Hi Fred although I agree teachers don't make a lot of money for the responsibility that they have these days, as I've said before, until they are funded by someone other than the taxpayer they will not be making what someone like your son is making in private industry. I don't know what private industry pays in Arizona, but here in south western PA on average it is not what a teacher with tenure (and often average teachers pay) is making. Some better paying jobs are closer to the average teachers pay, but most are not. You almost sound a little bitter that your son made more money his 1st year in his profession than your 30th year in teaching. Again, if you tell people to become a teacher and see what it is like than also you could say that to a teacher. I have great respect for teachers and know what they are up against most of the time. It's a darn shame our society has put so much pressure on them that they can't just go to work and teach. They have to report every little thing about little Johnny/Suzy. It's unfortunate that some families are so screwed up that oftentimes there is no Mom or Dad at home to make sure these kids are doing ok. Your job is NOT easy. Again, I don't believe in bashing a teacher, but respect MUST go both ways. The teachers who were going before our school board demanding more money at our monthly meeting were the "HIGHER" paid ones. Making over $72,000 a year plus full benefits. They're only paying $10 a month towards those benefits and as taxpayers we just want them to pay a "fair" amount towards them like we do. I don't think that's unreasonable. I believe "good" teachers have a God given gift. It's not for everyone.

Nicole, we would welcome good teachers from other states who WILL NOT strike. Put our children's educations first. We do have a good education system in PA and we need to appreciate the people who work hard to make that happen. Does that mean they're all good teachers? Absolutely not. We need better Principals who are not afraid to weed out the weak ones. Education has a lot of problems in every state, but when the teachers walk out on the children and the taxpayers that is when things get really UGLY. It's a shame Connecticut doesn't value education more, but do they allow teachers strikes? Do they have tenure? I work with people who have Doctorate degrees and don't make what our tenured teachers make. There shouldn't be a sense of entitlement in any field especially those taxpayer paid based. I know I'm a government worker. I don't strike or feel that I should make more than other professions. I am college educated and support education. I have to admit though that I am tired of what I hear the teachers here saying. There are many teachers looking for work and aren't we lucky (those of us who have jobs) to be working. Maybe you should look into private school for your daughter. Sometimes they are more advanced than public schools. Good luck to you.