Teachers can make $125k
OK, I’ll let you read the article, but what I liked the most about it was:
Teacher: $125k
Principal: $90k
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/nyregion/07charter.html
This is where charter schools can help, by experimenting and placing pressure on the “system” to innovate.
If this experiment goes well (or even if it doesn’t), teacher’s will start wondering how unions are really helping them get higher salaries (though that is not the only motivation for teachers) if charter school’s are offering more than twice their salary…
A money quote on the second page.
Sounds like conflict of interest is showing its ugly head.Ernest A. Logan, president of the city principals’ union, called the notion of paying the principal less than the teachers “the craziest thing I’ve ever heard.”
His point?
Fair enough.“It’s nice to have a first violinist, a first tuba, but you’ve got to have someone who brings them all together,” Mr. Logan said. “If you cheapen the role of the school leader, you’re going to have anarchy and chaos.”
BUT
Finland has a phenomenal education system (and they don’t even start their kids in school until they are 7). First rate. In fact, the best in the world. College grads there do anything to teach. Why? Not for pay, but for the prestige. Because to be a teacher is the finest, most rewarding profession available. Now, you might say, how can changing pay fix the problem? Well, we’re Americans. We love money. We think Bill Gates is awesome because he’s made a ton of money. He and others made technology and geeks cool. If we pay teachers what they are truly worth, then the prestige will follow.
To address the union leader’s comment about leaders? I think his paradigm is off.
Who should be the leaders?
Who is the leader?
Last line in the article?
Mr. Vanderhoek said he planned to be principal for at least four years. After that, who knows? He could be promoted to teacher.I’m all smiles right now.
