What's it worth?

The value of your child's education, that is.

I'm not one of those teachers that complains about how much I get paid. I knew the score when I entered the profession. But I get a little annoyed by those who say teachers make too much- and get their summers off.

From the NY Times:

According to the American Federation of Teachers, the state with the highest average pay for teachers in 2003-04 was Connecticut, at $56,516; the lowest was South Dakota, at $33,236.
Or look at it this way: Pick a corporate chieftain — say, Jeffrey R. Immelt of General Electric. He earns $15.4 million a year. Every single day — including Thanksgiving and Christmas — he makes almost what the average teacher does for a year of taming wild children, staying up nights planning lessons, and, really, helping to shape a generation.

Also from MSNBC:

Torii Hunter [pitcher for the Minn. Twins] has taken whining about money to a new level. After losing to the Yankees for the second time in three games, the Twins center fielder whined that, “The Yankees have a $200-million payroll, and we play for minimum wage.”

Let’s see. Hunter is making $10.75 million this year, which works out to $66,358 for each of the 162 games in the season.

Hunter makes $10,000 more per game than the teacher's in the highest paid state make per year (and remember he pitches only 1 out of every 4 or 5 games).

As we begin a new school year, value education, and do what you can to support it. That value and support will result in a better education for our children- and a better future.

GP