Teacher Pay in Florida
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For the love of God, Florida, pay your teachers more.
Teachers are professionals, with years of difficult classes and degrees behind them. They have to continuously take training and classes in order to keep their certifications. They are asked to adhere to a stringent ethics statement and can lose their jobs for brushes with the law that occur outside of school hours and school parameters. They are held to higher standards, work under a great deal of pressure and pour love over your children year after year.
However, I just read an article about the new Aldi supermarkets that are coming to Florida. People are flocking to apply for jobs, and no wonder – cashiers there will make around $10/hour and manager trainees $20/hour. A manager will start out making more than most teachers in Florida.
I applaud Aldi for paying fair wages. I’m impressed and thankful. I wish all who applied for jobs lately the best of luck. However, I think the state of Florida should be ashamed at how poorly they regard their teachers. This one financial example shines just a tiny bit of light on a harsh reality. You might have an amazing teacher instructing your kindergartner only to lose them to a 2nd career in the supermarket industry.
Maybe some teachers can work at the supermarket
during summer breaks —
Most of my friends who were teachers in their 20s had extra jobs during school breaks - construction, retail, or other seasonal jobs just to supplemental their early career pay. But several really appreciated the schedule when they married & started having kids and as their salaries improved with their experience & extra education (if you have a masters degree, it usually increases salary), make it less likely they need extra jobs. I guess there are some tradeoffs to consider.
How are you doing looking for a position? Will you start work this fall? Hope it works out for the best for you, Ang.