Then write your congressman. That's what I always tell people who feel sorry for what I make.
I wouldn't trade my job for anything. I never look at the clock to see how long until the day is over, I never know what each day will hold, and I work with the best people I could ever imagine working with.
If I had to trade this job for one that I don't enjoy or feel fulfilled in, for $200,000, it would take me a nanosecond to say "No."
I love my job and not a lot of people can say that.
I don't "feel sorry" for what you make. That wasn't the point of my post, and I apologize if it came across that way.
My point was, simply, that teaching is an extremely important job and in many cases (at least based on what I've heard from people in various places) teachers are underpaid given the responsibility and effect they have on society. Next fall you may have a kid in one of your classes who, given the proper instruction and encouragement, could grow up and find a cure for cancer or become the next truly great American President. Your guidance could be the difference between that kid achieving that goal or not.
A new MBA graduate from some top-rated school will get hired by a large corporation for a bundle of money. When its all said and done, who has a greater positive impact on society? The MBA grad presumably helps his company grow and make money, and that's important. But, if not for teachers, there would be no MBA graduates or CEOs. If we had to do without one of these people, I'd rather do without the MBA- the teacher's absence would leave a much bigger hole in our society.
You obviously care enough about what you do to do it regardless of salary, but there are others who could be great teachers but are driven or lured away by financial considerations.
My son is not in school yet, but I hope that when he gets there he finds teachers with an attitude much like the one reflected in your statement above.
There's my two cents. I'll step down off of my soapbox now.
