Today’s entry: Please always state that teacher pay is for NINE MONTHS of work a year. NINE MONTHS. They have the ability to make much more money a year and many do. I’m sick of teachers acting like they’re underpaid and overworked, it’s BS! Keep up the good work.
Bottom Line: Friday’s Q&A regarding the truth about Florida teacher pay, as we get ready for the issue to be front and center in the state session that begins this week, brought a lot of feedback along with it. For the purpose of addressing this follow up question, here's a summation of a few of the key points. First, the average teacher earns about $5,000 more than the average full time employed Floridian. Salaries for teachers have risen 17% over the past decade in Florida compared to 13% for all Floridians. Lastly, Governor DeSantis has proposed a 26% average increase for starting teacher pay and the FEA stated it was only a starting point.
This information tells a story that should be discussed in conjunction with any teacher pay package that’s approved. In my view, all public sector employees should see their wages rise at a rate that reflects the citizens who pay for their salaries. The notion of Florida teachers being underpaid with raises that are lacking, is a false narrative based on a false premise, at least if you compare teacher pay to those who they’re serving in public education.
Florida averages 180 instructional days per year. There are variances based on school district but they’re generally small. Teachers work an extra of five days beyond the instructional calendar. The extra days are generally teacher workdays, time for continuing education, etc. So, how does that compare? The average full-time employed person works 245 days, or 60 more than the average teacher, annually. It doesn’t quite work out to nine months, or 25% less work than the average non-teacher, but it’s close at 23% less time spent working. This does amount to an extra twelve weeks of work for the average Floridian compared to the average teacher further illustrating the disconnect.
I’m not sure what will happen in the state session regarding teacher pay, but I do hope facts enter the equation.
Submit your questions by using one of these methods.
Email: brianmudd@iheartmedia.com
Twitter: @brianmuddradio
Facebook: Brian Mudd https://www.facebook.com/brian.mudd1
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images