ashe

Wait, teachers were "targeted" by the media for salaries?

Jr you do know that Forsyth, Gilford, and larger counties pay a supplement most often 4 to 8 grand over the state scale.

Maybe you bunch of hillbilly windbags need to stop worrying about what everyone else is making or doing and tend more to your own business...This site is nothing more than a online gossip network. Nothing has or will ever be solved by anything posted here...

Soapbox is correct. The link provided is the way they should be listed if at all and the salaries posted there show that local teachers don't make as much as everyone thinks.

I want to be fair to teachers. They aren't lazy and it's not an easy job.

I do agree though they are not the only ones that take work home. Many office workers, administrative assistants and the like also are increasingly required to take work home.

My main point was that teachers in Ashe County are well paid by County Standards. This doesn't hold true in all counties of the state. Like I said in this county after 2 years you make the county median income. If you taught in Forsyth you'd need to teach 6 years or more to meet median income. If you taught in Mecklenburg county you'd have to teach more than 20 years to meet the median income of that county..

In 25 years though it is likely that many teaching positions will be replaced by robots (Japan already does it on a limited level). Why? Robots are cheaper. (It's the same reason McDonald's is replacing their cashiers with automated kiosks, it's in their only really owned store already so that means within 5 years they'll replace those jobs throughout the franchises, assuming there aren't any major glitches). This all assumes we survive to the automation age.

Would idolize be a better choice of wording?

You stretch the meaning of "admiring" a bit.

And the rest of the time you are admiring the dog.

I have my moments, Basking.

Wow Yogi, I forgot that you were capable of a well thought out and provoking post

Yogi I appreciate your attention to my coat tails.

And yogi you made a very good point related to Ashe students going on being successful at the college level. Why even one young lady became a teacher herself but just couldn't keep her clothes on or her mouth shut. Masquerading as Laura Bentley.

Jr did have a good point below as to the current pay of teachers in the county. Were the teachers that under paid we would see job postings and the school board screaming the sky is falling. The school system of Ashe county has little to no turn over therefore this is still further proof the teachers are a group of cry babies.

Were the teachers employees of a private company we would never hear a word.

I taught in the NC public schools for thirty years and never saw a reason to whine about my salary. Most people have their minds made up concerning their attitude toward teachers before listening to facts, and most of that has to do with those holidays and summers off. I don't complain about it at all, but those free summer breaks don't always happen as it appears on paper. As a professional, you should expect the duties to carry on past the school day. Now, during the school day, I think many have the conception that there's only 6-hours of contact with students each day. That's the formal teaching time in the classroom. There are other supervisory duties that are not reflected that happen both during a regular school day and before/after. In the end, the most difficult part to deal with is the constant attention to liability. A true professional educator realizes this and takes the necessary actions to see that he/she the teacher is up to speed and that nothing is being done to put the school system in jeopardy as well. A great deal of professional development takes place during summer. There are some opportunities to receive a stipend for such, but that's far and in between. The NC Retirement System is certainly a reason to stay in teaching. The key point is that no-one is forcing you to go into teaching. I taught because that was what I did very well and I would choose the same career path again. I was dedicated and the communities I taught in received the best I had to offer. Just be careful not to lump everyone in the same bundle. Not all teachers are running to Houston. Not all teachers are whining about their pay. If it were an easy job and without a great deal of responsibility, there would be a glut of teachers and very difficult to get a job.

Also, jr had a very good point below. The teacher pay is already above the median income in Ashe county. Isn't it kind of hard to ask your fellow citizens to pay you more when you already make more than they do?

It used to be that people took government jobs knowing they wouldn't make as much money as they would in the private sector. But they got good benefits, good retirement, and we're pretty safe regarding not losing their job. Now government jobs almost out number private jobs and they want paid at the same level. Not sure how long we can support that model

Some people are just natural teachers. They enjoy it, they wouldn't want to do anything else. It's a thankless job sometimes. There are a few of them that truly want to fight to keep those talented teachers in the classroom. I know an instructor that his students starting pay was double of what his was. Yet he felt he needed to make a difference in the classroom. He Advocated less mandates on degrees and hire those based on experience and pay them as such. He never complained about his salary, yet tried to pave the way for others to earn more.

I agree, we do have whiners. Many teachers don't realize the benefits they have compared to the private sector. Their retirement is excellent, insurance is excellent. When in manufacturing, we would get a 2% raise, and the cost of benefits would increase 2%. They have never had to fight those battles. To that point I agree with you.

I don't begrudge anyone trying to get more pay. And truth is, I'd rather money go there than money pits like the airport. My issue is their whining and crying like they are a victim and have the hardest job in the world. They knew what it was when they took it. And it's an easy job compared to most jobs.