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There is a movement in my NH town to increase the pay of our two preschool teachers to match the pay of our elementary school teachers. The preschool teachers are not members of the grade school teacher union.
This seems like crazy talk to me. Grade school teachers have a much more challenging job. They have to deal with disrespectful students as they try to teach them academics. In addition, grade school teachers have to spend additional time grading tests and homework. Plus the grade school teachers have to pay union dues, and the preschool teachers don't. Preschool teachers get the kids when they are at their most innocent and amiable. There is a lot of naptime too.
IMO if these teachers get a raise, the grade school teachers will want raises too, since their work is harder and more challenging.
Your thoughts?
I am really happy for the parents of preschoolers who are delighted with their teachers, but doing their job well is not enough reason to reward them with a raise, which in the long run is going to increase my property taxes.
Are the preschool teachers part of the public school system? In other words, are they school employees? Are they certificated, meaning do they have their teaching degrees and certification in Early Childhood Education?
If the answer to the above questions is yes I'm surprised they're not already on the pay scale.
In order to be an accredited preschool then the teachers are going to have to adhere to state standards for instruction which means they will have a curriculum and will have to follow scope, sequence and pacing. So, not easier.
Are the preschool teachers part of the public school system? In other words, are they school employees? Are they certificated, meaning do they have their teaching degrees and certification in Early Childhood Education?
If the answer to the above questions is yes I'm surprised they're not already on the pay scale.
In order to be an accredited preschool then the teachers are going to have to adhere to state standards for instruction which means they will have a curriculum and will have to follow scope, sequence and pacing. So, not easier.
Curious question: Are you a teacher? If so elementary, high school or other? Please understand I'm not asking this to challenge your assessment, but to add to my mental database of perspectives on pay.
Full disclosure: I'm not, nor am I married or related to a teacher. But I do find it fascinating how teachers and non teachers approach the pay question.
Curious question: Are you a teacher? If so elementary, high school or other? Please understand I'm not asking this to challenge your assessment, but to add to my mental database of perspectives on pay.
Full disclosure: I'm not, nor am I married or related to a teacher. But I do find it fascinating how teachers and non teachers approach the pay question.
I don’t know if you are addressing me or the OP.
I am not a teacher. But there are multiple teachers in my family.
There is a movement in my NH town to increase the pay of our two preschool teachers to match the pay of our elementary school teachers. The preschool teachers are not members of the grade school teacher union.
.
Do you just look down on childcare because it's a female-dominated occupation?
Are the preschool teachers part of the public school system? In other words, are they school employees? Are they certificated, meaning do they have their teaching degrees and certification in Early Childhood Education?
If the answer to the above questions is yes I'm surprised they're not already on the pay scale.
In order to be an accredited preschool then the teachers are going to have to adhere to state standards for instruction which means they will have a curriculum and will have to follow scope, sequence and pacing. So, not easier.
I don't think the OP understands the difference between day care and preschool. Children today are taught how to read and write in preschool, plus simple addition. It isn't all play time as it was in the past.
My daughter has her degree in Early Childhood Education. Her certification states she is qualified to teach from preschool through 3rd grade. So if there were two openings in a school she should take the 3rd grade position because it will pay more?
What about a Head Start (Federal Program) Teacher? Paid the same as a Day Care Teacher? Oh, no. I have worked as a TA in Head Start. I was required to have a minimum of an Associates Degree for that. It was not a "glorified" babysitting position.
I don't think the OP understands the difference between day care and preschool. Children today are taught how to read and write in preschool, plus simple addition. It isn't all play time as it was in the past.
My daughter has her degree in Early Childhood Education. Her certification states she is qualified to teach from preschool through 3rd grade. So if there were two openings in a school she should take the 3rd grade position because it will pay more?
What about a Head Start (Federal Program) Teacher? Paid the same as a Day Care Teacher? Oh, no. I have worked as a TA in Head Start. I was required to have a minimum of an Associates Degree for that. It was not a "glorified" babysitting position.
Actually, play based preschools teach as much or more than any that are trying to *teach* reading and math with worksheets.
Play-based learning is real learning.
children learn well when they are mentally active, engaged, social, and can make meaningful connections to their lives, which are all characteristics of play.
I don’t know if you are addressing me or the OP.
I am not a teacher. But there are multiple teachers in my family.
Sorry for the confusion, but I meant the OP. Reason I asked is it seems in general teachers prefer a unified pay scale for all teachers whereas non teachers seem to prefer various forms of differentiated pay scales. Since the OP suggested differentiated pay between pre school and elementary teachers, I was curious about which perspective they were coming from. In full disclosure I think a differentiated pay scale would help teachers justify pay increases to the taxpayer.
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I don't think the OP understands the difference between day care and preschool. Children today are taught how to read and write in preschool, plus simple addition. It isn't all play time as it was in the past.
