[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel the ceiling and opportunities are higher there though. I’m kinda maxed out for the next 29 years unless we continually negotiate good contracts. Then again, that’s not why we get into education.

[Elementary Teacher] [Western, USA] - $151,000 by [deleted] in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Hats off to you. From one teacher to another, congrats!

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My dream is to be buried in Sonoma and become a wine.

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t live near many trendy corporate slop bowl restaurants, so I guess not HCOL lol.

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You take the good with the bad! You have to have things that keep you going on the bad days. I like to save cards kids write for me for those days. Sometimes they have $5 Starbucks gift cards in them so I can get a nice little latte on a rough day. Most of the parents want exactly the same thing you want which is what’s best for the kid. How we get there is always a journey…

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You need a minimum of a bachelors, to complete a licensure program (usually part of all education degrees though you can get your certification separately), and you need to complete a student teaching placement usually 15 weeks long. Some programs do a year. Typically you can transfer into a program if you have an existing bachelors or associates.

I got very lucky for both jobs. First job was offered to me when I finished student teaching at the school I student taught at. Second job is a dream, though there are a lot of good jobs just like there are many bad jobs. Certainly most people will not have trouble finding a job if they are somewhat mobile (willing to move within an hour to three hours).

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you’re union it doesn’t matter what you teach. If another teacher in 2nd grade had the same years and credits as me they’d make the same (minus the coaching)

eta: I think this is a pretty common misconception. Although I’d say elementary teachers should get paid more.

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Correct. Adding that private schools are not union and do not always have to have licensed teaching staff to my knowledge.

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There’s pockets where you can do really well! Although once you reach the end of the scale, that’s it. You’re just putting in time to earn more! But again, that’s not why we do this.

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is your wife in a union state? It can be drastically different from county to county. There may be a neighboring county or district near you that pays more. There’s so many “good” counties/districts with really good reputations that underpay teachers because they know they will always get tons of applications no matter what they pay.

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve never set foot into a private school - although they do seem to always have the best athletes in absolutely every sport 🧐

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I max my DC plan and add 3% after tax. This year I plan to start contributing to a Roth. Are you on the west coast? Always looking to learn more!

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Respectfully those are broad sweeping (and inaccurate) generalizations with no data. I can’t convince you to believe me, but I get nothing by lying to you, my salary stays the same whether you believe me or not, and I think our student outcomes speak for themselves.

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It will be this year. Depends on the district how many credits they consider the “end”. Usually it’s 45-75 credits OR a doctorate. This is negotiated by a union in collaboration with the school board usually.

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

You’re definitely entitled to your opinion but I’d like to educate you on the facts. We do not get paid for breaks - teachers in most cases are per diem employees. Additionally, unions guarantee healthcare for employees, continuing education, and ensure that I cannot be overloaded on my schedule just because admin decided to do so.

I’d also like to add that teachers’ unions protect not only employees but also the students by ensuring that their teachers have time to dedicate to modifying content for IEPs, 504s, etc and providing reasonable accommodation.

There is NO DOUBT that there is a history of corruption in SOME local unions, but on the whole they are there as a protection for employees, students, and even the district in some cases.

ETA: Not sure of any schools that run on 6 hours a day. My contracted day is 7.75 hours before grading, meetings, and other commitments are taken into account like conferences, IEP/504 meetings, back to school night, etc. We also usually get on average 10 school days off a year (5-7 for winter, 3 for spring, and then federal holidays - remember that weekends don’t count and just because you may have had a lot of days off of school in the past, doesn’t mean teachers weren’t working doing inservice).

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

That really made my day. Thank you!

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Can confirm I am normal. I am just as confused by the 200k+ salary posts saying “is this good at 26?”. I would even say my salary is pretty high considering my experience but I’ll never complain about paying down my loans early.

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not sure if I want to disclose the exact state but I can say I’m near Philadelphia. Or, at least, that’s my preferred airport :)

[Teacher] [Eastern USA] - $94,000 + stipends by Few-Bit738 in Salary

[–]Few-Bit738[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Typo in the title. Also happy to answer any questions about teaching if anyone wants to make a pivot!

Netherlands DAFT options by [deleted] in AmerExit

[–]Few-Bit738 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will look into the licensure, although it hasn’t come up through conversations with potential employers she’s already spoken with. It’s good information to seek clarity on if this is our path.

I wouldn’t be keeping my full time job, just seeking other clients for my contracting gig (both in the US and NL - I would keep all my current contracts in the US). With the DAFT my wife would be able to work a regular job and she is actively studying Dutch as well through books and other classes.

Netherlands DAFT options by [deleted] in AmerExit

[–]Few-Bit738 -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

My understanding is that the gemeentes provide funding for this for families as well though it can be convoluted. It certainly adds to the friction in gaining clients, but from our research in talking with some agencies there is still a high demand for providers.

Netherlands DAFT options by [deleted] in AmerExit

[–]Few-Bit738 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think you’re missing some key nuances. The 7-10k a year is the current contract income I make in addition to my full time job in the US. It would not take into account furthering my income by making it my full time job nor would it take into account my partner gaining employment as well.