Comments on: Oh, By The Way, We’re Not Dumb

By: Em

Em — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:56:25 +0000

I have a Masters Degree, and I make $38,000 a year. I have been teaching for the past ten years. If I did the same job in North Dakota, I would start at $53,000 a year. We have not had a pay raise in the past three years, and our insurance rates have gone up over 200%, while my deductible doubled. I don’t know if I can continue to afford teaching. This kind of treatment will not attract, or retain the best and the brightest.

Furthermore, as teachers, we constantly have to fight to get the things our students need. Teacher pay aside, the kids in this state deserve better. They deserve a community that invests in its future.

By: JeniW

JeniW — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 17:18:57 +0000

Unless an organization provides funding, or has some “power” to influence change, I don’t pay much attention to any ratings given to anything in SD or other states, or populations.

If the U.S. Department of Education gave SD schools a poor rating, then that would be an indication that we would have something to be concerned about.

By: Pat

Pat — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:23:57 +0000

my daughter in law is a teacher and I know how much of own personal time and money she puts into teaching her students and I don’t think people realize this. so take the time to say thank you to your children’s teachers and if you had a special teacher who made a difference in your life it’s never too late to say thank you to them either.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 03:05:13 +0000

I have a second cousin that went to school both in the South and in South Dakota. He will tell you firsthand that school here is much tougher and more is expected of you than in his other school.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:15:46 +0000

Is that the top 20% of all wage earners or those with a degree or advanced degree?

By: Donn

Donn — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:35:28 +0000

I know teachers put in a lot of hours in the offseason. My mom taught for almost 40 years. That being said, they are still in the top 20% of wage earners in South Dakota. Most of us work at lower wages than the national average, so it is all relative.

By: J.P. Skelly

J.P. Skelly — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:50:00 +0000

Well stated Doug. As for the perception that teachers only work 9 months out of the year, I think most folks may be surprised to learn that many teachers spend their summers pursuing professional development at their own expense. Having said that, teachers need to “educate” the general public regarding what they do outside the classroom.