY poor pay and very little respect.

Yes, the testing system is a problem, but don't blame it on the teachers and certainly don't say they don't work for their pay. No one goes into teaching for the money these days. Those who teach do so because they care about our kids and their future and want to make a POSITIVE contribution.report abuse