As you can see, I AM at the top of the pay scale, which after 12 years of work is $68,043 (I was wrong about $62k — was going off memory after filing my recent taxes, and I put a lot in deferred comp.)

Here is one university’s credential requirements — 8 units of prerequisites and 36 units in the program. http://edweb.csus.edu/tpac/Program%20Handout%20-%20New%20SS%20updated_pw%20comments_nov11.pdf
I would suggest that that number of units is frequently more than a year “at most,” particularly for those who have to work in addition to going to school, as I did. (For the record, 12 units is considered full-time at that university.)

Median income would not include benefits, so neither should your calculations of teacher salary. Median household income in California is $60,883, according to the census: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06000.html That puts me, personally, just above median income with two graduate degrees, one of which you clearly hold in low regard.

I’m going to let other readers decide who to believe, since I’ve been perfectly clear about my sources of information and you are making unsubstantiated claims.

Oh yeah, and what sort of “factual documentation” would you expect people to have for the hours they work at home? A time sheet? I can’t prove you sleep, either, but that doesn’t really mean anything, does it?

Interesting that because I have a different point of view from you and Beezer, you accuse me of trying to “silence” you.
Now that is B.S. I have as much right to give my opinion as you do to give yours. Or are you such a Dittohead that you can’t stand points of view different from yours?

And fat chance that I could ever stop you and Beezer from speaking your minds, even if I wanted to.

p.s. Instead of calling me a “liar,” try calling me a “slut.” That worked for Rush Limbaugh…NOT.

Kara- first a teaching credential is very easy to obtain. It is at most an extra year, many times you can do the credential while you actually teach.

Second-if you have TWO graduate degrees in CA you would be at the top of the pay scale, anywhere from $125K-$150K depending on the district and how many years of service you have. Your claim of $62K is bogus unless you’re in some podunk state.

The average teacher in CA earns $68K, plus $45K in benefits. That is about triple median income, and in the top 15% of income earners in this state-that would not be considered middle class.

Teachers make far more than middle class comp in this state, CA!

Steve, why are you such a low down dirty liar????

Me and Beelz are tired of the scams public employees have, it has nothing to do with “hatred”, that is just a BullSH** line you use to try to deflect the facts, and i am sick and tired of you using it to try to silence people who disagree with you.

$85k might be a bit high, but don’t belittle the good teachers out there who deserve much more than they are getting
Actually I am a licensed teacher, have not taught for 14 years but still have the license.

#1- teachers only work 37 weeks and the contract is for 36 hours per week. They do not work 20-30 hours a week at home, although they always make that claim they can NEVER back it up with factual documentation.

#2- teachers in nearly all circumstances have OTHER STUDENTS grade papers. If it is a test many times it is on a scantron, which requires no work at all. For essay tests, this may require grading at home, but they are few and far between.

#3- most teachers will not help struggling students to any significant degree.

The claim yo work 70 hours per week is false, not even 50. Your comp is great as it is, especially since you cannot be fired short of a felony conviction. You should STOP complainign and start thanking those os us who pay your salary thru our taxes.

And, btw, if you really believe that it is a noble thing TO SERVE THE PUBLIC, why do you have such hatred and disrespect for public servants?

Obviously you have not been a teacher, or even know one. They work 37 hours in the classroom, but you are forgetting the other 20-30 hours a week they work at home. Do you think an hour of office/prep time is enough to grade 30 papers? How about helping one on one with struggling students? Should our teachers do nothing but teach from the book with scantron quizzes and tests? Real teachers work MUCH more than an standard 40 hour week.

$85k might be a bit high, but don’t belittle the good teachers out there who deserve much more than they are getting.

When I was a kid a teacher was a middle class job. Nobody was supposed to get rich as a teacher. People went into education TO SERVE THE PUBLIC – not to get rich. I don’t think pro athletes should make as much as they do – but pro athletes have skills that only 1% of the population has. Any knucklehead can become a teacher as long as you get a 4 year degree. And about 30% of the population has one of those. Teachers are not special. They are VERY ordinary people who should receive ordinary paychecks and retirements. People in America are supposed to be rewarded for taking RISK! There is no RISK in being a teacher. Any dummy can do it and once finish your year probation it’s impossible to fire one. Look at the teacher pedophiles in LAUSD. Even with a history of sexually fondling little children they still keep their jobs!!! DISGUSTING!